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

Wednesday's Schedule
2026-07-01
PrintEFFINGHAM PARK DISTRICT
Prep League
At Evergreen Baseball Diamond
Game 1 – Teutopolis vs. Culver’s, 5:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Holiday Inn & Express Suites vs. Brown’s Drug Store, 7:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
San Diego at Chicago Cubs, 1:05 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta, 6:15 p.m.

Pirate Island
2026-07-01
PrintEffingham Public Library hosts:
Pirate Island – with Douglas Hart Nature Center, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library. Set sail on a hands-on pirate adventure featuring treasure maps, island animals, and even a pirate ship stowaway! Craft and live animal experience included! Registration Required.
Visit effinghamlibrary.org, email info@effinghamlibrary.org or call 217-342-2464, Ext. 1, to learn more about this or other library programs.

Cuddle Creations
2026-07-01
PrintEffingham Public Library hosts:
Cuddle Creations – from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library. Join us for a fun and creative workshop where you’ll learn how to crochet your very own plushie! The class will be taught by Britani Shumacher. Registration Required. Ages 9-15.
Visit effinghamlibrary.org, email info@effinghamlibrary.org or call 217-342-2464, Ext. 1, to learn more about this or other library programs.

Military Vehicle Display in Martinsville
2026-07-02
PrintThe Martinsville Chamber of Commerce is seeking collectors and enthusiasts to bring their vehicles or military equipment to a Military Vehicle Display on Thursday, July 2.
Martinsville Chamber of Commerce is hosting a number of activities at Linn Park to celebrate Independence Day, including a Military Vehicle Display at the Martinsville Public Library parking lot – adjacent to Linn Park.
For more information, please visit the post on the City of Martinsville’s website.

Thursday's Schedule
2026-07-02
PrintEFFINGHAM PARK DISTRICT
Prep League
At Evergreen Baseball Diamond
Game 1 – Culver’s vs. Mid-Illinois Concrete, 5:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Effingham Asphalt vs. Teutopolis, 7:30 p.m.
Minor Softball League
At East Softball Diamond
Game 1 – Arrow Pest Control vs. REMAX, 5:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta, 6:15 p.m.

America 250: The Story of 1776
2026-07-02
PrintEffingham Public Library hosts:
America 250: The Story of 1776 – with Ryan Ervin and the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum, from 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 2, at the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum, located at 100 E Jefferson in Effingham. Discover why July 4, 1776, was truly earth-shattering, and how the signers risked everything—fortune, reputation, and even their lives—for the cause of liberty. Through fascinating stories and little-known facts, this program will explore the document’s creation, its bold ideas, and its lasting impact on the United States and the world. Registration required.
Visit effinghamlibrary.org, email info@effinghamlibrary.org or call 217-342-2464, Ext. 1, to learn more about this or other library programs.

Red Cross Blood Drives in July
2026-07-02
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in July:
7/2, Thursday, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Parish Hall, Shelbyville, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
7/8, Wednesday, Teutopolis Banquet Hall, 12:30 – 5:30 PM
7/10, Friday, Clay County Health Dept. – Conference Room, Flora, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
7/10, Friday, Newton Knights of Columbus – Hall, Newton, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
7/15, Wednesday, Holy Cross Church of Wendelin – Hall, 1:30 – 5:30 PM
7/16, Thursday, First Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall, Shelbyville, Noon – 5:00 PM
7/17, Friday, Cornerstone Church – Gym, Effingham, 1:30 – 5:00 PM
7/25, Saturday, Cowden Community Building, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
7/27, Monday, Altamont Municipal Building – Meeting Room, 2:00 – 6:00 PM
7/28, Tuesday, South Central FS – Conference Room, Effingham, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Help us celebrate stars, stripes, and saving lives for America’s 250th!
Come to give blood from June 29-July 12 to score a classic Red Cross x Looney Tunes T-shirt, while supplies last!
Come give blood from July 13-31 for a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Visit RedCrossBlood.org/July for details.
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Pack The Bus
2026-07-02
PrintPack the Bus, sponsored by Catholic Charities and hosted by Premier Broadcasting, is this Thursday, July 2nd, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Stop by Classic Hits 979 and KJ Country 102.3 at 206 South Willow Street in Effingham to donate. Help us collect school supplies and clothing for local K-12 students.
Listen for details and check out 979XFM.com and KJCountry.com for more information on the school supplies that are needed to help area children be prepared for school!

Friday's Schedule
2026-07-03
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, 3:05 p.m.

USA 250 Let Freedom Ring Cookout
2026-07-03
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Jasper County Celebration of America 250
2026-07-03
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It all starts at 2:00 pm and ends with fireworks at 9pm, for a full day of events and music.
If any questions, call Donna Keller at 618-562-3434.

Lake Sara Fireworks
2026-07-03

Dieterich 4th of July Celebration
2026-07-03, 2026-07-04

Effingham Farmer's Market
2026-07-04
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.

Homesteaders Market
2026-07-04

Farina 4th of July Celebration
2026-07-04

July 4th Independence Day Parking Lot Party at Effingham Event Center; Fireworks at EHS at 9pm
2026-07-04
PrintThe Effingham Knights of Columbus are hosting the 14th year of the Independence Day Parking Lot Party at the Effingham Event Center on Saturday, July 4th!
Danny Shelton and the Birddogs will play before and after the fireworks. As this is the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Noon Rotary is planning a really nice fireworks display! The fireworks display will include the singing of the National Anthem, an honor guard made up of local veterans organizations, and patriotic music, will begin at 9pm at Klosterman Field at Washington Savings Bank. Free admission will be available in the football stands.
Meanwhile, back at the Event Center, the Council will be cooking up porkburgers, hamburgers, hot dogs, and Nuxoll brats, so bring an appetite. Toppins Ice Cream and Macklin Kettle Corn will also be available for purchase. No outside alcohol is allowed to be brought on the grounds, please.
The playground will be open for kids, and the horseshoe pits for the adults.
Parking is first-come, first served, and lawn areas will be reserved for chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks. The west side of the building will have an area blocked off for lawn chairs, and there will be tables and chairs set up in this area.
Come on out for food, fun, family, friends, and fireworks!

Rededication of the Teutopolis Town Bell
2026-07-04
PrintThe Rededication of the Teutopolis Town Bell will be on Saturday, July 4th at 9:00 A.M. This will be at the Teutopolis Village Hall.
There will be a short ceremony to celebrate the restoration of the historic bell.
The public can park in the church parking lot and bring lawn chairs.

Saturday's Schedule
2026-07-04
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, 7:08 p.m.
NASCAR
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at Chicagoland Speedway, 4 p.m.

Greenup Celebrating America 250 and Mural Tile Painting Unveiling
2026-07-04
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Every group and organization in our community has painted over 625 tiles since the beginning of the year and we can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Also, Greenup is registered as an official America 250th Celebration City!

Free America 250 Concerts and Museum Admission in Springfield
2026-07-04
PrintThe Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield is throwing a block party to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, complete with free concerts, a “kids and pets” parade and an array of food trucks.
The day starts at 9 a.m. with free admission to the museum all day long, where you can connect with America’s greatest president. They’ll also find the special exhibit “The Second American Revolution,” which reveals how the American Civil War and the era of Reconstruction transformed the United States. The exhibit includes the pen Abraham Lincoln used to sign the Emancipation Proclamation and a copy of the 13th Amendment signed by Lincoln and his congressional allies who abolished slavery.
Kids and pets can parade around Union Square Park, across the street from the museum, at 3:30 p.m. with decorated wagons and strollers. Kids young and old can also play with streams of bubbles and foam (and even have a bubble form around them) with Foam and Flight from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Food trucks will be selling drinks, all-American favorites and a few other tasty surprises.
The free concerts begin at 4:15 p.m. with the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band, an authentic re-creation of the actual Civil War Era band that was mustered at State Normal University in 1861. The band’s uniforms, sewn from natural wool fibers, are authentic in every detail and are patterned from actual specimens worn by the Union soldier.
The main event is a rousing performance by 3rd Coast Brass, Chicago’s premier symphonic brass band. They take the stage at 6:00 to blend the rich tradition of brass music with a bold, innovative repertoire. Made up of some of Chicago’s top musicians, 3rd Coast Brass has been praised as “amazing,” “superb” and one of the best brass band ensembles in the Midwest, with “a big, gorgeous, golden sound.”

Gym Bob's Jamboree Show
2026-07-05
PrintThe Gym Bob’s Jamboree Show will be held on Sunday, July 5th, beginning at 1:00 pm! This will be our “All 50’s and 60’s Show” and we will be featuring all your favorite oldies music, such as Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and other legends from the 50’s and 60’s, for the whole family to enjoy – performed by the Gym Bob’s Jamboree Band and Singers.
The Jamboree Show is held the first Sunday afternoon of the month at Gym Bobs, located at 44 Apostle Lane in Bible Grove.
Reservations are not necessary but can be made by calling 615-481-7418.
More information may also be found online at http://www.GymBobs.com

Teutopolis Monastery Museum
2026-07-05
PrintThere are 38 small rooms of displays in the Teutopolis Monastery Museum, open to visitors on Sunday, July 5.
The hours are from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. It’s recommended that you come early to see the many unique and interesting articles on display.
Admission for adults is $5 and $1 for children.
The Museum is located on the second floor in the former Franciscan Novitiate building, which is located behind St. Francis Church in Teutopolis. An elevator is available for visitors who have difficulty with stairs.
Besides its collection of articles used by the Franciscan Friars, the Museum is also known for Bibles and books in different languages, some from the 1700’s. The “pioneer wing” features items used by early Teutopolis pioneers, including furniture, clocks, quilts, toys, and various household and grocery store items. These articles are on display in the former “cells” or bedrooms of the Novices.
Volunteers are available along the tour to explain the displays and assist visitors.
Also open to visitors are: the basement where many small farm tools are displayed, the Mausoleum where 79 Franciscan Friars are interred, and St. Francis Church, with stained glass windows depicting events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
Special group tours for adults or school groups can be arranged on days other than the scheduled Sunday openings. Call 217-961-6404 ext. 236, leave a message, and the call will be returned.
Regular, scheduled museum opening dates are the first Sunday of the months of April through November, except holidays.
For more information go to the parish website: stfrancischurch.com or to the town’s website at Teutopolis.com and click on “Our Community”.
Follow us on Facebook this year as we recall the beginnings of the Museum in 1975-76.

Sunday's Schedule
2026-07-05
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.
NASCAR
NASCAR Cup Series Race at Chicagoland Speedway, 4 p.m.

Jr. Chef Academy
2026-07-06

Monday's Schedule
2026-07-06
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Milwaukee at St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.

Crouch Art on Display at Library
2026-07-06

Dog Obedience Classes
2026-07-07

Red White & You Blood Drive at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital
2026-07-07
