HOBART | Jerry Herzog remembers first falling under the spell of magic as an impressionable 8-year-old watching Wizzo the Wizard perform on TV's "Bozo's Circus."

Herzog, 50, a Democratic city councilman who serves Hobart's 1st District, said he's never outgrown that initial fascination with magic.

"I never grew up," Herzog said with a smile.

He said he got his start, trying out his own magic tricks, after one of his now late aunts bought him a magic set at his insistence.

Herzog, who on Nov. 1 retired from his job as a construction worker, recalls amazing his friends with magic as a child and later performing in talent shows at his alma mater, Merrillville High School.

Now, as an adult, Herzog performs at children and adult's parties and events throughout the area often using such props as a guillotine or a fire book, a book that instantly ignites into flame.

"It gets the kids' attention right away," Herzog said.

In addition to performing stage magic tricks, Herzog also devotes at least half an hour to making sure those who come to his performance take something home with them.

That part of his magic act includes turning balloons into bears or swords and other objects, such as napkins, into flowers.

Initially, as an adult, Herzog said he would don a tuxedo to perform his magic acts, but now he typically dresses all in black, including his suit, shirt and tie.

During his performances, he enjoys seeing the smiles of those in his audience most.

"It's seeing people of all ages enjoy themselves," he said. "Kids of all ages enjoy magic, and I enjoy taking both parents and grandparents back to being a kid again."

Herzog performs at a lot of area get-togethers including the Ross Township annual Easter egg hunt in the spring and the Halloween party in the fall.

Some of his upcoming performances include the play "Dracula" in March at a yacht club, during which he'll also be setting up some illusions.

He also assisted actors and actresses with magic and illusions in the musical "Cats," when it was performed at Munster's Center For Visual and Performing Arts.

Herzog will travel to Las Vegas in May where he'll be performing at a convention there.

"This is more than a hobby," he said.

Although he's been performing for a number of years, Herzog said he still gets butterflies in his stomach, an indication the show will be a good one.

"I'm scared to death. ... Yes, you practice, practice, practice, but I still get nervous to this day," he said.

Each magician has his or her own routines, and he changes his regularly, depending on the age of his audience and the circumstances.

Herzog said he likes some of the younger magicians, such as Criss Angel, but deeply admires some of the old-time magicians, such as the late Harry Blackstone, whom he was able to meet when both were at a magicians' convention in Michigan.

"We talked about everything but magic," Herzog recalled.