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On Saturday, June 27, 2026, the
Logan County airport celebrated 76 years of service to the community
with a full day of activities and events planned to begin at
approximately 9 a.m. It had been hoped that the day would be bright
and sunny with mild temperatures, but Mother Nature had other plans.
With slow but steady rain falling throughout the morning and
overcast skies for the length of the day, some of the events planned
were hampered.
Despite the dismal weather, one event scheduled for the day did go
on as planned. Inside the first hangar turned extension of the
Heritage in Flight Museum at the airport, a ribbon cutting ceremony
was held at 10 a.m.
Airport manager Gene Rohlfs had a long list of people he wanted to
join him behind the ribbon in preparation for the special event.
Lincoln Daily News was on hand to assist with the cut and Nila Smith
called people up according to the groups or organizations they
represented. Behind the ribbon were representatives of the Logan
County Board, Logan County Board Transportation Committee, the
Heritage in Flight Museum and Flying Club, Illinois Valley Parachute
Club, Railsplitter Antique Auto Club, and Land of Lincoln Antique
Tractor and Engine Club. Also behind the ribbon was airport
maintenance manager Nick Fleshman, and Ricky Meredith, the owner of
Logan County Airframe and Engine that offers aircraft maintenance
and Repair at the airport.
Lincoln Alderman Dennis Clemmons was on hand as well. Holding the
ribbon for the cut was Logan County Board Member Kathy Schmidt and
LDN Assistant Director of Sales Joli Boerma Crane. After everyone
was gathered behind the ribbon, Smith shared a message from Lincoln
Mayor Tracy Welch. She told the group that Welch sent his apologies
for not being able to attend. His father had died the day prior, and
he had family business he had to conduct. In his message, Smith
shared that Welch wished to congratulate and thank Rohlfs, the
Transportation committee and the Logan County Board for their
continued dedication to keeping the airport alive and thriving. He
understands the value of the airport to Logan County. He thanked
them for their continued service and wished them success in years to
come.
Then the microphone was handed off
to Rohlfs he began his long list of introductions.
First on the list was Airport
Maintenance Nick Fleshman. Rohlfs said that Fleshman was the
backbone of taking care of the airport and he was quite appreciative
of all that Fleshman does at the airport.
Next were the members of the Transportation Committee of the Logan
County Board. Committee members included Chairman Jim Wessbecher,
Vice Chair Lance Conahan, members Kevin Knauer, Bob Sanders, and Gil
Turner.
Wessbecher and Knauer were on hand
for the event.
Next Rohlfs listed the names of the Logan County Board members
including Chairman JR Glenn, Vice Chair Dale Nelson, members Hanna
Fitzpatrick, Joseph Kuhlman, Keenan Leesman and Kathy Schmidt.
Schmidt was on hand for the ribbon
cut and said she wished to share a few words.
She talked briefly about how she
had known little about the airport until she and her husband needed
to fly to Mayo Clinic for her husband’s cancer. She explained that
at that point she realized and appreciated the importance of having
an airport close to home.
The Board of Directors for the
Heritage in Flight Museum were named, with President Stacy Wachtel
being behind the ribbon for the event.
Other members of the HIF board include Vice President Tom Sullivan,
Secretary/Treasurer Art Williams, board members Barry Miller, Tom
Wachtel, John Grimsley, Clyde Zellers, Will Hagerman and Fred
Leibach.
Ricky Meredith, owner of Logan
County Airframe and Engine was introduced.
Gene Rohlfs then called on his wife Wanda Lee, who delivered two
brief commentaries, the first personal observations, the second
observations made as the official representative of the Logan County
Tourism Bureau.
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When Gene Rohlfs introduced the
membership of the Illinois Valley Parachute Club, he asked those
present to announce how many jumps they have done in their lifetime.
Vice-president Jeff Hayes said he had done 4,000. Secretary Bill
Snyder has done 3,500 and Treasurer Ken Serrine has done 1,464.
Other members of the club include Program Director Chad Donnel and
President Tonia Royer. Royer, Rohlfs said was on her way, and when
she arrived right before the cut she shared that she had done a
total of 350 jumps.
With Royer absent at the beginning
of the event, Rohlfs invited Hayes to speak on behalf of the club.
He explained that the club over the years had called a few local
airports home. Over time, they decided to seek a new home and called
on the Logan County Board. He said that the board was happy to
accommodate the club and very welcoming.
Rohlfs also gave special
acknowledgement to Lincoln resident Curtis Fox who is the pilot for
the club.
Up to this point, all the people introduced were those who have
continual involvement with the Logan County Airport.
The last two groups introduced where representatives of two of the
extra attractions that had been added for the celebration day.
The Railsplitter Antique Auto Club was introduced with members
Robert Harmon, LeRoy Ranthum, and Jim Leofler. Both Harmon and
Loeffler were behind the ribbon. Rohlfs commented that in spite of
the rain, there were several sharp looking cars outside and he
encouraged guests to run out and take a look at them all as weather
permitted.
Also on hand was Don Ruff and Dianne Ruff representing the Land of
Lincoln Antique Tractor and Engine Club. Both were behind the
ribbon. Rohlfs commented that the Ruff had brought a few show items
including some small engines and again encouraged folks to take a
gander at what was on hand.
He wrapped up mentioning that there was food being offered right
outside by J & D Catering and encouraged everyone to visit the tent
for a good lunch.
Among other details offered throughout Rohlfs speech, he talked
about the airport being a popular stopover for refueling and
observed that there were travelers from several states who made that
landing but by far, the most traffic the airport received was from
Wisconsin by a ratio of two to one over all other states.
As Rohlfs wrapped up his comments,
it was time to snip the ribbon on the 76th anniversary celebration
at the Logan County Airport. The honors were done by Transportation
Committee Chair Jim Wessbecher, Rohlfs and Airport Maintenance Nick
Fleshman.
Again, because the weather was
being less than cooperative, several folks settled inside the
hangar, gathering in groups to chat, or finding a seat at a table
where they could settle in for a longer visit and enjoy lunch.
Logan
County Airport 76th Anniversary celebration video playlist
[Nila Smith with Video by Karen Castelein]
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