Our featured performer is Ring member, Norine Norton. Norine performs as Flower the Clown, and we include her biography here.

Flower the Clown (Norine Norton) has been bringing quality family entertainment throughout the Northeast for more than 20 years. She is a member in good standing of the World Clown Association and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. She has developed her laugh-making skills through frequent attendance at clown colleges and seminars. These continuing education seminars address all aspects of clowning, including characterization, individual skills (e.g., balloon art, face painting, puppetry, magic), child psychology and safety. She has reached the pinnacle of her profession, as is affirmed by the numerous honors she has won, including: (1) First Place in the international magic competition at Clownfest in 1996; (2) First Place for costuming and performance at the World Clown Conference in 1998, (3) First Place in the world whiteface clown competition at Clownfest in 2001, (4) First Place in the international magic competition at Clownfest in 2002, and (5) First Place in the world whiteface clown competition at Clownfest in 2002. She is one of a very select and exclusive group of clowns who has been invited to the White House to participate in the annual Easter Egg Hunt on the White House lawn.

Her talents and abilities as a magician, face painter, puppeteer and balloon artist, added to her winning personality, have made Flower the Clown much loved by young and old alike. She delights in bringing joy and laughter to children of all ages. She has appeared on children's television and has participated in numerous fund-raising activities such as Children's Miracle Network, Make a Wish, Relay For Life and the United Way. She performs regularly at corporate functions, state parks, grand openings, libraries, malls, Christmas parties and other engagements. Most importantly, she has been a welcome guest in the homes of hundreds of children and parents, who invariably invite her back. She brings smiles and laughter to all who meet her. Even very young children who initially may shy away from her, soon are hugging and loving her. And their squeals of laughter and delight may be the best endorsement of all.

Besides performing, and running a full-time family entertainment business along with her two daughters, Mrs. Norton is very active in the education and training of other clowns. She gives motivational speeches to people from all walks of life, encouraging them to see that, with optimism and a positive attitude, plus a healthy dose of humor, all things are possible.

In addition to her professional activities, Mrs. Norton is very active in civic affairs. She is an active member of the Westmoreland chapter of Kiwanis International. She is a past President, and present board member, of the Mohawk Valley Women's Business Network. She is also on the board of the New York State Women's Business Center. She was voted one of the Outstanding Women of the Year in the Mohawk Valley in 2002. And she was a recipient of the 3rd Annual "Women in Business" award in Central New York in 2003.

Mrs. Norton firmly believes that it is never too late for anyone to have a happy childhood, and she dedicates her life to sharing this message with everyone she meets.

One of our past featured performers was Ron Zollweg. Sadly, Ron passed away on January 2, 2008. He is missed by all of us, and we feature his autobiographical sketch here as a tribute to a great performer and cherished member of our Ring.

At the age of fifteen, after having seen and been fascinated by many magicians, I found some books in the school library. The rest is, as they say, history.

I was working at Kodak in 1953 and doing as much work as magic for my fellow employees when word of a magician in the plant got to Joe Taylor. Joe invited me to his office and we spent a lot of time together. Eventually Joe invited me to a S.A.M. meeting and in September, 1953 I became a member of Assembly #47. During the next seven years I learned a great deal from the club members.

I have been a part-time professional magician for more than 45 years. Although I have cut back on public performances, I have been performing more at magic gatherings and conventions. When I asked my old friend, Bob Follmer, "Why?".... he said, "Your sh-t is so old, it's new!"

There were three people who influenced my approach to magic. The first was Paul Estee who endlessly emphasized that entertainment was "Job One". The second was Danny Johnson who showed me what "misdirection" really was. Finally, Vern Chesbro, who opened up the underground world of serious close-up magic.

Over the years I have written three booklets and countless articles and convention reviews. In 1958, I wrote Commercial Card Magic as a token of gratitude to the members of S.A.M. Assembly #47. In the 1980's I wrote The Professional Routines of Ron Fredrick and notes for my lecture, It's Commercial. There are also tricks, routines and reviews in most of the major (and minor) magic magazines from 1960 to present.

I love all phases of magic, but close-up is my favorite. I love being able to interact with a spectator. To improvise, ad lib and just "wing it" is the ultimate. Luckily I was able to perform countless times at Eddie Fechter's Forks Hotel.

Magic has been good to me. I have met so many fascinating and wonderful people as well as most of my closest friends through magic.

Magic has changed my life. Once I was a nice, shy introvert. Now, I'm an obnoxious SOB!