SAVOURY’S WAS SELECTED AS MARIPOSA’S BEST RESTAURANT, AND WAS THE WINNER FOR CATERING, DESSERTS AND WINE SELECTION. The more things change, the more they stay the same. At least that’s the case in the recent “Peoples’ Choice” contest conducted by the MARIPOSA GAZETTE through the month of October. Residents selected a number of businesses, individuals and event that had won previous contests held under the name of “Best of the Best,” but there were a few changes and surprises.

Almost all of the hundreds of ballots were counted. A few had to be eliminated for not meeting contest requirements, but that number wasn’t large enough to effect the final outcome.

In the “Best Breakfast” category, Pizza Plus emerged as the favorite, followed closely by the Sugar Pine Restaurant.

Residents selected Savoury’s in the “Best Restaurant” division. That establishment won by a large margin over second place Charles Street Dinner House, but no other eating establishments were even close.

MARIPOSA COUNTY SUPERVISOR DISTRICT 4 KEVIN CANN TOOK TOP HONORS AS BEST ELECTED OFFICIAL. Voters decided Happy Burger had the “Best Burger,” followed by the Sugar Pine Restaurant. Pizza Factory was voted the “Best Restaurant for Families and Children.”

Savoury’s took a number of individual food categories, and also was named the favorite for “Catering.” Second place went to Sal’s.

Pioneer Market’s won the “Best Deli” category followed by River Rock, and Savoury’s took the “Best Desserts” division in front of Charles Street Dinner House.

The “Best Lunch” category was captured by Sal’s Taco Wagon, but just barely. The Sugar Pine Restaurant was a very close second, and it finished just one vote in front of the Senior Center.

Miner’s Inn took first for “Best Senior Special” followed by the Senior Center, and Miner’s Inn also headed the “Best Sunday Brunch” list, followed by theAhwahnee Hotel.

Which restaurant has the “Best Wine Selection?” Votes picked Savoury’s in that category, followed again by Charles Street.

Pony Expresso claimed a lopsided first place in the “Best Coffee” division. Mariposa Coffee Company was second.

The Mariposa County Fair was tabbed as everyone’s “Favorite Family Attraction,” far outdistancing second place Yosemite National Park. The “Best Free Entertainment” was again the summer’s Mariposa Evenings in the Art Park, way out in front of the Merced River.

By what could be described as a landslide, the Mariposa County Fair took first for “Best Annual Event,” followed by Butterfly Days.

Voters picked Yosemite National Park as the best destination for “Best Place to Go on a Budget.” Burger King and the Merced River tied for second.

When it came to music, residents issued a split decision with the Mariposa County High School Band and Charlie Wildt’s Band splitting the “Best Band” honors.

In its usual first place position, Charles Street Dinner House won the “Best Place to Go When Money Is No Object” category. Second went to Savoury’s.

The Senior Center took first for “Best Bingo Game,” in front of the Fish and Game Hall.

Once again the Bootjack Volunteer Fire Department’s pancake breakfast ran away with the “Best Pancake Breakfast” category. Ponderosa Basin’s Fire Department finished a distant second.

Eric Oster was selected as the “Best Accountant,” followed by Jim Eskra. Mike Fagalde laid claim to first in the “Best Attorney” division where Don Starchman took second.

In the “Best Automotive Service” category it was no contest. Brand Automotive ran away with first place, followed by Blackburn’s Mountain Auto Service. Bootjack Market was tabbed as voters’ “Best Gas Station,” followed by Stage Stop.

In a dramatic flip from previous contest, Yosemite Bank took first place for “Best Bank” over second place Westamerica Bank. PD Quick was selected as the “Best Barber/Hair Salon” with second place claimed by A Cut Above. It was a fairly close race for “Best Chiropractor,” but Lisa Carisio prevailed, followed by Tony Roberts.

Bootjack Market was again everyone’s “Favorite Country Store” with Triangle Market a distance second.

Voters picked Phil DeBry as the “Best Dentist” over Thoms Wieg, and Mariposa Family Medicine took the “Best Doctor/ Medical” division, followed by the John C. Fremont Clinic.

Voters were charged enough to name Brentwood Electric as the “Best Electrician,” followed by Rob Hambleton. The Vault won the “Best Clothing Store” designation with the Fremont House coming in second place.

Residents, not horses, picked Jim Robinson as the “Best Farrier” followed in second place by Paco Harlow. Mariposa Feed was the decisive winner for “Best Feed Store,” with Bootjack Feed and Equipment Rental second.

It wasn’t much of a contest for “Best Grocery Store.” Pioneer Market repeated as the overwhelming winner, followed by a second place tie between 49er Market and Triangle Store.

Foster True Value far outdistanced the competition for “Best Hardware Store.” Coast Do It Best Hardware was second.

State Farm was tabbed as the “Best Insurance Agency,” followed by Farmers. Mother Lode Lumber won the “Best Lumber Yard” division over Bootjack Lumber, and Dave Lawson retained his title as “Best New Home Builder,” in front of second place Randy Brower.

“Best Nursery/Garden Store” went to Mariposa Feed, a hands down winner in front of Bloomers. Chocolate Soup won the “Best Gift Shop” category and Mariposa Marketplace was a distant second place.

Jim Allen (not the supervisor) was named the “Best Plumber,” followed by a second place tie between Horseshoe and McClard’s. Mark Harris’ Yosemite Falls was named the “Best Pump Company” with Stroming Machinery in second place.

It was a heated contest, but Gail Spilos took top honors for “Best Real Estate Agent,” with Mia Gloor in second. Century 21 Sierra Realtors won the “Best Real Estate Company” competitor with Mariposa Home and Land as the second selection.

Ponderosa Towing prevailed as the “Best Tow Truck Company” with Above All taking second. The “Best Veterinarian” honors went to Greg Ritter, far in front of All Creatures Veterinary.

Mariposa Middle School Principal Bill Atwood won the competition for “Best Principal,” followed by Monica Fieldsted at Woodland Elementary.

“Best Well Driller” went to Mark Harris with Mariposa Well Drilling in second place. Karen Cutter was picked as the “Best 4-H Leader” with Donna Wice in second place.

The County’s newest members of the board of supervisors led the voting for “Best Elected Official.” Kevin Cann came in first place, followed by Jim Allen. Sheriff Brian Muller was selected by voters as the “Best Peace Officer” with the two contenders seeking that post, Doug Binnewies and Mark Jones, tied for second.

Acorn Preschool claimed first place in the “Best Preschool” category, followed by Kiwanis Preschool. Mariposa County High School was the winner by a landslide for “Best School” with Woodland Elementary in second.

Once again, Mariposa Rotary was named the “Best Service Club,” with the Mariposa Lions Club taking second, and the Merced River was voted as the “Best Swimming Hole” in front of the County park pool.