Seventh Annual "Heroes, Saints and Legends"

Three seniors are selected each year who have made unique contributions to life in Kentucky and who represent achievement and commitment to the betterment of life in their churches and communities.

This year's honorees are J. Wiley Finney, Jr., Homer C. Ledford, and Isabel M. Yates.

J. Wiley Finney has had a successful career as a businessman and sanitary engineer. After 20 years of employment by the Tennessee Department of Public Health, he moved to Lexington and spent the following years as part of the engineering consulting firm of Howard K. Bell, later named its president. He and his wife, Hazel, became charter members of Southern Hills United Methodist Church in Lexington. At the age of 92, Mr. Finnley continues to be active in a number of community organizations including Meals on Wheels and Senior Volunteers for Harrison Elementary School.

Homer C. Ledford is an accomplished musician who has received international recognition for his Bluegrass music as well as his expertise in crafting musical instruments. He has crafted nearly 6,000 dulcimers as well as many other stringed instruments. Three of his instruments are on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. When he is not traveling, he often plays as part of the worship services at First United Methodist Church in Winchester, where and his wife, Colista, are members. At 76, he says "I hope to keep on working as long as God gives me the strength and ability"

Isabel M. Yates is well-known as a community volunteer and public servant who has dedicated countless hours to the city of Lexington and many of its organizations. She served for more than a decade on the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government as a representative on the city council. During that decade she spent three years as vice mayor of Lexington. She has an extensive list of organizations in which she has been involved, from government to the arts, women's groups and the aging. In 1981 she was selected as the Kentucky Mother of the year. She is an active member of Lexington's First United Methodist Church.

Each year the honorees are introduced through a three-minute video prepared especially for the banquet. An engraved crystal award is presented to each person.

Dr. James Stratton, Chair of the Wesley Village Board of Directors, presided at the dinner, introducing the honorees and the keynote speaker, Dr. David Seamands.

Dr. Seamands has had an outstanding ministry both as a missionary in India, and as pastor of the Wilmore United Methodist Church for 22 years. He has authored a number of books of which "Healing for Damaged Emotions" has sold over a million copies. Now residing at Wesley Village, along with his wife, Helen, he continues to write and speak, and enjoy his three children and their families.

His message stimulated thinking about giving beyond all expectation, based upon the theme, "And Also Your Camels." The story is related in Genesis chapter 24. Abraham sent his trusted servant back to his native land to find a wife for his son Isaac. The servant found God's choice in a young woman named Rebecca, who willingly gave him a drink from the well, and water also for his caravan of camels. Dr. Seamands pointed out that Rebecca showed outstanding service through this act, an act never expected, and then far more than could be anticipated.

Dr. Al Gwinn, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Lexington, and also a member of the Village Board of Directors, presented the challenge to the large audience to give generously to the capital campaign now under way for construction of a new Village Senior Community Center to serve both the needs of Village residents and all seniors of Wilmore. The building will house a dining room large enough to serve 120 persons; an adjoining multipurpose room with stage for worship and performing arts; library with computer lab; arts/crafts room; exercise/therapy room; commercial kitchen; reception area; and small senior art gallery. Current plans call for construction to begin in early 2004.