On Friday, May 15, 2026, the Englewood community gathered at the Boca Royale Golf & Country Club for The Secret Society of Smoked Mullets Annual Awards Luncheon.
This isn’t just another awards lunch; it’s an Englewood tradition that brings everyone together to celebrate the people and families who helped build this community. The Secret Society of Smoked Mullets announced this year’s Smoked Mullet Award winners, along with new recipients of the Englewood Legends’ Award. The winner for 2026 is Larry VanTilburg and the Dignam Family who received The Legends Award.
This year, Eric Fogo served as the Master of Ceremonies, and the speakers included Nancy Wille and Esther Horton. They provided an event filled with significant memories and a real sense of belonging.
A quick bit of history: Nita Cole founded the Secret Society of Smoked Mullets back in 1996. She wanted to honor the unsung heroes of Englewood; the people whose hard work shaped the town but rarely got recognition for it. In Nita’s words, “The intention is to honor people from the past who helped create the Englewood we have today—people who probably have never been recognized with an award for their hard work and dedication.”…