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 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.”
A brass quintet supplied holiday music, and Trust Officer Cathy Radebaugh, who will begin her 45th year with the bank in January, jingled the bells with the horn men on “Jingle Bells.”
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.
“The timing’s always perfect,” Miner said, “because they throw it early enough in December that the Christmas parties haven’t got too thick and fast yet.”
Pegasus TV-12 volunteer Doug Wood, found savoring his third free Pepsi, said he was pleased by the high quality of the Hy-Vee food.
“Their prime rib is done just the way I like it,” said Wood, whose occasional pieces in ThePerryNews.com have attracted a loyal following. “I’m just sorry my friend Dan Haymond couldn’t be here because he likes this free food as much as I do, but he had to work installing new phones in a prison in Minnesota. The Lord works in mysterious ways.”
The bank will also host a public open house Friday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including homemade holiday treats, door prizes and local entertainment. The event is free and open to the public.
