Parade floats holiday spirits By Jamie Suhr Staff Reporter Although a gray sky and chill ing 30-degree temperatures hung over Lincoln during the Star City Holiday Parade, spectators and par ticipants said they were kept warm witii holiday cheer - and a lot of clothes. “It was a lot of fun. Everyone made it fun, but it was really cold,” said Amanda Thomas, a senior and flag corps member at Deshler High School. “I wore four pairs of tights, two gloves, three shirts and four pairs of socks.” The parade, which was spon sored by the Downtown Association, began at 10th and O streets and looped around Centennial Mall to the Comhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St. The parade took 90 minutes to follow its 1.4 mile route. In the past, 65,000 80,000 people have come to the parade. Dozens of floats and costumed characters, including Elvis and popular cartoon stars, joined local community groups and businesses. High school marching bands from nearby towns participated, as well as the Nebraska Special Olympics. Also attending was a herd of lla mas, provided by the Lincoln 4-H Llama Club. Other participants included the Big Red Bus, the ft You could come up to me next year and ask me the same question, and I’ll say that (parade) is best. It just gets better and better every year.” Brian Shuman parade participant Comhusker Model A Club and the executive clown corps, who anoint ed children with silty string. In holiday spirit, Lincoln police officers wore antlers and Santa backpacks and had wreaths and bal loons on their bicycles. On side walks, volunteers collected dona tions. “It seems to me that everyone is in the Christmas spirit,” said Danny Keelan, a volunteer for Angel Tree, an organization that helps the chil dren of prison inmates. “People have come up to me and have given me money and don’t even want the $1 candy bar.” Many paradegoers, such as Brian Striman, have seen all 13 parades. Striman has participated in the last two. In this year’s, he and his golden retriever, Meg, walked with others for Golden Retriever Rescue in Nebraska.“I’m a parade nut,” Striman said. “This has been the best of the 13 parades. “You could come up to me next year and ask me the same question, and I’ll say that one is the best. It just gets better and better every year.” Three-year-old Sarah Dean said her favorite part of the parade was the giant Garfield balloon, which accompanied a giant Felix the Cat and a giant caterpillar. “I liked shaking hands with all the clowns and cartoon characters,” she said. For those involved in the parade, it gave them a chance to see everyone having a good time and enjoying the parade’s atmosphere, said Linda Linder, who was on the New Century Travel float. “It was very fun,” she said. “I love seeing everyone smile. It seems like every one is in a festive mood.” Snow plows need extra room. Stay 100 feet behind and pass only with extreme caution. American Heart Association.^^ fVmgHrnrtUmrn. MSnu mm bk pressure, squeezing or pain in richest lasting * few minutes ' to the neck or arms ' fort with fight fainting’Sweating, - shortness ofbrtath these signs occur IELPFAST.) *'/',^96,te»rican Heart Association Santa Cops hold toy drive to benefit Lincoln’s needy TOYS from page 1 to, Duden said. The program purchases gifts for all ages of children, from infants to teenagers, he said. “Earlier today we used the auction money to buy enough toys for the kids to fill 15) a 24-foot Ryder truck,” Duden said Friday. Many organizations and businesses have donated to the program as well. Design Data gave 100 bicycles and hel mets to the program. The Lincoln Home Builders Association has built 100 rock ing chairs and put a stuffed animal in each chair to donate, Duden said. When the program began in 1980, it gave gifts to 253 children. Last year the program gave gifts to more than 2,000 children, Duden said. “Our program has grown because we get to the kids who need the help,” Duden said. “A lot of our kids we help end up becoming donors, which only helps the program to grow and is neat to SCO* This year, Santa Cop has had the help of more elves than in die years past The “elves” are Lincolnites who ted die police of families who need help at Christmas, Duden said. One hundred hours before Christmas Eve, Santa Cop volunteers, with the help of the Lincoln Police bicy cle patrol, will deliver the toys and gifts to the needy children, Duden said After Christmas, preparations begin for next year’s holiday season, said Sgt. Mike Bassett, a member of the Lincoln Police Bike Patrol who helps with the Santa Cop program. “Santa Cop is about the spirit of the season, eyes lighting up - it is the meaning of Christmas.” The UniversityProgram Connell Thanks the 1997 Fall Event Staff! I Allen Eckhoff Andrea Eckhoff Patrick Wiltgen Colleen McGinty Natalya Shannon Shannon Snow Brian Rowland Jessica Kingman Becky Blok Gina Veeder Shane Mares Destiny Hilmore Thanks for all you hard work this semester! Hope to see you in January! Thanks to the 1997 Fall Council and Advisors Rich Caruso, Brian Kennedy, Melissa Strum-Smith. I Also, Congrats to the new 1998 University Program Council! Jamie Gaffney Angela Smith Dan Anderson Rachel Hagen Jamie Grayson Christine Lams Jennifer Robinson. Gina Sakaris Kelly McNally ,*■ Minisa Chapman Christy Holland Jazhan Amil Molly Chamoff Ee Vin Chin Mara McClellan Paul Pankonin Nanda Ramanathan Adam Snyder Summer Spivey Andy Strain [p-CodcCay SaCe) C THE STYLES WE’RE KNOWN FORAT PRICES YOU’LL LOVE! J SAVINGS OF 20% 30% 50% THROUGHOUT THE < 1 GIFT £ J AND W4 1 end Shoos Sop Men end Women E