Annual Bald Knob Cross membership meeting set

The future of a Union County landmark will be the focus of discussion at an upcoming meeting.

The annual meeting of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace membershp is planned Tuesday, Feb. 9.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the welcome center which is located near the Cross of Peace atop Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass.

People from throughout the region who are interested in the future of the cross are invited and encouraged to attend next Tuesday's meeting.

Steve McKeown, the president of a transition board which is overseeing the cross, said the agenda for next week's meeting is multifaceted. McKeown is pastor of the Christian Life Center in Herrin.

An update on restoration and repair work at the cross is planned. The future of the landmark also will be discussed.

McKeown described next Tuesday's gathering as a "very important meeting."

Costs for restoration  and repair work at the Cross of Peace will be reviewed. The work is moving forward, with structural repairs and related work having been done.

McKeown said plans call for the restoration work to be completed this year.

Also on the agenda for the meeting is approval of new organizational bylaws.

The future of the site will be another focus of discussion.

McKeown said there are "very exciting expansion opportunities" which are being reviewed.

McKeown said he would like to see people from throughout the region at the membership meeting. New members are welcome.

He said the Cross of Peace is "a regional monument" and he wants to hear from people throughout the region about the future of the landmark.