Mike Stoffregen’s Top Five

My Top Five for feeling alive in the corridor…

By: Mike Stoffregen, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Johnson County 

5.  Multiplicity of activities…music, arts, festivals, Shakespeare Theatre, Englert/Hancher, bike trails, parks, shopping, libraries, golf courses, clean air…it’s all here and it’s all good.

4.  Iowans.   Iowans are by nature a cohesive community.  Diversity of opinion is encouraged…and that’s a good thing.  It’s the collective common sense of our heritage that keeps the interest levels high in helping to build our community.

 3.  University of Iowa…living in community with a nationally recognized University, diverse by nature…educated by design and responsive because it’s a caring and sharing “community.”

 2.  The Future…the Iowa City/ Cedar Rapids Corridor has a very bright future because of the visionary leaders it produces.

And the # 1 reason…

The Hawkeyes…as simplistic as it sounds, even as a young lad living in Western Iowa, I had a strong affinity for the Iowa Hawkeyes…the name just rolls off of my tongue…the Iowa Hawkeyes.  ‘58 and ‘60 Rose Bowls…Ralph Miller and Lute Olson basketball and the Fry / Ferenz years out of the wilderness and into the light.  Remembering the collective roar across Iowa for “the catch” against Louisiana State still to this day sends chills whenever I see it…

 Ah yes…the Iowa Hawkeyes…because they’re worth it.

2 Comments

  • I agree – the Hawkeys (when they’re winning at least) make this a great place to live. Since Iowa doesn’t have any professional sports affiliates, the Hawkeyes are our Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Redwings, etc. College sports are king here.

  • Cool site! I found it while searching for “Mikes top five”. As you can see by my URL, I have a similar site. Cheers! :-)


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