Our

Spring

Banquet

Saturday, May 4, 2002
The Fireside Room at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Officers Club was again the site of our Annual Spring Banquet.  And the 2002 edition was no less festive and congenial than those of years past.  Highlights included opening remarks by Chapter Prez Randy Gallas; a catered beef and chicken dinner; a lively and highly informative slide presentation by Jackie Esposito, University Archivist; recognition of individual contributions to the chapter throughout the preceding year; distribution of blue paper-holders commemorating the 30 years (1971 to 2001) of history and activity of the chapter; and, the installation of Vic Folwarczny as our chapter's new president.
Special thanks go to Randy Gallas for making banquet arrangements with the Officers Club and the caterer, to Vic Folwarczny for coordinating the many details associated with Ms. Esposito's appearance, and to Edie Kreider for her e-mailing list and consummate communications skills in providing timely and accurate information about the banquet.
Penn Staters attending the banquet included:  Mike and Mary Beth Anthony, Bill Ashbaugh, Merrill and Roseanne Boone, Ken Copella, Ed Daniel, Bernie and Priscilla DeLong, Jackie Esposito, Art Feliciangeli, Vic Folwarczny and Sandy Wallace, Bill Fry, Randy and Ann Gallas, Bob and Janie Gehman, John Glaser, Bob and Edie Kreider, Dave Romanko, Ron and Rae Siders, Carolyn Spiller, Wayne and Aimee Thor, Larry and Paige Walko, John and Ruth Whitaker, and Jerry and Collette Zollars.
Scroll down the page for some glimpses of what was "goin' on" that evening . . .
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Sandy Wallace, Vic Folwarczny, Jerry Zollars, and Bob Kreider enjoy their first round of libations, generously provided to all by Prez Randy Gallas.
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Merrill and Roseanne Boone are pictured here, along with Edie Kreider, shortly after their arrival at the Officers Club.
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Wayne Thor cheerfully makes his point on some weighty issue.  Bill Ashbaugh contemplates.
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Ann Gallas (center) gleefully explains to Janie Gehman (left) and Rae Siders (right) how she conned Randy into springing for the first round of drinks for everyone.
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Ken Copella and John Glaser pause long enough to smile for the camera.  Do these guys look good or what!?
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Here we see Mike Anthony and Dave Romanko chillin' out — waiting for dinner to be served.
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The Congeniality Award goes to Rae and Ron Siders!
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They are Penn State Proud! — John and Ruth Whitaker and Priscilla and Bernie DeLong.  But the big question is:  "Where is Bernie's JoePa coffee mug?"
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Here's Randy at the podium, flanked by the Nittany Lion and our new commemorative
paper-holders, ready to get the evening's proceedings underway.
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Here's the notorious Table 1.  These folks made so much noise they had to be quieted from across the room by (can you believe this?) none other than Edie Kreider!  Starting at left are:  Janie Gehman, Rae Siders, Ron Siders, Larry Walko, Paige Walko, Dave Romanko, and John Glaser.  Bob Gehman is behind the camera.
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Here's the more "sedate" crowd at Table 2.  Clockwise from left:  Bill Ashbaugh, Carolyn Spiller, Edie Kreider, Bob Kreider, Ann Gallas, Randy Gallas, Jackie Esposito, Vic Folwarczny, and Sandy Wallace.
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The folks at Table 3 seem to have their act together and, to our knowledge, caused no outright disturbances.  From front bottom and clockwise:  Ed Daniel, Art Feliciangeli, Merrill Boone, Roseanne Boone, Jerry Zollars, Collette Zollars, Ken Copella, and Bill Fry. 
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Exemplary behavior was the order of the evening for Table 4.  From bottom front and clockwise we see:  Bernie DeLong, Priscilla DeLong, John Whitaker, Ruth Whitaker, Wayne Thor, Aimee Thor, Mike Anthony (partially hidden), and Mary Beth Anthony.
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Jackie Esposito relates a particularly humorous anecdote during her presentation.  Vic
Folwarczny and Collette Zollars are highly amused.  (To learn more about "All Things
Nittany," point your browser to:  http://www.psu.edu/ur/about/nittany.html ) 
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In gratitude and appreciation, Randy presents Jackie with gift from the chapter.
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Let mirth prevail!!  Randy and Edie banter as he presents her with a token of his heartfelt appreciation for her tireless efforts in supporting the chapter throughout the year.

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After a thunderous accolade in recognition of his outstanding service to the chapter, Randy shows the gift he received acknowledging his accomplishments.  Thanks for all you've done, Randy!!
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Randy offers closing remarks, in preparation for turning over his duties as president to Vic.
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Vic addresses chapter members as he accepts the chapter presidency and announces goals for the coming year.
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Rae and Edie check out Every Saturday in Autumn.
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Oh, no!  Edie has again spotted the wood-grain "dogs" in the Fireside Room's ceiling beams.  Larry Walko is trying very hard to spot them too.  Don't strain your eyes, Larry.  Jackie and Sandy hold their heads in disbelief.