A packed crowd filled Landy’s Restaurant on Thursday night as six candidates and their supporters gathered for the grand reveal of the Englewood Pioneer Days Mayor for a Day fundraiser.

When the final tally was announced, Petreccia D. Samuels, known by many supporters as “Pet”, was named Englewood’s 2025 Mayor for a Day after raising more than $17,000 for the Englewood Food Pantry.

Pet later shared a heartfelt message of gratitude on Facebook. “This victory is not mine alone, but ours as a community,” she wrote, praising her fellow contestants for their teamwork and passion. “It never truly felt like a competition, rather, it felt like teamwork. Each of us worked side by side, lifting up one another while lifting up the people of Englewood.”

She credited her faith for guiding her through the campaign, adding: “Before my first debate I sat and had a conversation with God and I told Him I have no clue what I was doing and that He’s going to have to help me out. And guess what, we all see what He did. It’s not of me but because of Him.”

Outgoing Mayor Laura Roy congratulated Samuels, calling her “a beacon of hope for those less fortunate in our community.”

Six Candidates, One Cause: To support Englewood

This year’s Mayor for a Day contest featured six candidates, each representing a local nonprofit:

• Petreccia Samuels – Englewood Food Pantry (Winner, $17,000)
• Darla Mapes – Englewood Recovery Oasis (2nd Place, $13,645.)
• Ed Kinsey – VFW Post 10178 Veterans Relief Fund (3rd Place, over $11,000)
• Addison Morey – Junior Leadership Englewood
• Lucy White – YMCA, fundraising for a new playground
• Sonnie Hall – Englewood Area Cancer Foundation

Together, the candidates raised more than $65,000 to benefit local organizations.

Mapes, who finished in second place, thanked her supporters, saying, “All for such a good cause. Thank you to everyone who supported our organization.” Kinsey, who placed third, noted, “I’ve lived here all my life, and I see that sometimes people don’t realize what a great community Englewood is. When we come together, things get done. We can do anything!”

Candidate Addison Morey added, “Our community is one of a kind. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but Englewood.”

The event drew a large crowd, including eight former mayors and one grand marshal. Those recognized included past Grand Marshal EstherHorton, and past Mayors, Linda Stevens, Margo Grimshaw, John Mead, Debra Mosley, Charlie Hicks, Janet Shawen, Rebecca DeRosa and 2024 Mayor Laura Roy.

In a special presentation, members of the Sunrise Rotary—Dennis Guzik, Ray Labadie and John Meade—presented a $5,000 check to Linda Stevens of FAME (Friends for the Advancement of Musical Education) to purchase much-needed instruments for local schools.

The “Mayor for a Day” tradition has long been a highlight of Pioneer Days, bringing neighbors together in support of local charities. As Samuels reminded her supporters, quoting Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

This year, Englewood reaped a harvest of generosity, raising funds, awareness and hope.

Next up: Cardboard Boat Races at Indian Mound Park, 10AM Saturday, August 30. See you there!

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Each candidate represented a local nonprofit and used the event to raise funds and awareness for their cause. The winner will be named honorary mayor during the Englewood Pioneer Days Parade later this month.

The candidates and their affiliated charities included:

• Pet Samuels, Englewood Food Pantry
  
• Addison Morey, Junior Leadership Englewood
  
• Lucy White, Englewood YMCA (supporting a new playground)
  
• Ed Kinsey, VFW 10178 Veterans Relief Fund
  
• Sonnie Hall, Englewood Area Cancer Foundation
  
• Darla Mapes, Englewood Recovery Oasis
  

One of the evening’s more lighthearted moments came when candidates were asked, “What would be the most important thing to bring to Englewood?”
White, promoting youth programs, answered, “I’d obviously bring all the youth to the new playground!”
Kinsey joked, “A water park. Yes, a water park with big slides and a wave pool!”
Mapes offered a more whimsical take: “A couple of mountains—or at least a few rolling hills.”

The debate was moderated by a panel of local leaders: Irene Slattery of Michael Saunders & Company and the Lemon Bay Conservancy, Kathy Macklin of Englewood Meals on Wheels, Peter Jennings of Harbor One Mortgage, and Bill Flemming of WENG Radio.
Michael Dalke, also of Englewood Meals on Wheels, served as emcee.

In addition to the Q&A, each candidate raffled a themed gift basket, and a 50/50 raffle raised additional funds. Each contestant received $29 from the raffle proceeds to go to their chosen nonprofit.

During the event, the Chamber also announced the Grand Marshal of this year’s Pioneer Days Parade: Nancy Wille, a longtime Englewood resident and active member of the Lemon Bay Historical Society. Wille has lived in Englewood since the age of 10 and is recognized for her contributions to preserving the area’s heritage.

The next Mayor for a Day debate is scheduled for Aug. 19 at The Waverly. The final winner will be determined by the amount of funds raised in support of their respective organization.

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