Kindness made competition a success

To the Editor:

On July 19 the Ag Tractor and Lawn and Garden Tractor competition (at the Putnam County 4-H Fair) was held.

Eighteen kids participated in this event.

This is one competition that is strictly hands-on and no help from anyone. When a competitor climbs on his or her ag tractor or lawn tractor it is totally up to that individual to get through the obstacle course by his or herself.

In both categories there is a junior and senior division. The competition consist of a parts identification test, multiple choice question test and an obstacle driving course for each category and each division.

I would like to give a big thanks to my helpers this year, who were Devin Oxford, Darrell McHauge, Butch Hacker, Larry Miller, Jim Hazelwood, Brian Miller, Ryan Cooke and my wife Lauri Neeley. I would like to thank Ronald Sutherlin for the use of his hay wagon on both the practice and competition days.

I would like to thank Wal-Mart for the donation of ice and water. This was greatly appreciated by the kids.

I would like to give a special thanks to Humphreys Outdoor Power for allowing us to hold a meeting in their shop and loaning us a lawn tractor and an ag tractor for practice and competition.

When I went down to the fairgrounds the night before practice to check out the equipment and get it ready for use, I decided right then and there we were in trouble due to the condition of the equipment. For a moment I thought "Oh my gosh, these kids are not going to be able to have a competition this year."

So Saturday morning I went to Humphreys Outdoor Power to explain our situation to Brian Humphrey and before I got all my words out, Brian said, "Hey, we will be over there in 25 minutes with a new tractor and lawn mower for you to use."

No questions asked. How wonderful is that? Thank-you.

Hope to see you all next year. Now it's on to regionals and state for our winners.

Thanks so much.

Randy Neeley

Bainbridge