Fostoria Society Is Hoping to Obtain Old Glass Moulds
The Fostoria Glass Society of America is hoping to add 972 original cast iron Fostoria moulds to its Moundsville Museum.
However, before this can take place the FGSA board of directors will need $40,000 to purchase the moulds.
FGSA acquisition chairwoman Cassie Clark plans to begin sending letters to businesses, industries, etc., not only in Marshall County but throughout West Virginia seeking donations for this effort. Of course, donations from individuals will be greatly appreciated.
Among other expected contributors will be members of the FGSA, Inc., a non-profit organization. The FGSA learned a month ago that the Fenton Glass Co. located in Williamstown had Fostoria moulds which going to be sold, and immediately FGSA president Jim Davis made contact with George Fenton and during their conversation a meeting was set up to discuss the possible purchase. Davis and three other board members met with Fenton two weeks ago at which time Fenton agreed to sell the moulds for the $40,000 figure.
A number of years ago the FGSA board of directors learned that the Fenton company possessed many of the original Fostoria moulds, and at that time attempted to purchase some of them. However, at that time the firm was not ready to part with any of them.
The moulds became the property of Lancaster Colony with the purchase of Fostoria in 1983. After three years of operation, the facility in Moundsville closed after 99 years of glass making.
“Over the years, many of the moulds were sold to various glass companies,” Clark said.
Clark said, “Many of our moulds are already in other glassmakers’ possession and are being used to make glass that imitates Fostoria. There will never be another Fostoria Glass Co. The items made in the factory were pristine and make like no other glassware. Our board’s concern is that if we do not purchase these moulds they may end up out-of-the-state, or the country. It is time to bring these moulds home to our FGSA Museum.”
It just so happened that the museum had DVDs from the 2010 convention held in Moundsville, at which the main banquet speaker was long-time Fostoria employee Jim Bickerton, who spoke about the plant’s mould making department during his 30-minute presentation, titled, “A Day in the Life of Fostoria’s Mould Shop.”
He explained in the DVD the process of making the moulds and reasons that cast iron was used. He also explained the job description of the 12 people who in the late 1950s were employed in the mould shop at the “glass house.”
Anyone wishing to learn more about the efforts to obtain donations for the purchase of the 972 moulds can call either 304-845-9188 or 304-639-0495. Or they can write to the Fostoria Glass Society of America, P.O. Box 826, Moundsville, W.Va., 26041.
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Among events taking place this week in Marshall County will be the Marshall County Fair and the state American Legion baseball tournament.
It just so happens that the entrance to the sites are from 12th Street, and are less than an half mile apart.
While the fair begins today and continues through Saturday, the Legion tourney will run from Wednesday through Saturday at Valley Fork Park.
Some attractions not in the fair’s flyer are:
Stevie Boles of Pleasant Valley will be the opening act for Dylan Scott at the Festival Stage. Boles will begin playing at 7:30 p.m., with Scott taking the stage at 9 p.m.
An Air Evac helicopter will be on the grounds on Wednesday as will be the Marshall County Emergency Management Service mobile unit.
Three former Pittsburgh Steelers, Ernie Mills, Yancy Thigpen and Barry Foster, will be signing autographs Thursday evening.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Wheeling resident Tim Ullom will take the stage as the opening act for the band Lonestar, which will begin playing at 9 p.m.
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A 4-H Community Service Project will be taking place today at the fair, as 4-H members bring their 4-H exhibits or animal entries to the fairgrounds.
The food drive is being held in partnership with the Marshall County Family Resource Network, the food being to support local food pantries and Appalachian Outreach Inc.
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Speaking of today at the Fairgrounds, at 8 p.m. there will be a Talent Show featuring locals. Contestants will be placed in age categories. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded based on overall performance and crowd response. The performances will be of five minutes or less.
Entry forms are due by 4 p.m., today with forms available on line at marshallcountyfair.net
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The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Marshall County Fair will take place at 6:15 p.m. on Monday on the Festival Stage.
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Getting back to the American Legion baseball tournament, Valley Fork Park in Moundsville will be the site of this annual West Virginia event. This will mark the first time in some 20 years that American Legion Post No. 3 has hosted the tourney. Moundsville coach Bill Burkett, who is the Legion’s state baseball commissioner, will be in charge of double elimination tourney.
Six teams will be participating in the event, five being winners of area tournaments, along with Moundsville as a result of being the host.
A get-together of all participating teams will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Grand Vue Park with park General Manager Craig White as speaker. He spent time in the Los Angeles Dodger farm system in the late 1980s and early 1900s. Also, in attendance will be state Legion Commander Sherman Baxter, who will throw out the first pitch at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Games will be played at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 4 p.m., on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and should a game be necessary on Saturday, it will begin at noon.
The first game on Wednesday will be Area 1 against Area 5; game two will pit Areas 2-3, while the third game will feature Area 4 and Moundsville. Wheeling was last year’s winner.
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Appalachian Outreach Inc., will sponsor a car show on Aug. 7 at the Ace Hardware and Marathon Gas Station Plaza on North Lafayette Ave., Moundsville, with registration to begin at 10 a.m. The car show will run from 1-4 p.m., during which time there will be musical entertainment the music provided by disc jockey Frank Allen.
The awards presentation will be at 4 p.m., and will consist of cash, gift cards or certificates. There will also be door prizes and a 50-50 raffle. There will be food donated and served by the Ash Avenue Church of God.
Proceeds will benefit victims of poverty and disaster in West Virginia. Information is available at www.facebook.com/appalachianoutreach.
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When the Strand Theatre in Moundsville opened its doors in the 1920s, there were only silent movies. Well, if you missed the silent movies then you will have a chance on Aug. 13 to take-in some silent cartoons on the big screen.
A silent cartoon festival matinee will take place that day at 1 p.m., and at 7 p.m., and also, there will be a featured original film, “The Phantom of the Opera” silent movie.
David Calendine will prove the dramatic sounds throughout the movie, and the cartoon. He is a resident organist of the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Mich. He will be performing on the Strand’s Allen Theatre Organ. Calendine has traveled throughout the world to feature his theatre organ talents,
Knuth said the STPS is looking for large crowds at the 400-seat theatre. Sponsors for the event include Mark and Beth Mitchell and the Moundsville Daily Echo.
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Also, on Aug. 13 at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex at 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., visitors can view, “Arctic Ghost Ship” a Public Broadcasting service NOVA production of 60 minutes. The film is described as an exclusive breakthrough in the greatest unsolved mystery in Arctic exploration
Grave Creek Mound also has introduced the “Artifact of the Week” program, as each week the museum takes an item for the collection and posts photos of it with a description at the website https://www.facebook.com/gravecreekmound.
For additional information about activities and programs at the GCM, contact Andrea Keller, cultural program coordinator, at 304-843-4128 or andrea.k.keller@wv.gov
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The anticipated opening of an Ice Cream Parlor at Grand Vue Park will become a reality on Aug. 1, or at least that is the plan.
The Ice Cream stop will be at the Red Barn, on the lower level of the facility, while on the main floor will be the Golf Clubhouse and the Gift Shop.
Plans are to install air conditioning in the Barn, which in recent years has been used for storage. When GVP started more than 40 years ago, the Red Barn was used during summer months for children’s activities.
By the way, it just so happens that park general manager Craig White will be having a birthday on Aug. 1.
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The Strand Theatre box office will be open from noon until 1 p.m., and 4-6 p.m., on both Monday and Wednesday for those wishing to purchase discounted tickets to the local production of “Grease the Musical.” Tickets will also be available at the door.
The times and dates of the show are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. next Sunday.
The cast will be comprised of 18 members.
Jara Jarrett will be the director.
Major sponsors of the event are Moundsville Pharmacy, A&B Kia and Bordas and Bordas.
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Between July 11-22 the offices in the Marshall County Courthouse and the Marshall County Public Safety Annex were challenged by the Marshall County Commission to take part in a Community Food Drive, with the mainly canned goods going to Marshall County food pantries, soup kitchens, and organizations providing food related assistance. The Food Drive was spearheaded by the Marshall County Family Resource Network.
On Friday a “judge” checked the books and determined the winner. Although I know the winner, a memo from Missy Tschappat of the county commission’s office states the results will not be made available until Tuesday’s meeting of the county commission.
One thing I can reveal is that some 300 pounds of canned goods were collected.
For their efforts the winning office will be win a catered lunch at their convenience, paid for by the commission.
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