Notes
Nonprofit
Orpnizition
from
U.S. POST AGE
PAID Canun, N.H.
Ca rdi gan
Permit No. 1
Cardigan Mountain School Canaan, New Hampshire 03741
Issue No. 6
April 1973
New England ' s reputation for variety and fickleness of weather certainly is well deserved. During Spring vacation temperatures stayed unseasonably warm; the snow melted - as did the ice in the hockey rink, assisted, it is true, by kerosene heaters the lawns and playing fields dried out to the extent that some areas could be raked to remove the remains of Winter, and we were in good shape to start Spring sports upon the boys ' return. Then came the fourth of April and most of you know what happened. Our busses from Boston were delayed at the airport waiting f .or late planes , and were further delayed en route by a blinding snowstorm which left six inches of wet snow on the ground. A number of parents expecting an enjoyable drive to Canaan from various points in New England had instead a hair-raising trip on slippery and sometimes almost invisible highways. All arrived safe but late, and next morning we were back on schedule. It was a full week before this snow melted and playing fields were again useable. As if in apology, the weather then turned warm and we enjoyed a week of incredibly hot sunshine which turned the grass green, brought out tulips , daffodils, crocusses, dandelions and ultimately the ice went out of the lake on April 17th making Charlie Hickox the winner of this year's iceout contest. Beneath the pious mien of Chaplain Harry Mahoney lurks a deviousness not evident when he is in the pulpit. In fact , Harry is plotting and scheming all the time and teaching students to do likewise. It's all for the cause of magic, and from many applicants , he selects 15 boys each year who demonstrate the interest and potential skill for this craft to be in his Magic Club. Under his watchful eye which sees all , they learn basic principles of magic, sleight of hand, misdirection, card tricks , escapes , clos,e -up magic and stage magic. The Club is divided into two sections which meet for one hour each week to learn tricks, and watch each other perform . In addition to these meetings there are some interesting field trips. Last month several boys went to Boston to attend "Legerdemain Lectures at Leisure" a magic show sponsored by the Boston chapter of the Society of American Magicians. Since there were only a few other young magicians at the meeting, our boys were frequently asked to assist with performances. One magician blew up a big balloon, then called Fred Senese to come and sit on it. Magically, it didn't burst. So he called up two more boys to sit on Fred's knees, and it still didn't pop. Some balloon! Other outside activities have included helping Mr. Mahoney do a show for the Cub Scouts in Canaan. Anticipated is a visit to the Pediatrics Ward of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanov,e r to entertain sick children. The highlight of the season is the trip next month to attend the Boston Magirama - an annual convention which attracts magicians from all over the world. About ten boys will go with Harry to see exhibits and performances almost continuously for two days and to visit with fellow magicians. The Magic Club is one of the oldest clubs on campus and each year there are more boys who want to join than can be accomodated. Harry still hears from boys who became interested in magic at Cardigan and are still doing tricks.