Effingham's News and Sports Leader, 979XFM and KJ Country 102.3

ImpactLife Blood Drive at Effingham Event Center
2025-08-18
Print

Red Cross Blood Drives in August
2025-08-18, 2025-08-19, 2025-08-25, 2025-08-26
PrintCome to give blood with the Red Cross from August 1-28 and get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Plus, the Red Cross will perform free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, on successful donations in August (one result per donor in a 12-month period). As always, donors should NOT fast for this, because the A1C test is not affected by recent food and drink. See rcblood.org/Test for details.
Red Cross Blood Drives in August:
8/5, Tuesday, Grace United Methodist Church, Neoga, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

8/6, Wednesday, Greenup Village Municipal Building, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM

8/7, Thursday, Newton Knights of Columbus Building, Noon – 5:30 PM

8/13, Wednesday, J&J Ventures-1300 Building, Effingham, 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM

8/18, Monday, St Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sainte Marie, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

8/19, Tuesday, Mason Christian Church Annex, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
8/19, Tuesday, Oblong Municipal Building, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM

8/25, Monday, Neal Center YMCA, Toledo, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM

8/26, Tuesday, Teutopolis Banquet Hall, 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM

8/27, Wednesday, Dieterich High School, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
To make an appointment and learn more about your health, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Monday's Schedule
2025-08-18
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Golf
St. Anthony, Altamont, Teutopolis at Robinson Invitational HAS BEEN CANCELED
Charleston at Altamont, 4 p.m.
Girls Golf
St. Anthony, Effingham, Teutopolis at Charleston 9-Hole Scramble HAS BEEN CANCELED
JUNIOR VARSITY/FROSH/SOPH
Boys Golf
St. Anthony at Robinson Invitational, 1 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Effingham at Centralia, HAS BEEN CANCELED, TEAM PRACTICE FROM 6-7:30 P.M.
Effingham Sacred Heart at Altamont Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont at Mulberry Grove, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Jasper County, 4:30 p.m.
Sigel St. Michael at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Newton St. Thomas (B game), at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Charleston at Effingham, 4:15 p.m. TIME MOVED TO 7 P.M. B INNINGS CANCELED
St. Anthony at Mulberry Grove TIME CHANGED TO 5 P.M.
Cumberland at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at Sigel St. Michael, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Neoga (B game only), 4:30 p.m.
Cerro Gordo/Bement at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
TIME CHANGE — Effingham Junior High cross country practice moved to 7 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs, 7:05 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Miami, 5:40 p.m.

Tuesday's Schedule
2025-08-19
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran HAS BEEN CANCELED
Neoga at Odin, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Ramsey, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Golf
St. Anthony at Raider Invitational, 1 p.m.
Dieterich at Flora HAS BEEN CANCELED
Newton at Casey-Westfield TIME CHANGED TO 5 P.M.
North Clay at Casey Country Club HAS BEEN CANCELED
Girls Golf
St. Anthony, Effingham at Teutopolis Invitational at Meadowview Golf Course HAS BEEN CANCELED
Dieterich at Flora HAS BEEN CANCELED
North Clay at Casey Country Club HAS BEEN CANCELED
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Shelbyville Moulton at St. Anthony, B innings after, 4:30 p.m.
Effingham Sacred Heart at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Sigel St. Michael at Brownstown/St. Elmo, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Palestine at Newton St. Thomas, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Selmaville TIME CHANGED TO 5:30 P.M.
Flora Floyd Henson at Teutopolis (B game), 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Mattoon, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Mattoon HAS BEEN POSTONED TO WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20
Cumberland at Altamont TIME CHANGED TO 6 P.M., NO B INNINGS
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Dieterich TIME CHANGED TO 5:30 P.M.
Neoga at Sigel St. Michael, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Olney St. Joseph TIME CHANGED TO 5:30 P.M.
Vandalia at St. Elmo/Brownstown, TIME CHANGED TO 7 P.M.
Flora Floyd Henson at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs (DH), 1:20, 7:05 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Miami, 5:40 p.m.

Enduring Freedom Ministries Distributions in August
2025-08-20
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries Distributions in August:
.
Tuesday, August 5th from 4pm-6pm, Shumway (304 S. West Street)
Saturday, August. 9th from 9am-noon, Mason (861 E. Washington)
Tuesday, August 12th from 4pm-6pm, Shumway (304 S. West Street)
Wednesday, August 13th from noon-2p.m, Shumway (304 S. West Street)
Wednesday, August 20th from noon-2p.m, Shumway (304 S. West Street)
Saturday, August 30th from 8:30-noon, Shumway (304 S. West Street)
.

All above dates, we ask you call and sign up ahead of time. Please call 217-240-0059

Wednesday's Schedule
2025-08-20
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Odin at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Golf
St. Anthony at Richland County, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY/FROSH/SOPH
Boys Golf
St. Anthony at Richland County, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Mattoon at Effingham, 4:15 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Pana, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Mattoon, 5 p.m.
Shelbyville at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Charleston (B game), 6 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs, 7:05 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Miami, 5:40 p.m.

Thursday's Schedule
2025-08-21
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Webber Township (Bluford) at Brownstown/St. Elmo, 4:30 p.m.
Odin at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Ramsey at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Golf
Newton at Arcola, 4 p.m.
North Clay at Oak Glen Golf Course, 4 p.m.
Dieterich at Oblong, TBA
Girls Golf
Teutopolis at Hillsboro, 4 p.m.
North Clay at Oak Glen Golf Course, 4 p.m.
Dieterich at Oblong, TBA
JUNIOR VARSITY/FROSH/SOPH
Boys Golf
St. Anthony at Charleston, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Effingham at St. Anthony, B innings after, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Ramsey, 4:30 p.m.
Iuka at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Sigel St. Michael, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Pana, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Teutopolis (B game), 4:30 p.m.
Cross Country
St. Anthony, Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, Teutopolis, Paris Mayo at Jasper County, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at CMS Mile Relays at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Centralia, 4:15 p.m.
St. Anthony at Mattoon, 5 p.m.
Dieterich at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Marshall, 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Sigel St. Michael at Mattoon St. John, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Okaw Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Charleston at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg (B game), 4:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.

St. Peter Prairie Days
2025-08-22, 2025-08-23, 2025-08-24

Friday's Schedule
2025-08-22
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Football
Effingham at Shelbyville, 7:30 p.m.
Baseball
Dieterich at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Golf
Altamont, North Clay at Flora Country Club, 4 p.m.
Girls Golf
Altamont, North Clay at Flora Country Club, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Effingham Sacred Heart, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Ramsey at Brownstown/St. Elmo, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Mulberry Grove, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Sigel St. Michael, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Oblong, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Altamont at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Cumberland (B innings after), 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Oblong, 4:30 p.m.
St. John’s Lutheran at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels, 8:38 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Tampa Bay, 6:30 p.m.
NASCAR
Wawa 250 powered by Coca-Cola, 5 p.m.

Chamber Fall Golf Outing
2025-08-22
PrintThe Chamber’s Late Summer/Early Fall Golf Outing is this Friday, August 22!
A Noon Shotgun Start begins the festivities at Cardinal Golf Course.
The cost is $350 per foursome, which includes 18 holes, carts, lunch, mulligans, & drink tickets.
There is a limit of 24 teams, so don’t wait to register!
This is a perfect way to connect with fellow Chamber members, entertain clients, or treat your team to an afternoon of networking and fun.
For any questions, visit EffinghamCountyChamber.com or call Nicole Morrison at 217-342-4147.

Farmin' On A Friday at Lake Sara
2025-08-22
Print
The Lake Sara Community Building is located just west of the dam, at 9282 East Park Avenue. The space outside the Community Building is being turned into a one-night-only venue, with outdoor cookout vibes, so bring your festival tribes!
6:00pm — gates open
6:45pm-7:20pm — Merry Travelers
7:30pm-8:15pm — Jacob Kuhns Experience
8:30pm-10:00pm — Chicago Farmer & the Fieldnotes
Bring your lawn chair or a blanket to spread out under the trees and stars.
Food and beverages will be for sale.
Kids age 15 & under are FREE with an adult. The Farmin’ On A Friday show is part of the P.M.W. Season Pass
$15 tickets in advance ($16.80 with credit cart fees) / $20 tickets purchased at the door (~$22.10 with credit card fees)
Tickets available at possmusicworks.com , or https://bit.ly/FarminFriday , or at the door via cash (card if network available).
Proceeds benefit the mission of P.M.W. and the upcoming Summer Sundown Music Festival.

Newton American Legion Smoke-off BBQ Competition
2025-08-22 - 2025-08-23

Effingham Farmer's Market
2025-08-23
Print
The Effingham Farmer’s Market will be every Saturday, from June 14th through October 25th.
Vendors will be selling fresh produce, baked goods, and handcrafted arts and crafts.

Recycling Event in Teutopolis
2025-08-23

Legion Cookout at Altamont
2025-08-23

St. Mary's Shumway Poker Run
2025-08-23

Saturday's Schedule
2025-08-23
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
South Central at Woodlawn, 10 a.m.
Boys Golf
St. Anthony at Macomb Invitational, 1 p.m.
Girls Golf
St. Anthony at Alton Marquette Golf Blastoff, 1 p.m.
Girls Tennis
St. Anthony, Teutopolis at Champaign Centennial Invitational HAS BEEN CANCELED
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Vandalia at Effingham, 10 a.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo, Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Altamont Lutheran Tournament, TBA
Jasper County at Lawrenceville, 10 a.m.
North Clay at Flora Floyd Henson, 10 a.m.
Okaw Valley at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg (DH), 10 a.m.
Taylorville (A&B games) at Teutopolis, 10 a.m.
Cross Country
St. Anthony at St. Matthew Invitational, TBA
Softball
Cumberland at Effingham, 10 a.m.
Paris Crestwood at St. Anthony, 10 a.m.
Neoga at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City (B innings only), 10 a.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Jasper County (DH), 10 a.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg vs. Morrisonville, 10 a.m. (B game)
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg vs. Springfield Little Flower, noon (B game)
Teutopolis, Sullivan at Taylorville Round Robin, 10 a.m.
JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Effingham at Charleston, 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels, 8:38 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Tampa Bay, 6 p.m.
NASCAR
Coke Zero Sugar 400, 4:30 p.m.

Songs Of The Illinois Freedom Road
2025-08-23
PrintSongs of the Illinois Freedom Road is the powerful new musical performance featuring the songs, stories, and struggles of the Illinois Underground Railroad. Don’t miss this performance at the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site’s Visitor Center Auditorium on Saturday, August 23, at 2:00 p.m.
The show, with award-winning folk musician Chris Vallillo, features rare first-person accounts of freedom seekers who passed through Illinois. Highlighted stories include John and Mary Little, who traveled on foot 140 miles to Chicago, and George Burroughs, a black Canadian who worked on the Illinois Central Railroad where he helped smuggle escapees to freedom. Vallillo extensively researched the subject using primary source documents such as the 1857 Slave Narratives of Canada and the WPA Slave Narratives as well as the most recent scholarship on the subject. Vallillo combines these powerful stories with eleven historic songs that were sung by the enslaved to inspire and share knowledge among themselves.
This event is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is a new temporary exhibit from Looking for Lincoln; check it out in the Sargent Gallery of the Visitor Center!
The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is located at 402 South Lincoln Highway Road, Lerna, IL 62440. For more information call 217-345-1845, or visit lincolnlogcabin.org

"Lincoln: Sight, Sound, & Touch" Exhibit at ALPLM
2025-08-24
PrintA special exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum lets visitors explore history using their eyes, ears and hands. It transforms images from Lincoln’s life into three-dimensional objects that visitors can touch while listening to audio presentations explaining his accomplishments and enduring legacy.
“Lincoln: Sight, Sound & Touch” runs through Aug. 24. Everyone can enjoy its unique features, but they offer an especially powerful experience for visitors with impaired vision. This travelling exhibit was created by Tactile Images in cooperation with the National Federation of the Blind.
The ALPLM is supplementing the exhibit with touchable facsimiles of artifacts, such as Lincoln’s briefcase, a life mask and Tad Lincoln’s model cannon. Authentic Lincoln artifacts from the ALPLM collection will also be on display, including many commercial items with Lincoln’s image.
The museum also has worked with Tactile Images to create a brand-new piece that focuses on Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address. It will remain at the presidential museum after the exhibit closes, giving the ALPLM a new feature to offer blind and visually impaired visitors on special occasions.
“We firmly believe in the idea of ‘Abe for all’ – that everyone should have a chance to learn about Lincoln’s achievements and how they affect America today,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “This exhibit delivers on that by offering a fun, informative experience that everyone can enjoy, even if they cannot see it. We’re especially happy that part of it will remain at the ALPLM for years to come.
A primary theme of the exhibit is the way Lincoln’s image has been used to sell products from cars to cigarettes to war bonds. Visitors will find an array of ads and posters that have been transformed into three-dimensional objects studded with sensors. It also includes touchable models of a sculpture from the Lincoln Memorial, Lincoln’s face and hands and a Lincoln medal. Touching the sensors will turn on audio descriptions of the object. Buttons on each panel let visitors hear explanations of the history and significance of each item.
“Lincoln: Sight, Sound & Touch” is included with regular admission to the museum as part of the ALPLM’s celebration of its 20th anniversary. There is no additional charge.
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.

Stewardson Lions Club Tractor & Truck Pull
2025-08-24

Sunday's Schedule
2025-08-24
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels, 3:07 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Tampa Bay, 11:10 a.m.
NASCAR
Milwaukee Mile, noon

Free Concert At The Cross
2025-08-24

Journey To Freedom: Illinois' Underground Railroad
2025-08-25
PrintA new exhibit highlighting the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois are featured in a new exhibit Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad. This will be on display in the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site’s Visitor Center – Sargent Gallery, now through December 31.
This exhibit tells selected stories of freedom seekers, conductors and communities in Illinois that were part of the journey to freedom on the Illinois Underground Railroad. Using photos, videos, maps, personal stories, and illustrations created specifically for the exhibit, visitors will learn the about the people and communities who took part in this hidden history. Highlighted stories include freedom seekers John and Eliza Little, who traveled barefoot through Illinois to Canada to gain their freedom, or conductors like Henry who worked for Abraham Lincoln, and Mary Ann King Brown who helped the enslaved to freedom in the Springfield, Quincy and Galena areas. Many of the known communities are included, from Cairo through Springfield to Quincy and Chicago. Other featured areas are Brooklyn/Freedom Village, Miller Grove, Rocky Fork, Galesburg, Mount Hope, Jacksonville, and New Philadelphia.
Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is proudly presented by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, also known as Looking for Lincoln.
The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is located at 402 South Lincoln Highway Road, Lerna, IL 62440. For more information call 217-345-1845, or visit lincolnlogcabin.org

Monday's Schedule
2025-08-25
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Odin at Brownstown/St. Elmo, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at Mulberry Grove, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Cross Country
Cumberland, Neoga at Mattoon (EIU), 4:30 p.m.
Boys Golf
St. Anthony, Effingham, Altamont, Teutopolis at John Macek Golf Invitational at UI Course, 1 p.m.
Newton, North Clay, Robinson at Richland County, Olney Meet, 4 p.m.
Girls Golf
St. Anthony at Charleston 9 Hole Scramble, 4 p.m.
Teutopolis, Sandoval at Altamont, 4 p.m.
Soccer
St. Anthony at Vandalia, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont at Hillsboro, 5 p.m.
Tolono Unity at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Tennis
Newton at Salem, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball
Effingham at Salem, 5 p.m.
Ramsey at Dieterich, 6 p.m.
Okaw Valley at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 6:15 p.m.
Teutopolis at Casey-Westfield, 5 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY/FROSH/SOPH
Baseball
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Cross Country
Cumberland vs. Mattoon at Eastern Illinois University, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Golf
Altamont, Teutopolis, Sandoval at Colonial Golf Club, 4 p.m.
Volleyball
Effingham at Salem, 5 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Franklin Park at Effingham, 4:15 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Effingham Sacred Heart, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont Lutheran Interparish at Altamont (B game), 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Sigel St. Michael, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Charleston at Jasper County, 4:30 p.m.
Newton St. Thomas at Red Hill, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Okaw Valley (B game), 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Teutopolis at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Salem Franklin Park at Effingham, 4:15 p.m.
South Central at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Vandalia at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Casey-Westfield, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Sigel St. Michael at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 4:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Pittsburgh at St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.

Clear The List, Fill A Plate in Effingham County
2025-08-25
