New Weblog for 2012

Happy New Year! Boy looking back, did I ever drop the ball on updating my blog!!!!! So sorry to those that checked it out to find it so outdated. Hopefully I can make a resolution to be better at posting my happenings. Instead of talking about what happened in 2011 which was a lot. I’ll strive to talk about this year and what’s going on.

First things first I have accepted the position as Vice President of The Society of American Magicians for the Maine assembly 174. This was the first magic club I ever joined back when I started magic 16 years ago. I would never have thought I would be honored to hold such a position. Secondly I have established yet another business!!!! I know how am I going to keep up this blog if I’m busier that I was! We’ll I’m going to try! My new business is a hobby that I have been doing for several year, photography. Chapman Photography is official established Jan of 2012. I have won several awards for my photos including 2 best in shows! I have been enrolled into a professional photography course through the New York Institute of Photography. Please check out my new website for this business at http://www.icpictures.net

SO whats happening for January? I started off the New Year with a show for Belfast by the Bay with Zeke doing a balloon show and a magic show. Then from there had a couple of unexpected shows and one repeat show for Healthy Island Project. I’m now gearing up to meet with all the fairs in Maine at the annual convention this weekend. I always have such a great time at these conventions, as I get to see so many performers and friends that I hardly ever get see otherwise. It’s a great time of fun! Zeke is super excited as we gear up as well promoting Maine-ly Balloons this year at the convention. He’s truly got a knack for making some of the best balloon anyone in the state has seen especially at his age! Well until my next post….remember to find the magic in life!

Magically,

Carroll Chapman

http://www.ConjuringCarroll.com

http://www.Maine-lyBalloons.com

http://www.MagicOutreach.com

http://www.ICPictures.net

Weblog 4 of 2010 or 1 of 2011?

It’s been awhile since I have written a blog update. Not sure if this counts as blog 4 of 2010 or 1 of 2011. Kinda like is the jar half empty or half full. Anyways so let get you updated.

Fall has come and gone and winter is clearly here. I had a great fall season and did many shows. Zeke has also done a lot with his ballooning and is excited to be partner in a business. It’s great to see his enthusism in what he does. December and January were a bit slow this year with booking but we managed. It was great to go back to Belfast’s New Years by the Bay again this year! They always put on a great event. In January I had to cover for a good friend and magic mentor Amazing Lou as he needed to have emergency surgery and have a kidney removed. He’s recovering well but is very sore. He had us all scared for a while. I also had the pleasure of being invited back to Winterfest in Deer Isle. The event went great and the new venue this year was awesome. January is almost over and I’m planning to head to the Maine Fair convention tomorrow with Zeke. This will be his 1st time promoting the ballooning and I hope he does well. I think people will be impressed. We didn’t make the MA Fair convention due to schedule conflicts but hopefully we’ll make it this coming year. VT/NH Fair convention is next weekend and Zeke and I will be staying in Fairlee for a couple of days. Should be fun there too! February Vacation Week is pretty well booked and is looking good. I’m now starting to work more on my summer reading show and have had several libraries already wanting to book. Things are going well!

Things that have been happening around the house….Lets see, Ivan is not only walking (started at 10 months!) but now has discovered how to climb up on the furniture. I think he’s trying to give me a heart attack! April and I made a new years resolution to lose some of the weight we put on from Thanksgiving and Christmas. So we joined Weight Watchers and I have been working out at home. I cleaned the basement of our home and put down some interlocking foam padding so Ezekiel can practice his Tae Kwon Do and I can do my exercises. It has been really nice. I’ve lost 13 pounds in about 3 weeks! My goal is to get to 195 which is about 40 or so pounds away. I figured if I could lose 4 pounds a month I’ll hit it by the end of the year. Although if I keep losing like I am right now I’ll make it by summer! Wouldn’t that be nice!   April position is going to be changing and she’s not to fond of the change but I’m sure it’ll all work out. Zeke is doing really well in school and is getting really close to his black belt test now! He had been practicing his board breaks and went from being only able to break one board to breaking 4 of them stacked together! He can help chop wood this winter for me! April and I are really proud of him and how he has stuck to his training. The plow truck died on me this winter but our neighbor next door has been keeping us cleaned out so I don’t have to snow blow quite as much as I though I was going to have to. It’s nice to have such good neighbors! I started a photography course with The New York Institute of Photography and I’m very pleased with the course. I put together a website where some of my pictures are posted it’s http://www.icpictures.net Please go check it out. I may start to do photography as another profession once I finish my coursework. Probably in 2012.  I’ll keep you posted!

Well I guess I better end while Ivan is still sleeping and I need to pack my trade show materials for the early drive in the morning!

Until my next post… remember to find the magic in life!

http://www.ConjuringCarroll.com

http://www.maine-lyballoons.com

http://www.magicoutreach.com

Maine Magician Weblog 3 of 2010

Wow did the summer ever fly by!!!! Here we are in the middle of September and heading into Autumn. My favorite time of year. Campfires at night, no bugs, cooler weather to work outside, fresh harvest vegetables, beautiful colored trees, apple picking. The only down side is that it’s so short and then the dreaded winter comes! My least favorite time of the year other than Christmas of course!

So the summer has past and I have been truly blessed this year with bookings. I did several fairs this summer (Houlton, Piscataquis, Harmony, and Skowhegan State Fair) I’ll be at the Farmington Fair starting September 19th and that’ll be the last fair of the season for me this year. I did a bunch of community events this year and 26 libraries from So. Berwick to Fort Kent!!! What a blast!!! September is my “Church Month” as I’ve been booked every weekend at a different church to kick off their Sunday Schools. October is Shaping up nicely and November is well November (worst month of the year for booking!). Ezekiel and I have been teaming up at the fairs and at several community events strolling and doing balloon twisting. It’s amazing to see how far he’s come and help me improve at balloon twisting. We’re hoping we can promote the ballooning to the Fairs in MA this November at their annual convention and possible get some bookings with them. Of course Christmas is just around the corner and it’s time to get the Booking reminders out to clients that have used my services in the past.

As for family life…I have been working on my office and putting in a photo studio for me to practice my hobby of photography to the next level. I actually contemplating investing in a course on Photography. I really enjoy it. My wife is planning to take some time off for Fall and during Christmas Break which will be nice to have her home. She has a high stress job and for her to take some time off is a good thing. We actually will be going to wedding this weekend of a boy who was in our children’s church many years ago(I guess). I know I’m getting old when we received the invitation. LOL! Ezekiel is back to school and in 7th grade! It scares me a bit, as I can remember what I did in 7th grade and it wasn’t entirely good (oh my!!!). He’s a good kid, just the hormones get the better of him sometimes when as ask him to do things. I remember that too! Ivan is crawling at lighting speed and is able to walk with a walker thing all around the house. He got 5 teeth and working on the 6th one and my patience. It’s great being a stay at home Dad though and seeing how much he absorbs. I’m looking forward to strolling for walks this fall and letting him see the things of Fall. Well, that about here for now, I look forward to sharing with you again next time.

Until my next post…remember to find the magic in life!

www.conjuringcarroll.com

www.Maine-lyBalloons.com

www.MagicOutreach.com

Maine Magician Weblog 2 of 2010

Greeting friends,

I hope you weathered the winter ok. It’s been fun and challenging to run my business and take care of an infant! I wouldn’t trade it for the world though. I have been steadily getting bookings for libraries and community events this year and have several Fairs booked for the fall. The end of school is just around the corner and I’m very excited to see how the summer shapes up. I hope we don’t have as much rain as we did last year! I only got my motorcycle out twice! The baby is doing great! It’s lots of fun seeing all the changes that happen so quickly. I’m truly blessed. Easter is this coming weekend and speaking of being blessed I just want to say Jesus is the Reason for the Season! I love Easter…it’s one of my favorite holidays! I have been working on sending out postcards to Maine and New England Churches for my ministry Magic Outreach. See my website for more detail http://www.MagicOutreach.com  Ezekiel has been helping in our church at our carnivals and has taken to making balloon animals. He asked if he could start a business doing ballooning. After some discussion I decided to join forces with him. We have a team ballooning business called Maine-ly Balloons. We already have some bookings for the summer and he’s super excited. I think it’s great because not only does he learn about responsibility but I get to spend some time with him! We have a website up it’s http://www.Maine-lyBalloons.com Please check it out. Oh I almost forgot! I have created a fan page on Facebook! Please check out the link and become a fan! http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Magic-of-Conjuring-Carroll/107049722658514 Well, Thats about it here. I hope you have a great summer and I’ll tell you how mine’s going on my next post.

Until my next post…remember to find the magic in life!

www.ConjuringCarroll.com

www.Magicoutreach.com

www.Maine-lyballoons.com

Maine Magician and Family Entertainer Weblog 4 of 2009 & 2010 1st Weblog

Well today is Jan 1st and this is my last blog for 2009. It should have been posted yesterday but , I was busy performing my New Year’s gig. Anyways since my last post there’s been a ton of stuff going on. The biggest thing is the new addition to my family. Ivan Lee-Norris Chapman was born Dec 4th at 11:35A! He weighed 8lbs. 9oz. and was 21.5″ long. He’s just as handsome as his big brother. It’s been quite awhile since I last had a little one in our house. (11 years to be exact!!!) So things have changed on how much get’s done in a day. Thus I have decided to change my weblog to quarterly as time seems to slip though my hands lately.

My new son Ivan

Ok so an update on what’s been happening magically, I and several other magicians have been meeting once a month in Augusta sharing and learning from each other. It’s the best “magic meetings ” I’ve attended in Maine.  October was a good month with several birthday parties and Halloween Shows. November was also a good month. Typically it’s a slow month but I was blessed with several private parties. Christmas…well thats a different story. Typically one of the busiest months was one of my slowest for the year. I was able to get a couple of shows but typically I have a lot. The reason I guess is because of the financial mess that happened earlier in the year. Companies cut back on their spending and axed a lot of Holiday parties. I understand though and was prepared for it. It was also a blessing in disguise as it gave me enough time to complete the addition on my home and prepare for our new baby. So far the outlook for 2010 is ok. I’m looking forward to speaking with many friends in the next couple of months at the fair conventions. God has been good to my family and business for 2009 and I hope that he finds favor with me in 2010.  I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year!

Until my next post…Rember to find the magic in life!

www.ConjuringCarroll.com

www.magicoutreach.com

Maine Magician & Family Entertainer Weblog 3 of 2009

Ok So I might have to start making this a quarterly weblog instead of a bi-monthly. I have had a great summer with many new and repeat shows. My last post was in May and I was talking about going to SoulJAM which was a wonderful time. My family and I got to perform some gospel magic for the patrons that day and then were given passes for the day. Ezekiel and I went on the Excalabur rollercoster. It was a blast and his first time on a big rollercoaster. we’re already looking forward to going back again next year.

June was a blessed month with several end of school bookings which were mostly my nutition by magician magic show. The kids had a great time and so did I.  That month I also a couple of gospel magic shows which were a blast. I got to tag team perform with one of my all time favorite band raging grace (raginggrace.com). June also kicked off my Creative Magic library show for the public libraries in Maine. I rounded out the month with Flagstaff Days which was great strolling but the show itself got rained out, we’re looking to see if we can make a make up by the end of the year, and my 13th anniversary topped the list.

July was a steady month with Ezekiel at camp for a week for the first time, my wife and I were going nuts! I’m glad we’ve got another one on the way because I don’t like the quiet. Windsor days was a great time again this year and the library & campground shows kept me busy. I ended the month with Oakfield’s Rail Fan days which was a hoot. My wife is originally from Oakfield and we got to see many of her relatives. I also booked a gospel show the next day up there and there was 3 kids who asked Jesus to be their BFF!

August was a great month. I invested in a new DSLR Nikon camera at the end of July and started up a new hobby of photography. It has been really fun as Ezekiel inheireted my old camera and really got into it with me. We put some pictures in the Bangor and Skowhegan Fair and Ezekiel won 2 first place ribbons at the Bangor fair and 5 firstplace and Best in Show at the Skowhegan fair. I got a couple of ribbons too but I was more excited that he got ribbons. It’s a Dad thing!   Zeik turned 11 in August and his big thing that he wanted was a “new camera” imagine that! August was also the end of the library magic show run and a couple of other community events. It was the best month for gospel magic shows as I had a show in Fryeburg, North Livermore, and Bradley Maine. All were very please with the program and 2 more kids asked Jesus into their lives.  The and of the month was the start up of my fair gigs starting off with Piscataquis fair in Dover-foxcroft. The attendance was great 2 our the 3 days I was there. A hurricane had to mess up one day where it rained all day! There were a few people there that day but rain=bust when it comes to fairs. Thankfully the other 2 days were exceptionally well attended.

Looking into September and the fall season, I got a few more fair shows and then the slow time until I get some bookings for Halloween and Christmas. That’s ok though, because with all the shows I’ve had for the summer I haven’t had anytime to work on my new addition. I just got the lumber order this week so Hopefully it won’t take too long to get the shell up. Zeik started middle school this year which is a little disturbing as I feel like I’m starting to get old especially when I look at the middle school kids. Oh well, I can’t change time. I’m only a magician!

Well again sorry for my procrastination but I’m glad I finally got a chance to tell you about my adventures this summer. I hope you summer was as blessed as mine.

Until my next blog….remember to find the magic in life!

www.conjuringcarroll.com

www.magicoutreach.com

Maine Magician & Family Entertainer Weblog 2 of 2009

Well I missed my mark by a few days! Ok at least it’s the 1st part of May so I’m not doing too bad.  My goodness has there been a lot thats happened in the past couple of months.

Were do I start…March was a pretty dry month for shows this year with several community events I normally did either cutting back or closing shop altogether. April was a turn around month. I had the pleasure (eventhough I was a bit under the weather) of returning to Lincoln Maine for a Expo. I saw many familar faces and a few new ones as well. I also had the opportunity to work with Old Town Parks and Recreation for their Easter Festival. It was a great day with a super turnout. April vacation was a bit weak this year but I was able to work for New Dimensions Credit Union for their National Youth Week called “The Magic of Savings”. I had a great time performing strolling magic and ballooning for their event.

As I mentioned in my last post I have been leaning towards my roots in Gospel Magic and with the mentorship of my pastor have established a ministry name called Magic Outreach. Please stop by the new website I’ve designed for this ministry at www.magicoutreach.com  I have already booked several churches for outreach events using magic as a means to present the Gospel. Please keep this ministry in your prayers as I endeavor to do God’s work. I had the opportunity last week to work with a church in South Portland called The Journey. It’s a foursquare church out of Scarborough. Their website is www.journey-on.org The event went very well with as many as 50+ people coming out at one point. There was a band, a magician, face painting, ballooning, and bounce houses all free and for one purpose, to share God’s love.

The really BIG NEWS that has happened in the past couple of months is that my wife and I are going to be Parents again! We found out that April is pregnant and her due date is Dec 6th! We are super excited and look forward to all the joys of having a baby in the house again. Speaking of the house…I will be putting on a new addition to my house this summer since we’ve only got 2 bedrooms in our house and my son isn’t willing to share. LOL…he’s 10 I guess I can’t blame him!

Well I guess thats about all I have the time to blog about for now. I do have some upcoming  events the end of May at Funtown/Splashtown for SoulJAM sponsored by Worship 95.3FM It’s a christian event where there are over 20 christian bands and artists performing throughout the amusement park all day long. I’ll be at the Kids tent starting at 11:30AM. Please come on by and enjoy the festival and stop by and say hi. I’ll also be on my way to New York for the annual Hall of Famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns Convention. It’s a great time to get together with many wise magicians and clowns and we just have a good old time sharing magic and performing. It’s my once a year treat!

Well until my next blog…Remember to find the Magic in Life!

-Conjuring Carroll Chapman

www.conjuringcarroll.com

www.magicoutreach.com

Maine Magician & Family Entertainer Weblog 1 of 2009

Well it’s good to get a chance to get another blog off to everyone again. I recently participated in a couple of fair tradeshows in January and February. The Maine Fair convention was a blast. I got to go down with a good buddy and magician and we spent the night performing and sharing magic. I had a nice time seeing a lot of the Fair folks that came from all parts to come to the convention. I also had a nice time in VT at the NH/VT Fair convention. I got to take my family and we were able to have some time together. I had a bit of a mishap down there staying in the hot tub too long and then getting to visit the local hospital because of it. (I’m sure I’m not the only one to have done this. At least that the doctor assured me of that.)

From the conventions I booked several fairs. Some new to me and some repeats. I also have some possible ones as well, once they get back to their committees for final decisions.  February Vacation is great this year everyday has been booked! I’ll be at several libraries doing magic workshops and also some shows. Sugarloaf is in the mix as well for the Children’s Festival.

I’m currently working on my Summer Reading Magic Show and looking forward to the spring. I’ve got some new trick ordered and have been working on some new routines that I hope will be well received this year in the shows.  I’m gearing up for the Maine Parks and Recreation Entertainment Showcase next month as well as touching base with community festivals. I’m also working toward doing more Gospel Magic this year. Please keep this in your prayers as I endeavor to reach those who might not know the saving knowledge of Christ.  Well that’s about it for now, so enjoy the weather as it gets warmer.

Until my next blog….remember to find the magic in life!

-Conjuring Carroll Chapman

http://www.ConjuringCarroll.com

The Magic of Christmas in Maine from a Magician’s View

Hi All,

Well it’s time for another bi-monthly blog and Christmas! One of my favorite time of year except I get a year older 4 days after Christmas. Lots has been happening since my last post. I’ve had a great run of magic during November which is kinda strange as it’s usually a slow month. Christmas shows this year were down a bit due to our current economy state, but I’m ever hopeful for next year. I have decided to take and Spend New Years this year with my family. My good friend and magic mentor Amazing Lou and his wife Loretta are also intending to celebrate with us. 

In my last blog I had talked about getting my doe permit and tromping through the woods. Well I got to do a lot of stomping but to no avail. I only saw one deer and wasn’t able to get a shot off. Oh well, that’s why they call it hunting and not shooting! I got a muzzle loader in hopes I might redeem myself during the special 2 week season, but never saw another deer. I did see plenty of other wildlife though, rabbits, partridge, squirrels, birds, and even a coyote!

As for magic, I’m looking forward to getting in the workshop and start refurbishing and constructing some magic. Before I can though I need to get my office in order. Between hunting and helping my cousin design menus and start his restaurant, I’ve kinda slacked on keeping it clean. (that’s the understatement of the year!) I’ve actually have a couple of new designs on some magic that I may try to market to other magician. I also have been wanting start writing a book, though I never seem to have the time.

My wife joined weight watchers last fall and to date has lost 52 pounds. She looks great! I don’t even know where she had it to loose. She says she got 25 more to go. I told her I’m going to have to get some large illusion and turn her into a box jumper instead of a social worker!

Well I guess that’s about it around here. I just sent out my registration for the Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont Fair trade shows. So I get to look forward to those the end of January and first week of February. Other than that we’re doing fine and looking forward to doing some winter activities. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Until my next blog…..Remember to find the magic in life.

-Conjuring Carroll Chapman

Web Blog Three

Well this is the third web blog I’ve done. Unfortunately its been almost three months for me to put something together. Sorry about that! Lots has happened.

August was a great month with several repeat booking from previous years. It was nice seeing familiar faces and catching up on what’s been going on. It’s also the month my son was born so we had a big birthday bash and built him his own tree house. Boy what a job that was!

I also performed for the Piscataquis Fair where a good friend magician had been a long stay there. He passed away earlier this year and was a big loss to the magic community. I was honored that the Piscataquis Fair selected me as his replacement to help keep the magic going at their fair. The people there were very receptive and I had a wonderful time.

In September I performed for a couple of fairs and did several birthday parties. I personally love birthdays because I get to make magical memories that will last a lifetime. Seeing the smiles on the kids faces and being able to actually talk to them as opposed to large performances where I don’t get to speak with everyone. I’m a people person what can I say!

Things started slow for October “The Month of Magic”, but have picked up near the end of the month going to a couple of schools and teaching a ballooning workshop. Allot of people don’t know it, but I also have a balloon twisting show called Conjuring Carroll’s Colossal Balloon Show. It has bits of balloon magic, lots of audience participation, and of course balloon sculptures. It’s allot of fun and I’m considering marketing it separately from the magic. I guess I’ll have to decide at some point!

I also am looking at starting with my pastor a Fellowship of Christian Magicians Chapter in Augusta. It will take some work but think its a great idea.

November is typically one of the slowest months of the year. I have some new booking this year, so I’m happy. I also got my Doe permit this year for hunting so I’ll have time to stomp through the woods and hopefully put some venison in my freezer.

Of course now I’m starting to book my Christmas shows which are alway very popular. Then the dead months come!  :-)  January, Febuary, and the first part of March are slim months for magic in Maine. On the flip side, it’s when the Fair conventions start and gives me time to work on new props and materials for the coming year.

Well until my next blog I wish you nothing but the best and remember to find the magic in life!

-Carroll Chapman aka Conjuring Carroll