Open house for departing DMACC head Dr. Hollie Coon June 30
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Perry VanKirk Academy Director Dr. Hollie Coon will be the subject of a farewell open house Tuesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. in the Canisteo Room of the Hotel Pattee. The coffee-and-pastry reception will be hosted by DMACC President Rob Denson, Perry Industries, Perry Economic Development and the Perry Chamber of Commerce. The event is free and open to the public. Coon has accepted the position of director at the DMACC Southridge Career Academy in Des Moines.
American Legion to hold patriotic sidewalk decorating contest July 2
Perry’s American Legion Post 85 will host a sidewalk decorating contest Thursday, July 2 at the American Legion post home, 1324 First Ave. in Perry. Open to elementary and middle school children, the contest includes prizes and awards. Legionnaires will provide colored chalk from noon to 4 p.m. so youngsters can show their patriotism and express their creative urges.
Independence Day Parade July 4
Perry residents can show their patriotic community spirit by entering the annual Fourth of July parade. Floats and other entries are open to all businesses, churches, civic organizations and other groups in the Perry area. There is no entry or registration fee. The parade is free for all. Entrants will line up at the East Perry Plaza at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. The parade will begin at 10 a.m.
July volleyball camp at MCB — register by July 10
Perry-area fifth through eighth graders are eligible to attend the McCreary Community Building summer volleyball camp July 14-17. The camp will be led by high school volleyball coaches and players and is an opportunity for area youth to develop their skills. The four-day camp meets 6-8 p.m. The fee is $25 for MCB members and $35 for non-members. Register by 8 p.m. July 10. For more information, call the MCB at 515-465-5621.
Second Vodenik talk on Perry history July 12
Local history enthusiast Larry Vodenik will give his second summer lecture, “Popcorn Stands and Mrs. Council,” Sunday, July 12 at 1:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Library Museum. Vodenik’s lecture is part of the ongoing exhibition at the Carnegie of historic Perry photographs, running through Aug. 30. The Carnegie Library Museum, 1123 Willis Ave., is open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1-4 p.m.
Perry-area household hazardous waste and tire collection slated for July 18
Perry’s annual household hazardous waste collection is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Perry Public Safety Building, 908 Willis Ave. The tire collection will take place the same day and time at the Perry Recycling Center, 14325 Ivy Place. Watch for more details as the date draws closer. For more information, call Perry City Hall at 515-465-2481.
Community Notices
Independence Day closures announced for city offices
Perry city offices and the Water Works office will be closed Friday, July 3. The Perry Public Library will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. The McCreary Community Building will be open from 1-5 p.m. July 3, with the pool closing at 4:30 p.m., and will be closed Saturday, July 4. Garbage and recycle routes scheduled for Thursday, July 2 will be picked up Wednesday, July 1. Garbage and recycle routes scheduled for Friday, July 3 will be picked up Thursday, July 2.
Perry Farmers Market open through September
The Perry Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Perry Marketplace, located in Caboose Park at the Raccoon River Valley Trailhead parking lot at the corner of First and Willis avenues in Perry. Visitors will find local produce vendors and sellers of baked goods, crafts and more. Live music plays from 5–7 p.m. on the BRG Music of Perry stage. Hot dinner options vary weekly. The Perry Farmers Market will operate through September. If your business or group would like to provide the meal or arrange entertainment for the Market, call Bob Wilson at the Perry-Area Chamber of Commerce, 515-465-4601.
Free fruits and veggie every Tuesday in Dallas Center starting July 14
The Food Bank of Iowa and Dallas County Public Health gives away free fresh produce from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. starting July 14 at Mound Park, 1700 Walnut St. in Dallas Center. For more information, call 515-564-0330 or visit the Iowa Food Bank website.
Free summer lunch program at Perry Community Schools
Free breakfasts and lunches are offered daily to children under 18 by the Perry Community School District through funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Adults are encouraged to accompany minors and may purchase breakfast for $1.50 and lunch for $2.75. Breakfast is served from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Perry Elementary School. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at all Perry schools. Milk is served with all meals, and a 100 percent fruit juice is served with breakfast. The menu is subject to change without notice. Click here for the summer menu.
Dallas County Meals on Wheels
People aged 60 or older, plus their spouses of any age, are eligible for free meals from the Dallas County Meals on Wheels program. People under 60 pay a small price for the meal. Contributions are gratefully accepted. HomeCare meals are available to shut-ins Monday through Friday. Click here for the June menu.
Friends of the Trail seeks donors
Spring is here again and with it the chance to start enjoying the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT). By becoming a Friend of the RRVT, your donation helps the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association promote and market the trail and the communities along the trail. Friends of the RRVT receive one annual trail pass for each $25.00 donation. Passes are issued by the Conservation Boards of Dallas, Guthrie and Greene counties. To donate, go to RaccoonRiverTrail.org, where you can also learn more about the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association.
Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at Dallas County Hospital
The Alzheimer’s Support Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Dallas County Hospital Community Room. Family members are encouraged to come, learn more about the disease and find support in fellowship. Nurse Deb Koelln, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, facilitates the discussions and helps people share their experiences and concerns for themselves and their loved ones. For more information, call Nurse Deb Koelln RN at the Perry Lutheran Home, 515-465-5342.
American Legion Post 85 hosts monthly meetings
Perry’s American Legion Post 85 meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Post Home, 1324 First Ave. in Perry. For more information, call 515-465-4941.
Floyd Foster Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2060 hosts monthly meetings
Perry’s Floyd Foster Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2060 meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 3316 Willis Ave.
First Christian Church sponsors Clothes Closet
The Clothes Closet at the First Christian Church, 1224 Lucinda St., offers quality used clothing for free. For more information, call 515-465-2215.
Heartland Church of Christ hosts free monthly meal
The Church of Christ-Heartland, 1402 Warford St. in Perry, hosts a free meal on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
