The Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History (SPWCH) has presented Gary Tofanelli, a member of the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, with its 2025 Richard Taylor Pioneer Award. Honoring individuals and organizations who have contributed to informing the public about the history of west Calaveras County, the award was presented “in recognition of his steadfast support for the preservation of area history and the SPWCH.”
Previous Pioneer Award honorees have been Tom Duke, Mervyn Kirk, David Earl Evans Jr., Shannon Van Zant, Judith Marvin, Nick Baptista and Vip Hale, Mary Jane Genochio, Terry Beaudoin, Gary Gordon, Martin Huberty, the West Calaveras Rotary, and Kristopher Mandell.
Caption: Gary Tofanelli accepts the Pioneer Award from the SPWCH’s Sal Manna. Photo by Nick Baptista.
