Throughout the week, JournalStar.com is featuring live coverage of the 2010 Special Olympics. These are the best updates from Saturday sent in by our reporters, photographers, videographers and readers.
- Theresa Green of Roca came just to see the airlift: "I think it's just awesome to hear the cheering going on when they get off the planes."
- Kevin Cleaver from Birmingham, UK (yes, the United Kingdom), came to photograph the airlift just as he did four years ago in Des Moines. He told me this is one of the largest congregations of a specific type of executive jet to be found. As he photographed each plane passing by, he jotted down the plane type. He told me that the Lincoln airport has been especially good to aircraft enthusiasts.
- "If you're coming out here, wear a hat, sunscreen and maybe some holy water for the airport mosquitoes. They're evil."
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- Stands are full. I estimate 150-200 spectators here.
- Another plane of North Carolina athletes just landed. Track and field! They are so excited to be here!
- At 9:16 a.m.: 40 or so planes have landed, according to an FAA spokesperson.
- From the airport: Rose Pelton, wife of Cessna President and CEO Jack J. Pelton, said she chose to be a greeter Saturday because she enjoys motivating the athletes. "It makes me feel good to make them feel good."
- Liz Koop is a Lincoln resident and aircraft enthusiast. She decided to watch from the parking garage roof to avoid the crowds. Her daughter, Caitlin Fieselman, is volunteering as a level-4 caddy at Mahoney Golf Course for the Special Olympics.
- Volunteer Jason Ball: "Everyone loves me cuz I'm the goofy guy with the corn on my head."
- "That was worth the trip out here" -- Lincoln resident Roxanne Suesz after seeing this embrace.
- While the Lincoln airport is getting all the attention, many athletes are also arriving in Omaha. Today, about 700 athletes will land at Eppley Airfield in Omaha, about 1,000 total between today and yesterday. That's in addition to the scores of family, friends and coaches also arriving.
- From a reader: I can hear the planes flying overhead on their way from the airport. The almost continuous sounds are making me even more jazzed about this wonderful city hosting this wonderful event.
- From a reader: Harrison Ford is flying into Lincoln this afternoon. If anyone needs to find me, I'll be trying to get my 9 bucks back for Indiana Jones 4.
- Just talked to Rick Boone, who is originally from Arkansas. He volunteered as a greeter and joked people would think they landed in the wrong state with his accent.
- Team Rhode Island Over Chicago on the CVS Corporate Jet: We are so excited to be going to Nebraska!
- Tommie Frazier speaking to Team Nebraska: "One thing I want to leave you guys with: Go out, compete and have fun. ... Go out and represent Nebraska the way Nebraska should be."
Tune in to our live coverage during the day Sunday here.
