At one time, the glass mak-
ing industry was the largest
employer in the tri-state
region.
   The heritage of Mount
Pleasant Borough is steeped
in the tradition of fine crystal
and glass crafted at factories
located within the borough.
   For persons who have
acquired glass, crystal and
china treasures, whether they
came from Grandmother or
were found at a flea market,
their history and worth can
be determined Sept. 25.
   Edie Putanko, a
Pittsburgh-based appraiser,
is making her second appear-
ance at the Mount Pleasant
Glass and Ethnic Festival and
visitors can have their col-
lectibles appraised.
   According to Helen
Williams, coordinator of this
event for the festival commit-
tee, Putanko will appear Sept.
25 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at
the Washington Street stage.
Three pieces can be
appraised for a $5 fee.
   Pre-registration will be tak-
en from 12:30 to 1p.m. at the
stage.
   Putanko's appearance is
sponsered by the Eberly
Foundation.
   "There are a lot of collec-
tors out there," said
Putanko when contacted by
phone recently. She herself is
a collector of Depression-era
glassware and said that her
collection is "five china closets
full and it doesn't all fit."
    She specializes in
glassware appraisals and has
requested that visitors bring
only glassware, china and
pottery and refrain from
bringing primitives and
furniture.
   She is the proprietor of
Edie's Glassware in Bethel
Park and was the president
of Three Rivers Depression
Glass Society from 1994 to
1996. Putanko also does
appraisals for the John Heinz
Regional History Center and
is a dealer and national
appraiser at national shows of
Depression glass. She can be
seen on KDKA's Saturday
morning news segment,
"What's It Worth?"
   Putanko has been appraising
since 1977 and can look at an
item, telling the owner "What
it is, who made it and what it
is worth."
   "People brought things in,
realizing the had something good," she commented about
"They didn't realize how
good."
   Williams said last year's
appraisal session with
Putanko and another apprais-
er was well received. "The
popularity of antiques shows
has really piqued an interest,"
   Added Jeff Landy, chair-
person of the festival plan-
ning committee, "A lot of peo-
ple asked if we were bringing
her back. We hope she is a
part of the festival for years
to come."