1,500 State Employees "Schmooze" at Annual OPEA Celebration

 

 

Paul Johnson, Cash Winner at OPEA Schmooza Palooza

 

More than 1,500 people showed up for OPEA’s “Schmooza Palooza,” the 12th Annual State Employee Appreciation Day held May 7th at the state Capitol.

 

“It was a resounding success,” said OPEA Deputy Director Scott Barger.  “The weather was perfect, the band was great and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

Sherry Gandy, Cash Winner at the Schmooza Palooza

 

The Oklahoma Employees Credit Union donated $500 in gift cards, and the winners included Ruth Johnson, Amy Gibson, Jennifer Deerinwater, Paul Johnson, Anetta Cooper, Sherry Gandy, Patti Pearce and Deanna Farmer. 

Amy Gibson, Cash Winner at the Schmooza Palooza

 

The Kelvin Drake Band provided live music, and featured old rock and roll classics like Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” and Otis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay.” 

 

Ruth Johnson, Cash Winner at the Schmooza Palooza

 

“At one point the hot dog line stretched from the Sequoyah Building, all the way back to the state Capitol building,” said Mark Beutler, Director of Communications.  “We learned a valuable lesson and next year will have at least two lines so we can get everyone through faster.”

Jennifer Deerinwater, Cash Winner at the Schmooza Palooza

 

A separate event was held Friday, May 8th at the state Kerr Building in Tulsa, with employees treated to a pizza lunch and additional prizes.

 

Deanna Farmer, Cash Winner at the Schmooza Palooza

 

 

Anetta Cooper, Cash Winner at the Schmooza Palooza

 

3 comments (Add your own)

1. Patti wrote:
Well, our agency didn't do anything at all to celebrate the event - so we were happy to be appreciated!

Fri, May 8, 2009 @ 12:47 PM

2. jo wrote:
Maybe you should have this event in conjunction with Lobby Day since the 1500 state employees from the Capitol do not manage to show up then! Apparently, they don't ever need a raise.

Fri, May 8, 2009 @ 1:06 PM

3. FattCatt wrote:
jo,

You are so right, maybe OPEA could serve lunch being people are coming to the Capitol for Lobby Day on their lunch break...it looks as if hotdogs are the way to go, being that they are cheap and easy. Pizza is also easy and popular.

>*x*<

Tue, May 12, 2009 @ 11:39 AM

Add a New Comment

Enter the code you see below:
code
 

Comment Guidelines: No HTML is allowed. Off-topic or inappropriate comments will be edited or deleted. Thanks.