THE FIFTH ANNUAL OUTDOOR RAILROADER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
By Don. M. Scott, J.D.,
Railroad Man, Panel Chairman
Editor's Note: The following is a transcript of the presentation speech by Don M. Scott, Railroad Man, at the Fifth Annual Outdoor Railroader Achievement Awards banquet. It may be of some interest that, at the time of this writing, the magazine is only two years old.
IT IS OBVIOUS our hobby attracts the most exceptional people. They are many and their contributions benefit more than the hobby alone. Indeed, such contributions extend to the very core of human existence on our planet and to the entire universe.
The tireless work of such exceptional large scale model railroaders has made the world a better place to live and raise a family. Yet, as much as they have achieved, their contributions pale in comparison to those of a few even more outstanding individuals whose names I am about to present.
But first, I wish to join the entire management and staff of Outdoor Railroader in expressing our heartfelt thanks to those hobbyists who, when asked to participate in the most difficult of decisions, selflessly volunteered their time and effort by selecting the award winners in the categories that follow. It is because of such selflessness that our hobby shall go on to become the finest in the history of the world!
As to the categories themselves, although they are many, the response from across our great land was overwhelming. It is impossible to list all the nominees and, of course, each is most deserving in his or her own way. Each is unique and has shown a genuine interest in the hobby with motivations transcending some cheesy, money-grubbing, greedy, slimy profit motive but rather-and I am certain you join me in my admiration-by a true and altruistic desire to improve the lot of the hobby and mankind in general.
Without further delay, then, I present the recipients of the Fifth Annual Outdoor Railroader Achievement Awards-the most lofty and prestigious recognition of excellence in our Great Hobby!
THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Mr. Russ Reinberg, Editor and Publisher of Outdoor Railroader Magazine.
BEST PUBLISHER OF A HOBBY, ANIMAL, OR GIRLIE MAGAZINE: Mr. Russ Reinberg, Editor and Publisher of Outdoor Railroader Magazine.
BEST WRITER OF RAILROAD ROMANCE NOVELS: Mr. Russ Reinberg, Editor and Publisher of Outdoor Railroader Magazine.
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER OF LARGE SCALE TRAINS: Mr. Fred Jukes, Official Photographer, Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad and Member, Outdoor Railroader Staff.
BEST USE OF SAUSAGE IN A MODEL RAILROAD CONTEXT: Mr. Russ Reinberg, Editor and Publisher of Outdoor Railroader Magazine.
BEST USE OF SAUSAGE IN A NON-MODEL RAILROAD CONTEXT: Mr. Larry Larsen, Art Director and Typographer of Outdoor Railroader Magazine.
MOST PECULIAR PERSON CURRENTLY ACTIVE IN THE HOBBY: Don. M. Scott, Railroad Man, Outdoor Railroader Magazine Staff Member and Intermittent Contributor.
ODDEST-LOOKING PERSON CURRENTLY ACTIVE IN THE HOBBY: Mr. Larry Larsen, Art Director and Typographer of Outdoor Railroader Magazine.
MOST NEATEST CAT CURRENTLY ACTIVE IN THE HOBBY: Tie between Boris Cattus Beastus Fang Monster, Owner and Biter of Don. M. Scott, Railroad Man, Outdoor Railroader Magazine Staff Member and Intermittent Contributor and Pounceford The Wonder Cat, Senior Staff Member, Chairman, and Majority Shareholder, Outdoor Railroader Magazine.
