What unique items catch your eye and when did you first find something so intriguing that it implanted an unknown love and appreciation? It was about age 5 for me. My family was on one of our regular trips to Atlanta to visit my widowed aunt Lilly-Belle. It was on that visit I noticed a vibrant difference as we opened the door to her kitchen. Because we arrived earlier than usual, the sun was much brighter as we entered the room. The light perfectly highlighted the paned picture window with rainbows of colors that streamed from the beautiful glass birds, fish, cats, and other carefully placed items on narrow, white shelves. I was very young, and it felt like Dorothy had opened the door to Oz! The colors were ablaze while the clear crystal sparkled like diamonds, which happen to be my birthstone. Needless to say, I was mesmerized and wanted to stay there as long as I could, soaking in all the colors. I eagerly looked forward to returning after that day to see what new items she had found to delight us. Sadly, she passed while I was still young, and I never knew what happened to those beautiful glass pieces. Wherever they went, I hope they have brought the same joy to some other little girl or boy over the years. Growing up, I still loved the brilliance of glass and never forgot the bluebirds, vases, and little bears among her collections. Fortunately, I found my bears, vases, and bluebirds when I was invited to attend one of the earliest glass shows in Marietta, Ga. It was breathtaking as I walked into a sea of glass of all shapes, colors, sizes, and types. I found items from every generation of American kitchenware, cookware and dishes that flooded me with memories. I saw oil lamps like my grandmother used as she was determined that she was just fine without electricity. There was glistening Heisey glass, of which I had dearly wanted a piece for myself, and wonderful colored Depression glass that I wanted to know more about as I had been gifted a few pieces. Truthfully, there was so much more there than I had expected, such as Victorian, Artistic and Art Nouveau to Carnival and Mid-Century Modern. The national dealers represented almost all of the American manufacturers of decorative and utilitarian glass, punch bowls, candlesticks, glass knives, lamps, pitchers, swizzle sticks, refrigerator sets, glass baby bottles, childrens tea sets, childrens plates, glasses, even Shirley Temple and Hop-Along Cassidy mugs. There were pressed, blown, etched, and flashed items of glass made of Jadite, slag, colored, clear, Vaseline, and Uranium glass. Amazingly, I even found bud vases for my antique car. I have attended almost every show over the years for my treasure hunts and for unique gifts for special people or occasions. This show has never failed to be exceptional, educational, fun, and inspirational. I eventually joined the Peach State Depression Glass Club (PSDGC) and enjoy attending their meetings. This is an amazing group of people with a wealth of knowledge. The group is a nonprofit organization with profits from its annual show being donated to fund three student scholarships for the Fine Arts-Glass Blowing Program at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Ga. In addition, the club donates to three recognized museums for the historical preservation and future enrichment of glass history and art. For details, visit www.psdgc.com. Group members work diligently to put on the show, the first held in 1976. The PSDGC will hold its 45th Vintage and Collectible Glass Show and Sale at the Cobb County Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission will be $8 per person. Children under age 16 will be admitted free of charge with an accompanying adult, and those age 6 to 16 with an adult are eligible to participate in the clubs Saturday Childrens Scavenger Hunt for prizes and a grand drawing. An early buyers preview on Saturday at 9 a.m. for $15 will be available. The civic center is located at 548 S. Marietta Parkway in Marietta, Ga. Dealers will be set up on two floors with American made glass from the 1880s through the 1970s. Shoppers may spot some pottery, porcelain, or a bit of jewelry as well. Our longtime glass doctor provides on-site, simple glass repair for a reasonable fee. Enjoy free door prizes, admittance to seminars and the clubs auction, and glass identification for three items. This years featured club display is about animals in glass and titled Our Glass Menagerie. For further information, email Showchair@psdgc.com.