It was "speed dating" — with a twist. These weren't singles who briefly met across restaurant tables, sized each other up and narrowed down the potential dating pool.

Instead, a recent lunchtime event sponsored by the New Mexico Health Department saw tables filled with representatives of local organizations that partner with the agency to offer health-related programs and other community services.

With the clock ticking, participants moved from table to table. For each stop, everyone at the table was given a short block of time to introduce himself or herself and talk about the programs and services their organization provides.

More than 30 participants attended, including representatives from Presbyterian Medical Services, LifeLink, Santa Fe Public Schools, The Young Fathers Project and Catholic Charities. Also at each table were Health Department employees who described the local Health Office programs they represent, among them: Children's Medical Services, WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Healthy Families First/Primeros Pasos.

Participants may not have gone home with stars in their eyes. But they left with a greater knowledge of services available for area families. And they had fun meeting face-to-face with peers who help provide those services, organizers said.

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Hard work, heroism and even excellence in routine day-to-day tasks were recognized during the State Parks Division's annual awards ceremony, held in October in Tucumcari. The division is part of the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

The division's Exemplary Park Award went to Bottomless Lakes State Park, near Roswell. The park, among the smallest in New Mexico, was spotlighted for its strong visitation numbers and revenue generation, as well as for maintaining "exceptional facilities for the public."

Park Superintendent Steve Patterson credited his "dedicated, hard-working crew" for the park's success.

The Governor's Award, the highest honor given to a field employee, was presented to Cimarron Canyon State Park Manager Daniel Gurule. Gurule "kept the park safe and well maintained" despite severe staff shortages during the past year, his nominators said. Gurule's wife, Carole Gurule, received the agency's Spouse Award for donating time and effort in helping her husband at the park.

Lifesaving Awards went to Joe Blan and Bill Christy, rangers at Clayton Lake State Park; Officer Manny Sanchez at Elephant Butte Lake State Park; and Jason Gonzalez and Abdon Aguirre, employees at Caballo Lake, all of whom took action that resulted in saving members of the public from drowning.

State Parks' Southeast Regional Manager Alan Fiala was honored with the Secretary's Award for bringing "consistency and quality to park operations through hiring, training and retaining key regional staff."

Customer Service Awards, for "friendly, knowledgeable and helpful" park employees, went to Armando Martinez Jr. at Pancho Villa State Park and Kevin Wilcox at Elephant Butte Lake State Park. For sustaining a "high level of performance in routine tasks," the Director's Award was presented to Larry Herrera at Caballo Lake State Park, Steve Cary of the Santa Fe Office, Alan Adkin at Navajo Lake State Park, Ramona Aguirre at Elephant Butte Lake State Park and Greg Romero at Sugarite Canyon State Park.

If you have news about a public employee, contact Fauntleroy at gussie7@fairpoint.net