He Has Right Stuff For 2004 Games

Ian Waltz, a member of the Post Falls High School Class of 1995, is a soft-spoken young man whose strength is displayed on the playing field, not in talking big.

Back in 1995 I made some predictions in print about members of that graduating class. After watching Ian and his work ethic and focus in the discus and shot put all through high school I confidently predicted he would win an Olympic medal in track and field.

Last weekend in Sacramento, Ian came up short in the Olympic trials for a spot on the U.S. team. It had to be a huge disappointment for him, but Ian has long displayed the essential qualities of physical ability, dedication and leadership, both in high school and during his college career at Washington State University.

So in 2000 I want to repeat my prediction that Ian Waltz will represent the United States in the Olympic Games and earn an Olympic medal in 2004. For someone like Ian, the “when” is not as important as the “will.”

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy was a mainstay of the Coeur d’Alene education system until 1971, when after 70 years the Roman Catholic school closed its doors. I lived at Ninth and Sherman, just a few blocks from the Academy, as we called it. There was a lot of intermingling and socializing between the Coeur d’Alene public school kids and the Academy students.

I still have fond memories of John McFarland and Dennis Wolfe in their salt and pepper corduroys walking some of us home after school when we were freshmen. Lynnette Moore became a friend then and remains one today. Jim Russell was the upperclassman basketball hero for the IHM Panthers, who held quite a few state and district championships.

It was a simpler time in Coeur d’Alene back then, with plenty of room for the two schools and friendships between us all. We may not have had the nuns to provide the discipline in the public schools, but we did have Harvey Harding.

To all of the former IHM students here for their all-school reunion: Welcome home!

Daughter Sarah joined friends for a huckleberry picking excursion on Fernan Mountain last weekend. She was having such an abundant forage, she decided to stay a little longer than the group. Only when Kelly Larson handed over the “bear bell” did Sarah realize that the competition for our delicious official state fruit includes large, furry creatures like bears.

It was a spectacular weekend in Post Falls during the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s third annual Julyamsh powwow at the Greyhound Park. Thousands of participants and visitors enjoyed the beautiful weather and breathtaking displays of Native American culture.

Following his welcome address on Friday evening, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne was his personable and approachable self, strolling through the crowds, chatting and posing for pictures.

On Sunday, when U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno was introduced to the surprise of most, she walked across the arena with Tribal Council Chairman Ernie Stensgar and powwow committee chairman Dave Matheson. All around, there were murmurs about it really being Janet Reno.

Reno, too, was very gracious in her remarks and stayed outdoors in the midday heat for over an hour, shaking hands and enjoying the pageantry of the grand entry.

Politics aside, this is the kind of statewide and national attention our beautiful North Idaho communities deserve.

On Thursday Post Falls will celebrate the dedication of the 7,200-square-foot Grand Pavilion in Q’emlin Park. This project took over a year for the Post Falls Lions Club to complete.

As a special treat, the 30-member official city band from Post Falls’ sister city, Herborn, Germany, will put on a free concert that night.