Historical Society to Honor 2 Residents

Continuing a 31-year tradition, the Conejo Valley Historical Society on Saturday will host its annual Fiesta del Triunfo to honor two Thousand Oaks residents for outstanding community service.

The first fiesta was held Oct. 2, 1965, by community members interested in preserving the Stagecoach Inn in Newbury Park. Using the theme of a Spanish costume ball, the group invited the public to elect a man and woman at 10 cents a ballot to reign over the party. Known as the Don and Dona Triunfo--after the Triunfo Canyon named by the Spanish explorers--the title has been handed down to community activists since the first fiesta.

The Don and Dona for 1996 are John Crossman and Darly Reynolds.

Crossman is president of two local corporations and a long-standing member of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club, the Westlakers and the Conejo Futures Foundation. He also serves on the board of Conejo Valley Senior Concerns and the Cal Lutheran University President’s Advisory Council. In 1995, he was named Businessman of the Year by the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Reynolds is the past president of the Conejo Valley Historical Society and has served as president of the Meadows Elementary School PTA and the Westlake High PTA. She has also served on the Ventura County PTA. Among other activities, she now chairs the Thousand Oaks Traffic Commission.

Last year, she was elected Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce.

Reynolds and Crossman will host the fiesta, which includes a silent auction, a steak dinner and a production of “Guys and Dolls” at the Civic Arts Plaza.

The fund-raiser will be held under the oak trees in front of the performing arts center at 5 p.m. Tickets for the dinner cost $50. For another $20, residents can attend the play at 8 p.m.

For reservations, call 498-9441.