Editor,

For the past 43 years Ken Hofkamp and his staff at Prairie Center Red Apple have provided outstanding service and generous support for our community. On Saturday, May 16, a jolly group of community members gathered at the store to show their gratitude with a surprise appreciation for Ken and his staff.

Special thanks to Mayor Nancy Conard for proclaiming May 16 to be “Ken Hofkamp Day,” Muriel Pickard (former owner of the Prairie Center) for presenting the binder of photos and cards to Ken, all of the groups and individuals that quietly left their wonderful contributions for the binder with Leslie Franzen at the library, Vern Olsen for his special “Red Apple Sign” song, the Shifty Sailors for musical accompaniment, Lyla Snover for creating the “Big Red Apple,” Linda Saylor for the fun grocery cart photo, Jim Short for the “Thanks Ken” banner, Joyce Peterson for the speaker, Peg Tennant for the riser, Ron Newberry for the great Examiner article and photos, Mike Pearson for coordinating at the PC and everyone that attended to thank Ken and his staff!

For well-wishers that missed the event because of other commitments you can view highlights of the event filmed by Sebastian Wurzrainer and Jerry Squire at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oBBWBM_sSI

It was great fun, and, no, Ken is not retiring, so you can look forward to more grocery receipts that show: Free Smile!! 🙂 $0.00

Margie Parker

Coupeville