Perry Lions Club President Lou Hoger opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and then led the club in prayer. Sixteen members were present and one guest, Bob Wilson, executive director of the Perry Chamber of Commerce.
The Hotel Pattee’s meal was a cup of chili and a grilled cheese Texas Toast sandwich. The minutes of the Jan. 9 meeting were approved. These minutes were written by
Lion John Andorf. There was no treasurer’s report because Lion Dwayne Hochhalter was absent.
After the dinner, Wilson told the club about the coming BRR Bicycle Ride. This the 40th anniversary of the event. BRR is the second-oldest bike ride in the state. Only RAGBRAI is older.
He said the chamber is expecting 2,200 bike riders to be in Perry Feb. 4. The number of riders depends greatly on the weather. Sadly, only 40 percent of the riders pay the registration fee.
Scott Finneseth will be the official counter at the Country Club Road and J Avenue, inheriting the duty from his father, Jack Finneseth, whose detailed records included makes of bikes and whether riders were accompanied by dogs or other small animals.
Willis Avenue between First Avenue and Second Street will be blocked for BRR, and the National Guard will have tents set up in the median. The breakfast will be served by the Perry Lions Club, and the town of Rippey will have food for the riders, with the Rippey Fire Department supplying a beer tent.
Wilson said the Chamber has BRR shirts and other item for sale to the public.
Wilson also described other upcoming events sponsored by the Perry Chamber of Commerce: Feb. 11 is the annual Chocolate Walk. In April there will be the fireworks fundraiser pie auction and the Chamber banquet, which is open to the public.
In June the Chamber will host the season’s first Friday Fest music concert, and in July the Independence Day Celebration July 4th. The Art on the Prairie festival returns in November.
All of these events are to promote Perry, Wilson said. He also spoke about several new enterprises and business that are taking place in the downtown.
In other club business, Lion Andorf passed around an order form for a U.S. Silver Dollar that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Lions Clubs. Each coin costs $47. Interested members should contact Lion Andorf to purchase one of these coins.
Lions Hoger and Gary Becker gave the plans for cooking and serving the meal to the BRR! bike riders. Cooking will begin a 5:30 a.m. at St. Pat’s School, and breakfast will served beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Hotel Pattee.
All Perry Lions Club members are needed for this project, Lion Hoger said.
Lion Denis Yeager made an arrangement with the Picket Fence Dairy in Woodward for the needed milk. The dairy is donating it to the club for the breakfast. The membership thanked Lion Yeager and the Picket Fence.
