Amid all the Hall of Fame induction speeches and industry honours, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association made their annual donation Sunday (July 4) to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame.

Museum executive committee chairman Larry DeVan, and director Janet Terhune were on hand to accept the donation from chapter president Chris Tully.

DeVan said, “The Harness Racing Museum is fortunate to have such a dedicated group of writers that have consistently raised thousands of dollars annually on our behalf. We are truly grateful.”

Despite postponing their annual banquet in 2020 due to the pandemic, the chapter had sufficient prudent reserve to allow the benevolent organization to make this year’s donations to both Goshen Historic Track and the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, two separate and distinct entities that share the same hallowed ground and a mutual purpose of preserving and promoting harness racing.

Tully said at the induction ceremonies, “It is only through the generosity of our loyal advertisers, patrons and local banquet guests that we can continue to support two of the most important institutions in Standardbred sport.”

The practice of raising money and donating funds to Historic Track and the Hall of Fame began in the mid-1970s with Monticello Raceway publicity icon John Manzi, and has continued ever since.

Back again this year, the banquet will be the chapter’s 62nd annual event and is being held at the Wallkill Golf Club on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.

(USHWA, Monticello-Goshen Chapter)