by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — Three members of the New England chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association and two longtime directors of the U.S. Trotting Association will be among those cited September 6 at Plainridge Racecourse.

Members Lynne Snierson, Charlie Kelley and Paul Fontaine,and USTA District 9 Chairman Don G. Marean will receive awards at the writers’ 31st Hall of Fame program for longtime contributions to the sport and industry.

Snierson, who formerly worked for the Boston Herald, serves as publicity and marketing driector at Rockingham Park in Salem, N.H.

Kelley, who also worked for the Herald-American is one of the founding members of the New England chapter.

Fontaine was inducted into the chapter’s Hall of Fame in 1994 and served some 25 years as chairman of the USTA. The father of five daughters, who hails from Woonsocket, R.I., and serves as Plainridge’s USTA director, also serves as vice-president of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. He will receive the third annual Joseph A. Vaccaro Memorial award at the writers’ Labor Day weekend event.

Marean is a former state representative who hails from Standish, Maine and chairs the District 9 directors. He is a tireless worker for the rights of Maine horsemen and its agricultural preservation and protection. He’s been tabbed Maine’s legislative ‘watchdog’ at the statehouse level. He will be the recipient of a chapter ‘achiever’ award.

Others to receive achiever awards in harness racing are Paul Verrette, Walter “Bud” Barrett, Bill Abdelnour, Brenda Provost, Frank Dubreuil, Stephen O’Toole, Wally Cryn (voice of Foxboro for 25 years), Albert Ross, John Hogan, Jim Hardy, and Drew Campbell.

The chapter’s 10th Iron Man award will be presented to Ralph Andersen, who is just wins away from 2,000. Andersen is campaigning at Rockingham Park.

The E. M. Loew Founders Award recipient is Alfred D. Thomas, horse owner and general manager at Foxboro, who has supported the industry for more than 50 years.

The evening’s main focus, however, comes later in the evening after the cocktail hour followed by dinner when Gary Piontkowski, Roger Slobody, Peter Blood and the immortal Townsend Ackerman become the chapter’s 55-58th individuals inducted into its Hall of Fame, which dates back to 1962.

Prior to the start of the Hall program the writers will dedicate a new Standardbred Hall of Fame plaque at a 2 p.m. ceremony in the Plainridge foyer featuring two additions — Fancy Star and Winthrop Messenger.

For dinner tickets contact Bob Lieberman at 781.762.2639 or lieberman1121@verizon.net or Donna Merrick at 508.643.2500, ext. 163, or dmerrick@prcharness.com. For journal ads contact Jack Ginnetti at 508.485.5815.