By TR Robertson
The Shadowridge Country Club was the scene Saturday of the Vista Historical Society’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony for six new individuals nominated and selected by the VHS committee. The Historical Society’s Hall of Fame selections have been happening yearly since 1998. The organization was founded in 1967 and a museum was established in 1994, next to Wildwood Park where a fire station is located today. This location closed in 2007 when the city decided to build the present fire station. The location of the museum today is the Rancho Minerva home that the Historical Society was able to lease from the City of Vista in 2009 when the city obtained the home and land when it obtained the former Huntalas Ranch in order to construct the Vista Grande Elementary School.
Those selected as Hall of Fame members have been active in Vista civic positions or in organizations that provide service and assistance in numerous ways as well as individuals that have contributed in a variety of ways to make Vista a better place to live. The six individuals selected for this years’ induction fits all of these categories. The six newest inductees to the Vista Historical Society Hall of Fame 2025 are:
Don Sharp – Don and his family moved to Vista in 1950. He was very active in civic affairs, was President of the Vista School Board and was an officer in the Vista Chamber of Commerce. Don owned Vista Motor Imports, where his wife Ruth also worked. He also donated vehicles for the driver ed program at Vista High School. Speaking about Don was his son Tim.
Naomi and Bill Stein – The Stein’s are currently Trustees at the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens and are extremely active members at the Gardens. Naomi is the chairperson of the Landscape Design Committee and Bill chairs and supervises the maintenance and signage at the Gardens as well as doing repairs for the irrigation, timers and lighting. Naomi and Bill created and donated the “Jeffrey Stein Children’s Music Garden at Alta Vista in honor of their son Jeffrey who passed away in 2008. They are both active in the North County Jewish Community. Bill was a member of the Shadowridge Rotary Club and Naomi was a member of Soroptimists and The Woman’s Club of Vista. Speaking about the Stein’s was Ron Holloway.
Jeffery “Toy Man” Olsen – Jeffery has been a dedicated and compassionate member of the Vista Community since 1975. He has donated food, clothing, and toys to numerous nonprofit organizations including the Salvation Army and the Children’s Hospital. He has been honored with a 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Biden and November 29, 2022, was declared Jeffery Olsen Day in the City of Vista. It is estimated he has donated over 60,000 toys throughout the years to children around the county to families in need. Speaking about Jeffery was Jake Minger.
Terry Moxley – Terry enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966 and served in Vietnam from 1967-68. After his discharge he worked for several North County banks before owning Econo Lube & Tune in Vista from 1993-97. He is the Past President of Encinitas and Amigos de Vista Lions Clubs. He is also a former member of Kiwanis, the Vista Chamber of /commerce and presently is Commander of Vista Memorial Post 7041 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1st Vice President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1147 Escondido, Treasurer of the Vista Historical Society and former Finance Officer of Alvin Myo Dunn American Legion Post 365 Vista. He also volunteers at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Kitchen and has helped with the North County Stand Down Food collection. Speaking about Terry was Spike Harvey.
Dan Villasenor – The Villasenor family has owned the popular Vista Pepper Tree Frosty since 1959. Dan and his sisters worked at Pepper Tree from a very young age and Dan and wife Linda have been the current owners for quite some time. Dan has been an active member of the Vista Boys and Girls Club, first going to the club when no girls were members. He is now on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club. He has received numerous awards from the Boys and Girls Club, from the Vista Chamber of Commerce, the Vista Education Foundation and the City of Vista also declared a day as Danny Villasenor Day. Dan’s sons Rich and Joe spoke about their father.
Following their presentations MC TR Robertson announced two new board members for VHS, Todd Anderson and Holy Chris Hall and Vista Historical Society President Eleanor Hutchins presented certificates to outgoing VHS Board Members. She also spoke about upcoming events for VHS, the next event being the Let’s Celebrate America Celebration at the Museum featuring The Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame Orchestra on Sunday, June 20th.
Vista Historical Society Mission Statement
The Vista Historical Society is a nonprofit California corporation which is concerned with the discovery, recording, collecting and preservation of historical facts, properties, and other materials regarding the history of Southwestern United States.
In particular, recording the settlement and development of this region in San Diego County, and also preserving and perpetuating for public benefits those artifacts, historical objects and documents for all to see.
https://vistahistoricalsociety.com/
