🎆Fireworks, Vote for Lauren, and Retirements

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Good morning, neighbor. As Jack Handey once wrote: “Do you know what happens when you slice a golf ball in half? Someone gets mad at you. I found this out the hard way.”

Let’s get to it.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
🏷️Garage Sales
🎨Art on the Lawn
🗳️Vote for Lauren, Wes, and Odin
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Openings
📍Outside City Limits
⛪️Princeton Churches
🍋Lemonade Stand Season

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Maria Hartsough, Scott Bickett, Brian Bullington, Jessica Blessman, and Andrew Faber! 🍰

• Join the Princeton Youth Baseball and Softball League for a cookout at Zearing Park today, starting at 5:30 PM until sold out. Enjoy a $4 pork chop sandwich, a $5 sandwich with chips, or get the whole combo with a drink for just $8.

• The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Princeton Park District have collaborated once again to organize a grand Fourth of July celebration marking America's 248th year of independence, set to occur at Zearing Park. This year promises an even more impressive fireworks display and thrilling live entertainment provided by the Bluewater Kings Band.

• Egan Hicks, the principal of Bureau County Special Schools, is retiring after 25 years of dedicated service in the B.E.S.T. Program.

• The City of Princeton extended their congratulations to Tony Clementz for his remarkable 25 years of service to the community.

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⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: Expect rain showers in the morning, clearing up to bright sunshine in the afternoon. The high will be around 81°F with winds from the WNW at 10 to 20 mph. The chance of rain is 60%. The sky will be partly cloudy in the evening. The low will be around 61°F with winds from the W at 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday: The day will be mostly sunny with a few afternoon clouds. The high will be near 79°F, and there could be higher wind gusts with winds from the WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Expect clear skies in the evening with a low around 56°F and winds from the WNW at 10 to 20 mph.

Friday: It will be mostly sunny with a high near 80°F. Winds will be from the WNW at 15 to 25 mph. The evening will see a few clouds from time to time. The low will be around 56°F with winds from the WNW at 10 to 15 mph.

Pollen count:

• Wednesday: A significant drop in pollen levels to 2.4, which is in the low-medium range, likely due to the rain showers forecasted for that morning.

• Thursday: Pollen levels rise back to high at 8.0.

• Friday: The highest pollen levels for the week at 8.2.

• Saturday: Pollen levels slightly reduce but remain high at 7.5.

This forecast indicates that Wednesday will offer some relief for allergy sufferers, possibly due to the clearing effects of rain, but other days show consistently high pollen levels.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.49
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.56
Casey’s West/North: $3.59
Beck’s West/North: $3.59
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.59
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.59

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce wants you to know about their Gift Card Program, with cards available in $5, $10, and $20 increments, purchasable at the Chamber office inside the Prouty-Zearing Community Building. In 2023 alone, $42,475 worth of these cards were bought, significantly supporting local businesses. These cards, which never expire, are touted as ideal for last-minute gifts and ensure that spending remains within the local community.

• The Second Story Teen Center is seeking donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, socks, ramen soups, Chef Boyardee ravioli, and Kraft Mac & Cheese to support their pantry. Please drop your donations off at Johnson’s Carpet Shoppe.

• Catch Pat Owen Leary live at the Barrel Society this Saturday, June 8th at 7 PM for an evening of great music and vibes. They are hosting June Trivia Nights on Tuesday, June 4th, and Tuesday, June 25th, both starting at 7 PM. The events will take place at the Philly Factory, and a food truck will be available on both nights.

• Paisano's Ristorante introduced June's pizza of the month, "The Sloppy Joe," featuring a sweet Sloppy Joe sauce base, hearty Sloppy Joe mix with ground beef and fresh veggies, topped with mozzarella and pickles, available now.

• Join Cafe Grace for a special Father's Day Buffet featuring a delicious selection including scrambled eggs, ham & cheese scramble, bacon, sausage, caramel pecan French toast, and more. Enjoy hearty dishes such as biscuits & gravy, fried chicken, steak tips, smoked BBQ pork, and dinner rolls with cinnamon butter. Celebrate dad with a memorable meal and a warm atmosphere at Cafe Grace.

• Golden Rice Authentic Thai Food announces this week's schedule: open Tuesday to Thursday from June 4 to June 6, serving lunch from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM and dinner from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Please note, Mango and Sticky Rice will not be available.

• Bailey Carrington is offering babysitting services for children ages 0-8 in the Bureau county area. Available weekdays from 5-9 PM and any time on weekends during the summer, Bailey is certified in babysitting, CPR, and has basic first aid knowledge. Please message at least a week in advance to confirm availability.

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🏷️PRINCETON GARAGE SALES

• A huge multifamily garage sale is happening on Friday and Saturday, June 7th and 8th, from 9 AM to 4 PM at 203 Park Ave East in Princeton. The sale features a variety of items including furniture, holiday decor, home goods, collectibles, girls/women's/young men's clothing, yard tools, and many other useful things. Everyone is invited to come and find some great deals on a wide range of products.

• A garage sale will be held on June 14th from 9 AM to 4 PM and June 15th from 9 AM to 2 PM at 722 N. Linn St in Princeton. Items for sale include a Craftsman Band Saw, numerous tools, a recliner, teen homecoming dresses, plus-size women's clothes, home decor, and women's shoes.

• A substantial garage sale will take place at 576 Boyd Ave, Greencroft from June 13-15, with hours extending from 10am-6pm on Thursday, 9am-4pm on Friday, and 9am-2pm on Saturday. Items for sale include a wide range of home and wall decor, an electric lawn mower, various dishes, plenty of furniture, a 32" TV, and Christmas decorations. Additionally, there will be records, girls' clothing ranging from 3 months to size 8, fine glassware, tools, books, medical items, and much more.

• More in Bureau County is hosting a county-wide garage sale event on Father's Day weekend, June 14 and 15. This year, the event extends beyond its traditional Route 34 location, inviting the entire community to participate. Residents who wish to have their garage sales listed or who seek more information about participating venues can contact [email protected]. Sale details will be included in a printed directory available to all shoppers during the event.

Add your garage sale to the list — email: [email protected]

🎨ART ON THE LAWN

The Prairie Arts Council invites you to a delightful day at the "Art on the Lawn" event on June 8th from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Prairie Arts Center Lawn. Immerse yourself in the creativity and talent of local artists as they showcase their work in an open-air setting. Enjoy Didough's Pretzels and explore unique pieces of art to take home. Featured artists include Mike Vaughn, Sue Garvin, Collette Yelm, Ava Morton, Mary LaFrenz, Mark Warren, Judith Gosse, Meadows on Main, and more. You can also participate in painting your own pottery with The Knack. This event is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts.

🗳️VOTE FOR LAUREN, WES, AND ODIN

Vote “Lo” cal for Outdoorsy’s “Best Summer Job” national contest to spend 30 days traveling by RV and documenting her family’s journey along the way.

Prior to having her four-year-old son, Lauren Holschbach-Sweeney and her husband Wes bicycle-toured to and through all forty-eight lower states. Their best memories as a family of three are spending time outdoors and adventuring together.

The top six finalists depend solely on the number of votes - you can vote once every twenty-four hours. Voting ends on June fifteenth.

Vote for PHS graduate Lauren Holschbach-Sweeney and her family!

👷‍♂️PRINCETON JOB OPPORTUNITY

Bureau County Senior Citizens Association

📋Information and Assistance Coordinator

They are looking for an experienced Information and Assistance Coordinator with expertise in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. This full-time position requires someone who can work well with the senior population and is proficient in office settings. Key qualifications include organizational skills, and knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel is a plus. The position offers a Monday through Friday schedule, 8 AM to 4 PM, with paid holidays, and a 401K with a match and vacation. Please note that this position does not offer insurance.

🍽️Congregate Meal/Activities Coordinator

Join the team as a Congregate Meal/Activities Coordinator! They need a creative individual who can drive IDOT vehicles and has basic computer knowledge. The ideal candidate will work well with seniors, handle multi-tasking efficiently, and be willing to pass the Food Sanitation Managers course.

For both positions, send your resume to:

Denise Ihrig, Director
Bureau County Senior Citizens Association
16 W. Marion St., Princeton, IL 61356
Email: [email protected]

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

The Antique Train Ride event in Sheffield is on Sunday, June 9th.

• Rides will depart at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 12:00 PM from the Sheffield Main Street crossing.

• Tickets are $15 each, with kids 2 and under riding free on an adult's lap.

• Proceeds benefit the Sheffield Fire Department and Sheffield Historical Society; tickets can be purchased by calling or visiting the Historical Society.

The WBC Food Pantry Food Truck will be in Buda on June 11th from 4 PM to 7 PM at Main Street.

• The menu includes ribeye sandwiches ($8), pork chop sandwiches ($4), pork burgers ($4), and hot dogs ($4), with drinks and chips available for $1 each.

• All proceeds from the event will go to the Western Bureau County Food Pantry in Sheffield.

• An ice cream social will also be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the food pantry.

Get ready for an exciting start to the summer music series with Chris Blum in downtown Walnut! Bring your chairs, fill the lawn, and enjoy a free night of entertainment featuring acoustic versions of hits from the 90s by artists like Oasis, Poison, and the Goo Goo Dolls today at 6 PM.

Here are some family events happening this summer:

• June 21: Rock Falls Summer Splash in Rock Falls from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

• July 5: Petunia Festival Family Fun Night in Dixon from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• July 13: Bumps, Babies, & Toddlers Resource Fair at Dixon Park District Facility from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

• July 26: Ptown Proud Back to School Bash in Prophetstown from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• August 2: Hot Dog Days in Sterling from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Forreston Sauerkraut Days in Forreston from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

• August 10: Back to School Bash (PreK - Third Grade) at Wooden Wonderland Park in Dixon from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

🤝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.

⛪️CHURCHES

Vacation Bible Schools

• Princeton Bible Church | June 9th-13th | 6-8:30pm | Sign Up Here

• First Lutheran Church | July 14-18 | 5:00-7:30pm |  815-875-1685

• Evangelical Covenant Church | June 10th-14th | 9-11:30am | Sign Up Here

• Bureau Township Community Church | July 8th-12th | 6pm | Website 

• Princeton First United Methodist Church | July 8th-11th | 6pm | Sign Up

• Tiskilwa Community Church | June 24th-28th | 6pm | Sign Up: 815-878-4763

The Bureau County Food Pantry, in collaboration with the Old Wheels Club and 1st Lutheran Church, is hosting a Mobile Food Pantry event at the Bureau County Fairgrounds on Thursday, June 27th, starting at 10:00 a.m., with registration at 9:15 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring laundry baskets for food collection, and the distribution will be conducted indoors for comfort and accessibility. The event is supported by volunteers, and further details, including a map of local food pantries, can be found on the River Bend Food Bank website.

Princeton First United Methodist Church is saying farewell to Reverend Ryan Sutton, who has served for the past five years. His final services will be on Saturday, June 15 at 5:30 PM with a reception to follow, and Sunday, June 16 at 9:00 AM with a reception to follow. The public is invited to attend and thank him as he relocates to Roscoe United Methodist Church.

The Covered Bridge Quilter’s Guild will hold the monthly meeting on Thursday, June 6^th at 6:30 pm at the New Hope Church of the Nazarene, 30 N. Sixth St. in Princeton, IL. The program this month will be “What I Learned from Finished My Quilt Top” presented by Guild member Mary Serafini.  During this presentation, Serafini will explain what she has learned over the years when faced with stains on the quilt top, puckered seams or uneven edges, to name a few issues. Guests are encouraged and always welcome at guild meetings.  There is a $5.00 guest fee which can be applied to the guild membership fee if you join the night of the meeting.  We are always looking for new members and anyone interested in joining the guild may do so for an annual membership fee of $24.00.  If you quilt, if you sew, or if you would like to learn something new, please join us!  The monthly open sew will not take place prior to the  June meeting. For more information, please contact one of our co-coordinators, Mary Serafini at 815-339-2171 or Cindy Smith at 573-603-4234..

Add your church to the list — email: [email protected]

🍋LEMONADE STAND SEASON

Is your family planning a lemonade stand this summer?

Need help getting the word out?

Email or Facebook message me your date and address and let me help you sell some of that sweet, cold lemonade to the city of Princeton.

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