ORLEANS – The Orleans Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors held its annual meeting and reorganization last Thursday at the town hall. Greta Lewellyn, Michelle Hardman, Thomas Lamb, and Janelle Springer were reelected to the board, and Emily Brown was welcomed as a new member. Other board members include Randy Clark, Curtis Ralston, Pat Hall, Jimmy Ellis, Bonnie Bolinger, Angie Clark, and Neil Blanton.
Lamb will continue as Board Chair, with Clark serving as Vice-Chair, Bolinger as Secretary, and Springer as Treasurer. Robert Henderson’s contract as Executive Director was renewed through 2025. The board expressed gratitude to Vicki Gross for her years of service.
The Chamber will partner with Hometown Scoops to bring food trucks to downtown Orleans on Thursday evenings from spring through mid-September.
Henderson provided updates on upcoming events, including the 55th Annual Orleans Dogwood Festival (April 19-26), themed “Dogwoods Thrive in 2025.” The Chamber’s Silent Auction, chaired by Leslie Padgett, will return this year. Henderson and Springer recently promoted the festival and Orleans on WHAS 11’s Great Day Live.
A new brochure for new residents, designed by Hardman Promotions, was distributed for review. The Chamber is seeking hosts for its 2025 Business After Hours events. Interested businesses should contact the Chamber office at 812-865-9930.
Orleans will participate in the Monon South Regional Main Street initiative. A conceptual rendering for a new historic mural on the Springer Farms grain bins was presented. Plans are underway for the first Orleans Garden Tour in June and an Antique Tractor Show in July.
Orleans will host Orange County’s official kickoff for the America250 celebration on June 14, 2025 (Flag Day) in Congress Square.
The next Chamber board meeting is scheduled for April 10th.
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