Heisey News February 2013
Originally appeared Heisey News April 1985
The following article originally appeared in the April 1985 issue of Heisey News. It concludes the exciting chronicle of how the Heisey moulds returned to Newark. As Louise Ream, HCA Executive Director at that time, rightly noted in an article in the May 1985 issue of Heisey News: “This club is at its best when big things are taking place.” February 6, 1985 Bob McClain, Tom Bredehoft, Frank Frye, Sam Schnaidt and Norm Thran met with Terry Hill of Contour Forming, Inc., owners of the former Heisey factory. They discussed the possibility of renting space for mould storage at the factory. Norm Thran was to find out about renting some space or getting space donated by Owens who already has a large space rented. February 11, 1985 Tom Bredehoft took more papers to the bank to clarify our tax-exempt status. February 12, 1985 A check for the mould fund for $100 was received from Consolidated. February 13, 1985 A letter was sent to former employees requesting donations from them. Some donations started to arrive from local business. February 18, 1985 Betty & Bill Barnard and Neila Bredehoft met George & Eileen Schamel at Imperial to finish sorting etching plates. Consolidated had been getting our moulds ready for shipping. Many pallets were ready to be moved, including many Zodiac moulds. In the afternoon, they found a treasure trove of Heisey paper – original mould drawings of Heisey pieces—some going back into the teens. There were thousands. As many as possible were returned to Newark. February 20, 1985 Betty & Bill Barnard and Tom & Neila Bredehoft returned to Imperial to get the remainder of the mould drawings (3 large paper cartons) and to sort through Imperial’s paper files to get material relating to Heisey. Several original Heisey catalogs were also found and returned to Newark. Tom told Mr. Sklarz that the last payment would be made on March 4 and that HCA would begin taking moulds back to Newark that day. February 22, 1985 Louise Ream and Norm Thran spent the day at Imperial buying animals, many of which were of quite limited production, for HCA. Norm called a meeting at his home that night. Those present were: Ray & Delores Ziegler, Betty & Bill Barnard, Louise Ream, Neila Bredehoft, Dick Marsh, Bob & Phyllis McClain, Dick Smith, Liz & Walt Stickle, Norm & Janice Thran and Frank Frye. Norm announced that the old Heisey factory was not available for lease. Frank Frye indicated he had found another warehouse at a cheaper rate which was closer to the Museum. Frank Frye also said he had found a semi which would be donated for one free trip. Plans were begun for a caravan to bring moulds back on March 4. February 24, 1985 Due to information provided by Sharon Metcalf, Bill and Betty Barnard staffed an informational table at the Stockwell Antique Flea Market in Columbus. Table space was donated by the Stockwells. They displayed moulds, etching plates and drawings. While donations to the mould fund were disappointing, many people showed a lot of interest in the display and in Heisey. February 27, 1985 Ray Ziegler and Frank Frye inspected the warehouse and a contract was drawn up. Glass began arriving for the auction donated for the mould fund. February 26 & 27, 1985 Janice Thran and Liz Stickle began organizing the press coverage and the mould caravan for March 4. They contacted the Licking Countian who promised a complete story, WHTH and WCLT (Newark radio stations), Channel 10 News and Channel 4 News (Columbus TV stations.) Louise Ream contacted the Advocate. Liz and Janice contacted the Licking Township Fire Department and the Newark Police Department about an escort to the Museum. They also contacted Kroger’s and Wonder Bread for contributions of food for a dinner following the return to Newark. An order for posters for the mould fund was given to a local sign maker. February 28, 1985 By this date, a total of 15 vans, 2 cars and the donated semi were available for the caravan on Monday. March 3, 1985 Liz Stickle began cooking the food for the dinner and arranging to have it ready when all members arrived. March 4, 1985 A Memorable Day for HCA! Early in the morning the following HCA members and other volunteers met at Imperial Glass: George & Eileen Schamel, Bill & Betty Barnard, Norm & Janice Thran, Betty & Burl Whaley, Liz & Walt Stickle, Larry Stickle, Tim & Marty Hughes, Sam Schnaidt, Stan & Mary Holmquist, Mary & Mac McWilliams, Jack & Helen Huber, Buzz & Leota Friel, Louise Ream, Frank Frye, Jim Earnshaw, Jim Williams, Dick Smith, Helen & Jim Kennon, Ray & Delores Ziegler, Hugo Wenzel, Paul Geidenberger and Tom & Neila Bredehoft. Everett Sklarz had hot coffee and donuts ready for us—very welcome. After a small ceremony of handing over the last payment of $50,000 and a champagne toast, the moulds were loaded on the semi. After the semi was full of moulds and etching plates all the trucks and vans were loaded. HCA members were all over the Imperial factory looking for anything that conceivably be related to Heisey so we could return it to Newark. Many people took photos, including Jim Earnshaw who was the official HCA photographer of the day. Louise and Tom were interviewed by the Wheeling TV station and various local radio stations and newspapers. About 12:30 we left Imperial in a prearranged order with huge banners taped to the sides of the semi and all the larger trucks saying “Heisey Moulds Coming Home.” Smaller vans and cars all had blue Diamond H signs in their windows. After an interminable trip we were met at Jacksontown by the Licking Township Fire Department who escorted our long caravan with two of their trucks, lights flashing. As we approached the edge of Newark, one of the trucks returned, and was replaced by two Newark police cruisers. The caravan proceeded through Newark without stopping until it arrived at the Museum parking lot. We were met by many people and the press—most of the local newspapers and Channel 10 and Channel 4 News from Columbus. Several members were interviewed and both TV channels had good coverage on the.6 pm news. We were all very emotional and quite a few tears were shed and cries of “We did it!” were heard over and over. The semi went directly to the warehouse and most of the men went to unload it. The remainder came to the lower level of the museum and had a delicious lunch. The rest of the trucks and vans were unloaded by about 7 pm. There were many tired HCA members that night, but no one complained. We were all thrilled. March 8 & 9, 1985 The Annual March Auction was held with many pieces of glass donated to be sold for the mould fund. Members had the opportunity to see the photos taken by Jim Earnshaw of the caravan which were on display at Sam’s auction house. Members also had the opportunity of seeing some of the moulds at the Museum and some of the etching plates. March 10, 1985 Ray Ziegler and George Schamel spent a large part of the day moving moulds and etching plates in the warehouse so more could be stored. March 11, 1985 Another two semi truck loads of moulds arrived in Newark with another two to arrive March 12. March 14, 1985 Two loads of moulds have arrived on each day since the 11th. The Greek Key, Peerless and #1401 Empress punch bowls were included. Imagine how much those moulds weigh. Prepared by Neila Bredehoft Postscript By June 1986 over 4000 moulds were residing in a warehouse specially purchased by HCA for the purpose in Newark and, perhaps more importantly, the mould fund not only reached its goal but went over in raising funds to pay for the moulds.