Though it is now in the rearview mirror, many will remember the 2012 Gathering of the Green as they talk about it around the coffee klatch and file through their pictures. What did visitors see and do?

The River Center was where most started their day, checking out the Gilsinger John Deere memorabilia display, the recreated blacksmith display or just enjoying select JD equipment, and registering for the show and various events.

John Deere green was everywhere throughout Davenport, Iowa, in March. As visitors checked into their hotels they were able to view equipment strategically placed in the lobbies of the Radisson and the Blackhawk. One day, a farmer even viewed a JD Gator driving down the street in front of the center.

Those fans of “Where’s Waldo?” could have replaced the question with “Where’s John Deere?” – and the answer would have been, “Everywhere!”

Vendors were staying open late so visitors could meander in and out and see what was offered for their enjoyment. Richard and Ben Hain were set up with the popular antique tractor publication Green magazine, which fit right with the subject.

Brandon Pfeiffer and Kate Goelzhauser of Lawn and Garden Collector magazine were set up sharing information with visitors. Brandon brought his experimental lawn and garden tractor for display, which is a prototype of the JD 110.

“It was built in Horicon, Wisconsin,” Brandon said. “I found it in Appleton.” The tractor, now a bright red, was at one time orange, according to a picture that Brandon saw from 1962 at an engineer’s house. “It was painted Simplicity orange. I think it was built red in 1963 when it was retested and retrofitted.”

Along with the big lawn and garden tractors, their magazine was also offering a lawn and garden toy model of a detailed 1966 Panzer. “We are taking orders through May,” Kate added.

The Panzer was blue, but most everything at the Gathering was, of course, green. Chuck Freitag, the painter and artist of choice for many collectors, was on hand painting a depiction of a newer JD model while also selling several of his beautiful prints with the assistance of his daughter, Olivia, and son, Joel.

Besides the vendors, there were several informational sessions and tours that filled up quickly. The informational sessions and one special exhibit focused on the Gathering of the Green theme “Generations of Power” as John Deere celebrates its centennial of becoming a full-line company.

The show is staged by several JD clubs: Deer Valley, Illinois Valley, North Eastern Illinois and Northwestern Illinois. The Gathering took place March 14-17, and occurs every two years.

For those who are craving more Deere besides all the Moline JD stops and the site at Grand Detour, a new museum is in the making. The Waterloo Tractor and Engine Museum is under construction and Deere representatives at the Gathering of the Green said it should be opening in 2013.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.