🧑‍🚒Calories, a Turkey Trot, and Safety Tips

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Good morning, Princeton. Thanksgiving is an incredible day, with the average meal packing a whopping 2,500–3,000 calories—roughly the same as devouring up to eight Big Macs. While Americans spend an extra 21 minutes eating on Thanksgiving compared to other days, the prep and cleanup time far surpasses that, making it a true labor of love. The holiday’s staples, like turkey (46 million birds consumed annually), mashed potatoes, and roasted potatoes, come at a cost—$64.05 for a dinner serving ten—and a price to the planet, with 316 million pounds of food wasted. Despite the effort, expectations remain high, as 70% of people still look forward to turkey gracing their plates.

Here we go.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
🏀Holiday Tournament
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
🧑‍🚒Holiday Safety
🏀Alumni Basketball Game
👷Princeton Job Opportunities
💝Magi Baby Chests
📍Outside City Limits
🍿At the Apollo

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Dan Hartsough! 🎂

• The Princeton Fire Department received a $1,000 donation from the Princeton Junior Woman’s Club to purchase new hoods for firefighters, which include a special lining to block carcinogens during fires.

• Join the Thanksgiving Day Family Turkey Trot at Zearing Park on Thursday, November 28, starting at 8 a.m. Participants can walk, jog, or run the one-mile course to kick off the holiday with a healthy activity. Registration costs $5 per individual or $10 per family for Princeton residents and $7 per individual or $12 per family for non-residents; sign up at the front desk or call 815-872-0804.

• A Free Thanksgiving Dinner will be provided by the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton, St. Louis Catholic Church, and Christ Community Church on Thursday, November 28, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for curbside pickup at 24 N. Main St. in Princeton or delivery within a 15-mile radius. Reservations are required by 5 PM on November 27, and can be made at www.eccprinceton.org/Thanksgiving or by calling Tad Smith at 815-878-5473. The meal includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, a dinner roll, and pie, with a free-will offering supporting local outreach events.

• City of Princeton: City offices will close at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, November 27, and remain closed through Friday, November 29, for Thanksgiving. Thursday garbage will be collected on Monday, December 2, and Friday garbage on Tuesday, December 3, with regular routes for December 2 and 3 unchanged. Note that Thanksgiving week is not a recycle pick-up week, and there will be no yard waste collection.

• Princeton’s Night of Lights will be held on Friday, December 6th, featuring festive activities for the whole family. The evening begins with a Christmas Tree Lighting at Veterans Park at 5:45 p.m., followed by the Lighted Christmas Parade down Main Street at 6:15 p.m. After the parade, families can enjoy a Candy Cane Hunt at Soldiers & Sailors Park at 7:00 p.m. and visit Santa, Mrs. Claus, and live reindeer at Rotary Park starting at 7:30 p.m.

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🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• A charming 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch home located at 778 Mayfair Dr is priced at $235,000. This property offers solid bones and a newer roof replaced in 2023. Enjoy updated carpet in the spacious living room, the convenience of a large laundry room, and a fenced backyard with a wood deck, perfect for outdoor relaxation or entertaining. A 2-car garage provides ample storage and parking. Don’t miss this opportunity to make this well-maintained home your own! Listing agent is related to the sellers.

• This property, located at 12 N Gosse Blvd is priced at $39,900 and features 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Offering 1,032 square feet of living space, this home includes main-level laundry, an updated roof, and off-street parking. It is being sold as-is with no repairs and is on a septic system, presenting a great opportunity for buyers looking to invest.

• The property at 1025 S Sixth St Unit 1 is priced at $369,500, is a newly constructed ranch-style condominium offering privacy and a country feel while being within walking distance of local amenities like the library, shopping, and hospital. Featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a spacious layout with modern conveniences, this home includes a 2-car garage and thoughtful design for comfortable living.

🏀PHS GIRLS BASKETBALL HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

FS Game 1:

Mendota FS: 20

Putnam County FS: 32

FS Game 2:

Hall FS: 26

IVC FS: 38

FS Game 3:

Princeton Blue:29

Princeton White: 21

Game 1:

Stark County - 38

Henry - 33

Game 2:

IVC - 39

Putnam County - 21

Game 3:

Princeton - 60

Hall - 53 (OT)

Results:

Midland- 1st

Princeton- 2nd

Hall- 3rd

Congratulations Cameron Driscoll and Keleigh Davis! They received All-Tournament Team Honors.

🌤️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌧️Today: Today will be mostly cloudy and breezy with occasional isolated showers. Temperatures will reach a high of 46°F, with northwest winds blowing at 10 to 20 mph. Overnight, skies will clear, and the low will drop to 25°F as winds shift to the east-northeast at 5 to 10 mph.

☀️Tuesday: Expect mostly sunny skies throughout Tuesday, with highs near 39°F. Winds from the north-northwest will range between 5 and 10 mph. As night falls, clouds will increase, bringing a low temperature of 34°F and calm north-northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph.

☁️Wednesday: Wednesday will bring considerable cloud cover, with isolated rain or snow showers expected during the day. The high will be 44°F, with light northeast winds at 5 to 10 mph. Overnight, isolated snow showers will persist under mostly cloudy skies, with lows around 26°F and light, variable winds.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.19
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.26
Casey’s West/North: $3.28
Beck’s West/North: $3.28
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.28
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.28

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Golden Rice Authentic Thai Food will be open Tuesday and Wednesday, offering lunch from 10:30 to 2:00 and dinner from 4:00 to 6:30. Customers will receive a free appetizer with every dish, choosing from two crab rangoons, two pot stickers, or one egg roll.

• Four Seasons is offering 25% off all purchases with the code “TURKEY” through December 1. Free shipping applies to orders over $75, excluding specific brands and prior purchases, and cannot be combined with other offers.

• Myrtle’s Pies will have extended hours on November 27 from 7:00 to 6:00, offering extra pies, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. The shop will close November 28 through December 4 and reopen December 5, with Christmas orders due December 13 for December 22 pickup.

• Five 22 has restocked its Stocking Stuffer Bar with items like car diffusers, holiday jewelry, gloves, lip balms, and hair accessories. Customers are encouraged to stop by and fill their holiday stockings with these seasonal offerings.

• The Bureau County Metro Center is hosting a Nerf event on Friday, December 20, with sessions for K–2nd grade (2:45–3:30 PM), 3rd–5th grade (3:45–4:30 PM), and 6th–8th grade (4:45–5:30 PM). Participants should bring their own launchers, while standard darts and balls will be provided (or bring your own larger ammo if needed). The cost is $10 for members, $15 for residents, and $20 for non-residents.

• Have you reserved your spot for Holiday Tea at Wild Ginger Bistro yet? Join them for a festive afternoon on December 8th, 15th, and 22nd (seatings at 11:00, 12:45, and 2:30), featuring beautifully decorated surroundings, delicious three-tiered trays, and special touches to make your visit memorable. Reserve your spot by emailing [email protected], with packages ranging from The Duchess at $33 to The Queen at $47, plus a $17 Children’s Tea option—because everyone, including real men, can enjoy tea!

• Boek-el-ZOO is hosting a Lottery Tree event from now through December 20, with chances to win prizes and tickets available for purchase or through daily specials. Keep your tickets handy as random winning numbers will be drawn throughout the holiday season. Boek-el-ZOO has great gift ideas for snake or reptile lovers, featuring beautiful reptiles ready for adoption this holiday season. Stop by to find the perfect scaly companion and make a unique Christmas memory.

• Christmas drinks debut today at Bean Buzz just in time for the Christmas Walk. Enjoy festive options like the Hot Gingerbread Latte, Christmas Crunch Frappe, or Peppermint Mocha topped with pink peppermint cold foam and peppermint sugar.

• Sean Philip Bridals is offering deals on sample wedding gowns ($99-$999), prom dresses ($69), homecoming gowns ($39), and evening gowns ($69) until December 1.

🧑‍🚒10 HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FROM THE ILLINOIS FIRE MARSHALL

1. Inspect electrical decorations for damage before use.

Cracked or damaged sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may cause a serious shock or start a fire.

2. Do not overload electrical outlets.

Overloaded electrical outlets and faulty wires are a common cause of holiday fires. Avoid overloading outlets and plug only one high-wattage appliance into each outlet at a time.

3. Never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights.

More than three strands may not only blow a fuse, but can also cause a fire.

4. Keep tree fresh by watering daily.

Dry trees are a serious fire hazard.

5. Use battery-operated candles.

Candles start almost half of home decoration fires (NFPA).

6. Keep combustibles at least three feet from heat sources.

A heat source that was too close to the decoration was a factor in half of home fires that began with decorations (NFPA).

7. Protect cords from damage.

To avoid shock or fire hazards, cords should never be pinched by furniture, forced into small spaces such as doors or windows, placed under rugs, located near heat sources, or attached by nails or staples.

8. Check decorations for certification label.

Decorations not bearing a label from an independent testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), or Intertek (ETL) have not been tested for safety and could be hazardous.

9. Stay in the kitchen when something is cooking.

Unattended cooking equipment is the leading cause of home cooking fires (NFPA).

10. Turn off, unplug, and extinguish all decorations when going to sleep or leaving the house.

Unattended candles are the cause of one in five home candle fires. Half of home fire deaths occur between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (NFPA).

TWO ANGELS EVENTS

Family Christmas Portraits

• Cozy Christmas: Snuggle up in your pajamas and enjoy a festive atmosphere with our warm, inviting backdrop.

• Elegant Holiday: Dress to impress and create stunning portraits in front of our Farm Fresh Christmas Tree backdrop.

• Packages starting at $125

Santa’s Magical Adventure with Santa John (Original Santa for returning clients)

• One-on-one time with Santa: Your children will have the chance to chat with Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and receive a gift.

• Story time with Santa: Snuggle up with Santa and enjoy a heartwarming Christmas story together.

• Cookies: No Santa visit is complete without Mrs.Clauses delicious cookies.

• Beautiful, lasting images: Our experienced photographer will capture precious moments of your children's magical Santa experience.

• More than just photos, it's a tradition!

• 30 minutes —$325

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👷‍♂️PRINCETON JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Heartland Bank and Trust Company is hiring a Retail Assistant Manager in Princeton, offering $22.15–$33.23 per hour for a full-time position. Responsibilities include ensuring branch compliance with policies and regulations, staffing and onboarding, resolving conflicts, managing budgets, and fostering a collaborative team environment. The role also involves aligning departmental goals with organizational objectives, coaching retail staff, supporting sales initiatives, and performing retail duties as needed. Candidates can apply by texting “2030” to 309-322-9911 or through the provided application link.

• Tractor Supply Company is hiring a Team Member in Princeton, with no prior experience required, although a high school diploma is preferred. Responsibilities include operating cash registers, managing merchandise recovery, assembling products, performing janitorial duties, and assisting customers. Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills are preferred, along with basic computer knowledge and familiarity with farming or welding. Candidates can apply online for this position focused on delivering excellent customer service and supporting sales initiatives.

• RP Lumber is seeking a full-time Retail Manager in Princeton to collaborate with the General Manager and ensure smooth store operations. This role includes overseeing merchandising, maintaining the sales floor, training employees, providing exceptional customer service, and handling customer complaints effectively. Applicants should be knowledgeable about the local market and capable of organizing internal processes for timely deliveries while promoting company values and policies. Benefits include 401(k), dental and vision insurance, paid time off, profit sharing, and store discounts.

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

Walk Tiskilwa

The Tiskilwa Historical Society invites everyone to join the festivities at the Christmas Markets in Tiskilwa on Saturday, December 7th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Attendees can explore local history displays, visit a variety of vendors, and meet Santa Claus. The event will also feature live music, decorated Christmas trees, carriage rides, tours, and opportunities to participate in drawings and raffles. This is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

Blue Christmas Event in Sheffield

Sometimes “Merry Christmas” is just not so merry.

You or someone you know may struggle with finding joy this Christmas, because of a recent change or loss due to death, divorce, sickness, or unfortunate and tragic circumstances. The constant refrain on the radio and television, in the shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all of these can make us feel very empty in the midst of celebrating and spending. Adding to this blue mood is the darkest day of the year, the winter solstice, which falls on December 21st of 2024.

The Cornerstone Community Wellness Center in Sheffield is offering a Blue Christmas Candlelight Community Service on December 6th, 2024 at 6:30 pm. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a friend.

Come experience a simple time of music, readings, and reflection that acknowledge Emmanuel, God with us, in the midst of hard times. You might be surprised by how many people need this kind of service during the season of Christmas.

The short service will be followed by a brief time of light refreshments and fellowship.

🏀BUREAU VALLEY VS PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME

Bureau Valley and Princeton will face off in an alumni basketball game on Sunday, December 22, 2024. Doors open at 3:00 PM, and the game tips off at 3:30 PM at Bureau Valley High School. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students, and $12 for family tickets. The game will feature four 10-minute quarters with a mix of alumni teams, including special lineups for women and older alumni.

The first quarter will showcase alumni aged 40 and older, while the second quarter will feature the women’s alumni team. In the third quarter, alumni aged 21 and older will play, and the fourth quarter will be open to any alumni able to continue. Additional fun activities include a free throw contest at the end of the first quarter, and a three-point contest at the end of the third quarter.

At halftime, alumni cheer and dance teams will perform school songs, bringing spirit to the event. The game aims to celebrate the 29-year rivalry between Bureau Valley and Princeton, marking a historic event for the alumni and community. Following the game, a post-game party will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Rossy’s in Wyanet.

All proceeds from admission, raffle, and merchandise sales will support the Bureau Valley and Princeton Sports Boosters.

💝MAGI BABY CHEST

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.

🍿AT THE APOLLO

Wicked (PG)

• A magical retelling of the untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, before Dorothy’s arrival in Oz.

• Showtimes: Tuesday: 4:00 PM & 7:15 PM; Wednesday: 12:45 PM, 4:00 PM & 7:15 PM; Thursday: 6:00 PM only

Red One (PG-13)

• A holiday action-comedy starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, full of festive adventure and fun.

• Showtimes: Tuesday (Last Day!): 4:15 PM & 7:00 PM

Moana 2

• Pajama Premiere Day: A delightful sequel to the Disney hit, celebrating Moana’s return to the big screen — Wednesday: 1:00 PM, 4:15 PM & 7:00 PM

• Thursday: 6:15 PM only

Note: Both Wicked and Moana 2 will continue next week. The last show on Sundays is open captioned.

Tickets are available at apolloprinceton.com or at the box office.

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