Today's Features

Following Matt Philbrick’s inspirational message at the recent Lenten Luncheon at First Christian Church in Vandalia, the pastor of the host church, the Rev. Robert Francisco, further blessed the meeting as he gave a beautiful rendition of “Bethlehem Morning,” sung with such reverence that it could have served as the benediction. He has been pasturing churches since 1992.

Meet Francsico  and his wife, Euna.

A Bit of History

He will be a first-time speaker at the first 2010 Lenten Luncheon next Wednesday at noon at First Christian Church in Vandalia. It will be an opportunity to meet him as he shares his faith with the community in the spirit of this reverent Easter season.

He may be referred to as “the new kid on the block,” but Matt Philbrick, the new minister of youth at the First Baptist Church in Vandalia, is not new to his chosen work with youth, something he feels that was not just of his choosing, but also of the Lord’s calling.

He remembers the dirt road that the stagecoach ran on many years ago. What is now U.S. Route 185 south, was then a dirt road called Vincennes Road, “because it ran from Vincennes, Ind., to Vandalia, Ill.,” he said.

“I traveled it a lot. The stagecoach would go through here from Vincennes, on the way to Vandalia, and would stop at the old brick house on (U.S.) Route 40. It was an inn, then,” he said.

Countless books have been written and illustrated on dog training. Some are very serious manuals, with professional, no-nonsense attitudes and instructions, accompanied by photos of elite-looking models (both handlers and canines).

There are also those that focus mainly on new puppy behavior and toilet training.

Then there are the lighter instructional manuals with a humorous slant, illustrated with humorous caricatures.