LeTort Glass ~ Deb Feller, Artist

Mercersburg Academy prepares young men and women from diverse backgrounds for college and for life in a global community. Fine Arts is just one of the eight basic disciplines : English, History, Language, Mathematics, Physical Education,Religion and science.

I had the pleasure of working with a senior student “Kip Hawbaker” on his senior project, stained glass as well as a kiln formed bowl.

If you should ever have the opportunity to visit “Mercersburg Academy” be sure to visit the Chapel.  The Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel are breath taking.  Nine stained glass makers (American, English and Irish) designed and executed the thirty-six windows and twelve clear glass windows. Each is rich in symbolic figuration and invested with thoughtful design.  Also, you will appreciate the beautiful Details in the Wood, Metal, and Stone. Mercersburg Academy is located at 300 East Seminary Street, Mercersburg, Pa. 17236

please visit: www.mercersburg.edu

My other passion is “Bike Riding”.. and what a beautiful place to live to experience beauty as well as a  good challenge. On Monday May 10th I chose to stay close to home (moderate ride)  since I was riding by myself. You can choose to make your ride moderate or very challenging with all the mountainous roads we have in South Central Pennsylvania. I started my ride from Carlisle (which is where I live) and headed up to “Kings Gap”, from there I rode out to Newville and then headed  back to Carlisle by way of creek road with a total of 52 miles.  These pictures are just a few great sights along the way.

Over two hundred and fifty years ago, a man named James LeTort crossed the Susquehanna River at a place where the city of Harrisburg now stands. He settled beside a small creek about eighteen miles from the river shore. LeTort located his Indian trading post and home there.

In 1751 William Penn’s Lieutenant Governor, James Hamilton, chose the site of Carlisle to be the county seat for the new county of Cumberland. The settlement was named Carlisle after the town of Carlisle, England. Hamilton and his surveyors laid out Carlisle in 1751. The plans included a park-line center square bounded by North, South, East and West Streets. These street names remain unchanged and the square is still the heart of Carlisle. In 1753, five dwellings formed the nucleus of the new town with a temporary log building as the courthouse. The town was officially incorporated as the Borough of Carlisle in 1782.

The Carlisle Barracks, current location of the United States Army War College, was of historic importance as early as 1753 when Benjamin Franklin negotiated for peace with the Indians. His efforts were unsuccessful and nine years of French and Indian wars ensured. During this time, Carlisle became a sanctuary for frontiersmen and their families whose homes had been burned by Indian raiders.

During the Revolution, the people of the area supported the Declaration of Independence. Two local companies were part of the First Pennsylvania Regiment of Riflemen who came to the assistance of Washington at Cambridge. Carlisle’s James Wilson was a representative to the Continental Congresses and later chief framer of the Constitution.

In 1860, Carlisle residents loyally supported the Union and suffered the consequences of invasion and shelling when the Confederates rode through Cumberland Valley on their way to the Battle of Gettysburg.

Carlisle is rich in the history of Pennsylvania and America. The Borough continues today as a thriving county seat and a regional hub of commerce, industry, education and culture. Carlisle still exhibits traditional small town characteristics including a variety of people and neighborhoods. The Borough continues to grow.

Gallery of Excellence 2010 Annual Art Competition Sponsored by: Glass Craftsman Magazine – April 7th -11th

I entered my journey sculpture “intuitions” and Won FIRST PLACE in my category Cold Working.

This is a jury art competition for 2010. Voting is done by a panel of judges. There are 6 different categories, with both Professional and Amateur divisions in each.

1. Fused/Cast/Kiln Worked
2. Stained Glass
3. Mosaic
4. Cold Working (etched, beveled, painted)
5. Blown &  Flamed Worked Sculpture
6. Beads & Jewelry

Another tiny tree frog, as you can see vegetation life is large and full of texture and color.

This  tree frog almost got stepped on ..until I saw these frogs in life I had No idea how small they are. The color and texture is amazing.