[Jason]

The memory remains fresh in his mind, as if it happened just yesterday.


In March 1957, at a circus at the Shrine Mosque, young George Carden and his mom were walking the west hall when a gentleman jumped over from a counter and struck up a conversation.
Little did he know it then, but the exchange would lead Carden into a lifetime of working and later running Shrine circuses.
On Saturday, Carden showed his generosity by donating $100,000 to the Abou Ben Adhem Temple, earmarking the money for renovations inside the venerable structure at 601 St. Louis St.
"I hold this Shrine responsible for my lottery ticket," Carden said. "It means everything to me. All of my success is because of this Shrine."
Carden shared his story Saturday in a side office where old black and white photos of former Shriners still line the aging wood-paneled walls.
Standing in the back row of one photo from the mid-1950s is Larry Carden, the man who struck up the conversation with his mom, Betty, back in '57. The couple eventually married, and Larry adopted George.
They'd spend the rest of their lives involved in Shrine circuses.


read more Longtime Shriner gives $100,000 for renovations | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader