McHenry County Blog

I asked my friend and former colleague Penny Pullen to jot down some thoughts about Lura Lynn Ryan. She was gracious enough to do so.

We have lost a great lady in Lura Lynn Ryan, former First Lady of Illinois, who passed away this week after a lengthy struggle with chronic lung diseases and finally cancer.

Mrs. Ryan was well known to most who knew her husband George, as she was frequently at his side, not only during his business and local government careers in Kankakee but also during his lengthy tenure in the Illinois House and his service as Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and ultimately Governor.

Their deep, abiding love serves as a model for their six children and for all who have counted the Ryans as friends.

In a sense, Lura Lynn was the last First Lady Illinois has known, since Gov. Quinn is divorced and Patti Blagojevich maintained her life in Chicago while her husband commuted back and forth between home and Springfield.

Not only did the Ryans live in the Governor’s Mansion near the Capitol in Springfield; Lura Lynn supervised the restoration of the Mansion and in 2003 co-authored a book on the then 148-year history of the home which Illinois citizens provide for the state’s chief executive.

She devoted herself to a passion she shared with her husband in seeking to rescue young people from addictions, chairing and actively coordinating a campaign among professional Chicago role-model athletes called Sports Teams Organized to Prevent Substance Abuse (STOP-Substance Abuse).

Most of all, she was George’s cherished wife and partner, and her heroic court appearances to seek mercy for her husband and plead for their reunion before her death may have melted – toward her, at least – even the most bitter attackers of the imprisoned former Governor.

Her passing before his release is tragic to those of us who have loved her.

And we pray for strength for her husband and all their family. Hers is indeed a great loss.

When George would host dinners at his Springfield home, I would often end up talking to Lura Lynn. I remember admiring her gold earring jackets. She showed me where to get them and a duplicate set ended up a gift for my wife.

 

Lura Lynn also spearheaded the publication of a book about the work of Illinois artisans. When I got to buy cut crystal from Kurt Strobach in Crystal Lake, I see a copy of that, plus a gracious letter about the quality of his work from the former First Lady.

So, you’re in trouble.

You haven’t gotten your wife or girlfriend something for Valentine’s Day that she would consider extra special.

May I suggest going to the showroom of Crystal Lake’s (Illinois’) master crystal cuter, Kurt Strobach?

Last night my bride offered a hint.

She said she wanted another 6-inch bowl to put with the one she had now and a larger one on our dining room table, but she wanted a different design.

Guess where my son and I went after school.

Strobach operates out of his home at 855 Teverton, which is at the northeast corner of Coventry near Virginia Street Road and Pyott Road.

Give him a call first at 815-459-7377.

There are more photos here.

And you don’t have to limit the presents to Valentine’s Day.

How about her birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas, your anniversary?

If you are unsure what to get a loved one, but want to make it special, may I suggest visiting the home of Kurt Strobach?

The Czechoslovakian-born glass cutter lives in Crystal Lake’s Coventry a block west of Canterbury School at 855 Teverton. Best to call first. His number is 815-459-7377.

Strobach uses techniques that you won’t find in commercial crystal.

His wheels turn toward him.

OSHA would definitely not approve.

While the mass manufacturers dip their cut crystal into acid baths to get rid of the burrs, Strobach uses an emery wheel.

The result from Strobach’s method is a much sharper cut, which brings more brilliance to his pieces than I’ve seen in any other crystal.

Waterford just does not compare to Strobach’s work.

Prices range from the $20-$30 area to several hundred dollars. The one you see Strobach holding at the top of the story costs $110.

The one to the left—a bold new cut just developed this year—is priced at $89.

(Click on this particular photo and look closely and you will be able to see what my wife is getting for Christmas. Tell her and I will miss a look like this on Christmas morning.

Below is a one of at least six display shelves.

Look down to the lower right on the the next to the bottom shelf and you will see one of Strobach’s recent inspirations.

When I first saw it it reminded me of a star burst.

His cuts radiate up the sides of the bowls and are brilliant when placed in a sunny location.

Here are a couple of more shelving units filled with the master cutter’s work.

You can enlarge the photos by clicking on them, but I can assure you there are so much more brilliant than they appear here.

I call the big bowl on the bottom the “wedding bowl” because it is our gift to newly-weds. I have bought enough for my great-nieces and nephews.

I tell Mr. Strobach that after we are long gone, his bowls will still be stunning young people when they open their wedding presents.

The price of the big bowl has decreased from $99 to $89. The reason is that the Polish manufacturer has cut its prices this year.

Here’s a closer look.

I took this picture in the Artesian Shop at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield (my son’s favorite museum in Springfield). Strobach’s work there costs twice what it costs in his home. See my “Top Shelf” story, which has close-up photos of much more of Strobach’s work and Strobach at one of his cutting wheels. Not all of the pieces are still available, but a number are.

Here’s a bowl I like a lot.

(Don’t point my wife to this story. Remember, she thinks I only write about political stuff.)

And what about this stunner at $129. It may be one of Strobach’s one of a kind creations.

Lest you think everything is expensive, take a look at this sugar and creamer. I don’t see a price tag on the creamer, so I think you could buy the two for $34. (Call Strobach to make sure.)

Below you see two vases priced at $169 and $89 with a $199 pitcher between them.

Three more pricey ones are below, but when looking at the cost, remember that it would be twice as much if sold retail.

From left to right, they sell for $159, $199 and $195. You cannot imagine how much work goes into cutting them.

Here are two more vases, priced from left to right at $214 and $95.

My wife and I are partial to the design on the right. It is similar to the one on the “wedding” bowl.

I know this is too long an article, but I keep finding photos that show how broad Strobach’s talents are. Look at this one, for instance.

When I saw the rounded cuts on its side, I thought of the copper cigarette tray I made in Boy Scout camp back in the 1950′s.

The cuts on both look as if they were made with a ball pean hammer, but you know it took a lot less skill to wield a hammer than to the make these cuts. The contrast between the round cuts and the straight ones give this bowl a character of its own. This is also a design developed in the last couple of years. It costs $137.

Don’t you wish you could be as creative as this artist when you are in your 80′s?

Strobach has provided his art crystal to two Illinois governors—George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich—but don’t hold that against him.

Ryan’s wife has good taste not only in crystal, but in earring backings. She was wearing some at a gathering Ryan held for Republican state representatives at the Springfield house the state rented for him. I admired them and she told me where she got them. Now they are in my wife’s jewelry box.

Strobach has a lovely note from Lura Lynn Ryan on his bulletin board.

You can also see a faded page from the book of Illinois artists for which she wrote the introduction. It’s the one with his picture on it.

I’ve gone over probably every day of the week, including weekends right before I have a party to attend.

If you are too far from Crystal Lake to drive over, Strobach will ship them to you, if it’s in the $100 range.

Just give him a call at 815-459-7377, if you see something that strikes your fancy.

If you are unsure what to get a loved one, but want to make it special, may I suggest visiting the home of Kurt Strobach?

The Czechoslovakian-born glass cutter lives in Crystal Lake’s Coventry a block west of Canterbury School at 855 Teverton. Best to call first. His number is 815-459-7377.

Strobach uses techniques that you won’t find in commercial crystal.

His wheels turn toward him.

OSHA would definitely not approve.

While the mass manufacturers dip their cut crystal into acid baths to get rid of the burrs, Strobach uses an emery wheel.

The result from Strobach’s method is a much sharper cut, which brings more brilliance to his pieces than I’ve seen in any other crystal.

Waterford just does not compare to Strobach’s work.

Prices range from the $20-$30 area to several hundred dollars. The one you see Strobach holding at the top of the story costs $110.

The one to the left—a bold new cut just developed this year—is priced at $89.

(Click on this particular photo and look closely and you will be able to see what my wife is getting for Christmas. Tell her and I will miss a look like this on Christmas morning.

Below is a one of at least six display shelves.

Look down to the lower right on the the next to the bottom shelf and you will see one of Strobach’s recent inspirations.

When I first saw it it reminded me of a star burst.

His cuts radiate up the sides of the bowls and are brilliant when placed in a sunny location.

Here are a couple of more shelving units filled with the master cutter’s work.

You can enlarge the photos by clicking on them, but I can assure you there are so much more brilliant than they appear here.

I call the big bowl on the bottom the “wedding bowl” because it is our gift to newly-weds. I have bought enough for my great-nieces and nephews.

I tell Mr. Strobach that after we are long gone, his bowls will still be stunning young people when they open their wedding presents.

The price of the big bowl has decreased from $99 to $89. The reason is that the Polish manufacturer has cut its prices this year.

Here’s a closer look.

I took this picture in the Artesian Shop at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield (my son’s favorite museum in Springfield). Strobach’s work there costs twice what it costs in his home. See my “Top Shelf” story, which has close-up photos of much more of Strobach’s work and Strobach at one of his cutting wheels. Not all of the pieces are still available, but a number are.

Here’s a bowl I like a lot.

(Don’t point my wife to this story. Remember, she thinks I only write about political stuff.)

And what about this stunner at $129. It may be one of Strobach’s one of a kind creations.

Lest you think everything is expensive, take a look at this sugar and creamer. I don’t see a price tag on the creamer, so I think you could buy the two for $34. (Call Strobach to make sure.)

Below you see two vases priced at $169 and $89 with a $199 pitcher between them.

Three more pricey ones are below, but when looking at the cost, remember that it would be twice as much if sold retail.

From left to right, they sell for $159, $199 and $195. You cannot imagine how much work goes into cutting them.

Here are two more vases, priced from left to right at $214 and $95.

My wife and I are partial to the design on the right. It is similar to the one on the “wedding” bowl.

I know this is too long an article, but I keep finding photos that show how broad Strobach’s talents are. Look at this one, for instance.

When I saw the rounded cuts on its side, I thought of the copper cigarette tray I made in Boy Scout camp back in the 1950′s.

The cuts on both look as if they were made with a ball pean hammer, but you know it took a lot less skill to wield a hammer than to the make these cuts. The contrast between the round cuts and the straight ones give this bowl a character of its own. This is also a design developed in the last couple of years. It costs $137.

Don’t you wish you could be as creative as this artist when you are in your 80′s?

Strobach has provided his art crystal to two Illinois governors—George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich—but don’t hold that against him.

Ryan’s wife has good taste not only in crystal, but in earring backings. She was wearing some at a gathering Ryan held for Republican state representatives at the Springfield house the state rented for him. I admired them and she told me where she got them. Now they are in my wife’s jewelry box.

Strobach has a lovely note from Lura Lynn Ryan on his bulletin board.

You can also see a faded page from the book of Illinois artists for which she wrote the introduction. It’s the one with his picture on it.

I’ve gone over probably every day of the week, including weekends right before I have a party to attend.

If you are too far from Crystal Lake to drive over, Strobach will ship them to you, if it’s in the $100 range.

Just give him a call at 815-459-7377, if you see something that strikes your fancy.