SPONSORED BY

Good morning, Princeton friends. Faith’s Fabulous Treats is rolling out $1.99 Tornadoes and $5 funnel cakes, while Sisler’s Ice Cream features seasonal half-gallons like Grasshopper and Chubby Bunny. Apollo POP is offering 20% off fall flavors, and Little Blue Dress has cozy new sweater-vest combos perfect for chilly mornings. From popcorn to peppermint, jeans drives to organic snacks, local businesses are stocking up and giving back. Be sure to shop local, support community, and enjoy all Princeton has to offer.

Let’s move.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🛍️Buddy Bags
🚨Princeton Police Department
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
🌲From Hornbaker Gardens
👷Princeton Job Inspections
🚑King Care-A-Van
🪴Letter From Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Free Stuff Helps To Draw A Crowd For Opening Of Aldi In Princeton

• Reindeer Feed Store Brings Holiday Fun to Princeton Christmas Walk on November 22 and 23

• Princeton, Seneca, And Amboy Standouts Named All-State For Football

• BCR: Landon Davis put together a record-setting season and career for the Princeton boys soccer team. He had 290 saves this season, breaking the previous PHS record of 247, and ranks 15th all-time in the IHSA record books with 719 career saves.

• Princeton’s Payton Frueh Finished 139th at Class 1A Illinois State Cross Country Meet

• Princeton Tourism invites pet owners to Pups and Cups at Zearing Park on November 15 at 9 a.m. Enjoy free coffee, a donut, and a tennis ball for your pup, plus a doggy playdate at Barkley Dog Park.

• The Rotary Club of Princeton is hosting a Willamette Valley Oregon Wine Tasting Getaway fundraiser today at The Barn at Hornbaker Gardens. Proceeds support the Community Donation Fund, with attendees entered to win an Oregon wine getaway experience.

• The Princeton Veterans Organization will host its all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, November 16, from 7 a.m. to noon at American Legion Post 125. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12, with proceeds assisting local veterans and their families.

• The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to shop local this holiday season. Christmas Walk Weekend is November 21–23 and will include free carriage rides and more.

• Small Business Saturday is November 29 with special offers, local Monopoly board promotions, and gift card giveaways across participating stores.

• The Princeton Community Band and Bureau County Choir will present a Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 N Main Street, with free admission and donations accepted.

• The annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held Friday, December 5 at 6:00 PM, followed by the lighted parade, a Candy Cane Hunt, and a chance for kids to visit with Santa.

• Princeton Elementary School District 115 is inviting families and community members to send a note of appreciation to teachers and staff in honor of the season of thankfulness. Messages can be submitted through the district’s online form, with the option to sign your name or remain anonymous. Submissions are open now through Friday, November 21.

• Princeton Churches Host Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 27, 2025, Reserve by November 26th

• Bureau County Sheriff Arrest and Citation Report November 7
  

  📍Outside City Limits

• Tiskilwa will host its annual “Walk Tiskilwa’s Christmas Market” on Saturday, December 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The festive event will feature more than 20 vendors, horse-drawn carriage rides, and live music by AMC Sound. Guests can also enjoy treats from Mr. Cinnamon, visit with Santa Claus, and meet alpacas on the lawn of the Tiskilwa Inn. At 11:30 a.m., Main Street will come alive with a special and entertaining performance by The Mistletoe Misfits—a highlight you won’t want to miss.

• Avanti Foods shared details for its Christmas Open House on Friday, November 28, and Saturday, November 29. Shoppers will find extended hours, holiday décor, imported foods, specialty gifts, and custom gift baskets available for purchase.

• Kewanee police still searching for answers 5 years after fatal crash

🛍️BUDDY BAGS

This year’s Buddy bag program is in full swing with 142 children currently participating in our program.

As everyone is aware groceries are high and the need is great. We are reaching out to businesses, organizations and residents as we approach the holidays for any and all support/donations to the buddybag program.  Our new location is behind Johnson's Carpet in white bldg with our Buddy Bag sign at the door. We meet at 430 to set up and pack at 5 on Wednesday evening. Visitors and extra help always welcome.

Thank you!

Contacts

Mark Frank: 8158767295

Diane Heller: 8153262671

🚨PRINCETON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Please be aware there are scammers currently targeting people in the area purporting to be with the City of Princeton electric department.

They will make contact either by phone or email and tell the victim their electric payment was not received. They will then instruct the victim how to make the payment. It is a scam.

If you have any doubt about the intention of the call please hang up and contact the city.

Thank you.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Saturday: Morning clouds break for afternoon sunshine, high 69°F. WNW wind 10–20 mph with dry air (precip near 0%). Evening turns clear and crisp, low ~33°F. Sunrise 6:46 AM • Sunset 4:37 PM.

☀️Sunday: Mostly sunny, cooler, high 53°F. NW breeze 10–15 mph, dry (0% precip). Mostly clear at night, low near 30°F. Sunrise 6:47 AM • Sunset 4:36 PM.

🌧️Monday: Partly cloudy early, then showers develop late, high around 50°F. E wind 5–10 mph, chance of rain ~50% by late day. Monday night: rain likely (~80%) and may mix briefly with wet snow toward daybreak; low 33–38°F with about ¼” possible.

☁️Tuesday: Cloudy/mostly cloudy much of the day, high 47°F. ENE wind 10–15 mph, damp feel but little to no precip during the day. Tuesday night: mostly cloudy, low near 33°F.

🌦️Wednesday: Overcast and cool, high near 49°F with NE 5–10 mph. A few showers possible in the afternoon (~20%). Wednesday night: showers become more likely (~50%), low around 38°F.

🌦️Thursday: Mostly cloudy with spotty/light showers at times (~20–30%), high around 50°F. NE wind ~10–11 mph. Drier late, low near 33°F.

🌧️Friday: Mostly cloudy, a couple of showers around (~20%). Cooler with a high near 45°F and a SSW wind 10–15 mph. Evening stays mostly cloudy with temps falling to the mid-30s.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.14
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.14
Casey’s West/North: $3.17
Beck’s West/North: $3.19
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.15
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.17

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $2.89

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Faith’s Fabulous Treats is offering specials through November 25, including all Tornadoes for $1.99, two small milkshakes for $5, and funnel cakes for $5. Customers can stop in to take advantage of these limited-time deals.

• Sisler’s Ice Cream announced its seasonal half-gallon flavors are now available, including Grasshopper, Cinnamon, Caramel Apple, and Chubby Bunny. Peppermint Stick remains offered year-round for those who enjoy a classic holiday favorite any time of year.

• Apollo POP is running a 20% off sale on all fall popcorn flavors this week while supplies last. The sale ends Sunday or sooner if flavors sell out, and customers are encouraged to stop in before the seasonal varieties are gone.

• Little Blue Dress highlighted a new matching sweater-and-vest set for colder weather, offered in sizes Small through Large. The sweater is $38 and the coordinating vest is $48, with styles available in-store and online.

• A cancer benefit in support of Ron Neff will take place at Pin Splitter Lanes on December 6 from 5–11 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include food, two games of bowling, and access to a silent auction, with proceeds supporting the family.

• The Apollo Theater released showtimes for November 14–20, including screenings of “Wicked: For Good,” “Now You See Me – Now You Don’t,” and “Sarah’s Oil.” Sunday’s final showings will again feature open captioning for increased accessibility.

• Optimal Health is now offering Brothers Nuts, a line of organic, sprouted, and locally sourced snacks. Shoppers can stop by 918 N Main Street to grab these healthy treats and support local wellness-focused businesses.

• The Princeton Living Room is collecting donations of men’s jeans, hoodies, boots, gloves, socks, and hats at 1916 N Main Street. Community members are encouraged to contribute to help meet local needs this season.

• The Princeton Public Library is hosting the opening reception for the 2025 Art Teachers Show: Expressions of the Heart from 6–8 p.m., offering refreshments and a chance to meet the artists. The exhibit runs through November 26, with a virtual tour available for those unable to attend.

• Blue Jay Way Records has updated its store hours to 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturdays. Customers can stop in to browse their wide selection of vinyl records and music merchandise.

🌲FROM HORNBAKER GARDENS

Don’t forget to water your evergreens!

Rain has been scarce lately, and with only a light sprinkle in the forecast, it’s important to give your evergreens—and any plants you added this year—a deep soak while the weather is still mild. Set your hose to a slow trickle at the base of each plant for 15-45 minutes. Repeat this once a week until the ground freezes solid.

Because evergreens hold onto their needles year-round, they continue to lose moisture even in cold weather. Without enough water, they’re at risk of winter burn. To check if it’s time to water, dig down a few inches into the soil—if it’s dry, your plants could use a drink!

From Hornbaker’s Facebook Page

✉️NEW SUBSCRIBER?

You have access to all previous newsletters: click here to read them.

👉Please, please, please make sure to add the Princeton NOW newsletter email address as a “contact,” “VIP,” or “Whitelist” in your email service. This will prevent it from going to spam or bouncing.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Renewal Rehab is hiring a full-time Occupational Therapist to work on-site in a skilled nursing and long-term care setting in Princeton, offering $36–$43 per hour. The role includes evaluating and treating patients with functional and cognitive impairments, developing personalized care plans, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team. The company provides strong support through mentorship, schedule flexibility, comprehensive healthcare benefits, a 401(k) with match, and ongoing professional development opportunities. Additional perks include CEU credits, advancement pathways, referral bonuses, and an Employee Assistance Program.

• Corteva Agriscience is hiring a full-time Production Technician for its Princeton facility, offering $40,000–$50,000 per year with medical benefits, retirement, and PTO. The role involves operating and monitoring automated equipment, supporting seasonal plant and field operations, handling tasks like harvest prep, packaging, quality control, and forklift operation. Candidates must have a high school diploma or be willing to obtain a GED within 12 months, demonstrate strong work ethic and problem-solving skills, and be comfortable working indoors and outdoors in various conditions while lifting up to 50 lbs. A valid driver’s license, solid communication skills, and commitment to safety are also required.

• Wendy’s in Princeton is hiring a Restaurant Manager for full-time or part-time work, offering $25,000–$35,000 annually with benefits including medical, life, retirement, and PTO. The role involves leading daily operations, supervising staff, maintaining food safety and cleanliness, and ensuring high-quality service that meets or exceeds brand standards. Managers are expected to train and mentor team members, monitor performance, adjust scheduling, and uphold a positive, efficient work environment. Wendy’s values integrity, tenacity, fun, family, and authenticity, aiming to create meaningful experiences for both employees and guests. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and committed to leadership built on excellence and teamwork.

🚑ONCALL KING CARE-A-VAN

OSF HealthCare is inviting community members to a free health-focused event on Friday, November 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Bureau County Metro Center. The OSF OnCall King Care-A-Van will be making a stop to provide a wide range of free health services to the public.

Staffed by digital health workers and a certified medical assistant, the Care-A-Van will offer blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings, along with on-the-spot testing for COVID-19, flu, and strep—no appointment needed. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in virtual visits for common minor illnesses.

In addition, Diabetes Educator Kandi Burlingame will give a presentation on how to recognize and manage diabetes, providing valuable insights for those looking to improve their health. The University of Illinois Extension will also be present, sharing heart-healthy recipes, nutritious food samples, and expert nutrition advice to encourage better eating habits.

This event offers a convenient and educational way for residents to take proactive steps toward better health and wellness.

🪴LETTER FROM LORI

I’m old. It’s not a secret. With my old age comes a clinginess to some of the old ways. One of those things is paper maps. Now, the whippersnappers all love their GPS and being told exactly how to get where they’re going, but me? I’m a fourth-generation truck driver, and I grew up with maps and atlases. Those of you with a “19” in your birth year know what I’m talking about—those folding things you could never get to fold again in a way that made them flat and tidy. They are the navigational fitted sheet, and only those with sorcery on their side could ever get them back to their original state.

Every gas station had a display of them—one for each state. My truck-driving family had spiral-bound atlases with colored lines denoting routes and pathways across the country. It was magical to be blessed to be the navigator and sit in the back seat, unbuckled (because we were also clueless about safety), and tell our dads which direction to go to reach our destination. Sometimes we would sit with a highlighter marker (they only had YELLOW in the olden days) and prepare by marking our route in the weeks before our trip, figuring out the best way to get to our vacation spot.

Fast-forward half a century, and now our car talks to us like KITT in Knight Rider (David Hasselhoff before Baywatch fame). In its monotone voice, it directs our path and is sometimes smart enough to guide us through construction zones or current accidents and roadblocks. If we don’t follow its directions, it sighs, rolls its eyes, and belts out “RECALCULATING,” then gives us new directions to compensate for our idiocy. This new-fangled technology may get us where we need to be, but I don’t always trust it. I’ve been taken places inefficiently because I chose to follow something the world convinced me was more intelligent than my hillbilly brain. More than once, when I reached my destination, I realized I could have gotten there SO much quicker if I had just gone a different route.

Those paper maps have never let me down. Once I learned to read them (still working on the refolding part), I knew they gave me accurate direction that was well thought out and coordinated. Sure, the voice through my speakers seems comforting and intelligent and personal, but it isn’t always accurate or efficient.

Isn’t that how it is with our Bible? The truth is there—unerringly. If we listen to the voices in our lives, they may give poor direction, lead us down a path that won’t get us to our destination in the most timely manner, or take us through unnecessary danger. That paper map has colors and guidance that cannot be denied. Oh, we might hit an unexpected roadblock or face a detour, but if we keep our eyes on the map, it will show us the best way around those obstacles. It’s right there for us to see. Meanwhile, the voice in the car is often interrupted by a screaming toddler, or the radio being too loud, or some other noisy distraction—and we miss a turn that leads us somewhere we don’t want to be.

So, even though I do occasionally use my automobile tracking device, I often question it, choose a path it isn’t recommending, and refer instead to the un-neatly folded, musty, colorful paper guiding devices in the glove compartment that explode to life when opened. My Grandpa Fred would be proud of me.

So, I’m going to drink my Metamucil and head out for the day, gosh darn it.

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

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].