Free Tax Preparation with Catholic Charities
2026-03-26
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Quest! - One Play To Rule Them All!
2026-03-26, 2026-03-27, 2026-03-28, 2026-03-29

Free At-Home Colon Cancer Screening Tests
2026-03-26, 2026-03-31
PrintNo Prep, No Procedure, No Excuses: HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Offering Free, At-Home Colon Cancer Screening Tests in March
Colon cancer screening just got easier.
During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is giving away at-home screening tests while highlighting that colorectal cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States when cases for men and women are combined, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Individuals aged 45 or older, or those with an immediate family member diagnosed with colon cancer, are eligible for a free InSure ONE at-home screening test with instructions, from March 1 through March 31.
Tests can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, 503 N. Maple St., in the presurgical testing department, while supplies last. For easy access, please enter through the presurgical testing entrance on the hospital’s north side. Samples must be returned to the department by April 1. Please note this screening test is not a substitute for a colonoscopy.
This simple, easy test saves lives. Early detection is key to successful treatment of colorectal cancer, with nearly 90% of patients diagnosed at an early stage experiencing a five-year survival rate, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although overall death rates have fallen during the past decade due to increased screening and improved treatments, the same does not hold true for younger adults. For people under 55, death rates have been increasing about 1% per year since the mid-2000s, according to the ACS.
For more information regarding this colorectal cancer screening event, call 217-347-1858. For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit stanthonyshospital.org.

N.G. Cowen Scholarship for Trade/Vocational School
2026-03-26, 2026-03-30, 2026-03-31

Thursday's Schedule
2026-03-26
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Mount Carmel at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Edwards County (Albion) at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Casey-Westfield at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
St. Anthony at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Greenville at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Okaw Valley at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Odin, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
Teutopolis at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Brownstown/St. Elmo, Casey-Westfield at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4 p.m.
Girls Track
Brownstown/St. Elmo, Casey-Westfield at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Newton Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Charleston, JV innings
FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
Teutopolis at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
Windsor at Okaw Valley, 4 p.m.
COLLEGE
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
Texas vs Purdue, 6:10 p.m.
Iowa vs. Nebraska, 6:30 p.m.
Arkansas vs. Arizona, 8:45 p.m.
Illinois vs. Houston, 9 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Washington at Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.
Tampa Bay at St. Louis Cardinals, 3:15 p.m.

Wild West Trivia Night for Unit 40 Mentoring Program
2026-03-27

Friday's Schedule
2026-03-27
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Altamont at Effingham, 4:30 p.m. (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
St. Anthony at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Okaw Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Charleston at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Fairfield at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Paris, 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Martinsville, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Tri-County & Shiloh Oakland, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
St. Anthony at Champaign St. Thomas More, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Altamont, Brownstown/St. Elmo, Cumberland, Newton at Indoor Top Times State Meet at Illinois Wesleyan University, 1 p.m.
Girls Track
Altamont, Brownstown/St. Elmo, Cumberland, Newton at Indoor Top Times State Meet at Illinois Wesleyan University, 1 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
BASEBALL
Effingham at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
Teutopolis at Casey-Westfield, 4 p.m.
COLLEGE
MEN’S BASKETBALL
NCAA Tournament
St. John’s vs. Duke, 6:10 p.m.
Alabama vs. Michigan, 6:35 p.m.
Michigan State vs. UConn, 8:45 p.m.
Tennessee vs. Iowa State, 9:10 p.m.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
NCAA Tournament
Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt, 1:30 p.m.
North Carolina vs. UConn, 4 p.m.
Minnesota vs. UCLA, 6:30 p.m.
Duke vs. LSU, 9 p.m.

A.Y.C.E Fish Dinner at Edgewood Legion
2026-03-27

Ladies Conference at Mason
2026-03-28
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Here’s a link to the registration: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/10681357

Enduring Freedom Ministries March Distributions
2026-03-28
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!

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Cumberland County Historical Museum
2026-03-28

ImpactLife Blood Drive at Altamont
2026-03-28

Easter Egg Hunt in Neoga
2026-03-28
PrintThere will be an Easter Egg Hunt at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga on Saturday, March 28th at 11:00a.m.
This will be for kids of ages birth to 10 years old.
Please bring your own basket.
There will be pictures with the Easter Bunny, as well as Door Prizes.
For more information, contact Sharon Slifer at 217-560-3117

Bunny Bash and Egg Hunt
2026-03-28
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Join us for a morning filled with fun! The Downtown Business Group is hosting an egg hunt for kiddos ages 0-13!
See Fb event for more info!
Come downtown for a morning filled with fun and family!

George Washington Gala
2026-03-28

Easter Egg Hunt at First Christian Church in Effingham
2026-03-28
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First Christian Church invites kids 11 years old and under to meet at the church at 10:00 a.m. for the Easter Egg Hunt.
Please bring a container to collect the eggs.

Saturday's Schedule
2026-03-28
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Mount Vernon at Effingham, 11 a.m.
St. Anthony at Breese Central, 11 a.m.
Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond at Neoga, 10 a.m.
Newton at Pana, 10 a.m.
Arcola vs. North Clay at North Clay Round Robin, 10 a.m.
Richland County, Olney vs. North Clay at North Clay Round Robin, 2 p.m.
South Central at Vandalia Round Robin, 11 a.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg Round Robin, 10 a.m.
Softball
Effingham vs. Westville at Casey-Westfield, 10 a.m.
Effingham vs. Champaign Central at Casey-Westfield, noon
St. Anthony, Mulberry Grove at Sullivan Round Robin, 10 a.m.
Flora at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
Newton at Pana, 10 a.m.
South Central at Casey-Westfield Tournament, TBA
Teutopolis at Fairfield Lady Mule Spring Swing, TBA
Mattoon at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg (DH), 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Effingham at Bloomington Indoor Meet, TBA
Girls Track
Effingham at Bloomington Indoor State, TBA
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Mount Vernon at Effingham, 11 a.m.
Breese Central at St. Anthony, 11 a.m.
Flora at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
Softball
Flora at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE
MEN”s NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa vs. Illinois, 5:09 p.m.
Purdue vs. Arizona, 7:49 p.m.
WOMEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT
Louisville vs. Michigan, 11:30 a.m.
Kentucky vs. Texas, 2 p.m.
Oklahoma vs. South Caroline, 4 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Washington at Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.
Tampa Bay at St. Louis Cardinals, 1:15 p.m.
NASCAR
US Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway, 2 p.m.

CCC Lenten Concert
2026-03-29
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Join the Coles County Chorus for a heartfelt afternoon of faith-inspired songs in exquisite four-part barbershop harmony. This uplifting Lenten concert features timeless songs of worship.
Special collaboration pieces will feature talented ladies and gentlemen from the Mattoon and Charleston area, who will be joining the chorus on two songs, Someone’s Walkin’ and God So Loved The World.
Admission: Free to the public
A free will offering will be received
Sunday, March 29th – 4:00 PM
First Baptist Church
1804 South 9th Street, Mattoon, IL 61938
Come and share in the harmony, fellowship, and spirit of the Lenten season as voices unite in song and celebration.
Presented by the Coles County Barbershop Chorus
Harmony – Fellowship – Service
In case you are wondering, we will donate all the proceeds from the free will offering to Coles County food pantries and homeless shelters which include Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry (CFP), HOPE of East Central Illinois, Mattoon Community Food Center and The Haven Shelter. We would like to thank you for helping us raise funds for these organizations and helping to provide food and shelter to those in need in Coles County and the surrounding area.

B.B. Gun Meat Shoot in Ste. Marie
2026-03-29

Sunday's Schedule
2026-03-29
PrintMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NCAA Tournament
East Region Elite Eight, TBD
Midwest Region Elite Eight, TBD
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NCAA Tournament
TBD vs. TBD, noon (Regional 1)
TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. (Regional 2)
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Washington at Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.
Tampa Bay at St. Louis Cardinals, 1:15 p.m.
NASCAR
Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway, 1:30 p.m.

Spring Craft and Vendor Show
2026-03-29

Red Cross Blood Drives in March
2026-03-30
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.

Monday's Schedule
2026-03-30
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
St. Anthony at Salem, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Carlyle, 4:30 p.m.
Heritage at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Flora at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Okaw Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Mahomet-Seymour at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Central A&M at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 10 a.m.
Softball
Highland at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont at Sullivan, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Casey-Westfield at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Mulberry Grove at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Paris, 4:30 p.m.
Okaw Valley at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 4:30 p.m.
Vandalia at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Richland County, Olney at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Mount Zion, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
Fairfield at Effingham, 4:15 p.m.
Boys Track
St. Anthony, Red Hill (Bridgeport), Oblong at Robinson, 4 p.m.
Altamont, Cumberland, North Clay at Effingham, 4 p.m.
Neoga at Marshall, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Track
Altamont, Cumberland, North Clay at Effingham, 4 p.m.
St. Anthony, Red Hill (Bridgeport), Oblong at Robinson, 4 p.m.
Neoga at Marshall, 4:30 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Salem at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Flora, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Highland at St. Anthony, after varsity game
Richland County, Olney at Teutopolis, JV innings
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
Teutopolis at Tuscola, 4:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
Neoga at Paris Mayo, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor at Cumberland, 4 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, North Clay, South Central at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
COLLEGE
NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
Elite Eight, TBD
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Los Angeles Angels at Chicago Cubs, 6:40 p.m.
New York Mets at St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.

‘Unsinkable Freedom’ Movie at ALPLM
2026-03-31
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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.
