Myrtle Findley, grand marshal of Saturday’s Independence Day parade, has a “can do” attitude.

In fact, Findley, 88, has made a career out of volunteering since settling in Colfax in 1976.

“It’s important to the community around us,” she explained.

As a Master Landscape Design consultant, Master Flower Show Judge and Master Gardening consultant, the majority of her volunteer activities revolve around gardening.

Findley said she started out designing the small park on Main Street next to the Colfax Library.

Shortly afterward, she was appointed to the city’s Design Review Commission, a position that gave her the opportunity to bring out the best the city has to offer.

Findley told the Record in March 2007 that she wanted Colfax to be a town “that draws people here to see our beauty. We have beauty here, beautiful trees, beautiful climate.”

It’s been her goal to ensure trees and landscape materials used throughout the town are the right ones for the climate and elevation.

“It’s good to see that it’s all done and somebody is taking care of it,” she said. “The city doesn’t have the money to do it.”

With an eye toward preserving the town’s history, Findley served as co-chair of the Colfax Depot Management Committee from 2001 until restoration work was finished in 2006.

And she is currently president of the Colfax Area Historical Society.

Not only does she volunteer on behalf of the city, but Findley is also an active member of the Colfax Garden Club as well as the Auburn Arrangers Guild.

She has held numerous leadership positions at the district and regional level of California Garden Clubs.

While she has received numerous awards, last month she received the prestigious Member Award of Honor from the National Garden Clubs, Inc.

The award was presented to recognize her contributions to “civic development, design, horticulture, landscape design and all around excellence.”

“Myrtle is an inspiration to so many people in her community, church and garden club world,” the nomination papers state. “She is more than willing to help all of us. Her quick wit and ‘can do’ attitude is appreciated by those that have the opportunity to work with her on various projects. This octogenarian is constantly on the go!”

The mother of four and grandmother of eight, Findley said she was surprised and honored to be selected grand marshal of Saturday’s annual Independence Day parade hosted by the Colfax Lions Club.

Two of her grandsons would ride with her. “It’ll be quite a memory for them,” she said.

Saturday’s parade will start at noon at the intersection of South Auburn and Church Streets, go across the railroad tracks, right on Main Street around the flagpole, continues on Main Street, turns right on Church, right on Culver and back up Grass Valley Street to South Auburn Street.

Entries will be accepted between 10:30 and 11 a.m. at South Auburn and Church Streets, reports Lions Club Parade chair Ed Pearson.

A $20 donation is requested to participate in the parade.

Proceeds will be used to replace playground equipment at Colfax Memorial Ball Park.