James Frank Kotera was known as JFK or the “twine man”. He started crafting the oval shaped ball on April 3, 1979. He collected twine from people in his community. People from all over the globe would visit the ball of twine. It has been highlighted in numerous newspapers, websites and roadside attraction listings. At one point people from 61 states countries had signed his guest book. He liked to tell people he was “having a ball”. It was certified by the Guinness World Book of Records in 1993 for the largest ball of twine. Its estimated weight is 24,000 pounds. He also made a 47 pound junior ball of twine.

Jim was born on February 2, 1947, and passed away on January 14, 2023. He lived in Highland his entire life and worked for over 50 years at the town’s dump and then at the transfer station. He was known and liked by so many people in the community! Everybody knew Jim and about his twine ball! The transfer station was renamed and dedicated to JFK on July 13, 2021.

After Jim passed away, community member Terri Nelson led the campaign to raise funds for having the twine ball moved to its location at the Town Hall. It is protected by a shelter and sits on a concrete slab. It continues to receive many visitors each year.

The twine ball was moved on September 21, 2023. A ceremony celebrating Jim and the Twine Ball was held on February 11, 2024.