Lectures, workshops and discussions
Leigh Michaels
Iowa author Leigh Michaels gave a talk, “The Power of Romance,” as part of a continuing exhibit on romance writers.  Michaels, author of 80 novels, grew up on a farm in southwest Iowa and graduated from Drake University with a degree in journalism.
Press release
Donald Harstad
Elkader, IA, resident Donald Harstad, author of the award-winning mystery novel Eleven Days, gave a talk and book signing at the Carnegie Library Museum .
Press release
Frances Kennedy
Frances Kennedy, author of the children’s book The Pickle Patch Bathtub, led a writing workshop focusing on how to write children’s books and get them published.  Her book was chosen by Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack as the 2006 selection for Iowa Stories 2000.
Press release
All Iowa Reads
In partnership with the Perry Public Library, HPI held a discussion of Marilynne Robinson’s book Gilead led by Tom Morain, educator and state historian. Gilead was chosen as the All Iowa Reads book selection for 2006.
Press release
Beginners’ Genealogy
This free workshop by Linda Greethurst of the Iowa Genealogical Society, offered February 5, 2006, showed beginners how to get started researching their family history.
Women’s History Month
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Perry native Pam Jenkins led an interactive presentation, “Local Women through Time: Contributions of Women to Rural Places.”  Jenkins, a sociologist at the University of New Orleans , has special expertise in women’s history.
Press release
Classes and Activities
Royal School of Needlework
This popular annual event features instructors from the Royal School of Needlework, which was founded in London in 1872 to teach the art of hand embroidery, maintain standards at a high level and encourage good design in needlework.  Students from beginning to advanced may take  classes in techniques such as gold work and silk shading.
Flyer
Black History Month
This annual event features a service at Perry’s historic New Bethel Baptist Church , now a part of Hometown Perry , Iowa , followed by a soup supper and presentation.
Press release
Cemetery Walk
In collaboration with Forest Park Museum , Hometown Perry, Iowa, hosts an annual guided walking tour in Perry’s Violet Hill Cemetery.  Participants visit the graves of several of Perry’s well-known late residents and study examples of gravestones and burial symbols.
Flyer
Sentimental Journey VII: Celebrating Business and Industry
This annual two-day event features food and craft vendors, displays, inflatable and carnival rides for kids, races, a memorial service, live music, and local businesses open for walking tours.  The 2006 event culminated with a concert by the Little River Band.
Press release
Arts and Crafts Walking Tour
This annual public walking tour features many Perry homes typical of the Arts and Crafts design style popular in the early 20th century.
Press release
Pioneer Day
This event for fourth-graders at Perry Elementary School was co-sponsored by Hometown Perry, Iowa and the Forest Park Museum.  Students participated in activities like soap carving, quilting, and cabin chores which would have been part of a pioneer student’s typical day.
Press release
Las Posadas
This annual Latin American event commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem features a prayer service, a singing procession through the streets of Perry, and a fiesta meal.
Press release
Performing Arts
Tomás Kubínek
In collaboration with the University of Iowa ’s Hancher Auditorium and the Perry Public Library, Hometown Perry welcomed Czechoslovakian performer Tomás Kubínek.  While still a teenager, Kubínek made his circus debut with a Brazilian clown duo.  Today he performs to packed theaters throughout the world.
Press Release
Macalester College Pipe Band
The Macalester College Pipe Band, which has a 50-year tradition playing the highland bagpipes and drums, gave a concert at the Perry High School football field.
Press release
San Jose Taiko Drummers
In collaboration with the University of Iowa ’s Hancher Auditorium, Hometown Perry welcomed the San Jose Taiko drummers to Perry.
Flyer
Magical Moonshine Puppet Theatre
Using original, large-scale puppets, masks and live music, internationally known puppeteers Michael and Valerie Nelson presented a collection of original dramas based on a Mexican version of Aesop’s Fables.
Press release
Other events
A Little Salsa on the Prairie premiere
The documentary A Little Salsa on the Prairie: The Changing Character of Perry, Iowapremiered in both English and Spanish at the Grand Theatre in Perry.   The film chronicles changes in Perry as an influx of Latino workers and their families came from as far away as Texas , California , Mexico and Central America to work at the meat packing plant.
Press release
Midwest Travel Writers Association Conference
Nearly 50 members of the Midwest Travel Writers Association (MTWA) traveled to Perry for a fall 2006 conference hosted by the Hotel Pattee and Hometown Perry, Iowa .
Iowa Tourism Office article