The Facets of Fostoria is the official publication of Fostoria Glass Society of America, Inc., which in turn keeps its membership updated on things such as those at the Fostoria Glass Museum in Moundsville, photographs of glass patterns, and other data, as the official publication to acquire and disseminate knowledge concerning Fostoria Glassware.

The most recent publication is the November-December edition, which was received in the mail a week ago, contained several pages dealing with Jon Saffell’s employment at Fostoria.

It was noted that sources are from Fostoria Glass Company’s Design Department Records, the U.S. Department Records and the Jon Saffell’s Archives of the Glass Paper Fanatics.

It was Mary Sue Lyon, a resident of Michigan, who put together information for the Facets of Fostoria dealing with Saffell’s years at Fostoria. Lyon herself is a long-time member of the Fostoria Museum Board of Directors, who still attends the annual conventions in Moundsville.

She states in the publication that, among the thousands of skilled artisans who worked for the Fostoria Glass Company over its history of its production, there were a few who stand head and shoulders above the others for their lasting contributions to the success of the company, with Saffell being one of those.

She wrote that Saffell was certainly among those few for his skills as an artist and designer as well as his effective leadership of the design department as its director from June 1977 until the factory closed in 1986.

Saffel started his career with Fostoria Glass Co. in 1957, just out of high school. His first role was that of a model maker for new designs. In Lyon’s report, most models of this era were made of plaster which were carved into the form of the item under development. This step in the process allowed for modifications to the design of the item without incurring the heavy investment of an iron mold to refine the design.

She further added that Jon had very generously donated several of his collection of plaster models to the Fostoria Glass Museum, most of which can be found in the hallway of the second floor of the museum.

She continued, “While working days at the Fostoria Glass Company, Jon attended evening classes at West Liberty State College to further hone his artistic skills. He worked under the direction of Marvin Yutzey, director of design for the company and Fernando Alvarez, a designer employed by Fostoria. Under the tutelage of these two glass design veterans, Jon learned all aspects of the design process from modeling, to creating drawings, and the technical challenges involved in turning a design into an item of glass which could be created from a mold.”

She continued her history of Saffell at the Fostoria, stating, “Most of Jon’s designs were three-dimensional in nature which means the creation of the entire shape of the piece with all of its proportions. The records of Fostoria Glass Company designs indicate the name of a designer for each item, if applicable. In the early 1960s when Jon took over the task of keeping these records. These records indicate 88 separate three-dimensional designs attributed to him, but not all were actually produced.”

According to Lyons, in 1974, Saffel designed two cuttings from the 2863 tumbler, indicating his participation was not only three-dimensional design work, but also two-dimensional decorative designs. He would go on to design a total of 19 cuttings for Fostoria.

The long-time Glen Dale resident, who currently resides in Wheeling, would later become design department manager for Fostoria.

After Fostoria closed in 1986, Saffell would for a short time work at Lancaster Colony Co., the firm which purchased Fostoria, and also worked for Fenton Glass Company.

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The city of Glen Dale has a new city clerk, Melody Yoho, who previously was assistant city clerk for the city of Benwood.

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The trivia question posted daily at the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library this past Wednesday read:

How long did the Hundred Years’ War Last?

Four years were listed, one of which was the correct number. These numbers are 86 years, 99 years, 100 years and 116 years.

However, there was also a hint: “It’s not what you think.”

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Moundsville Lions Club president Nick P. Zervos prepared Merry Christmas placemats for his fellow members at the club’s meeting this past Tuesday’s with the following wording:

Let these be your gifts at Christmas:

May you find perfect peace on the silent night air; May snowflakes bring joy as they light on your hair; May the wind carry whispers of good things to come; May the stars share the hope of the heavens they’re from; May the moon light your way from home high above; and May Christmas this year warm your heart.

May the true gifts of Christmas be the blessing of health and home, the strengthening of family ties, and the unfolding of the few days that are, as Shakespeare wrote, “so hallowed and so gracious.” Wishing you … Love to surround you, warm memories to cheer you, and happiness to fill your heart!

Merry Christmas!