East County News Service

March 1, 2026 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society will peel back a few layers of local history this month through the eyes of one of its most dedicated residents.

At 7 p.m., Thursday, March 5, the LGHS's "History Alive" lecture series will bring Dona Clabby to the H. Lee House Cultural Center in Treganza Heritage Park to share her thoughts and memories as part of program called “The Way We Were.”

Dona, 91, and her late husband, Tom Clabby, who died at age 84 in 2023, were part and parcel of the evolution of Lemon Grove from a community of citrus groves to a diverse, incorporated city.

Lemon Grove has long prided itself as the "Best Climate on Earth," but its history includes much more than the weather, and Dona Clabby has lived in the city for more than 65 years, with a plethora of memories she will touch on at the lectre.

Having raised their three children in the community, Dona and Tom Clabby are and were representative of the generation that bridged the gap between the town’s rural roots and its modern civic identity.