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Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. Aldi began in 1913 as a little German corner store run by a woman named Anna Albrecht, and her sons later turned it into a no-frills, super-efficient grocery machine. In 1961, the brothers had a dramatic split—one wanted to sell cigarettes, the other didn’t—so they divided the company into Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd (like a grocery soap opera). Aldi Süd eventually came to the U.S. in 1976, shocking shoppers with quarter-cart rentals, bring-your-own-bags, and shockingly low prices. Today, Aldi is a beloved budget hero across the globe, proving you don’t need a giant cereal aisle to live your best snack life.

We’re gonna’ get one of those!

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🚏From the Rotary
🐴Wonder Junction
☀️Princeton Weather
🇧🇷Get Grady to Brazil
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
📋LivingWorks Training
🏆Princeton People of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
💭Remembering in Princeton
🐴Wonder Junction
👷Princeton Job Openings
🚿Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Johnna Bickett, Katie McCoy, and Dawn Tieman! 🎁

• BCR: Princeton freshman Landen Hoffman led all competitors in the 2A discus throw during Friday’s state preliminaries. Teammates Ian Morris (discus) and Cade Odell (shot put) also advanced to the finals.

• Greenfield Retirement Home will host the Paws on Park Avenue today, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in their parking lot. The event will include a craft and vendor show, garage sale, bake sale, and a “strut your mutt parade.”

• The Princeton Farmers Market returns this Saturday from 8:30 AM to 12 PM at Soldiers & Sailors Park and will continue weekly through October 25. Shoppers can enjoy fresh produce, meats, flowers, honey, and handmade goods in a friendly outdoor setting.

• First Lutheran Church will host the Old Wheels Car Show on Saturday, June 14. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church’s north parking lot at 116 N. Pleasant St. Classic car enthusiasts are invited to attend and enjoy the display.

• 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!

📍Outside City Limits

• City Pools Opening Up For The Season

• Neponset will host its 13th Annual Cruise-In on June 6 from 5:00 to 8:30 PM. The event will include food, shakes, a 50/50 drawing, door prizes, and is BYOB.

• 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.

• The Tiskilwa Historical Society is hosting "Jazz in June" by John Cooper, a musician and professor from WIU. This free concert will take place on Friday, June 6th at 7PM in the Community Room of the Museum on Main, 110 E. Main Street, Tiskilwa. Please come and join us to enjoy the music and history of America's Treasure - Jazz!

• 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!

• Illinois bills aim to help mothers

• Illinois Residents Face Significant Electricity Rate Hikes in June

• Kids with a knack for crafts, baking, or services like dog walking or lawn care are invited to participate in the 3rd annual Children’s Business Fair. The event will take place on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, from 5 to 7 PM at Liberty Square. It’s a fun opportunity for young entrepreneurs to sell their products or promote their services. For questions, contact the Walnut Public Library at (815) 379-2159.

• Cornerstone Community Wellness is celebrating 10 years of promoting health in the community. On Monday, May 26, they’re hosting a free family event from 4:00–6:30 PM at 302 N. Mason St., Sheffield, IL, featuring walking tacos, games, kids’ activities, and an open house. Guests can also enjoy prize drawings and share their input during a community session at 6:00 PM.

• Months-long investigation leads to arrest of suspects in Ottawa money laundering case.

• Police call Kewanee father’s disappearance 'suspicious' as search enters second week

🚏FROM THE ROTARY

“At our May 20th noon meeting, Theresa Wittenauer, Michael Zearing, and Tori Yepsen took the opportunity to update us on various happenings in Princeton. Theresa spoke about the 2025/26 budget and their top goals. The city tax rate is down, sales tax is higher than normal, and property EAVs are higher. The City is fully staffed other than a couple of upcoming retirements. City debt has decreased from $42M to about $14M. Theresa shared photos of some of the exciting projects that have been completed including Main Street paving, the parking lot and depot area, sidewalk replacements, street work on Marion Street, and the tote delivery project and new garbage trucks. She said totes and trucks were purchased with no accrued debt! Aldi has officially broken ground and hopes to open by Thanksgiving of this year! Approximately $75,000 per year is spent on street improvements.

The Main and Peru intersection is an IDOT project and is anticipated to be completed by July 4. Michael then shared about the peace pole installation at Rotary Park that should take place soon and a sidewalk “master plan” over a 10-year span to put sidewalks where there are none currently. He is waiting to hear about grant funds for a possible courtyard project near Apollo Theater. The Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission has planned a scavenger hunt for Bike Month to encourage people to enjoy the town. Tori shared news from Princeton Tourism and her goal to promote shopping, dining, exploring, and staying in Princeton. She showed a 15 second “commercial” that highlights some of the town, along with the summer street concert series. She is excited to be interviewed by WGN Chicago on June 19th and noted there is much advertising on WMBD and KWQC as well. For more information about the great things the City has to offer, visit www.princetontourism.org.”

🐴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: Skies will feature a blend of sun and clouds, and there’s a slight chance of a stray afternoon shower. The high will reach 83°F, with winds from the northwest at 5 to 10 mph and UV levels remaining very high. Saturday night will be mostly clear and comfortable. Temperatures will fall to around 55°F with light westerly winds at 10 to 15 mph, and overnight humidity near 67%.

☀️Sunday: A mostly sunny and warmer day is expected with a high near 86°F. Winds will be light from the west at 5 to 10 mph, making it feel like early summer. Sunday night will stay mostly clear, offering good visibility and a calm evening. Expect a low around 62°F, with southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph.

⛅️Monday: Expect intervals of sunshine and clouds, with a high soaring to 88°F. Winds from the south-southwest at 10 to 15 mph will bring in warmer air and keep conditions dry. Monday night will be partly cloudy and mild. The temperature will dip to 65°F, with persistent south-southwest breezes at 10 to 15 mph and humidity near 66%.

☀️Tuesday: Another hot day with highs around 88°F, featuring periods of sun and occasional cloud cover. Winds will be from the south at 10 to 15 mph, and UV exposure will remain very high. Tuesday night will be partly to mostly cloudy, remaining warm with a low near 67°F. Winds from the south-southeast at 10 to 15 mph will keep the air moving through the night.

⛈️Wednesday: Showers are possible in the morning, with scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. The high will top out around 83°F, and winds will increase from the southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Wednesday night will remain cloudy with periods of rain showers. The low will be near 59°F, and west-northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph will accompany a 50% chance of continued precipitation.

🇧🇷HELP FORMER PHS STAR GRADY THOMPSON GET TO BRAZIL

From his GoFundMe: I am excited to share I have been selected to join the USA D-3 Basketball Team for their Brazil Tour in 2025!

This amazing opportunity will take place from July 7th to 16th. The "USA D-3 Basketball Teams" are made up of talented men's basketball players from NCAA Division 3 colleges and universities across the United States, and I am so honored to be among those chosen to represent our country and the University of Dubuque.

This tour is much more than just basketball. While we will be playing high-level games against teams in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the trip is also designed to provide a unique international experience focused on educational, cultural, and social growth. We will have the chance to engage with local communities through outreach programs, visiting schools, clubs, and churches, and even hosting a youth basketball clinic. Additionally, we will have the incredible opportunity to explore iconic landmarks such as the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain.

The tour begins with an orientation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday, July 7th, before we depart for Brazil that evening. We will spend time playing games in both São Paulo (July 8-9) and Rio de Janeiro (July 10).

I am truly thrilled by the prospect of representing the USA and UD on the court, competing against international talent, and immersing myself in the vibrant culture of Brazil. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to grow as an athlete and as an individual.

To help make this dream a reality, I have set up a GoFundMe page. Any financial contribution you might be able to offer would be deeply appreciated and would directly support my participation in the USA D-3 Basketball Team Brazil Tour. Your generosity would help me represent our country and UD with pride, develop my skills, and experience a new part of the world.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and any support you are able to provide. It means the world to me!

Support Grady Here

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.09
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.: $3.04

🏆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

• Pin Splitter Lanes is offering a fun Friday special with bowling and pizza for the whole family. Get a pizza and a pitcher of soda for $13, and enjoy 3 games of bowling with shoe rental for just $15.

• Golden Rice will be serving vegetable sushi rolls, California crab rolls, salmon and shrimp tempura rolls, nigiri mix, and chicken teriyaki. All items are made with premium ingredients and are cash-only, with a note about sesame seed allergies.

• The Apollo Theater will show Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning from May 30 through June 5, with multiple showtimes and no movies on Monday. The last show on Sundays will be open captioned.

• Wyanet Carpet Flooring America invites customers to explore new design options for summer remodels. Stop in for inspiration and help planning your next project.

• Optimal Health has received a fresh batch of new dips and chips, including Jee Sauce and Siete Maíz tortilla chips. Customers are encouraged to stop by and be among the first to try them. Optimal Health has expanded its selection of Made Good snacks, offering a variety of veggie-packed treats. These are great for kids and adults looking for healthier snack options.

• 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.

• Wild Honey Boutique is embracing the sunshine with fresh summer colors now available in-store and online. From breezy dresses to vibrant tops and denim, their new arrivals bring seasonal style to life. Visit Thursday before 5:30 p.m. or shop anytime at wildhoneyboutique815.com.

• Early Beginnings Parents As Teachers invites dads and their kids to celebrate Father’s Day with “Dad’s & Donuts” at Zearing Park. The event will be held Saturday, June 14 from 10–11 a.m. and includes donuts and outdoor fun hosted by a local dad. It’s a great chance to make memories together.

• Myrtle’s Pies is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sundays starting at 9 a.m. for discount pies until sold out. Today’s offerings include cinnamon rolls with a variety of gourmet icings, cookies, flourless chocolate cake, and a wide selection of unique pies like s’mores and lemon blueberry. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy these homemade treats while they last.

• Corner Chair Market encourages shoppers to prepare early for Father’s Day with a wide selection of thoughtful gifts. Items include books, puzzles, mugs, tools, and handcrafted furniture pieces ideal for the men in your life. Visit soon to find something special and unique.

• 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:

• Princeton Community Band Concert: Enjoy an evening of music with the Princeton Community Band on Sunday, June 1, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Bring your lawn chairs and relish the melodies under the open sky.

• Chamber Classic Golf Outing: Tee off at the annual Chamber Classic Golf Outing on Friday, June 6. Network with local professionals and enjoy a day on the greens.

• 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.

💭REMEMBERING IN PRINCETON

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👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Central Bank Illinois is hiring a Personal Banker at its Princeton branch, offering $16.25 to $20.00 per hour. This role involves providing courteous and knowledgeable service to customers, assisting with account openings, processing transactions, and promoting additional banking services. Responsibilities include handling check cashing, official checks, loan payments, and vehicle title work, as well as managing teller drawer security and balancing. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, customer-focused, and capable of performing both clerical and financial service tasks.

• Mendota Princeton Peru Foot and Ankle Clinics is hiring a part-time Medical Assistant at their Princeton location, offering $15–$16 per hour. Responsibilities include assisting in the clinic office, inputting medical records and vitals, with on-the-job training provided. The role offers a flexible schedule with no weekend hours and is focused on podiatry care. Applicants must be able to commute to the Princeton clinic and work in person.

• ALDI is hiring a full-time Assistant Store Manager at its Princeton, IL location, offering $24 per hour to start, with an increase to $25 per hour in the second year. This role involves supervising daily store operations, supporting team development, managing schedules, and helping implement operational action plans. Responsibilities also include communicating performance expectations, identifying training opportunities, and fostering a team-oriented environment aligned with company values. The average workweek is 38 hours, and candidates must be able to lead effectively with or without accommodations.

🚿LETTER FROM LORI

Sometimes God inspires us in the unlikeliest of places. For me, this morning, it was in the shower. Now don’t try to conjure up a mental image, because quite frankly, I can’t afford to pay for the therapy it would take to erase that from your store of horrors in there.

Since I rose before the crack of noon today, I had a little extra time and thought I’d do a spa day. You know, a complete reversal of my rapid journey to swamp witch.

First, I washed my hair. I do that regularly, but seldom do I take the time to condition it too—so I lathered up and then applied a vitamin-rich conditioner, guaranteed to make my hair shine like a show pony in the ring.

Next came hair removal. This was a much bigger job. Every once in a while, I run a dull razor over my legs or armpits, but this morning I was determined to eliminate myself from the list of Sasquatch sightings, since I plan on spending more time in the north woods this summer. I dug out some new razors for this task, instead of relying on the old ones that painfully pluck those hairs, ripping them out by the root. The triple-blade technology made this process smoother, and the results were much better. Legs: CHECK. Armpits: CHECK. Face: CHECK!

Face? I’m a woman! But I’ve found that after 40, hair removal becomes an intense, full-time job. I still remember the discovery of that first wiry hair on my chinny chin chin—I felt like Jeff Goldblum in The Fly.

After hair removal, there was a slight pause while I unclogged the drain after rinsing everything down, so visitors wouldn’t assume I had fed the cat an M80 and blown her up in the tub.

Next up: teeth. They get brushed daily, but today they got the full treatment—brushing, flossing, and that Water Pik thingy to jet-stream the popcorn kernels out of my gum line.

Then it was time for moisturizers and creams. I possess a plethora of specialty salves to plump my wrinkles and restore elasticity, but very rarely take the time to apply them. I am currently sipping coffee, sufficiently lubed up, soaking in concoctions designed to make me look younger and restore my beauty.

I feel so good. So clean. So ready for the day and anything it has to throw at me!

The parallel to my faith walk is undeniable. I do the basics on a daily basis, but how often do I take the time to fully cleanse myself? Like showering and teeth brushing, it needs to be done often and regularly to maintain that feeling of clean. Some mornings I get my hair washed but forget to floss. Some days I shave my legs but not my armpits. If you are a young mother, you know the distraction of a screaming toddler often keeps you from the luxury of time it takes to condition your hair—and one of the best gifts you can receive is quiet and time.

So it is with our relationship with God. We are easily distracted by the noise of the world and can’t focus enough to get all of our cleansing done at once. We can’t fully shed all of the hair and dirt all at once. So take the time to lock the bathroom door, ignore the sound of breaking glass coming from the kitchen, and take a tweezer to that flyaway hair on your chin. Step back, look in the mirror, and see the best version of yourself—the one God sees all the time, even when you don’t take the time to lather, rinse, REPEAT.

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

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