June 17, 2018 - The Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History (SPWCH) has presented Mary Jane Genochio with its 2018 Richard Taylor Pioneer Award.  Honoring individuals who have contributed to the preservation of local history, this year’s award recognizes Genochio, a descendant of the once-prominent Genochio Family of Camanche, for “her advocacy for promoting the history of Camanche and her contributions of historic artifacts to the SPWCH.”  Genochio was presented with the award’s traditional elements--a framed certificate and a ceremonial railroad spike--at her home in Mokelumne Hill.  Previous Pioneer Award honorees have been Tom Duke, Mervyn Kirk, David Earl Evans Jr., Shannon Van Zant, Judith Marvin, Nick Baptista and Vip Hale.  (Photo by Melinda Gardner.)