FAMILY Leads a Magical Life
Cover Photo By Bonnie Whicher Photography
MEET RACHEL, NATE, DEBI, AND SCOTT
By Renee Garrison
Photos by Bonnie Whicher Photography
© Best Version Media
For 30 years, awarding-winning magician Scott Humston toured the United States full time. For ten years he traveled in a motorhome with his wife, Debi, and their four children. The family traveled coast-to-coast and abroad to places like Belize, the United Kingdom and Turkey, where Scott performed. Then, the pandemic arrived.
“In 2020, I went from 300 events a year to nothing,” says Scott, who currently performs his “Mind, Myth and Magic Show” in downtown Mount Dora. “A lot of my touring involved faith-based audiences at Christian churches and conferences which stopped having extra events at best and shut down for weeks at worst.”
A Floridian by birth, (he grew up in Lakeland) Scott wanted a place to call home. He and Debi (a nurse in Titusville) chose Mount Dora, where he maintains an office on Fourth Avenue.
“I love the quaintness of it,” he explains. “I’ve been in the area for 26 years, now. I know a lot of people and that’s been quite a blessing. Our children have great memories from living here.”
His oldest, Hannah, 25, was born in Lake County, the next Abby, 23, in Volusia County, Nate, 17, in Orange County and Rachel, 16, in Seminole County.
“People laugh when I tell that story,” Scott says. “Debi and I have covered the entire Central Florida area.”
Since 2020, Scott has been the Family Pastor at First Baptist Church of Mount Dora, an institution that has been in existence for 102 years. Scott created a beautiful deck of playing cards that can be purchased at some downtown stores. He also wrote a book, “Sharing Wonder,” which he describes as “a conversational collection of sharing stories about the
wonder of life. Most adults don’t suspend disbelief. They’re too practical, too serious to value the silly.” Scott has shared his special brand of makebelieve all over the world. His show combines comedy, whimsy, wonder and powerful illusion to meet the reality of the mind. Audience members are seated so they can witness the mystery— just inches from their seats.
“It’s a lot of fun, very interactive and the maximum audience is 26 people,” he says. “It’s about sleight of hand and sleight of mouth for ages 15 and up. I encourage people to go to dinner before the show at one of the great downtown restaurants. I want people to enjoy a fun evening out.”
Married for 30 years, the Humstons also share their home with Ella, a 13-year-old Schnauzer-mix, and Lucy, a 1-year-old border collie/ Australian shepherd-mix.
“A couple who came to my Mount Dora show last month told me they had seen something similar to a parlor show once at the Waldorf in New York City. But they added, ‘This one was better!”
Practice does, indeed, make perfect. You can learn all about Scott’s local show at mindmythmagic.com
DO YOU KNOW A NOTABLE NEIGHBOR?
We always are looking for fascinating residents to feature in Mount Dora Living. If you are interested in being included or would like to nominate one of your neighbors, email rgarrison@bestversionmedia.com
