Patricia is a magical girl who possesses extraordinary abilities to perform magic effortlessly. She is known for her exceptional skills in manipulating elements and casting spells with ease. Her talents have earned her the nickname "Magic made easy Patricia." From a young age, Patricia displayed a natural affinity for magic. While other aspiring magicians struggled to grasp the complexities of spellcasting, Patricia effortlessly harnessed her powers. Her spells flowed effortlessly from her, as if the magic were an extension of her own being.
you use the gift of magick.
Our drive-through society has fostered the idea that someone can become adept at magick by attending one ritual, casting one spell, or reading one book. Through various techniques, discussed in this book, the magick user willfully gathers energy from the world around him or her, and sometimes from the expanse of the universe or the god dess the Sacred Parent Divine Power behind all creation , and binds it into a strand of power.
Her spells flowed effortlessly from her, as if the magic were an extension of her own being. Patricia's ease with magic was the envy of many and drew the attention of renowned wizards and sorcerers who recognized her incredible potential. They took her under their wing, providing guidance and training, allowing her to hone her skills even further.
Magic made easo Patricia
Welcome to the Still Living Room
The Still Living Room (SLR) is one of many Elders’ gifts to the Fair.
Dedicated volunteers come together to create a special place for Fair goers to relax and enjoy the magic and ambience that make the Fair special. There’s plenty of seating and shade for quiet repose or conversation, a place to honor those who have passed from this worldly plane, and gorgeous displays that convey Fair history. A place to savor the moment.
The Vision
The original vision for implementing a Fair venue that honors Elders was conceived at an Elders retreat in the spring of 2007 during a lively brainstorming session.
After plenty of robust discussion of all the various possibilities, the group settled on the overall concept of a publicly accessed space in the Fair where people could hang out and visit, a relaxing atmosphere to take a breather from the bustle of the Fair, enjoy a favorite Fair beverage or savor something delicious. The group wanted to include entertainment by Elder performers, and a place for Elders to sell crafts. Elders also wanted a place where Fair Family who had left the physical plane could be memorialized.
Most importantly, Elders wanted to share the roots of the Fair. As Robert Jacobs, Fair elder and volunteer since the early days so aptly reminds us, ". the Oregon Country Fair grew out of rural hippie culture and out of real political differences with mainstream American values and culture." Elders felt an imperative to remind us of the time when hippies created intentional communities, environmental movements, and organic agriculture. It was a time when hippies rejected racism, consumerism, the punitive and unfair criminal justice system, and the politics of war. It was also a time for connection, psychedelic art and music that shakes the soul.
Where these dreams and visions would land, and how they could be kept alive, Elders could not say. But they knew that with plenty of motivation, heart and hard work, something wonderful could be birthed.
At that same retreat, Ray Sewell (a.k.a. Chez Ray) who was an Elder himself, threw out the name Still Living Room. Everyone resonated with the idea and thus the Still Living Room was named.
A Plan Emerges
Once the vision was formed, the hard work was set in motion. Elders formed a subcommittee with Sandra Bauer as the point person. The other members were Diane Albino, Chris Browne, Robert “Mouseman” McCarthy, Jon Pincus, Ray Sewell and Patricia Van Esso.
At the June 2007 board meeting, Elder Committee member Chris Browne presented the concept as “an Elders Multi-Use Activity Area” and spoke of developing their plan by networking with Vision Quest, Path Planning, and the Crafts Committee.
The original plan for the Still Living Room placed emphasis on a space where people could connect with each other in a relaxed setting with plenty of seating. It would be a place to share Fair stories, and a place to honor Fair Family who had passed from this world. There was also a desire to showcase Elder performers and crafters.
At the Feb. 2009 Board Meeting, the Path Planning Committee made a recommendation to set up the Still Living Room at the People’s Park for the 2009 Fair and coordinate with Ambiance.
At that same meeting, another presentation was made to establish a special entrance project for the 40th Anniversary celebration of the 2009 Fair. Little did anyone know that ideas conceived for that project would ultimately become a focal point for the SLR.
In addition to the Still Living Room Subcommittee and all the elders who volunteered to bring this special place to life, several individuals who made significant contributions stand out. Eric Nicholson pulled together a team to muscle the Still Living Room components to the booth site pre-fair. Janet “Planet Bubbles” Tarver was not only an enthusiastic supporter and volunteer; she also created and sent out a Still Living Room “birth announcement”. To this day she is remembered as a Fairy Godmother of the Still Living Room.
Licia Shultz became the lead SLR coordinator. She with her husband Jerry constructed many of the foundational pieces for the booth, and Licia scheduled staffing during the Fair. Licia and Kay designed and sewed the first Still Living Room banner, and Licia, along with Sandra Bauer and the assistance of others adorned the space with beautiful colors and objects that made the first Still Living Room an inviting place for Fair-goers morning, noon, and night.
Original features included a small entertainment stage, a Memorial Kiosk, and a large 3’ x 6’ timeline mural representing the first decade of the Fair.
The Beat Goes On.
After the 40th Anniversary Fair (2009), the Still Living Room was deemed a success. The Board and Fair Family agreed that the Still Living Room project be carried forward into future Fairs. Ambiance approved the allocated space and Elders dedicated themselves to planning, constructing, and staffing over the ensuing years.
To carry the Still Living Room forward, Elders submitted capital budget requests to create additional timeline murals and other enhancements. A Memorial “prayer flags” project was initiated and to this day Fairgoers will see these individually created memorial flags displayed along the fencing on Strawberry Lane. Jerry and Licia Shultz have been instrumental in building new furniture and supplying tools and labor to setup and take down the displays, including a large, lockable storage box on wheels. Eric Nicholson has been instrumental in leading the setup, takedown, and storage of heavy wood-constructed display fixtures, requiring plenty of muscle power and tribal knowledge for delivering and placing the puzzle pieces. In 2013 Marcia Bauer-Masters took the lead for designing and installing the finishing aesthetic touches. Many Elder volunteers continue to give their time and creativity to the full arc of the project, from planning and budget requests to implementation and staffing.
A push to sell Elder Crafts at the Still Living Room was pursued through 2012 but was never approved. Entertainment was scheduled in the Still Living Room up until the 2016 Fair. Elders reluctantly decided to discontinue music venues. Both musicians and audiences were having a subpar experience with competing sound from parades and adjacent venues. Memorials to Fair Family who have passed continue to be a significant element of the Still Living Room. Over the years a Memorial Wall was added for displaying framed photographs to honor the memory of dearly departed Fair family. By Sunday of Fair the Memorial Kiosk is covered in its entirety with messages in remembrance of loved ones.
In 2017 Robert “Mouseman” McCarthy spearheaded an effort to acquire more real estate for the Still Living Room. Working with Path Planning he and others explored moving to a new location or expanding the existing site. In the end, there were too many obstacles to moving the venue. For the 50th Anniversary the Still Living Room was granted adjacent space formerly designated for the Mirrors booth, which was the victim of mirror breakage due to the collapse of the storage barn during the Feb. 2019 Snowmaggedon. This afforded Elders more space for the 50th Anniversary interactive display that was spearheaded by Jerry Joffe (see Timeline Story below).
50th Anniversary
The 2019 Fair’s 50th Anniversary Celebration allowed for a larger capital budget to be approved. Sandra Bauer, who had been providing her flair for decorating the space alongside her sister Marcia procured large bamboo umbrellas to improve the expanse of shade, making the Still Living Room even more enticing for Fair goers seeking repose from the hot sun and crowds.
The Still Living Room hosted a large, commemorative, and interactive panel display called "Leading the Way". The project was initiated by the 50th Anniversary Task Force sub-committee, comprised of Jerry Joffe, Cynthia Wooten, and Sandra Bauer. The 5 x 7 display, which is a colorful mixture of text, photographs, and a map, highlights the places around the Fair site that exemplify the ideals and mission of our organization. It is designed to give the viewer a brief overview of the political and social environment out of which the OCF evolved, and the importance of the Fair’s activities in Philanthropy, Stewardship and Sustainability, Recycling, Community Village and Energy Park.
Jerry Joffe produced the project and organized a team of talented Fair Family. Michael Whitenack designed the display. Marilyn Ripley created the graphics. Jamie Chamoulos wired the electronics and Gene Ehrbar supplied the map.
And on and on.
Nighttime ambiance at the Still Living Room evolved over the years to include solar lighting. Marcia Bauer Masters emphasized how important it was for her to create an inviting space for late night gathering. It’s Marcia’s ritual to walk through the Still Living Room each evening of the Fair to take in the richness of late-night gatherings before she returns to her camp for the night. Marcia exemplifies the energetic, generous, and loving heart of Fair family who nurture the Fair experience for others.
Perhaps the single biggest issue that the Still Living Room faces today, and this is true for many other Fair displays, is the lack of storage. After the collapse of the storage barn in Winter of 2019 the Still Living Room items were temporarily moved to Cow Palace. The undaunting Eric Nicholson searched high and low to find other storage opportunities and was able to ferret out a generous family in Elmira who graciously offered their barn space. Currently the rougher lumber-built pieces are stored in that barn. Jerry and Licia Shultz store some furnishings along with the tools and storage box, and the Timelines are stored in a climate-controlled space at the Fair office. Regardless, the storage discussion will likely continue in the years ahead.
With Covid-19 protocols cancelling the 2020 and 2021 Fairs, Elders continue to plan for 2022. Assuming tighter budgets Elders will be putting their creative energies to use. A Timeline to represent the last decade of the Fair, 2009-2019, will require some lively brainstorming sessions. As new Elders come online, new creative energy will be injected while the very first wave of elders pass on their Fair knowledge, love, and respect for all that has come before.
Elders look forward to hosting Fairgoers at the 2022 Fair's Still Living Room. Please join us!
Real magick is not a stage illusion, and it’s nothing like what the media has portrayed it as. Though I might wish I could reach into a hat and pull out whatever I need, twitch my nose and have a clean house, or hop on a handy broom to travel abroad (I hear brooms get great mileage), this is not modern magick as we know it. And, unfortunately, these portraits do little to help us clarify what constitutes magick as a mystical, spiritual procedure that makes sense in the workaday world around us.
With each passing day, Patricia grew stronger, her command over magic becoming even more effortless. Patricia's magic made easy approach not only wowed her teachers but also mesmerized her peers. She became a source of inspiration for young magic users who previously believed that mastering spellcasting was an arduous and challenging endeavor. Patricia's natural abilities showed them that with dedication and practice, anyone could achieve mastery over magic. As Patricia delved deeper into the world of magic, she began unraveling new secrets and discovering ancient spells that were previously deemed impossible. Her ease with magic allowed her to experiment and push the boundaries of what was considered conventional. The spells she created were revolutionary, blending different elements effortlessly, and achieving effects that left even the most accomplished wizards astounded. Patricia's journey in unlocking the true potential of magic continues to this day. She showcases her talents at renowned magical tournaments and conferences, where she leaves audiences spellbound by her effortless displays of power. Her presence in the magical community has reshaped the way spells are taught and performed, making magic more accessible and less daunting for aspiring magicians. Patricia, the magic made easy prodigy, represents the idea that true mastery lies in finding harmony with the mystical forces around us. Her natural talent serves as a reminder that magic is not solely about power and complexity, but also about understanding and embracing the innate connection between oneself and the magical realm..
Reviews for "Patricia's Magic for Everyone: Incredible Tricks for All Skill Levels"
1. John - 2 stars
The book "Magic made easy" by Patricia was quite disappointing for me. I was expecting to learn some practical magic tricks, but instead, the book was filled with outdated and impractical information. The author often went off on tangents and didn't provide clear instructions on how to perform the tricks. Some of the tricks required expensive props that were difficult to find. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I found "Magic made easy" by Patricia to be a complete waste of time. The book was poorly written and lacked coherence. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without any logical flow. The instructions for the magic tricks were confusing and it was hard to understand what the author was trying to convey. Additionally, the tricks themselves were quite basic and not impressive at all. I would advise anyone interested in learning magic to look for better resources than this book.
3. Mike - 2 stars
As someone who has been into magic for a while, I found "Magic made easy" by Patricia to be too simplistic and lacking in originality. Most of the tricks included in the book were well-known and easily found with a simple online search. The author didn't offer any new or innovative ideas, which was disappointing. Additionally, the explanations for the tricks were poorly written and sometimes hard to understand. I would recommend this book only for absolute beginners who have no prior knowledge of magic. For others, it's better to look for more advanced and creative sources of magic instruction.