Mineola Chamber of Commerce celebrated 2021 just a little late on Friday.

With the pandemic preventing the annual membership meetings the past two years, chamber members gathered for lunch at the Mineola Civic Center to hear plans, pass out awards and get updates on activities.

President Mary Boone introduced three newly-appointed directors plus remaining board members.

She noted that the board is in the process of selecting a new chamber coordinator while volunteers have continued to staff the welcome center and take care of day-to-day business.

The chamber was able to resume some events later in 2021, with the Iron Horse Festival resuming last September followed by the membership banquet, postponed to April 2022 after being canceled in 2020 and 2021.

That was followed by the resumption of the May Fiesta – also canceled for two years.

Iron Horse will be held again Sept. 24 followed by the Christmas parade, with a theme of Christmas in the movies.

A schedule to resume quarterly membership breakfasts, mixers and lunch-and-learns is in the works, along with improved communications and a revamped website and calendar.

Former chamber President Vic Savelli was recognized with the annual Wayne Collins entrepreneurial award for his efforts in restoring many historic homes throughout the area.

The member supporter of the year was awarded to the Wood County Economic Development Commission for its work to help support the chamber financially throughout the pandemic. Executive Director Christophe Trahan accepted.

Christi Gully and her business, Everlee Jane, was named the new member of the year.

Board member Kelsie McGilvray took over the mic to present the volunteer of the year award to Boone, who has filled in at the chamber office numerous hours while the coordinator position has been vacant on two occasions.

Boone presented a special award to former coordinator Maddie Regalado who has continued to assist the chamber, including staffing the visitor center on Saturdays.

Anniversary awards were presented to Mineola Community Bank, 75 years; Dunahoe Insurance, 30 years; and Sherrill Construction, 15 years.