Editor’s note: This article was updated on Monday, May 4, 2020, to identify the man who created the mown message. SQI is airport identification for Sterling/Rock Falls, IL, Airport.
On Thursday, April 30, 2020, Whiteside County Airport Manager Darin Heffelfinger mowed a message into the approach end grass of Runway 7. It was sculpted using a zeo-turn mower, all done freehand. Nothing was marked in the grass ahead of his mowing.
“It’s huge!” stated an employee. “A humongous ‘Thank you’ to our front-line workers, who have been braving the coronavirus for us all.”
The Dropbox link shows all videos and photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ief34sikmbcojk2/AABP074HVhw8jKEpqXSH7y2wa?dl=0.