Effingham Farmer’s Market
2026-09-26, 2026-10-03, 2026-10-10, 2026-10-17, 2026-10-24, 2026-10-31
PrintThe Effingham Farmer’s Market will be every Saturday, from May 30th through October 31st. The Market will be open from 8:00 – Noon on the old courthouse lawn.
There will be fresh produce, baked goods, plants, and flowers, as well as arts and crafts.

Family Fall Fest - Camp New Hope
2026-09-26
Print

Pancake & Sausage Breakfast in Stewardson
2026-09-26

Open Feast - A Free Meal at C.U.M.C.
2026-09-28

Red Cross Blood Drives in September
2026-09-28, 2026-09-29, 2026-09-30
PrintRed Cross Blood Drives in September:
9/1, Tuesday, First Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall, Casey, Noon – 6:00 PM
9/8, Tuesday, Teutopolis Banquet Hall, 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
9/11, Friday, Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota, Effingham, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
9/15, Tuesday, Holy Cross Church of Wendelin – Hall, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
9/17, Thursday, First Baptist Church Shelbyville – Fellowship Hall, Noon – 5:00 PM
9/25, Friday, Cornerstone Church – Lobby, Effingham, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
9/25, Friday, Clay County Health Department – Conference Room, Flora, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
9/28, Monday, Effingham Event Center, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
9/29, Tuesday, Heartland Dental Heartland Dental – Basement Lunchroom, Effingham, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
9/30, Wednesday, Altamont High School – Gym, 8:15 AM – 2:00 PM
Fall into the habit of donating! The American Red Cross and Hello Kitty are releasing exclusive NEW merch! Come give blood September 1 – 20 for a Red Cross x Hello Kitty collectible item, while supplies last! Get a $15 e-gift card when you come to give blood September 21 – October 18.
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection
2026-10-03
PrintIllinois EPA Director James Jennings is announcing Fall Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) one-day collection events that will be held in eight communities throughout Illinois. These collection events are co-sponsored by units of local government and provide residents the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous products commonly found in homes, at no cost.
Pre-registration is required for all Fall 2026 collections. Residents participating are encouraged to bring chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, and pesticides, and other similar hazardous household products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED include latex paint, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals, and business wastes. A complete list of wastes that are and are not accepted is available online at https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/waste-management/waste-disposal/household-hazardous-waste/acceptable-wastes.html.
Our area collection will take place in Mattoon on Saturday, October 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the
Coles County Memorial Airport
432 Airport Road
Mattoon, IL 61938
For more information about the Mattoon event, contact the Coles County Regional Planning & Development Commission at 217-348-0521
Illinois EPA provides the following tips to safely transport household hazardous waste:

Pack HHW items in a disposable box to avoid spilling during transport.
Keep like chemicals together and separate unlike chemicals.
Secure lids and make sure containers are not leaking.
Place box(es) in the empty trunk or storage compartment of your vehicle, away from passengers.
Remain in vehicle at the collection site. On-site personnel will remove the HHW from your vehicle.

For questions concerning the Illinois EPA’s one-day or long-term collections, please contact the Illinois EPA Materials Management Unit at 217-524-3300. The HHW collection schedule is also available on the Illinois EPA website at https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/waste-management/waste-disposal/household-hazardous-waste/collections.html. Illinois EPA HHW collections continue to be contactless for the safety of participants and workers. Collection events are funded through the Illinois EPA’s Solid Waste Management Fund.

On-Site Microchipping at E.A.R.S.
2026-10-10
Print
On-site microchipping at the EARS office in Effingham.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon, on Saturday, October 10.
No appointment needed.
No geography or number limit.
No cost * But freewill donations are appreciated.

Homesteaders Market
2026-10-10

Car Show at Shelbyville Scarecrow Daze
2026-10-10

HSHS Women's Health Showcase
2026-10-15
Print
Tickets are available now for one of HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s most popular fall events, the 2026 Women’s Health Showcase. With a change from previous years, the event will be held at the Effingham Performance Center on Thursday, Oct. 15. This is the fifth annual event – an unforgettable evening honoring women, celebrating connection, inspiring growth and reminding every woman of the incredible impact she carries.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with an elevated social experience from 5 to 7 p.m. to start the evening with shopping, conversation and indulgence:

The first 600 guests receive an exclusive custom gift from The Beanstalk Boutique, courtesy of HSHS.
Enjoy upscale hors d’oeuvres and desserts, plus chocolate samplings from Blackbird Chocolate Company and bakery masterpieces from Lisa’s Pastry Sensations.
Visit the “Ask the Expert” Wellness Lounge, an intimate space where women can ask HSHS St. Anthony’s experts about pelvic floor health, a topic affecting women at every stage of life.
Meet Jodi Waymoth, founder of Fear Nothing, and learn how the organization supports area families affected by cancer.
Shop fresh-baked treats and custom orders from Lisa’s Pastry Sensations, permanent jewelry from Weber’s Jewelry & Gifts, and build-your-own floral arrangements from Creekside Blooms.
More than 10 guests will win prizes throughout the evening.

Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. with the following line-up:

A showstopping performance from local talent Jamie Stang, who will set the stage for an unforgettable night.
Comedic entertainment from Jesse Tuttle, Founder and Head of C-U Comedy based in Champaign. Tuttle has performed in more than 20 states at comedy clubs, wineries, event centers and comedy tours nationwide.
The laughter continues with nationally recognized New York comedian and writer Kevin McCaffrey. McCaffrey made his network television debut on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and currently appears on truTV’s “Greatest Ever,” “World’s Dumbest,” and “Comedy Knockout,” where he is a two-time defending champion.
The keynote speaker is Lori A. Kerans, Division III National Championship Coach and breast cancer survivor. Over 32 years as Millikin University’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach, the Newton, Illinois native became the school’s all-time winningest coach and captured a 2005 Division III National Championship. She broke barriers as the first female Athletic Director in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and now serves as Millikin’s Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement. Her message for the evening will challenge and inspire everyone to embrace courage, lead with authenticity, support one another, and recognize that women are capable of extraordinary impact.
The night will conclude with one final surprise. Don’t leave early.

Tickets are now on sale for $20 at the Effingham Performance Center box office, 1325 Outer Belt West, Effingham, during business hours, online at their website at the-epc.org, or at stanthonyshospital.org/showcase.
For more information about the event, visit stanthonyshospital.org/showcase.

All I Want For Christmas - Craft & Vendor Show
2026-11-22
