by John Manzi, for Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA

Monticello, NY — For the 30th consecutive year the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association made a donation to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame.

Monticello-Goshen USHWA photo

The $3,000 check was presented at the Hall of Fame banquet to Ebby Gerry (left), the Museum president. Also in the photo are John Manzi, chapter executive secretary; Janet Terhune, director of the Harness Racing Museum; and Chris Tully, chapter president.

The organization presented a $3,000 check to Museum President Ebby Gerry, Jr. prior to the ceremonies at the Hall of Fame banquet in Goshen, N.Y., on July 7.

Last November, at a Historic Track Board of Directors meeting, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter also donated $3,000 to that National Historic Landmark.

Since the 1980s the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA has donated money to Goshen Historic Track and the Harness Racing Museum. Money raised for the donations is made possible from successful chapter banquets and the continued support of the chapter’s charity journals.

“We thank all those who participate in our annual awards banquet and charity journal and we are very fortunate to be able to raise the money — and when we do — it is our pleasure to donate the profits back to the industry; especially to Historic Track and to the Harness Racing Museum, which are not only in our own backyard but very dear to the hearts of everyone in harness racing,” noted Chris Tully, president of the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA and first VP National.

Prior to annual donations to the Hall and Historic Track, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA used to support a college scholarship but it was decided long ago that when the organization donates money it would be in everyone’s best interest to support the harness racing industry.

On Sunday evening (Nov. 17), the chapter will hold its 55th annual awards banquet at The Fountains on Sands Road in Middletown, N.Y., and not only celebrate the performances, both human and equine at Monticello Raceway and Historic Track during the 2013 season, but also honor some outstanding individuals in the sport.