: 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

- does Nick still have it? I would have thought some enterprising art thief would have off'd it by now! Perhaps Sotherby's should do an authentication first . . .