MYLES TO CHAIR SHRINER EVENT

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A Cape Girardeau man has been named general chairman for the Moolah Temple Shrine Circus, which will be held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis

"This is quite an honor," said Kenneth E. Myles, a local insurance broker here who has been active in St. Louis Shrine Circus activities for the past decade. "There's a lot of work involved, but it's exciting. I've been working with the circus a number of years."

The Moolah Shrine Circus, which includes a downtown parade, is a four-day event, and is the second largest Shrine Hospitals fundraiser in the United States.

"The seven-ring circus is the largest outdoor circus in the world," said Myles. "One hundred percent of the net proceeds are used to support Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children."

The Shriners organization oper~ates 21 hospitals for the treatment of crippled or burned children in the U.S. "The care is done completely without cost to the patient or family," said Myles. "No insurance payment or public assistance is accepted."

Myles said this year's circus would feature 13 elephants, several dogs, tigers, bears, horses, and aerial acts.

"This year, we will also feature the Johnny Rivers `Diving Mules,'" added Myles. "Just prior to the spectacular fireworks display, which will be the final act, an aerialist performs on a trapeze suspended beneath a helicopter hovering over Busch Stadium.

"The parade this year will be held June 12, with circus dates scheduled June 12-14-15," added Myles, who as general chairman is responsible for all four days of planning.

Myles is also planning three other circus performances around the state, at Poplar Bluff, Montgomery City, and Hannibal.

"These will be three-ring performances," he said.

In previous years, Myles has served as publicity chairman and ticket chairman, but he is the first person selected as general chairman from Southeast Missouri.

Myles helped organize the Cape Shrine Club in 1971, and was its president in 1973. In 1982, he was named to the Divan, the ascending line of officers who operate the St. Louis Shrine Organization. Myles was selected out of more than 9,000 candidates for the Divan honor.