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Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. 🎶Chariots of Fire Melody🎶 Races. For some people, they are fun. Other people — if you see them running — you should probably run in the same direction because something bad is going to happen. If you are Princeton Legend and fellow Class of ‘08 graduate Colin Mickow, you are basically a human cheetah. It’ll be fun watching him and Bureau Valley legend Elijah House compete against each other in the Princeton Mike today. Well, I’ll be watching from the back, because I am a human turtle. Just tell me who won.

It won’t be me. I will not win.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
👟🍤From Princeton Tourism
🐴Wonder Junction
👔Bureau County Father’s Day
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton People of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
💭Remembering in Princeton
👷Princeton Job Openings
🛥️Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Genny Hoffman, Dawn Leffelman, and Asia LaPlante Richardson 🎂!

• The Princeton Fire Department is now accepting applications for the 2025 Fire Academy session. Classes begin in September and run through January, with sessions held Monday and Wednesday nights and two Saturdays per month. Tuition is $100, and application packets can be picked up at the fire department.

• The Princeton Police Department recognized the retirement of K9 Officer Erik Sorenson, who served the community for nearly 30 years. Throughout his career, he worked on drug task forces and partnered with several K9s—Dax, Renda, and Gus. His impact was especially felt through numerous public demonstrations and school visits. Chief Tom Kammerer praised Sorenson’s career, perseverance, and positive community influence.

• The Bureau County Health Department has announced they will no longer be selling or distributing water test kits for private well retesting. For those with questions, the department encourages residents to call (815)-872-5091.

• The Princeton Public Arts Commission is hosting a free community mural painting event at the first street concert of the season on June 20 at 4 p.m. in the Mary Uthoff Walkway. Each participant will paint a 7” square, and all supplies are provided. Children under 6 must paint with an adult.

• The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce is excited for a busy weekend downtown. Sidewalk Sales are happening today along Main Street. Saturday features the annual ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo with food and live music, the Princeton Mile fun run, and the Farmers Market at Soldiers & Sailors Park from 8:30 a.m. to noon today.

• Team registration is now open for the 28th Annual Tiger Classic, hosted by the Princeton Tiger Athletic Boosters. This year’s event will be held at a new location—Chapel Hill Golf Course in Princeton, IL—on August 16, 2025, with registration beginning at 8 AM and tee-off at 9 AM. Register your team here and join the fun!

• Bureau County Sheriff Report 06-05-2025

📍Outside City Limits

• Enjoy Free Fishing Days in Illinois June 13-16, 2025, Without a License

• Kewanee mobile home resident fights to keep her home

• Buda Fun Day will feature a pie contest on July 19 at Stewart Park. Homemade pies in disposable tins can be dropped off between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m., with judging at 9:30 a.m. No cream pies are allowed. After the contest, slices and whole pies will be available by free-will donation.

• Tiskilwa will host Movie in the Park on the third Saturday of June, July, and August at East Park. Movies will begin at dusk, and all are welcome to attend.

• A Vacation Bible School is coming to Wyanet Community Bible Church at 215 S Locust Street! Join us July 16–18 from 10–11:30 a.m. for Wonder Junction by Answers in Genesis, with a free meal following for kids and families. Sunday School for all ages is at 9 a.m., followed by our worship service at 10. Register online at Answers in Genesis – Wyanet Community Bible Church or contact Pastor Kevin at [email protected]—walk-in registration is also welcome!

🏃🍤FROM PRINCETON TOURISM

🎉 Shrimpfest & Brew Hullabaloo
📍 Rotary Park
🗓️ Today, June 7
⏰ 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🌐 www.princetonshrimpfest.com

Get ready for the 4th Annual Shrimpfest hosted by the Princeton Rotary Club! Enjoy a full day of music, food, and fun for the whole family.

🎶 Live Music Lineup:

• Al Brown – Illinois Valley jazz musician | 12:00 – 1:30 PM

• Brass from the Past – 12-piece Chicago cover band playing R&B from the 60s–80s | 2:00 – 6:00 PM

• American English – Complete Beatles tribute band | 7:00 – 9:00 PM

🍤 Food Highlights:

• $14 Grilled and Fried Shrimp Boats

• Great food, tasty beverages, craft beer, and food trucks available all day!

🎈 Shrimply Fun Zone:

• Family-friendly kids’ activities from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

👟The Princeton Mile

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Head to Princeton this Saturday, June 7, and cheer on participants in The Princeton Mile, hosted by the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce!

This one-mile road race takes runners down Main Street—from the Apollo Theater to Rotary Park—starting at 10:00 AM with awards at Rotary Park at 10:30 AM. Registration and information here. OR contact the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce at 815-875-2616.

Stick around after the race for Shrimpfest at Rotary Park — a local favorite featuring great food, live music, and family fun! 🍤🎶

Stay the weekend — Shop historic Main Street Sidewalk Sales, visit the Princeton Farmers Market, dine at a local café or restaurant.

🐴WONDER JUNCTION VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Wonder Junction Vacation Bible School will be held at Princeton Bible Church from Sunday, June 8 to Thursday, June 12, 2025, running nightly from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The program is open to children ages 4 (fully potty trained) through 6th grade. The VBS theme is “Marvel at Jesus, Live for His Glory,” aiming to help kids know who Jesus is and what He has done for them. Activities include energetic assemblies with music, wacky intros, and a mission moment, followed by rotation through five fun stations. Registration is free, and a themed music CD is available for $2.50 at the registration table each evening. The event promises a joyful, Christ-centered experience for kids to grow in faith and wonder.

Register here

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌦️Today: Clouds will dominate the skies with occasional afternoon rain showers. The high will reach 75°F, with light east winds at 5 to 10 mph and a 30% chance of rain. Saturday night will be mostly clear and cooler, with a low near 57°F. Winds will shift westward at 5 to 10 mph and humidity will settle around 74%.

🌦️Sunday: Expect partly cloudy conditions in the morning, with showers likely developing in the afternoon. The high will top out at 78°F, and winds will increase from the west at 10 to 20 mph. Rain chances sit at 40%. Sunday night stays partly cloudy with a low around 55°F. Winds will be from the south-southeast at 10 to 15 mph and humidity will reach 71%.

🌤️Monday: A mix of sunshine and clouds will bring a pleasant high near 75°F. Winds will be light from the southwest at 5 to 10 mph, and the UV index will be very high. Monday night will be partly cloudy with a low of 54°F. South winds at 5 to 10 mph will accompany increased overnight humidity near 75%.

☀️Tuesday: Mainly sunny skies and mild conditions are expected, with a high of 77°F. Winds will come from the west-northwest at 5 to 10 mph and humidity will hover around 58%. Tuesday night remains clear with a low near 57°F. Winds from the southwest at 5 to 10 mph and humidity around 74% will make for a calm, pleasant night.

☀️Wednesday: Generally sunny and warmer, with a high near 84°F. Winds will shift to the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph, and humidity will be slightly lower at 56%. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 61°F. Winds will come from the south-southeast at 10 to 15 mph, and humidity will climb to 70%.

🌦️Thursday: Scattered showers may arrive late in the day under otherwise partly sunny skies. The high will be around 85°F, with winds from the south at 10 to 15 mph. Rain chance is 30%. Thursday night is expected to stay mild and unsettled, with a continued 30% chance of scattered thunderstorms and a low of 63°F.

From KWQC:

Sunday afternoon will bring a few scattered showers and a handful of thunderstorms. Outdoor plans shouldn’t be canceled, just yet, as there will be plenty of dry hours along the way.

Early next week features mostly dry and warming weather. Monday might bring some light showers. We’ll warm up progressively during the first part of the week with another rain chance by Friday.

Highs will be in the mid and upper 70s to 80 through the weekend. Monday we’ll top off in the mid 70s with mid 80s by Wednesday and 80s through Friday.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.04
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.12
Casey’s West/North: $3.15
Beck’s West/North: $3.15
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.15
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.215

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $2.97

🏆PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

Did someone go the extra mile? Did a Princeton Person bless you or someone else you know? Nominate them, give me the details, and they may be chosen as the Princeton NOW Person of the Week. Nominate your Princeton Person of the Week by emailing your nomination to [email protected].

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📋LIVINGWORKS TRAINING

LivingWorks safeTALK is a half-day training that equips participants to recognize and respond to signs of suicidal thoughts. Scheduled for May 27, 2025, from 12–4 PM at the Peru Police Department, this session is hosted by OSF HealthCare and costs $20 to attend. Participants will learn how to approach individuals showing signs of suicidal ideation, connect them to safety and support, and understand community and personal attitudes toward suicide. In 2022 alone, the program trained over 74,000 individuals, led to 58,000 interventions, and helped prevent more than 8,100 suicide attempts. safeTALK empowers attendees to confidently talk about suicide, make life-saving connections, and ensure individuals remain safe until help is available. For registration or inquiries, call 815-876-2085 or email [email protected].

LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a two-day interactive workshop offered July 15–16, 2025, at OSF St. Clare Medical Center in Princeton, IL (White Oak Classroom). At a cost of $75 per person, this intensive training equips attendees with first-aid intervention skills to support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts. Open to anyone aged 16 or older, the training requires no prior experience and is led by Michelle Hansen (ICAHN Director of Clinical Services) and Stefanie Morris (OSF Healthcare Community Health Education Coordinator). The session aims to build confidence, readiness, and the ability to intervene in suicide crises. Registration is available online at icahn.org/event/asist-july2025, and questions can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected].

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Boek-el-ZOO invites families to enjoy a full weekend of fun, featuring 50% off all-natural, locally sourced dehydrated treats and special themed events like Frequent Feeder Friday, Fresh Fish Friday, and double punches on your visit. Guests can meet animals, say goodbye to Guillermo, explore updates in the reptile room, color with chalk, ride bouncy horses, and visit a new memorial plaque for Pork Chop’s mini-me.

• Golden Rice is showcasing a variety of sushi and Asian dishes including shrimp and crab roll with tempura for $13.99, vegetable rolls for $8.99, and salmon teriyaki for $16.99, among other colorful and fresh options.

• Miss Betsy’s celebrated their first National Donut Day by selling 96 dozen donuts by early afternoon and plans to open at 5:30 a.m. today to continue donut sales during Shrimp Fest. They’ll also be handing out free donuts to Princeton Mile runners.

• Mavolan’s is offering 20% off all dresses, sandals, and shorts this weekend, making it a great time to browse their colorful kids’ collection.

• Four Seasons is now carrying the best-selling Lizzy Tank Dress from DEAR SCARLETT, praised for its flattering cut, wrinkle-resistant fabric, roomy fit, and pockets. The dress can be worn alone or paired with leggings and is available in a variety of colors.

• Dashel Pet Sitting is offering drop-in pet care services with up to four daily visits. These visits include meals, potty breaks, playtime, and optional walks, with dogs at $20 per visit and cats at $10. Each visit is documented with notes on food, potty, behavior, and play, and photos or videos can be provided upon request.

• Five 22 is participating in the sidewalk sales with special pricing, including $20 and $10 clothing racks and select accessories at 50% off. New arrivals are also featured in-store during the event.

• The Studio Boutique has a sidewalk setup with racks of clothing, furniture pieces, and home items as part of this weekend’s sales.

• Once Upon A Craft is also participating with discounts on decor and a special $6 shirt pressing service when customers bring in off-season transfers.

• Wild Honey Boutique is offering all sidewalk sale items at $10 or $15.

• HIIT fitness classes at the Metro Center will not meet at 9:30 AM on June 9 and 12. A special evening class will be offered on June 10 at 6 PM, with the regular schedule resuming June 16.

• Wyaton Hills Golf Course is hosting Junior Golf Camp sessions for ages 5–11 and 12–18 throughout June and July. Each session runs from 8–10 a.m. and costs $20, with clubs available if needed. For full details and registration, contact (815) 872-2641 or email [email protected].

Upcoming:

• The Princeton Mile: Participate in The Princeton Mile on Saturday, June 7, starting at 10:00 AM. The race begins at the Apollo Theater and concludes at Rotary Park, promoting fitness and community engagement.

• 4th Annual Shrimpfest with Princeton Rotary: Savor delicious shrimp and more at the 4th Annual Shrimpfest on Saturday, June 7, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Rotary Park. Enjoy live music, food, and fun for the whole family.

• More in Bureau County Rummage Sales: Discover hidden gems at the Bureau County Rummage Sales on June 13 and 14. The event runs all day at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, offering a variety of items from local sellers.

• 2025 Homestead Lawn Event: Celebrate summer and support the community at the Homestead Lawn Event on Saturday, June 14, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Owen Lovejoy Homestead. Hosted by local families, the event features music, fellowship, and highlights cherished festival traditions.

• Arukah Freedom 5k Color Run: Start your 4th of July with a splash at the Arukah Freedom 5k Color Run on Friday, July 4, at Soldiers & Sailors Park in Princeton. Walk, run, and splash red, white, and blue while supporting a great cause. Registration is $35 per person (ages 4+) or $120 for a group of 4.

• Trace Adkins with Special Guest Brushville: Enjoy a live concert featuring Trace Adkins and special guest Brushville at the Bureau County Fairgrounds on Thursday, August 21, at 7:30 PM. Online ticket sales begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 14, at www.bureaucountyfair.com. This event is part of the 170th Bureau County Fair, running August 20–24.

💭REMEMBERING IN PRINCETON

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👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Four Seasons Women’s Apparel is hiring for Assistant Manager and Key Holder positions, offering both full-time and part-time roles at $15.00–$16.50 per hour. Employees can expect flexible hours, including days, evenings, and weekends, with stores closing at 5:00 p.m. daily, closed on Sundays (except some in December), and shut down on seven major holidays. The job offers 25–35 hours per week and includes benefits like a 25% merchandise discount, paid vacation, and a savings plan. Day and Saturday availability is required, and applicants should be highly motivated and ready to take on extra responsibilities.

• Laura Krabill Kheshgi dental office is hiring a full-time receptionist with a salary range of $32,000–$38,000 per year. The role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a desire to grow, with a preference for candidates with one year of dental experience, though training is available. Benefits include 401(k) with matching and profit sharing, PTO, dental care, uniform allowance, and continuing education opportunities. The schedule is Monday through Friday, and applicants must be able to commute to the office.

• Walmart in Princeton is hiring a full-time Electronics Department Associate with pay ranging from $15 to $28 per hour, plus additional premiums and performance-based incentives. The role involves assisting customers, maintaining displays, and recommending tech products based on customer needs. Available shifts include mid-shift and evening/closing, with potential bonuses based on schedule, facility, or job duties. Benefits include 401(k), medical/dental/vision insurance, PTO, life insurance, parental leave, company discounts, and more.

🚤LETTER FROM LORI

Who out there is good at letting go?

I remember my grandfather trying to teach us to water ski. I’m not the most graceful dancer in the troupe, so he had to spend a little more time with me. One thing I remember distinctly was his directive to let go if you fell. Hanging onto the tow rope would result in being dragged to the bottom of the lake, plowing a furrow through the silt. This was hardly a pleasurable experience.

Having mud in your nostrils made it hard to breathe, and seaweed in your hair is rarely glamorous—but it did amuse critical onlookers.

Time and time again, he’d shout directions from the boat, throw it into drive to help me rise above the surf, and watch (with a smack to his forehead) as I plummeted into the lake. When I did remember to release the rope, my recovery was quicker, and he could circle around and help me attempt success again.

My grandfather was a patient man. He spent hours helping us all hone this skill. His eye-rolling and forehead-smacking were mostly done when we weren’t looking, and he did his best to cheer and encourage us whenever we managed to make it more than a few feet before drinking lake water and terrorizing fish and turtles as we bulldozed our life-jacket-laden forms into the boat’s wake.

As our skills improved and we learned to keep the ski tips pointed inward to cut more efficiently through the icy blue water, the time we spent above the surface grew longer and longer.

Our mothers, standing on the shore, began to respond with cheers and delight instead of gripping their faces in horror every time we went under. Even though they were nervous and worried, they trusted our grandfather to keep us safe and give us proper guidance. That didn’t stop them from screaming from time to time, standing helplessly on shore, unable to swim the distance fast enough to save us.

But Grandpa was closer. He was wiser. He was the one who had taught them, so they knew his instruction was sound. After all, they had learned to ski on the same lake, behind the same boat, and eventually made it all the way around without falling or drowning.

He had taken all the cousins out over the decades. Some learned well. Others didn’t listen to his instruction and were doomed to fall again and again, eventually giving up—but it wasn’t for lack of good teaching. Some cousins even learned to ski slalom-style (one ski) and perform fancy tricks.

Me? I finally got to my feet on the skis with the tips tied together to make it easier. I was able to circumnavigate Pentwater Lake—lacking balance, but staying up longer each time. And even after sooo many attempts, I still fell occasionally.

Grandpa would just smile, smack his head when I wasn’t looking, and circle around to lovingly help me… again… as my mother stood on the shoreline wondering if her stubborn child would ever listen and do everything he said, so she could stop holding her breath every time and start relaxing.

So, as parents, we need to learn to smile, wave, and be encouraging—and put 100% trust in the Guy in the boat.

Even though it doesn’t seem possible, He loves them more than we do and watches over them better than we can.

He taught us. He knows best.

Lori owns the Book-el-ZOO in Princeton. It’s not just a pet shop — it’s an experience!

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