After five years of the remains of Hinsdale Greyhound Park and OTB in Hinsdale, N.H., sitting fallow, demolition has begun on what's left.
The track, first known as Hinsdale Raceway, opened off Route 119 in 1958 for standardbred harness racing. It added greyhound racing in 1973.
In the 1960s and 1970s, before casinos and state lotteries, it was not unusual to see the parking lot full, even for afternoon racing, and to see traffic backed up through Brattleboro's “Malfunction Junction.”
Those were the days when New Hampshire politicians bragged that they didn't need sales or income tax because they could run the state on “bets, butts, and booze”: Cheap cigarettes and liquor, the nation's first state lottery, and four racetracks provided all the revenue the state needed.
But Hinsdale's business started to decline when harness racing ended in 1985. It recouped some of that business with off-track betting's introduction in 1990, and the track saw as many bettors wager on simulcast racing as they did on live greyhound racing.
But even a fairly successful OTB wasn't enough to keep Hinsdale in business. Track owner Joe Sullivan worked for more than a decade to turn part of the plant into a slots parlor, but he never did persuade the state to approve the slots, without which the track was doomed.
Greyhound racing fell into steep decline in New England over the past decade. A successful referendum to ban it in Massachusetts in 2008 was the death knell for racing at Hinsdale, and the track filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in December of that year.
The old stable area and backstretch of the track got sold off for a Walmart Supercenter. Another part of the track property is home to a Tractor Supply Co. store. All that remained was the weed-choked parking lot and an abandoned grandstand and restaurant.
Tyler Excavation, Inc., of Vernon is busy doing the demolition work, and the site likely will have something else built upon it. It won't be another racetrack, though.
But those who pine for the days of betting on horses in Hinsdale may have another opportunity to cheer.
Businessman, standardbred owner, driver, and trainer, and former state lawmaker William Faucher has been talking about building another harness racing track in Hinsdale, but has so far been unsuccessful in his efforts. Earlier this year, he had wanted to build a new track across the street from the old one, but discovered a deed restriction prohibiting the property's use for wagering or gambling.
What he succeeded in, however, is building an OTB parlor in Hinsdale. Located about a mile east of the old racetrack on Route 119, it hasn't opened as of now.
Putney Bill Koch League gets ready for season
• The Putney Bill Koch Youth Ski League is gearing up for another season. The club began with an informal dryland training season at The Grammar School last week. BKL parent and coach Eric Aho is set to lead the program again this winter, and is joined by parents Jack Bell and Mark Tarmy.
Other expert coaches, eager volunteers, and talented advisors are on board to help organize, coach, and run practices. Parents are welcome to participate in practices.
BKL set an information night and early sign-up for Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Putney Public Library. A ski and skate sale are on tap for Dec. 6 and 7 at The Grammar School.
Can't make that sign-up? There's another one set for Dec. 9 from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. at The Grammar School. Uniforms and rental equipment will be available for pickup that night. Snow permitting, there will be a season-opening event with bonfire on Dec. 11 at a location to be announced. For more information, write [email protected].
BFMS presents annual Ski Swap
• The fifth annual Bellows Falls Middle School Ski Swap is Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bellows Falls Middle School cafeteria. Side entrance to the ski swap is on Cherry Hill, right off School Street.
This annual event is put on by the BFMS PTO, known as the Community Supported Activities group, which funds enrichment activities at the middle school for students at all grades. Skis, boots, poles, snowboards, clothing, goggles, and helmets will be available.
Equipment donations are accepted (but not consignments or straight skis). For more information, call 802-463-1558.
Bus service to Mount Snow begins
• Looking for a ride up to Mount Snow to ski or snowboard on Sundays in December? The Brattleboro School Endowment is organizing a bus driven by First Student personnel. The “Mount Snow Express” leaves from Academy School's parking lot at 9 a.m. on Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. It will make return trips back to Academy School's parking lot: leaving at 4:15 p.m. and arriving at 5 p.m.
The Express is $5 round trip, or $2.50 each way, per person.
Jill Stahl Tyler, president of the Brattleboro School Endowment, says this is a trial run. “If it has a lot of people using it, we can extend it for more months and even add Saturdays,” she said.
Parents take note: this is simply a bus service, not a chaperoned program. The bus is open to all ages, Stahl Tyler says, but children younger than middle school age must be accompanied by someone responsible. The bus will leave on schedule; its driver is not responsible for finding someone at the end of the day.
For more information, visit www.brattleboroschoolendowment.org.
Vermont State Parks offers holiday gift packages
• Vermont State Parks offers three new holiday gift packages - perfect for recipients to open and use right away, and even more fun as treats to enjoy in summer.
The packages contain park merchandise and passes, camping certificates, boat rentals, and more. This year's designs are from Vermont artists. All packages come gift wrapped; shipping is free:
The day tripper: Punch card good for 10 state park day visits; Vermont State Parks hat; gift card for one-hour boat rental; state parks tote bag to keep it all together: $39.
The weekend getaway: Two nights of tent, RV, or lean-to camping; two state parks water bottles; bundle of firewood for your campout; and a tote bag: $79.
Full season of family fun: Vehicle season pass that provides unlimited day entry into any Vermont State Park, all-season long for up to eight people per visit; two water bottles; two gift cards for a one-hour boat rental; and a tote bag: $99.
In addition to these packages, check out gift certificates in any denomination, park passes, clothing, and gear. Order at www.vtstateparks.com or call 1-888-409-7579.