Springfield native becomes Melha Shriners 115th president
Christopher Parker became the 115th potentate who grew up helping out at the Shrine Circus, greeting guests and handing out programs as a member of the Shrine's Oriental Band. Parker was raised in the Forest Park section of Springfield and graduated from Central High School in 2002. He worked for Baystate Cast Products until it closed in 2023.
FTC warns veterans of VA benefit fraud
Parker is also a fourth generation Freemason at Brigham Lodge in Ludlow since 2007, 'Becoming a Freemason is an awesome journey that teaches a person a lot about himself and his place in the world. Being from Massachusetts, home of the first Freemasonry Lodge in the country, I am very proud of our history and our contributions to our community throughout the years.'
The newly installed potentate said his goals for 2025 include, 'bringing back the fun and fellowship of years past, 'Fraternally Uniting Nobles,' while continuing to raise money for the children.'
The Melha Shriners are well known for their support of the Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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