PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

    It’s hard to believe but the holidays have come and gone along with January and half of February.
Most of us are now thinking about the up and coming racing season.
Not only is it this season we ponder, but the future of harness racing in New England as well.
The leadership at Plainridge Racecourse has worked tirelessly to insure that there is a future
for harness racing and in the ensuing weeks we’ll know just where we stand.

Optimism is very high but only time will tell whether that optimism will turn to euphoria.
   The successful 2009 season for the New England Harness Drivers Club saw events
held at both Rockingham Park and Plainridge Racecourse and in turn raised and donated more money
than in any previous year. More than $6,000 was donated to a wide variety
of organizations and charities which brings a sense of satisfaction to all.

    The 2010 season is nearly upon us and the NEAHDC expects continued success on and off the track.
The club has brought forth some new leadership and with that some fresh new ideas which will
help move the club forward. Through our re-designed website we will be able to keep our
members abreast of club business and events. Most recently I met (along with club VP Mario)
with the PRC general manager and race secretary to discuss and shape the upcoming NEAHDC season.
Steve and Paul couldn’t have been more receptive.
Together we made some changes (as reported in an earlier e-mail) and we’re expecting an outstanding 2010.

For now, start jogging and training because soon the snow and cold will be gone
and not long from now we will hear Lenny say “the horses are approaching the starting gate”.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

   Billy Abdelnour
    NEAHDC president

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2009 Charities NEAHDC donated to:

Phoenix Rising Equine Rescue $ 925.00
Plainville Lions Club $ 925.00
New Hope (Womens' Shelter) $ 500.00
Living Bread (Food Pantry) $ 500.00
Relay For Life (Cure for cancer walk) $ 425.00
American Cancer Society $ 425.00
Autism Speaks $ 425.00
St . Judes Childrens' Hospital $ 425.00
Lebanon (Barn 16) Fire Victims Fund $ 425.00
Salem Boys and Girls Club $ 300.00
Salem Police Benevolent Fund $ 300.00
Salem Youth Hockey $ 150.00
Friends of Mel Foundation (Cure for Breast Cancer) $ 100.00
OSFA (Sponsorship farming/ fair races ) $ 200.00

Total Donations: $ 6,025.00

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2009 HHANE Annual Meeting Awards Presentation

Two Year Old Pacer of the Year
Murphy Delivers owned by Michael Perpall

Three Year Old Pacer of the Year
Hey Its Only Money owned by Edward Blash

Claimer of the Year - Fillies & Mares
Beyond Say owned by Michael Eaton

Claimer of the Year - Colts & Geldings
Nifty Norman owned by Jolene Andrews

Three Year Old Trotter of the Year
Hotwheels Hanover owned by Michael McCusker

Mare of the Year
Hurricane Emily owned by Anthony Branigan

Comeback Horse of the Year
H H Blackjack owned by George Mizhi

Trotter of the Year
Slim Down owned by Jim Hardy, Barry Caruso, Eugene Hickey

Senior Citizen Award
Satin Time N owned by Dawn Anderson

Special Appreciation Award presented to Tom Mello

Board of Directors' Hero Award presented to Todd O'Dea & Walter Ross, Jr.


New England Amateur Driver Awards

1st Place presented to Dawn Anderson
2nd Place presented to William Abdelnour
3rd Place presented to Mario Martellotta

Plainridge Racecourse Awards

Driver of the Year presented to Jim Hardy
Trainer of the Year presented to Dawn Anderson
Owner of the Year presented to Joel Wheeler

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NEAHDC Officers for the 2010 season


William Abdelnour will hold the offices of President and Secretary.
Mario Martellotta will hold the offices of Vice President and Treasurer.

Board of directors will be Barry Caruso, Jeff Gulya, Brenda Provost and Francis Witkowski.


Congratulations and good luck to all!

We will still conduct a meeting prior to the Christmas party to decide what charities will get the remainder of the money from the 2009 season.

Charities proposed to discuss:

Phoenix Rising Equine Rescue in CT
St. Judes
Plainville Lions Club
American Cancer Society

Any others please bring them to the meeting

Amateur club donates to three local charities.


(The Groups represented are as follows)

New Hope Inc. represented by Amanda Nelson,
works to end domestic and sexual violence by helping people live safer lives. They serve the Attleboro, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Taunton, Bellingham, Foxboro, Franklin, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Wrentham areas.

The Plainville Lions Club represented by Rosemary Coates.
The Lions club sponsors vision and health screenings, build parks, support eye hospitals, award scholarships, assist youth, provide help in time of disaster and much more.

Living Bread Food Pantry represented by Reverend Peter Parent.
The Living Bread Food Pantry is located in the basement of the Plainville United Methodist Church at 16 East Bacon St. It has opened its doors every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 7 p.m. for 23 years. Volunteers hand out nonperishable food such as canned meats, fruits and vegetables. They also hand out rice, boxed potatoes, toiletries, bread, and fresh vegetables when they are available.