The 1993 Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival is but a pleasant memory for many Stark County residents. But for a few, the memories came alive once more Friday night a Hoover Park. A few hundred that is.

The event was the annual Volunteer Appreciation party, this year chaired by Dick Anderson, president of Leonard Insurance Services.

Enjoying being served rather the serving were enshrine dinner bartenders Dominick Biasella and his wife, Susie, Lou Diano, Trieste Martelli, Frank Reale, Carl Maruca, Gene Lanzo and his wife, Connie and Frank Ranalli.

Ranalli left by 7:30 p.m. to pick up his wife, Nina and head south to their trailer along the Ohio River in West Virginia. Their children were joining the Saturday. According to the others, they have been serving drinks at the dinner for the past 20- some years - job they look forward to, especially when they get to meet celebrities and football stars attending.

Chris and Chad Gumpp and Melodee and Roger Webb also attended the volunteer party. The two women chaired the Special Events and Breakfast committees, respectively. Enjoying their dinner inside the pavilion were Erma Evans and Ann Economos. Erma and her husband recently took at extended trip to northwestern part of the country, and although their trip was a great experience, her husband, Walt, had to undergo emergency open heart surgery shortly after returning home. He is recovering at home.

Others attending Friday night's Volunteer Appreciation party were Renaissance President Joe, Jadick, Nacy jedel, Norma and Jerry Wilzoch, Susie Whithouse, Lennie and Dick Kruger, Louise and Ed Mahoney, Dick and Jean Stanley, Tom and Angela Schervish, Bill Hunter, Marilyn Jones, Bonnie Sanders, Matt Watkins, Tom and Carolyn Dick, Mary Ann Cramer, arekn Toohey, Connie Bitera, Hoe Norton and Wallly and Janet Buehler.

Caption under pic: Pick a Card. Magician Bob Reese -better know as "The Wiz" -entertains guests Friday night at the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Volunteer Appreciation party at Hoover Park. Among illusions, he entertains his audience with card tricks.

Arts & Leisure
Magicians to Converge on Little Theatre March 8

Comedy Variety of all kinds will be in the spotlight March 8 when Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County, in conjunction with the Akron Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, present "An Evening of Magic."

The two-hour, family-oriented, show is scheduled to begin at 7 and will feature several of the area's top entertainers performing a variety of tricks and illusions.

On the bill are Dr. Charles and Rita Bronstrup of Mogodore, who have performed throughout the United States; Chuck Smith of Girard , a longtime performer and manipulation artist who performs as "Carlin"; John Steven Bloom and Co. of Liberty, as Las Vegas-Style feature act; and Mike Oddo of Cuyahoga Falls, who is known for his humor and off the wall style.

Also scheduled to appear are Bob and Carolyn Rees of Norton, known professionally as Mr. And Mrs. Wiz. Bob, a Dover native is the son of Norma Keller Cope and Jack Cope who reside in Dover. A 1966 graduate of Dover High, Bob also will appear as master of ceremonies.

Carolyn, who performs magic with a woman's touch, and Bob have performed across the United States and recently returned from an engagement in California which included an appearance at the Magic Castle. They are booked to perform in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in May.

"We love to perform locally," said Bob. "It's interesting that the number of booking we receive from outside the area is about twice the number of local ones. I suppose that has to do with the whole idea of an expert being someone who lives more the 150 miles away," Bob added., with a laugh noting that he and his wife are better known at the Magic Castle in Hollywood.

Bob, who is president of the Akron Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians , is a business associate of Tom Police of Dover, a former president of Little Theatre.

During their discussions, both realized their respective organizations had similar missions. First, to provide a showcase for area performing artists. Second, to provide quality live theater at a reasonable cost. And third, to provide and educational setting for interested newcomers to the performing arts.

Since both organizations also have continued need to for money to achieve those goals, it was decided Little Theatre would provide the stage and ticket sales and IBM would provide the talent.

"I'm really interested in bringing magic to a town that has always been magic to me," said Bob. "I sincerely hope that some of my friends in the area will come to the show and stay to chat."

Bob said he became interested in magic by default. "I was 28 years old and in a business partnership. We were contract packagers. We would exhibit for our company at trade shows and see other companies with entertainment at their booths and these folks drew larger crowds.

"I took a class in magic." He continued, "through the adult education department at the University of Akron. That was in 1975. From there it was a hobby that just got out of hand."

Tickets for the show are $5. They will go on sale at the Little Theatre box office at 5 the day of the show. They also are available in advance by calling 364-1010. Little Theatre is located at 466 Carrie Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.

Lists: Robert Rees of Norton, who is a member of the area chapter of the Society of American Magicians and International Brotherhood of Magicians list five questions that magicians are frequently asked (and appropriate responses).

1. How did you do that? (Very well thank you.)
2. Can I see that again ( Why? Didn't it fool you the first time?)
3. Can you make my ex-husband / wife disappear? (Yes, but it will cost you several thousand dollars and I'll need two attorneys as assistants.)
4. Did you have to go to school to learn to do that? (No, in fact I was kicked out of school for doing that.)
5. Do you cheat at cards? (Only when I play for money.)

For information about either of the magical organizations, you can contact Rees at 336-6432

Quickies: You can help send some kids to camp Y-Noah by attending a dance and auction at the Pelican Cove 3720 S. Main St. Tuesday from 8 p.m. to midnight. Comic-deejay Dutch Clark will spin records and Denny Eberhart will serve as auctioneer… Seen Haley's comet yet? The Astronomy Club of Akron will have telescopes set u for a free look on Saturday and on Dec 14 after 8 p.m. at the beach area of Portage Lakes State Park, mile south of Ohio 619 on Manchester Road.

Bulletin Board

Goodwill's one and only The Wiz, AKA, Bob Rees, VP of Operations, performed magic at the start of the Pacesetters Campaign Wooster. During one of Luk's employee meeting "The Wiz" demonstrated how, through the MAGIC of donations, you can help people in your community by supporting the United Way. The magic is seeing people helping people.

An Evening of MAGIC
Dover native perform magic show for Hospice

Bob Rees will be working a little magic for Hospice of Tuscarawas County Oct. 25. Rees , a magician, will present a show Oct. 25 at 2 in the Dover High auditorium. Tickets are $3 and are available at Buehlers stores in Dover and New Philadelphia, Bag -n Save and the Hospice office on W. 3rd St., Dover. Tickets also will be sold at the door.

Rees is a native of Dover and graduate of Dover High. He and his wife Carolyn have been performing 18 years, using a style, which combines comedy with magic. They have performed across the United States as well as in other countries.

Hospice volunteers will be in costume for the performance and will provide refreshments and candy at the end of the show.

Proceeds from the show will benefit patient care of Hospice of Tuscarawas County, which server patients who have been diagnosed as terminally ill. Unlike some hospice organizations, Hospice of Tuscarawas County never bills the families of its patients.  

The Times Reporter
Arts & Leisure
It's magic!

Bob Rees of Norton shown here levitating his assistant, Beth Drensky of Dover, is among the magicians who will be performing when Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County and the Akron Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians combine forces to present "An Evening of Magic" Saturday at 7 in the Little Theatre at 466 Carrie Ave. NW, New Philadelphia. Tickets for the show are $5 and will go on sale at the Little Theatre box office Saturday beginning at 5. 

The Daily Record
Wooster Couple Makes Magic In Mexico

WOOSTER - Bob and Carolyn Rees known professionals as The Wiz, Inc. have been making a big splash in Puerto Vallarta. This workshop, by the "invitation only" is under the executive leadership of Bob Markwood, a Hollywood-based internationally known comedy magician, teacher and consultant, and Anne White, celebrity photographer.

The workshop, which began May 8 and continued through last weekend promotes cultural exchange and enhances entertainment on all levels.

Bob and Carolyn shared the wizardry on the Malecon Los Aeros stage during the national womanhood day celebration following a press conference with leading editors and writes of the Puerto Vallarta Styles Magazine.

Bob & Carolyn
Can add Magic and Humor
to Any Event ...
Especially Yours!