To view photos of the event, click here

America the Beautiful was the theme of our Installation of new officers for the 2002-2003 term by Past Governor of District IX, Mary K. Sherman. Each of the new board members received a historic document from American History as they took the oath of office.

Keeping with the patriotic theme, Past-president Ruth Cisowski presided over the end of term of office for Patricia Thomas-Scribner while dressed as Abraham Lincoln. Although Tricia is beginning a second term as President, we felt it was fitting to introduce the new club members to a bit of frivolity to see just how much fun Zontians can have.

Christine Paulsen and Betty Norton worked with amazing speed to decorate the banquet room at the Plug Nickel to resemble a convention hall. Posters of Tricia adorned the walls with election banners and posters to match which guests raised to cheer on their candidate for President.

"Abe" gave a speech in the format of the Gettysburg Address exhorting Tricia's accomplishments during her first year as President with a remarkable power-point slideshow prepared and executed by club webmistress Christine Paulsen. Christine had compiled a "living" history superimposing photos of Tricia onto famous statues such as the Statue of Liberty, Lady Justice, and some comical figures portraying Tricia as an artist, computer-whiz, complete with exploding fireworks and high-kicking chorus-line girls. As Ruth spoke, each slide would change revealing a pictorial snapshot of Tricia's club duties, hobbies, and family.

Of course the evening would not have been as much fun if we had not taken the time to dress Tricia up as "Lady Liberty" complete with green toga, crown, and torch. We presented her with an oversized teacup, Special Kids Day Hat and a T-shirt with a collage of photos from the event. Tricia then proceeded to hand out her awards to outstanding club members - Jeannine Tieri received the Spirit Award, Lou Kalof - Rookie of the Year Award, Christine Paulsen - Communication Award, Betty Norton - President's Advisor Award, and Joyce Moore - Zontian of the Year.

Tricia also gave each one of her outgoing board members a framed collage photo of all the outgoing board and a pearl necklace to go with the earrings presented at the beginning of the term. The outgoing Board presented Tricia with a beautiful engraved Tray.