The Mineola Chamber of Commerce held their annual banquet Thursday, March 12.

The event encompassed several hours and included a catered meal by Chef Tyler of Fusion in the Woods Catering and music by band Venture South.

There were six 2026 award recipients.

Dwain Henry won the B.R. Short Community Spirit of the Year award. Someone who Kiwanis Club President Misty Hooks said “just digs in and does whatever he needs to do,” Henry has lived in Mineola for more than 35 years, and “has always put his community first.” He is involved in FFA (Future Farmers of America), the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department, NatureFest, Promise of Peace Gardens, Blue Santa, and much more. Hooks said that Henry “will do anything for this community,” and that “his willingness to give back is admirable.”

The Humanitarian of the Year award went to Cody Castleberry for his extensive work in Wood County. Castleberry has completed over 3,000 hours of law enforcement training, and is not only the Chief of Police at Mineola ISD, but is also the founding member of the Wood County First Responders Association, a founding member of the Sound of the Swarm Booster Club, and an organizer of the Blue Santa event, helping to raise nearly $100,000. Castleberry also helped organize a massive effort to bring supplies to the Kerrville flooding victims in 2025.

The Lou Mallory Historic Preservation of the Year award went to the Meredith Foundation, which has given out over $40 million to the local community since the beginning of the foundation in 1958. The Meredith Foundation, founded by Harry W. Meredith, helps fund quintessential Mineola organizations, and provides funds to complete necessary renovations on buildings like the Lake Country Playhouse and the Historic Select Theater or the Addie E. McFarland school.

“It’s been over 60 years now that this city has benefited from his generosity,” said Chairman of the Meredith Foundation Bob Smith. “And what a blessing he’s been to this city.”

Teacher of the Year went to Suann Pullen, a second-grade teacher with the Mineola Primary School. Hooks noted that Pullen “teaches confidence, curiosity, resilience, and critical thinking while being thoughtful, engaging, and responsive to diverse learning needs. Pullen has taught for 28 years, 6 of them in Mineola.

Other nominees include Jessica Bryant, a 4th grade teacher from the Mineola Intermediate School; Heather Crane, an art teacher with the Mineola Middle School; and Katherine Elmore, an English teacher from the Mineola High School.

“To all teachers and educators, thank you for all that you do,” said Hooks. “You each impacted someone in a way that forms who we become, and are all deserving of this recognition.”

The Woman of the Year award went to Martha Holmes. Holmes is a retiree who Hooks joked “managed to find so much to do (that) she has to consult her calendar to keep up with where she’s supposed to be.” Holmes was described as a leader and dependable worker who is deeply involved in her church, community and family. She taught kindergarten in Mineola for 34 years, was named Teacher of the Year twice, and was Mrs. Sesquicentennial, among many other honors. Holmes is involved with so many organizations that the overview describing her involvements took four minutes.

“She is the daughter of a prominent father and mother, but the respect she receives is built on her own actions,” said Hooks. “She is a meticulous planner and note-taker, great listener, trusted confidant, and the go-to person when you want to get the plain truth about something.”

The Man of the Year award went to Bob Smith. Smith’s name is widely-recognizable in Mineola, as he owns an auto sales shop; however, his name goes much deeper in Mineola, as Rotary Club President John Dollarhide noted that Smith has “a history of investment and involvement in our community.” Smith is involved in organizations like Broadstreet Bank, as a member of the Board of Directors, a position he has held for 30 years; the Kiwanis Club, for 32 years; the Mineola Economic Development Corporation, where he has been a Director for 20 years; the Mineola Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for three years; the Mineola Independent School District Board for nine years – three of them as President; and many, many more.

“One of the things that I’ve noticed, is there’s a common thread: all of the people that have received awards, they’re so interwoven on how they’re part of our community, and the different things that they do,” said Dollarhide. “The same thing could be said of our Man of the Year.”

One of the most entertaining parts of the evening occurred at the very end, when Henson noted that several items in the silent auction were not bid on. However, Henson said that he was “not a salesman;” hilarity and a community spirit ensued when various auctioneering mishaps occurred. Eventually, lead guitarist of the night’s band Venture South – who is also Mineola’s fire chief, Aaron Munn – stepped up to the plate and started auctioning off the items. Community members participated in the following spirit of goodwill and friendliness, too, with two people (who were, ironically, seated side-by-side) bidding off of one another for a catered drink truck for 75 people from ETX Lemonade. Clapping, cheering, and shouting from the crowd were involved in this playful fundraising effort.

At the impromptu live auction, nearly $2,000 was raised, which does not include money raised during the 50/50 raffle, the gun raffle, the heads or tails game, or the silent auction.

The Chamber also thanked their sponsors for making the event what it was.