CANFIELD — Hundreds gathered at Waypoint 4180 on Thursday for one of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber’s largest-attended events.

The program included updates on Canfield city, township and schools as well as the presenting of the programs two prestigious awards, the Spirit of Canfield Award and the Business Pride award.

The program opened with updates from Canfield Schools Superintendent Joe Knoll, who gave a rundown on the past year in the district and the levy on the Nov. 5 ballot. He was followed by Mayor Don Dragish, who highlighted the projects accomplished over the year, including the Overbrook Storm Sewer Replacement, the Saw Mill Creek Improvement Project, and refurbishing of the elevated water tower near Hilltop. He also spoke on the $60,000 grant the police department used to purchase drones.

For the township, trustees Chairman Brian Governor gave an update and included future plans. He said the trustees are looking at adding two pickleball courts at Township Park. On road paving, Governor said 15 roads were paved this year and next year the hope is to be able to pave all of the Fox Den development roads.

He closed his talk by stating, “Canfield Township is fiscally sound and looking forward to future growth.”

As for the awards, the first was the 18th annual Business Pride Award that went to the Gutierrez brothers who operate the Tequila Jalisco Mexican restaurant, 583 E. Main St., Canfield.

“To receive this trophy is great,” said co-owner Manuel Gutierrez.

Mario Gutierrez said he, Manuel and brother Jerry, who couldn’t make the event, started in the industry by waiting on tables at age 16 in their parent’s restaurants.

“We knew we wanted our own restaurant,” he said.

In 2010, the brothers came to Canfield and opened the restaurant. They remodeled it and said it feels good when “you own the building.” Today, the restaurant is a popular spot for Mexican cuisine.

The 11th annual Spirit of Canfield Award was presented to attorney Nils Johnson, owner of the Johnson & Johnson Law Firm with his son, Nils Johnson. He was introduced by Director of Development for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Deborah Liptak, who gave a long list of his community involvement.

She said Johnson is a board member for the Youngstown YMCA and the Butler Institute of American Art. He is an active Canfield Rotarian and in that role was co-founder of the emergency assistance program for Canfield residents during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“He is the founder/creator of the Canfield Foundation, which remains in effect, and served as chairman for the Canfield Vision Plan through Ball State University,” Liptak said. “He also was instrumental with his family and their Foundation in the final plans for the Canfield Library, both with ideas and monetary commitments. I can attest to this because we took many car rides viewing community libraries and community centers, and many planning and organizing meetings.”

Liptak brought up Johnson’s hobbies, which includes painting. He created the Canfield Fourth of July mural that hangs in the Mahoning County Court in Canfield. She said he is working on a painting for the Davis YMCA. Other hobbies and pastimes include piano playing and monitoring his investments.

“The Johnson family does things quietly and not for publicity,” Liptak said. “There are numerous other programs and personal assistance the family and the family’s foundation has provided over the years, from scholarships to housing needs and financial help. They generally see the need to help and just step in quietly. This comes from a long line of tremendous ancestors who recognized their moral commitment to help those in need and less fortunate and they are proud to continue the tradition with the next generation.”

Liptak issued the award to Johnson, who was very humble about it.

“When people talk about all I’ve done, it makes me feel tired,” Johnson said. “It is a great honor. My family has and will continue to be involved in the Canfield community.”

Other recognition at the event included Farmers National Bank, Boak & Sons, Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio and Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley. There was also a presentation on the Millennial Moments Development that has five completed new homes, with more on the way.