by Jerry Connors, secretary, USHWA

Harrisburg, PA — This is supposed to be a weekend of receiving, not giving, for Jim Simpson.

The CEO of Hanover Shoe Farms, the Standardbred world’s #1 nursery, was voted harness racing’s highest honor last fall, entrance to the sport’s Living Hall of Fame, and will be making his first “public appearance” as a Hall laureate, being feted and giving brief remarks at the annual Dan Patch Awards banquet this Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Marriott North Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Though not frequently an outwardly demonstrative person, Simpson works tirelessly, usually “behind the scenes,” to support the sulky sport and its many organizations, and yesterday he announced that Hanover would be donating a 2011 breeding to the farm’s sire Cam’s Card Shark to the communicators’ organization.

Simpson will get to see his largesse appear right before his eyes Sunday night, as the harness writers will auction off the breeding to Cam’s Card Shark as part of an auction series “already carded” before Simpson and Hanover came forth with this generous donation.

The Dan Patch Awards banquet will be webcast for the very first time this Sunday, and can be seen starting at 7:30 p.m. on the U.S. Trotting Association’s website (www.ustrotting.com).