With singing songs, dancing jigs and doubtful fishing tales, the friends of Ken Finer of Perry gathered Wednesday morning at the Perry Perk coffeehouse to wish the longtime science instructor at Perry High School a happy birthday.
The snug coffeehouse was filled to capacity, and many Perry residents popped in over the course of the party to wish the popular Perry figure well on the anniversary of his birth.
Among the noisiest revelers were Finer’s longtime drinking buddies — coffee drinking, that is — Roger Emmert, Phil Stone, Andy Bambrick, Ray Harden, Jim George, Lou Hoger, Larry Blaker, Dick Ehlers, Jim Haas and Don Meyer.
Sue Finer, wife of the birthday celebrant, was also on hand. Other well wishers included Larry and Bev Wesely, Karen and Clark Dory, Cathy Fox, Lois Hoger, Perry Mayor Jay Pattee and many others.
Perry Perk owner Tari Mason, in her second year as proprietor of the popular downtown coffeehouse, kept guests fortified with her fresh fare.
“This is such a great group of people,” Mason said. “They’re here almost everyday, but not usually all at once. We all wish Ken the best today and every day.”
Great group of coffee drinkers!! Several of them taught me a lot!! Ken and his jokes…he was such a laid back instructor. Happy Birthday, Mr. Finer!!