Ben Buck
Staff Reporter

Often times at a cross country meet there is only one winner. However, the Gene Balk Invitational meet, which was held on the NIACC campus on September 23, 2004, had many. The meet, which was originally held at a golf course in Mason City, was moved to the NIACC campus last year with help of NIACC staff member and project coordinator Fred McCurnin. "My son ran for the Mason City Mohawks," McCurnin said. "I knew there were some difficulties in holding the meet at the golf course."

Disturbing golf games and parking were some of the main problems according to McCurnin, and he later approached Dr. Michael Morrison, president of NIACC, about a possible move.

"He was very supportive of the proposal," McCurnin said. "He said he would be willing to allocate some of the college resources to put on a good meet."

McCurnin then worked with the Mason City cross country coaching staff and developed a challenging, but "fan-friendly" course.

"The main purpose is to make this event as fun as possible," McCurnin said. "The course allows for easy access for parents and grandparents to see their athletes run."

According to McCurnin, production of the event received help from eight departments at NIACC, the athletic department from Mason City, the Mason City Cross Country Booster Club and KISS-FM.

Morrison said holding the meet at the NIACC campus benefits the school in many ways. "It's a great way of getting people to NIACC who might not have an opportunity to see our beautiful campus," Morrison said.

McCurnin said it was difficult to determine how many people attended the event but estimated that overall there were two to three thousand people.

Morrison praised McCurnin for the job he has done in organizing the event.

"He deserves a lot of credit for the leadership in this," Morrison said.

McCurnin described the meet as a great way to show people the coordination between NIACC and its high school affiliates.

"This gives us an excellent opportunity to showcase the cooperative sprit that exists between area high schools and our college," McCurnin said. "That's the benefit to the college and the educational community in North Iowa."

Jenna Jensen
Staff Reporter

After 26,000 miles, "Walkin' Jim Stoltz" finally walked his way to NIACC on September 24. Paul Pistek, a science instructor at NIACC, said he was searching for some kind of entertainment to present to the Iowa Community College Science Teachers Conference which was held at NIACC.

He said he came across an email talking about Jim Stoltz.

"I thought it would be a great experience and it was tied into the topics to be discussed while the teachers were on campus," Pistek said.

Walkin' Jim preformed a show titled "Forever Wild" for students, staff and those who chose to attend the conference at NIACC. The public was also invited to the performance.

Stoltz said he has spent most of his life walking across the United States. However, he has not walked down main streets or interstates.

He said he walks through mountains, rivers and all kinds of wildlife each day to find the perfect "parking spot" for the night.

Spending days and nights in the hot sun, the freezing cold or the cool temperatures of the fall, Stoltz said he keeps walking and writing songs and poems on the way.

"I enjoy presenting, and if I keep walking and keep creating things, people will want to see my new performance," Stoltz said.

Stoltz shared his array of photos that are nothing but astounding. With stories, songs and a wonderful presentation, Stoltz encouraged everyone to get up and go outside more.

"We have a wonderful world here, and if you are sitting inside one afternoon go out and get a real taste of what the best planet in the world has to offer," Stoltz said.

Stoltz is married and often travels with his wife or friends and finds his career sharing his walks and ideas with others.

"I try to please everyone, everyone likes pictures of wildlife and songs," Stoltz said.

He offers many different programs including kid shows, multi-media shows or sample programs.