The 2025 Dons and Doña Nomination and Selection:
Since the Pleasant Valley Historical Society’s inception in 1964, Don and Doña honors have been awarded to over 500 individuals who have shown dedication to the community as a resident for at least 20 years. Nominations from the public for this year were accepted through May 27, 2025. The Don and Doña Selection Committee met and reviewed all nominations for the 2025 group, selecting these 2025 Honorees:
Dons and Doñas 2025 Honorees
Richard “Dick” Bellman
Kim Dallape
Sheryl Gonzalez
Robert “Buddy” Kelley
Larry Kennedy
Darren Parrent
Rick Pena
Mike Ritchie
Robert Taylor
Stephanie Zierhut
The Annual Don and Doña BBQ to honor the recipients will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, 1-4 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District Community Center. Make your plans now for the BBQ. For further information please see the Ticket Purchase Form (immediately below) to purchase tickets:
2025 Annual Don and Doña Presentation Barbeque Tickets – August 30th, 2025, 1-4pm ($100 Each)
Please Note: The deadline for the 2025 Annual Don and Doña Presentation Barbeque reservations is August 16th, 2025.
1) Please select the number of tickets to be purchased below.
2) Your “ticket” will be the name badge available at the entrance to the event hall. If the name on your name badge is different than your “Personal Info” shown below, please include your badge name in the “Comment” field. If additional tickets are also purchased, please include a badge name (and contact information) in the “Comment” field (below) for each ticket purchased.
3) Please select your Payment Method:
- If PayPal (includes Credit Card option) payment is selected, please enter your name and email address (and a include a comment if applicable). Please verify your purchase total and click the Submit button. You will be directed to PayPal to complete your payment. Your Reservation, and Payment Confirmation will be emailed to you.
- If Offline payment is selected, please enter your name and email address (and a comment if applicable). Instructions for the check will be present at the bottom of this form. Please verify your purchase total and click the Submit button. Your Reservation Confirmation will be emailed to you.
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)