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Baskerville Productions
The Society of American Magicians
Since 1902 - 124 Years of Magic!
S.A.M. Assembly 311 "Holkus Polkus" Themed Launch Information
When: First Saturday of Each Month
Where: BASKERVILLE HALL, Chester, IL 62233
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
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Welcome to our family!!!
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S.A.M. Assembly 311 – Holkus Polkus Magic Society, is designed to feel magical, organized, and rooted in the heritage of Chester, Illinois and Elzie C. Segar’s whimsical world. I’ve built this club as a living blueprint you can follow for years, with room for growth, tradition, and magic community pride.
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MASTER PLAN FOR S.A.M. ASSEMBLY 311 – HOLKUS POLKUS
A structured, sustainable, heritage‑driven program for your online growth and in‑person magic club experiences.
Core Structure of the Club
Membership Requirements
• Open to members of the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.)
• Pay current dues to our new S.A.M. Assembly 311 – “Holkus Polkus”
Members gain access to:
• Monthly classic‑of‑magic presentations
• Performance videos
• Tutorials
• A private, members‑only Facebook discussion group
• Future in‑person gatherings at various locations
Members ARE our Leadership
• YOU direct discussion on each month’s topic.
• As Members you can contribute by:
• Sharing tips
• Posting personal experiences
• Adding historical notes
• Uploading alternate handlings
• Asking questions
• Suggesting future classics
This keeps the club curated, high‑quality, and focused.
...and
Owlzie
OFFICIAL LAUNCH
March 11, 2026 (3-11-26) @ 3:11pm cst
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Our NEW Assembly will be handling its business in some unique ways. On the FIRST SATURDAY of each month, when a new magic theme's details will be listed here, on our dedicated website. Text, audio and video will explore a different monthly topic of interest to magicians, and the subsequent discussion among our members will be posted on our Private Facebook Page (access to be shared upon acceptance into A311 membership).
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We will hold local meetings once having established a modest monthly archive, and when the membership dynamics gel. We will host lecturers when available. At each in-person meeting, a magic drawing will award some lucky magi in attendance an effect, book, or download certificate. Our optimistic goal is to erect a full size granite statue as a tribute to "Holkus Polkus - The Magician" after 2028. Donors to this project will have their desired text/names engraved on the base of the statue, and added to the immensely popluar "Popeye & Friends Character Trail" that is already celebrated as an iconic tourist attraction. Visit baskervilleproductions.com/popeye-trail
for more information regarding the Trail.
Annual Dues $10
LIFE Membership $50
(One Time Payment)
april 2026 Coin controls
Share your sleights, routines and tips on our private facebook site. join to gain access to our ever expanding assemblage of magic!
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S.A.M. Assembly 311
Official Charter date Feb. 15, 2026
the origin of
owlzie segar
Owlzie Segar is a scholarly, wide‑eyed magical owl who serves as the unofficial historian, archivist, and midnight muse of Assembly 311. Named in honor of Elzie Crisler Segar, the creator of Popeye the Sailor man, Owlzie embodies the playful spirit, creative mischief, and heartfelt Americana that define Chester’s legacy as the hometown of Popeye. He is equal parts wise mentor, curious apprentice, and cartoon‑world trickster, forever perched between the magical arts and the ink‑and‑paper universe from which Holkus Polkus sprang.
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Legend says Owlzie hatched from an ink‑splattered egg found in the old Segar studio, tucked between a bottle of India ink and a stack of Popeye sketches. When the egg cracked, a tiny owl emerged wearing a pair of round spectacles and hooting in perfect comic‑strip speech bubbles.
Holkus Polkus himself supposedly exclaimed, “Well blow me down — that’s a hoot!” ... and adopted the little owl as his magical familiar.
Over time, Owlzie learned to flutter between worlds: the real Chester, with its river bluffs and Popeye statues, and the Sweet Haven of imagination, where real magic thrives. He now lives on in the imaginations and dreams of everyone who draws upon the creative spirit.
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Owlzie looks forward to welcoming children of all ages to learn more about the satisfying Art of magic!
MAGIC ON THE MOVE
Out and About with the members of
HOLKUS POLKUS A311
two assembly 311 members meet jason baney and steffi Kay!
On April 1, 2026, our President, Michael McClure, together with his wife, Susan, once again coordinated a very special evening of magic for the St. Louis I.B.M. Ring 1. Michael, who serves as the programming chairman, arranged for 9 local members to share their talent with the local members in a most unique way. He created a "Speed Dating" Mini-Lectures event that would allow members to "meet" 9 parlor effects, see each performed, and be given brief tutorials to help them determine if they would like to learn more about that style of magic. Steffi Kay, a Penn and Teller "Fool Us" winner, also attended with her husband, Jason Baney, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. This sentiment was shared by the others in attendance. The members have asked for this new event to be held again in the near future.
MAGIC ON THE MOVE
Out and About with the members of
HOLKUS POLKUS A311
ten assembly 311 members welcome the entire board & officers of the international brotherhood of magicians!
Our Assembly 311 members were large and in-charge when THE International Brotherhood of Magicians brought their entire Officer and Board team to a BBQ that Michael McClure coordinated for the night of Feb. 15th. Susan, Michael II, Christine and Elizabeth handled the serving line, while their spouses and children enjoyed meeting the magical guests. Michael also planned a Magic Open Mic Night that saw 10 of the I.B.M. Leadership and 5 of the local Ring One members perform for a huge crowd. Overall we had over 100 people attend the hybrid event, and certainly provided our guests with a warm St. Louis welcome that they raved about for days.
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MAGIC ON THE MOVE
Out and About with the members of
HOLKUS POLKUS A311
three assembly 311 members meet javi benitez!
Our President, Michael McClure, together with his wife, Susan, and son, Michael II, enjoyed a memorable evening with the incomparable sleight‑of‑hand artist Javi Benitez on March 4, 2026. Michael Sr., who serves as lecture chairman for both the I.B.M. and S.A.M. clubs in St. Louis, arranged for Javi to share his artistry with our members. He welcomed Javi and his friend, Pedro (“Magic Peter”), for a light meal before an extraordinary performance and lecture that drew nearly 50 magicians. Javi, a "Fool Us" winner, was described by Penn Gillette as "the greatest sleight-of-hand artist we have ever seen!" This praise was echoed by all in that night's attendance. The lecture was paid for by I.B.M. Ring One of St. Louis.
MAGIC ON THE MOVE
Out and About with the members of
HOLKUS POLKUS A311
two assembly 311 members help host nathan kranzo
The Midwest Magic Jubilee ran at a financial loss for its last several years. In 2023 it became necessary to remove the former administrators and elect new officers. The newly elected Board pledged to use the remaining funds to pay for lecturers that both Ring One and Assembly 8 could jointly attend. Michael McClure was appointed as the Lecture Chairman for this "fund" since he already held that post with both St. Louis clubs. With that fund covering the expenses, he coordinated the Feb. 17, 2026 visit of Nathan Kranzo, who entertained and educated the members present. Nathan is a rare talent, in that he can comfortably offer many workable products and theories to any audience, and for all experience levels. A severe winter storm created driving hazards for that evening, yet a record crowd braved the snow drifts to attend Nathan's lecture at Assembly 8's meeting venue. Everyone left with the confidence that their magic was undoubtedly improved for their efforts.
MAGIC ON THE MOVE
Out and About with the members of
HOLKUS POLKUS A311
three assembly 311 members help host alain nu
Michael McClure, acting as the Lecture Chairman for the Midwest Magic Jubilee fund, coordinated the Jan. 29th wisit of Alain Nu, the man who knows! Alain is an incredibly talented mentalsit that has books, professional effects and a TV series to his credit. The two versions of a book test that he taught were worth more than his entire lecture fee, and his spoon bending powers are s sight to be seen!
MAGIC ON THE MOVE
Out and About with the members of
HOLKUS POLKUS A311
three assembly 311 members help host mark strivings
As the St. Louis magic lecture chariman, Michael McClure likes to seize the opportunity whenever star performers are touring the country. On January 12th he hit the jackpot when arranging for an exclusive lecture by a world-class mentalist. Mark Strivings is a professional mentalist and magician residing in the Denver area. He has been a full-time professional since 1995 and has performed throughout the US, having lectured and performed in venues ranging from ‘Monday Night Magic’ on Broadway to the worldfamous Magic Castle in Hollywood. He is the author of several publications, among them ‘Mobile Mentalism’, Volumes I & II, which are credited with starting the worldwide movement of strolling mentalism as a performance medium. He has published over eighty books, been featured in nearly two dozen video projects, and had over 100 commercial product releases. Among these is the legendary Sight Unseen Case, which Docc Hilford called, “One of the top ten devices ever created for the mentalist,” and used by thousands of top working pros the world over. Mark is the 2024 recipient of the David Lederman Memorial Award for Creativity by the Psychic Entertainers Association. Everyone in attendance took something valuable away from this incredible performer's lecture. He not only shared some of his original effects, but also provided creative inspiration, techniques and concepts that elevate every magicians' skills ... no matter what their current expertise. Mike and fellow Assembly 311 members Susan and Michael II all enjoyed the professionalism and expertise that Mark brought to his amazing lecture.
History of the Society of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians, founded on May 10, 1902, in Martinka’s famous magic shop in New York City, New York, is the oldest and most prestigious magical society in the world. For over a century it has promoted the ideals shared by Kellar, Houdini, Thurston and more than 47,000 others world-wide who have held membership in the society. Those ideals include the elevation of the Art of Magic, the promotion of harmony among magicians, and the opposition of the unnecessary public exposure of magical effects.
The S.A.M. offers the opportunity to unite and associate with leaders in the World of Magic – not only professionals, but amateurs, manufacturers, magic dealers, book authors and magic collectors. Through its monthly publications, annual conventions, and with almost 300 Assemblies throughout the world, the S.A.M. provides the necessary forum for the advancement of magic through discussions, lectures, research, performances, and exchange of magic secrets within the magic community. To promote those endeavors the S.A.M. presents awards and fellowships in recognition of outstanding achievement in the Art of Magic.
If you have a serious interest in the Art of Magic then you, too, can follow in the footsteps of Harry Houdini, Harry Blackstone, Jr., Siegfried & Roy, Lance Burton, Mac King, Mat Franco, and David Copperfield by joining the most prestigious magical organization in the world – The Society of American Magicians.
Interesting Facts About The Society of American Magicians...
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The Society of American Magicians was established on May 10,1902, in New York City, with a membership of 24.
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On February 7, 1903, Ehrich Weiss (a.k.a. Harry Houdini) was elected to membership.
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The Fourth Annual Dinner Show held on June 4,1908, included Harry Kellar, Harry Houdini, Howard Thurston, Signor
Deadato, Imro Fox, T. Nelson Downs, and others! -
In June, 1917, Harry Houdini was elected National President of the S.A.M., a position he held until his untimely death on October 31, 1926.
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Over 250 S.A.M. Assemblies have been established world wide.
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“M-U-M” is the official publication of the S.A.M. The letters stand for “Magic – Unity – Might.”
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The Society of Young Magicians (S.Y.M.) was established in July,1984. Nearly 100 S.Y.M. Assemblies have been established since that time. The official publication of the S.Y.M. is The “Magic SYMbol.”
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In July 2002, the Society celebrated its Centennial Year in New York City.
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Also in July of 2002, on the 3rd, the US Postal Services issued a Houdini Commemorative Stamp during the Centennial Celebration
