Fish or Ham Meal at VFW
2026-03-13
PrintThe VFW Auxiliary in Effingham, Post 1769 on Veterans Drive, are having a meal on Friday, March 13th.
Serving will be from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
On the menu: Fish or Ham, oven baked potatoes, vegetable, dessert, coffee, tea, or lemonade.
Price: $8.00
For more information, contact President, Chuck Meyers at 217-343-8313.

Fish Fry for Beecher City Tri-County Firefighters
2026-03-13
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The Beecher City Area Kluthe Center is at the Beecher City Community Park.
Contact: Doug Ray at 217-500-4383

A New Sunrise – Performance by Three Chicks & A Stage
2026-03-13
PrintA New Sunrise
Arsenic & Old… Wait, What? Join Three Chicks & A Stage for a hilariously dark comedy, A New Sunrise, featuring two charming, eccentric elderly ladies who show up on the porch of the local funeral home, ready to sip wine laced with poison and check out in style! “We thought the town could drive by and pay their respects and not have to bother about getting out. A kind of drive-in viewing…”
Performances are on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 at Tuscan Hills Winery
Tickets are $10.
Doors open at 6:00 PM – Curtain at 7:00 PM. Enter via The Stellar Cellar door.
Cash bar & food will be available.
Tickets are only available at the door. First come, first served!
Don’t miss this twisted tale of wit, wine, and whimsy!

Friday's Schedule
2026-03-13
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Softball
Cumberland at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Basketball
Class 3A State Tournament
Game 1– Deerfield vs. Maple Park Kaneland, 10 a.m.
Game 2 — Chicago Leo vs. East St. Louis Senior, 11:45 a.m.
Game 3 — Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 7 p.m. (third place)
Class 4A State Tournament
Game 1 — Elmhurst York vs. Chicago Marist, 2:30 p.m.
Game 2 — Chicago DePaul College Prep vs. Lisle Benet Academy, 4:15 p.m.
Game 3 — Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 8:45 p.m. (third place)
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Class 7-1A State Tournament
At Clinton Junior High School
Game 1 — Cissna Park (17-4) vs. LaSalle St. Acutis (19-0) , 4:30 p.m.
Game 2 — Ottawa Marquette (24-1) vs. Peoria St. Jude (22-3), 5:45 p.m.
Game 3 — Altamont Lutheran (17-3) vs. Decatur Unity (21-5), 7 p.m.
Game 4 — Hartsburg-Emden (18-7) vs. Carrollton St. John (14-4-1), 8:15 p.m.
COLLEGE
Men’s Basketball
Big Ten Tournament
#1 Michigan vs. Ohio State, 11 a.m.
#4 Illinois vs. Wisconsin, 25 minutes after first game
#2 Nebraska vs. Purdue, 5:30 p.m.
#3 Michigan State vs. UCLA, 25 minutes after second game
All games will be broadcast on Big Ten Network (BTN) or CBS

Tuskegee Airmen and Airwomen Display
2026-03-13, 2026-03-14, 2026-03-15
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Let's "Glow" Bingo for Post Prom
2026-03-13

A.Y.C.E. Fish Dinner at Edgewood Legion
2026-03-13

Saturday's Schedule
2026-03-14
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Class 1A State Tournament
At University of Illinois
Game 4 – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 10 a.m. (championship)
Class 2A State Tournament
At University of Illinois
Game 4 – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, noon (championship)
Class 3A State Tournament
At University of Illinois
Game 4 — Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m. (championship)
Class 4A State Tournament
At University of Illinois
Game 4 — Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (championship), 6 p.m.
Boys Track
Effingham at Apollo Conference Indoor Meet at Mount Zion, 10 a.m.
Altamont, Cumberland at Central Illinois High Performance Classic, 9:30 a.m.
Girls Track
Effingham, Newton at Apollo Conference Indoor Meet at Mount Zion, 10 a.m.
Altamont, Cumberland at Central Illinois High Performance Classic, 9:30 a.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Class 7-1A State Tournament
At Clinton Junior High School
Semifinals
Match 5 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 11 a.m.
Match 6 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 12:15 p.m.
Third Place
Game 7 — Loser Match 5 vs. Loser Match 6, 2 p.m. (third place)
Game 8 — Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 3:1 5p.m. (championship)
COLLEGE
Men’s Basketball
Big Ten Tournament
Semifinals
Winner Gm 11 vs. Winner Gm 12, noon
Winner Gm 13 vs. Winner Gm 14 25 minutes after first game
All games will be broadcast on Big Ten Network (BTN) or CBS
NASCAR
The LiUNA! At Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 4 p.m.

St. Pat's Bash for Sacred Heart School
2026-03-14

Trivia Night for Crisis Nursery and Kiwanis Club
2026-03-14

Jasper County Shrine Dance
2026-03-14

Enduring Freedom Ministries March Distributions
2026-03-14
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries March Distributions:
Tuesday, March 3rd from 4 – 6p.m., Shumway location at 304 South West Street
Tuesday, March 10th from 4 – 6p.m., Shumway location at 304 South West Street
Wednesday, March 11th from noon – 2p.m., Shumway location at 304 South West Street
Saturday, March 14th from 9 – noon, Mason location at 861 West Washington Street
Wednesday, March 18th from noon – 2p.m., Shumway location at 304 South West Street
Saturday, March 28th from 8:30 – noon, Shumway location at 304 South West Street
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!

"We Are Smarter Than A 6th Grader" TRIVIA
2026-03-14
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This will be held on Saturday, March 14th

Breakfast at Altamont Legion
2026-03-14

Microchip Event at E.A.R.S.
2026-03-14
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On-site microchipping at the EARS office.
No appointment needed
No geography or number limit
No cost * Freewill donation

Symphonic Band Concert in Altamont
2026-03-14
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For questions, call Emilie Wall at 217-821-5176.

Farina 4th of July Breakfast Fundraiser
2026-03-14

Legendary Creatures Presentation
2026-03-14

Zion Pancake-Sausage Breakfast
2026-03-15

Red Cross Blood Drives in March
2026-03-15
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in March:
3/3, Tuesday, Teutopolis Banquet Hall, 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
3/3, Tuesday, First Baptist Church, Casey, Noon – 6:00 PM
3/9, Monday, Clay City High School Gym, Clay City, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
3/9, Monday, Noble Lions Club Building, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
3/15, Sunday, St Joseph Stringtown Community Club, 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM
3/19, Thursday, First Baptist Church Shelbyville, Noon – 5:00 PM
3/20, Friday, Cornerstone Church, Effingham, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
3/23, Monday, Holy Cross Church of Wendelin, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
3/30, Monday, Effingham Event Center, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Give in March for a $15 Gift Card by email & successful donations get A1C testing! More info at: rcblood.org/March
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

‘Unsinkable Freedom’ Movie at ALPLM
2026-03-15
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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.

Gospel Sing at Faith Lutheran Church
2026-03-15

Sunday's Schedule
2026-03-15
PrintCOLLEGE
Men’s Basketball
Big Ten Tournament
Championship
Michigan vs. Purdue, 2:30 p.m. (championship)
Game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network (BTN) or CBS
NASCAR
Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 2 p.m.

St. Isidore Spring Breakfast
2026-03-15
PrintThe St. Isidore Spring Breakfast at Bishop Creek is this Sunday, March 15, from 7 AM till Noon.
Start your week off on a lucky note with a great breakfast. The menu will include: sausage, ham, fried or scrambled eggs, pancakes, homemade bread, and rolls.
There will also be a Country Store with baked goods, raffle items, quilt chances, and mystery boxes.
Come out and help us celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday's Schedule
2026-03-16
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Effingham at Monticello HAS BEEN CANCELED
Lawrenceville at Dieterich HAS BEEN CANCELED
Neoga at Marshall, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Fairfield, HAS BEEN CANCELED
Softball
St. Anthony at Neoga HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MARCH 23
Cumberland Dieterich HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MAY 11
North Clay at Fairfield HAS BEEN CANCELED
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Shelbyville HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MARCH 18
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Newton at Casey-Westfield HAS BEEN CANCELED
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Class 8-2A St. Anthony Sectional
North Clay or Dieterich vs. St. Anthony or Nokomis, 6 p.m.
Class 8-2A Sigel St. Michael Sectional
Sigel St. Michael vs. either Stew-Stras or Chrisman Scottland, 6 p.m.
Class 8-3A Teutopolis Sectional
Jasper County or Lawrenceville Parkview vs. either Sullivan or Shelbyville Moulton, 6 p.m.

Free Tax Preparation with Catholic Charities
2026-03-17
Print3/12/2026 UPDATE: Due to this year’s high demand of tax assistance, we will not be accepting any more new taxes until next Thursday, March 19th

HSHS Community Connect
2026-03-17
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.

Tuesday's Schedule
2026-03-17
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Altamont at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Shelbyville HAS BEEN CANCELED
Cumberland at Vandalia HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
Dieterich at Robinson HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO FRIDAY, MARCH 20
Neoga at Teutopolis HAS BEEN CANCELED
Flora at Newton HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MONDAY, MARCH 30
North Clay at Casey-Westfield HAS BEEN CANCELED
Wiindsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Tri-County, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Robinson at St. Anthony HAS BEEN CANCELED
Altamont at Carlyle, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Cumberland HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Dieterich at Marshall, 4:30 p.m.
Okaw Valley at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Flora at Newton HAS BEEN CANCELED
North Clay at Olney, Richland County HAS BEEN CANCELED
Nokomis at St. Elmo/Brownstown HAS BEEN CANCELED
South Central at Pana, 4:30 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Softball
Robinson at St. Anthony, after varsity game
Okaw Valley at Neoga, after varsity game
Teutopolis at Cumberland, JV innings
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NCAA MEN’S PAIRINGS
2026 NCAA Tournament Schedule
All times CST
(First Four in Dayton, Ohio)
(16) UMBC vs. (16) Howard, 5:40 p.m.
(11) Texas vs. (11) NC State, 8:15 p.m.
