By PETE FONTAINE

    Tri-City Lodge No. 14, on West Shore Road in Warwick, held a ceremony to install new officers on Sunday night in it’s first ever use of it’s newly named “Eaton Hall”.

     In honor of past Exalted Rulers Mark Eaton and his wife Lori Eaton, who have worn numerous hats and made countless contributions to the Tri-City Lodge and RI Association of Elks in general, Exalted Ruler Jim Fletcher proposed the room be renamed in their honor earlier this month.

     On March 1, Fletcher, who has been installed for a second term, entertained a proposal to name the room in honor of the Mark and Lori Eaton to thank them for their long-standing dedication to Lodge 14.

     There was a second to the motion, that was unanimously passed, and the lodge’s meeting room officially became known as “Eaton Hall.”

     “What a fitting honor for Mark and Lori,” was one of many comments that echoed through the room. “They are certainly deserving of such a huge honor.”

     Sunday’s installation ceremony epitomized the virtues of Elkdom and began with the Pledge of Allegiance before a number of rituals which were performed by top-ranking dignitaries beginning with Special Deputy Leo Blanchette, district deputy grand exalted ruler east, who lives in Warwick.

     “Congratulations for a GREAT year,” Blanchette began while addressing the overflow crowd. “It is all good here at Tri-City. This is fastest growing and most productive lodge in the state. They do a fantastic job and make sure everything is right.”

     Tri-City, as people learned Sunday, has surpassed the 1,000-member mark during a time when other fraternal organizations and similar groups are experiencing many problems.

     To which Patti Baccus, president of the RI Association of Elks who was on hand with her suite of officers, offered a brief yet impressive delivery: “Thank you to everyone for a job well done.”

     Much of the speaking was done by Francis “Butch” Dejarlais, district deputy grand exalter ruler east, who performed the actual installation of Fletcher and his outstanding officers for the 2023-24 year.

     The entire list and their respective offices are: Richard Swanson, Esteemed Leading Knight; Kimberly Swanson, Esteemed Loyal Knight; Eric Lopes, Esteemed Leading Knight; Mark Merlino, Secretary; Marianne Beirne, Treasurer; Elizabeth Mash, Chaplin; Ann Licciardi, Inner Guard; Ted Contois, Tiler; and Kristine St. Pierre, Esquire.

     The slate, which includes trustees who serve from one to five-year terms, included: Donna Warner, SVP; Mark Eaton, GLC; Bob Hartington, PER; Deb Mangina, PER and Lori Eaton, PER.

     Perhaps the post-installation ceremony, which concluded with the traditional presentation of gifts followed by a delicious smoked pork and chicken dinner with all the trimmings, was the afternoon’s most special moment.

     Take for example when Fletcher asked the Esquire to accompany his mother to the altar where he presented Cindy Fletcher with a love-filled bouquet of flowers as the sound of oohs and aahs filled the room.

     The Citizen of the Year Award went to Lori Eaton, who Blanchette said, “heads the veterans committee and does a phenomenal job making sure we help as many of our valuable veterans as possible.”

     A thundering round of applause and cheers filled Eaton Hall when Fletcher presented Rob Caramante, Tri-City’s long-serving and popular music man, who plays during all of the events for Lodge 14, with the Elk of the Year Award.

     Rick Swanson, a distinguished veteran Rhode Island State Trooper, was honored with the Officer of the Year Award and, with his wife Kimberly Swanson, became only the second Lodge 14 husband and wife team to hold office.