Desperately Seeking . . . .

Last night my friends and I went to a movie - a regular Friday night.

This morning thoughts of good movies, and great film that I'd love to

own - first edition Shel Silverstein books that I am desperately seeking. . .

material thoughts this am.

Which brings me to BLENKO - there are wonderful pieces of BLENKO GLASS,

some being 'desperately sought' if you aren't a collector - these photos may

inspire you to start. hjh

Want to know more - google BLENKO GLASS and check out the website or

visit http://www.blenkoglass.com/, http://www.blenkoproject.org/ , Blenko Museum and then hit all the references listed on each site.

BLENKO - THE PEOPLE WILLIAM 'BILL' CHAPMAN

WILLIAM 'BILL' CHAPMAN
Kathryn Davis was kind enough to share these photos of her uncle, Bill Chapman. He worked at Blenko from 8/45 until 4/94. He was a glass finisher when he retired. He passed away December 8, 1995.

Blenko Colors

Heart of Glass Blog reader Sol ask me for photo of Charcoal glass.

These are the only charcoal items - I have photos of -Blenko website states Blenko Charcoal was produced in 1954-58, 61-61 and in 1971. As always for additional info - google BLENKO GLASS and check out the great websites devoted to BLENKO! hjh

RED * WHITE * BLUE

Red, White and Blue - I always feel patriotic when I see these colors - don't ask me why? I like the color combination, in clothing, housewares and glass.

BLENKO GLASS http://www.blenkoglass.com/ has often done red white and blue theme glass - but the most sought after grouping is one by Wayne Husted pictured above.

as a tricolour, they are also the national colours for various countries—the phrase "Red, White and Blue" can be a reference to the Flag of the United States and the Union Flag.
The flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 U.S. states and the 13 stripes represent the original Thirteen Colonies that rebelled against the British crown and became the first states in the Union.[1] Nicknames for the flag include the stars and stripes, Old Glory,[2] the American flag, and the star-spangled banner (also the name of the country's official national anthem).

INDIANA JONES

Steven Spielberg Film - INDIANA JONES - Kingdom of The Crystal Skull

Playing in all of West Virginia now.

At a recent Blenko Collectors event - I discovered several other collectors (30+ in age) were fans of Action Film and Comic Books. A Texas couple frequently dines with Chewbacca !

What's the connection between Collecting BLENKO and Action Films?

Could it be a love of quality, adventure, a desire to learn, a sense of the pride in the past and hope for the future?

My all time favorite 'adventure/ action figure is Harrison Ford.

Harrison Ford - Indiana Jones

Harrison Ford returns to the role of Indiana Jones in his latest adventure after having embodied the iconic archaeologist adventurer in the legendary series that began with the blockbuster "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and continues through " Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade".

The Indiana Jones series and as a cocky rebel star ship pilot Han Solo in the original "Star Wars"trilogy (did I tell you I have a life size cardboard image of Hans in the 3rd floor bedroom of my parents home) . .Ford came to embody the quintessential American hero for moviegoers (women young and older) around the world. His body of work encompasses over 40 feature films- 11 of which have exceeded $100 million at the box office - such films as "the Fugitive", "Air Force One" and "Patriot Games."

An Oscar and Golden Glove nominee for best Actor in Witness, Sabrina, the Fugitive and The Mosquito Coast. He was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People Magazine in 1998.

We don't know that Harrison Ford collects BLENKO GLASS, but it seems possible given his keen sense of style - - a Fedora Hat, Leather Jacket in the jungle, . . .seems like a BLENKO man.

The Item pictured is available for purchase at BLENKO GLASS - it was made using recycled BLENKO GLASS. (304 743 9081) or ask for Rodney Wade, or Diana to learn more.

Info re: Film taken from Indiana Jones Posters.

Super Heroes and Nerds

It's a fact both Super Heroes and Nerds collect Blenko Glass.

If you don't have a collection - start now.

www.blenkoglass.com

or check out other collections at www.blenkoproject.org.

hjh

West Virginia Birthday Piece for 2008 reveiled!

The latest West Virginia Day Piece is inspired by both the calm of evening AND the promise of a new day with its complementary orange/blue color scheme and graceful wings.

The vessel suggests mountains at dawn as sunlight streams joyfully through early morning clouds. Clear blue sky and bright orange sun celebrate the beginning of another fruitful day.

It also implies evening, when dusky hills undulate through shafts of sunlight and ribbons of mist; owls call and rivers trickle through peaceful valleys.

Dreamcicle with Dark Cobalt 12" high, 8 1/2" wide

$145.00 ea. + tax Available Friday, June 20 at the Blenko Glass Visitor's Center in Milton only Opens at 8:00am Limited to 145 numbered pieces Signed by Designer Arlon Bayliss (BDT Designs) and Richard Blenko *Photo and information from blenkoglass.com

2001 BLENKO GLASS WV BIRTHDAY!

June 20, 2001. This item was sold at the Stone and Thomas Department Store. This is one of my favorites. Its blue in color, should be signed by WH BLENKO with date and #. Again, the size is good. Shape, and form are very nice.

2000 WV Birthday BLENKO

2000 June - West Virginia Birthday was sold at the Stone and Thomas Department Store.

It is gold in color with bits of blue on the sides.

This piece is small, very good size for flowers, fits nicely in a china cabinet and looks great on a table.

The item should be signed by WH Blenko.

1999 West Virginia Birthday BLENKO GLASS

CRYSTAL with gold and blue applied.....very simple. This one is also at the Visitors Center in Milton, W.Va.

Remember the 2008 WEST VIRGINIA BIRTHDAY Collectors will go on sell soon - check the Blenko website often for details. I'll also try to get Katie Garrison to allow us a photo or description when its available.

If you haven't started a BIRTHDAY COLLECTION - 2008 is a great time - Bayliss did the 2007 line and the 2007 Birthday piece both have been very well received. Beautiful items.

hjh

Photo - Thousand Words.

Readers Respond

Hillary I thought this quote was good about life


love and our collections. SD


“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” — Source Unknown

Thoughts for Life. . .

.“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.” - Gilda Radner
Today the SOUTHERN KITCHEN will be on the auction block. A little restaurant my friends and I used for after dance/ theater performances, and for late night weekend board games and homemade pie.
hjh
Note: Ms. Delsie didn't collect BLENKO.

Heart of Glass Receives YOU MAKE MY DAY AWARD!

If you read this blog - you know about THE PURPLE MOON in downtown Charleston. They sell vintage (40-70s Modern) items in excellent condition. The Purple Moon has a blog
MODERN GUY. MODERN GUY has awarded Heart of Glass with the award:


The You Make My Day Award works like this:

1) Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make me think and/or make my day2) Acknowledge the post of the award giver3) Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news!

I am passing this award along to:
1) Just a Modern Guy
2) This is Not my Blog
3) Hot Topics
4) Atomic Addiction
5) Collecting Blenko
5)Hot Topics

Cameo Gallery - Short North - Columbus, Ohio

It's no secret that I love Columbus, Ohio. Its a short drive, they have great art galleries, shopping, better theater, reduced air fare etc.

This week I found a new reason to visit Columbus - Kelsey Murphy's Studio. Kelsey Murphy it seems is from East Lynn, West Virginia. She often uses BLENKO GLASS - to make her cameo glass and her etched glass.

We found her CAMEO GALLERY by spotting the BLENKO GLASS in the window on the way to an appointment at an another Art Gallery. Quickly, we stopped went in, met the shop keeper, a very knowledgeable Daniel Stein. Daniel spent an hour showing us the many treasures in this gallery.

Kelsey Murphy is very talented.

It may be that I'm the only Blenko Collector who doesn't know about Kelsey....so for the Collector this is probably old news...but to many of you - like me - she will be an new artist - and a new way to buy BLENKO as gifts or to keep. Email the shop with your questions. My photos fail to capture the beauty of this glass.

Below you'll find the address for her gallery and a brief bit of info about the wonderful Short North.

Cameo Gallery

722 N. High Street Suite 101

Columbus Ohio 43215

Cameo772@aol.com

http://www.theshortnorth.com/

Visit Short North restaurants, art galleries, and shops! Visit the Gallery Hop, the first Saturday of every month. The Short North, Columbus Ohio is an eclectic, historic, urban neighborhood. It's the Art District of Columbus, Ohio. Near downtown, Arena District, German Village, OSU, Brewery District, and the Convention Center; its the place to be in Columbus.

THE PURPLE MOON 906 Quarrier ST. Charleston, WVa.

The Modern Guy and his bride Ms. Modern Gal have a new Home for their gallery of

Art Deco Etc. Goodies -906 Quarrier St - We visited Saturday May 9th, this was their 2nd day in the new location. It looks SO GOOD! Lots of space, filled with beautiful items from long ago. I wanted so many things!

BLENKO - BLENKO - and more BLENKO! Chuck likes the new Bayliss line and says its the only new BLENKO he's ever had in the shop.

I'm attaching a link to his website and his blog, and posting a number of photos from my visit to the shop. My thoughts about this Shop are - I COULD LIVE HERE! If you love fine VINTAGE items - this is the place. Looking for something special - don't see it - ask Modern Guy and his bride will find it for you!

Plan a visit to Charleston, or phone after viewing the website. PURPLE MOON is the place to shop for those very 'special' gifts....could be gift to yourself. hjh

1998 West Virginia Birthday - BLENKO

In 1998 Blenko Glass did the Birthday Piece in BLUE it was smaller in size, terrific

for cut flowers, with a ruffle top that has a delicate gold band.

NOTE: A copy of this 98 Birthday can be seem at Blenko Glass 2nd Floor Visitor Center.

1997 Blenko - WVa Birthday

The 97' West Virginia Birthday Blenko Issue was Crackle Glass in Crystal with a Gold

and a Blue Circle of Glass at the top. Very simple design.

See Photo.

This Birthday Piece may be seem at the BLENKO GLASS VISITORS CENTER 2nd Floor Musuem Milton, WVa.

India Center / Charleston, WVa

http://www.tibetanhealingcenter.com/ .

India Center is hosting the free lecture of Dr. Jumpa Yonton on Tuesday 13th of May 2008 at 7;30 pm. It is open to public.

VOTE TODAY!

Take time out to VOTE
before the days over.
You'll be glad you did.

Mark Your Calendar

Glass Art Society's 38th Annual Conference
Forming Frontiers
Portland, Oregon
June 19-21, 2008

President Bill Clinton Shops at BLENKO GLASS

Blenko Glass received a call - asking if they could stay open after hours for 30 minutes or so - - - President Clinton wants to do some 'Mothers Day' Shopping!
Well of course the answer was YES! We want very much to accomodate the former President in any way possible.
How did President Clinton know about the wonderful items at BLENKO GLASS?
I'd like to say, he reads HEART OF GLASS blog daily....but the true story is - Clinton said:" I need to buy some unique gifts for the holiday? Suggestions?" ....one of the six secret service men assigned to him grew up in Huntington and remembered touring the factory as a young grade school student. Clinton immediately liked the idea of handcrafted glass - said his family collects glass, so... The call was made and appropriate police departments were notified. President Bill Clinton was going to BLENKO GLASS in Milton, WVa.
You're wondering- what did he buy? - - well, he bought a large number of items, his favorite items were the BRAVO Line by Bayliss (Modern Guy - Purple Moon in Charleston also loves this line), he also purchased a couple pieces of Gibson etched Blenko, some perfume bottles, and a number of the delightfully unique Blenko paperweights.
Diane (who runs the gift shop) reports "he was so verrrrrry charming, handsome, and so sweet, he made you forget that he was someone special, you felt you knew him your whole life in the brief time he was there" , Diane said 'no one mentioned politics, he only ask about the glass, their lives and the town.'
Perhaps by being himself - President Clinton won the hearts and votes. For me just knowing they 'collects glass' adds weight to an undecided voter.
NOTE: Additional PHOTOS will be posted after I return from VET HOSPITAL with Ms B on Friday.

Additional news story mentioning Clinton's stop at Blenko

More Info than you wanted!

Questions and comments from Readers:

1) A BLENKO COLLECTOR recently had a Breast Cancer scare - she may have been saved by a mammogram being done in time.... If you have not had a mammogram in the last year please get one this week! If you can't afford one phone your local health department and ask about a reduced/free of cost mamogram. Early detection is KEY! www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastcancer Breast cancer affect one in eight women in their life time.

2) What BLOGS do I READ?

I must admit I do not regularly read blogs - twice a month I catch the following blogs -
(1) THIS IS NOT MY BLOG
(2) & (3)I love 2 of the Herald's blogs and actually learn from both -
Hot Topics: Taxes. Litter. The cost of living. Anything that makes news in the Tri-State is worth a thought or two.
By Ross
The Drawing Board Interested in illustration? Drawing images that accompany news stories is a privilege that news illustrator Thomas Marsh relishes. Here’s a chance to look over his shoulder and see how he does it.
by Marsh

(4)http://justamodernguy.com/ - Great blog from the fabulous Purple Moon

(5)WV Bloggers website

(6) ADA Website - I visit weekly

(7) A wonderful new BLOG by Tim Alonzo (Texas Blenko Collector)called Collecting BLENKO this will be a blog I check more than once a week.

3) Clubs - Organizations and where to Donate My Glass? The questions are what clubs or organizations should I join and where can I donate my glass? Wow! This depends on the amount of $$ you have and what your interest are. Many online things are free - Damon Crane offers a free newsletter, and many on line groups and newsletters are free. Check this out! IF you are reading this - I will assume you collect BLENKO and suggest you immediately try to join the BLENKO COLLECTORS SOCIETY and also the WV MUSEUM OF GLASS (Weston, WV) both memberships come with links to website - newsletters and a wealth of information. DONATIONS- Re read my disclaimer - I am a student with little knowledge - my first recommendation is to get an appraisal. Then carefully select an appropriate home for your glass. WV Museum of Glass - the West Virginia Division of Culture and History are the places one might consider. Start now - planning- it takes time.

Good luck! hjh

Henry Harrison Thompson - Blenko The People

Henry Harrsson Thompson (Harry)
Born Oct 15 1909
Harveytown, WVa in Wayne County
Worked at Blenko 1939 to 1966
Died at age 89 in Okeehobie, FLa in 1999
We are looking for information about Harry Thompson - if you knew him
at Blenko, or have items he made, please contact me at theblenkoproject@aol.com
Thank you
Hillary Homburg

Bill Blenko Birthday!

Mr. Bill Blenko celebrated his 87th Birthday this week. A very young 87. If you see Mr. Blenko this week or next be certain to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Mr. Blenko has devoted his life to BLENKO GLASS in Milton, West Virginia. An Engineer by training - he returned from Military to work at the Milton Factory.hjh

Blenko History - William John Blenko

In London on Dec 8, 1854, William John Blenko was born to a middle class English Family. William became interested in glass adornment at an early age and being encouraged by his mother apprenticed himself to a glass craftsman. He attended school and became a pupil of philosopher John Tyndall.


Early in the 1880's he went into business for himself making what is known as rondels (Round Window Panels), while experimenting with other processes of making glass superior to his competitors.



At the age of 36, he came to New York to experiment with the wonder fuel natural gas. Hearing that this fuel was abundant around Kokomo, Ind. he went there and started up one of Americas first gas - fueled operations. In l893. While in Kokomo, William became very good friends with Eugene Debs who was considered one of the foremost labor speakers of the early 1990s and was the only man to run for the office of President while in prison. He was imprisoned because of his inflammatory speeches to US Laborers. The friendship would last until death.



The year was 1893, he was producing glass but it would not sell. The American window makers would not accept the product, although it was made by Old World Methods. There was a natural prejudice against a domestically made glass. The Stain glass studios were European and wanted European glass. This was later know as "the Cleveland Panic'. Discouraged by this he decided to return to England and export the same product he was making in Indiana. He came back to Indiana in 1899 and started a trans-Atlantic shuttle that would end in Milton, WV some 23 years late.



He chose the little farm town of Milton, WV on the banks of the Mud RIver because The Industrial Development Department of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad sold him on the area of Milton as a good place to work. It was a dependable source of sober, industrious labor and natural gas was cheapley priced: this gas powered all the glass furnaces.



In the spring of 1922 William arrived in the small town of Milton with the intention of having a suitable place to make glass. Within a short time " he was unloading the tools of his trade into a small hillside barn. He then went to work building a furnaces with the help of a newly recruited crew of locals. Within a few weeks glass was being made.



This was the beginning of the EUREKA ART GLASS COMPANY. The name 'Eureka" is from the Greek meaning " I have found it." This is what Archimedes is suppose to have exclaimed when he found out how to determine the purity of gold.


Information taken from Blenko Visitors Center Upstairs Museum.

1996 WV Birthday Piece

This classic design in cobalt and gold, was produced in 1996 as the Birthday Piece. hjh

Mother's Day Sale at Blenko Glass

Richard Blenko will be signing your glass purchases on Saturday May 11th. Three items (vintage molds) are being returned to the line for this day only, very limited supply.
Check out the Blenko GLass website for a $5.00 off coupon.
If you live out of town phone 304 743 9081 and ask Rodney Wade or Diana to arrange shipment of your MOTHERS DAY GIFT.
UNADVERTISED MARK DOWNS at the Visitors Center - I recommend going in person, going early and asking Mr. Blenko to sign everything you purchase.
IF I can persuade those BLENKO LADIES to send photos of the 'special items' I'll publish the photos for you. HJH

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL / Blenko Glass

My magazine just came today.
On page 124....it starts: "Accessories Are ATMOSPHERE!"
The man who owns the house has Blenko in every room....except for outside!!!!!!!!
Please tell the owner of Blenko.
Thanks!
Sherry
Sherry, I'm in the mist final exams - but next week we'll investigate and if possible give you an answer.
HJH

Holly's Blenko Collection

We received over a dozen emails asking about Holly's photos - she was kind enough to provide the following info about each photo!
NOTE: BLenko Collectors are amazing people - if you don't collector - start now - with a trip to BLENKO GLASS in Milton, WV.
I'll try to tell you a little bit about each photo you posted on the site
1. These fishies are our most-loved collection. They hang below, fittingly, our hand-signed and numbered Jim Davis Garfield prints that we bought on our honeymoon five years ago at an art auction on an extremely boring cruise.
2. The top hat was purchased at the Blenko Outlet store about three or four years ago and usually just gets brought out for xmas or New years. It's very deep red but must look lighter in the picture, I guess due to the flash.
3. The three pieces are all from different collections, the first is a gorgeous yellow confetti (?) piece that may have been experimental by one of the artists. The second I've seen in catalogs crediting a design by Wayne Hustead, my favorite Blenko-er of all time. And of course - a stray fish that escaped Garfield...
4. This is a picture of five of my favorite pieces in different colors. The exact color names escape me but I would be happy to look through my Blenko book and find the exact name if you'd like!
5. About two years ago Blenko tried to bring this face back. I'm not sure if they had much success but my husband and I loved it, bought it and stuck it in the non-working living room fireplace and dubbed him "Sirius" for all of you who may be Harry Potter fanatics...
6. Our favorite color (besides, of course, Ruby and the elusive Rialto) is the tangerine. This picture shows our favorite tangerine pieces grouped together on the right side of the fireplace on shelves built specifically for our Blenko loves.
7. About four of five years ago Blenko stopped custom-making hourglasses. So we found this pair on Ebay for a pricey sum. But they keep time and are pretty to boot!
8. This is a shelf above the door to our deck. For three years it remained rather like an eyesore until my husband climbed a ladder and stuck some of our Blenko on it. The middle piece is a ruby triangle with a center white block and (not pictured) a dark blue base. About three years ago some of the artists got a little funky and started making art-deco like pieces. This was one of them and it weighs about 20 pounds.
9. The final photo is of a collection of different types of Blenko stuck together on another high shelf.
Again, I'm sorry I don't have exact colors and names, but I can get them for you (the book is buried in a closet - but I think I know where) and also can share picture of an almost- complete Caribbean collection (one piece missing), a basket of Easter Eggs, apples galore, a fish that stands on its tail, four Mardi Gras pieces (minus the pitcher) and more!
Thanks for giving me a spot on your page and I've included a few more pictures since I'm not sure which ones didn't turn out.
If you want me to just start snapping away, I'd be happy to do so and please feel free to contact me if you would like any more information.
I love Blenko and if we, as loyal customers, do not keep the fervor going then I'm afraid Blenko will fall into the same abyss that other glass makers have gone!
We can't have that!...
THANK YOU HOLLY for the photos, the script, and your love of BLENKO!

CAMDEN PARK Opens MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

- Mark your calendar - consider a Family Pass for Camden Park!
Red and white Skydiver cars twisted through a Sunday afternoon blue sky. Down in front, Steve Free and his band served up a breezy bushel full of Guy Clark's "Homegrown Tomatoes," causing toddlers to start dancing in front of the Spider at Camden Park. The historic amusement park, which has more than 30 rides and attractions, is now open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in May. It will be open daily starting Memorial Day weekend. from the Herald Dispatch...
That I love roller coasters is no secret - my friends and I do at least 2 road trips each year to amusement parks - its been along time since I visited Camden Park. I have fond memories of going there with my Mom and my cousins as a child.
BLENKO GLASS - Milton, WV is midway between Charleston and Camden Park. An ideal day trip would include making a lunch going to Camden Park, riding all day stopping at the VISITORS CENTER of Milton Glass for some shopping - let the children run around the glass garden or chase the ducks while you shop - Blenko now has several picnic tables on the lawn. Blenko Glass a great place to visit, and to look for bargains.

Readers' contribute - Holly's amazing photos!

These photos are of Holly's Blenko glass collection. I'm gonna ask her to tell us about each photo - so return for more info. hjh

Dale Hairding's Blenko Photos - Readers Contribute

Awhile ago, we ask that you share your BLENKO GLASS or WV Glass Collection photos with the blog.

Dale Hairding of Milton was kind enough to send the following photos.

Dale Harding purchases vase to send to Dr and Betty Beck in Bullhead City, AZ

New colors appear at Blenko

New Tangerine color is added at the Showroom

1995 West Virginia Blenko Glass

Lovely classic blue container with crystal. Simple, useful, some call this classic. It is very similar to the BLENKO Millennium piece. HJH
*photo from blenkocollectors.com

Blenko in Himachal Pradesh

We'll have to check with Tammy Kosla, to be certain there are no other Blenko Collectors in India - and if there are we'll make certain they connect. I'll bet Ram will start his own little

Himachai Pradesh area Blenko Collectors Group.

This email / note and photo of Blenko Pitcher in Himachal Pradesh arrived today.
For the Blog:

Hillary I may be the first proud owner/collector of Blenko in Himachal Pradesh maybe in India smiling :) Picture taken against our beautiful mountains.
Ram

Note: 5/2 - Spoke with T. Kosla. Ram your family will be our first BLENKO Collectos in India. Perhaps a first for Blenko in India (I'll check with Richard Blenko).

NOTE : If, like Me you know nothing of Himachal Pradesh, our webmaster Steve Rowe provides info:
Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश, pronounced [hɪmaːtʃəl prəd̪eːʃ] (help·info)) is a state in the north-west of India. Himachal Pradesh is spread over 55,780 square kilometres (21,537 sq mi) and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on north, Punjab on west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on south, Uttarakhand on south-east and by China on the east. The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is Land of snowy mountains.
Himachal Pradesh was also known as Deva Bhoomi (the land of the gods). The Aryan influence in the region dates back to the period before the Rigveda. After the Anglo Gorkha war, the British colonial government came into power. It was initially in Punjab, except Siba State of Punjab Hills, under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh till 1857 In 1950 Himachal was declared as the union territory but after State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971 Himchal emerged as the 18th state of Indian Union.
Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab & Rajasthan. The economy of the state is highly dependent upon three sources i.e. Hydel power, tourism and agriculture.
95% of the state population constitutes of Hindus. The major communities are of Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. As per the survey conducted in 2005 by Transparency International Himachal Pradesh is ranked second least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.

The National Marble Museum moves to WV

Cairo, WV – The National Marble Museum, with an extensive collection of historic and contemporary marbles, will relocate from the West Coast to a new home at the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia in Weston, WV. The announcement was made on May 3, 2008 at the 12th annual Marble Festival in Cairo, WV. The Festival attracts marble collectors for identification and games. In addition, there is a show and sale of antique, collectible and new machine and hand-made marbles.

The National Marble Museum’s collection covers a broad scope including a 1st Century Roman glass marble, German-made marbles from the 1890’s and a 1975 ribbon swirl marble made by California artist Ro Purser who helped to start the whole art glass marble movement. West Virginia marbles are well represented as so many were made in the state which even now is home to marble producers.
For the first time the collection will be consolidated in one location rather than spread among three locations in two states as it is currently. The marbles will join the glass museum which has over 11,000 pieces of American-made glass. There is plenty of room since the museum recently moved into an expanded location in Weston.
Plans call for the MAGWV to continue the National Marble Museum missions of collection, education and preservation as well as promoting marble games and tournaments for children. Most importantly, public access to the collection is assured.
Note: Information from MAGWV

WV Birthday 1994

This unusual, textured pitcher matches the 93 in color and form. Another Hank Adams design.

Very collectible, not easy to find. I've seen this one in a South Charleston shop for $550. My friend Ann Wood always has the 94' on her dining room table with flowers (she does not collect Blenko or Birthday), she just loves the color purple and likes Hank Adams designs.

Note: Photo from Blenko Collectors 4

Ms. B. (aka Blenko) symptomatic for Cherry Eye?

Ms. B (aka Blenko) will be going for evaluation and possible surgery early next week, after some research we decided on a Veterinary Hospital associated with a University Vet School to assure Ms B has the very best care.

Below is More Info Than You'd Ever Want to Know - about Chery Eye . . . Thanks to Webmaster Steve Rowe.

Cherry eye is the term used to refer to canine nictitans gland prolapse, a common eye condition in various dog breeds where the gland of the third eyelid known as the nictitating membrane prolapses and becomes visible. Commonly affected breeds include the BICHON. Cherry eye may be caused by a hereditary weakness in the connective tissue surrounding the gland. It is most common in puppies.
It appears as a red mass in the inner corner of the eye, and is sometimes mistaken for a tumor. After gland prolapse, the eye becomes chronically inflamed and there is often a discharge. Because the gland is responsible for about 30% of the eye's tear production, the eye can eventually suffer from dryness (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). Dry eye may eventually occur in 30 to 40 percent of dogs that have the gland removed, yet it may affect about 20 percent of dogs that have the gland surgically replaced
Surgery is the usual treatment. Older methods of cherry eye correction (before the gland's purpose was known) involved simply removing the gland, but this is a last-resort procedure

today, and necessitates the use of eyedrops for the rest of the animal's life. Modern methods of cherry eye correction involve repositioning of the gland to its normal location. The success rate of this type of surgery is around 80% in most breeds.