Helaine Fendelman updates us on the message from Kovels the State Department going offshore for its purchases

STATE DEPARTMENT THINKS AGAIN

The Orrefors contract worth over $5 million for U.S. embassy glassware (mentioned in Kovels’ Komments, April 14, 2010) brought over 70 blog comments, almost all outraged at the idea of Swedish glass being used to represent America overseas. And even more questioned the need for the glassware, the expense, the loss of U.S. jobs, and the no-bid contract. Many asked what they could do and many others suggested you write or email your senators and representatives to make your thoughts known. Fortunately, the two senators from New York and Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio were able to push the State Department to “relook at the contract.” The first year will be unchanged, but the next four years of the contracts will be re-bid. We will report any future developments.

Club President, David Goldstein notes

One of the sadder aspects of this story is that most, if not all, Steuben stemware is no longer made in the USA. This was a cost problem, not a quality problem.

Then Fran Gabel of Morristown, NJ adds this commentary.

Steuben stemware is currently made in Germany and other locations in Europe. If one goes to ask.com, and enters , Steuben stemware where is it made? A site comes up for the Star Gazette. Click on that and you get the latest info on this issue. It’s quite involved.

Finally, Beth Shaut of the Carder Steuben Gallery of Corning passes this along

I was at the West End Art Gallery a few days ago and she had received back from a client who was downsizing and had to let go, a Tom Gardner painting of Mr. Carder’s home. It is of the side of his home and you can see the third floor window where he did his paintings in his later years. I thought that maybe someone in the Club might be interested in it. The West End Gallery phone is 607-936-2011.

We’re saddened to learn that Bob Collier of Dalton, Georgia has lost his wife Kathryn. Our sympathies to Bob.