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Riding to Remember, Journey Inspires Cyclist
By
Carol L. Spence
 LEXINGTON, Ky., (June 27, 2007) – From the ceremonial dipping of
the rear tire into the cold Pacific Ocean to navigating over the
snowy Sierra Nevada mountains, across the alkaline deserts of
Nevada and Utah and cresting the Rocky Mountains in Colorado,
Wayne Hoover is in the beginning legs of a
coast-to-coast bicycle journey
to honor the memory of his friend Larry Turner.
Turner, associate dean for extension in the University of
Kentucky College of Agriculture and director of the Kentucky
Cooperative Extension Service, perished in the crash of Comair
Flight 5191. He was a man who faced many personal trials in his
life. It is the memory of his perseverance that Hoover uses as
fuel for his 3,850-mile journey from California to New
Hampshire.
“He was an incredible man, who had every right to complain about
his health or the circumstances he found himself in, but never
did,” remembers Hoover in the prologue to his online blog. “He
chose to look at the bright side of every situation, he chose to
have faith in people and loved to see others fulfill their
potential.”
Turner was raised on an Indiana farm and spent his youth
actively involved in 4-H, becoming a junior leader in the
organization. He developed a deep appreciation for 4-H and all
aspects of the Cooperative Extension Service. As an extension
professional, Turner often described the service in three words,
“people, programs and partnerships.” To Hoover, the
cross-country challenge is an ideal way to illustrate his
friend’s words, since it requires the support of people and
partnerships such as R.J. Corman Railroad Group in
Nicholasville; Lancaster Market and Rocky Top Log Furniture and
Railing, both located in Lancaster; Lexington Diagnostic Center
& Open MRI, Sloan Scott Custom Cabinetry, Simpson Optical,
Ad-Venture Promotions, all in Lexington; and Chick-Fil-A.
Individual supporters include Charlie & Deb Kratzer, Dr. Ardis
Hoven and Ron Sanders, Andy and Nicole Logan, Ed and Diane
Monahan, all of Lexington, and Steve and Joanne King of
Nicholasville, Dee and Alan Campbell, and Insignia Salon.
 Hoover’s trek is not merely a personal tribute to his friend. He
hopes the story of his journey will inspire people to contribute
to the Kentucky 4-H Foundation and the Larry W. Turner
Scholarship Fund in the UK College of Agriculture, two programs
that benefit the youth of Kentucky. This, according to Marci
Hicks, development director for the UK College of Agriculture,
“furthers the mission and ideals that Dr. Turner represented and
worked toward during his life.”
Because Hoover’s 13-state odyssey is fully sponsored by
businesses and individuals, funds raised over the 52-day trip
will be designated in their entirety to either 4-H or the
scholarship fund. Hoover also hopes that 4-H’ers in other states
will consider holding fund drives to raise money for their own
4-H activities. Though they may not have had the opportunity to
know Turner, Hoover thinks young people everywhere can learn
from his example.
“You can impact your fellow man and society for good in ways you
cannot even imagine if you just don’t limit yourself, if you
just don’t look at the restrictions and the negatives that
happen every day,” he said. “If you look past that, you can
really make a difference, and Larry was one of those who did.”
A journey such as the one Hoover is taking is filled with new
people and wondrous sights, as well as time for introspection.
His
daily blog is filled with vivid
descriptions of the variety this country offers.
“The biggest thing that has impressed me is the size and scope
of this great land,” said Hoover from Colorado. “The people have
been awesome, but you really begin to realize the significant
role that agriculture has and continues to play in almost every
community in the country. In a small way, I am beginning to
understand Larry’s dream of developing leaders in the
agriculture field who will in turn help us all. This challenge
is an opportunity for people to give to that cause, to further
that dream and help future generations, not only here, but
around the world.”
With the crests of the Rockies, the breadth of the Great Plains
and the northern reaches of the Appalachians still in front of
him, Hoover wrote in an e-mail from Colorado, “Each day presents
its own struggles, but just like Larry, we have to overcome them
if we are to make progress towards our goal. Our goal is to
continue the legacy of a great man and a great dreamer. Your
gifts can make that happen.”
Hoover’s daily trip blog and information about contributing to
the Kentucky 4-H Foundation or the Larry W. Turner Scholarship
Fund can be found on the Web at
http://imperator.ca.uky.edu/turnerchallenge or by
calling your local extension office.
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Contact: Wayne Hoover, 859-983-1382
Marci Hicks, 859-257-7200
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The UK College
of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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Copyright © 2001-2006 University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture,
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service |
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