Swiss American Club » Page 2 of 11

In 1998, Peter Zahner and Rita Rüedi took the initiative to found the SWISS AMERICAN CLUB OF SW FLORIDA. On November 25, 1998, the inauguration was highly successful and very dignified in a celebration at the “Kensington Golf– and Country Club”, Naples.

Over 130 Swiss, from Marco Island to Englewood, decided spontaneously to join the newly founded Club.

After the approval of the bi-laws, the first Board of Directors was elected. The following persons made themselves available:

Peter Moser (President) – 1998 – 2005
Peter Zahner (Vice-President) – 1998 – 2004
René Inderbitzin (Secretary) – 1998 – 2000
Therese Zahner (Treasurer) – 1998 - 2009
Rita Rüedi (Events and Public Relations) – 1998 – 2002

Since the Club’s inception, members and their guests met once a month for informal meetings. Despite the fact that it was not always easy to find a suitable location between Marco Island and Englewood, the Board of Directors has successfully organized over 120 events.
The Board’s purpose was to always find new ways to create an interesting and challenging program to enhance the Club’s life.

Some of the most popular events are:
The New Year’s Cruise, the Fondue Evening, the Beach Picnic, the Swiss National Day Celebration, Bowling, Golf and of course, our always successful Santa Claus Party at our President’s estate.

In 2001, it was our Club, who established the first Swiss Club web page in the US. The address is www.swissamericanclub.com. Our seasonal members especially appreciate learning about the Club happenings while abroad.
Up to this very day, our long-standing member, Peter Zahner, is professionally looking after our website and, of course, is reliably updating the information as soon as it is available.

It is not a surprise that among the members of our still young Club many friendships have developed over the years, which have resulted in personal contacts and private parties. The successful mixture of the Swiss foreigners abroad with the so-called “snowbirds” has led to many interesting exchanges of information, as well as, good dialogues among the newfound friendships.

Today, a special thanks is owed to the Board of Directors of our Club. Without the big devoted effort of the following ladies and gentlemen, the Swiss Club of SW Florida would not exist:

- Rosmarie Strother, since 2000 – President since 2005
- Werner Christinger, since 2004 – Vice-President
- Jean Kipfer, since 2006 – Secretary
- Therese Zahner, since 1998 – Treasurer
- Walter Heierli, since 2004
- Dori Moser, since 2007 – Events

We address a special thank you to our treasurer, Therese Zahner. Since our Club was founded ten years ago, she has professionally managed the books and under her supervision the Club’s assets have grown to over $ 8,000. --.
Let’s also mention that Thesi performed a perfect job, collecting the dues for over 120 events where she took part personally. This remarkable attendance and commitment deserves a special recognition!

Today, we would like to celebrate those members who have been faithful to our Club for the past ten years up to the very day:

Hans Frieder and Heidi Adolff
Hansruedi and Vreni Gerber
Heinz and Sandra Horisberger *
Peter and Dori Moser
Adolf and Astrid Schandroch *
Franz Josef and Dagmar Schmid
Peter and Madeleine Schmid
Esther Sworney *
Willem and Ursula Van Hobocken *
Hans and Sylvia Wenger
Peter and Therese Zahner
Beat* and Margrit Zumstein

*) not on the picture

Many thanks for your loyalty and your interest in the functions of our Club.