Join the thousands who visit the Blenko Glass Company and its Visitor Center. In a most interesting manner you will gain a general understanding of the making of handblown glassware. You will be entranced with the first floor's factory outlet area and its many examples of the craftsman's art. On the second floor you will see the Designer's corner, where nine leading American stained glass studios have each contributed for display, a beautiful exhibit of their artistry as practiced today.

Also, a museum containing a Country Music Award trophy, Presidential Gifts, U.S. Capitol lighting globes, and original Williamsburg® stemware. From a special observation deck you can look into a large area inside the plant and watch molten glass take its final form.

Blenko has always had a magnet-like attraction for people. Singly, in small groups, or by the bus load, visitors have come even from the far places of the world to watch while skilled craftsmen make beautiful, translucent glassware.

Now from a special observation deck, visitors can observe the various steps in handcrafting glass; the furnace where silica sand, combined with other materials, is fused under intense heat; the gatherer who takes from this mass a small amount or "gob" of glass which he delivers to a blower, who blows the gob into a form, or shape, using tools similar to those of centuries ago. When the blower has re-heated the piece he has shaped, it is passed on to a finisher who does whatever is necessary for completion - adding handles, rings, etc.

Next, each piece is placed into an annealing lehr or oven, wherein, over a period of many hours gradual cooling to room temperature takes place. The skill of Blenko's expert craftsman is acquired only after many years of experience. As a result of excellence Blenko ware has been shown in museums and cultural exhibitions throughout the world, and has received numerous awards. Leading gift shops and department stores in America, as well as abroad, have sold Blenko for many years. It is in demand everywhere.

Please come and have a rewarding visit in our factory outlet store, or experience the practice of one of the most ancient of man's arts, producing contemporary designs in glassware, while you watch. All those who make up the Blenko Glass Company extend to you a cordial invitation to come (or come again as the case may be) and enjoy all there is for one to see, and learn about, in the Blenko Visitor Center, Milton, West Virginia.

Shortly after Prohibition ended in the United States, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., was founded in Bardstown, Kentucky by the Shapira family to produce and market Bourbon and premium American whiskeys. At the time, it was as speculative a new business venture as the dot com start-ups of the 1990's -- a company founded with no brands, no available stocks of whiskey, and at the height of the Great Depression. Today, the company has overcome these initial challenges and grown to become the largest independent, family-owned producer and marketer of distilled spirits in the country. According to industry analysts, Heaven Hill is now the seventh largest spirits supplier in the United States and is the second largest holder of aging Bourbon whiskey in the world with an inventory in excess of 675,000 barrels.
Over the last two decades Heaven Hill has moved beyond its traditional focus on American whiskeys to become a broadly diversified spirits supplier. Heaven Hill's portfolio includes both domestically produced products, such as Evan Williams Bourbon and Christian Brothers Brandy, as well as a growing line of selected imported brands from around the world, such as Hpnotiq Liqueur and Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch. Brands are identified and developed to take advantage of the many varied consumer tastes that exist in the vast U.S. distilled spirits market. These brands are then sold on a national basis through an innovative and aggressive marketing and sales organization under a concept that is unique to the industry.
With an already robust business in the United States, Heaven Hill has now mounted an aggressive international expansion plan, forming partnerships with like-minded companies throughout the world. Heaven Hill has established its brands in over 40 countries throughout Europe, Asia, the Pacific Rim, Central and South America.
The company's success is based on the fact that it is large enough to market brands aggressively in the United States and throughout the world, yet small enough to care about every brand and be responsive to the needs of every customer. Heaven Hill's formula for growth begins with the commitment to support its current portfolio of brands, while continuing to diversify by adding new products through internal development, agency relationships and acquisitions. Throughout its product line, Heaven Hill offers a competitive advantage by emphasizing unique characteristics like extra aging, superior quality, innovative packaging and uncompromised craftsmanship. Whether it is a Bourbon from Kentucky's First Distiller, such as Evan Williams, or a Gin first produced by the Lord Mayor of London, such as Burnett's, Heaven Hill products enjoy heritage, history and an unexcelled reputation.
In stark contrast to the unpredictable and ever-consolidating spirits industry, Heaven Hill remains fiercely independent, guided by the steady hands of the Shapira family. The company is dedicated to establishing long-term relationships with their customers in order to build strong brands and implement consistent, effective programming. Heritage, stability and dedication define Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., a company committed to producing and marketing the highest quality spirits products worldwide.
Company Timeline

1783 -- William Heavenhill is born "during an Indian raid which was being waged, under the cliffs near Rowan Creek" at the site of present day Heaven Hill Distilleries.

1783 -- Evan Williams sets up his distillery on the banks of the Ohio in Louisville at what is now 4th Street, thereby becoming Kentucky's First Distiller.

1789 -- Rev. Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister and farmer who had immigrated to Kentucky from Virginia, experiences a fire in his barn where he stores whiskey barrels. Putting his new whiskey in the burnt barrels anyway, Craig soon discovered that the whiskey would age better in the charred barrels, picking up color and flavor, and earning Craig the title of the "Father of Bourbon."

1837 -- Henry McKenna arrives in Kentucky from his native County Derry, Ireland. He sets up his distillery in Fairfield in 1855 where he begins producing his eponymous Bourbon, known as "Kentucky's Finest Table Whiskey."

1870 -- John E. Fitzgerald introduces his "private label" Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald, available only on rail and steamship lines and private clubs.

1934 -- Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., originally known as "Old Heavenhill Springs" distillery, is founded by a group of Bardstown-area investors and the five Shapira brothers, David, Ed, Gary, George and Mose. The company has 12 employees at the time of its founding.

1935 -- Barrel #1 is filled on December 13. Bourbon Falls is the company's first label.

1942 -- Harry Homel sells his interest in the Jim Beam Company and forms an association with the Shapira family. Heaven Hill, and many other distilled spirits production plants, are shut down during World War II and work with the government to produce alcohol for the war effort.

1946 -- Earl Beam leaves the Beam Company to succeed his cousin, Harry Beam, as Heaven Hill's Master Distiller.

1955 -- Barrel #500,000 is filled on September 30.

1957 -- Evan Williams Bourbon is introduced and becomes one of the nation's leading Bourbons and Heaven Hill's flagship brand.

1960 -- Earl Beam's son and current Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam joins the family business.

1961 -- Barrel #1,000,000 is filled on July 21.

1967 -- A new bottling facility is built with a capacity of 2.5 million cases per year.

1968 -- Barrel #1,500,000 is filled on December 5.

1971 -- Current Heaven Hill president Max L. Shapira joins the family business.

1973 -- Current Heaven Hill executive vice president Harry J. Shapira joins the family business.

1975 -- Parker Beam is named Heaven Hill Master Distiller, succeeding his father Earl.

1976 -- Barrel #2,000,000 is filled on March 24.

1982 -- Parker Beam's son and current Heaven Hill Master Distiller Craig Beam joins the family business.

1982 -- Barrel #2,500,000 is filled on June 18.

1986 -- Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Bourbon is introduced, thus becoming the first "Small Batch" Bourbon available.

1988 -- Heaven Hill becomes the licensed importing agent for Invergordon Distillers, plc. (now Whyte and Mackay, Ltd.)and begins importing Cluny Scotch Whisky.

1988 -- Barrel #3,000,000 is filled on February 18.

1989 -- Heaven Hill acquires Burnett's Gin, Henry McKenna Bourbon and Harwood Canadian Whisky.

1991 -- Heaven Hill launches a companion to Burnett's Gin: Burnett's Vodka.

1993 -- Heaven Hill acquires Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur, Dubonnet Aperitif, Coronet VSQ Brandy, DuBouchett Cordials and Liqueurs, Philadelphia Blended Whiskey, Cabin Still Bourbon and J. W. Dant Bourbon, among others.

1993 -- Barrel #3,500,000 is filled on September 7.

1994 -- Heaven Hill becomes the licensed importing agent for Cooley Distillery, plc.of Dundalk, Ireland, and begins importing Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey and Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey.

1995 -- Heaven Hill introduces Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon, Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon, and Henry McKenna Bottled In Bond Single Barrel Bourbon. Heaven Hill acquires Two Fingers Tequila, and in conjunction with First Ireland Spirits, Ltd., of Abbyleix, Ireland introduces O'Mara's Irish Country Cream.

1996 -- George Shapira, last surviving member of the five founding brothers, passes away.

1998 -- Barrel #4,000,000 is filled on January 13.

1999 -- Heaven Hill acquires the historic Bernheim Distillery, The Christian Brothers Brandies, and the Old Fitzgerald Bourbon brand.

2000 -- Heaven Hill acquires the full line of Whaler's Flavored Rums.

2001 -- Current Heaven Hill Director of Marketing Strategy Kate Shapira Latts and her husband, Director of Corporate Planning Allan Latts, join the family business.

2002 -- Barrel #4,500,000 is filled on December 4.

2003 -- Heaven Hill acquires HPNOTIQ Liqueur

2003 -- Heaven Hill breaks ground for the Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center - set to open in Fall 2004

2004 -- Heaven Hill dedicates the new Heaven Hill Trolley to
aid tourism in Bardstown and Nelson County

2004 -- Heaven Hill recieves its first prestigious Impact "Hot
Brand" award from M. Shanken Publishing for HPNOTIQ

2004 -- Heaven Hill dedicates the Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center

2004 -- Wine Enthusiast names Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. Wine Star "Distiller of the Year"

2005 -- Heaven Hill introduces Bernheim Wheat Whiskey

2005 -- Heaven Hill introduces PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

Central Pennsylvania is considered by many to be the Snack Capital of the World. Enjoying the benefit of the rich loamy soil, farmers had to find ways to use their excess crops. From the farm kitchen of Harry and Fairy Martin in 1941, a unique potato chip found its way into the homes and hearts of York Countians. Their Business soon outgrew the kitchen. The Martin's built a small factory and expanded their distribution from delivering fresh daily to market stands, to also selling to mom and pop grocery stores.

In 1971 Martin's Potato Chips was sold to Ken and Sandy Potter. The Potter's had a dream of expanding the business outside the York area. By 1977 the delivery routes had increased from one to six, covering York, Lancaster, Dauphin and Adams county. As Martin's grew through the eighties and nineties, the combination of quality products and superior service proved to be successful. Martin's now has distribution facilities in Reading, Allentown, Philadelphia, Williamsport and Hagerstown, MD to insure products are delivered fresh daily.

Using only the best chipping potatoes and maintaining high quality oils for frying are just two of the many factors that make Martin's Potato Chips taste so great. Having a dedicated and motivated workforce has been the most important ingredient for our success over the years.

Today Martin's operates over 70 routes throughout central PA and Northern MD, with distributors in Virginia and Ohio. All potato chips and popcorn are made in our 40,000 Sq. ft Thomasville facility which produces over one million bags each month. Other products we distribute include Wege pretzels and a full line of corn products that are made locally for Martin's.

In 1885 Waco, Texas was a wild frontier town, nicknamed ?six-shooter junction.? Wade Morrison?s Old Corner Drug Store was a prominent business and popular meeting place in downtown Waco. People came in for everything from flea powder to stationery, from cigars to fountain drinks.

One of Morrison?s employees, pharmacist Charles Alderton, noticed how customers loved the smell of the soda fountain with its many fruit, spice and berry aromas. He wanted to invent a drink that tasted the wonderful way the soda fountain smelled. After much experimentation he finally felt he had hit on ?something different.? Patrons at the drug store agreed.

Soon other soda fountains were buying the syrup from Morrison and serving it. People loved the new unnamed drink and would order it by simply calling out ?shoot me a Waco!? But Morrison named it Dr Pepper, after the father of a girl he had loved back in his home state of Virginia.

In 1891 Morrison and new partner Robert Lazenby organized the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company in order to bottle and sell Dr Pepper as well as other soft drinks. That same year, while visiting Waco, a Texas businessman by the name of Sam Houston Prim tasted the new fountain drink and knew he wanted to sell it in his bottling plant in Dublin, Texas, 80 miles to the west.

Under the direction of Mr. Lazenby Dr Pepper enjoyed steady growth in sales and began to spread in popularity across the country. But it wasn?t until 1904 that Dr Pepper gained real national exposure. Along with other soon to be favorites like ice cream cones and hamburgers, Dr Pepper was introduced to the rest of the U. S. and the entire world at the 1904 World?s Fair in St. Louis.

Since then Dr Pepper?s popularity has grown consistently over the years to become one of the top 3 soft drinks in the United States and the No. 1 non-cola. And over that time Dr Pepper Corporate Headquarters have remained here in Texas. That?s why Dr Pepper can truly claim the title of ?Texas Original.?

Not too long ago, about 10 years to be exact, with lots of potatoes, good oil, salt, serendipity, and a little luck, Route 11 Potato Chips sprouted in an old feed store in Middletown, Virginia.

We felt that our only purpose in that moment and many after, was that we produce the best potato chips on the planet. Chips we could be proud of. Chips, that with every potatoey crunch, would make you feel like you were experiencing something very special.

Everything we make is hand-cooked. This is much more labor intensive than the continuous frying methods of the big boys, but the payoff in creating a product that is truly delicious is worth all the effort. We hope you enjoy the chips as much as we do.

In the fall of 2008 we moved into our new chip factory in Mt Jackson.

You will discover Wonderful Pound Cakes, special sauces and jams that make perfect gifts or that can be used for your own pleasure. Don't miss our newest treat, our Celebrate Virginia Cookbook and don't forget the children's story cookbooks for that special little one!

Turner Dolls has a complete line of lovable babies, precious toddlers and beautiful girls for your collecting enjoyment. May they bring you as much enjoyment as they have me.

Virginia Turner has spent her life in joyful company. Twenty years in doll making as given her many reasons to celebrate. Her merry family of dolls has also introduced her to many wonderful friends and exciting experiences, and has led her to her destiny.
A former bank employee, Virginia's career in doll making began in 1981 with Virginia's Very Own, a line of reproduction porcelain dolls. "My career in dolls began in the basement of our home in North Vernon' Indiana," Virginia explains. "My husband's sister, Judy, had sculpted a doll that a doll company in New York wanted to market. Since they were a vinyl operation, the company asked if Judy would provide them with the doll and they would make the clothing. Judy asked my husband, Boyce, and me if we would make the porcelain arms and legs and attach them to the body."

Boyce, who had managed a porch swing factory for 25 years, and Virginia began producing porcelain in the basement of their home while Judy sculpted the dolls' heads. Virginia also learned to paint china. Soon, Virginia, Boyce and Judy decided to start manufacturing their own dolls. Turner Dolls began with three reproductions by Virginia and three of Judy's sculpts.

In 1989, Virginia began creating her own original porcelain dolls after a sculpting seminar helped her to take responsibility for her own destiny. Lewis Goldstein, a sculptor and teacher, held a sculpting seminar at the Turner Dolls studio for Virginia and a group of her friends. Lewis encouraged Virginia to continue sculpting. "I had sculpted a small head," she says, "that I thought was not very good. Lewis told me that I had potential. I remember him saying that I wasn't ready for a Doll Reader ad, and that you crawl before you walk, and to keep sculpting."

Virginia did continue to sculpt, and finally called upon divine inspiration to seal her fate. "One Sunday afternoon I was wondering if I was really meant to stay in the doll business," she explains. "After a quiet time in prayer asking for guidance, I decided to sculpt another head. The result was a smiling toddler with two teeth. When I showed the sculpt to Boyce, his comment was, ~ow that's worth making a mold.' He made the mold, and we offered her in either pink or blue, with brown or blue eyes and blonde, red or brown hair." That doll was Jeannie, Virginia's first original porcelain doll.

In 1991, with vinyl dolls gaining in popularity, Virginia created Kitty Kay, her own vinyl doll. The vinyl parts were molded for the Turners by another company. Due to Kitty Kay's success, the Turners installed their own vinyl ovens in their studio. Haley was the first vinyl doll to be produced in the Turner Dolls studio.

In 1986, Virginia and Boyce had moved from North Vernon to a 40-acre farm in Heltonville, Indiana, where they had begun to manufacture their dolls. "My in-laws deeded the farm over to us," says Virginia, "and we began to remodel the house and build the Turner Doll Studio on the front acreage." The house, built in 1848, originally belonged to Boyce's grandfather and was willed to Boyce's father, Ralph Turner. "There are two good-sized ponds on the back side that are stocked with fish," says Virginia. "The fields are in pasture for our cattle and sheep. We have our own chickens, geese and swans, and also, not to be forgotten, two little jackasses. Yep, that's the correct name for them!

"The studio that I sculpt in was once the woodhouse/smokehouse," continues Virginia. "Underneath my studio is the cellar, which is still being used today for potatoes, etc., that are raised in the garden. I have a little deck on the side of my studio that I can sculpt on in the summer that overlooks one of the ponds. Our farm is joined to the 90-acre farm of Boyce's parents, and our cattle graze their fields, too. It is a very peaceful way of life on the back side of the house, and a very busy, commercial way of life on the front toward the road."

The very busy, commercial way of life Virginia describes is no exaggeration. Turner Dolls makes approximately 15~000 dolls a year, with Virginia designing most of the clothing for the dolls. "The ideas for my dolls come from many different directions," says Virginia. "Sometimes a picture inspires me. A lot of times, fabrics inspire the doll. A beautiful fabric can make a vision come into my head quickly." The insights and support of others in the doll business also inspires Virginia. She explains, "A program director from the Hamilton Collection said to me, 'Remember, no matter how many times something has been done, when you do your version, it's new.' So, I keep that in mind. I also listen to the public as they talk to me while viewing my dolls. My daughters, Julie, Susan and Teri, are good critics and my employees are really very supportive and inspiring."

The process Virginia goes through when making a doll begins with deciding which category of doll needs a new sculpt. "We have several different sizes and ages of dolls," she explains. Virginia begins to sculpt with plastic clay that does not dry out with an armature supporting the clay. Next, Boyce makes a plaster of paris mold of the sculpt that will allow the Turners to pour the doll in porcelain.

"When we get the porcelain pieces done," she says, "we must decide if we think the doll will adapt to vinyl well. If so, then we send the porcelain head to a wax artist who makes a rubber mold of the porcelain head. He casts the head in wax so that it can then be sent to the metal mold maker who makes our metal molds we use in our rotational ovens to make the vinyl dolls."

Virginia's 2001 collection echoes the beautiful words of William Wordsworth. The dolls Virginia has created are a gleeful band of children in a colorful array of costumes that are destined to bring joy to anyone who sees them. "Sometimes I feel that I can't do anything different or better," she explains, "but each year I come up with a new group of faces that become almost like my family. It keeps growing each year, and I can truly say they become real personalities to me." Two of Virginia's favorites from the 2001 collection are "Tanzie, a happy baby in a dress that I feel makes Tanzie smile," says Virginia, "and Dina, Born to Shop because I like to shop and because I also wouldn't mind having a coat and hat like Dina's myself! "

Fairy-tale characters also appear in the 2001 collection. Virginia has created Red Riding Hood, a 24-inch vinyl doll wearing a multi-print dress with a red, velvet hooded cape. Her basket contains a checked cloth and a loaf of salt dough bread. Red Riding Hood is limited to 200. Cinderella is a 24-inch doll that is also limited to 200. Her blue-and-cream charmeuse dress is accented with an overlay of sparkle and ivory venice, which is embroidered with sequins and pearls.

In addition, Virginia has created Mona, Cherie, Barry and Celadon, four adorable children. Mona, a 32-inch standing, vinyl girl dressed for a tea party, has auburn hair and green eyes. She is limited to 400. Siblings Cherie and Barry are each limited to 500. Cherie, a 30-inch vinyl little girl, comes with Cherry Beary, her favorite white bear. Her brother, Barry, carries a friendly green bear. And Celadon, a 33-inch vinyl doll, also comes with a bear. The doll wears a celadon green dupioni silk dress and an ivory wool pillbox hat. She is limited to 450.

An adventure from Virginia's life has also inspired one of the dolls in the 2001 collection. "One of the most outstanding highlights of my career in dolls," she explains, "was a trip to France in 1992 when I went for a two-week long sculpting class from Martine Vogel. Martine was a master sculptor. I wasn't familiar with the professional sculpting artists, only doll artists. Sculpting for the purpose of having the sculpt put into bronze or some other medium was a different story. For Martine's class, she had us first sculpt the skull and then finish the head, using the model's profile more than the front features. I learned from the class the benefit of having a live model. I think that Martine helped me to achieve a more realistic look to my dolls rather than a 'dolly' look. I'm still working on that and probably always will be.

"After the class was over," Virginia continues, "we toured France for 10 days. One of our most memorable stops was the town of Limoges. The town is noted for the porcelain factories there. While there, I purchased several pieces of popular cobalt blue decorated in gold. So, this year, my new sculpt for my large girl will be the Girl From Limoges. She will be holding a cobalt blue-and- gold Limoges lidded box with Turner Dolls 2001 printed in gold on the inside bottom of the box." Turner Dolls will create 20 dolls of the Girl From Limoges in porcelain and 280 in vinyl. While Turner Dolls are made in Caucasian skin tones, they can also be made in olive skin tones for Hispanic and Asian dolls and African-American skin tones.

In addition, Virginia has added a new doll to her Metropolitan Moments series that she created for the Ashton-Drake Galleries. The series, which began with Deirdre, a little girl in a pink coat carrying a carpet bag, will end with Alexandra, an ice skater in a light blue, velvet coat. Virginia has also made two dolls for Seymour Mann. "I really stay busy," she says, "because I sculpt the dolls, design the clothes, help Boyce with the photography, stay very much in touch with the factory production and do about seven signings and at least three trade shows."

Virginia's busy schedule allows her to come into contact with many of the collectors who enjoy her dolls. The feedback she receives from collectors has revealed to Virginia that they are drawn to her dolls because of the emotions the dolls inspire. "The collectors tell me, 'Your dolls make me feel happy,"I love the clothes you put them in,' or 'They remind me of real children.' I've always said that when a collector goes toward a certain doll, it's similar to being drawn to a special melody or a picture or a piece of art. It touches a place that says this makes me feel good. I would enjoy having this around me for enjoyment."

Collectors and others in the doll business also have helped to make Virginia's 22-year tenure enjoyable. "I think there are so many things that are exciting in being a doll artist," she says. ',I love getting the new dolls together each year for the American International Toy Fair(r). Toy Fair is by far more exciting for me than Christmas was when I was a child. I have been able to travel all over the United States and have met so many wonderful people that there are no words to express how I feel. I have enjoyed all my friends who are also doll artists and owners of doll companies. Although we are basically in competition, we are always ready to help each other. Some of my dearest friends are my friends who, like me, are making their living making dolls.

"Now that I start my 22nd year in dolls," Virginia continues, "I will also be starting my 66th year of my life. I feel that I could easily be happy doing this for another 20 years. I just hope God gives me the chance. It's a great profession for this lady!"