Happenings in and around Perry

Annual Toy Drive

Toys to be collected through Dec. 2.

Boxes have been set out to collect toys for the annual toy drive. Boxes are located at Ben's Five and Dime, Perry Perk, Perry Public Library, Percival Scientific, Van Wall Equipment, Hy-Vee, Orschelns, Dollar General, Dollar Tree and the Hotel Pattee. Toys will be collected through Dec. 2 before being distributed to Perry-area youth. The box at Ben's will be out until Jan. 1 for after Christmas shopping.

Perry Rotary Auction

5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at Perry Elks Lodge.

The Perry Rotary Club will host its 21th Annual Charity Auction at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4. Tickets are $30. The funds from the auction provide a tremendous benefit to the Perry community.

Crossroads Church Care Closet

Nov. 4-5 at Crossroads Church, 2810 First St., Perry.

The Crossroads Church Care Closet will hold a grand opening on Nov. 4-5. The Care Closet will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first weekend of every other month. Everything is free, including clothing for men, women, boys and girls, kitchenware, small appliances and more. Donations will also be accepted from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and on days the Care Closet is open. For more information, call 515-465-5478.

Perry Fire Association Grab n Go Supper

5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at 908 Willis Ave., Perry.

The Perry Fire Association will host a Grab n Go Supper on Friday, Nov. 4 at the fire station. The menu includes a choice of hot dog, hamburger/cheeseburger, brat or pork loin sandwich, chips and a drink for $5. All proceeds will go to help offset the cost of equipment.

Perry High School Fall Play

7 p.m. Nov. 4-5 at Perry Performing Arts Center.

Perry High School will present “The Canterville Ghost” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5 in the Perry Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at bit.ly/PerryDramaCG, at the high school office or at the door.

Voas Volunteer Day

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Voas Nature Area, Minburn.

Have you ever asked yourself if there was a good way you could help wildlife? Not just temporarily picking up trash but something that had a long-lasting impact? For the last five summers, Dallas County Conservation Board has had 14 volunteers 10-14 years of age to help clear an oak-savanna area. We invite you to continue to clear the understory at this site. Summer is hot with mosquitos and poison ivy, but fall is crisp with no bugs or foliage. We will use hand saws and loppers to clear honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and small trees. Help us liberate these smothered “wolf” oaks. You’ll be home before the kickoff of your favorite team! Registration is required through Eventbrite.

Craft and Bake Sale, Soup Luncheon

Nov. 5-6 at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren, 24529 J. Ave. Adel.

Panther Creek Church of the Brethren will host a craft and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. The craft and bake sale with a soup luncheon will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. A free-will donation will be taken. The church is located 10 miles south of Perry.

Woodward Social Center Luncheon

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 at Woodward Social Center.

The Woodward Social Center will host a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7. The menu will include mostacciola pasta, garlic bread, lettuce salad and dessert. A free-will donation will be taken. For delivery, call 515-240-7476. Thank you for supporting the Woodward Social Center.

Heartland Church of Christ Free Community Supper

5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Heartland Church of Christ, 14417 J Ave, Perry.

All are welcome to join us at Heartland Church of Christ for supper on the second Wednesday of every month - no charge. Take a night off cooking and let us serve you!

Perry Veterans Day Program

10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11

Perry's annual Veterans Day program will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 in the Perry Performing Arts Center.

The Veterans Day events include a complimentary breakfast for veterans, active service members, National Guard and reserve personnel from 6-10 a.m. at Perry Hy-Vee followed by a Perry Chamber coffee at 8 a.m. The 32nd annual Perry High School Social Studies Department Veterans Day Panel Presentation will be held from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in the Perry Performing Arts Center. The panel, moderated by Gary Overla, will feature members of the Perry Area Veterans of Foreign Wars. The annual Veterans Day program will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon in the Perry High School Gym.

Veterans Day Supper

5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Minburn American Legion, 319 Baker St.

The Minburn American Legion Auxiliary invites community members to a Veterans Day Supper from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Legion building. Dine in, carryout or drive-through options will be available for the meal of pork loin, scalloped potatoes, green beans and apple crisp. This is free to all veterans.

Art on the Prairie Festival

Nov. 12-13 around Perry.

Art on the Prairie, an arts festival which showcases Iowa artists, musicians, and writers, returns for the 12th year on Nov. 12-13. This year's event will take place in eight historic downtown Perry buildings from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. The juried arts festival will feature 55 visual artists from across Iowa, displaying a variety of works including ceramics, painting, jewelry, photography, fiber and textiles, printmaking, glass, wood, and mixed media. The musical talents of 30 Iowa musicians will fill the historic venues with live acoustic, unplugged music for the two-day festival. Additionally, local artist displays and youth activities will again take place at the Perry Public Library, along with storytimes and performances in the Community Room. Find more details at www.artontheprairie.org.

Poetry on the Prairie

Nov. 12-13 at Studio on Second, Perry.

The written and spoken word have been a part of Art on the Prairie for years, but this year Poetry on the Prairie will be featured in its own venue with a full schedule of activities throughout the weekend, including a poetry slam, poetry readings, open mic opportunities for poetry lovers and workshops for aspiring poets. Poetry on the Prairie will feature 30 Iowa Poets, including Deb Marquart, Iowa State Poet Laureate. The festival weekend will kick-off with a Poetry Slam starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at Gamble Block Brewery, 1203 2nd St., emceed by Iowa Poetry Association Co-Chairs Kelsey Bigelow and Laura Johnson. Advance registration is suggested. For those who would like to participate, send an email to ipa@iowapoetry.com with "Slam Entry" in the subject line by Friday, Nov. 4. A complete list of the Poetry on the Prairie activities can be found at www.iowapoetry.com along with artist bios and registration links.

Veterans Day Coffee

9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Woodward Legion Post, southside of Woodward by the golf course.

The Woodward American Legion Auxiliary invites all area veterans and their families to a free coffee time from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12. Meet fellow veterans in the area and their families while enjoying coffee/juice and continental breakfast items.

Mobile Food Pantry

8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Crossroads Church.

Crossroads Church will host a mobile food pantry from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.

To submit events to be included in the Happenings in and around Perry round-up, email news@theperrychief.com.

This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Happenings in and around Perry