The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) held its annual meetings this past Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 22 and 23), returning for the second straight year to the Rosen Centre in this central Florida city.
Sunday's Dan Patch Awards Banquet, presented by Caesars Entertainment, again provided the highlights of the weekend; the honours accorded U.S. Horse of the Year Twin B Joe Fresh and the other stars of the sport, both human and equine (mainly for 2024 accomplishments but in some cases recognizing career achievement), have already been written up and disseminated in the trade media.
A total of 29 USHWA Directors, including Officers, Active Past Presidents / Life Members, and At-Large / Chapter Directors, worked from late Saturday morning until well into the afternoon to examine and plan a framework for the association’s operations in 2025 and for years beyond.
Both old and new business were brought before the Directors, suggested by various segments of the membership, and were explained to and examined by the group. Preliminary routes to accomplish such ends as met favour in the discussion were established.
The writers made updates and refinements into its operating bylaws and rules and regulations, with the large number of suggested modifications often accompanied by spirited discussion and voting on both sides of the proposals at hand – in a few cases, resulting in tabling proposals pending more study.
The Directors also voted to place Derick Giwner and Ellen Taylor, both with longtime distinguished accomplishments in their respective sections of harness racing, onto the summer ballot for possible election into the Communicators Hall of Fame.
Some 50 members of the organization, including the Directors, attended a Sunday morning meeting designed for the General Membership of the association. The highlights of the major activities occurring during Saturday’s gathering, especially the proposals of change to the association’s bylaws and rules and regulations along with the actions Directors took on said proposals, were recounted and were a topic of continued conversation.
Reports from both all of the committees that oversee major areas of USHWA activity and from the Officers of the association were delivered. Any questions the membership had on any aspect of USHWA were encouraged and answered.
The USHWA Officers were all returned for another year of service in their current positions. Voted to retain their jobs were Michael Carter as president; Heather Vitale as first vice-president; Mel Keith as second vice-president; Bill MacDonald as treasurer; and Jerry Connors as secretary. Barry Lefkowitz, the immediate past president of the association, is via the bylaws the chairman of the board and thus no vote had to be taken on his serving another year.
The Officers of the U.S. Harness Writers Association (USHWA) will all return for a second year in their respective positions. Back, from left: Jerry Connors, secretary; Barry Lefkowitz, chair of the board; Bill MacDonald, treasurer; front, from left: Melissa Keith, second vice-president; Michael Carter, president; Heather Vitale, first vice-president.
With the word “contraction” appearing frequently in media concerning harness racing, the Writers Association was very pleased to stay at exactly 191 active members for the second straight year. This fact reveals the dedication of the group and the excellent coverage they provide of the best of racing, while also serving as an outreach/recruitment tool for bringing “fresh blood” to the sport. This core group, along with any recruits, will allow USHWA to carry on hosting its annual acclaimed Dan Patch Awards banquets and continue to knowledgeably vote to recognize the best and brightest in harness racing, both human and equine.
(United States Harness Writers Association)