About 300 people filled the lobby and open office space of the Raccoon Valley Bank in downtown Perry Thursday evening for the bank’s annual holiday party, catered by the Perry Hy-Vee.
Prime rib, smoked salmon and a variety of toothsome finger foods — including chocolate-covered strawberries — were shared by the local lender’s many clients, friends and Perry-area business people invited to the soiree.
“It’s a great event for us,” said Raccoon Valley Bank President Terry Nielsen. “We’ve done this for more than 10 years now, and it’s just as popular as ever. It’s just a great way to share the Christmas spirit.”
Joelle Miner of Perry said she has attended every one of the Raccoon Valley Bank’s Christmas parties and reckons them at 14 or 15.
“It’s a little warmer this year but still a great way to get the Christmas spirit flowing,” Miner said.
Pegasus TV-12 volunteer Doug Wood, who also chronicles church dinners for ThePerryNews.com, heaped high praise on the prime rib and smoked salmon.
“Their prime rib is done just the way I like it,” said Wood. “I’m just sorry my friend Dan Haymond couldn’t be here because he likes these things as much as I do.”
Dallas Country Treasurer Mitch Hambleton and his wife, Ruth Hambleton, said they missed Tuesday’s party at the Adel branch of the Raccoon Valley Bank and so popped up to Perry’s. Hambleton, a home-brewing aficionado, praised the bank’s serving of a wheat ale from Exile Brewing Co. in Des Moines.
“At a lot of these things they just set out a keg of Bud Light, and your heart just sinks,” the former mayor of Dallas Center said. “I commend the bank for their beer.”
I have banked at Raccoon Valley for more than 25 years and have not received one invite let alone a notice to patrons of this party each year. Must be only for the who’s who of Dallas County, I guess! There is nothing on their Facebook page or website about this party. Special invite only, I suppose?
Dear Raccoon Valley Bank Patron:
The “holiday gala” that this article speaks of is an event for businesses in the community. We refer to it as our Business Open House, where all businesses in town are invited. We started this event to get all of the local businesses together as a networking opportunity and to kick off the holiday season. If you own a business in town, please let us know so that we can send you an invitation in the future!