NOW YOU SEE IT A mural depicting a magic performance on stage will soon cover the blank north wall of Wauseons The Magic Corner since a new muralist has been hired The mural will feature special effects only visible at night
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
After a contractor change and the raising of additional funds, the special-effect mural at Wauseon’s The Magic Corner is set to be completed in the next two months.
Magician Dr. Kenneth P. Ladd, who owns and operates the business, said the original muralist chosen to do the work was not able to move forward on the project in a timely manner.
“He kept putting us off and putting us off, so we finally said enough’s enough and got a new guy to do it,” Ladd said.
The new muralist is slated to begin work at the end of this month and complete the mural within roughly three weeks, depending on the weather.
“It’s been kind of frustrating having all this good weather and we’re losing it,” Ladd said. On the other hand, a further $3,000 that ended up being needed for the project was raised very quickly after Ladd put out a call for donations. Only about $300 of the amount still needs to be raised.
The finished mural – 36 feet tall and 50 feet wide – will depict a magic show on a bedecked stage and feature special effects only visible at night.
In addition to the upcoming completion of the mural, Ladd recently received another reason to celebrate.
He was awarded the Order of Merlin: Excalibur for 50 years of membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The only higher accolade is for 60 consecutive years, which bestows the Order of Merlin: Excelsior.
“There’s not too many of us that reach that goal,” he said of the Excalibur level. Ladd was only 35 when he was initially inducted into the Brotherhood.
Jesse can be reached at jesse@thevillagereporter.com