Ring Member Accomplishments

This area is to recognize accomplishments by ring members. While most events are related to Magic, we are also happy to include praises for major events such as newlyweds, child births, graduations, and milestone birthdays / anniversaries. If you would like to have an event or award posted here, please e-mail the webmasters with details. Please include pictures if applicable.

Michael Messing sets record for attendance Ring 58 member Michael Messing set a Knox County Summer Library Program record for attendance when 780 people attended his two performances at the Farragut Branch Library on June 18. Michael also holds the single performance record set in 2007 when 583 people attended a single performance also at the Farragut Branch. (That’s why a second show was added this Summer.)

Michael Messing in the paper Michael Messing recently appeared in the Shopper-News for his work with the county libraries. You can read the article in PDF format here.

Tom Vorjohan in the paper Ring member and past president Tom Vorjohan was the subject of a lengthy article in The Daily Times. You can read the article in PDF format here.

Twin City Magic Convention June 2007 Congratulations to Ed Ripley. Ed placed second (out of seven competitors) at the Twin City Magic Convention close up competition. Ed performed his custom made version of Dime and Penny which he has termed Hopzilla.

Winter Carnival of Magic Competitors March 2007 We had two magicians compete in Winter Carnival of Magic. Congratulations to Scott Compton and Debbie Debuty; they represented Ring 58 in the close up competition.

Christian Compton performed his cane routine just for fun during the Stage Competition. Christian's routine won the competition in 2006.

New Baby Magician I.B.M. Ring 58 member Kyle Copeland & his wife Heidi are new parents. Cora Muriel made a grand entrance on November 13, 2006, weighing 7 lb, 6 oz. Cora already has a magic set, her first stage illusion, and a growing library of magic books waiting for her. We expect great things from this little magician!

Daniel Herron is the current Dealer Chairman for the I.B.M.'s Convention that will be taking place in Reno the last week of June, 2007. As such, Daniel is lining up dealers from around the world to share their creations and merchandise at this awesome international gathering of magicians.

Past International President, Mike Stratman, and our Ring's Vice President, Ed Ripley, have been invited and will be attending the 2007 FFFF convention. This is an invitation-only event, and it is Ed's first year to be invited to attend.

Youth Member, Christian Compton, will be performing on the Thursday evening show at the 2007 MagiFest Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Christian placed 2nd in the Stage Competition at last year's MagiFest and was extended this honor to perform at the upcoming convention the first weekend of February. Also attending the MagiFest will be Christian's father, Scott, and members Robert Jones and Scott Cantrell. According to sources, both Jones and Cantrell will be competing in one of the contests held during the convention.

Tom Vorjohan and Daniel Herron, aka "The Balloon Guys," have been hired to work at the Daytona Magic Convention the first week of November, 2007. They will be building one of their large balloon sculptures and lecturing during the convention.