News from Bald Knob Cross of Peace
Bald Knob Cross
 
December 2016
Happenings at the Cross!
"Christmas at the Cross" Continues

Christmas at the cross "CHRISTMAS AT THE CROSS" continues for one more Saturday, December 17. We've had three great Saturdays so far, with delicious cookies and terrific music provided by David Isom (Nov 26), the Tomcat Hill Social Club (Dec 3) and Laura Cates-Duncan (Dec 10). Enjoy Christmas and gospel music,  a wonderful array of homemade Christmas cookies, a display of nativity scenes from local supporters, story time for children, and the sights and sounds of Christmas. Check out the activities for this Saturday, and I hope you can join us!

 

December 17: 

  • 12:00-2:00 p.m., Music by Smoky Hollow String Band 
  • 2:00 p.m. Christmas story time for children 

 

Electrical Upgrade

I'm delighted to report that we've had some electrical upgrade to the Welcome Center, with some additional outlets, circuits, and outside hookups that will make the hosting of large events MUCH more effective and efficient. The electrical limitations inside the Welcome Center has long been a barrier to being able to handle large groups well. This is an unseen but exciting change!
  Most Current Needs

Observation Deck - You recently received a letter or email asking for financial support to build the previously planned observation deck on the south side of the Welcome Center. GREAT NEWS - we now have a donor that will provide the labor to build this deck free of charge, if we can build it during January and February of 2017. So we now only need to raise funds for the materials, which makes this project much more reachable! Please consider sending a donation to help fund the purchase of building materials for this project.
Eclipse 2017

 

Eclipse Tickets to attend the August 21, 2017, eclipse event will be on sale soon. While this is not common practice for events at Bald Knob, visitors can attend this event only with the advanced purchase of a ticket. This is necessary to manage the number of people and cars at the cross on that date, so all visitors will have a good experience. 

 

Two different levels of tickets will be available:

  1. Casual Eclipse Viewers: $50 for each ticket. This will include shuttle transportation to Bald Knob from Alto Pass area, plus T-shirt, eclipse glasses, water bottle, and other items still being determined. 
  2. Serious Eclipse Viewers: $250 for each ticket. This will include parking at the cross for your vehicle, so you can bring telescope, camera, and other equipment. This also includes all the items in the package, plus golf cart assistance to transport your equipment to your assigned area. Electricity will not be provided; please plan to bring battery pack if needed. A maximum of two (2) companion tickets may be purchased for $50 each with the purchase of a $250 ticket. 

More information and ticket sales will be available soon.

Plan your Meeting at the Cross

meeting Do you hold regular team meetings, planning meetings or community meetings? Would you like to have a change of scenery and have your meeting off-site occasionally? You can schedule with us to do this at any time, but especially during the low-visitor months, for a donation to Bald Knob Cross, you can host your meeting in our Welcome Center, at the end of the building with the best view, overlooking the south landscape. We can set up tables for you, and you can bring in your own refreshments. Just let us know well in advance of your meeting so we can arrange adequate set-up and volunteers for hosting. 

Contact me at director@baldknobcross.com or 618-521-1917 if you'd like to bring your group to Bald Knob for their next meeting.
2017 Board of Directors

In the October and November newsletters, there was information regarding the vacancies on the Board of Directors for 2017. Interested parties who met all the eligibility requirements were asked to indicate, in writing, their wishes to be considered for a board position by December 1st, 2016. Our by-laws state that there shall be not be fewer than seven (7) nor more than nine (9) members of the Board. There are seven (7) current board members who have recommitted for an additional term as allowed in the by-laws and there are two (2) people who submitted their names for a board position. 

Since the total of the seven current board members plus the two board candidates does not exceed the maximum number allowed on the board, and since those requesting to serve, as well as those returning, meet all the diversity requirements set forth in the bylaws, it will not be necessary to hold an election for those who submitted their names as board candidates. As such, there will not be a ballot sent out to the membership for voting and both new board candidates will be seated as board members at the Annual Meeting. Returning board candidates include: 
  • Frank Caruso, Christopher, 62822
  • Regge Walker, Carbondale, 62901
  • John Reeder, Murphysboro, 62966
  • William Minor, Jackson, MO, 63755
  • Muriel Zachary, Cobden, 62920 
  • Mary Lou Portell, Pinckneyville, 62274
  • James Haney, Vienna, 62995 

New board candidates include:

  • Danny Cash, Marion, 62959
  • Paula Snow, Carterville, 62918 

If you are currently a member of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace, please note that the Annual Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 14th, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at the Welcome Center at Bald Knob Cross, 3630 Bald Knob Road, Alto Pass, IL, and that this meeting is open to all members who may wish to attend. Check the website in case of inclement weather for rescheduling information. 

 

If you have any questions please contact Teresa Gilbert, Executive Director, at director@baldknobcross.com or (618)521-1917. If you are not currently receiving our email newsletter, please visit the website and sign up, or email info@baldknobcross.com and request to be added. Thank you again for your support of Bald Knob Cross of Peace.

Debbie Braden Volunteer Spotlight

Debbie Braden joined our volunteer team this month. Debbie is from Cobden and is very quickly becoming acclimated to hosting the Welcome Center and a great asset to our volunteer team. If you meet Debbie, be sure and introduce yourself and tell her thanks for all the ways she's already helping Bald Knob Cross!!!
Merry Christmas!

The staff, Board of Directors and volunteers at Bald Knob Cross want to thank you for all your support during this year, and to wish you and all your family and friends a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
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Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendars
  • cross on the hillDecember 17, 2016 - Christmas at the Cross
  • April 16, 2017 - Easter Sunrise Service 
  • April 30, 2017 - Blessing of the Bikes 
  • June 17, 2017 - Blessing of the Cars 
  • August 21, 2017 - Viewing of Solar Eclipse (advance ticket purchase required)

Additional events to be held at Bald Knob are being considered for 2017. If you would like to assist with planning an event for next year, please send an email to director@baldknobcross.com. Create your own event at Bald Knob!

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Teresa Gilbert

 

Blessings!

 

Teresa Gilbert

Executive Director   

Director@BaldKnobCross.com 

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