Lou Hoger of Perry celebrated his 80th birthday Friday in company with his fellow members of the Society of Retired Experts (SORE), a meeting of the male moiety at Perry Perk coffeehouse.
Feting Hoger over rolls and coffee were John Andorf, Gary Becker, Michael Caufield, Nick Eakins, Ray Harden, E. Joeseph Shelly, Dan Spellman, Tom Ulrich and Richard Wede. The assembly gained in law and order with the late arrivals of Larry Laborde and Dan Spellman.
Hoger said it has been an eventful year, with the large spike in customers at the Perry Food Pantry following the closure of the slaughterhouse meaning a lot of extra work. He was also called upon to administer the distribution of donations to the victims of the January shooting at Perry High School.
He said he will be stepping down after six years directing the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) at Dallas County Hospital.
Singing “Happy Birthday to Lou” over the rolls and coffee were members of the Women of Wonder coffee group, including Shirley Ehlers, Margaret Harden, Lois Hoger, Elsie Mace, Valerie McColl, Connie McGuire, Helen Robinson and Myrna Whitehead. Tari Mason, owner and operator of the Perry Perk coffeehouse, supplied the festivities.
Hoger said this year’s celebration is not only his but also his daughter’s, who turns 50, and his twin granddaughters, who turn 16, all within a few days of one another. A party is planned for Sunday.
