🌱A Grand Opening, Lion’s Den, and Sundaes

SPONSORED BY

Good morning, Princeton. Especially Eli VanAutreve for absolutely crushing it this week at the firefighter challenge race. Clocking in at a blistering 1:37, Eli has punched his ticket to the prestigious Lion’s Den club. And let me tell you, that's no small feat. To get into the Lions Den, you've gotta blaze through the course in under 1:40. There’s a reason they call it the toughest two minutes in sports!

Let’s roll.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
✅Places to Go Today
⛪️Princeton Churches
🏠Home For Sale
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
⛵️Princeton People of the Week
🏷️Garage Sales
💼Princeton Businesses
🔗Top Links of the Week
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Openings
📍Outside City Limits
🧭From Princeton Tourism
🤝Let’s Be Friends
🦸‍♀️Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Princeton Firefighter, Eli VanAutreve, who recently became a member of “The Lion’s Den”: “It has always been a dream of mine to become a member of this elite group of firefighters. I put everything I had into this for the past 2-3 years and it paid off. I learned so much along the journey to this achievement. Thank you to everyone who supported me and for all the kind words. Special shoutout to my wife for supporting me along the way and for making this sweet video of my lions den run!”

• Celebrate the 4th of July at Zearing Park with an exciting Independence Day event organized by the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Princeton Park District. Enjoy food from local vendors like Farmer Smoked BBQ and Maria's Pizza, live music by the Bluewater Kings Band from 6-9 PM, and a spectacular fireworks display at dusk. Join the community for a day full of food, fun, and fireworks—see you at Zearing Park!

• Princeton NOW Premium subscribers now receive:

  🚫Ad free

  ❤️Local Obituaries

  🚔Arrests

  🏡Property Transfers

  🔍Health Department Food Inspections

  💍Marriages

  🏛️Board and City Council Meeting Summaries

  ⏫Upgrade your newsletter today and join 162 others.

• True Leaves Bookshop is celebrating its relocation with a grand opening today, from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, at 15 Park Avenue W. The event will feature a sound bath, giveaways, book signings by local authors Grace McCormick and Jannifer Powelson, and poetry readings, alongside refreshments and activities like yoga and a farmers' market in the park across the street.

• Order your concert tickets now to see Mitchell Tenpenny with special guest Lauren Alaina at the Bureau County Fair. Enjoy the show from the Diamond Club, which includes parking, concert admission, food, drinks, and more. This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses or groups of family and friends. For more information, please email [email protected].

🏠HOME FOR SALE

The property at 710 E. Central is listed for sale at $229,900 and boasts a single-owner brick ranch on a generously sized 100x144 lot. It features three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, with an inviting eat-in kitchen and a laundry room, both finished with practical wood flooring. The home includes a dining room, living room, and family room, the latter of which opens onto a pleasant patio through sliding glass doors. Amenities include a two-car attached garage, central air conditioning, and efficient electric baseboard heating, ensuring the home is comfortable throughout the year. This property has been meticulously maintained and is move-in ready.

An open house is scheduled for today from 1-3 PM, where all offers will be considered.

For more information or to contact the seller, call: 608-347-0437

✅PLACES TO GO TODAY

• Don't miss the Farmers Market today at Soldiers and Sailors Park, from 8:30am-1pm. Enjoy a variety of fresh veggies, vibrant colored popcorn, and fluffy cotton candy. Plus, there will be a wide selection of other local treats and crafts for the whole family to enjoy.

• The Chelsea Gives Back & Bean Buzz Fundraiser is happening today from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Bean Buzz, located at 130 N Main St. This public event aims to support the 4th Annual Chelsea Gives Back Secret Santa Givings.

• The Car Show by Motor Mob Car Club is happening tomorrow at 9 AM at the Princeton Moose Lodge. AMC Sound DJ will provide music, Scooters Coffee will offer drinks, and the Moose will prepare food. The show starts at 9 AM with trophies awarded at 1 PM.

• Meet a Nile Monitor, hosted by Boek-el-ZOO. It will take place today from 12 PM to 3 PM at 419 S Main. Brekin will provide information about these interesting animals, showing a small one upfront and Walter in his habitat. Additionally, his sister will run a lemonade stand with proceeds going to St. Jude.

• Zack Fedor will be performing live at Barrel Society today at 7 PM. There is no cover charge for this event. Attendees can expect a night of great live music, cocktails, and a fun time with friends

⛪️PRINCETON CHURCHES

• Seatonville Community Church: The Seatonville Community Church invites everyone to Sundae Sunday on Sunday, June 30 from 4 - 6 pm. Bring the entire family for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship.  Free Chicago-style hot dogs, ice cream sundaes, banana splits, and root beer floats will be served. There will also be multiple games and face painting for kids. The church is located on Route 6 on the west edge of Seatonville. For more information, call the church at 815-894-2697.

• Princeton Bible Church is celebrating their 60th anniversary and would love for you to join in the fun and fellowship on July 7th. The day will begin with coffee and donuts at 8:30am, a full morning of worship, and lunch to follow. There will be a special program at 1pm, and then games afterward. We’d love to see you there. Jeopardy will be hosted by yours truly!

• St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church on the Hill is hosting the John Linker Organ Concert on Sunday, July 14, at 1:30 PM. John Linker, a former member of the Church on the Hill and current director of music at ChristChurch Cathedral in New Zealand, will entertain the audience with his performance. A free-will offering will be collected, with proceeds going to a local charity yet to be determined. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall following the concert.

⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: The day starts with cloudy skies, gradually clearing up in the afternoon. There's a chance of a stray shower or thunderstorm. The high will reach 87°F, with west winds at 10 to 20 mph. The evening will clear up to mostly clear skies with a low around 56°F and northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday: A pleasant day with sunny skies throughout. Expect a high of 74°F with north-northeast winds at 10 to 15 mph. The night will remain clear with a low near 50°F, and east-northeast winds at 5 to 10 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy skies with a high near 76°F. Winds from the east-southeast at 5 to 10 mph. The evening will see a few clouds with a low of 63°F and southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph.

Enjoy the mostly clear and sunny weekend transitioning into a slightly warmer but still pleasant Monday!

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.59
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.57
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

⛵️PRINCETON PEOPLE OF THE WEEK

🏅Tim and Tammy Sayler

Reason for Nomination: “The Saylers work full-time, own a business (where you can get awesome Princeton merch), and still find time to coach youth sports, giving back to the community. They are some of the nicest people you'll meet!“

Couldn’t agree more, Tim and Tammy. Way to go! You’ve won the illustrious Princeton People of the Week.

Okay, everyone. It’s time for you to nominate someone for next week’s Princeton Person of the Week here.

🏷️GARAGE SALES

• There will be a garage sale today from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. The sale will feature kitchen appliances, kitchenware, gaming items, toys, books, DVDs, shelves, wall and Christmas decor, angel decor shot glasses, an air hockey table, a sound bar, clothing, and much more. If it rains in the morning on Saturday, the sale will open after the rain ends.

• Today, the community is invited to a garage sale at 444 Park Ave. E., from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The sale features a variety of items including children's clothing, toys, books, and household essentials such as a microwave and coffee maker. Additionally, attendees can enjoy a bake sale and a live music concert performed by the children.

• There will be a multi-family sale at 240 S State Street, Tiskilwa today from 8 AM to 5 PM. The sale promises something for everyone.

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

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Niel & Shorty's BBQ Company has introduced smoked gyros to their menu, featuring smoked gyro meat on a pita topped with onions, tomatoes, and a side of homemade tzatziki sauce. Available for dinner from 4-8 PM, call 815-303-6435 for carryout.

• Sayler's General Store has just received a fresh delivery of Miss Paula's Pure Honey, now available for purchase. This local honey, celebrated for its quality and natural flavor, comes in three-pound bottles, perfect for sweetening your dishes and beverages.

• Neighborhood Ace Hardware is now stocking Deer Candy from The Seed House LLC, Tiskilwa, perfect for local wildlife enthusiasts. They also offer an 18-pound Foragers Mix for $49.99 and Frost Buster late season forage for $35.99, catering to all your wildlife feeding needs. Check out these field-tested and hunter-approved products at your local Ace Hardware.

• Princeton Chevrolet GMC is excited to showcase the new body style of the GMC Acadia Denali now available on their lot, featuring three rows of premium seating and a high-tech cabin. For more details or to schedule a test drive, please call 815-875-4411.

• Boek-el-ZOO is now offering quail eggs, a versatile and high-protein food source for pets or as a gourmet addition to your diet. Partnering with Saratoga Homestead, Bethany will be delivering flats of 24 quail eggs, available for pre-order at $12 per flat or 50 cents individually. Make sure to pre-order for availability and check out the promotions linked to their Frequent Feeder Friday cards.

• Elevate your bath experience with Rachel Rene's premium Bath Bombs. These bath bombs are enriched with olive oil and shea butter, leaving your skin conditioned and silky smooth without needing lotion after your bath. Visit their store between 10 am to 5 pm or shop online at Rachel Rene's website to browse their collection.

• Barker Farm offers a vital community resource to combat food insecurity by providing free food to those in need. Contact Kathy at [email protected] or visit www.BarkerFarm.org to learn more about their program or to set up a time to receive assistance. Barker Farm is dedicated to "Growing Food So All May Eat," ensuring everyone has access to fresh, nutritious produce.

• Play It Forward Counseling has summer openings available and is ready to help you. For more information about their services, visit playitforwardcounseling.com.

✉️NEW SUBSCRIBER?

You have access to all previous newsletters: click here to read them.

👉Please, please, please make sure to add the Princeton NOW newsletter email address as a “contact,” “VIP,” or “Whitelist” in your email service. This will prevent it from going to spam or bouncing.

🔗TOP LINKS THIS WEEK

• Princeton Tiger Senior Noah LaPorte officially committed to play football at Northwestern. QC News: “They’ve been reaching out to me showing how much they care,” he said. “The tight end coach calling me every day or every other day showing me how much they care and how much they want me in their program.”

• Kevin Hieronymus posted this cool video yesterday: Clips from "FIVE PM LIVE Celebrate the QCA" live in Princeton, Illinois. See anyone you know? I, incidentally, was not born yet.

• 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.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has 29 openings for Soil Conservationists across Illinois. Positions are available in various locations including Rockford, Princeton, and Champaign. Interested candidates can apply through the provided link at USA Jobs. This is a great opportunity to help conserve soil and water resources in Illinois.

• KS Lawn and Snow LLC is currently hiring and looking for a dedicated, hardworking individual with prior lawn care experience. Applicants must possess a valid driver's license to qualify. The company offers competitive wages and reasonably flexible hours, making it an excellent opportunity for those seeking employment in this field. Interested candidates should reach out directly at (815) 878-6126 to inquire further or apply.

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• The Psycho Silo Saloon is hosting a few more bands this month. Upcoming musical acts include Forced Country playing today from 1-5 pm, Trippin Molly from 7-11 pm, and Boomstick tomorrow from 1-5 pm.

• The Sheffield Summer Festival will continue on today with a children's parade at 12 PM and Millers Petting Zoo from 12 PM to 5 PM. The carnival runs from 1 PM to closing, with armbands available for $25 per person from 1 PM to 4 PM. Live music will feature King Jeremy from 8 PM to 10 PM. On Sunday, June 30, there are no specific events listed, but the festival grounds will remain open for attendees.

• A Euchre tournament will be held at Wyanet Beer Garden on Saturday, July 13th. Sign-up is at 2 PM, and the tournament starts at 2:30 PM, with a $10 entry fee and 100% payout. A $500 bonus, sponsored by Sock's Place, will be added to the pot.

🤝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.

🧭FROM PRINCETON TOURISM

The "Down on Main" Summer Street Concerts in Princeton feature live music starting at 6 PM, with food trucks and fun beginning at 5 PM. Here are the highlights and additional activities:

• July 12: Mike & Joe - Midwest's Renowned Cover Band

• August 9: Dillon Carmichael - Top Hit Country Artist

• September 5: World Turning Band - A Fleetwood Mac Tribute

• October 5: MacKenzie Porter - Country Singer/Songwriter

Additional Summer Activities:

• June 22 - August 4: Festival 56 Summer Season

• July 4: Bluewater Kings Band

• August 22: Bureau County Fair, Mitchell Tenpenny with special guest Lauren Alaina

• September 6: Homestead Festival, Dylan Schneider

• September 7: Homestead Festival, Wall of Denial - Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute

🤝LET’S BE FRIENDS, AT THE FREEDOM HOUSE

Freedom House invites young learners to its "Let's be Friends!" event, designed to teach children ages 6 and up the importance of building lasting friendships. The sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, July 24 at 544 Tenney Street, Kewanee, and Friday, August 9 at 446 Elm Place, Princeton, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy the featured film "Big Hero 6" and will be provided with lunch and snacks. To reserve a spot, please contact Nicole Frank at (815) 872-0087. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity for children to learn about friendship through interactive and engaging activities!

🦸‍♀️LETTER FROM LORI

Challenges. We all have them. Some are bigger than others. Some seem bigger than others. How do you face the ones in your life? The small ones, like spilling soda on the kitchen floor, are easily conquered... on most days. On good days, I grab a mop or paper towel, channel my inner Hazel, and clean it up lickety-split.

On good days.

On not-so-good days, that spilled Fanta can send me into a puddle of tears that rivals the volume of that sticky, carbonated demon which has now ruined the rest of my hours of awake time.

On good days, I feel like a superhero, able to smile with my chest sticking out, cape flapping in the breeze, full of confidence and lacking any fear that I will be able to leap over buildings in a single bound, or rip the jawbone from a lion, or emerge from a burning building, a puppy and a small child under each arm, to the sound of applause and admiration from adoring onlookers.

On good days.

On bad days, I cry and feel defeated when I try unsuccessfully to get my socks on correctly, or find a lost earring. On bad days, when the pot on the stove boils over, so do I.

So, how does one defeat their demons? How do we face our fears, our doubts, our worries? I wish I knew. At this point in my writing, I want to interject some lengthy, sage wisdom that would lift the 4,000-pound weight from your shoulders so you can always walk tall, straight, and confidently through your life. On a good day, I might have more to offer.

But today, I only have one word.

God.

I'm not a preacher. I don't shove my faith on others. I just know what has worked for me and try to offer that insight. For those who see me standing on the mountaintop with my face to the breeze, please know that I got there because I believed I could. I trusted and had faith, and was able to climb despite my arthritis and bad hip.

For those who have seen me lying on the floor in the fetal position, lacking the strength to lift my head or even open my eyes at times, please know that the reason I was able to rise again (and maybe even climb a small hill later in the day) was the reassurance I got from my cheerleading squad, who I believe was put in my path by God.

My mother, wise woman that she was, and my biggest cheerleader, told me once that she would always be there for me. As she was being frisked by a burly corrections officer to attend my prison wedding (this is true... too wild to be a fabricated story), I questioned her dedication as she was born and bred a 'lady,' and this was obviously way outside her comfort zone. She took my face in her hands, looked me in the eyes, and said, "If this all works out, I want to be here to share your joy. If it doesn't, I want to be here to hug you and help ease your pain."

So, today, whether it's a good day or a bad day, know there is someone who wants to share in your rejoicing or offer a shoulder to cry on. If you can't find that in God, I pray you can find it in a person who shares my mother's philosophy.

So, from me, hugs either way.

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

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].