Category: News and Announcements

ASGS Member Resources: New Updates and Opportunities New and Updated Resources Available to ASGS Members ASGS is excited to share several updates designed to make it easier for members to access valuable educational resources, exchange knowledge, and stay connected with the scientific glassblowing community. The Complete Fusion Library Is Now Available Online The ASGS Fusion Library has been updated, and all issues of Fusion are now available online for members to access and explore. Whether you are searching for technical information, revisiting an article from a past issue, or exploring the history of scientific glassblowing and ASGS, the complete digital collection is now available in one convenient location. The National Office is also working to upload past issues to our new print-on-demand platform. Once this process is complete, members will have the option to purchase individual printed issues of Fusion on demand. Additional information will be shared as printed issues become available. Explore the Fusion Library Explore the ASGS Video Library The ASGS Video Library is now available and fully functional! Members can access a growing collection of educational videos, technical demonstrations, symposium presentations, and other valuable content from the scientific glassblowing community. This resource provides another way to learn from fellow members, revisit past presentations, and explore scientific glassblowing techniques on demand. We encourage members to explore the available content and check back regularly as additional videos are added. Explore the ASGS Video Library Connect Through ASGS Member Google Groups ASGS offers three members-only Google Groups designed to help members ask questions, exchange ideas, share opportunities, and connect with colleagues throughout the scientific glassblowing community. Available groups include: Technical Q&AAsk technical questions, share solutions, and discuss scientific glassblowing techniques. General DiscussionConnect with fellow members, share news, ideas, and topics of general interest. Buy, Sell & TradePost equipment, tools, supplies, and job-related items for sale, trade, or wanted. Members are not automatically added to these groups. If you are interested in joining, please reach out to Bryce Thomas and let him know which group or groups you would like to join. Once your request has been received, you will receive a separate Google Groups invitation by email. Be sure to watch your inbox and accept the invitation to complete the process. We encourage all members to take advantage of these resources as we continue expanding opportunities to learn, share knowledge, and connect throughout the ASGS community.

Dear President, Section Directors, Committee Chairs, Symposium Chairs: It is now time to submit your reports, Section news, articles, pictures, or items of interest for the next issue of Fusion. The deadline for material that you wish to have included in the August 2026 issue is Friday, June 15. Deadlines will be strictly adhered to in order to ensure that publication schedules are met. Please be sure to notify me of changes of Section Officers; this will ensure that Section Directors are listed properly in Fusion. You may submit your material via email (brownam@metrocast.net) or mail. When you send me email attachments, please send them in a Word format. Digital pictures are acceptable if they are of a high resolution, that is they must have a resolution of 300 DPI or higher. Please do not embed pictures within a text file; send them separately as jpeg, tiff or PDF files. Please don’t forget June 15 – I do not want to disappoint anyone. If you can send in your material before the deadline, that would be greatly appreciated. Warm regards, Marylin  Marylin Brown, Editor brownam@metrocast.net

It’s time to think about a donation to the 2026 auction for the symposium. Make a piece of art, donate a product, donate a piece of equipment or a tool. The ASGS is looking for contributions. This year the auction is open to the whole world as it’s happening online. Your item will be seen globally. The bidding will be from anyone and everyone. If you’re looking to be seen this is the year to donate.  Here’s how it works: All donations must be legal in all 50 states. New equipment supplies or tools are most welcome. It’s a great way to get your company name out there. If you have used equipment or tools to donate they must be in very good condition.   Either:Use this link to add a description, photo and estimated value to your item Or: Send an email to the natl-office@asgs-glass.org with your item description, photo, and estimated value. The photo is VERY important. Do your best to get a really great shot or two of your item. No donations will be accepted without an image.  Carefully pack and mail (including insurance) your donation to: CJ Reiner ASGS Auction 2107 11th St Altoona PA 16601 Your packaging will be reused to send your donation to the winning bidder. The auction will go live on June 1st. You’ll have till June 20th (the last day of the symposium) at 12 noon EST to bid on items. 

Please look at the symposium registration page for the latest schedule and presenter updates. Don’t wait to sign up. early When early bird rates end your cost will go up.  If you are a presenter this year or a member of an overseas scientific glass society you get a registration discount. Before you register, please email the home office, explain your situation and request your discount code. Every participant need to register in advance.  Even though this is a virtual symposium you will not be able to share your login link registration with anyone else, the login is connected to your email address. If the super low registration price this year compared to other years is still too high for you, volunteer to help and you could get your registration comped up to 100%. If this sounds interesting contact me directly No promises but let’s talk.  We’ve already got a pretty impressive lineup with more still in the works. This year there’s no excuse for not attending the symposium.  Erich Moraine  ASGS President

Mark the dates and please join us for the 2026 Southwest Section Spring Gather on May 1st and 2nd.  The meeting will be held at Technical Glass Products, 42508 Bayou Narcisse Rd, Gonzales, LA 70737.  Agenda and registration form are attached for your information only.  Registration will be in person at the beginning of the meeting on both days.  Please email me to RSVP no later than Thursday,Hs April 23, 2026 so we have a head count for menu planning purposes!  Thanks! Hotel Information:  There are several hotels in the I-10/Louisiana Hwy 30 area to choose from with prices ranging from around $85 (Quality Inn & Suites), with several other options in the $120 and up dollar range.  I found these rates (searching Google) through Booking.com .  There are at least 5 national branded hotels with the amenities most of you would be satisfied with, including: TownPlace Suites by Marriot, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Candlewood Suites, Spring Hill Suites by Marriot, La Quinta and more. Several of these hotels offer free breakfast.  For those that attended the last meeting in Gonzales, please reply with any recommendations you may have on where you stayed. Food and beverages:  (BYOB alcoholic beverages – Menu items may change due to availability) Friday evening, Jack Korfhage will be hosting dinner at his home which will include Muffalettas, shrimp, potato salad and desert. Saturday: Coffee and donuts in the morning, lunch to be determined. Dinner may include Crawfish boil, Gumbo, Jambalaya, tossed salad, potato salad, bread pudding, pecan pie, strawberry pie, condiments and beverages (tea, soft drinks)  Please contact me if you or a companion has special dietary needs and we will try to accommodate! Agenda: Friday – Howdy session, demonstrations and dinner    Saturday: Meet and Greet coffee and donuts, Business meetings, ASGS general discussion, demonstrations and dinner Again, would appreciate a headcount of all who plan on attending (for menu planning) at your earliest convenience, but no later than Thursday, April 23rd.  If you have any questions, please contact me anytime!  We hope to see you there! Kind regards, Jim Cornell 405-626-8538 jcornell@ou.edu

Join us for our Spring Meeting of the Pacific Northwest Section, hosted by Adams and Chittenden at 2741 Eighth St, Berkeley, CA 94710. There will be live demos by Ryan Fitt, and we will also be offering a Basic Lathe Introduction class for the public. If you are interested in attending, please email pnw.asgs@gmail.com to RSVP. Admission is $20 cash, which includes lunch. The public is welcome. Doors open at 10:00 AM.

This is an announcement regarding the Midwest Scientific Glass Society’s Annual Spring meeting at Millipore Sigma in Milwaukee coming up on April 18th. We have a little extra happening on the day before, Friday April 17th, for those who are in town and would like to participate in this extra programming.  We received a special invitation to visit with Tom Galbraith in his glass shop on Friday April 17th. Many of you already know Tom, he co-instructed the oil manometer workshop in 2025 at Millipore and has much more to share with the scientific glass community in the realm of neon and plasma for those who are interested in showing up on Friday afternoon. Tom has 45 years working in the neon and the scientific glass industry, so having an opportunity to visit with him in his shop and ask questions is a very special opportunity.  Seats for Friday at Tom’s will be limited because his shop is relatively small, so stay tuned for an email announcement for when ticket sales will go live for the spring meeting.  Please contact me if you would like to do a glass demo on saturday April 18th! Itinerary as follows —– Friday April 17th: 4pm tour of Tom Galbraith’s personal neon shop! Walk through, Q&A.  Address: 2366 N Weil St, Milwaukee WI 53212 5:30pm meetup at Art Bar & Wonderland for dinner and jovial social time. 722 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee, WI 53212 ~7:00pm embark to Ozaukee skate land for a little roller skating action.7084 Sycamore Dr. Cedarburg, WI 53012 Saturday April 18th:Address: Millipore Sigma, 6000 N Teutonia Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53209.  8:00am – 9:00am Morning meet and greet with bagels and coffee. Please arrive at the entrance security checkpoint no earlier than 7:45am. 9:00am – 11:30am Concurrent coil workshop and hands-on manifold lecture.  11:45am – 12:45pm Lunch on site and Business meeting. 1:00pm – 3:30pm Demonstrations. 3:30pm – 4:30pm Dollar Auction. 5:30 till close at Foxtown Brewery Below are a handful of hotels that are in the area. The Midwest Scientific Glass Society does not necessarily promote any of the following, but is providing them here for your convenience. Please do your own research regarding which (if any) might be a good fit for your needs.  Cambria Hotel Milwaukee Downtown 503 N Plankinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI Holiday Inn Milwaukee Airport by IHG 545 West Layton Avenue, Milwaukee, WI Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Northwest Conference Center 11600 West Park Place, Milwaukee, WI Econo Lodge Milwaukee Airport 6541 South 13th St. Milwaukee, WI Super 8 by Wyndham Milwaukee Airport 5253 South Howell, Avenue, Milwaukee, WI Thanks, and please feel free to contact me regarding questions about this upcoming meeting. Hope to see you there.  Aaron–Aaron Kirchhoff Strong Force Scientific GlassFoundersfsglass.comtel (US): 240-855-1163

Dear President, Section Directors, Committee Chairs, Symposium Chairs: It is now time to submit your reports, Section news, articles, pictures, or items of interest for the next issue of Fusion. The deadline for material that you wish to have included in the May 2026 issue is Sunday, March 15. Deadlines will be strictly adhered to in order to ensure that publication schedules are met. Please be sure to notify me of changes of Section Officers; this will ensure that Section Directors are listed properly in Fusion. You may submit your material via email (brownam@metrocast.net) or mail. When you send me email attachments, please send them in a Word format. Digital pictures are acceptable if they are of a high resolution, that is they must have a resolution of 300 DPI or higher. Please do not embed pictures within a text file; send them separately as jpeg, tiff or PDF files. Please don’t forget March 15 – I do not want to disappoint anyone. If you can send in your material before the deadline, that would be greatly appreciated. Warm regards, Marylin  Marylin Brown, Editor brownam@metrocast.net

Planning for this year’s June 17-20 virtual symposium is underway. We are in need of people to help with Zoom calls and screen shares, to be an emcee/moderator for calls, and to help with the after party each day, the Glass Happy Hours. We could also use help with the online auction. If any of this seems interesting and you’d like to learn more or already have some experience with any of these roles please reach out to Erich Moraine via text or email.

We have been made aware of a scam email currently circulating that appears to request money from an ASGS member. Please do not reply to any email, text, or message claiming to be from an ASGS contact and asking for money or financial assistance. If you receive a message that seems suspicious, verify it using the contact information you already have on file. A quick call, text, or separate email asking, “Hey—did you just ask me for help?” can help confirm whether the request is legitimate. Scam attempts are becoming increasingly sophisticated and may closely resemble real communications. Staying cautious and verifying requests directly is the best way to protect yourself and the Society. If you have any questions or would like to report a suspicious message, please contact the ASGS office. Thank you for your attention and vigilance.