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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (March 22, 2019)
MARCH 22, 2019, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM Museum exhibit is (slightly) radioactive By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes Tammy Wild picked up her interest in col- ored glass from her in-laws who had colorful displays in their homes. But, a chance encounter with information on uranium glass on the inter- net helped her discover some of her collections’ unique qualities. “We do not remember how we learned about the uranium glass. We saw something online and I started to think, ‘Is that what I have?’” Wild said. Uranium glass might sound scary, but the amount of uranium – a radioactive isotope – used in its production is typically small. What makes it special is what happens when someone shines a blacklight over it in a darkened room. It glows under those conditions. Fortunately, Wild and her husband had a blacklight on hand. She pulled out a few of the pieces in her collection that looked like prime suspects and discovered that’s precisely what she had. Some of her uranium glass and milk glass col- lection are on display at the Keizer Heritage Mu- seum in the Keizer Cultural Center through the end of the month. Now, Wild seeks out additional pieces at thrift stores and garage sales. “My best fi nd was a set of six sherbert bowls at a Goodwill in Seattle. They were only 25 cents each,” she said. The use of uranium glass dates back to at least 79 AD and, while those earliest makers probably didn’t know their creations could glow, the addi- tive found naturally in soil brings out yellow and green hues in glass. Its production largely ceased after the World War II when the U.S. government began holding all uranium supplies in reserve as an asset during the Cold War. It’s still produced, but in much smaller quantities than before. Wild’s radioactive collection now includes bowls, a juicer, and some small- to medium-sized pitchers. The other portion of the display is a collec- A It’s Cabaret B KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald Tammy Wild’s collection of uranium glass emits a ghostly green glow under black light. tion of milk glass, aka ceramic glass, aka the poor man’s porcelain. Milk glass originated in 16th century Venice and came in a variety of colors, but the plain white version found in the museum are most- ly from the 1950s and 1960s. Wild’s collection, mostly inherited from her mother-in-law fea- tures a variety of sizes and shapes, but a large, and striking, bowl is the centerpice of the display. Milk glass tableware was never produced, but the vases, bowls, dishes and even baskets were largely decorative or used as serving pieces. “My favorites tend to be the smaller pieces because they are so ornate,” Wild said. C D The Whiteaker Middle School choir program hosted its annual Cab- aret show in late February. Students performed medleys from a variety of Broadway hits. E A: Students perform a song from Mamma Mia! B: A ragtag group or “or- phans” from Oliver. C: More from Oliver. D: A group of Mamma Mia! singers. E: Aiden Heplet-Paro per- forms a solo from Oliver. F: Emmie Taylor sings a solo from Mamma Mia! Submitted photos F The Best Fire The Cleanest Look The Largest View For the most authentic appearance, we turned up the detail. High defi nition logs. Glowing embers. Brick interior panels. Add a touch of modern with refl ective black glass interior panels. Witness it all through virtually invisible, anti-refl ective glass and control it with IntelliFire Touch. The most intuitive control system that is simple, smart & safe. STOP BY TODAY & CHECK OUT The Incredible Savings on Our Beautiful Fireplaces True 50” Gas Fireplace with High Defi nition Logs & Herringbone Interior Panels As an Energy Trust of Oregon trade ally, we can help you access cash incentives to make it easier to improve your home’s energy effi ciency. 1695 Market St NE, Salem CCB#48630 • 503.364.6339 homefi restove.com salemgrill.com SERVICE & INSTALLATION Wood, Gas, Pellet Fireplaces, Stoves, Inserts