Vignettes from Tuesday's inauguration of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett in Harrisburg:

Former Gov. Dick Thornburgh, a Republican who governed from 1979 to 1987, said the tone of Corbett's speech was serious."These are serious times, we've got serious problems to deal with and it would be a mistake to take other than a deadly serious approach to the task he's undertaking. ... Tom went out of his way to speak to the need for civility, speak to the need for frugality, the need for reform."Former Gov. Mark Schweiker said Corbett's relationship with the House and Senate will be a top priority as he addresses the state's projected multibillion-dollar budget deficit."Having been in his shoes as governor, I feel like it's going to be a tough run, but the reality is, in modern day governing, it's always tough," Schweiker said.Two friends from Philadelphia, Rachelle Aquilla and Cheryl Jacobs Viscomi, both 57, attended their first inauguration together. On the trip to Harrisburg on Monday, they saw then-Gov. Ed Rendell at a turnpike rest stop and took a photo with him. Monday night, they saw Gov. Tom Corbett at the Hotel Hershey and took a photo with him."It's always inspiring, every change of guard," said Jacobs Viscomi." That's what keeps our nation strong. ... It's just very American and I think we forget that."Both enjoyed the trip even though Aquilla, a registered Democrat, would not say whether she voted for Corbett."I will support him because that's who the people chose," she said, "and that's important to me."More than 100 people protesting natural gas drilling gathered on the south side of the Capitol, chanting, holding signs and unfurling banners before and during the inauguration ceremony. One sign said, "The Crowning of Tom Corporate, the Gas King," a reference to him accepting heavy campaign donations from people in the industry.Their cow bells, whistles and shouts could be heard throughout the ceremony, prompting Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati to wisecrack that the First Amendment is "alive and well."Jet Miskis, 54, of Venetia in southwest Pennsylvania, was one of the protesters. She said she's not against deep shale drilling, but thinks it should be put on hold in Pennsylvania until studies can prove that it does not have a negative impact on drinking water."Our biggest concern right now is the water," Miskis said. "Where are the studies to show that this is safe?"Former Gov. Tom Ridge, a Republican who governed from 1995 to 2001 and who is a public relations consultant to the natural gas drilling industry in Pennsylvania, said he didn't mind the protests."I don't think they convinced anybody here," Ridge said. "It's interesting that at a time when everybody is calling for more civility in public discourse, a group of people it's every bit their right, the First Amendment try to drown out a man who's given a career of public service."The inaugural ball attended by several thousand was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, which gave little hint that the space had been occupied by farm vehicles and food vending equipment as late as Sunday. The overhaul complete, revelers, some wearing tuxedos and evening dresses, ate, drank and danced to big bands covering tunes ranging from Bobby Vinton and Glenn Miller to the Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga.