The Los Ba&#241;os High School History Society honored Charles Sawyer at its inaugural Hall of Fame dinner on Saturday. Sawyer has been Los Ba&#241;os' resident historian for years and many communtiy members' 'go-to' guy for facts only a man of his wisdom would remember.</p><p>Students in the school's history society helped organize the event as a fundraiser for the Milliken Museum, as well as a field trip members are aiming to take.</p><p>The Los Ba&#241;os Fire Department prepared the meal for 200 attendees, Capt. Mason Hurley said. The meal consisted of pasta, Italian sausage, salad, garlic bread and dessert.</p><p>"We were honored and happy to help," Hurley said. "It's a great deal to honor a great man."</p><p>Hurley said four to five volunteers from the station No. 1 participated in preparations.</p><p>Following the dinner, Merced County Supervisor Jerry O'Banion said he appreciated that fact that Sawyer was being honored for his dedication to the history of Los Ba&#241;os.</p><p>"He's the barbed wire king of the Westside," O'Banion said. "He's walking history of Los Ba&#241;os."</p><p>Louise Farley, a representative of Senator Jeff Denham, awarded Sawyer with a certificate from the senator with a message of congratuations.</p><p>Dan Nelson, vice chair of the Milliken Museum Society, shared his thoughts on Sawyer's honor. And started by testing his knowledge of Los Ba&#241;os. Nelson wanted to know when the first postoffice opened in "old Los Ba&#241;os" on Volta Road.</p><p>"Nov. 12, 1873," Sawyer said seconds later. "And the first postmaster was Moses Corn."</p><p>Nelson commented on how incredible Sawyer's memory was, the reason he's able to help so many people and share the wealth of his knowledge with the community.</p><p>"I think this is a wonderful tribute to him," Nelson said. "I don't think there's anyone more deserving. Charles' work has gone unnoticed, gone under the radar and that's because of his demeanor."</p><p>Nelson shared that Sawyer has dedicated most of his adult life to the history of Los Ba&#241;os and the documentation and preservation of it.</p><p>"He's also written four books about Los Ba&#241;os History. And he hasn't taken one penny for them. He's donated every single cent to the museum and the Milliken Society," Nelson said.</p><p>Tim McNally, a history teacher at the high school, said to attendees that he first knew Sawyer as a neighbor--a good friend, and assistant on home and car repairs. He was also discovered when a student in McNally's class profiled him in "the Greatest Generation Program," which was installed in history's classes 10 years ago, McNally said.</p><p>McNally also shared his appreciation for Sawyer's help on students' 'Ask Us' column published the Enterprise each week. Students get a majority of their information on a slew of topics from Sawyer.</p><p>McNally commented on the school's history society members' dedication to the Hall of Fame dinner, as they didn't receive extra credit or a grade for their service or help in organizing the event.</p><p>"They're here because they want to be here," McNally said.</p><p>Cynthia Sandoval, senior at the high school and president of the history society, said Sawyer had taught her one thing she'll always be grateful for.</p><p>"He taught me to be appreciative of [Los Ba&#241;os], to not just look at things, but to study them," Sandoval said. "There's so much to Los Ba&#241;os."</p><p>Stagnaro added, before introducing the guest of honor, that Sawyer has the capability of "opening a door to the past that only he knows."</p><p>And a simple question can turn into a two hour conversation, something his fans not only enjoy, but appreciate. </p><p>"The tapistry of history is what weaves us together," Stagnaro said. "In order for Los Ba&#241;os history to continue, we must do what he's done for all of us--share it with the next generation."</p><p>As Sawyer began his address to his attendees, he said he needed to look at his notes.</p><p>"I can't remember everything," Sawyer said. It reminded audience members why they love the humble, gentle man so much.</p><p>Sawyer added how grateful he was for the honor and that he appreciated the students' interest in history.</p><p>"History tells us where we've been and we all know history repeats itself," Sawyer said.</p><p>The dinner closed with a history lesson, typical to Sawyer, one which included how his family made their move to Los Ba&#241;os and the impacts that have made him the historian he is today.</p><p>For those that missed out, that's one story Sawyer will have to tell you himself.