🤲Hands of Hope, a Playoff Win, and Edible Crafts

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Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. Great first round, 3A playoff win last night for our Princeton Tigers, who defeated the Oregon Hawks 40-8. They will play the winner of today’s game between Chicago Marshall and Chicago King.

Let’s go.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
✅Things to Do This Weekend
🏈Tigers Recap
🤲Hands of Hope
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
📍Outside City Limits
👷Princeton Job Opportunities
🎄Christmas Market
🔭A Look Ahead
🧀Fruit, Meat, and Cheese
💤Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday tomorrow, Kenton Glover! 🎁

• Daylight Savings ends tomorrow, with clocks falling back an hour. On Sunday, sunrise will be at 6:36 AM, and sunset will occur at 4:53 PM.

• BCR: CONXXUS has completed a significant $4 million infrastructure upgrade in Princeton, introducing a 100% fiber-optic network to provide high-speed internet with unlimited data, symmetrical upload/download speeds, and around-the-clock customer support. On Thursday, Nov. 7, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Prouty-Zearing Community Building, they will host an event where residents can ask questions, sign up for service, and learn more about CONXXUS’s commitment to investing in the Princeton community.

• RMN: The Illinois Department of Revenue has issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000 for Bureau County in 2024 to ensure uniform property assessments, supporting fair tax distribution among properties. This factor, based on Bureau County assessments at 33.40% of market value over the past three years, remains subject to change following a public hearing and review.

• Support Project Fire Buddy at the Princeton Fire Department by entering a raffle for a Traeger Pro 34 grill, with all proceeds aiding children battling serious illnesses. Tickets are $20 for 5 entries or $50 for 15 entries, and the raffle drawing will take place on November 30th. Donations are accepted via Venmo or checks payable to Princeton L4308.

• On November 9, join Bowling for Veterans at Pin Splitters Lane to support veterans with a day of bowling in a 9 Pin No Tap format. There are three shifts at 1:00 PM, 3:30 PM, and 6:00 PM, and participants can form teams of four. A $20 registration fee applies, and a silent auction will run throughout the event; donations in cash or items are welcome, with contacts Randy Allen (815-878-5781) and Anna Flaig (815-878-3521) available for more information.

• The Princeton Veterans Group, American Legion Post 125 Auxiliary, and Daughters of the American Revolution will host a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park. The event will take place on November 11th at 10:45 AM. Community members are encouraged to attend in honor of local veterans.

• The City of Princeton will remove summer and fall decorations from local cemeteries starting November 15th. Residents are encouraged to collect any decorations they wish to keep before this date. Winter decorations can be placed after November 15th.

• The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce invites local businesses to the final Business After Hours event of 2024 on November 21, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Prouty-Zearing Community Building. The event includes networking, community announcements, refreshments, and a door prize giveaway.

• Save the date! The Z Tour 2025 is officially scheduled for Saturday, June 21st. This annual event promises a scenic and exciting ride, and more details will be shared as the date approaches.

✅THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

🐦The National Modena Pigeon Club 3rd District show will be held at the Bureau County Fairgrounds on November 2 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, free to the public. This event showcases a variety of Modena pigeons and offers a unique experience for bird enthusiasts.

🐹Boek-el-ZOO is hosting an Edible Craft event today from 12:00 to 3:00 PM, led by Marcia Caldwell, with no age limit for participants. Attendees can enjoy making fun edible treats and have a chance to see the zoo’s newest baby animals.

👩The Bureau County History Center will host historian Jeanne Schultz Angel today at 1 PM at the Prairie Arts Center. Her talk will explore the history of universal suffrage both nationally and in Illinois. This free event offers insights into the challenges behind women’s fight for voting rights and remains relevant to today’s discussions.

💊Today, from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM, Tim Burgess will host a Medicare Supplement Seminar at the Princeton Public Library, offering essential information to address Medicare needs. This program is free and open to everyone.

❓Gateway Services is hosting a Trivia Night tonight at the Princeton Moose Lodge. Doors open at 4:30 PM, and trivia starts at 6 PM, with food available from 5-6 PM and a cash bar. The entry fee is $15 per person, and teams of 8 can compete for cash prizes of $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third.

🏈THE 9-1 PRINCETON TIGERS DEFEAT OREGON 40-8 IN THE FIRST ROUND OF 3A IHSA PLAYOFFS

The Princeton Tigers showcased their playoff prowess with a commanding win over the Oregon Hawks last night. After a scoreless first quarter, Princeton broke through in the second with a 34-yard run by Casey Etheridge, putting the first points on the board. Though the extra point attempt was blocked, the Tigers kept their momentum. Soon after, Lott powered in from a yard out, stretching their lead to 12-0.

Just before halftime, with only eight seconds left, a well-timed defensive timeout by Ryan Pearson set up a thrilling 60-yard touchdown pass from LaPorte. Although the conversion failed, Princeton headed into the break with an 18-0 advantage.

The Tigers didn’t let up in the third quarter. A quick six-play, 60-yard drive ended with Lott’s second one-yard plunge, and with Morris’ PAT, Princeton pushed their lead to 25-0. A fierce defensive effort by LaPorte forced a fumble, recovered on the 5-yard line. Moments later, Christiansen converted, and Princeton surged to a 40-0 lead.

Oregon’s Gavin Morrow managed a late 65-yard touchdown, adding a conversion to avoid the shutout, but the Tigers had already sealed the game. With a final score of 40-8, Princeton notched their seventh straight first-round playoff victory.

They will play the winner of today’s game between Chicago Marshall and Chicago King.

🤲HANDS OF HOPE

Hands of Hope Ugandan Ministry (HOHUM) is currently doing a fundraiser to work towards getting a van for our school over in Uganda. Transportation is difficult/expensive and walking can be dangerous as well as hazardous to their health with the dusty roads. Unfortunately, a couple of our students have had to drop out because of lack of transportation.

This fundraiser is super simple and free. All people have to do is sign into this link and review/survey popular brands they are familiar with.

Choose Hands of Hope from the Dropbox, fill in your information and start surveys. This is a current fundraiser happening right now and goes through November 19th.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Today: A mix of clouds and sun early, turning cloudy later in the day with a slight chance of rain in the evening. High near 64°F with southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph; evening low around 49°F with an 80% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms.

🌧️Sunday: Expect rain with a high of 65°F, and southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph; rain chance is 80%. Evening will remain overcast with showers, a low of 60°F, and a 70% chance of rain.

🌧️Monday: Rain likely with thunderstorms during the day, reaching a high of 69°F and south-southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph; rain chance is 70%. Evening will have considerable cloudiness and occasional showers with a low of 55°F and a 50% chance of rain.

⏰Daylight Savings Ends Tomorrow

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, with clocks falling back an hour. On Sunday, sunrise will be at 6:36 AM, and sunset will occur at 4:53 PM.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.29
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.36
Casey’s West/North: $3.39
Beck’s West/North: $3.39
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.39
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.39

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $2.84

🏆PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

Mary Van Kuelen

Reason for Nomination: “Not only is Mary a business owner on Main Street, where she owns Sophisticuts, but she also founded the Believe Foundation. She helps and supports countless area families who have received the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer. She advocates for them by inviting them to Sophisticuts and providing scarves to wear during chemotherapy. She offers gas cards to help with the financial burden of traveling to and from chemotherapy. She hosts ‘Pink Parties’ to raise money to support these women in their fight. She is currently running a 50/50 raffle to help raise funds. Mary is amazing and deserves to be recognized.”

Congratulations, Mary. You’ve won the 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

• Sisler’s introduced a Shake & Float of the Month, featuring November’s Chai Tea Latte Milkshake with cinnamon ice cream and a Dr. Pepper Float with vanilla ice cream. These monthly specialties are available for a limited time, so grab one while you can.

• Paisano’s Ristorante presented the Mac n Cheese Pizza as November’s pizza of the month, combining creamy mac and cheese with mozzarella and cheddar. Available now from 4:00 to 10:00 PM, this unique pizza promises an extra cheesy experience.

• Dessert Your Loved Ones is now taking Christmas cookie orders with a deadline of November 30. Choose from a selection of cookies and candies, including DIY decorating kits and assorted holiday treats.

• Corner Chair Market highlights a beautiful fall centerpiece on their butcher block table, complemented by a set of four matching chairs. This cozy fall display is perfect for adding seasonal charm to any space.

• Tailholt Trading Post recently added new items to their collection, including unique vintage pieces. Shoppers are encouraged to stop by and explore these latest finds.

• Optimal Health offers a fun selection of groceries, including specialty cream cheeses, avocado mash, and vegan marshmallows. This small-town grocery store caters to unique tastes and dietary needs.

• Tony’s Butt Shack presents weekend specials with a 16 oz. bone-in pork chop on Saturday, and homemade Italian beef on Sunday. Each special comes with two sides for a hearty meal option.

• Once Upon A Craft now has a fresh batch of Galena’s popcorn available, with all fall items offered at 25% off. Store hours are 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

• Monical’s Pizza of Princeton introduces gluten-free dippers for $6.99, which pair well with their Pizza Bowls. Gluten-free options are available for dine-in, carry-out, and delivery with a $15 minimum order, valid through November 24, 2024.

• Bean Buzz is celebrating fall with a 40% discount on all drinks every Friday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, running until November 29. Stop by to enjoy the seasonal specials at this cozy coffee spot. Bean Buzz also announces the arrival of pumpkin spice bagels, perfect for those craving a seasonal treat. This popular fall flavor is now available for a limited time.

• Tossed & Found Resale + Consignment is unveiling 50 new designer purses with over 70 more arriving soon. Shoppers can find brands like Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Coach, available from Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Spoons and Forks is offering a Friday dinner special featuring seared cod with wild rice and a leek, mushroom, and roasted red pepper cream sauce for $15. The restaurant is open for carry-out or dine-in on Main Street.

• Dairy Queen in Princeton has officially closed for the season and expresses gratitude to its customers for a wonderful year. They look forward to serving the community again next season.

• House for Rent: In Princeton – Three-bedroom ranch with basement, W/D hookup on the main floor, one-car attached garage. Small pet considered. Available early November. Rent: $950.00 per month. Phone: 815-875-1923 / 815-878-7793.

• The Magi Gala will be held on Saturday, February 15, at The Barn at Hornbaker Gardens to benefit The Magi Baby Chest, a baby supply center. The evening will feature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 5:00 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m., and live music with the Steve Sharp Band from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person, with formal attire required, available online or at the St. Louis Church parish office.

• Wild Ginger Bistro and Wine Bar is hosting several winter events, including Igloo Dining, Holiday Tea, and Thanksgiving sides to-go. Igloo Dining, starting December 5th, offers a cozy private experience for up to six people, complete with blankets and champagne. Reservations are open for holiday teas on December 8th, 15th, and 22nd, with three seating times each day.

• Chapel Hill Golf Course announced its 2025 rates, with green fees set at $450, a single cart fee at $475, and a couple cart fee at $600. Payments are due by December 1st. Members are encouraged to secure their rates before the deadline.

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📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• Shooting leaves one dead in Wenona

• This month’s fried chicken dinner involves over an hour long road trip to Ladd, Illinois.

• Latest On Fatal Crash Outside Magnolia

• What you can’t bring and wear to the polls in Illinois

🎄THE CHRISTMAS MARKET

The Christmas Market in Princeton, presented by Midland States Bank, will take place on December 14th from 10 AM to 8 PM. Hosted at Rotary Park, the event will feature arts and crafts, festive food and drinks, and live music. Local artisans and vendors will display unique items for holiday shoppers.

Visitors can enjoy seasonal treats and beverages while browsing handcrafted goods. The event offers entertainment for all ages, with a joyful holiday atmosphere. Vendor applications are currently being accepted, with more information available at princetontourism.org.

🔭A LOOK AHEAD

Princeton Swap Meet (Sunday, November 10th): From 8 AM to 2 PM, enjoy the day at Walneck’s Motorcycle Swap Meet, located at 811 W Peru St, Princeton. Featuring an array of items from British, American, and Japanese goods to leather, t-shirts, and vintage finds, this event has something for everyone. Admission is $10, and vendors can secure a space for $50 by calling 630-985-2097. Don’t miss the chance to clean out your garage or discover a new treasure at this exciting community event.

Model Train Fair & Farm Toy Show (Saturday, November 16th): From 9 AM to 2 PM at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, located at 811 W Peru St, this event showcases HO, N, O, and G scale trains, Thomas toys, farm toys, and a wide selection of collectibles. Attendees can explore Hot Wheels, Ertl, NASCAR merchandise, and books, with admission set at $5. Vendor spaces are available, starting at $35 for a 10x10 space with three tables. For more details, visit www.bureaucountyfair.com or contact Kathy at [email protected] or 815-866-3606 after 5 PM.

2024 Holiday Market at The Elowen Room (Saturday, November 23rd – Sunday, November 24th): Support local artists and makers during this two-day Holiday Market from 10 AM to 4 PM each day! Featuring 8-10 vendors showcasing unique handmade items perfect for holiday gifts and décor. The event will also include festive holiday music and a cozy coffee bar for a warm, cheerful shopping experience. Located near the trolley stop on the North End of Main Street, it’s part of Princeton’s Christmas Walk Weekend, so make sure to stop by!

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!

Pop Up Santa Mini

• Personalized Santa Visit: Enjoy a 10-minute private meeting with Santa.

• Photo Package: Receive two 5x7 printed photos (same pose) and one digital image as a keepsake.

• Additional Options: Purchase extra digital images or prints on-site.

• Magic Upgrade: Add a touch of enchantment with a magical edit delivered in a gallery in 1-2 days.

• Free Hot Chocolate: Warm up with one delicious complimentary hot chocolate.

• Holiday Crafts: Keep the kids entertained with festive crafts.

• Packages starting at $125

Family Christmas Portraits

• Cozy Christmas: Snuggle up in your pajamas and enjoy a festive atmosphere with our warm, inviting backdrop.

• Elegant Holiday: Dress to impress and create stunning portraits in front of our Farm Fresh Christmas Tree backdrop.

• Packages starting at $125

Santa’s Magical Adventure with Santa John (Original Santa for returning clients)

• One-on-one time with Santa: Your children will have the chance to chat with Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and receive a gift.

• Story time with Santa: Snuggle up with Santa and enjoy a heartwarming Christmas story together.

• Cookies: No Santa visit is complete without Mrs.Clauses delicious cookies.

• Beautiful, lasting images: Our experienced photographer will capture precious moments of your children's magical Santa experience.

• More than just photos, it's a tradition!

• 30 minutes —$325

🧀FRUIT, MEAT, & CHEESE FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT THE PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC BOOSTERS

The Princeton High School Music Boosters are raising funds by sponsoring a citrus fundraiser. This is the same fruit fundraiser held by the Princeton Optimist Club and most recently Boy Scout Troop 6368. This year, the fundraiser has been passed to the PHS Music Boosters.

“We are very excited to do be able to continue this fundraiser in the Princeton area.” Linnea Campbell, PHSMB Treasurer stated. “We have changed it up a bit by using a company out of Iowa and adding additional items. In addition to Texas grapefruit and California oranges, we’ve added apples and pears, from the states of Washington and Oregon. Also available are clementine’s, select nuts, cheese spreads, and beef sticks. Our goal is to sell at least 250 items.”

Items available include individual cases of oranges, grapefruit, apples, pears, or clementines, mixed cases of oranges, grapefruit, apples, and pears, premium cashews, chocolate covered mixed nuts, gourmet beef sticks, sharp cheddar cheese spread, smokey bacon cheese spread, original beef jerky, and sweet kickin’ beef jerky. Delivery is scheduled for mid-December, just in time for Christmas.

Orders are being taken until Wednesday, November 6th and may be given to any PHS Music Booster member. If you don’t know a member, feel free to contact one of the Booster officers: Linnea Campbell at 815-878-7645, Jeremy Whitfield at 815-866-7966, Victoria Whitfield at 815-303-7969, Janet Frost at 815-719-2119, or Ben Atkinson at 815-866-5465. You may also contact us through our Facebook page, Princeton Music Boosters.

Profits from the fundraiser will benefit the band and choir programs at Princeton High School.

💤LETTER FROM LORI

Who loves the cold and snow? I DO!! Over the past 2 months, I've been working on that protective layer of body fat that will carry me through the lean months. As I age, my winter fur comes in a little heavier too. Anything to keep me warm and cozy, right??

This past week, I've been studying up on hibernation by sleeping most of my days away. As much as I love snuggling my pillow and 130 lb house horse (aka Cher, the greatest of Dane), it has seriously cut down on my productivity. Obviously my body needs the sleep, or I wouldn't lapse into a coma every time I slow below warp speed. So many times in our lives, the things we need, and our body insists upon, we fight and argue about. We never really win, do we? In the end, we get the rest. In the end, we slow down. My grandmother, once she hit her 90s would lament that this ached, or that hurt, or that she was tired. I, in my youthfulness, would roll my eyes and say, 'Your parts are wearing out! How long did you expect them to last?' I'm here to tell you, 57 is getting close to my personal limit.

Even though I didn't scratch much off of my list this week, I did find many blessings in my sloth-like approach to my days. Instead of laying my grandkids down for the night, then darting to the kitchen for a midnight marathon of meal prep for the week, I instead laid down and was lulled to sleep by a 3 year old rendition of 'Frinkle, Frinkle Wittle Star' and actually pondered what it was. Also, in my lethargy, I mentally worked out some of the recent puzzles facing me and came up with a game plan. Previously my mind had raced too quickly to formulate a semblance of organization of thought, therefore missing some obvious solutions. All week, I grogglily alternated naps and necessities, and was able to listen to my canary happily greet the day. I actually sat and petted my cat, whereas he is usually just a furry speedbump to trip over as I dart about.

Stop and smell the roses? In my world, it's marigolds and THEIR scent that are attractive. This week I SAT and cut and gathered their seeds for next year.

So, in writing a list of my accomplishments for the week, I see that I did get quite a bit done, just not in the way I had thought I should. Being true to my goal oriented self, I added them to the list with all the things I DIDN'T get done, then scratched them off, for the misguided illusion that I was, in fact, motivated and super productive.

I am heading home now to practice for hibernation by overeating and shunning hair removal. Could No Shave November come at a more opportune time? I think not. Sunday's time change will secure the transformation from happy go lucky old lady, to sleepy, grouchy grizzly bear. Good night.

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

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