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Winner of 'Pen' hopes to restore cross

Saturday, May 17, 2008 1:07 AM CDT

I wasn't surprised when our readers decided Deborah Nash's wonderful letter about Bald Knob Cross should receive the Golden Pen Award.

People in Southern Illinois feel connected to the iconic mountain-top cross. It's loved both for what it represents to the faithful and for the importance it was accorded by earlier generations - especially those who watched its creation.

Nash understands this as well as anyone. She is a sixth-generation native of Southern Illinois, born and raised in the "neighborhood" of the cross, the rolling and wooded land between Alto Pass and Cobden. She wants to see the deteriorating cross restored to its original splendor.

"It's an inspirational place and it ought to be open to everyone," she said.

Nash is the secretary for Friends of the Cross, a non-profit organization created solely to raise funds for restoration of the cross. The group hopes to raise a total of $300,000 and ensure the restoration work on the cross is first-class.

"We don't want to do a patch job. We want to do it correctly and maintain it," Nash said. "We've already raised about $70,000 and we're just getting started."

Nash's letter explains the many reasons people visit and view Bald Knob Cross. Her letter must have struck a common chord because it earned 55 votes from a total of 116. Letters written by Warren Bowles of Chester and the Rev. Leo Hayes of Ava collected 31 and 30 votes, respectively.

Nash hopes to build interest in the cross project and attract more people to Friends of the Cross, which now has a membership of 230. Membership and the fundraising total could grow significantly in the next month.

A "Walk for the Cross" will be June 14 and participants will be sought through the day of the event. Nash said prospective participants can call her for more information at 893-2612 or "just show up in downtown Alto Pass any time after 7 a.m. on June 14."

Tax deductable donations can be made to Friends of the Cross at any time by mailing checks or money orders to Friends of the Cross, P.O. Box 81, Alto Pass, IL 62905.

Nash's name may sound familiar to some readers, especially those in Union County. She's married to former Union County Sheriff Jim Nash and previously worked as an intake case worker for the Illinois Department of Human Services.

GARY METRO is the editor of The Southern. You can reach him at (618) 351-5033 or gary.metro@thesouthern.com.