⛸️Ice Rinks, Main Street, and Santa Claus

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Good morning, Princeton. Winter’s basically here. Days are shorter, nights are colder, and everything’s just a little more… icy. Get out that chapstick, salt the sidewalk, and gentlemen: don’t forget to start and scrape your wife’s car.

Let’s get after it.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
✅For Your To-Do List
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Opportunities
💼Princeton Businesses
🎄The Christmas Market
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
📍Outside City Limits
🎅Experience Christmas in Princeton

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Jason Englehart and Lalo Barajas! 🎂

• Princeton Ranked Among Best Main Streets in Nation

• BCR: Remembering Dave Camp: A man who loved his family, sports teams and bowling

• KWQC: Princeton community reflects on legacy of man killed in crash Friday

• Participate in this year’s home decorating contest by calling the Chamber before December 9. Categories include Chamber’s Choice ($200), People’s Choice ($100), Senior’s Choice ($100), and specialty awards like Most Traditional, Most Elegant, and Clark Griswold ($100 each). Judging begins December 11, with People’s Choice voting from December 13–20 on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

• Santa Claus is stopping by the firehouse on December 17 from 6–8 p.m. Kids are invited to meet Santa and enjoy a festive evening hosted by the Princeton Fire Department. Mark your calendars for this family-friendly holiday event.

• The Alexander Ice Rink is now open for the season with hours from 12–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 12–7 p.m. Friday–Sunday. Ice skates are available for $5 rental, with all rentals to be returned before closing. For details, contact the Metro Center.

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✅FOR YOUR TO-DO LIST 

🧓🏻The Mistletoe Misfits will perform at various locations starting Friday at 11:30 AM through Sunday at 3 PM, including Liberty Village, Greenfield Retirement Home, LaSalle Veterans Home, Bureau County Senior Center, and Rotary Park, bringing their holiday antics and zany fun to these Princeton venues.

🧝🏻Brunch with Buddy the Elf will be held Saturday at 11 AM at Cafe Grace, 1009 N Main St, with festive activities and a themed feast.

🎸Barrel Society at 930 N Main St will feature The Bart Attacks on Saturday at 7 PM, performing an eclectic mix of jam band music with no cover charge.

🍖Rossy’s BBQ Joint in Wyanet is hosting a fundraiser for the Camp family on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, donating a portion of sales to assist with financial burdens.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌨️Today: Expect considerable cloudiness throughout the day with occasional flurries or a rain/snow shower. High temperatures will reach 39°F with winds from the west at 10 to 20 mph. The night will start with mostly cloudy skies before clearing after midnight. Low temperatures will drop to 10°F with light winds from the west-southwest.

☀️Thursday: The day will feature mostly sunny skies and crisp conditions. High temperatures will peak at 24°F with light winds from the west-southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Thursday night will remain mostly clear with a low near 11°F. Winds will stay light, coming from the west.

☀️Friday: Sunny skies dominate the day with high temperatures reaching 33°F. Winds will come from the west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph. Overnight, partly cloudy skies will persist as temperatures drop to 23°F. Light winds from the west-northwest will continue through the evening.

🌤️Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine will be present during the day, with a high near 41°F. Winds will be light, coming from the west-southwest at 5 to 10 mph. Saturday night will feature partly to mostly cloudy skies with lows around 30°F. Light winds from the west-northwest will round out the evening.

Arctic Blast and Weekend Warm-Up

An Arctic front will approach on Wednesday, bringing a shift in weather patterns. Before its arrival, temperatures will hover around 40 degrees, though strong winds will create wind chills in the 20s. As the front moves through, temperatures will plunge, with sub-zero wind chills by sunset and lows near 10º Thursday morning, accompanied by wind chills as low as -5. Gusty winds could reach up to 50 mph in northern areas, and brief snow showers may develop along the front, leaving a light dusting in some spots. Temperatures will moderate slightly over the weekend, climbing into the 40s and even 50s by Sunday as Pacific air filters into the region. Looking ahead, models diverge on mid-December weather, with some suggesting stormy conditions tied to a western trough, while others predict calmer weather under high pressure.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.19
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.25
Casey’s West/North: $3.26
Beck’s West/North: $3.26
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.26
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.26

Peru Gas 👀

Speedway: $2.76

👷‍♂️PRINCETON JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Sales Associate | Dollar General | Part-time | From $14.00 - $14.10 an hour | Paid time off, Health insurance, Dental insurance

• Delivery Driver | AutoZone | Part-time | Health insurance, Dental insurance

• Lead Sales Associate | Dollar General | Part-time | Health insurance, Dental insurance, Paid time off

• Delivery Driver | Pizza Hut | Full-time | No degree required

• Retail Sales Associate | AutoZone | Part-time | Health insurance, Dental insurance

• Delivery Driver | AutoZone | Full-time | Health insurance, Dental insurance

• Crew Team Member | McDonald’s | Full-time | Paid time off

• Cashier & Front End Services | Walmart | Full-time | No degree required

• Senior Retail Sales Associate | AutoZone | Full-time | Paid time off, Health insurance, Dental insurance

• Sales Floor Associate | Dollar Tree | Full-time | No degree required

• Machine Operator/CNC Operator | Allegion | Full-time | No degree required

• Receptionist | H&R Block | Full-time | No degree required

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• A beautiful farmhouse located at 23779 1480 Ave N, Princeton, is listed for $325,000. This 4-6 bedroom home, sitting on 4.3 acres, blends old charm with modern updates, including a new water softener, electrical system, and furnace in 2024. The home is well-equipped for horse owners with a two-stall barn and a large machine shed. Inside, the property offers spacious wood flooring, a sunroom, and main floor laundry. With its serene country setting and updated features, this home offers both comfort and functionality.

• Located in the charming Timber Ridge subdivision, this ranch home at 2332 Amelia Dr. offers a grand and welcoming feel with a beautiful brick front exterior. Inside, you’ll find a spacious open floor plan living and dining area featuring high ceilings and a gas log fireplace. The kitchen boasts quartz countertops, ample cabinet space, and soft-close hardware, perfect for hosting. The home includes a sunroom, a fully finished lower level with two additional bedrooms, and a large family room with in-floor heating. Key updates include a new HVAC system in 2022 and a new roof in 2023, ensuring low maintenance for years to come.

• A well-maintained four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home located at 1133 W Clark St, is available for $219,000. The kitchen has been updated with stainless steel appliances and opens to a cozy family room featuring a gas log fireplace. Recent updates include new patio doors, a roof from 2020, and a Generac generator installed in 2022. The upstairs has four bedrooms, with the primary bedroom featuring a bath and double closets. The property includes a two-car attached garage and is situated on a crawl space with access to the garage.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Lori Hunter-Lewis offers caring and reliable pet sitting, drop-in services, and walks. With references available, she ensures peace of mind for pet owners while providing loving care for pets. Contact Lori at 779-717-4188 or on Facebook at “Dashel Pet Sitting.”

• A dog was found behind Dairy Queen in Princeton on Friday afternoon. If you recognize this dog or have helpful information, please call 815-875-1150. Animal Control urges the community to share and assist in reuniting the dog with its owner.

• On Saturday, December 7, from noon to 2 p.m., meet the author of Ruffled Feathers at Meadows on Main. Enjoy activities including face painting, a drawing for a handmade stuffed toy, and complimentary Griffin-shaped cookies. Signed copies of the book will also be available during this festive event.

• Enjoy 26% off your entire purchase at Four Seasons by using the code FESTIVE. The offer is valid through December 8, 2024, with free shipping on orders over $75 before the discount. Don’t miss this opportunity to save on your holiday shopping!

• Create custom pottery with Hannah from The Knack on December 13 at Uptown Grill. Tickets are $55 and include materials to make coasters, decorative tiles, or jewelry dishes, plus a glass of wine. Register soon as space is limited, and bring your own flowers or botanicals to personalize your piece!

• Join the Corner Chair Market on December 11 at 5:30 p.m. for a holiday tree craft class, where you’ll create three trees for $35. Enjoy snacks, crafts, and fun while reserving your spot by calling 815-915-7968.

• Freedom House invites the community to “adopt” a family for the holiday season, offering support and spreading holiday cheer. To participate, contact Amber at (815) 872-0087 for more information.

• Treat yourself with Bean Buzz this season with festive drinks featuring flavors like Christmas Crunch frappes, peppermint and pistachio mochas, and lattes or cold brews in Sugar Cookie, Nutcracker, Gingerbread Cookie, or Snowstorm varieties. Add a frosted mint sweet cold foam to elevate any drink for an extra holiday touch. Indulge in these holiday beverages available for a limited time.

• Shane’s Towing & Repair offers 24/7 tow truck services, including lockouts, fuel delivery, jump starts, tire changes, and winchouts. Reach out for quick, professional, and reliable assistance anytime at (815) 915-1451.

• The Bureau County Senior Center will host a Christmas Dinner on Tuesday, December 10th, at 11:30 AM. Attendees need to RSVP by December 3rd by contacting Sam at 815-879-3981.

• Play It Forward Counseling is seeking a licensed clinician to join their team. Interested candidates can find more information at playitforwardcounseling.com and submit resumes to [email protected]. This opportunity promotes healing through play-based therapy.

• Second Story Teen Center is nearing its $600,000 goal to expand their facility, providing much-needed space for teens in Bureau County. Your end-of-year gift can make a difference in opening new doors for local youth.

• The Princeton Closet is inviting customers to join their VIP Text Club by texting “CLOSET” to 815-362-4010. Members receive updates on new arrivals, exclusive offers, and are entered into a monthly raffle.

🎄THE CHRISTMAS MARKET AT ROTARY PARK

The First Annual Christmas Market is set to take place at Rotary Park on December 14th, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors can enjoy arts and crafts, food and drink, and live music throughout the day. Hosted by Midland States Bank, this holiday event promises seasonal cheer for the whole family. Vendor applications are currently being accepted for those interested in participating. For more details or to apply, contact 815-876-2565 or visit princetontourism.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to embrace the spirit of the season!

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📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• Santa will visit the Community Hall in Buda on Saturday, December 7th at 1:00 PM, followed by bingo at 2:00 PM with refreshments and prizes for all Buda residents, sponsored by the Village of Buda and the American Legion.

• A bloodmobile will be available on December 30th from 1:30 to 5:30 PM at St. Pat’s Church Hall in Sheffield.

• Avanti Foods offers December specials on Muenster ($3.89), Colby ($3.64), Italian Beef ($7.99), Pork BBQ ($6.29), and Cranberry Fluff ($3.36), alongside cheese gift boxes, party trays, fruit cheese, candy, chocolates, and more, with 30% off select accessories and 15% off holiday gift items, open Mon-Fri 8-5 and Sat 8-1, closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

• The Walnut Public Library is accepting letters to Santa in their red North Pole mailbox until December 9th, encouraging participants to include their name and mailing address so Santa can reply.

• SV Police Catch Man Wanted For Kidnapping

• Illinois Winter Storm to Bring Snow Showers and Sub-Zero Wind Chills Wednesday Night

• The Tiskilwa Historical Society invites everyone to join the festivities at the Christmas Markets in Tiskilwa on Saturday, December 7th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Attendees can explore local history displays, visit a variety of vendors, and meet Santa Claus. The event will also feature live music, decorated Christmas trees, carriage rides, tours, and opportunities to participate in drawings and raffles. This is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

🎅EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS IN PRINCETON

Friday, December 6th

• 5:45 PM: Christmas Tree Lighting at Veteran’s Park

• 6:15 PM: Lighted Christmas Parade with the Princeton Lions Club

• 7:00 PM: Candy Cane Hunt at Soldiers & Sailors Park

• 7:30 PM: Visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and live reindeer, with a performance by the Mistletoe Misfits at the Prouty Building

Saturday, December 7th

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Santa’s Workshop at Bureau County Fairgrounds with craft and activity stations for children

• 1:30 PM: Special showing of Christmas Vacation at Apollo Theater (compliments of Klinefelter Electric)

Sunday, December 8th

• 2:00 PM: Bureau County Chorus and Princeton Community Band performance at Princeton High School Auditorium

Additional Info: Donations for the Bureau County Food Pantry are encouraged, including nonperishable food, paper products, and monetary contributions.

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