By Tom White
6/02/04

Delaware, Ohio--A Jugette Barn will become a reality in 2005 after its design and location are determined this summer. Mrs. LaVerne Hill will donate the funds needed to finance the construction of the memorial to her late husband Charlie Hill. The new barn is the largest single gift ever made to the Delaware, Ohio County Fair. Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held on Jugette Day, 2004.

"We are so elated that Mrs. Hill is giving back so much to the sport," said Tom Thomson, director of racing. "The Delaware Fair could not have built the barn without LaVerne's contribution. The Jug and Jugette horses will now be stabled in beautiful barns side by side," Thomson added.

"I can not think of a better way or place to create a memorial to Charlie," said Mrs. Hill." He loved the Jug, the Jugette and the Grand Circuit racing at Delaware."

Delaware Fair Marketing Director Phil Terry said that the official name will be decided prior to this fall's groundbreaking. "The new Jugette barn will have 30 stalls and a special area to display memorabilia of the Hills, Jugette winners and Delaware historical harness racing exhibits.

"This continues our quest to honor the past and present stars of our sport," Terry added.

The late Charlie Hill had been involved in harness racing as a track owner, farm owner and breeder, owner of a racing stable and a leader in many Standardbred organizations. In 1995 he was elected an "Immortal" to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame. He also was elected "Horseman of the year" by The Horseman & Fair World magazine in 1979 and is a member of the Ohio Harness Horseman Hall of Fame. In 2000 Charlie was named Delaware's Neville award recipient.

Mr. Hill, who was founder and chairman of the board of Scioto Downs which under his leadership evolved into one of harness racing's premier racetracks. He purchased his first racehorse, a yearling filly, in 1959. Through the years he owned such top horses as the multiple stakes winner and successful trotting sire B.F. Coaltown and the World Champion pacer and top sire Falcon Almahurst. Falcon, probably Charlie's all-time favorite, won a heat and finished third in the 1978 Little Brown jug.

Charlie (1985)and LaVerne (2001)each won the Harness Tracks of America's prestigious Messenger Award, the first husband and wife so honored.

Mrs. Hill remains active as vice-president of Scioto Downs. She also was presented with the Sulky Sweeties Good Guy award; the U.S. Harness Writers' Presidents Award; HTA's Good Gal Award; and the Social Service Award from the Ohio Harness Horseman's Association. She is a director of the Little Brown Jug Society and Harness Tracks of America.

In 2001, Mrs. Hill was honoree for Delaware's My Lady Pace. Lavern is active in many charities including the Buckeye Ranch and Recreation Unlimited.

The Hill tradition continues.....