The 2025 Dons and Doña Nomination and Selection:
Since the Pleasant Valley Historical Society’s inception, Don and Doña honors have been awarded to individuals who have shown dedication to the community for the past 20 years. Nominations for this year were accepted thru May 27, 2025, and the nominations have been submitted and accepted. All nominations are confidential. The Don and Doña Selection Committee will meet to consider and review all nominations for the 2025 group, and select the 2025 Honorees
The PVHS Board hosts a Get Acquainted Reception for the Honorees and the Board in August. The Annual Don and Doña BBQ to honor the recipients will be held on August 30, 2025 at the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District Community Center. Make your plans now for the BBQ. For further information please ‘Send Us a Message’ at the bottom of this page.
Past Don and Doña Honors Recipients:
For 61 years, Don and Doña honors have been awarded to long-time local residents who are nominated by the community. These residents have made a difference in the community through their professional and volunteer efforts for at least twenty years. The designation harkens back to early California days as the title given to community leaders. (Adolfo Camarillo [1864–1958] was considered the “last of the Spanish Dons”.) The Society is pleased to acknowledge their contributions to this lovely valley.
Again for year 2024, the Pleasant Valley Historical Society recognizeed individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. Once again, nominations were received and reviewed to determine this year’s group of worthy recipients. The individuals selected include a wide range of service to the community to make the Pleasant Valley area even a more special place. PVHS congratulates the following:
The 2024 Dons and Doñas Recipients:
Back row: Craig Mason, Bruce Jochums, Ruff Smith, John McCoy, Eric Bergh
Front row: Linda Thayer-Gaboury, Joanne Kennedy, Al Fox, Linda Reynolds, Judith Wilcoxson
The 2024 Annual Event was held last September 16th at the Camarillo Community Center (1605 E. Burnley St.).
Dons and Doñas 2024:
Eric Bergh
Al Fox
Bruce Jochums
Joanne Kennedy
Craig Mason
John McCoy
Linda Reynolds
Ruff Smith
Linda Thayer-Gaboury
Judith Wilcoxson
The 2023 Don and Doña Honors Recipients:
Standing: Allen Grizzard-Paul, Tony Trembley, Chuck Spence, Jo Spence, Phyllis Anderson, Lloyd Christie, Russ White, Karin Farrin, Greg Farrin
Seated: Mary Grizzard-Paul, Carl Anderson, Joni Berger
The 2023 Annual Event was held last September 16th at the Camarillo Community Center (1605 E. Burnley St.).
Dons and Doñas 2023:
Carl Anderson
Phyllis Anderson
Joni Berger
Lloyd Christie, D.V.M.
Greg Farrin
Karin Farrin
Allen Grizzard-Paul
Mary Grizzard-Paul
Charles Spence
Jo Spence
Tony Trembley
Russ White
2022 Don and Doña Honors Recipients:
Left to right: Brenda Brueckner, Karen Gatchel, Wayne Brueckner, Mary Ann Novak, Betty Weyek, Helen Faul, David Tennessen, Curt Luft, Mary Goldberg, Gwen Speakes, Diana Hagen, Don Howald
The 2022 Annual Event was held last September 25th at the Camarillo Community Center (1605 E. Burnley St.).
Dons and Doñas 2022:
Brenda Brueckner
Wayne Brueckner
Helen Faul
Karen Gatchel
Mary Goldberg
Diana Hagen
Don Howald
Curt Luft
Mary Ann Novak
Gwen Speakes
David Tennessen
Betty Weyek
2021 Don and Doña Honors Recipients:
Back Row: Mike Mishler, Dennis Gaiser, Neal Dixon, Virginia Wooten, Bob Fierro, Terry Taclett
Front Row: Linda Braunschweiger, Linda Packham, Helen Shields, Barbara Swetek, Cathy Trainer, Rachel Resnik Miles
The 2021 Annual Event was held last September 25th at the Camarillo Community Center (1605 E. Burnley St.).
Dons and Doñas 2021:
Don and Doña Honoree History and Archives
The PVHS Museum displays six scrapbooks filled with information about previous Don and Doña Honor Awardees, beginning with the year 1965.
A complete listing of Don and Doña Honor Awardees, from 1965 through 2022, is also available as a PDF form – use click or tap) the Dons and Doñas link (below) to view/print/download the PDF file:
Link: Don and Doña Honor Awardees: 1965 – 2023 (Alphabetical Order)