‘Unsinkable Freedom’ Movie at ALPLM
2026-04-24
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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.

Frozen The Broadway Musical at Teutopolis
2026-04-24, 2026-04-25, 2026-04-26
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Tickets are available at the door for $10.

Garage Sale for Humane Society
2026-04-24, 2026-04-25, 2026-04-26
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Red Cross Blood Drives in April
2026-04-24, 2026-04-28
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in April:
4/2, Thursday, Knights of Columbus-Newton, Noon – 5:30 PM
4/7, Tuesday, Mason Christian Church Annex, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4/7, Tuesday, Greenup Village Municipal Building, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
4/8, Wednesday, Stewardson-Strasburg High School, 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
4/9, Thursday, South Central FS, Effingham, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
4/10, Friday, Newton High School, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
4/15, Wednesday, Dieterich High School, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4/16, Thursday, Flora Church of the Nazarene, Noon – 5:00 PM
4/20, Monday, Grace United Methodist Church, Neoga, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4/20, Monday, St Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sainte Marie, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4/21, Tuesday, Floyd Henson Junior High School, Flora, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
4/23, Thursday, Neal Center YMCA, Toledo, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
4/24, Friday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Shelbyville, Noon – 5:00 PM
4/24, Friday, Oblong Grade School, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
4/28, Tuesday, Flora High School, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
4/29, Wednesday, Altamont Elementary School, 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Those giving blood through April 12 will receive an exclusive American Red Cross x Life is Good t-shirt, while they last! Donors giving blood from April 13 – 30 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See rcblood.org/hope
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Hanging Basket Flower Sale at HSHS St. Anthony's
2026-04-24
PrintThe HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will be hosting a Hanging Basket Flower Sale on Friday, April 24, in the hospital Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (while supplies last).
An assorted variety of 11” hanging baskets will be available for purchase at $20 per basket. Cash, check, debit or credit card will be accepted.
Proceeds from the sale will go to the Annual Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, granted to selected individuals seeking a career in a health care related field.
For more information or if you are interested in volunteering for the Auxiliary, contact Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor, at 217-685-0702 or by email at valerie.engelbart@hshs.org.
For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit stanthonyshospital.org.

Friday's Schedule
2026-04-24
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Charleston at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Richland County, Olney at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Fairfield at Cumberland HAS BEEN CANCELED
Dieterich at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Centralia, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Flora, 4:30 p.m.
Marshall at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Mahomet-Seymour (DH) HAS BEEN CANCELED
Cumberland at Hutsonville/Palestine, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Edwards County, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, Champaign Central, Freeburg at Newton Round Robin, 4 p.m.
Boys Track
St. Anthony, Cumberland, Neoga at Tuscola Open, 4 p.m.
Altamont, St. Elmo/Brownstown, Teutopolis, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Coach Cork Invitational at Robinson, 4 p.m.
Girls Track
St. Anthony, Cumberland, Neoga at Tuscola Invitational, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Paris at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Lincolnwood at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
South Central at Cisne, 3:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers, 9:10 p.m.
Seattle at St. Louis Cardinals at Miami, 7:15 p.m.

Rummage Sale for Altamont First United Methodist Church
2026-04-24, 2026-04-25
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Items donated to Altamont First United Methodist Church are going towards the Missions.

Orphan Benefit & Jason Gray Concert
2026-04-25

Enduring Freedom Ministries Distributions in April
2026-04-25
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries distribution days for April:
Tuesday, April 7th from 4-6pm, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Wednesday, April 8th from Noon to 2pm, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Saturday, April 11th from 9-Noon, 861 E. Washington, Mason (Mason Civic Center)
Tuesday, April 14th from 4-6pm, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Wednesday, April 15th from Noon to 2pm, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Wednesday, April 22nd from Noon to 2pm or until we run out of food (no appointment necessary). This is a Mobile Drive-Through Food Pantry at the Kohl’s Parking lot in Effingham.
Saturday, April 25th from 8:30-Noon, 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Please call 217-240-0059 to sign up. It’s free and for everyone!

Benefit for Linda Snyder
2026-04-25
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Come support Linda in her fight against cancer! There will be:
– Blind Draw Doubles Pool and Dart Tournament at 1pm with a $20 registration beginning at 12pm
– 50/50 Raffle
– Baskets Raffle with gift cards and donations from local businesses
– Silent Auctions for a variety of items including new darts, pool cues, and electric dart board

Saturday's Schedule
2026-04-25
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
St. Anthony at Mattoon, 10 a.m.
Robinson at Dieterich, 9 a.m.
Neoga at Flora (DH), 10 a.m.
Freeburg vs. Teutopolis at Teutopolis Round Robin, 10 a.m.
Gibault Catholic vs. Teutopolis at Teutopolis Round Robin, noon
Softball
Teutopolis vs. Clay City, Ind. at West Vigo Tournament, TBA
Teutopolis vs. West Vigo at West Vigo Tournament, TBA
Boys Tennis
Effingham at Triad Tournament, 9 a.m.
Newton at Charleston Invitational, 9 a.m.
Teutopolis at Lasalle-Peru Quad, 9 a.m.
Boys Track
Effingham, Altamont at Edwardsville Winston Brown Invitational, 11 a.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, Patoka/South Central at Carlyle, 10 a.m.
Girls Track
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, Patoka/South Central at Carlyle, 10 a.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Mattoon at St. Anthony, 10 a.m.
Newton at Robinson (DH), 10 a.m.
Softball
St. Anthony at Newton HAS BEEN CANCELED
Altamont JV Tournament, TBA
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
Effingham, Neoga, Teutopolis at Tuscola East Prairie Invitational, 10 a.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:15 p.m.
Seattle at St. Louis Cardinals, 1:15 p.m.
NASCAR
Ag Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway, 2:30 p.m.

The Frosted Republic - How Illinois Taught America to Celebrate with Cake
2026-04-25
PrintThe Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site presents The Frosted Republic- How Illinois Taught America to Celebrate with Cake. This event will be in the Visitor Center Auditorium on Saturday, April 25, at 2:00 p.m.

Cake is more than dessert; it’s a reflection of who we are and how we celebrate. “The Frosted Republic” traces Illinois’ surprising role in shaping America’s sweet traditions — from Wilton’s early classrooms in Roseland, to Duncan Hines’ Chicago food guides, to Sara Lee’s Downers Grove bakery that made celebration accessible to every freezer aisle. Together, these stories reveal how Illinois became a quiet engine of cultural joy, teaching the nation to express love, resilience, and creativity through buttercream, boxed mixes, and pound cakes.
In this Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Presentation, Chef Lori Parrett leads audiences through this history as both pastry chef and storyteller, blending archival research, lived experience, and visual demonstration. Using slides, vintage imagery, and a few edible artifacts, she invites participants to see cake decorating as both craft and cultural record—evidence of migration, ingenuity, and the art of making do.
Warm, interactive, and grounded in Illinois history, “The Frosted Republic” reminds audiences that every piped rose and every slice shared tells a story about who we are and how we celebrate together.
The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is located at 402 South Lincoln Highway Road, near Lerna.
To contact them, call 217-345-1845 or visit lincolnlogcabin.org

Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction for El Shaddai
2026-04-25

Community Tree Planting in Effingham
2026-04-25

Teutopolis - St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Weekends
2026-04-26

Name That Tune Fundraiser for The Study Shoppe
2026-04-26

United Way of Effingham County – Grant Applications Accepted
2026-04-26
PrintUnited Way of Effingham County has released the application to receive funding from the 2026 Campaign. Agencies requesting funds must be non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) certificate and provide health and human services within Effingham County.
Agencies who received funding from the 2025 Campaign will be automatically sent the application to reapply for funding. Any other organization who wishes to apply should reach out to Emily Hille, Executive Director for United Way of Effingham County at 217-342-3824 or email emily@effinghamunitedway.org. Completed applications must be submitted by April 30, 2026.
In addition to completing the application, agencies will be asked to give a short presentation to the United Way Grants Committee demonstrating the purpose of their organization and how the requested funds would be used. Presentation dates are June 1st and June 3rd from 5:30PM – 8:00PM.
The United Way of Effingham County has been working hard to identify the ever-changing needs and make a difference in the community for over 65 years. To learn more, visit www.effinghamunitedway.org.

Sunday's Schedule
2026-04-26
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers, 3:10 p.m.
Seattle at St. Louis Cardinals, 1:15 p.m.
NASCAR
Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, 1 p.m.

'Unspoken' Performance at Vandalia FUMC
2026-04-26

Spring Concert with St. Hildegard Von Bingen Schola
2026-04-26
PrintThe St. Hildegard Von Bingen Schola will present their Spring Concert at Sacred Heart Church in Effingham on Sunday, April 26, at 2:00 pm.
The one-hour concert of sacred choral and classical piano music features:
Seniors; Addison Bunton, Norah Frost, Ronan Bailey
Juniors; Shae Conder, Gianna Frisbie, Evie Sayne, Susy Trupiano
Sophomore; Addie Overbeck
Eighth Grader; Aliyah Bunton
and
Seventh Graders; Lilly Butts, Sophia Ivy, Charlee Jansen, and Emery Jansen.
The students are under the direction of Barbara Konrad.
The concert is free and open to the public.

Monday's Schedule
2026-04-27
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Effingham at Neoga HAS BEEN CANCELED
St. Anthony at Dieterich HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MAY 21
Nokomis at Altamont HAS BEEN CANCELED
Flora at Brownstown/St. Elmo HAS BEEN CANCELED
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Ramsey, 4:30 p.m.
Okaw Valley at Cumberland, 4 p.m.
Teutopolis at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Central A&M at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Teutopolis at Effingham HAS BEEN CANCELED
St. Anthony at Dieterich HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MAY 5
Neoga at Altamont, HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO TUESDAY, APRIL 28
Cumberland at Lawrenceville HAS BEEN CANCELED
North Clay at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at St. Elmo/Brownstown HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MAY 13
Boys Tennis
Effingham at Robinson HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MAY 4
Newton at Charleston HAS BEEN CANCELED
Mount Zion at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Teutopolis, Olney, Robinson at Newton HAS BEEN CANCELED
Girls Track
Newton at Robinson HAS BEEN CANCELED
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Marshall at Effingham HAS BEEN CANCELED
Neoga at Altamont, after varsity game
Edwards County at Newton HAS BEEN CANCELED
Softball
Teutopolis at Effingham HAS BEEN CANCELED
St. Anthony at Dieterich, after varsity game
Neoga at Altamont, after varsity game
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
Effingham Sacred Heart, St. Anthony, Brownstown/St. Elmo, Teutopolis, Windsor at
Effingham HAS BEEN CANCELED
Neoga at Casey-Westfield, 4:15 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at San Diego, 8:40 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh, 5:40 p.m.

Cooking Across Continents Program
2026-04-28
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You can register for one session or any number of them. This program will run on the dates linked below:

September 30, 2025: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking93025
October 28, 2025: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking102825
January 27, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking012725
February 24, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking022426
March 24, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking032826
April 28, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking042826
May 19, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking051926

RECOVERY Roll Bowl with Pizza
2026-04-28

Tuesday's Schedule
2026-04-28
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Effingham at Terre Haute South, 5 p.m.
St. Anthony at Tolono Unity, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Shelbyville, 4:30 p.m.
Casey-Westfield at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Arcola, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Meridian, 4:30 p.m.
Tolono Unity at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:30 p.m.
Tuscola at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Sullivan, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Mulberry Grove HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO THURSDAY, APRIL 30
Marshall at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Tennis
Casey-Westfield at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Robinson, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Altamont, Charleston at Effingham, 4 p.m.
Shelbyville at St. Anthony, 4 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4 p.m.
Cumberland, Neoga, Teutopolis, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Vandalia, 4:15 p.m.
Patoka/South Central at Flora, 4 p.m.
Girls Track
Altamont, Charleston at Effingham, 4 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown, Okaw Valley at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4 p.m.
Cumberland, Neoga, Teutopolis, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Vandalia, 4:15 p.m.
Patoka/South Central at Flora, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Baseball
Taylorville at Effingham, 4:30 p.m.
Mount Zion at St. Anthony HAS BEEN CANCELED
Softball
Altamont at Effingham, after varsity game
Marshall at Teutopolis, JV innings
Boys Tennis
Paris at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
Richland County, Olney at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Track
Altamont, Brownstown/St. Elmo, South Central, Windsor at Stewardson-Strasburg, 4 p.m.
Jasper County at Robinson, 4 p.m.
Cumberland, Newton St. Thomas, Lawrenceville at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at San Diego, 8:40 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh, 5:40 p.m.
