by Wendy Ireland, executive director, MHHA

Augusta, ME — The Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association will hold its annual meeting and awards banquet, along with the USTA District 9 meeting, on Saturday (January 21) at the Calumet Club in Augusta, Maine.

At the USTA meeting from 3-4 p.m., George Ducharme, a well-known trainer from Massachusetts who ran unopposed, will be sworn in as a new USTA director. Ellen Harvey from the USTA will be in attendance to present the rule change proposals. The MHHA will conduct its annual business meeting from 4-5 p.m. when the results of the election for the one-year term on the board will be announced.

Immediately following a social hour from 5-6 p.m., dinner will be served (tickets are $25 per person). After dinner, Ellen Harvey will talk briefly about the USTA’s Full Circle Program and the SOS efforts. The MHHA scholarship program will give 13 scholarships of $500 each to students who are attending college. The MHHA awards for the 2011 racing season will be handed out at the banquet along with a presentation to longtime USTA Director Ronald Ralph for his many years of dedication and service to the horsemen and women of New England. After the awards presentations, the annual auction will be held to raise money for the MHHA scholarship fund.

To make a reservation for the annual banquet please call the MHHA office at 207.623.6442 or e-mail dapjess@roadrunner.com. All reservations must be made by January 14.