SPONSORED BY

Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival, held annually in Munich, Germany, where millions gather to celebrate Bavarian culture with giant pretzels, lively oompah bands, traditional lederhosen, and steins of golden lager. It began in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration and has since grown into a global phenomenon of music, dancing, and hearty food. Whether you’re clinking glasses or enjoying a bratwurst under the autumn sky, Oktoberfest is a vibrant tribute to community, tradition, and good cheer.

Let’s get it going.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🎃Halloween Events
👶Zearing Child Enrichment
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
👷Princeton Job Openings
🐴Letter From Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Angie Bullington! 🧁

• Princeton Police still looking for ‘Person of Interest’

• Princeton’s Oktoberfest is today from 4-8pm! Food trucks and drink vendors will feature festive fall flavors including Farmer Smoked BBQ, Nelson Fair Foods, Philly Factory, Wild Ginger Bistro, Barrel Society brews, and Crumbl Cookies — lots can be found at Rotary Park.

• Free Health Screenings and Resources at Freedom House Today in Princeton

• Princeton Police Department congratulates Officer Michael Kernan and his K9 partner Gemma on graduating from the K9 academy. They’ll soon join the force, assisting with patrol, drug detection, and community outreach.

• Starting Monday, October 20, a new 4-H Drone Club will meet weekly at the Second Story Teen Center from 5:00–6:15 PM. The club runs through November 17 and is open to all students who want to learn to fly and code drones.

• Prairie Arts Council is accepting entries for their holiday card contest. Entries must be original designs on 8.5x11” paper, due by October 21 at 5:00 PM. All ages welcome; winner receives $100 and card will be printed and sold to support the PAC.

• Discover History, Music, and Art at Princeton Public Library This October

• The City of Princeton will host an Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, October 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Bureau County Highway Department; the city’s link provides the list of accepted items.

  📍Outside City Limits

• Kewanee girl named national finalist for 2025 Stroke Hero Award

• More than 10,000 babies are born in the U.S. each day. And every birth is unique. But some are more unique than others, even in Lasalle.

• Boggio’s Orchard is launching its Flashlight Corn Maze Fridays and Saturdays through October 25, from 7–10 PM. Admission is $12 and includes a meal, with guests encouraged to enter the Corn Maze Contest for a chance to win $250.

🎃HALLOWEEN EVENTS

🎃 Trunk or Treat Events

• Oct. 7 – 5–7 PM, Hegler Park, LaSalle

• Oct. 11 – 11 AM–1 PM, YMCA, Peru

• Oct. 16 – 4–6 PM, Liberty Village, Princeton

• Oct. 23 – 4–6:30 PM, Goldwater Care, Princeton

• Oct. 25 – 10 AM–1 PM, Peru HyVee

• Oct. 25 – 10 AM–1 PM, Crossbridge, Ottawa

• Oct. 25 – 11 AM–1 PM, OSF Medical Group, Peru

• Oct. 25 – 12–3 PM, Advantage Auto, Peru

• Oct. 25 – 4–6 PM, Illinois Valley Auto, Peru

• Oct. 25 – 4–8 PM, LaSalle Speedway

• Oct. 28 – 5–7 PM, Starved Rock Lodge

• Oct. 31 – 4–5 PM, Liberty Village, Peru

🍬 Trick or Treat Hours

• Granville – 6–8 PM

• Hennepin – 5–7 PM

• Henry – 5–8 PM

• La Moille – 5–7 PM

• LaSalle – 5–7 PM

• Ladd – 5–7 PM

• Magnolia – 5–7 PM

• Mendota – 5–7 PM

• Oglesby – 5:30–7:30 PM

• Peru – 5–7 PM

• Princeton – 5–8 PM

• Seneca – 5–7 PM

• Spring Valley – 5–7 PM

• Streator – 5–7 PM

• Utica – 5:30–7:30 PM

👶ZEARING CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER

CHILDCARE – Immediate Openings

We have immediate openings for a variety of our Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Programs.

Our School-Age program is currently FULL with no openings at this time.

Enrichment Activities

From drawing and writing to pretend play, we provide a diverse range of activities to foster creativity and social skills to set children up for life readiness.

Preschool Programs

Fun and educational hands-on activities to prepare young children for success in Kindergarten. A focus on emotional regulation.

Infant to Two’s Care

Gentle care and attention for our youngest students, ensuring they feel secure and loved. Start as young as 6 weeks old.

Apply Today!

📞 Contact Us: 815-875-2335

🌐 Visit Our Website: www.zcec.org

📍 Our Location: 633 Masonic Drive, Princeton, IL 61356

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌧️Today: Morning showers and a thunderstorm are likely, then it trends cloudy and cooler into the afternoon with highs in the low 70s. Additional showers are possible again at night as winds turn northwest and pick up. Lows fall into the upper 40s.

🌧️Sunday: A little rain may linger early, then skies brighten with increasing sun, but it turns breezy and noticeably cooler. Afternoon highs only reach the low 60s with gusty northwest winds. A crisp, clear night follows with lows in the low 40s.

☀️Monday: Plenty of sunshine returns and we rebound to around the low 70s during the afternoon. It will be dry but still on the breezy side at times. Nighttime temperatures slip back to the mid-40s under mainly clear skies.

🌤️Tuesday: Cooler air funnels in on a northwest breeze with a mix of sun and clouds and highs in the mid-50s. Expect a fresh, fall feel through the day. Skies turn cold and clear Tuesday night with lows in the upper 30s.

☀️Wednesday: Mostly sunny, seasonably cool, and calm overall with highs near the upper 50s. Humidity stays low and visibility is excellent—classic mid-October weather. Another cool night settles in with lows near 40°.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $2.95
Sullivan’s Foods: $2.96
Casey’s West/North: $3.02
Beck’s West/North: $3.02
Road Ranger, N Main St: $2.99
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.02

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $2.59

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Tony’s Butt Shack BBQ is hosting its Annual Trunk-or-Treat “BOO BASH” on October 27 from 4:00–8:00 PM. Everyone’s welcome to participate—there will be candy, local vendors, free hot dogs, sloppy joes, drinks, and the return of the Dancing Haggs. Rain or shine!

• Meadows on Main continues its 40% off sale on fall and Halloween decor. The sale excludes vintage and homemade items, but there’s still plenty to browse through while supplies last.

• Bureau County Senior Center invites you to their next Supper Club outing to Angelo’s Restaurant in Spring Valley. The event is scheduled for October 30th at 4:00 PM. See Sam to sign up and enjoy an evening out.

• Barrel Society will be pouring drinks during Princeton’s Oktoberfest this Saturday from 4–8 PM at Rotary Park. Then on Sunday from 12–7 PM, La Katrina Autentica will serve tacos, burritos, quesabirrias, nachos, and more.

• Cafe Grace is offering cozy weekend specials through Sunday. Friday features fried chicken salad and Pasta Lafayette, while Saturday includes breakfast, Chicken Club, and Salmon Rockafellar. Sunday brunch highlights Blueberry Lemon French Toast.

• Optimal Health now carries Peepers reading glasses and sunglasses. These high-quality frames are available in various styles—stop in soon to find your favorite pair.

• Pin Splitter Lanes is gearing up for their Bowl-O-Ween Bash on Saturday, October 25th at 7:00 PM. $15 covers 3 games of 9-pin no-tap. Snap a selfie with their mascot Johnny Split for a chance to win a gift card.

• OSF OnCall King Care-A-Van will be at Freedom House (446 Elm Place, east side by the conference center) on Saturday, October 18 from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM. Free screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose, with virtual visits available and no appointment needed.

• Tailholt Trading Post has added new Victorian pictures and vintage linens to their inventory. They’re open until 3:00 PM today—great stop for antique lovers.

• Princeton Auto Group is hosting a pumpkin decorating contest—email [email protected] to reserve a pumpkin by October 20. Pickups are October 22–23 during the Princeton Auto Group Grand Opening.

• Ashley Taylor is running a fill-a-bag sale at 772 W. Backbone Rd. Fill a brown paper sack for $15—open until 4:00 PM. Candy, snacks, and fall décor available.

• Princeton Auto Group’s Grand Opening is October 22–23 at 1502 W. Peru St. Breakfast runs 8:30–11:00 AM, lunch 11:00–2:00 PM, and Pink Heals fire engine/squad car will be on site 12:00–5:00 PM. Ribbon cutting is October 23 at 5:00 PM. Free meals with donation—proceeds benefit Breast Cancer Awareness.

• The Princeton Closet shared a new yarn and craft item haul from one of their customers. Store hours are Thursday–Saturday 9 AM–5 PM; donation center is open Tuesday–Saturday 9 AM–3 PM. Still plenty of craft supplies and weekly treasures available.

• Apollo Theater showtimes (Oct 17–23): Truth & Treason (PG-13): Fri/Sat (4:15, 7:00), Sun (1:30, 4:15, 7:00*), Tue–Thu (6:00): TRON: Ares (PG-13): Fri/Sat (4:30, 7:15), Sun (1:45, 4:30, 7:15*), Tue–Thu (6:15)

• Faith’s Fabulous Treats is offering a rich fall dessert: oatmeal cream pie with ice cream, topped with marshmallow, caramel, chocolate sauce, and s’mores bark.

• Golden Rice shared a detailed menu featuring appetizers, soups, curries, stir-fries, rice dishes, and drinks including Thai Milk Tea—most items allow protein customization with chicken, tofu, beef, or shrimp. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday at 1220 N Vernon St.

• The BELIEVE Foundation, a local non-profit supporting cancer families since 2008, is led entirely by volunteers and funded by local donations. Board members include Mary VanKeulen, Kelly Madsen, and Alayna Blake.

• Flowers By Julia invites you to finish your front door decor with fall-themed arrangements. Their shop is full of vibrant seasonal pieces, perfect for Halloween and beyond.

• Sisler’s offers rich, coconut-based dairy-free ice cream and customizable sundaes with toppings like peanut butter sauce, pecans, and rainbow sprinkles. They even make dairy-free milkshakes upon request.

• Corner Chair Market has holiday-ready tables and chairs that comfortably seat six. Larger options and custom upcycling are available on request.

• Paisano’s makes rolled ice cream right in front of you on a freezing pan—watch as it’s chopped, rolled, and turned into spirals of happiness. It’s not just dessert, it’s a show.

• Rossy’s BBQ in Wyanet invites guests to fuel up before or after Halloween festivities with fall-off-the-bone brisket, juicy pork butt, and homemade sides. Open Friday and Saturday 11–9 and Sunday 11–8 with brunch 11–1.

• Miss Betsy’s October flavor of the month is the Black Forest Donut, a rich chocolate cake donut with cherry pie filling, buttercream swirl, chocolate frosting, and a cherry on top. Available all month long.

Upcoming:

🍒 Cherry Jam at Petticoat Junction – Rock n Roll party with Tony’s Butt Shack BBQ at 27915 2060 North Ave, Malden. Sunday, October 19, 2–6 PM.

🚜 Heritage Tractor Halloween Howl – Trick-or-Tractor & costume contest with treats and John Deere toys (while supplies last). Heritage Tractor, 20144 1800 Ave N. Saturday, October 25, 8 AM–12 PM.

🏀 Harlem Wizards Game – High-flying hoops and family fun at Logan Jr High School (Pannebaker Gym), 302 W Central Ave. Tuesday, October 28. Doors open 5:30 PM, game at 6:30 PM.

🛠️ Princeton Swap Meet – Find old garage treasures at Walneck’s Motorcycle Swap, 811 W Peru St. Sunday, November 9, 8 AM–2 PM. $10 admission, $50 vending.

🎶 Wild Card at Hawg House – Day drinking and live music at Hawg House Saloon, 18066 US Hwy 6. Wednesday, December 31, 3–7 PM.

✉️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.

👷PRINCETON JOB O PENINGS

• Dollar Tree in Princeton, IL is hiring a part-time Customer Service Associate, offering pay between $13.75 and $19.25 per hour. The position involves assisting customers, managing transactions at the cash register, maintaining store organization, and helping with merchandise and truck unloading. Candidates are expected to ensure a positive and respectful shopping environment while protecting company assets.

• The Structure Laborer position with Ag View FS in Princeton, IL offers full-time employment at $20–$22 per hour. The role involves assisting in the construction and maintenance of grain bins and buildings under the direction of department managers and foremen. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication, customer service, math, and time-management skills, as well as the ability to perform minor equipment maintenance and lift up to 50 pounds. The company provides competitive benefits, including paid time off, retirement plans with company matching, and an Employee Assistance Program, while emphasizing equal opportunity employment and compliance with federal and state regulations.

• Casey’s General Store is hiring full-time and part-time Team Members at $15.00–$19.75 per hour, offering flexible shifts including mornings, evenings, overnights, and weekends. Responsibilities include stocking, cleaning, operating the register, and preparing food, with no prior experience required and cross-training provided. Benefits include tuition assistance, health insurance, 401(k) with a 6% match, DailyPay access, holiday pay, food and drink discounts, and a customizable career path. Team Members are encouraged to demonstrate a positive attitude, reliability, and teamwork in a fast-paced retail environment.

🏛️CITY OF PRINCETON

Halloween Trick-or-Treat Hours will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025. Participating households should have a porch light on. Trick-or-Treaters should do their best to be visible and be mindful of traffic at all times. Vehicle drivers should do their best to be mindful of low-visibility costumes and children crossing the roadways at all times.

Hosting a Public Event in Princeton?

If you’re planning a public gathering or event on City property — including any of our parks, public spaces, and rights-of-way — please remember to complete a Special Event Application beforehand.

This applies to all types of events, such as:

• Concerts or performances

• Festivals or community celebrations

• Walks, runs, or fundraisers

• Political/Religious rallies or gatherings

• Private parties or large group picnics

Applications can be found on our website here.

Printed copies are also available at City Hall.

Let’s work together to ensure every event held in our community is safe and organized.

🌼DANDELION WISHES REFURBISHED FURNITURE

Michelle DeVoss has this lovely jewelery armoire available at her home shop in Princeton. It has six drawers for storage and has been painted in soft cream tones. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for someone who appreciates “handmade” pieces. Limited delivery available. Be sure to check out her Facebook page “Dandelion Wishes Refurbished Furniture” for upcoming pieces. She can also be reached at [email protected]

🐴LETTER FROM LORI

Are you familiar with cutting horses? In the Old West, they were used to separate a particular cow from the herd. A cow’s herding instinct is strong. They feel safety in numbers and will do whatever they can to stay with the group. Often, a cowboy needs to single out a cow in order to medicate it, treat it for an illness, or brand it so it can be returned home safely if it gets lost.

Watching a cowboy ride a cutting horse is pure magic. They must move together in harmony to achieve their goal. The well-trained horse knows what to do and understands the objective, but the cowboy must subtly guide him with a light rein and gentle leg cues. For the most part, the horse does the work—but he still needs the reassurance and guidance of the cowboy.

I knew I was getting older when I found myself watching Yellowstone and was more impressed with Taylor Sheridan showing off his skills in the ring with horses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars than I was with the obvious eye candy of Cole Hauser’s character, Rip, or the sass and spark of Kelly Reilly’s character, Beth. In those later episodes, I anxiously awaited any scene involving the magnificent display of man and beast working gracefully together in total synchronicity to accomplish a seemingly impossible task.

How often are our lives a parallel to this analogy? Are we the horse, needing guidance from our Lord? Do we have a task to accomplish, and is He mounted up, gently guiding us with a light rein and subtle cues? We have free will and a light rein, but we must pay attention and listen to His commands. Does He sometimes need to use His spurs—making us uncomfortable for a moment—to remind us who is truly in charge and who knows best?

Or are we the cow? Do we desperately want to be part of the herd? Do we exert every effort to go with the flow, clinging to the misguided notion that the group knows best and will protect us? Is God using someone in your life to pull you away from the comfort of groupthink in order to administer life-saving medicine—marking you so the world knows to whom you belong, should you ever lose your way?

In the wise words of Willie: 🎶 My heroes have always been cowboys, and they still are, it seems… 🎶

So saddle up today. Try to avoid the spurs. Do what you’re told by the Man on your back—or just moo and surrender yourself to the poke and the burn, knowing that, in the long run, it’s all for your good.

Yeehaw!

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

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].