If you think that is a stained glass picture, you are right.
It’s called ‘Dear John,’ and it is the work of Linda
Strauss, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Not many tractors are immortalized in a stained glass panel, but
there is one which made it-a John Deere which has a nostalgic
appeal for the young woman who executed the picture shown on our
cover
Linda Wenger, growing up in the town of Strasburg, Pennsylvania,
lived next door to a John Deere dealer. Years later, as Linda
Strauss, a talented artist in glass, she chose a ‘Dear
John’ as a subject.
‘It’s the model that was current when I was a
youngster,’ she commented in her studio on West Chestnut
Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she is surrounded by many of
her other artistic productions.
‘When you’re young, it’s attractive to see the green
body and the yellow wheels. I enjoyed even touching the tread of
the tires.’
Linda, who draws out her designs meticulously before cutting and
fitting the colored pieces of glass, has won awards for her
craftsmanship and has sold many of her works.
‘Dear John’ was seen by a Lancaster physician, Dr.
Edward W. Maley, at an exhibit at Franklin and Marshall College.
His wife, Barbara, bought it as a surprise gift. It now hangs above
a baby grand in the Maley home, and its colors and design are given
full radiance by backlighting.
Linda never duplicates. This is the only tractor she has ever
depicted. The Maleys are indeed fortunate to have ‘Dear
John.’ Many of our readers will agree.
