Butterfly Pork Chop Meal at VFW
2026-02-13
PrintThe VFW Auxiliary Meal will be on Friday, February 13, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
On the menu: Butterfly pork chop, hashbrown casserole, vegetable, lemonade, tea, or coffee, and dessert for $8.00.
The VFW is located at 2304 S. Veterans Drive in Effingham.
Contact Chuck at 217-343-8313 for more information.

Red Cross Blood Drives in February
2026-02-13, 2026-02-16, 2026-02-17
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in February:
2/5, Thursday, Knights of Columbus Hall, Newton, Noon – 5:30 PM
2/6, Friday, Newton High School, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
2/10, Tuesday, Mason Christian Church Annex, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, EIU Student Union Ballroom, Charleston, Noon – 4:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, Flora Church of the Nazarene, Noon – 5:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, Apostolic Center Church, Mattoon, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/13, Friday, Oblong Municipal Building, 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
2/16, Monday, Home Church, Charleston, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/16, Monday, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sainte Marie, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/17, Tuesday, Grace United Methodist Church, Neoga, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/17, Tuesday, Dieterich High School, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/20, Friday, Altamont High School, 8:15 AM – 2:00 PM
2/23, Monday, Shelbyville High School, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
2/24, Tuesday, St Michael Church – Sigel, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/26, Thursday, Neal Center YMCA, Toledo, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Come give blood through February 28, for a $20 e-gift card to your choice of merchant. See rcblood.org/heart
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Father-Daughter Dance in Watson
2026-02-13
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Friday's Schedule
2026-02-13
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Flora at St. Anthony, 6 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Mahomet-Seymour at Effingham, 6 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Altamont, 5 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 5 p.m.
Neoga at Oblong, 6 p.m.
Richland County, Olney at Newton, 6 p.m.
Mulberry Grove at South Central, 6 p.m.
Teutopolis at Marshall, 6 p.m.
Girls Wrestling
Cumberland at Sectional, TBA
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Flora at St. Anthony, 5 p.m.
Olney at Newton, 5 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Teutopolis at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Patoka, 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Windsor, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at LEIC Eighth-Grade Tournament at Marshall, TBA

Downtown Valentine’s Weekend Shopping Weekend
2026-02-13, 2026-02-14
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Head downtown this Valentine’s weekend and show some love to our amazing small businesses!
Bonus: You have all three days to complete your passport, so shop, dine, and explore at your own pace!
Support local. Shop small. Win big.

Trivia Night for St. Thomas School
2026-02-14

Book Talk/Signing for "Loving Lincoln: A Personal History of the Women Who Shaped Lincoln's Life and Legacy"
2026-02-14
PrintThe Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is hosting Dr. Stacy Lynn, author of “Loving Lincoln: A Personal History of the Women Who Shaped Lincoln’s Life and Legacy”. Dr. Lynn will be on-site for a book signing and book talk on Saturday, February 14th at 2:00pm, during our Lincoln’s Birthday Open House. The open house is from 1:00 – 4:00.
The talk and book signing will be in the Visitor Center Auditorium.
Copies of the book may be purchased at the Goosenest Prairie Gift Shop.
The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is located at 402 South Lincoln Highway Road, near Lerna.
To contact them, call 217-345-1845 or visit lincolnlogcabin.org

Enduring Freedom Ministries Distributions in February
2026-02-14
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries February Calendar:
Tuesday, February 10th, 4-6pm, Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Wednesday, February, 11th, noon – 2p.m., Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Saturday, February 14th, 9a.m.-noon, Mason location is West Washington Street (Mason Civic Center)
Wednesday, February, 18th, noon – 2p.m., Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Thursday, February 19th, noon – 2p.m or until we run out. We are hosting an EXTRA FREE-FOOD DISTRIBUTION DRIVE-THROUGH. This will be held on the parking lot of the EFFINGHAM ARMORY at 1206 West Temple Avenue in Effingham.
Saturday, February 28th, 8:30-noon, Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
We ask that the families call and make an appointment for our Shumway & Mason Distributions. Call 217-240-0059 or 217-868-5293 or go to our website: www.my-christian-space.com
Enduring Freedom Ministries is free and for everyone!

Saturday's Schedule
2026-02-14
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Wooden Shoe Shootout
At Teutopolis
Game 1 – Cumberland vs. Okaw Valley, 11 a.m.
Game 2 – Mahomet-Seymour vs. Triad, 12:30 p.m.
Game 3 – Casey-Westfield vs. Goreville, 2 p.m.
Game 4 – Effingham vs. Nashville, 3:30 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Game 5 – Normal Community vs. Alton,
Game 6 – Teutopolis vs. Rochester, 6:30 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Altamont at Lawrenceville, 1 p.m.
Meridian at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 2 p.m.
Dieterich at Richland County, Olney, 5 p.m.
Newton at Fairfield, 2:30 p.m.
Robinson at North Clay, 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Class 1A Bluford Webber Regional
Game 1 — Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Webber Township (Bluford), 1 p.m.
Game 2 — South Central at Lawrenceville, 5 p.m.
Class 1A North Clay Regional
Game 1 — North Clay/Clay City at Red Hill (Bridgeport), noon
Game 2 — Wayne City Co-op at Dieterich, noon
Game 3 — Ramsey Co-op at Altamont, 7 p.m.
Class 1A Mount Pulaski Regional
Game 1 — Cerro Gordo/Bement at Neoga, 1 p.m.
Game 2 — Moweaqua Central A&M at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg Co–op, 1 p.m.
Class 1A Casey-Westfield Regional
Game 1 — Decatur Unity Christian Co-op at Casey-Westfield, 2 p.m.
Game 2 — Bethany Okaw Valley at Martinsville, 5 p.m.
Class 2A Paris Regional
Game 1 — Pana at Palestine/Hutsonville/Oblong, 5 p.m.
Class 2A Teutopolis Regional
Game 1 — Shelbyville at Marshall, 11 a.m.
Game 2 — Vandalia at Sullivan, 1 p.m.
Class 2A Mount Carmel Regional
Game 1 — Flora at Newton, 1 p.m.
FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Teutopolis at Tolono Unity Tournament, TBA
Newton at Fairfield, 1 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
55th Annual Sigel St. Michael Sixth-Grade Boys Tournament
Game 1 — Brownstown/St. Elmo vs. St. John, 8:30 a.m.
Game 2 — St. Pats vs. Dieterich, 9:45 a.m.
Game 3 — Stewardson-Strasburg vs. Altamont, 11 a.m.
Game 4 — Teutopolis vs. Neoga, 12:15 p.m.
Game 5 — Sigel St. Michael vs. South Central, 1:30 p.m.
Game 6 — St. Elmo/Brownstown vs. Effingham Sacred Heart, 2:45 p.m.
Game 7 — St. Anthony vs. North Clay, 4 p.m.
Game 8 — Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City vs. Newton St. Thomas, 5:15 p.m.
Volleyball
National Trail Conference Seventh-Grade Tournament
At Windsor
Match 5 — South Central vs. Neoga, 9 a.m.
Match 6 — Cumberland vs. Sigel St. Michael, 9 a.m.
Match 7 — Windsor vs. Stewardson-Strasburg, 10 a.m.
Match 8 — St. Elmo/Brownstown vs. North Clay, 10 a.m.
Match 9 — Loser Match 5 vs. Loser Game 7, 10 a.m.
Match 10 — Loser Match 6 vs. Loser Match 8, 11 a.m.
Match 11 — Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 7, 12:30 p.m.
Match 12 — Winner Match 6 vs. Winner Match 8, 12:30 p.m.
Match 13 — Winner Match 9 vs. Winner Match 10, 1:30 p.m. (consolation championship)
Match 14 — Loser Match 11 vs. Loser Match 12, 1:30 p.m. (third place)
Match 15 — Winner Match 11 vs. Winner Match 12, 2:30 p.m. (championship)
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Little Rock at Eastern Illinois University, 3:30 p.m.
NASCAR
United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway, 3:30 p.m.

Breakfast Buffet at Mason
2026-02-14

St. Thomas School Trivia Night and Live Auction
2026-02-14

Soup Supper at St. Aloysius Parish Center
2026-02-15

Sausage Breakfast at Altamont
2026-02-15
PrintSt. Clare Catholic Church in Altamont will be hosting a Sausage Breakfast on Sunday, February 15, from 7:30 am until Noon.
The menu includes sausage patties, ham, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, sweet rolls, sweet breads, milk, juice, and coffee.
St. Clare is located at 216 N. 9th Street, Altamont, IL 62411.
A free will donation will be accepted.

Sausage Supper at St. Peter's Lutheran
2026-02-15

Valentine's Spaghetti Dinner at Mason
2026-02-15
PrintMason Civic Center Presents a Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, February 15. Serving will be from 11:00am to 1:30pm.
Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Greens Beans, and Desserts are on the menu.
Free Will Donations are appreciated.

Sunday's Schedule
2026-02-15
PrintMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Indiana at University of Illinois, noon
NASCAR
Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, 12:30 p.m.

Night of the Stars - Lincoln Trail State Park
2026-02-16

ImpactLife Blood Drive at Effingham Event Center
2026-02-16

Free Safe Sitter Classes
2026-02-16

Monday's Schedule
2026-02-16
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Girls Basketball
Class 1A Bluford Webber Regional
Game 3 – Edwards County vs. Webber Township (Bluford), 6 p.m.
Game 4 – Woodlawn vs. Lawrenceville, 7:30 p.m.
Class 1A North Clay Regional
Game 4 – Brownstown/St. Elmo vs. Red Hill (Bridgeport), 6 p.m.
Game 5 – Dieterich vs. Altamont, 7:30 p.m.
Class 1A Casey-Westfield Regional
Game 3 – Cumberland vs. Casey-Westfield, 6 p.m.
Game 4 – Macon Meridian vs. Martinsville, 7:30 p.m.
Class 1A Mount Pulaski Regional
Game 3 – Mount Pulaski vs. Neoga, 6 p.m.
Game 4 – Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond vs. Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 7:30 p.m.
Class 2A Paris Regional
Game 2 – Effingham vs. Pana, 6:30 p.m.
Game 3 – Paris vs. Effingham St. Anthony, 7:30 p.m.
Class 2A Teutopolis Regional
Game 3 – Teutopolis vs. Marshall 6 p.m.
Game 4 – Robinson vs. Sullivan, 7:30 p.m.
Class 7-2A Mount Carmel Regional
Game 2 – Mount Carmel vs. Newton, 6 p.m.
Game 3 – Fairfield vs. Salem, 7:30 p.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Casey-Westfield at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Richland County, Olney at Teutopolis, 6 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH
Volleyball
Effingham Sacred Heart at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Marshall, 4:30 p.m.

Teutopolis Boys Golf Raffle of Cardinals Green Seats
2026-02-16
PrintTeutopolis Boys Golf is selling raffle tickets to win 4 Cardinals Green Seats. This includes the Cardinals Club Buffett, a Parking Pass, and In-Seat Food and Beverage.
The game is TBD.
Raffle Tickets are: 1/$20, 3/$50, or 7/$100. They’ll be available until close to Opening Day, March 26.
To get your chances, reach out to Mike Wilson, who accepts Venmo @MikeWils13. Will need your name and cellphone number.
Thanks for your support of Teutopolis Boys Golf!

Angeled Kids Foster Closet & Resale
2026-02-17

Volunteer Walkers/Visitors at Memory Care Facility
2026-02-17
PrintVolunteers are needed to walk with, or even just visit with, residents at Willowbrook Memory Care Facility in Effingham, on weekends.
If interested, call Molly Fearday at 217-994-3364.

CASA Volunteers Needed
2026-02-17
PrintThe start of a new year often comes with a list of resolutions. New Year’s resolutions are different for everyone, but one of the most common is to live a healthier lifestyle. If you’re hoping to improve your physical and mental health, there’s one option that often gets overlooked and benefits others: volunteering.
Volunteering and helping others has been found to benefit both physical and mental health, and there are a variety of options in our community. If you’re looking for a new way to make changes in your life and in the lives of others, consider resolving to help children and families in the child welfare system by volunteering with CASA for Kids.
As of January, 682 children are currently in the child welfare system in CASA for Kid’s service area, including Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Jasper, Hamilton, Marion, Wayne, and White Counties. These children have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care, sometimes far away from their families and communities. They need a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer to stand by their side and advocate for them.
“Children in foster care are often separated from their families, siblings, friends and other loved ones, and placed in an unfamiliar setting far away from everything they know,” said Zoe Bridges, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator of CASA for Kids. “CASA volunteers stand with them during this uncertain time, providing a consistent presence and speaking up for their best interest in court, school and other settings.”
CASA volunteers are everyday members of the community who are recruited, screened and trained to advocate for a child or sibling group in foster care. They get to know the child on an individual level so that they can make sure their physical, emotional and educational needs are met.
They also get to know the child’s parents, family, foster parents and other important people in their life, with the goal of working towards reunifying the child with their parents whenever safe and possible. They help make sure children have a support system of family and other reliable, committed adults who can help them both during and after their time in foster care.
CASA for Kids served 506 children in 2025 with the help of 95 CASA volunteers. CASA is always seeking more community members to step up and advocate.
“Volunteering with CASA is an opportunity unlike any other,” said Bridges. “It’s a unique chance to make a true, positive difference for a young person and their family. We need more members of the community to join the CASA movement so that we can serve 100% of children in foster care in our communities.”
In the New Year, consider becoming a CASA volunteer and make an impact in a child’s life, and your own. Every child has a chance – it’s you.
If you’d like to find out more about becoming a CASA volunteer or other ways to get involved, visit casa4change.org or email zbridges@casa4change.org.

‘Cram the Cars’ for Catholic Charities Food Pantry
2026-02-17
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In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is teaming up with Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota, Roy Schmidt Honda, Northside Ford-Lincoln, Goeckner Bros. Inc. – Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. in Effingham to “Cram the Car” with nonperishable food items, hygiene products, and monetary donations for Catholic Charities’ food pantry.
Donations for the annual event will be accepted the entire month of February. On March 1, HSHS Home Care staff will cram their cars with donated items before delivering them to Catholic Charities. The regional Catholic Charities’ office serves Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Shelby counties.
“Cram the Car inspires me every year when I see how our neighbors, friends and colleagues come together to care for the community,” said Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care. “It’s a privilege to deliver their generous donations. Let’s see how many cars we can fill!”
Suggested items for donations include the following:
• Boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni)
• Pancake mix and syrup
• Jelly
• Pasta sauce
• Cereal
• Granola
• Sugar-free canned fruit
• Low-salt canned vegetables
• Large boxes of oatmeal
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Feminine products
• Razors
Donors are urged to check expiration dates.
Items or monetary contributions may be dropped off at any of these locations:
• HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital front lobby or pre-surgical entrance – Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• At one of these locations during business hours:
− Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota – 2400 S. Banker St., Effingham
− Roy Schmidt Honda – 1705 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham
− Northside Ford-Lincoln – 1312 N. Keller Dr., Effingham
− Goeckner Bros. Inc. – Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – 600 E. Fayette Ave., Effingham
− Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. – 2309 S. Banker St., Effingham
Learn more at HSHS Home Care’s Cram the Car website, or by contacting Engelbart at 217-685-0702 or Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org.
HSHS Home Care staff help patients maintain an independent lifestyle by offering in-home services such as physical, occupational and speech-language therapy; wound care; cardiac rehabilitation; stroke care; pain management; hospice and palliative care; fall risk assessment; and pediatric care.

Free Tax Preparation with Catholic Charities
2026-02-17

Tuesday's Schedule
2026-02-17
PrintBoys Basketball
Altamont at St. Anthony, 6 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Effingham at Taylorville, 6 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Moweaqua Central A&M, 6 p.m.
Martinsville at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Woodlawn at Dieterich, 6:15 p.m.
Neoga vs. Tuscola at Lake Land College, 6 p.m.
Newton at Casey-Westfield, 6 p.m.
North Clay at Red Hill (Bridgeport), 6 p.m.
Ramsey at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 6:15 p.m.
South Central at Oblong, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Class 1A Bluford Webber Regional
Game 3 — Edwards County vs. Webber Township (Bluford), 6 p.m.
Game 4 — Woodlawn vs. Lawrenceville, 7:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Charleston at Effingham, 3:45 p.m.
Effingham Sacred Heart at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:15 p.m.
Altamont at Teutopolis, 4:15 p.m.
Windsor at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Mattoon at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Casey-Westfield, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
