🥧Faith’s Fabulous Treats, Myrtle’s Pies, and Park Tavern

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Good morning, Princeton. Faith’s Fabulous Treats is open, offering everything from burgers to dipped cones, just in case your New Year’s resolutions needed a final blow. Myrtle’s Pies released a strawberry marshmallow flavor, which is either dessert or a legally gray area in the candy industry. And Park Tavern dropped their April menu, which includes enough comfort food to make your Fitbit quietly weep.

Let’s get to it.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🗳️Elections Update
🗓️Upcoming Events
☀️Princeton Weather
🚨Volunteers Needed
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Opportunities
💼Princeton Businesses
🎡Kidbucks Game Show
💭Remember in Princeton
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
🌳Ticks are Active

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Shaun Bullington, Jordan Kunkel, Jordan Wetsel, and Mason Hunt! 🎂

• The PROMise Sale at Princeton First United Methodist Church will be held April 5–6 from 12:00 to 4:00. Hundreds of dresses in every color and style are available for $50 or less.

• The Rotary Club of Princeton invites kids ages 0–10 to their Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 at 10:30 a.m. in Soldiers & Sailors Park. Photos with the Easter Bunny will be available from 10–11 a.m.

• The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce invites the public to its Annual Meeting Luncheon & Awards on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Bureau County Metro Center. Tickets are $25 each or $150 for a table sponsorship including six seats, and lunch will be catered by Rossy’s BBQ Joint.

• Princeton Elementary School District 115 is hiring a special education teacher for Jefferson Elementary for the 2025–2026 school year. Interested applicants should contact Principal Megan Doty at [email protected].

• The Bureau County Farm Bureau is accepting applications for the IVET loan program, offering up to $40,000 to vet students focused on food animals, with no interest while in school. Applications are due by May 15, and interviews will be held in June.

• The Bureau County Fair reminds the public that tickets are on sale now for Trace Adkins’ “Somewhere in America” tour, featuring special guest Brushville. The concert is set for August 21, 2025.

• Princeton Youth Baseball and Softball League reminds families that online registration for T-ball is open until April 30, 2025. Sign up now to get your child ready for the season. I signed up my preschooler, John, and whoo boy this Summer will be entertaining.

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🗳️ELECTIONS UPDATE

Voters across Bureau County are making key decisions as the consolidated election continues on April 1, 2025, with participation from city, village, and township residents. In Princeton, early results show Donald P. Saletzki leading the City Council race with 36.26% of the vote, followed by Michael McCall with 32.72% and Martin T. Makransky with 31.02%. Voter turnout remains low at 13.2%, consistent with trends across the county.

Republican candidates are leading in the Princeton Township races. Joseph R. Birkey holds the lead for Supervisor with 702 votes, Christine Lucas is ahead in the Clerk race with 682, and Lisa Sims leads for Assessor with 665. Eric Balensiefen is running unopposed for Highway Commissioner and currently has 670 votes. The trustee race is tight: Scott C. Smith (603), Scott Piper (598), Kyle Castner (575), and James Gassen (506) are currently in position to win the four seats, each with over 22% of the vote.

In school board races, Princeton Elementary voters are choosing between Catherine Dye (35.08%), Julie Hepton Nelson (33.29%), and Blake Jacobs (31.63%)—all three expected to secure seats. At Princeton High School District No. 500, Colleen Sailer holds a narrow lead over Jenica Cole, 998 to 966 votes (50.81% to 49.19%), in a closely watched contest.

The referendum to deactivate Ohio Community High School District No. 505 has failed, with 62.09% of voters rejecting the measure (172 “No” votes to 105 “Yes”). Turnout for the referendum is notably high at 58.9%.

In village elections, uncontested races are seeing expected outcomes: Ryan Rosenthal (Walnut), Steven Stouffer (La Moille), and David Walters (Dover) are all leading for Village President. In Wyanet, James Blanford leads with 76.52% of the vote over Cordell Wedekind. In Ladd, Bernard “Bernie” Victor is ahead in the trustee race with 35.14%, while Frank Cattani (President) and Rhonda Bezely (Clerk) are unopposed and set to win.

Other contested trustee races include Daniel Acker leading in Tiskilwa with 40.45%. In Walnut, Brian Smith and Brian Stull are currently tied with 103 votes each. Voter turnout continues to vary widely—just 16 ballots have been cast in Dover, while La Moille has reported a much higher turnout at 37.5%.

Click here to see more election results. The election will be final April 15th.

🗓️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

🎨 “Hippity Hoppity Easter” Paint Night – A spring-themed paint night with snacks and a cash bar at Downtown Pub & Event Center on Thursday, April 3, starting at 6 PM. Paint supplies provided; limited seating available.

🐣 Easter Egg Hunt at Liberty Village of Princeton – Join the fun at Liberty Village of Princeton on Saturday, April 5, at 10 AM for an annual Easter egg hunt.

🐀 Werewolf Rats at Boek-el-ZOO – Meet the zoo’s new rat colony at Boek-el-ZOO, 419 S Main St, on Saturday from 12–3 PM. Kids under 10 get a free scoop at Sisler’s Ice Cream next door.

🎸 Burn N’ Bush at The Hawg House – Live music and drinks at Hawg House Saloon on Saturday, April 5, from 3-6 PM.

🎭PHS’s performances of Cinderella will be on Friday, April 4, at 7 pm, and Sunday, April 6, at 2 pm in Sally Skinner Auditorium at Princeton High School. Tickets may be reserved via links at www.phs-il.org.

🛍️ Craft & Vendor Show & Flea Market – A sale just in time for Easter with crafters and flea market vendors at 811 W Peru St, Princeton on Saturday, April 12, from 3 AM–8 AM.

🧀 Grand Opening of The Gamers Guild Lounge – Free play day with VR, board games, pizza, and drinks at The Gamers Guild Lounge on Saturday, April 12, from 1–9 PM. First come, first served.

🥚 Adult Easter Egg Hunt at Barrel Society – A 21+ Easter egg hunt with candy and prize-filled eggs at Barrel Society on Saturday, April 19. Hunt begins at 12 PM sharp. No cost to participate—drinks available for purchase.

🐾 Up Dog at Princeton Animal Care Clinic – A weekend of agility games behind the Princeton Animal Care Clinic from Friday to Sunday, April 25–27. Select games Friday between 3:30 and 6:30 PM; full runs Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM–5 PM or sunset.

🏍️ Princeton Swap Meet – A marketplace for motorcycle enthusiasts at Bureau County Fairgrounds on Sunday, May 4, from 8 AM-2 PM. Admission $10.

🎸 Sweetwater at The Hawg House Saloon – Celebrate Memorial Day Sunday with live music at Hawg House Saloon on Sunday, May 25, from 3-7 PM.

🌳 Homestead Lawn Event – A community event at Owen Lovejoy Homestead on Saturday, June 14, from 5-7 PM to raise funds and celebrate local traditions.

🏠 Annual Covenant Children’s Home Reunion – A gathering for past residents, staff, and volunteers at Simon Conference Center on Saturday, June 28, from 10 AM-4 PM. Donations welcome.

🚨VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

These Full Scale Exercises are very important because they give first responders the opportunity to train and learn during the exercises to help them during real life events.

Use the QR code here

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Today: A few passing clouds are expected throughout the day, with a high temperature of 58°F. Winds will come from the south-southwest at 10 to 20 mph. During the night, skies remain partly cloudy with a low around 40°F. Winds will shift slightly from the south at 10 to 20 mph.

☁️Friday: The day will be cloudy with occasional afternoon showers and a high near 56°F. Winds from the east-northeast will range from 10 to 20 mph, and there’s a 40% chance of rain. Overnight, scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible, with a low of 41°F. Winds turn west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph and the chance of rain drops slightly to 30%.

☁️Saturday: Expect cloudy skies with a few showers and a high of 54°F. Winds will come from the north-northwest at 10 to 20 mph. At night, scattered showers remain possible with a low of 33°F. Winds will shift north at 5 to 10 mph.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.43
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.46
Casey’s West/North: $3.49
Beck’s West/North: $3.49
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.49
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.49

👷‍♂️PRINCETON JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Dimond Bros Insurance in Princeton is hiring a full-time Client Relations Representative, paying $15–$17 per hour. The role involves handling customer service inquiries and complaints over the phone, requiring strong phone, communication, and organizational skills. Key traits include empathy, active listening, and the ability to manage multi-line phone systems. Benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance, 401(k) with matching, paid time off, and on-the-job training.

• Princeton High School is hiring a full-time paraprofessional to support its Special Education Alternative Program. The position pays from $15 an hour and requires 30 to 40 hours of work per week, Monday through Friday. Responsibilities include assisting with individualized education plans (IEPs), adapting lesson materials, and supporting students’ academic and behavioral needs. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and either hold or be able to obtain a paraprofessional license. Preferred candidates will have experience with diverse learners, particularly in special education settings, and demonstrate strong communication and problem-solving skills.

• Four Seasons Women’s Apparel is hiring a part-time Retail Associate starting at $15 an hour. Shifts are short and flexible, including after school, lunch coverage, weekdays, and Saturdays—never Sundays or major holidays. The position offers 10–15 hours per week, competitive pay, and a 25% merchandise discount. Benefits include 401(k), paid time off, a flexible schedule, and an employee/store discount.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Faith’s Fabulous Treats has just opened at the former Grandma Rosie’s location at 920 W. Peru St. in Princeton. They serve a full menu of ice cream treats like shakes, cones, sundaes, specialty parfaits, and dipped cones, alongside a variety of hot food including pulled pork, burgers, brat patties, fried mushrooms, mini tacos, and more. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Delivery is available, and you can call 815-719-6710 to place an order.

• Barrel Society is welcoming back Naiho’s Eggrolls & More this Saturday from 12–6 p.m. and La Katrina Autentica on Sunday from 12–7 p.m. Enjoy egg rolls, tacos, burritos, and more.

• Rachel Rene is offering nutrient-rich, all-natural face scrubs made with Kaolin clay, grapeseed oil, and guava extract. Two types are available in-store and online.

• The Princeton Closet is running two promos this week: spend $10 and pick a free vase, or grab 12 clothing items for $8 during Basket Days on Friday and Saturday (limit 2 deals per person).

• Park Tavern has shared its updated April 2025 menu, featuring steaks, fried chicken, pasta, burgers, seafood, and more.

• Mavolan’s has Easter basket gift ideas ready to go, from accessories and plush toys to colorful home goods.

• Myrtle’s Pies has a new flavor: fresh strawberry marshmallow. The shop is open with regular hours Thursday through Saturday. Other flavors include root beer float, banana cream, and lemon blueberry.

• Friends of Strays is hosting a trivia night on Saturday, May 31 at Princeton Moose Lodge. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., trivia begins at 6:00 p.m., with food, a live auction, and a magic show by Cory included. $25 per person, teams of 6–8.

• In-Home Care Connection is presenting a public event titled “A Conversation About Prostate Cancer” at Tiskilwa Public Library on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. The session includes guidance on navigating the VA system.

• Buttercream Bake Shop is making fresh, homemade cookies including a new copycat version of Little Debbie Fudge Rounds, which may be added to the farmers market menu this summer.

• Paisano’s Ristorante has announced its April pizza of the month: Taco Pizza. This fan-favorite features taco-seasoned meat, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, chips, and a refried bean salsa base.

• Wild Honey Boutique has restocked popular Kitsch items including spa headbands, weighted eye masks, and more. Shoppers are encouraged to stop in soon as items sell quickly.

• Bureau County Historical Society’s new edition of The Chronicle is now available. Members will receive it by mail, and non-members can purchase it for $5.00 at True Leaves Bookshop.

• Steven Becker from Thrivent reminds everyone that spring is a great time to review financial goals or insurance information. He encourages people to reach out for help or questions and visit thrivent.com/social for disclosures.

• True Leaves Bookshop is reopening its trade-in program for books in excellent condition and has implemented new policies. They now only offer store credit—roughly 50% of their store price—for in-demand titles and no longer pay cash, with the final credit offer being non-negotiable.

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🎡KIDBUCKS GAME SHOW AT THE BUREAU COUNTY FAIR

We are pleased to announce that Kidbucks Game Show will be part of our free entertainment at the 2025 Bureau County Fair. This is a great show that provides fun for the whole family.

Kidbucks Game Show is a thrilling game show where randomly selected members of the audience, participate in wild and crazy games. Unlike many “trivia based” game shows where contestants ring a bell and answer a question, Kidbucks is an “action” based game in which the contestants are competing in clever, creative, challenging and entertaining games of a physical nature. The grand champion enters the Kidbucks chamber and grabs as many “Kidbucks” as possible, as they swirl about the chamber. The bucks are tallied and redeemed for a prize based on how many bucks are collected.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 815-303-8247.

💭REMEMBER IN PRINCETON

🏠PRINCETON HOME FOR SALE

• A 4-bedroom, 2-bath home at 914 S Pleasant St is listed for $29,900. The house offers 1,356 square feet and is priced at $22 per square foot. It is being sold in AS-IS condition and needs significant repairs or a complete rebuild. The location is considered ideal, close to downtown Princeton, making it a potential investment opportunity.

• 22590 1075 North Ave is listed for $245,000. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home has 2,184 square feet and is located in the Lake Arispie community. It features vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, hardwood floors, a master suite with a walk-in closet, and a loft space for an office or play area. The walk-out basement offers storage and access to a fenced backyard extending to the lake inlet.

• 232 N Euclid Ave is listed for $99,900. This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home offers 1,754 square feet of living space and sits on a 10,836 sq ft lot. Built in 1881, the home includes updates like a half bath on the first floor and a privacy-fenced backyard. The home features a new fridge, appliances that stay, and a driveway that runs from the street to the alley. It is being sold AS-IS, with the front porch needing repair and central air needing replacement.

🌳TICKS ARE ACTIVE

Ticks Are Active and Looking for Hosts!

Yesterday afternoon, personnel from the Bureau, Putnam, and Marshall County Health Department collected 11 adult Blacklegged Ticks (also known as Deer Ticks) and 1 American Dog Tick (also known as a Wood Tick) at the Putnam County Conservation District.

Up to 50% of adult Blacklegged Ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease can lead to serious long-term health effects, especially if left untreated.

Tips to Avoid Tick Bites

• Wear light-colored clothing outdoors to easily spot ticks.

• Thoroughly check yourself for ticks after outdoor activities like hunting, hiking, gathering, or gardening. Shower promptly afterward.

• Check children and pets regularly for ticks.

• Apply permethrin to outer clothing (especially shoes and pants). Permethrin is highly effective against ticks and has very low toxicity to humans.

• Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants—ticks crawl up, not down. The longer they’re on clothing, the more likely you are to spot them or for them to be neutralized by permethrin.

• Place clothing and gear in a dryer on high heat for at least 6 minutes after outdoor exposure to kill any ticks.

• Use DEET insect repellent on exposed skin as a secondary line of defense.

• Stay in the center of trails to avoid leaf litter and tall vegetation where ticks are more likely to live.

If You Find a Tick Attached to You

• Remove the tick immediately using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up with steady, even pressure.

• Do not apply heat, Vaseline, or other substances—these can cause the tick to regurgitate bacteria into the host.

• View illustrated instructions here: What to Do in Case of a Tick Bite (PDF)

• Seal the tick in a container and call the Bureau, Putnam, and Marshall County Health Departments at (815) 872-5091. We will identify the tick and discuss any symptoms to watch for.

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