Continuing a tradition that has endured for decades, but updating the presentation to a Grand Circuit race day, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association made their annual $4,000 donation Saturday (June 30) to Goshen (N.Y.) Historic Track.
Track president Steve Jones was on hand to accept the donation from chapter president Chris Tully. Jones stated, “We truly appreciate the consistent and generous support of our local chapter of harness racing scribes. They help us to continue to shine during our important Grand Circuit race meet. And they throw a pretty good banquet too!”
Jones and Tully were flanked by USHWA national president Shawn Wiles and Harness Racing Museum director Janet Terhune, as well as officers and directors from Historic Track in the winner’s circle following the Saturday's second at the Cradle of the Trotter.
The amount of the donation has increased to $4,000 from past years, thanks in part to a new fundraising venture, the Iron Horse Poker Run, a recent motorcycle event that brought over 120 Harley-Davidson enthusiasts to Goshen’s Hall of Fame.
In addition, a successful banquet and souvenir journal are the primary fundraising mechanisms which allow the benevolent organization to make annual donations to both Historic Track and the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, which will receive their $4,000 donation at tonight’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
This year’s banquet will be the chapter’s 60th annual event and is being held at the Fountains at Wallkill Golf Club on Sunday, December 2, 2018, with the main honouree being Frank “the elder” Antonacci of Lindy Farms.
(USHWA, Monticello-Goshen Chapter)