Learn about your antiques and collectibles with Georgia Caraway

Cheerleaders signups

Sue Davis, Wills Point author and the late Bill McFarling, photographer of “The Picture Book of Vaseline Glass,” have compiled the definitive book on this glorious glassware

Vaseline glass has a greenish-yellow color that is produced by the addition of uranium oxide to the batch It has been called yellow-green glass, uranium glass, canary, topaz, yellow glass, lemon glass, pearlene-type fancy glass and lustered pea-spotted glass. It received the nickname “Vaseline” in the 1950s due to its resemblance to the yellow color of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly.

During the height of its popularity, between the 1890s and the 1940s, decorative and functional forms of every imaginable design were created It is still being made, mainly as novelty and ornamental wares

One distinguishing characteristic that makes Vaseline so interesting is that it will fluoresce when exposed to the ultraviolet light of a black light However, Vaseline is not the only glass that will fluoresce under black light custard glass and a clear green-colored glass produced in the late 1920s and early 1930s also glow under this light

The formula for Vaseline contains dry sand, nitrate soda, soda ash, lime, arsenic, and uranium. Do these ingredients, particularly the uranium, make the glass dangerous?

According to Sue, no In its molten state, the glass does pose a danger to the glass blowers, but once it becomes solid, it poses no danger

A few of the glassware manufacturers who produced this special ware are: Boston and Sandwich, Brockunier, Duncan, Heisey, Hobbs, U S Glass, Westmoreland, Fostoria, Imperial, Millersburg, Pairpoint, and Fenton Art Glass. Boyd, Degenhart, Gibson, Mosser, Summit, Viking, Wheaton, and L.G. Wright are making reproductions. Since all the L.G. Wright molds have recently sold at auction, it is possible that Castle, Fenton and AA Importing will begin using some of the old molds to produce more reproduction Vaseline

This beautiful glassware does not appear for sale as often as Depression and other types of collectible glass, so its price is generally higher We sell some neat miniature black lights for detecting this elusive glass for just $1 10 and have an autographed copy of Sue and Bill’s book in stock

Dr Georgia Caraway, former director of the Denton County Museums for 14 years, and her friends opened the Howe Mercantile on April 25 In addition to Tips, Tools, & Techniques: Caring for Your Antiques and Collectibles, she has written four Denton history books and is working on a 5th history about the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo.

Cheer signups will be Wednesday, May 20 from 3:30-5:30, at Athletic Cheer Force, 210 S Collins Frwy in Howe Anyone that is either new to cheer or is is moving to a new age group, or just needs a new uniform will need to be measured at signups. Please bring your child for measurements Flyers will be left at the elementary for the kids to grab but will not be sent home in their folder

Thank you

I want to to say 'Thank You' to everyone who took the time to cast their vote in the School Board

Election It is very evident that the wonderful people of our community care deeply about our school district Through pouring rain, you made a statement about the importance of our students by voting Thank You - Janie Finney

Howe color guard announced

Color Guard tryouts were held Thursday and the girls went through a similar evaluation as the drum major in the band An outside judge is hired to qualify their flagwork and performance Captains are chosen through a combination of experience on the line, interview, and tryout score. The 2015-16 Color guard members are:

Ashlyn Ellis, Captain, Natalie Honore, Assistant Captain, Addy Pecina, Ashley Pelt, Erin Ansley, Abby Morrow, Natalie Sloan, Kaycie Taylor