🤸🏻‍♀️Cartwheels, Live Nativity, and a Warmup

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Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. AAAAAAAAnd here comes the thaw. Warmer days are ahead, which is good, because I still need to put up my Christmas lights.

Let’s go.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🎅Experience Christmas in Princeton
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
🥫Feed the Need
📍Outside City Limits
🔭A Look Ahead
🌻Festival 56 Summer Schedule
🤸🏻‍♀️Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday tomorrow Jan Skaggs, Ashley Person, Kelli Pratt! 🎈

• KWQC: Princeton football star Noah LaPorte signs with Northwestern

• Participate in this year’s home decorating contest by calling the Chamber before December 9. Categories include Chamber’s Choice ($200), People’s Choice ($100), Senior’s Choice ($100), and specialty awards like Most Traditional, Most Elegant, and Clark Griswold ($100 each). Judging begins December 11, with People’s Choice voting from December 13–20 on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

• The Bureau County Fair will announce the 2025 concert lineup on Monday, December 9, at 7 AM. Fans are encouraged to mark their calendars and stay tuned for the big reveal.

• The First Presbyterian Church is hosting their annual Live Nativity on Friday, December 13th, from 5 to 7 PM. Stop by to enjoy a special display celebrating the Christmas story.

• The “Home for the Holidays” Christmas Craft & Vendor Show and Gift Sale will take place on Saturday, December 14, from 9 AM to 2 PM at 811 West Peru Street. For more information, visit www.bureaucountyfair.com or call 815-866-3606—vendor spaces are already sold out.

• The First Annual Christmas Market is set to take place at Rotary Park on December 14, from 10 AM to 8 PM. Visitors can enjoy arts and crafts, food and drink, and live music throughout the day. Hosted by Midland States Bank, this holiday event promises seasonal cheer for the whole family. Vendor applications are currently being accepted for those interested in participating. For more details or to apply, contact 815-876-2565 or visit princetontourism.org.

• Santa Claus will visit the Princeton Firehouse on Tuesday, December 17, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Families are invited to meet Santa and enjoy this special holiday event.

• The Metro Center is organizing an Adult Winter League Basketball season starting January 14, with registration open until January 5. Teams will play 4-on-4 on Tuesday nights, with a $350 entry fee due before the first game.

• Logan Junior High School is hiring classroom paraprofessionals for the 2024–2025 school year, starting January 6, 2025. The role involves assisting teachers and students in education, supervision, and management; licensing information is available online, and applications can be directed to Mr. Zach Smith.

🎅EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS IN PRINCETON

Today:

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Santa’s Workshop at Bureau County Fairgrounds with craft and activity stations for children

• 1:30 PM: Special showing of Christmas Vacation at Apollo Theater (compliments of Klinefelter Electric)

Tomorrow:

• 2:00 PM: Bureau County Chorus and Princeton Community Band performance at Princeton High School Auditorium

Additional Info: Donations for the Bureau County Food Pantry are encouraged, including nonperishable food, paper products, and monetary contributions.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Today: The day will feature intervals of clouds and sunshine, with highs climbing to 49°F. Winds will remain light, blowing from the west-southwest at 5 to 10 mph. During the night, skies will turn partly to mostly cloudy with a low near 36°F. Winds will shift slightly to come from the west-northwest at 5 to 10 mph.

☁️Sunday: Mostly cloudy skies will dominate in the afternoon, and rain is expected to arrive later in the day. High temperatures will reach 53°F with winds from the west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph. Sunday night will bring partly cloudy skies early, transitioning to increasing clouds overnight, with lows around 39°F. Winds will shift to the southwest at 10 to 15 mph.

☁️Monday: Expect mostly cloudy skies throughout the day, with highs around 50°F. Winds will persist from the west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph, maintaining a steady breeze. The night will remain mostly cloudy with temperatures dipping to a low of 28°F. Light northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph will continue through the evening.

Weekend Warm-Up Before Winter Returns

This weekend, the Arctic front that gave us a taste of January is moving out, taking the high winds and sub-zero wind chills with it. Today will warm to 45–50 degrees, and Sunday could bring the highest temperatures in nearly two weeks, with highs between 48–53 degrees under sunny skies. This marks a dramatic shift after a week where temperatures ran 13–16 degrees below normal, and the region saw minimal precipitation—just 2–6% of the usual amount. Despite starting November with heavy rainfall, the past two weeks have turned bone dry, with little more than a dusting of snow across the area.

By Monday, highs will remain in the 40s before another cold front plunges temperatures midweek. While some light snow may accompany the midweek chill, significant accumulation isn’t expected. Looking ahead, the atmospheric pattern is shifting to favor warmer conditions by mid-December, with a strong push of mild air across the central U.S. However, this setup doesn’t bode well for snow lovers, as any significant storm activity looks unlikely through Christmas. In the meantime, enjoy the milder weekend—this is a chance to “bring home the bacon” before winter’s next round.

Adapted from tswails.com

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.19
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.23
Casey’s West/North: $3.26
Beck’s West/North: $3.26
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.26
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.27

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $2.76

🏆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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💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Tony’s Butt Shack BBQ & Catering will have a Christmas Brunch with Santa on Sunday, December 15th, from 11 AM to 1 PM. Reservations are now open for this festive event featuring Santa and the Grinch.

• 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 loves offering personalized services, going above and beyond to fulfill special orders for their customers. If there’s something you’ve been searching for, they’re ready to help you find it—something you won’t experience at big box stores!

• Sisler’s Ice Cream is now accepting pre-orders for Christmas cakes, priced at $30 each (9-inch cakes, serves 12–16). Choose between the Biscoff Cookie Butter Cake or the Peppermint Patti Cake, with orders available in-store or via phone until December 14th. Pickup is on December 21st from 11 AM to 8 PM, and a limited number of individual slices will also be available for purchase.

• Wyanet Carpet Flooring America is offering great deals on carpet and vinyl remnants. Perfect for small projects, including insulating deer stands, they have a wide selection of sizes available.

• Niel & Shorty’s BBQ Company serves chili, soup, and Rebel Hard Coffee flavors, alongside baby back ribs smoked fresh daily at 5 PM. Lunch runs from 11 AM to 2 PM, and dinner is served from 4 PM to 6 PM.

• Wyaton Hills Golf Course invites everyone to Mad Max’s Open House on December 7 and 8 from 10 AM to 3 PM. Holiday hours will run Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM, with additional hours on December 23 and Christmas Eve.

• Paisano’s Ristorante highlights Miss Betsy’s donuts, praised as the best and fluffiest treats available. Guests are encouraged to stop by both locations for a delicious experience. Paisano’s introduced December’s pizza of the month, “The Leftover.” This Thanksgiving-inspired pizza features a mashed potato and gravy base, corn, diced turkey, mozzarella cheese, stuffing, and a cranberry drizzle.

• The Milk Moustache is running a holiday sale through December 8, offering 40% off all apparel and 20% off toys. Shoppers can take advantage of these discounts to prepare for the holiday season.

• Grandma Rosie’s Sweet Treats has updated business hours with the kitchen open daily alongside ice cream offerings. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 3 PM to 7 PM, with seasonal items also available.

• Spring recital deposits are due at Main Street Dance Academy by 12/10 to guarantee costume delivery for May, with a 10% late fee for payments after the deadline.

• Mardog’s Grooming Room is excited to announce its grand opening. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., they offer a variety of grooming services from baths to full grooming packages tailored for all dog sizes. Customers are invited to enjoy exclusive opening-day discounts, giveaways, and treats; for more information, call (563) 239-4899.

• 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. The Alexander Ice Rink is now open for the season with hours from 12–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 12–7 p.m. Friday–Sunday. Ice skates are available for $5 rental, with all rentals to be returned before closing. For details, contact the Metro Center.

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🥫STARVED ROCK MEDIA: FEED THE NEED

As the need grows, Feed the Need grows, too. 

With more Illinois Valley families than ever facing food insecurity, Miller Group Charitable Trust and we here at Starved Rock Media are expanding the annual Christmas Feed the Need fund drive. 

This month, when you make a monetary donation to one of five food pantries, the Trust will match the gift dollar-for-dollar, up to $17,500. The participating food pantries are the Bureau County Food Pantry, Community Food Basket of Ottawa, Hall Township Food Pantry, Illinois Valley Food Pantry, and Putnam County Food Pantry.

Just click here to learn more, and to be directed to the pantries online.

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• Rossy’s BBQ Joint in Wyanet is hosting a fundraiser for the Camp family today and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, donating a portion of sales to assist with financial burdens.

• In tiny Waggoner, Illinois just off of I-55 south of Springfield, the wind huffed and puffed and better than big bad wolf style…and blew a building in.

• Case of missing Champaign man who was found dead in Bureau Co. being investigated as a homicide.

• 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.

🔭A LOOK AHEAD

Home for the Holidays Christmas Light Drive-Thru (November 29th - December 25th): Drive through the dazzling holiday lights at the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Sundays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Special openings on December 23rd, 24th, and 25th. Hosted by the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Bureau County Fair.

Brunch with Buddy the Elf (Saturday, December 7th): At 11 AM, join the festive fun with Buddy the Elf at Cafe Grace, 1009 N Main St. Expect holiday activities and a “buddylicious” feast.

Trio: Barrel Society (Saturday, December 7): Join The Bart Attacks at the Barrel Society for an evening of live music from 7 to 10 PM. This is their debut performance, and they are excited to perform down by the river. Make sure to check it out for a great night of entertainment!

Home for the Holidays: Christmas Craft & Vendor Show (Saturday, December 14): Explore unique crafts and gifts at the Bureau County Fairgrounds from 9 AM to 2 PM. Admission is free, making it a perfect opportunity to find holiday treasures while supporting local vendors. The fairgrounds are located at 811 West Peru Street. For more information or to sign up as a vendor, visit www.bureaucountyfair.com or call 815-866-3606.

Christmas Market (Saturday, December 14): Visit the festive Christmas Market at Rotary Park from 10 AM to 8 PM. Enjoy arts and crafts, delicious food and drink, and live music. Presented by Midland States Bank, this event is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the holiday spirit with family and friends. Vendor applications are currently being accepted. For more information, call 815-876-2565 or visit princetontourism.org.

Nerf Event at the Metro Center (Friday, December 20): Join the action-packed Nerf event at the Bureau County Metro Center 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; standard darts and balls will be provided, or you can bring your own larger ammo if needed. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for residents, and $20 for non-residents.

🌻Festival 56 Summer Schedule

•  “Hairspray the Musical” will be staged from June 27 to July 5 at the Grace Theater. This vibrant production follows Tracy Turnblad, a bold teen striving for racial equality on a 1960s TV program.

•  “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will grace Soldiers and Sailors Park from July 6 to July 30. Shakespeare’s enchanting play delves into love, confusion, and whimsical fairy interventions.

• “Carrie: The Musical” runs July 11 through July 20 at the Grace Theater, unraveling the story of an outcast teenager navigating bullying and family conflict while discovering her supernatural abilities.

• “The Little Mermaid” is set for July 25 to August 3, showcasing Ariel’s quest for freedom and transformation in a captivating tale of courage and sacrifice.

• The Cabaret Series offers performances from June 20 through August 3, spotlighting diverse musical styles and creating a dynamic connection between audiences and performers.

Tickets can be purchased online at Festival56.com, at the box office, or by calling 815-879-5656.

🤸🏻‍♀️LETTER FROM LORI

As the owner of a pet store, I often stop in the middle of an activity and say to myself, “So, this is what my life has become.” What’s normal for me is definitely not normal for most folks. I regularly find myself holding something containing guts or poop in my bare hands (but hey, I have soap and sanitizer, so no big deal, right?).

One night, I was determined to catch a very large tegu on the loose in the old building, armed with just a blanket to avoid getting chomped. I felt my inner Steve Irwin come alive and even temporarily adopted an Australian accent. The girl helping me later declared that I was SO BRAVE. Um, no… it just had to be done, and since no one else was stepping up, I figured I might as well handle it!

Daily, I do things that most people wouldn’t dream of doing. My “normal” isn’t quite normal. But everyone has their own version of “normal.”

The mom with eight kids, who has to stay organized to tackle the chaos of laundry, meals, nightly routines, and appointments, seems like an alien to the single woman with no children, whose spoiled cat gets handmade food and a monthly subscription box of toys from Chewy.com.

The guy working three jobs to keep shoes on his family’s feet has a completely different “normal” than the 20-year-old living in his parents’ basement, whose biggest concern is the power going out during an intense online game.

So how do we, as mature adults, reconcile our opinions about what “normal” is? “Normal” can even change within an individual. I know the drunken party queen of my 20s, who lived wildly and recklessly, wouldn’t even consider some of those antics today. My life has changed. My morals have changed. And my physical abilities have definitely changed.

I can’t imagine doing cartwheels home from the bar (yes, I did that!). As a matter of fact, my kids once asked me to prove I could still do a cartwheel. I managed it—but when one of them wasn’t paying attention and asked me to do it again, I assured them I’d need at least a week to recover before trying that stunt twice.

When we look at other people’s lives, do we take into account their experiences and everything that shaped their “normal”? Do we offer them grace, seeing their situation without judgment, or do we measure them by the standards of our own lives? Is that fair? Would we want them to do the same to us?

The truth is, there’s no way to account for everything. We don’t have the knowledge, wisdom, or insight to do so. It’s ironic, really—the one who does know everything about us, even the deepest, darkest corners of our souls, loves us all the same.

How can that be? If someone knows everything about you—every flaw and failure—and still loves you, who are we, as limited humans, to judge others and tally their wrongs or quirks?

Today, as I stand in the middle of my store with a frozen/thawed rabbit, about to feed a 15-foot reticulated python, I’ll reflect on how this activity isn’t “normal” for most people. And I’ll be thankful I don’t have eight kids at my feet, calling my name and demanding the impossible from me.

Then, I’ll attempt a cartwheel and collapse into a chair to recover… for a week. (That’s assuming I don’t end up in a bone-snapping heap on the floor.) After that, I’ll leave all the leaping about to Simone Biles for the rest of my days.

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

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