Posted 7:41 am Friday, October 17, 2008
Magician Mixes Magic Into Yamboree Luncheon
BY PHILLIP WILLIAMS
Special Correspondent
Special Correspondent
GILMER -- Magician David Hira showed an audience of hundreds at the 71st annual East Texas Yamboree's All-Service Club Luncheon Thursday why he has performed internationally -- including for President and Mrs. Bush.
Hira, of Cedar Hill, amused and entertained the crowd in the Gilmer High School gymnasium with a repertoire of sleight-of-hand tricks and wisecracks. About 400 attended the gathering, said Joan Small, executive director of the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dressed in a red sports coat, black shirt and black pants, Hira sometimes summoned volunteers to the stage to be part of his magic act. He said "one of life's greatest joys is doing what people say can't be done," which "I get to do every day."
In his opening trick, he opened up a book of newsprint, drew a picture of a bowling ball with the words "bowling ball," closed the book, and managed to drop an actual bowling ball onto the stage from inside the book.
He went on to have someone from the audience, Perry Mannis, of Etex Telephone Cooperative in Gilmer, come up and write his initials "PM" on a $100 bill. Hira later cut open a lemon and produced the bill, which was wadded up inside the fruit.
Later, he had the crowd stare at a round object for several seconds. The audience then looked at him, and had the illusion that his head was expanding. Staring at the object again for several seconds gave the illusion Hira's head was shrinking.
The magician also used 56 strung-together sticks and, telling a story, turned them into the shapes of objects ranging from a fish to a girl's pigtails.
Hira also had some humor for the audience.
Looking at Queen Yam Stephanie Lynn Henson, he said, "What a great crown -- do you sleep in that?"
Looking at Queen Yam Stephanie Lynn Henson, he said, "What a great crown -- do you sleep in that?"
And in lauding Gilmer's small-town life, the magician, who lives near Dallas, said, "We from the Metromess ... (find) this is a place of envy."
Before Hira performed, students from Upshur County schools who won the Yamboree essay and poetry contests were recognized by former Gilmer High School band director Bill Taylor.
Winners in the essay contests were Libby Sears, of New Diana, fourth- and fifth-grade division; Hayley Collier, of Union Hill, sixth- through eighth-grade division; and Anna Arrington, of Gilmer, ninth- through 12th-grade division.
Winners in the poetry contests were Haley Blackstone, of Harmony, fourth- and fifth-grade division; Jessica Hampton, of New Diana, sixth- through eighth-grade division; and Kimberly Plants-Paris, of New Diana, ninth- through 12th-grade division.
Jeff Rash was master of ceremonies.
The Yamboree enters the third day of its four-day run today with highlights including the downtown school/youth parade at 11 a.m. and yam pie judging at the Yamboree Park at noon.
The Yamboree enters the third day of its four-day run today with highlights including the downtown school/youth parade at 11 a.m. and yam pie judging at the Yamboree Park at noon.
