Open House - St. John's Eagle's Nest Preschool
2026-02-24
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Red Cross Blood Drives in February
2026-02-24, 2026-02-26
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in February:
2/5, Thursday, Knights of Columbus Hall, Newton, Noon – 5:30 PM
2/6, Friday, Newton High School, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
2/10, Tuesday, Mason Christian Church Annex, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, EIU Student Union Ballroom, Charleston, Noon – 4:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, Flora Church of the Nazarene, Noon – 5:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, Apostolic Center Church, Mattoon, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/13, Friday, Oblong Municipal Building, 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
2/16, Monday, Home Church, Charleston, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/16, Monday, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sainte Marie, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/17, Tuesday, Grace United Methodist Church, Neoga, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/17, Tuesday, Dieterich High School, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/20, Friday, Altamont High School, 8:15 AM – 2:00 PM
2/23, Monday, Shelbyville High School, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
2/24, Tuesday, St Michael Church – Sigel, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/26, Thursday, Neal Center YMCA, Toledo, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Come give blood through February 28, for a $20 e-gift card to your choice of merchant. See rcblood.org/heart
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Free Tax Preparation with Catholic Charities
2026-02-24, 2026-02-25, 2026-02-26

Tuesday's Schedule
2026-02-24
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Girls Basketball
Class 1A Argenta-Oreana Sectional
Game 1 –Mount Pulaski vs. Hume Shiloh, 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Catlin Salt Fork vs. Cumberland, 7:30 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Class 1A Wayne City Sectional
Game 1 – Brownstown/St. Elmo vs. Christopher, 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Sesser Valier vs. Edwards County (Albion), 7:30 p.m.
Class 2A Olney Sectional
Game 1 — Paris vs. Olney, Richland County, 6 p.m.
Game 2– Mount Carmel vs. Teutopolis, 7:30 p.m. (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Effingham at Mattoon, 5 p.m.
Effingham Sacred Heart at Mattoon St. John’s, 6 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Altamont, 4:15 p.m.
Cumberland at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Casey-Westfield, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Jasper County, 6 p.m.
Martinsville at Sigel St. Michael, 6 p.m.
Stewardson Trinity Lutheran at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, 6 p.m.

Volunteer Walkers/Visitors at Memory Care Facility
2026-02-25
PrintVolunteers are needed to walk with, or even just visit with, residents at Willowbrook Memory Care Facility in Effingham, on weekends.
If interested, call Molly Fearday at 217-994-3364.

Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette State Park
2026-02-25, 2026-02-26, 2026-02-27
PrintHave you ever seen America’s national bird, the bald eagle? Soaring on a 6 to 7 1/2 foot wing-span, eagles are magnificent! It is not necessary to travel all the way to Canada to see these fabulous creatures. Pere Marquette State Park is fortunate to play host to the winter season visitors. Eagles may be spotted in the trees along the Illinois River from now through March.
Pere Marquette State Park will be presenting informative programs about bald eagles this winter. Visitors will learn to distinguish between immature and mature bald eagles, what eagles eat, why they spend winter months in the area, and much more. All programs will begin at the park’s visitor center at 8:30 A.M. (Reservations Required) There will be a video presentation and program followed by an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles. Please be sure to dress warmly, have a full tank of gas, and bring binoculars!
* Programs are from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM at the Pere Marquette Park Visitor’s Center
* Wear warm clothes, water/mud resistant shoes, and don’t forget your binoculars and camera!
* Reservations are required – call 618-786-3323 ext. 1 to reserve your spot!
Bald Eagle Days Tour Schedule:
Friday, January 30
Monday, February 2
Tuesday, February 3
Wednesday, February 4
Wednesday, February 18
Thursday, February 19
Friday, February 20
Wednesday, February 25
Thursday, February 26
Friday, February 27
Friday, March 6
Pere Marquette State Park is located at 13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton, Illinois 62037.

CASA Volunteers Needed
2026-02-25
PrintThe start of a new year often comes with a list of resolutions. New Year’s resolutions are different for everyone, but one of the most common is to live a healthier lifestyle. If you’re hoping to improve your physical and mental health, there’s one option that often gets overlooked and benefits others: volunteering.
Volunteering and helping others has been found to benefit both physical and mental health, and there are a variety of options in our community. If you’re looking for a new way to make changes in your life and in the lives of others, consider resolving to help children and families in the child welfare system by volunteering with CASA for Kids.
As of January, 682 children are currently in the child welfare system in CASA for Kid’s service area, including Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Jasper, Hamilton, Marion, Wayne, and White Counties. These children have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care, sometimes far away from their families and communities. They need a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer to stand by their side and advocate for them.
“Children in foster care are often separated from their families, siblings, friends and other loved ones, and placed in an unfamiliar setting far away from everything they know,” said Zoe Bridges, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator of CASA for Kids. “CASA volunteers stand with them during this uncertain time, providing a consistent presence and speaking up for their best interest in court, school and other settings.”
CASA volunteers are everyday members of the community who are recruited, screened and trained to advocate for a child or sibling group in foster care. They get to know the child on an individual level so that they can make sure their physical, emotional and educational needs are met.
They also get to know the child’s parents, family, foster parents and other important people in their life, with the goal of working towards reunifying the child with their parents whenever safe and possible. They help make sure children have a support system of family and other reliable, committed adults who can help them both during and after their time in foster care.
CASA for Kids served 506 children in 2025 with the help of 95 CASA volunteers. CASA is always seeking more community members to step up and advocate.
“Volunteering with CASA is an opportunity unlike any other,” said Bridges. “It’s a unique chance to make a true, positive difference for a young person and their family. We need more members of the community to join the CASA movement so that we can serve 100% of children in foster care in our communities.”
In the New Year, consider becoming a CASA volunteer and make an impact in a child’s life, and your own. Every child has a chance – it’s you.
If you’d like to find out more about becoming a CASA volunteer or other ways to get involved, visit casa4change.org or email zbridges@casa4change.org.

Wednesday's Schedule
2026-02-25
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Class 1A Casey-Westfield Regional
Game 5 – Casey-Westfield vs. Broadlands Heritage, 6 p.m.
Game 6 – Cumberland vs. Central A&M, 7:30 p.m.
Class 1A Tuscola Regional
Game 5 – Tuscola vs. Hume Shiloh, 6 p.m.
Game 6 – Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg vs. Macon Meridian, 7:30 p.m.
Class 1A North Clay Regional
Game 5 – Lawrenceville vs. Red Hill (Bridgeport), 6 p.m.
Game 6 – North Clay vs. Dieterich, 7:30 p.m.
Class 1A Altamont Regional
Game 5 – Webber Township (Bluford) vs. Wayne City, 6 p.m.
Game 6 – Altamont vs. Edwards County (Albion), 7:30 p.m.
Class 2A Vandalia Regional
Game 3 – Effingham St. Anthony vs. Vandalia, 6 p.m.
Game 4 — Fairfield vs. Olney, 7:30 p.m.
Class 2A Robinson Regional
Game 3 — Teutopolis vs. Mount Carmel, 6 p.m.
Game 4 – Salem vs. Newton, 7:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Shelbyville Moulton at Effingham, 4:30 p.m.
Salem Franklin Park at Altamont, 4:15 p.m.
Dieterich at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 6:15 p.m.
Okaw Valley at Windsor, 4:30 p.m.

‘Cram the Cars’ for Catholic Charities Food Pantry
2026-02-26
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In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is teaming up with Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota, Roy Schmidt Honda, Northside Ford-Lincoln, Goeckner Bros. Inc. – Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. in Effingham to “Cram the Car” with nonperishable food items, hygiene products, and monetary donations for Catholic Charities’ food pantry.
Donations for the annual event will be accepted the entire month of February. On March 1, HSHS Home Care staff will cram their cars with donated items before delivering them to Catholic Charities. The regional Catholic Charities’ office serves Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Shelby counties.
“Cram the Car inspires me every year when I see how our neighbors, friends and colleagues come together to care for the community,” said Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care. “It’s a privilege to deliver their generous donations. Let’s see how many cars we can fill!”
Suggested items for donations include the following:
• Boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni)
• Pancake mix and syrup
• Jelly
• Pasta sauce
• Cereal
• Granola
• Sugar-free canned fruit
• Low-salt canned vegetables
• Large boxes of oatmeal
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Feminine products
• Razors
Donors are urged to check expiration dates.
Items or monetary contributions may be dropped off at any of these locations:
• HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital front lobby or pre-surgical entrance – Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• At one of these locations during business hours:
− Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota – 2400 S. Banker St., Effingham
− Roy Schmidt Honda – 1705 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham
− Northside Ford-Lincoln – 1312 N. Keller Dr., Effingham
− Goeckner Bros. Inc. – Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – 600 E. Fayette Ave., Effingham
− Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. – 2309 S. Banker St., Effingham
Learn more at HSHS Home Care’s Cram the Car website, or by contacting Engelbart at 217-685-0702 or Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org.
HSHS Home Care staff help patients maintain an independent lifestyle by offering in-home services such as physical, occupational and speech-language therapy; wound care; cardiac rehabilitation; stroke care; pain management; hospice and palliative care; fall risk assessment; and pediatric care.

Trinity Class Trip Fundraiser
2026-02-26

Thursday's Schedule
2026-02-26
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Girls Basketball
Class 1A Argenta-Oreana Sectional
Mount Pulaski vs. Cumberland, 6 p.m. (championship) (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Class 1A Wayne City Sectional
Brownstown/St. Elmo vs. Edwards County (Albion), 6:30 p.m. (championship)
Class 2A Olney Sectional
Paris vs. Teutopolis, 6 p.m. (championship) (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Effingham at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
St. Anthony at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:15 p.m.
Sigel St. Michael at Altamont Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Newton St. Thomas, 4:30 p.m.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Eastern Illinois University at Lindenwood, 7:30 p.m.

A.Y.C.E. Fish Fry for Dieterich Fire Protection District
2026-02-27
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This is located at 100 Zumbahlen Avenue in Dieterich.

ImpactLife Blood Drive at Bonutti Clinic
2026-02-27

Red Cross Blood Drive in Farina
2026-02-27

Fish Fry for St. John's LYF Effingham
2026-02-27
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Dine in, carry out, or drive through!
Bake Sale held the same evening.

Friday's Schedule
2026-02-27
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Class 1A Casey-Westfield Regional
Game 7 – Casey-Westfield vs. Cumberland, 7 p.m. (championship)
Class 1A Tuscola Regional
Game 7 – Tuscola vs. Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 7 p.m. (championship)
Class 1A North Clay Regional
Game 7 – Lawrenceville vs. North Clay, 7 p.m. (championship)
Class 1A Altamont Regional
Game 7 – Webber Township (Bluford) vs. Altamont, 7 p.m. (championship) (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Class 2A Vandalia Regional
Game 5 – Vandalia vs. Fairfield, 7 p.m. (championship)
Class 2A Robinson Regional
Game 5 – Teutopolis vs. Newton, 7 p.m. (championship) (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
Wrestling
Girls State Finals, TBA
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Jasper County at Dieterich, 4:15 p.m.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Michigan at University of Illinois, 7 p.m.

AYCE Fish Dinner - Edgewood Legion
2026-02-27

MAR: Substance Use Disorders - Understanding and Responding Effectively
2026-02-27

'Unsinkable Freedom' Movie at ALPLM
2026-02-27
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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.

Annual Tree Sale
2026-02-28
PrintThe public can call the Effingham County SWCD office to have an order form emailed or mailed to them.

‘Cram the Cars’ for Catholic Charities Food Pantry
2026-02-28
PrintIn recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is teaming up with Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota, Roy Schmidt Honda, Northside Ford-Lincoln, Goeckner Bros. Inc. – Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. in Effingham to “Cram the Car” with nonperishable food items, hygiene products, and monetary donations for Catholic Charities’ food pantry.
Donations for the annual event will be accepted the entire month of February. On March 1, HSHS Home Care staff will cram their cars with donated items before delivering them to Catholic Charities. The regional Catholic Charities’ office serves Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Shelby counties.
“Cram the Car inspires me every year when I see how our neighbors, friends and colleagues come together to care for the community,” said Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care. “It’s a privilege to deliver their generous donations. Let’s see how many cars we can fill!”
Suggested items for donations include the following:
• Boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni)
• Pancake mix and syrup
• Jelly
• Pasta sauce
• Cereal
• Granola
• Sugar-free canned fruit
• Low-salt canned vegetables
• Large boxes of oatmeal
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Feminine products
• Razors
Donors are urged to check expiration dates.
Items or monetary contributions may be dropped off at any of these locations:
• HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital front lobby or pre-surgical entrance – Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• At one of these locations during business hours:
− Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota – 2400 S. Banker St., Effingham
− Roy Schmidt Honda – 1705 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham
− Northside Ford-Lincoln – 1312 N. Keller Dr., Effingham
− Goeckner Bros. Inc. – Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – 600 E. Fayette Ave., Effingham
− Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. – 2309 S. Banker St., Effingham
Learn more at HSHS Home Care’s Cram the Car website, or by contacting Engelbart at 217-685-0702 or Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org.
HSHS Home Care staff help patients maintain an independent lifestyle by offering in-home services such as physical, occupational and speech-language therapy; wound care; cardiac rehabilitation; stroke care; pain management; hospice and palliative care; fall risk assessment; and pediatric care.

Enduring Freedom Ministries Distributions in February
2026-02-28
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries February Calendar:
Tuesday, February 10th, 4-6pm, Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Wednesday, February, 11th, noon – 2p.m., Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Saturday, February 14th, 9a.m.-noon, Mason location is West Washington Street (Mason Civic Center)
Wednesday, February, 18th, noon – 2p.m., Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Thursday, February 19th, noon – 2p.m or until we run out. We are hosting an EXTRA FREE-FOOD DISTRIBUTION DRIVE-THROUGH. This will be held on the parking lot of the EFFINGHAM ARMORY at 1206 West Temple Avenue in Effingham.
Saturday, February 28th, 8:30-noon, Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
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!

Hooked on Chrochet
2026-02-28

Teutopolis Boys Golf Raffle of Cardinals Green Seats
2026-02-28
PrintTeutopolis Boys Golf is selling raffle tickets to win 4 Cardinals Green Seats. This includes the Cardinals Club Buffett, a Parking Pass, and In-Seat Food and Beverage.
The game is TBD.
Raffle Tickets are: 1/$20, 3/$50, or 7/$100. They’ll be available until close to Opening Day, March 26.
To get your chances, reach out to Mike Wilson, who accepts Venmo @MikeWils13. Will need your name and cellphone number.
Thanks for your support of Teutopolis Boys Golf!

Greater Vision in Concert
2026-02-28
