Possibly more so than any other previous year, the Historic Effingham Society enjoyed celebrating its annual banquet Saturday night at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center. The organization became financially strapped after the county could no longer contribute funding — so much so that the HES faced the very real possibility of having to close the doors of the Effingham Museum. However, through the tireless work of volunteers, donations from corporate sponsors and fundraisers hosted by the Historic Effingham Society, the HES was able to continue its mission of hosting tours of the museum and participating in local events such as Olde Effingham Days and the Olde Fashioned Christmas Celebration.