As we enjoy another Thanksgiving that can't be beat, I was reading our local Athens rag, The Flagpole (www.flagpole.com). In the editorial fronting the paper is Pete McCommons piece on Thanskgiving and how he reads the holiday. He meanders through his experience, and wraps it up with his observation that, as an editor and writer, he is thankful for his readers. Those people that are "bright, intelligent, engaged citizens" etc. I smiled as I read his view that he was padding his column and then coming to an epiphany that it was worth it, after all, to reflect and come to an understanding of his own view of the holiday. I had dinner at Nathan's house (Nathan is the 'N' in NPR Ducati, and his brother-in-law, Terry, delights in stuffing his guests with all manner of comestible delights) on Thanksgiving and the ritual go around the table and tell what you're thankful for came up. In my turn, I allowed that I was thankful for my shiny new niece Valerie is here and well. 
But there's more to this year than personal gratitude for family blessings. Here we stand, at the ending of 2007, having experienced the culmination of all things Ducati. The list is long and most Ducatisti already have some awareness of the Ducati World outside their surroundings, but I should mention a few of the highlights from my perspective.

• The first item has to be Casey Stoner dominating the most prestigious race series in the motorcycle world, MotoGP. Not only did he win the championship, but Ducati came home with the Team and Contructor championships as well. The diminutive Aussie kicked ass all season, and sealed the Championship with three races left in the season.
• The second thing to be thankful for is-surprise-the Hypermotard. The new bike is an absolute gas to ride, and a venture one might not expect from Ducati. That's what makes it all the better. As good as the Superbikes are, they are what Ducati is known for, after all, and the fact that they have a Superbike that is all-conquering is not the biggest news for most riders. If you haven't ridden one, come and try it. There is no reason for this bike to exist except that it is downright fun to ride.
• Third thing, the 1098. While Superbikes are Ducati's bread and butter, being known for them and then actually building the most-anticipated bike in ten years are Two Different Things, as Peter Eagan might say. And there's no doubt that they have hit a home run with this bike. It is lighter and faster than anything to ever come out of Bologna. And it looks like a Ducati. No excuses, no spin. Ride it and see.
• The Fourth thing on my list has to do with the changing of guard at Ducati Motor Holding. I have never seen the company more excited to be buidling motorcycles than currrently. There were plenty of the Ducati faithful that were sorry to see Minoli, the previous leader, leave the company last May, and wonder what his replacement had in store for the future. After having met "the new guy" Gabriele del Torchio, I have to say wait and see what they can do now. Ducati have some formidable new bikes on the horizon-we're eagerly awaiting the new 848 here at the shop-and a forward looking and ambitious strategy that will see great things in the next few years. Quality is emphasized over and over when talking to the factory folks, and performance is their mantra for the new bikes coming out. Stay tuned.
• Lastly, and most important, has to do with what we-all do with the Ducati community. Our first year has been a pretty good ride-we garnered the Best New Dealer Award for all of North America-but have lots in store for 2008. Like the editor of our paper here in our small town, I value our riders and know that it is y'all that give us a reason to work twelve hours a day. That's all of you, from Brisbane Australia to right down the street here in Athens.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Paul