~ Ray & Shirley Henry

When Ray and I started collecting we had some antique furniture we had refinished and wanted something old to decorate with on them. We bought Mariam Hartung's Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass to learn more.

In 1974 we answered an ad for old Carnival Glass for sale in the local Penny Saver. We visited John & Lavina Decker of Marion, NY. Not only did we see some awesome pieces but they would show us things we had only read about. Seeing our first piece of Red was a thrill. They told us that joining clubs was the way to learn.

With their encouragement we went to our first ICGA convention in Allentown, PA. It was a thrill to see rare patterns and colors and meet colorful people like Rose Presnick, Ed Gaida from Texas, Carl & Rose Schleede and John Roller there that year.

The Schleede's spent a long time talking to us there, strongly encouraging us to join the Rochester, New York "Colors in Carnival Glass Club".

We appreciate the Deckers and Schleede's for showing us how to learn about the glass we now love. Over the years we learned that collecting was more fun if you had someone to share your stories and finds with. Now collectors can do that on the internet.

~ Shirley & Ray Henry