Traveling Treats Passes Go
Or, Get Out of Jail Free

by Zach Luther

The sun came out and the birds were chirping on May 6th, providing a perfect atmosphere for us to get out of the office and meet our fellow FM employees. Every department participated, giving everyone the opportunity to visit people, buildings and offices they’d never seen before. This event even offered something for those veterans who’ve seen it all before, because each office had food, decorations and trivia questions to keep visitors entertained.

Thanks to Michael Fero (Treasury), everyone received an FMonopoly board to carry with them on their travels. At each stop one square was punched out, and if the traveler managed to answer a trivia question correctly, he or she got two more holes punched. Anyone who visited all of the departments on the board was eligible for a drawing, and anyone who managed to get all of the holes punched out received a $2 coffee card. After the event, ten winners were draw from the most prolific travelers, with each winner receiving a $10 gift certificate. The winners were Heidi Anderson (SFS), Eva Lu (GCA), Gerald Pearson (SFS), Shari Spung (Risk Management), Diane Cooley (SFS), Shara Hayden (Risk Management), KyraWorrell (SFS), DonnaSunkel (MAA), Scott Ulrich (Payroll), and JoanneMatson (Treasury).

Many of the departments got very creative with their themes. Because of our overall “Monopoly” motif each department already had a color assigned to it, and some of the departments made that an integral part of their decorations. Payroll was especially successful at using the color green: On a green table under a green “money tree,” they had a number of food dishes, and every single one was green. Green Rice Krispies treats, green apples, green corn chips; it makes sense that Payroll would know so much about green!

Another impressive display of decorations was in GCA. At the area dubbed the “Reconciliation Ranch”, Tami Sadusky (GCA) wore a cowgirl outfit complete with hat and chaps, and the area was decorated with a hay bale, a horse, and a cow. Further along into the department, fortune cookies were being given out. Frank Montgomery (FM Admin) received the following fortune: “You Are the Master of Every Situation.” Oddly appropriate for someone with the title “Controller,” don’t you think?

The Travel Office was having a grand time putting people into Jail (but don’t worry, they were soon released for good behavior), and the walk up to the Treasury was well worth the time, thanks to the marvelous view, friendly folks and delicious ice cream bars.