It’s time to start making plans for the 2001 racing season. For the next two months, horsemen and their animals will rest from the daily rigors of harness racing while several horsemen’s organizations and fair groups hold their annual winter meetings and awards banquets during this down time.

At each winter meeting, last year’s performances at extended and fair meets will be reviewed, officers elected, and the industry’s future discussed. But in the evening, it’s great food, presenting awards, renewing old friendships, relaxing, and having some fun.

The first horsemen’s meeting in 2001 is the Down East Harness Horsemen’s Association on Jan. 12 in the Crystal Room at Miller’s Restaurant, Main Street, Bangor, according to DEHHA president, Wendy Glaster. Tickets are $13 per person.

The business meeting and election of officers begin at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Guest speaker will be Robert W. Spear, commissioner of agriculture.

At 7:30 p.m., the DEHHA will present awards to owners, drivers, and trainers who raced at Bangor Raceway during the 2000 season. The Bangor Daily News’ Harness Horse of the Year will also be announced and those attending the DEHHA dinner/banquet will have a chance to win some $300 in cash, compliments of Miller’s Restaurant, Bangor Raceway, DEHHA, and The Maine Gate. The DEHHA will not have an auction this year.

For additional information and reservations, write DEHHA, P.O. Box 1963, Bangor, ME 04402-1963, or call Joan Corbett, 942-6197, Dot Ward, 989-4739, or Wendy Glaster, 588-0581.

The Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, the largest association representing horsemen in Maine, will hold its annual winter meeting banquet and awards dinner at the Augusta Elks Club on Jan. 20, in conjunction with the USTA District 9 meeting. The general membership meeting begins at 3:30 p.m.; USTA District 9 meeting at 4:30 p.m.; social hour at 5:30 p.m., and banquet and award ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and reservations may be made by writing MHHA, Box 610, Turner, ME 04282 or call Bill Hathaway at (207) 255-3663.

At the USTA District 9 (New England) business meeting at 4:30 p.m., directors Ronald Ralph, Paul Fontaine, William Faucher, Ival Cianchette, and Don Marean will be seeking input from area horsemen concerning any proposed USTA rule chances that might affect Maine horsemen.

The Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs will hold its annual winter meeting the weekend of Jan. 25-27 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, according to MAAF president, Howard Chick of East Lebanon, representative of Acton Fair. The general membership meeting is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, with several other fair-related workshops on Friday and Saturday.

Errol Addition, chairman of the Maine Harness Racing Commission, and Henry Jackson, executive director of the MHRC, will present the Department of Agriculture’s annual report at the Saturday general membership meeting. Commissioner of Agriculture Spear will be the featured speaker at the MAAF awards banquet on Jan. 27.

The awards banquet, honoring outstanding Maine agricultural fairs, begins at 7:15 p.m. Saturday and banquet tickets are $23 per ticket. For banquet reservations, contact: Muriel Bonin, P.O. Box 200, Litchfield, ME 04350 or call 268-4631. For hotel reservations, contact: Fred Lunt Jr., P.O. Box 328, Clinton, ME 04927, or The Department of Agriculture, State House Station 28, Augusta, ME 04333-0028.

The Farmington Fair Horsemen’s Association will hold its annual winter business meeting, awards banquet and auction on Feb. 3 at the Farmington Elks Club, according to FFHA director, Robert Cushing. The agenda is: social hour, 4:30 p.m.; dinner, 5:30 p.m., and awards and auction at 7:30 p.m. There is no charge for the catered banquet, but those attending are expected to bring an item for the auction to help offset the cost of the meal. For more information, call Bob Cushing at 778-4682 or Shannon Smith at 778-4726.

The last annual winter business meeting and awards banquet will be held by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association on Feb. 17 at The Italian Heritage Center, Portland.

The agenda calls for business meeting at 3 p.m., social hour at 5 p.m., and dinner and awards banquet begin at 6 p.m. For dinner reservations, write Michael Binette, Buckfield Rd., South Paris, ME 04281 or call 743-1668.