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State pauses to honor employees;
ITD finds fun ways to say 'thanks'

State employees from Bonners Ferry to Preston and every community between will be honored for their public service next week.

Idaho elected officials and department administrators will collectively express their appreciation during the 2005 Employee Recognition Week. The celebration will be as diverse as the workforce. ITD, which has one of the broadest reaches of all state departments, will say thanks to its employees, numbering more than 1,800, through a variety of events, at scattered locations and on varying dates.

A weeklong “thank-you” fest is planned at Headquarters, beginning with introduction of a Shining Star Wall of Fame and a candy jar guessing game on Monday. A five-day series of prize drawings also begins Monday.

The Employee Wellness committee will sponsor an afternoon walk followed by free root beer floats on Tuesday. Regular and sugar-free floats will be served from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the back patio near the break room. Those planning to indulge should indicate their preference in advance (see Headquarters e-mail distributed Thursday, April 28) for details.

Employees are invited to share their favorite cookie recipes in a Wednesday “bake-off.”

Each section is eligible to submit one cookie recipe. Entries must include a dozen cookies to be consumed by official, independent and highly qualified non-partisan taste-testers.

Registration information is available from Michelle Rowland . The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. today (Friday, April 29).

Engineering skills will be tested on Friday as all sections are eligible to participate in an egg-drop competition. Participants will design a protective device, attach a raw egg and launch the combination from a second-floor roof.

The team that creates the lightest protective device of a surviving egg will be declared the winner. Contact Rowland to enter. The deadline is today (Friday, April 29) at 5 p.m. Location of the egg drop will be announced during the week.

Winners of the candy-guess game also will be announced and the prize drawings will conclude on Friday.

Employee Recognition Day in District 1, Coeur d’Alene, is scheduled for May 19. It will include the district's traditional barbecue/potluck. District management staff will wear the aprons and cook the meal as a way of expressing their appreciation to employees. The district also will present service and safety awards, conduct an employee benefit and wellness fair and offer free health screenings for diabetes, hearing, glaucoma and eyesight.

Employees in District 4 are invited to participate in a Wellness Walk on May 11, followed by an ice cream social.

As part of the appreciation-week activities, ITD employees in District 6 will enjoy a feast of pizzas next week – probably on Wednesday – at the headquarters building in Rigby . Those who work at distant locations will have separate pizza parties.