Prett’ near the whole town of Perry turned out Friday morning to congratulate Larry Vodenik on his retirement.
After 20 years as the community events director at the Perry Hy-Vee, Larry will step away from the role — but not entirely — in order to give more time to other community needs, such as the Perry Food Pantry, where he plans to volunteer.
“You’ll still be seeing me around,” Larry said at his retirement party, which featured a colorful cake and many colorful stories. For example, he said he would be helping the Easter Bunny this Sunday at Hy-Vee.
Larry is a Perry native and 1962 graduate of Perry High School, and his working life began early when he delivered the Perry Daily Chief to residents in their upper-floor apartments along Second Street in the downtown. In high school he worked at Stern and Field’s, a menswear store at 1205 Second St.
As a local history buff, Larry knows that the store at 1205 Second St. carried men’s clothing for more than 100 years, starting as Robinson’s and later becoming Bailey’s and then Stern and Field’s and finally Lord’s. It is hoped that Larry will have more time to deliver lectures on local history now that he has retired.
