🧤A Warming Center,1,000 Points, and The Loading Zone

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Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. What year did the Bureau County Republican newspaper first begin serving its community, and how many homes did its publications reach weekly? What is the name of the restaurant in Princeton that opened on October 19, 1975, and became a popular spot for young and old alike? Find out in this edition of the Princeton NOW Newsletter.

Let’s get it to it.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
💝The Magi Gala
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
📍Outside City Limits
👷Princeton Job Opening
💭Remember When…
📍Outside City Limits
🤲Hands of Hope
⛽️Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer announced to the City Council that a new warming center has opened at the Arukah Living Room on Route 26, operating nightly from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Volunteers are needed to staff shifts (8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and 2 to 7 a.m.); those interested can contact Tammy at 815-866-9557.

• Princeton Youth Soccer League’s spring registration is open through February 2. Visit pyslsoccer.com for details. 

• Princeton Tourism is hosting a four-day Restaurant Weekend from March 6 to March 9, highlighting the local culinary scene with creative specials and hometown hospitality. Participants can enjoy diverse menus, support local businesses, and look forward to exclusive deals and features at various dining establishments.

• Congratulations Keighley Davis of PHS girls basketball for achieving the milestone of 1,000 career points.

• PHS Wrestling defeated Erie-Prophetstown 56-18 and Mendota 69-3 on Thursday. PHS Boys bball secured a 60-46 conference win over Newman and will face Dixon on Monday.

• The Homestead Festival is preparing to unveil a refreshed website designed in collaboration with Jamison Media Services, a local media company. The new site promises updated features and a focus on connecting with the community while celebrating the festival’s history and pride.

• The Bureau County Senior Center is selling tickets for a chili dinner fundraiser on February 13. Tickets cost $7 and are available on-site.

• The Bureau County Fairgrounds is offering rental opportunities for events in 2025. Interested parties can contact the facility (815-303-3905) for details and scheduling. Registration is open for the Model Train Fair and Farm Toy Show which takes place February 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The Princeton Public Schools Foundation will hold its annual Trivia Night fundraiser on February 22 at The Cliff Event Center in Princeton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with trivia starting at 7:00 p.m. Teams can have up to 8 participants, and the cost is $160 per team. This 21+ event features free snacks, prizes, and raffles. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase at The Cliff. To participate, register by February 14 at www.ppsf.gives. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

💝THE MAGI GALA

The Magi Baby Chest in Princeton has set the date for its Magi Gala, a Valentine’s evening celebration, on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the barn at Hornbaker Gardens.

This formal fundraising event will feature dinner and dancing in support of the Magi Baby Chest. Guests can enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres starting at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The Steve Sharp Band will provide live music, and the evening will include a small silent auction and additional activities. The nonprofit describes the event as a mix of fun and sophistication, designed to help babies and toddlers in need.

Proceeds from the gala will fund baby supplies for families. The event’s aim is not only to generate financial support for the Magi Baby Chest but also to engage the broader community and highlight the services the organization provides to local families.

The Magi Baby Chest hopes to expand its donor base and inspire ongoing support beyond the St. Louis parish community. The nonprofit encourages attendees to invite friends interested in learning about and supporting a pro-family initiative.

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be purchased online at magibabychest.com or at the St. Louis parish office. Open seating will be available unless a table of eight is reserved. Tickets are priced at $75 per person or $600 for a table. Quantities are limited. Donations can also be made online or by mailing a check to St. Louis Church, with “MBC” noted in the memo line.

The deadline for purchasing gala tickets is January 31st.

There will be some great silent auction items, as well as vacations available, to purchase that night. You can buy a vacation and also benefit the Magi Baby Chest.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Today: Partly cloudy skies with a high of 36°F. Winds are WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Overnight, conditions remain partly to mostly cloudy with a low of 15°F. Winds persist at 10 to 15 mph.

🌤️Sunday: Sunshine mixes with some clouds and a high near 30°F. Winds blow from the west at 10 to 15 mph. The night brings partly cloudy conditions and a low of 18°F. Winds shift slightly to WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

🌤️Monday: Mostly sunny skies dominate with a high of 41°F. Winds increase to 15 to 25 mph from the WSW. Nightfall sees partly cloudy skies and a low around 26°F. Winds decrease to 5 to 10 mph from the WNW.

🌤️Tuesday: A mostly sunny day with a high of 45°F. Winds are steady from the WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Overnight, expect a few clouds and a low near 27°F. Winds blow westward at 10 to 15 mph.

Weekend Chill Gives Way to Late January Thaw

Saturday will bring warmer temperatures for Princeton, with highs reaching the mid-30s to about 40 degrees under a westerly flow and a mostly cloudy to partly sunny sky that might produce a few flurries with no impact. Sunday will be cooler, with highs near 30 under sunnier skies. Next week looks milder due to a shift in the Eastern Pacific Oscillation, with highs jumping into the 40s for a nice thaw that will continue through the end of the month. However, February may bring colder Arctic air, and a potential storm around February 7-8 could produce rain or snow in the Midwest.

Adapted from tswails.com

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.19
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.26
Casey’s West/North: $3.29
Beck’s West/North: $3.29
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.29
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.30

Peru Gas 👀

Casey’s, 1100 Shooting Park Rd: $2.98

🏆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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  ⏫Upgrade your newsletter today and join 191 others.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• The Neighborhood Ace Hardware introduces new Dr. Squatch products, including shaving items and themed deodorants. Items like the “Diamond Sticc” deodorant and “The One Ring Rinse” soap are available for $11.99 each.

• A downtown commercial space is available on Princeton’s historic South Main Street, offering 1,400 square feet of beautifully renovated storefront and an additional 1,000 square feet in the back with restrooms and storage. For inquiries or to set up a tour, call 218-360-1425.

• Optimal Health has added strawberry glazed donuts to its lineup, featuring only 1 gram of sugar and 10 grams of protein. A delicious new snack option for those seeking healthier treats.

• Boek-el-ZOO welcomes Guillermo, an 11-year-old female green iguana, who loves attention and kids. Visitors can meet her this weekend as she settles into her new home.

• Taylor’s Way is gearing up for the lawn care season and is hiring for their Princeton and Peoria locations. Job seekers can apply online to join their team and enjoy competitive pay and benefits.

• Johnson’s Carpet Shoppe showcases a sleek custom shower design, perfect for transforming bathrooms. Customers are invited to visit the store to design their dream shower.

• The Princeton Closet is looking to support local nonprofits or schools by donating supplies such as notebooks and folders. They are asking the community to reach out if they know of children or organizations in need, encouraging messages with suggestions.

• Once Upon A Craft invites both kids and adults to enjoy craft therapy at their studio, offering a variety of customizable wooden sign projects. The paint studio is open on Fridays until 5 p.m. and Saturdays until 2 p.m., with advance sign-ups required to prepare selected designs.

• Apollo Theater shares its weekly movie schedule featuring Brave the Dark (PG-13) and Den of Thieves 2 (R). Showtimes run from Friday through Thursday, with Sunday’s final screenings offering open-captioned options to enhance accessibility. The Apollo marks its 16th anniversary with an all-day celebration on February 2nd, including free popcorn, door prizes, and a charity poster sale.

• Tailholt Trading Post offers a wide selection of glassware, lamps, and unique collectibles at 925 N Main St. Shoppers are encouraged to explore their charming variety of items.

• Flowers By Julia is featuring Valentine’s Day specials, including the Dazed by You bouquet for $92.50. Orders can be placed at www.flowersbyjuliaprinceton.com to prepare for the big day.

• Finders Keepers Resale Store is having a winter sale, with all winter wear 50% off. The sale includes jackets, scarves, and sweaters at their location at 230 E Backbone Rd.

• Bureau County Senior Center invites the community to create Valentine’s Day cards for seniors. Stop by the center to spread some love and brighten someone’s day.

• Optimal Health has added strawberry glazed donuts to its lineup, featuring only 1 gram of sugar and 10 grams of protein. A delicious new snack option for those seeking healthier treats.

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📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• Maizey Sterling is offering babysitting services and has extensive experience working with children of all ages. Currently pursuing a degree in early childhood education, she works in a 5th-grade classroom twice a week and previously assisted in a kindergarten class. 

• Kewanee man faces gun charges after police conduct search of residence

• A new trial of sorts for Chester Weger has been set for May

• Man convicted of stealing car with child inside in Peoria sentenced to 15 years in prison

• Safeguarding Your Surgery: The Vital Role of Anesthesiologists and What You Need to Know and Share for a Successful Procedure

• Illinois had at least 103 outbreaks of norovirus in November, December, following national trend

• The Gathering Place Community Center in Wyanet is accepting reservations for graduation parties, with dates filling up quickly. The venue offers an indoor space with tables, chairs, and a full kitchen for $100 per day, with no double bookings. Contact Debi Johnson to reserve a date.

• Donald Soens is offering snow shoveling services. For inquiries, call 1-815-940-6730.

• The 9th annual Sheffield Tractor Pull is scheduled for July 12, at its new location, Psycho Silo Saloon. More details about the event will be announced soon.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENING

Medical Assistant

• Location: Illinois Urologic Health Surgeons

• Position Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, daytime hours (with 6 paid holidays)

• Overtime: Saturday overtime opportunities available

• Travel: Travel required to multiple clinic locations, including Dixon, Princeton, Peru, Ottawa, and Streator

• Contact: Email your resume to [email protected]

Position Summary:

Illinois Urologic Health Surgeons is seeking a dedicated and skilled Medical Assistant to join our growing practice. The Medical Assistant will perform a variety of clinical and clerical duties in a busy urology clinic. This role involves direct patient care and supporting clinic operations, including maintaining accurate documentation, administering injections, assisting with medical procedures, and managing inventory.

Key Responsibilities:

• Patient Flow Management: Room patients promptly to minimize wait times.

• Medical Records Management: Ensure patient records are accurate and up-to-date before and during appointments.

• Clinical Tasks: Administer IM injections and assist with basic laboratory and medical procedures as directed by clinicians.

• Insurance and Lab Processing: Verify insurance details and manage lab processes efficiently.

• Daily Task Management: Respond promptly to tasks assigned by providers and assist with patient scheduling as needed.

• Inventory Management: Conduct inventory checks, manage travel supplies, and prepare orders for necessary items.

• Travel: Travel to various clinic locations as required.

• Confidentiality: Maintain patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA regulations.

• Facility Maintenance: Report building or equipment issues promptly.

• Other Duties: Perform additional department-related tasks as assigned in a dynamic medical environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Medical Assistant Training: Completion of relevant courses and/or certification.

• Recordkeeping Skills: Ability to read, write, and maintain accurate medical records and charts.

• Basic Computer Skills: Proficiency in Electronic Health Records (EHR) management.

• Office Equipment Proficiency: Comfortable using standard office equipment.

• Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to interact professionally and warmly with patients, visitors, and team members.

• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain a well-organized workflow.

• Reliability: Must be dependable and committed to the role.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

If you’re interested, please email your resume to [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you!

💭REMEMBER WHEN…

🤲HANDS OF HOPE

Hands of Hope Ugandan Ministry is hosting a trivia night on Sunday, February 16th at 4pm. It will be at New Hope Church in Princeton. It is $15 a person (all ages welcome to join). We are looking to have 8-10 people per team. You are more than welcome to create your own team or if you don’t have enough, no worries, we can help group some people/teams together! 

If you don’t feel confident in trivia, have no fear! This is a team effort, there are many different categories, and it just makes for an enjoyable night out. We will also have some snacks, desserts, and drinks. If you have any questions or would like to sign up, you can go to the Facebook group event at https://fb.me/e/2idwGAazc?mibextid=wwXIfr. Or if you don’t have Facebook, feel free to email Keli Pinter at [email protected]. Hope to see you there!

⛽️LETTER FROM LORI

I’m sitting here on this frigid January morning, sipping my piping hot java and reflecting on life—how it waxes and wanes with time. I got my fireplace going last night in anticipation of the cold temperatures. I’m not sure it actually heats my living space much, but it makes me feel cozy, wrapped in a blanket, watching the flames dance in the darkness.

It took a bit of effort to get it going. I could never be an arsonist unless I had gasoline and an Aim-n-Flame. I’ve saved toilet paper rolls stuffed with dryer lint. I’ve purchased those little fire starter blocks meant to aid budding pyromaniacs. And still, I struggle to keep the flame alive at times.

Eventually, I succeeded in getting my slightly soggy logs to roar. Throughout the evening, I lugged in a few more and made sure it was stoked for the night. I went to bed listening to it crackle and dance in the next room.

Imagine my disappointment when I woke up to find only a few embers sitting in the metal, grated cradle.

GREAT. Now I’d have to start all over again—or did I?

I limped my way to the back door (my pain meds hadn’t yet kicked in enough to make me particularly mobile or graceful), and I stepped out into the single-digit air to grab a weathered log from the stack. Getting up the stairs with it in my arms was quite a battle since both hands were gripping the wood, leaving me nothing to pull myself up with.

At last, I got it to the fireplace and tossed it onto the reddest part of the pile of ashes. My expectation? That it would immediately burst into a glorious column of radiant heat, allowing me to return to my morning duties.

Well, that wasn’t the case. It just sat there, mocking me, refusing to satisfy my inner pioneer woman. Caroline Ingalls would have had that log ablaze in no time, heating up the morning oatmeal for Charles, Half Pint, Mary, and Carrie (and later Albert!). But no—not me. I was destined to sit and watch that log stubbornly refuse to catch. No spark. No life. No promise of a brighter day.

Resigned to the death of my fire, I sank into my comfy chair with my coffee—sad, a little mad, and definitely disappointed. My dad would have been in despair. Growing up, I watched him build glorious wood piles in the timber we were clearing. He’d ignite mountains of bulldozed trees with a five-gallon container of gasoline and stick matches (no Aim-n-Flames back in the olden days!).

So, there I sat. And then something wonderful happened. I looked up, and from the back of the fireplace, I saw red and yellow tongues of life. Within minutes, that log was ablaze! Ahhh. I wasn’t such a failure after all.

Life can be a lot like this. We work hard to build something to its full glory, only to watch it be reduced to ashes. If we don’t constantly stoke and feed it, it could die altogether. But if we add to it—a little at a time—we can keep those embers hot, even when they’re not immediately visible. Then, something comes along, settles into the coals, and brings it all back to life. Soon, the flames are dancing again, bringing warmth and happiness to those gathered around them.

This is a picture of my last few years. I worked hard to build my business, but 2024 took my life down to embers. I was afraid I had only ashes left. But 2025 has added some accelerants that have brought me back to life, and I’m determined to warm those around me.

So THANK YOU to all my scraps of paper, twigs, dry leaves, and even those who showed up as lighter fluid! I’m ready to set the world on fire again.

By the way… I haven’t been to California. That wasn’t me!

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

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