🤝Community Service, Firefighter Challenge, and Languages

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Good morning, neighbors. Especially the Princeton Tigers Football Team, who took time out of their summers and graciously volunteered at the Historical Society and got some work done. Boom! That’s who we are and what we do, my fellow Princetonians.

Let’s get to it.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🎺Homestead Parade
💼Princeton Businesses
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
📍Outside City Limits
🏷️Garage Sale
📱Smartphone Training
🗣️Reshaping Language

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy birthday, Becky Butterfield and Jared Bartman! 🍰 

• The Princeton Fire Department and our lovely city is cheering on firefighter Eli VanAutreve as he competes in the Firefighter Challenge League Midwest Regional Classic this week. Eli's performance can be viewed live on the Firefighter Challenge League's YouTube channel, with the stream starting at 8 AM today.

• Just a reminder: food distribution will take place this morning at the fairgrounds, organized jointly by 1st Lutheran Church and Riverbend Food Bank. This is a vital community service, and all are welcome to come and receive support. Thank you for your ongoing support and contributions to this important cause!

• BAD Makings LLC has reported a burglary at their new Princeton location, which has affected their operations. The company assures customers that despite some delays, efforts are being made to fulfill all existing orders as soon as possible. They appreciate their customers' patience and loyalty during this challenging time and invite any inquiries or needs for updates directly.

• The local TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group 587 meets every Monday at the Princeton Senior Center. The meeting starts with a weigh-in at 5 pm, followed by a business meeting. Both men and women are encouraged to attend these weekly gatherings.

• Princeton is listed as one of the 9 most beautiful Illinois towns.

• Keep your newsletter from getting dropped or going to spam: add this email address to your contacts, your VIP, or whitelist today.

⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Thursday: Expect mostly sunny skies throughout the day with high temperatures reaching around 78°F. Winds will be light from the east-northeast at 5 to 10 mph. As the evening sets in, expect partly cloudy skies with increasing clouds overnight. The low should drop to around 59°F.

Friday: The day starts cloudy but scattered thunderstorms are likely to develop later, especially in the afternoon. High temperatures will be near 79°F with south winds at 10 to 15 mph. There's a 50% chance of rain during the day, increasing to 80% by evening as thunderstorms become more numerous. Nighttime lows will hover around 70°F, with gusty winds and small hail possible during thunderstorms.

Saturday: Morning rain showers are expected to clear up, giving way to some sunshine later in the day. The high will be warmer at 86°F, with west winds blowing at 10 to 15 mph. The chance of rain during the day is 50%. The evening should see clear skies with a low temperature of 58°F and north-northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.45
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.66
Casey’s West/North: $3.69
Beck’s West/North: $3.69
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.69
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.69

Diesel

Beck’s: $3.69
Amoco: $3.59
Road Ranger: $3.69
Sullivan’s: $3.49

🎺HOMESTEAD PARADE

The 53rd Annual Homestead Festival Parade is eagerly anticipated to take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. This year’s parade celebrates the theme "Back To Our Roots.” The parade will traverse a two-mile route, allowing various participants to showcase their creativity through floats, bands, and other musical performances.

Key details include:

• Float Registration: Open now and closes at 5 p.m. on August 5th. Late entries will not be accepted.

• Participant Limit: To ensure a quality experience, the parade is limited to the first 80-90 registrants.

• Entry Requirements: All entries should be unique and reflect the parade theme. Participants are advised to be as creative as possible.

• Announcer Comments: Each entry should prepare 2-3 sentences for the announcer, as only 10-15 seconds will be dedicated to each during the parade.

Interested parties can sign up by filling out the parade entry form. For any additional questions or information, please contact the Homestead Committee via email at [email protected], or visit the festival's page at https://homesteadfestival.com/parade/.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Corner Chair Market invites everyone to stop by and experience their fresh collection of candles. They offer a variety of scents housed in charming mason jars, perfect for adding a cozy touch to any home.

• Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center is hosting a Glow Ball event on Friday, July 26th, with registration at 8:30 PM and tee off at 9 PM. Food offerings from The Kitchen, including fried chicken, burgers, and flatbreads, will be available from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

• Zack Fedor will be performing live at Barrel Society on Saturday at 7pm, offering an evening of music with no cover charge. On Sunday, La Katrina Autentica will be at the same venue from 12-6pm, serving up delicious tacos, burritos, nachos, and more.

• Tony's Butt Shack BBQ & Catering is offering homemade country fried chicken today. Doors open at 4:00 PM, and it's advised to arrive early while supplies last. For more information or to make early arrangements, contact them at 815-894-2277.

• Brekin is hosting an educational event about Nile Monitors on June 29th from 12 PM to 3 PM at the Boek-el-Zoo. Attendees can view a Nile Monitor up close and learn the differences between its habitat and that of similar creatures. Additionally, Brekin's sister will host a lemonade stand during the event, donating proceeds to St. Jude's.

• Finders Keepers Resale Store is currently seeking a part-time store manager. The store operates on Tuesdays from 9 AM to 2 PM, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. Interested candidates are encouraged to stop by for more details.

• In-Home Care Connection Homecare & Hospice is offering a free "Caregiver Stress-Busting Program" for family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. The program includes techniques for stress management and coping, with 90-minute sessions for up to 8 people, starting on July 9th at the Bureau County Senior Center. For more details or to register, interested parties should contact Celia at 815-879-3981.

• Rachel Rene has launched three new essential oil Lip Butters, available in Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint flavors. These all-natural lip butters are made from oils, butters, waxes, and are flavored with 100% pure essential oils.

• Enjoy an old-fashioned summer picnic with food, fun, and entertainment by The Bob and Judy Duo at the Bureau County Senior Center on June 21st from 12:00 to 2:30 PM, and don't forget to bring a lawn chair.

• Also, The Bureau County Senior Citizens Association is hosting a fundraising event at Culver's in Princeton on Tuesday, July 23rd from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event, "Donate While You Dine," encourages community members to support the senior center while enjoying a meal. Patrons can dine at Culver's located at 224 Ace Road, and a portion of the evening's proceeds will go towards the Senior Center.

• Sisler's Ice Cream is excited to celebrate July as National Ice Cream Month, following Ronald Reagan's 1984 declaration. They're inviting everyone to join them all month long for fun specials, giveaways, and more to mark this delicious occasion.

• Sayler's General Store is hosting a summer sale offering 20% off storewide, excluding candy by the pound and honey, today and tomorrow.

• Mavolan's is still offering stylish 4th of July outfits, featuring patriotic-themed shirts like "MERCA" with a star, a peace sign in red, white, and blue, and a "Born to Sparkle" tee paired with distressed shorts. These festive looks are perfect for celebrating Independence Day in style.

• True Leaves Bookshop is celebrating its grand opening this Saturday, starting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:00 AM. The festivities will kick off at 10:30 AM across the street with "Chalkapalooza" story time, and the store will officially open right after the ribbon-cutting. Local authors Jennifer Powelson and Grace McCormick will be present for book signings starting at 3 PM, followed by a poetry reading featuring Angela Adams, Grace McCormick, and Kayla Greenwell at 4 PM. Guests can also enjoy complimentary summery treats and lemonade while supplies last.

• Flowers By Julia now offers vibrant Amish bouquets for $21, available for cash and carry. These colorful arrangements feature a mix of sunflowers, snapdragons, and other seasonal blooms, perfect for any occasion.

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🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• The house at 303 S Pleasant St, priced at $135,000, is a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home boasting a blend of timeless charm and functionality. Built in 1906, it features an expansive front porch, high ceilings, natural woodwork, and a large dining room with built-in china cabinet and leaded glass windows. This residence is enhanced by recent upgrades including vinyl siding and thermal windows. Its basement provides additional storage with higher-than-usual ceilings and exterior access. The property, just a short stroll from Princeton's historic downtown, offers a fantastic opportunity for anyone seeking a home with both character and modern conveniences. For more details or to schedule a viewing, contact Raymond Mabry at Harvest Realty and Development.

• Explore the charm and sophistication of 612 E Peru St, a stunning 6-bedroom, 3.5-bath Italianate mansion boasting both historical richness and modern amenities. This exquisite property features newly refinished hardwood floors, upgraded heating systems with individual temperature choices, and a radon mitigation system for peace of mind. The home includes a renovated kitchen with a wet bar and stainless steel appliances, multiple living spaces with ornate fireplaces, and a main floor master suite with a walk-in closet. Enjoy the vast 1.46-acre yard from the 38’ long open front porch or relax in the multiple entertainment spaces this home offers.

• For $325,000, buy this charming two-story home at 22010 US Highway 6, featuring 4 bedrooms and 2 baths across 3,008 sqft of living space. Built in 1900 and resting on a spacious 2-acre lot, this home blends historical architecture with modern amenities, including over three window/wall cooling units, steam heating, and a fireplace in the master bedroom. Outdoors, the property boasts vinyl siding, an asphalt roof, and a generous asphalt driveway leading to ample parking. This residence promises a blend of classic charm and contemporary comfort, perfect for anyone looking to settle in a serene area.

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• Four juveniles were arrested early this morning for allegedly throwing  bricks from the roof of a hardware store, causing significant damage to parked cars on East Main Street in Lasalle.

• Illinois’ tax rates for gasoline and diesel fuel will increase Monday as the Land of Lincoln enters a new fiscal year. The state’s gas tax is already higher than Missouri’s and many other states’.

• The Tiskilwa Community Association is hosting the Pow Wow Days 2024 5K Run/Walk on August 3rd. The event will start at 8 AM at East Park, Tiskilwa, and participants are encouraged to pre-register using this link.

At Liberty Square in Walnut

• Route 38 performs country and classic rock on July 3 at 6 PM.

• Angelina Chavez performs 90’s Pop/Country/Rock on July 17 at 6 PM at the Danielle Wallace Memorial Concert & ALS TDI Fundraiser.

🤝HELP WANTED

Dauber Company, a manufacturer of high-quality silicon carbide products, is family-owned and operated and is located in Tonica, Illinois.

We are hiring experienced maintenance workers starting at $32/hr, entry-level maintenance workers at $25-31/hr, and laborers starting at $24/hr.

Dauber Company offers paid holidays and vacation, 100% free medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401k plan, profit sharing, and advancement opportunities.

Apply by sending an email to [email protected], mailing to 577 N. 18th Rd, Tonica, or calling 815-442-3569, extension *813.

🏷️ GARAGE SALE

• A sale is being held at 306 W. Crown St. in Princeton today from 10am to 6pm. Offerings include Viking memorabilia, jewelry, Wilton cake pans, clothes, toys, antique Aladdin lamps, pictures, bicycles, and more. Additionally, a young entrepreneur, dubbed "Barbie," will be selling pink lemonade and cookies at the event.

Add your garage sale. Email [email protected]

📱SMARTPHONE TRAINING CLASS

A smartphone training class is being offered on Thursday, July 18th, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Bureau County Senior Center, located at 16 W Marion St. This class, hosted by Cricket Wireless of Princeton, is designed to help participants unlock the full potential of their devices. The session will cover a range of essential smartphone skills, including how to navigate the device, install and manage apps, and maximize security and privacy settings. This class is ideal for both beginners and those looking to refresh their knowledge.

Participants are encouraged to bring their smartphones and any questions they may have about their devices. Registration for the class can be completed by calling 815-915-2026 or contacting the Bureau County Senior Center at 815-879-3981. This training opportunity is a great chance for community members to enhance their digital literacy and make the most out of their technology.

🗣️HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS RESHAPING LANGUAGE

The Digital Language Evolution

Social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram have become significant influencers in the way we communicate, bringing about rapid changes in language that reflect both creative innovation and cultural shifts. These platforms encourage concise and impactful communication, often due to character limits or the fleeting nature of the content. As a result, new slang, emojis, and abbreviations have become integral to digital discourse. This evolution is not just about convenience but also about identity, as users create and adopt unique linguistic styles to express affiliation with various cultural, social, or age groups.

The Emergence of Platform-Specific Linguistics

Each social media platform has its own linguistic ecosystem. For instance, Twitter's 280-character limit fosters an environment where hashtags and abbreviated phrases thrive, while TikTok has popularized catchy phrases and hashtags that are often tied to specific challenges or trends. This platform-specific language not only affects how messages are constructed but also influences spoken language, as these terms and phrases spill over into daily conversation. This phenomenon raises questions about the long-term impacts on traditional grammar and syntax, as more people adopt these informal and sometimes grammatically inventive styles in everyday communication.

The Broader Implications of Social Media on Language

The linguistic shifts driven by social media have broader implications, including the way language is taught and learned. Educators are finding that traditional rules of grammar and writing are increasingly challenged by students who are native digital communicators. Moreover, as language evolves, it reflects deeper changes in society, revealing how technology can swiftly reshape fundamental aspects of human interaction. As we continue to navigate this new era, the ongoing study and understanding of these changes will be crucial in bridging generational and cultural gaps in communication.

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].