Ceremonies will be at the future site of the Jugette Barn on the backstretch between the Log Cabin and the Little Brown Jug Barn. Mrs. Hill donated the funds needed to finance the 30-stall, octagonal structure. The new barn will be ready for the 2005 Jugette Filly Pace.

"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. The gift was the largest ever made to the Delaware County Fair.

"I can not think of a better way or place to help our sport," said Mrs. Hill. " Charlie (Laverne's late husband) and I loved the Jug, the Jugette and Grand Circuit racing at Delaware."

Delaware Fair Marketing Director Phil Terry said the new octagonal barn will have 30 stalls around the outside and a courtyard on the inside with a smaller building to display harness racing memorabilia. There also will be a plaque in the courtyard commemorating Charlie and LaVerne Hill's many contributions to the sport. Clarke Architects, Inc. of Powell, Ohio designed the new barn.

"This continues our quest to honor the past and present stars of our sport," Terry added. "Delaware now has two beautiful barns with the addition of the Laverne A. Hill Jugette Barn and the Thomas Walsh Little Brown jug Barn.

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 at 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. LaVerne is active in many charities including the Buckeye Boy's Ranch and Recreation Unlimited.

The Hill tradition continues.....