Agape House Board Honors Charter Members
At the meeting of the Agape House of Vandalia board on May 21, charter members, Karen and Sterling Holbrook, were honored for their ongoing commitment to the house.
Meeting notes from the May 13, 1999 meeting were read at which the Holbrooks and the Rev. Ronald Franklin, among others, were present.
The guesthouse for visitors to the correctional centers in Bowling Green and Vandalia was in the planning stages at that time, with purchase of property discussed. The house opened at 206 South Walnut just over five years later.
In other business Mary Thomas of Middletown, joined the board.
House manager, Karen Craig, reported 56 guests, including 10 children, stayed at the house in April. She sought minor clarifications to the house rules that are given to each guest upon their arrival. Craig mentioned the need for bottled water, individual serving size cereals, and jellied fruit snacks.
The parking lot, alley, and carport driveway were sealed earlier in the month. Repairs are needed to the light on the outdoor flagpole.
Guest surveys were nearly all positive about the house and its management. Guests are encouraged to complete surveys, rating the facility, management and operation.
Board members in attendance were: Rich Duffner, Elwood LaRue. Carlene Galloway, Janet Heim, Karen Holbrook, Sterling Holbrook, Floy Oliver, Kay Robnett, Mary Thomas and Edith Westmoreland.
Monetary gifts received in April include the following: United Way of Audrain County; Edgewood Baptist Church of Bowling Green; Ramsey Creek Baptist Church of Clarksville; Bethlehem Baptist Church of Centralia; Curryville Baptist Church; Farber Baptist Church and Judy Hull of Farber; Grand Crossings Baptist Association of Fulton; Laddonia Christian Church; Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus (Assembly 572), Lockewood Park Baptist Church and Friendship Baptist Church, all of Mexico; Middletown Christian Church and Rodney and Geneva Allison of Middletown; Hopewell Baptist Church and John Yost of Thompson; Southside Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and First Christian Church, all of Vandalia; and Hopewell Baptist Church, Hopewell Baptist Church Women on Mission, and United Methodist Presbyterian Women, all of Wellsville.
Non-monetary gifts included coloring books and puzzles by Mary Ann Heim of Middletown and a table from St. John Lutheran Church of Vandalia.
