By Alexandra Nicolas
news@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. —
Ninety-one-year-old Carthage resident Donalstet Myers is no stranger to being in the Maple Leaf Parade.
“I’ve already been in the parade several times on the Carthage Shrine train crew,” he said.
Selected by the Maple Leaf Festival Committee, Myers will lead the 2010 Maple Leaf Parade starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, as grand marshal.
“I was so surprised,” he said. “I’m sure there’s others that deserve it more. I do appreciate the thought and the committee for putting me on it, and I’m sure I’ll see a lot of people I haven’t seen in a while.”
Committee members submit names of local residents who they think should be the grand marshal, and the Maple Leaf Festival Committee selects who will lead the parade.
“I figure somebody called in,” Myers said. “I just don’t know who, but I’m hoping to find out.”
Myers said that since he moved to Carthage in 1945, he has seen “a lot of changes” in the city. He worked in construction and owned Myers Realty for 33 years before selling his business to Smith Midwest Realty, a company for which he now works part time.
Myers said he has been active with the Masonic Lodge for 54 years and with the area Shriners for 46 years.
Though he said he’s looking forward to the week of the Maple Leaf Festival and leading the parade, his age may not allow him to take in all of the events during the eight-day festival.
“I may not be at all of the functions; I’m 91,” Myers said.
Parade day
The eight-day Maple Leaf Festival will start Oct. 9. The Maple Leaf Parade on Oct. 16 will begin on the Carthage square. The parade is known as the largest parade in Southwest Missouri. Additional events will include antique car and tractor shows, a dog show, and a marching band contest.
