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No trick: Tom Phoolery is a hit at library event
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Neighbors | Emily Gianetti.Two young participants help magician Tom Phoolery with a trick during his show at the Canfield library.
By EMILY GIANETTI
Children visiting the Canfield library July 21 were treated to a magical experience as part of the library’s summer program. Tom Phoolery provided the entertainment that included his bag of tricks and a lesson on culture from around the world.
Each year, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County hosts a themed summer reading program for kids up through 12th grade. This year, the theme was “One World, Many Stories.”
In keeping with this year’s topic, Phoolery had the young audience giggled as he mixed tricks with stories about England, India and Australia.
“The kids were laughing and had a great old time. They definitely enjoyed it a lot,” said librarian Karen Basista.
Phoolery proves to have quite the reputation, as more than 100 kids came to the show. Even the Canfield Daycare brought more than two of its classes to the show.
“Every year during the summer, we make a point of getting the summer schedule and putting it into our calendar,” said daycare worker Kathy Ziegler.
Phoolery doesn’t plan to stop the magic anytime soon. He began doing magic when a colleague’s son had a birthday party and the colleague asked Tom, who dabbled in magic at the time, to perform. From that point on, he took classes and joined groups for magic enthusiasts. In 1998, he began practicing magic full time.
“I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t fun,” said Phoolery. “We try to make each show special; make it something they’re going to remember forever.”
Phoolery does magic shows for banquets, schools, daycares and birthday parties, and also holds magic workshops for kids. He can be reached at 330-797-8995 or online at www.tomphoolery.com.