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

Red Cross Blood Drive in Oblong
2025-12-12
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Holiday Lights and Festive Sights Tour and Voting
2025-12-12, 2025-12-15
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This holiday season, Visit Effingham invites you to celebrate the return of a beloved community tradition – the Holiday Lights & Festive Sights Tour! Back for another year of sparkle and holiday cheer, this festive tour turns Effingham into a twinkling wonderland for all to enjoy.
Only 20 homes have been selected for this year’s tour, and each received a yard sign denoting their participation. Pick up a scorecard from Visit Effingham at City Hall – or download it from our social media channels – and vote for your favorite home on the tour by December 30th. The People’s Choice Winner will walk away with $250.
Homes can be voted for online at Visit Effingham‘s Facebook page, their website www.visiteffinghamil.com , or in person at Effingham City Hall (201 East Jefferson Ave). Voting will be open December 12th through the 30th at noon. The People’s Choice winner will be announced on December 30th in the afternoon.
For more information on the Holiday Light Tour, please call the office at 217-342-5310 or go to their website:  www.visiteffinghamil.com

Tinsel & Tails for E.A.R.S.
2025-12-13
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EARS is excited to unveil for another year “Tinsel & Tails,” a festive holiday experience, hosted in partnership with Cardinal Golf Course. Running November 28 – December 27, this holiday family event will be open every Friday and Saturday night from 5:30PM to 8:30 PM.
“Tinsel & Tails” will light up Cardinal Golf Course with spectacular holiday decorations and a charming winter wonderland atmosphere. The event is set to offer an array of activities that celebrate the season and support a noble cause, including:
– Holiday Light Tour: Enjoy a scenic golf cart ride through the beautifully decorated path on the course, featuring dazzling light displays and festive decorations.
– Family Fun: Engage in family-friendly activities like a hot chocolate bar, roast s’mores, and take memorable photos with festive backdrops.
Tickets for the event will be available November 3, on the EARS website: effinghamanimalrescue.com

Wreaths Across America in Altamont
2025-12-13
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The website for Post 512 at Wreaths Across America is: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/181121/Overview/?relatedId=0

Holiday At The Hart
2025-12-13

Ladies Aid Cookie Walk
2025-12-13

Krampus, The Untold Story – Performance In Effingham
2025-12-13, 2025-12-14
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Three Chicks & A Stage present an original production “Krampus, The Untold Story” at the Effingham Elks Club on December 12th, 13th and 14th.
Friday, December 12th will be a dinner show with dinner starting at 6:00pm and the show starting at 7:00pm. The $40 ticket for the dinner show must be purchased in advance and covers both the cost of the catered meal and the show. There will also be show-only tickets available for the Friday night performance.
The December 13th and 14th performances will be show-only performances. On Saturday, December 13th, the doors will open at 6:30 and curtain will be at 7:00pm. On Sunday, December 14th, the doors will open at 1:30 and curtain will be at 2:00pm. With the exception of the Friday night dinner, show tickets can be purchased at the door or at designated locations.
Tickets are available at the Effingham Elks (2102 S. Banker St., Effingham) and Jansen Computers (101 W. Main St., Teutopolis). For ticket info you can also call 812-783-0853‬.
Krampus was written by Three Chicks board member Patty Hooper. We invite you to come to the show to embrace the Christmas season with laughter and the true meaning of Christmas.
This year’s holiday show donation will be shared with Heartland Human Services.
Three Chicks & A Stage invite you to come out and laugh your way into the Christmas spirit this year!

Saturday's Schedule
2025-12-13
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Casey-Westfield at Altamont, NEW TIME, 2:30 P.M.
Newton, Teutopolis at Sullivan Shootout, TBA
Conrad Allen Tournament
At Wayne City
Game 1 — North Clay vs. Cisne, noon
Game 2 — Webber vs. Sandoval, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3 — Wayne City vs. Crab Orchard, 3 p.m.
Game 4 — Edwards County vs. Thompsonville, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Greenville at Altamont, NEW TIME, 11 A.M.
Flora at Newton, 11 a.m.
Wrestling
Effingham, Cumberland Girls at Marion Invitational HAS BEEN CANCELED
Cumberland Boys at Porta Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Effingham at Flora, 9 a.m.
Altamont at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 10 a.m.
Girls Basketball
Effingham at Taylorville Freshman/Sophomore Tournament, 8 a.m.
Teutopolis at Paris, 9 a.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Edison at Effingham, 10 a.m.
Teutopolis, Mahomet-Seymour, Mattoon at Taylorville, 9 a.m.
National Trail Conference Eighth-Grade Tournament
At North Clay
Game 5 — Stewardson-Strasburg vs. Winner Game 1, 10 a.m.
Game 6 — Cumberland vs. Winner Game 2, 11:15 a.m.
Game 7 — Sacred Heart vs. Winner Game 3, 12:30 p.m.
Game 8 — Sigel St. Michael vs. Winner Game 4, 1:45 p.m.
Girls Basketball
All IESA State Tournament games have been canceled Saturday and will be rescheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Nebraska at University of Illinois, 3 p.m.

Santa in Strasburg
2025-12-13

Strasburg Christmas Store
2025-12-13
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Check out the Show Case of Trees and vote for your favorite. Area businesses, organizations, and community members are encouraged to decorate a tree. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree and wreath and the tree and wreath with the most money in their container wins! Winners will receive either a catered lunch or a gift card.
Proceeds from the Show Case of Trees will benefit scholarships.

Humane Society Photos With Santa
2025-12-13

Biggest and Best Christmas Bake Sale
2025-12-13

Enduring Freedom Ministries December Dates
2025-12-13, 2025-12-17
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries December Dates:
Tuesday, December 2nd, from 4 – 6pm, Shumway
Tuesday, December 9th, from 4 – 6pm, Shumway. This is also the informational meeting for EFM’s latest project: Ezra’s Place
Wednesday, December 10th, noon – 2pm, Shumway
Saturday, December 13th, 9am – noon, Mason
Wednesday, December 17th, noon – 2pm, Shumway
Friday, December 19th, Deadline at midnight for Locker Blessing Registration
Saturday, December 27th, 8am – 3pm, Shumway (Locker Blessings)
Please call 217-868-5293 or 217-240-0059 to sign up, or go to our website and book your own date & time: www.my-christian-space.com then select either Shumway or Mason.
Shumway location is at (old grade school) 304 S. West Street, Shumway
Mason location is at 861 E. Washington Street, Mason (Mason Civic Center)

Christmas In The Village at Greenup
2025-12-13

Christmas Party - Village of Watson
2025-12-13

Breakfast Buffet at Mason
2025-12-13

Sunday's Schedule
2025-12-14
PrintMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Eastern Illinois University at Iowa State, noon
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Cleveland at Chicago, noon
Baltimore at Cincinnati, noon
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City, noon
Buffalo at New England, noon
Washington at New York Giants, noon
Las Vegas at Philadelphia, noon
New York Jets at Jacksonville, noon
Arizona at Houston, noon
Green Bay at Denver, 3:25 p.m.
Detroit at Los Angeles Rams, 3:25 p.m.
Carolina at New Orleans, 3:25 p.m.
Tennessee at San Francisco, 3:25 p.m.
Indianapolis at Seattle, 3:25 p.m.
Minnesota at Dallas, 7;20 p.m.

Lutheran Choir Cantata
2025-12-14
PrintThe public is invited to attend the 62nd Annual Lutheran Choir Christmas Cantata at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 14. This will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strasburg.
This year’s choir includes singers from Faith, Shumway; Grace, Strasburg; St. Paul, Sigel; St. Paul, Strasburg; and Trinity, Stewardson.
Come enjoy a long-standing tradition and prepare for the birth of our Savior, Jesus!
Stay after the Cantata for refreshments!

National Trail FARM TOY SHOW
2025-12-14

ImpactLife Blood Drive At Effingham Event Center
2025-12-15

Monday's Schedule
2025-12-15
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Conrad Allen Holiday Tournament
At Wayne City
Game 5 — Crab Orchard vs. Webber, 5:30 p.m.
Game 6 — Sandoval vs. Grayville, 7 p.m.
Game 7 — Cisne vs. Edwards County, 8:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball
St. Anthony at Teutopolis (VARSITY ONLY), 6 p.m. (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
Altamont at North Clay, 6 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Newton at Salem, 6 p.m.
South Central at Woodlawn, 6:15 p.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Mount Zion at Effingham, 5:30 p.m.
St. Anthony at Vandalia, noon
Cumberland at Dieterich, 6 p.m.
Teutopolis at Mount Vernon, 6 p.m.
Palestine/Hutsonville at Newton, 6 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Effingham at Greenville HAS BEEN CANCELED
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Effingham vs. Pana Sacred Heart at Tower Hill, 6 p.m.
Unity at St. Anthony HAS BEEN CANCELED
Martinsville at Jasper County, 6 p.m.
Teutopolis at Casey-Westfield, 6 p.m.
National Trail Conference Eighth-Grade Tournament
At North Clay
Game 9 – Dieterich vs. Windsor, 5:30 p.m.
Game 10 – Altamont vs. Cumberland, 6:45 p.m.
Game 11 – Stewardson-Strasburg vs. Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 8 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Class 8-2A State Tournament
At Havana Junior High School
Game 1 — Dieterich vs. Spring Valley Kennedy, 4 p.m.
Game 2 — Sidwell Salt Fork vs. Springfield Christian, 5:15 p.m.
Game 3 — Mount Sterling Brown County vs. Bloomington Corpus Christi, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4 — Kankakee Bishop McNamara vs. Glasford Illini Bluffs, 7:45 p.m.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Miami at Pittsburgh, 7:15 p.m.

Red Cross Blood Drives in Effingham and Ste. Marie
2025-12-15

THE CHOSEN - Discussion Group
2025-12-16

Tuesday's Schedule
2025-12-16
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Teutopolis at Effingham, 6 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Newton at St. Anthony, 6 p.m.
Altamont at Carlyle, 6 p.m.
Dieterich at Lawrenceville, 6 p.m.
Neoga at Casey-Westfield, 6 p.m.
Woodlawn at South Central, 6 p.m.
Elmo/Brownstown Tournament
Game 1 – Hillsboro vs. Mulberry Grove, 6:15 p.m.
Game 2 – Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg vs. Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 7:45 p.m.
North Clay at Conrad Allen Tournament
At Wayne City
Game 8 — North Clay vs. Thompsonville, 5:30 p.m.
Game 9 — Crab Orchard vs. Sandoval, 7 p.m.
Game 10 — Wayne City vs. Grayville, 8:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Casey-Westfield at Brownstown/St. Elmo, 6:15 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Vandalia, 6 p.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Newton at St. Anthony, 5 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
National Trail Conference Eighth-Grade Tournament
At North Clay
Game 12 – South Central vs. North Clay, 5:30 p.m.
Game 13 – Neoga vs. St. Elmo/Brownstown 6:45 p.m.
Game 14 – Sacred Heart vs. Sigel St. Michael, 8 p.m.
Lawrenceville at Jasper County, 6 p.m.
Ramsey at Neoga, 6 p.m.
Teutopolis at Newton St. Thomas (B Game), 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Class 8-2A State Tournament
At Havana Junior High School
Game 5 — Dieterich vs. Springfield Christian, 5 p.m.
Game 6 — Mount Sterling Brown vs. Glasford Illini Bluffs, 6:30 p.m.

Drive-Thru Advent Calendar at C.U.M.C.
2025-12-16
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Celebrate the season with Centenary United Methodist Church’s illuminated drive-thru Advent Calendar.
The Drive-Thru is on display every evening through Wednesday, December 31st.

Red Cross Blood Drive in Mason
2025-12-16

Wednesday's Schedule
2025-12-17
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Oblong at South Central, 6 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown Tournament
Game 3 – Cumberland vs. Ramsey, 6:15 p.m.
Game 4 – St. Elmo/Brownstown vs. Patoka/Odin, 7:4 5p.m.
Conrad Allen Holiday Tournament
At Wayne City
Game 11 — Grayville vs. Crab Orchard, 6 p.m.
Game 12 — Wayne City vs. Sandoval, 7:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Cumberland at Martinsville, 6 p.m.
Wrestling
Effingham, Lawrenceville at Fairfield, 6 p.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Robinson at Effingham, 6 p.m.
