Restaurant Week in Effingham
2026-04-18, 2026-04-19
PrintIndulge in Effingham’s sixth annual Restaurant Week event, April 13 – 19. This event, sponsored by Visit Effingham, is an opportunity for residents and visitors both to experience the mouth-watering flavors of our local legends.
16 local restaurants will be participating in this year’s Restaurant Week festivities:

Joe Sipper’s Cafe
Pinky’s
Fox Holler Coffee
Village Wine & Spirits
Heartland Health Food
Joe’s Pizza and Pasta
Firefly Grill
Lucia’s Italian Kitchen
Niemerg’s Steakhouse
TK Grille
La Favorita Ice Cream & Snacks
Ginger Ale’s
Tuscan Hills Winery
Wheat Penny Bar
Fatso’s Pizza
Gabby Goat American Pub & Grill

Each establishment will be offering something unique throughout the week. This could be a chef-crafted dish, new menu and/or recipe, an entrée made to share or an item priced at a discounted rate for the duration of the seven-day event.
Experience authentic Effingham cuisine – everything from gourmet pastas to home-cooked Southern fare. Not only will you discover delicious cooking to satisfy your appetite, but some establishments will also offer exclusive beverages (coffee, cocktails and more), as well.
Tourism Director, Jodi Thoele said “We’re excited to welcome Restaurant Week back to Effingham and celebrate the incredible variety our local restaurants have to offer. This event gives both residents and visitors a chance to try something new, support local businesses, and experience the hospitality that makes our community so unique. Restaurant Week has become something we truly look forward to each year, and we’re proud to continue supporting the hardworking people who help make Effingham such a great place to dine and visit.”
To plan your Restaurant Week excursions, visit www.visiteffinghamil.com/restaurantweek. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram for sneak peeks, appetizing images and details on the Restaurant Week giveaway – a $100 gift card to the participating restaurant of your choice.
For more information, please contact Visit Effingham at 217-342-5310.

This Land is Your Land: The Folksongs of Woody Guthrie
2026-04-18
PrintThe Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is hosting Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Bucky Halker for This Land is Your Land: The Folksongs of Woody Guthrie on Saturday, April 18th at 2:00 p.m. Halker combines music performance and spoken commentary featuring songs by legendary folksinger Woody Guthrie, framed in larger historical context.
This free event will be in the Visitor Center Auditorium.
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

Saturday's Schedule
2026-04-18
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Altamont vs Edwards County CANCELED
Effingham at Champaign Central, 12:30 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo, Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Red Hill Round Robin, TBA
Newton at Mattoon, 10 a.m.
North Clay, Flora, Woodlawn at South Central Wooden Bat Tournament, 10 a.m.
Teutopolis vs. Sacred Heart Griffin at Unity Round Robin, 12:45 p.m.
Teutopolis vs. Unity at Unity Round Robin, 2:30 p.m.
Softball
Dieterich at Casey-Westfield Tournament, TBA
Neoga at Mulberry Grove, TBA
Newton vs. Greenville noon BOTH GAMES HAVE BEEN MOVED TO BELLEVILLE EAST
Newton vs. Belleville, 2 p.m.
Teutopolis vs. Unity at Unity Round Robin, 11 a.m.
Teutopolis vs. Marengo at Unity Round Robin, 12:15 p.m.
Boys Tennis
St. Anthony, Teutopolis at Alton Tournament, 9 a.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Effingham at Champaign Central, 9:30 a.m.
St. Anthony at St. Joe JV Round Robin HAS BEEN CANCELED
Softball
St. Anthony at Mount Zion, 10 a.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Altamont JV Tournament, TBA
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
Edwardsville at Teutopolis (DH), 10 a.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
Neoga at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, 10 a.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
New York Mets Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Houston, 6:10 p.m.
NASCAR
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at Kansas Speedway, 6:30 p.m.

Teutopolis - St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Weekends
2026-04-19
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Sunday's Schedule
2026-04-19
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
New York Mets Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Houston, 1:10 p.m.
NASCAR
AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway, noon

Music and Food at Mason
2026-04-19

Red Cross Blood Drives in April
2026-04-20, 2026-04-21, 2026-04-23, 2026-04-24
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in April:
4/2, Thursday, Knights of Columbus-Newton, Noon – 5:30 PM
4/7, Tuesday, Mason Christian Church Annex, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4/7, Tuesday, Greenup Village Municipal Building, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
4/8, Wednesday, Stewardson-Strasburg High School, 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
4/9, Thursday, South Central FS, Effingham, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
4/10, Friday, Newton High School, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
4/15, Wednesday, Dieterich High School, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4/16, Thursday, Flora Church of the Nazarene, Noon – 5:00 PM
4/20, Monday, Grace United Methodist Church, Neoga, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4/20, Monday, St Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sainte Marie, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4/21, Tuesday, Floyd Henson Junior High School, Flora, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
4/23, Thursday, Neal Center YMCA, Toledo, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
4/24, Friday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Shelbyville, Noon – 5:00 PM
4/24, Friday, Oblong Grade School, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
4/28, Tuesday, Flora High School, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
4/29, Wednesday, Altamont Elementary School, 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Those giving blood through April 12 will receive an exclusive American Red Cross x Life is Good t-shirt, while they last! Donors giving blood from April 13 – 30 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See rcblood.org/hope
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Leith Cemetery Association Annual Meeting
2026-04-20
PrintThe Leith Cemetery Association’s annual meeting for 2026 is scheduled for Monday, April 20th. The meeting will take place at the residence of Frank Webster at 1816 North 1150th Street in Mason. The meeting will start at 6:00 p.m.
All individuals with an interest in Leith Cemetery are welcome to attend.
Those wising to contribute to the maintenance of the cemetery may send donations to:
Leith Cemetery
c/o Frank Webster, Treasurer
1816 N. 1150th St.
Mason, IL 62433

United Way of Effingham County – Grant Applications Accepted
2026-04-20, 2026-04-23
PrintUnited Way of Effingham County has released the application to receive funding from the 2026 Campaign. Agencies requesting funds must be non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) certificate and provide health and human services within Effingham County.
Agencies who received funding from the 2025 Campaign will be automatically sent the application to reapply for funding. Any other organization who wishes to apply should reach out to Emily Hille, Executive Director for United Way of Effingham County at 217-342-3824 or email emily@effinghamunitedway.org. Completed applications must be submitted by April 30, 2026.
In addition to completing the application, agencies will be asked to give a short presentation to the United Way Grants Committee demonstrating the purpose of their organization and how the requested funds would be used. Presentation dates are June 1st and June 3rd from 5:30PM – 8:00PM.
The United Way of Effingham County has been working hard to identify the ever-changing needs and make a difference in the community for over 65 years. To learn more, visit www.effinghamunitedway.org.

Monday's Schedule
2026-04-20
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Altamont at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Tri-County, 4:30 p.m.
Odin at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Marshall at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Fairfield at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Glenwood, 4:30 p.m.
St. Anthony at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Odin at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Marshall at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Edwards County (Albion), 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
Effingham at Casey-Westfield, 4:15 p.m.
Teutopolis at Flora, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Brownstown/St. Elmo, Neoga, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at St. Anthony, 4 p.m.
Patoka/South Central, Sandoval, Odin at Red Hill, 4 p.m.
Girls Track
Brownstown/St. Elmo, Neoga, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at St. Anthony, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Flora at Effingham, 4:30 p.m.
Greenville at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Glenwood, after varsity game
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
Robinson at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs, 6:40 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Miami, 5:40 p.m.

Dog Obedience Classes
2026-04-21

Caregiver Support Group Meeting
2026-04-21

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
2026-04-21

Tuesday's Schedule
2026-04-21
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Teutopolis at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m. (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
Effingham at Mahomet-Seymour, 5 p.m.
Altamont at Tuscola, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at Brownstown/St. Elmo, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Okaw Valley, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
St. Anthony at Mattoon, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Mount Zion at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Tuscola at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
Charleston at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Flora at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
St. Anthony, Altamont, Newton, St. Elmo/Brownstown, Teutopolis at Cumberland Invitational, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Tri-County, 4 p.m.
Neoga, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Sullivan, 4 p.m.
Patoka/South Central at Greenville, 4 p.m.
Girls Track
Effingham, Newton, Teutopolis at Mattoon Invitational, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont at Bond County, 4 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Tri-County, 4 p.m.
Neoga, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Sullivan, 4 p.m.
Patoka/South Central at Greenville, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Effingham at Mahomet-Seymour, 5 p.m.
Teutopolis at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
St. Anthony at Mattoon, after varsity game
Richland County, Olney at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Tuscola at Teutopolis, JV innings
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
Teutopolis at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Effingham at Salem F/S Invitational HAS BEEN CANCELED
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
St. Anthony, Jasper County at Stewardson-Strasburg, 4 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Vandalia, 4 p.m.
South Central, Windsor at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4 p.m.
Casey-Westfield, Neoga, Newton St. Thomas, Sigel St. Michael at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs, 6:40 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Miami, 5:40 p.m.

Wednesday's Schedule
2026-04-22
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Mahomet-Seymour at Effingham, 4:30 p.m. (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
Neoga at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Arcola at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Ramsey at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Cumberland at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.
Ramsey at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
Mattoon at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Softball
Effingham at Richland County, Olney, 4:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs, 6:40 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Miami, 11:10 a.m.

Enduring Freedom Ministries Distributions in April
2026-04-22
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries distribution days for April:
Tuesday, April 7th from 4-6pm, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Wednesday, April 8th from Noon to 2pm, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Saturday, April 11th from 9-Noon, 861 E. Washington, Mason (Mason Civic Center)
Tuesday, April 14th from 4-6pm, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Wednesday, April 15th from Noon to 2pm, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Wednesday, April 22nd from Noon to 2pm or until we run out of food (no appointment necessary). This is a Mobile Drive-Through Food Pantry at the Kohl’s Parking lot in Effingham.
Saturday, April 25th from 8:30-Noon, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Please call 217-240-0059 to sign up. It’s free and for everyone!

Girl Scouts Unicorn Party
2026-04-23

Volunteer Fair
2026-04-23

Thursday's Schedule
2026-04-23
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
South Central at Effingham, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Odin, 4:30 p.m.
Ramsey at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Paris, 4:30 p.m.
Mount Zion at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Vandalia at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Paris, 4:30 p.m.
Odin at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
Taylorville at Effingham, 4:15 p.m.
Newton at Mount Carmel, 4:30 p.m.
Paris at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Effingham, Newton, Teutopolis at Mattoon Invitational, 4:30 p.m.
Patoka/South Central at Webber, 3 p.m.
Girls Track
Patoka/South Central at Webber, 3 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
St. Anthony at Effingham, 4 p.m.
Softball
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at St. Anthony, after varsity game
Teutopolis at Neoga, TBA
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
Charleston, Tolono Unity at Effingham, 4 p.m.
Effingham Sacred Heart, Neoga, Sigel St. Michael, Teutopolis, Windsor at Cumberland, 4 p.m.
Altamont, St. Thomas, New Hebron, Palestine/Hutsonville at Jasper County, 4 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Okaw Valley, 4 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.

Rummage Sale for Altamont First United Methodist Church
2026-04-23
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Items donated to Altamont First United Methodist Church are going towards the Missions.

HSHS Community Connect
2026-04-24
PrintHospital Sisters Health System introduces HSHS Community Connect
Connecting communities with local resources
For 150 years, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) has been a leader of health and wellness in the communities serving across Illinois and Wisconsin. To address the needs of our communities, HSHS proudly launches HSHS Community Connect, a digital database of free or reduced cost community-based programs and services available in the communities we serve.
HSHS is committed to improving community health and addressing ever-changing needs and factors within the community landscape,” said Kim Luz-Mobley, M.S., C.H.E.S., System Executive Director of Community Health. “Across our health system and the communities we serve, HSHS strives to fulfill our Mission to provide high-quality health care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.”
In 2024, HSHS hospitals conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to identify the health status, needs and issues in the communities we serve. HSHS Community Connect is a powerful tool that will support our goal to improve community outcomes by working to address social determinants of health, including access to medical care.
“As a health care system, we see members of our community every day who are experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, or in need of financial aid. With HSHS Community Connect, we can find local resources to connect our patients with the support they need,” said Luz-Mobley.
Across Illinois, patients and community members can find hundreds of local resources that meet their needs, including:
• Financial aid
• Food pantries
• Medical care
• Housing and temporary shelter
• Personal safety
• Baby items
• Transportation
• And more.
Patients can also access HSHS Community Connect on our website at hshs.org/connect or through MyHSHS. If you need to create a MyHSHS account, be sure to use your full proper name that matches your HSHS medical record. If you have questions about MyHSHS, call the MyChart support line at 1-866-312-5023 or email MyHealthRecordhelp@hshs.org.
For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.

‘Unsinkable Freedom’ Movie at ALPLM
2026-04-24
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The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum caps off its celebration of Black History Month by introducing a new short film recounting the exciting story of Robert Smalls, who used his wits and seamanship to lead 15 people on a daring escape from slavery.
“Unsinkable Freedom” begins running at the museum on February 27, a day after its world premiere at a special event. It will run every 15 minutes throughout the museum’s day for the next three months.
Smalls was an enslaved man in Charleston, SC, when the Civil War began. He was forced to work aboard the Confederate ship Planter in Charleston Harbor and nearby coastal waters. On May 12, 1862, Smalls and the other enslaved men were left aboard ship by white officers. Seizing the opportunity, they launched a long-simmering plan to sneak their families aboard and sail to freedom.
“Unsinkable Freedom” dramatizes that dangerous trip. The 11-minute film shows how Smalls got the families aboard, impersonated the ship’s captain, sailed past Confederate checkpoints and finally reached U.S. Navy ships and freedom.
“Very few stories can match the escape of Robert Smalls for both drama and inspiration,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “He risked everything to win freedom for his friends and loved ones. And after their escape, he served with the U.S. Navy and was later elected to Congress. We at the ALPLM are proud to tell part of his amazing story.”
“Unsinkable Freedom” was written and directed by Kameron Gates, an artist and animator based in Petersburg, Illinois. It stars ALPLM actor Reggie Guyton as Smalls.
The film was created using a hybrid of production techniques from animation, VFX and video games. It has a hyper-wide aspect ratio to take advantage of the three screens surrounding audiences in the museum’s Mr. Lincoln Theater. It also features 5.1 surround sound.
The actors’ faces and body performances were recorded using motion capture. Additional animation was created using classic keyframe techniques. The historic Charleston Harbor was built and rendered inside Unreal Engine a tool created for video games that has expanded into visual effects for TV and film.
The mission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and share with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. We pursue this mission through a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship built on the bedrock of the ALPLM’s unparalleled collection of historical materials – roughly 13 million items from all eras of Illinois history.
For more information, visit www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. You can follow the ALPLM on Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.

Frozen The Broadway Musical at Teutopolis
2026-04-24
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Tickets are available at the door for $10.

Garage Sale for Humane Society
2026-04-24

Hanging Basket Flower Sale at HSHS St. Anthony's
2026-04-24
PrintThe HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will be hosting a Hanging Basket Flower Sale on Friday, April 24, in the hospital Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (while supplies last).
An assorted variety of 11” hanging baskets will be available for purchase at $20 per basket. Cash, check, debit or credit card will be accepted.
Proceeds from the sale will go to the Annual Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, granted to selected individuals seeking a career in a health care related field.
For more information or if you are interested in volunteering for the Auxiliary, contact Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor, at 217-685-0702 or by email at valerie.engelbart@hshs.org.
For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit stanthonyshospital.org.
