Harold and Judy Metcalf to serve as Maple Syrup Festival Grand Marshals
The Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival Board has proudly named Harold and Judy Metcalf to be grand marshals of the annual Maple Syrup Festival Parade. They will lead the parade down Wright Avenue in the village of Shepherd on April 30th beginning at 2:30 p.m. It is not unusual for the Metcalfs to be in the parade as their Festival memories include riding behind their horses in an antique buggy. As their children became older the family members rode their horses too for the enjoyment of family and friends along the parade route.
Harold has been a resident of the Winn/Shepherd area all his life having been born on a farm west of Winn. He attended the Wyant country school for grades K-7 and then moved on to Shepherd High School. Harold worked in construction in his early years but retired from Morbark after 33 years of service there. Judy was raised in Rochester, Michigan, graduated from Rochester High School and then attended Central Michigan University. It was on a blind date that the “country” boy and the “city” girl first met and have since celebrated 59 years of marriage. Judy was hired as a business teacher at Shepherd High School and loyally served the school system for 35 years. They have two children; son Rod and Amy who live in Georgia and daughter Melissa and her husband Kerrick who are caring for Harold’s horses on a farm outside of Holland. Harold and Judy love to share stories of their 4 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.
Harold has been a faithful Maple Syrup Festival volunteer over the years doing everything from tapping trees, gathering sap, cutting wood, making sausage, serving on the board, to selling tickets in the line on the way to the pancake and sausage dinners. Judy has been a staple on the Friday morning set-up crew. She recalls her mother coming up from Rochester to help clean the refrigerators that were placed in classrooms used as overflow eating areas! And, as a long-time Rotary member, she teams up with Harold for their turn at the ticket table.
Attendees this year will still see their contributions in the dining room as this couple created the maple leaf signs that designate the table numbers.
The Metcalf’s favorite memories of past Festivals include all the friends they made from the campers behind their home on East Drive. Harold recounted that at one time there were 20 hook-ups to their electrical system. (Possibly this is why their home has been able to display an abundance of Christmas light strings over the years for all the villagers to enjoy). The children were always excited when the motorcycle escorts would bring yet another camper to the Metcalf area. What an era it was in Festival history! Thanks to Judy and Harold for their efforts and leadership over the past 60 years!
