Well, the time has come. Nick Shade's reign as the King of Dookey-Schmutz is nearing its end and come the end of December, we must move forward. Nick has held the title of Dookey-Schmutz Award Winner for 2012 with honor, grace and a little humor (see his moving trophy video) and now understands that he must pull his tightly clutched award from his chest, release his grip on it and pass it on to someone else.

I have conferred with Nick and we had two names to consider for the annual Dookey-Schmutz award for 2013. This, of course, implies that not only to we have the 2013 award recipient selected but we have a name for 2014 as well. Both are excellent choices. Nick will be sending the 2013 award to the new holder of detritus from two different shops: mine and his. I have asked Nick and I will ask all future recipients to add their two bits worth of shop junk to the trophy before they send it off to the next ummmm...winner, if you consider receiving other folks shop junk as winning.

To remind y'all: the award goes to a person who is either a long time contributor or one who adds to the site in such a way that good building knowledge is passed on to newbies and those who are grateful. The winner should also add some personality to their posts in whatever form it takes. The purpose of the award is to have a little fun with each other and touch each other in a way we can all relate to. Site users originate from around the world but this is no detriment to receiving the award: it will be mailed to wherever it needs to go to get a smile and a laugh and to remind the recipient and the rest of us that we are all in this together and perhaps mutually addicted to a hobby/lifestyle which only we know best. I will remind y'all that this is not a popularity contest...it is all for fun and whatever else comes of it. There is practically no criterion for who gets the award. The beauty of this award for past recipients is that we get to clear out some of the accumulated junk that hits the floor and send it off to someone else to enjoy. I am sure you will all agree with the next two recipients as they are revealed. The 2013 recipient will be revealed when the time comes..that'll be when this so deserving person has it in a white-knuckled, chest hugging and defensive posture. We should know who the recipient is by late December or early January, whenever it is sent out.

Robert N Pruden