Ed "Buxtehude" Laine has formally announced the winners of the 2006 Klutz of the Year competition. The members of the GOTC want to thank everyone who submitted an entry. Your extraordinary efforts helped us all feel a little bit better about ourselves. Now, on with the awards!

Mike Delp aka Nichol Dance Wins the Prestigious Rolf Trophy for 2006

The very first lines of the second paragraph of his short tale shows that the man fully understands what lies in the mental fiber of every true Klutz.

"I failed miserably last time I entered, but having remembrered that being a Klutz involves going beyond stupidity into the nether regions of the absolutely ridiculous, I will enter with this, but first, I digress:"

"Being a Klutz implies going ahead and doing something you know you shouldn't do for fear of amputation, instant mental breakdown, or even death. Like the time I spent whittling a fine bamboo rod grip on a slow day astream, hoping I might shape myself a fine thumb spot, ala an old SB 290. I got pickier and pickier and finally found the cane itself. Bob Summers kindly fixed it for me, for a tidy sum."

You can read the entire tale and see for yourself why Mike won this prestigious award right here >>

Rich Farino - 1st Runner-up

Richie Farino persisted in repeatedly doing the same thing, each time expecting the results would be different They weren't and though he has this experience under his belt, just as he had his run in with sunburn earlier, he'll keep on keeping on. It's our nature to do so.

Read all about Rich's adventure right here >>

Betty Hiner - 2nd Runner-up

Betty Hiner also found herself in dire straits but assumed that not all snow is deep and slippery and not all wet grassy slopes had any connection whatever to the laws of gravity. Congratulations Betty, you've made some real strides here to prove that women are every bit the equals of men when they apply themselves.

Read Betty's whole story right here >>

Joel Stewart - 3rd Runner-up

Joel achieved his status by facing a somewhat difficult situation (a wet and windy evening) and holding his ground until it became a dangerous storm. Steadfast in the face of a storm while camping and moving the Jeep nearer the tent as protection is tantamount to tying the boat tight to the dock in a storm and then staying in the boat instead of the boat house. That's a Navy man for you.

Read about Joel's storm right here >>

Jule "Streamer" McDowell - Honorable Mention

Streamer's madcap adventures which took place in 1986, did not qualify as an entry in the 2006 Competition. His fishing trip from start to finish rivaled that of our more recent legends, and there will be notice given that he stands tall alongside our earlier winners as a role model for those with yet unsullied careers afield and astream. Thank you for posting Streamer, you hit all the high notes with your enjoyable tale.

Streamer's misadventure(s) can be read right here >>

| 2007.02.08 |