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Good Saturday morning, Princeton friends. Valentine’s Day specials, new arrivals, and chances to get involved… From gift sets at Eclectic Joy to high-protein bread at Optimal Health and family fun at Boek-el-ZOO, there’s something for every shopper. Princeton Closet is offering scholarships for seniors, the library is hosting tech training, and the youth soccer league is looking for volunteers. Whether you’re planning a romantic surprise, supporting a cause, or just browsing deals—Main Street and beyond has you covered.

Let’s go.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠Princeton Homes For Sale
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🧐From The Historical Society
💼Princeton Businesses
🗓️Upcoming in Princeton
🚐Mobile Food Pantry
🐈Letter From Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• The Princeton celebrity made four appearances on Jeopardy in September and garnered about $76,000.

• BCR: The Princeton Police Pension Fund Board is scheduled to meet at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The meeting will take place at the Princeton Police Department.

• The Princeton High School jazz band will host its annual Swing Dance at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 20. The free event will be held at the Princeton Moose Lodge.

• Logan Junior High School honor roll, 2nd quarter 2025-26

• RMN: Enjoy Pork Chops and Support Princeton FFA Scholarships at the Basketball Game Fundraiser on February 13, 2026

• Quilts of Valor will host a National Sew Day on Feb. 7 where participants can work on quilt and block kits, buy a $7 lunch with free drinks, and enjoy door prizes plus a silent auction at 1339 N. Euclid Ave.

• Galentine’s Girls Night is set for Friday, February 13, featuring an evening of shopping, sipping, and hands-on activities with friends along Main Street from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Local businesses will host creative experiences, and guests are encouraged to enjoy dinner and drinks at area restaurants throughout the night. The evening wraps up with a chick flick at the historic Apollo Theater, with a 10:00 p.m. showing and $10 tickets that include the movie, a small drink, and popcorn.

• Enrollment opens March 4th for Preschool–High School at Princeton Christian Academy.

📍Outside City Limits

• Free Pancake and Sausage Breakfast at the Walnut Fire Department on February 8

• You can find pizza made fresh by the police officer in Lacon.

• If you've been following the story of a fatal grain bin incident in rural Granville, the identity of the man who died has been released.

• Ottawa police on Tuesday arrested 38-year-old Shannon Grieves of Ottawa.

• Thirty-seven-year-old Kevin Delhotal had been wanted on three warrants – two were out of La Salle County for arson and home-repair fraud.

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• This 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-family farmhouse offers 1,440 square feet of living space on a 2-acre lot and was originally built in 1908. The property includes two sheds, a corn crib, multiple apple trees, a newer 2+ car garage with concrete floors, and a brand-new gravel driveway. Interior highlights include fresh flooring in several rooms, newly painted spaces, a functional mudroom with laundry, and an enclosed front porch, along with a 16’ x 12’ rear deck. Priced at $219,800, the home combines rural charm with recent updates and ample outdoor space.

• A commercial office building at 680 West Peru Street is listed for sale by owner for $179,900, or available to lease for $2,000/month. The listing notes 2,400 sq. ft., a large reception area, 5 large offices, a work room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and that it’s furnished (contact (815) 993-5374).

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️ Today: Sunshine and clouds mixed, but very cold. High around 22°F with WNW winds 5–10 mph. Clear to partly cloudy overnight, low near 7°F.

🌥️ Sunday: Overcast with a chance for a few flurries or brief snow showers, mainly in the afternoon. High near 28°F with SSW winds 10–20 mph. Mostly cloudy Sunday night, low around 18°F.

☁️ Monday: Cloudy early, becoming partly cloudy later in the day. High near 31°F with W winds 5–10 mph. Clouds increase overnight, low near 18°F.

🌨️ Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for flurries or light snow showers. High around 32°F. Winds NNE to WSW 5–12 mph, with snow chances near 20%.

☁️ Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with limited sunshine and a cold feel. High near 31°F with WNW winds around 10 mph. Quiet and dry overall.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $2.91
Sullivan’s Foods: $2.92
Casey’s West/North: $2.94
Beck’s West/North: $2.94
Road Ranger, N Main St: $2.94
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $2.94

Peru Gas 👀

Flying J.: $2.39

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• The Princeton Closet is offering a scholarship opportunity for high school seniors in Bureau County. Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2026, at midnight, with eligibility details available via the QR code provided in the post.

• The Princeton Youth Soccer League is seeking volunteers to support its growing program, including referees with training provided and coaches of all experience levels. Volunteers are asked to be dependable, care about kids, value teamwork and sportsmanship, and have an interest in giving back to the community, with opportunities to support local youth and help children develop skills and confidence.

• Flowers By Julia shared a preview of Valentine’s Day items currently available, including silk arrangements, green plants, plush animals, assorted chocolates, and coffee products. These items are available for in-store purchase or can be added to floral deliveries, with custom Flowers By Julia and Teleflora fresh arrangements expected to be featured next week.

• Corner Chair Market highlighted a side table currently available for purchase that features space for a lamp, two drawers, and a lower shelf.

• Downtown Liquidation recently received Hearth & Hand with Magnolia portable Bluetooth radios, priced at $26. The radios feature a vintage-style design and are available in-store while supplies last.

• Boek-el-ZOO announced a Saturday promotion where children under age 10 receive a free axolotl scratch card when visiting between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The store also highlighted weekly specials and family-friendly activities.

• Optimal Health introduced new low-carb, high-protein bread products, including Hero brand white bread, seeded bread, and bagels. The products are aimed at customers seeking higher protein and lower carbohydrate food options.

• Spoons and Forks featured a shrimp stir-fry dish available for dinner service only. The dish was presented as a limited same-day menu option with a suggested Sauvignon Blanc pairing.

• The Princeton Public Library announced an instructional program scheduled for February 3 at 4:30 p.m. to help patrons learn how to use library apps, including PrairieCat on the Go, The Palace Project, Libby, and Kanopy. Attendees were encouraged to bring their own devices for hands-on assistance.

• Second Story Teen Center announced a pool party at The Met scheduled for Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Transportation by bus was not available for this event.

• Eclectic Joy shared new ceramic mug and loose-leaf tea gift sets that are now available for purchase. The sets feature a variety of mug designs paired with different organic tea blends.

• Emerald Tablet Collective announced it has moved into a new location at 944 North Main Street. The business plans to host its first flash day at the new space on February 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with additional merchandise releases planned.

• National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. at 421 S. Main Street. The event will feature specialty breakfast items and giveaways, with more details to come.

• Four Seasons – Princeton is offering select jewelry items for $10 through February 1, 2026, available both in-store and online.

🧐FROM THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

History Center Curator Jessica Gray logs in military items from WWI from Sgt. L.D. Smith of LaMoille. Smith was the son of Capt. D.C. and Maria Smith.

He entered service on July 31, 1917, at Chicago and fought in the battles of Verdun, Argonne, Amiens, and the Somme.

This 22-piece collection Smith brought home following the war was later donated to the Bureau County Historical Society in the 1940s by his estate.

Among the collection are two pristine examples of WWI trench art on two shell casings from a British QF 18-pounder field gun, a common artillery piece used during WWI by the Royal Field Artillery. The shells were picked up on the battlefield at Verdun and are each inscribed with "Verdun - Somme 1918."

Soldiers typically created trench art by using improvised tools found at hand and often hammered the design into the casing on the inside in order to create a raised design on the outside.

These items will be logged into the computer system, along with the history of Smith's service, before being safely boxed and stored in our military archives room.

Explore your History!

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🗓️️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

🎸 Saturday, January 31, 2026: Day Drinking at Hawg House Saloon with Kickapoo Junction – Live music and a lively afternoon atmosphere from 3:00–7:00 PM at Hawg House Saloon.

💘 Tuesday, February 3, 2026: MomCo Galentine’s Day Meet-Up – Dinner, a fun activity or craft, and meaningful conversation from 6:00–8:00 PM at 24 N Main St.

🏍️ Sunday, February 8, 2026: Princeton Motorcycle Swap Meet – Held from 8:00 AM–2:00 PM with $10 admission and vendor spots available for $50 at 802 W Peru Street.

🥃 Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Whiskey Talks with Matt & Mike Blaum of Blaum Bros. Distilling – An intimate evening of local whiskey tasting and conversation beginning at 7:00 PM at Barrel Society.

💕 Thursday, February 12, 2026: Galentine’s Party Shop + Sip at Coal Creek Brewing Company – Valentine-themed drinks and shopping from local vendors starting at 6:00 PM.

🐖 Friday, February 13, 2026: Porkchop and Porkburger Fundraiser – Food stand opens at 5:30 PM during the Princeton vs. Hall basketball game at Princeton High School, benefiting FFA senior scholarships.

🥁 Saturday, February 14, 2026: Wreckin’ Dixie Country Rockin’ at Hawg House Saloon – Live country rock music from 3:00–6:00 PM for an afternoon of high-energy fun.

🎤 Saturday, February 21, 2026: Festival 56 Sound Stage Presents Ava Easter – Folk and indie singer-songwriter Ava Easter performs live at 7:00 PM at Festival 56 Sound Stage.

🎶 Sunday, February 22, 2026: Craig Gerdes (Solo) at Hawg House Saloon – Heartland-born outlaw country artist Craig Gerdes performs solo starting at 2:00 PM.

🍀🏃 Saturday, March 14, 2026: St. Patrick’s Day Party + Charity 5K at Barrel Society – The 5K run/walk begins at 11:00 AM, followed by the St. Patrick’s Day party, food on-site, and live music at 7:00 PM, with proceeds benefiting Freedom House women’s shelter.

💭REMEMBERING PRINCETON

Don Saletzki: Newspaper article from 1937 with the Princeton Police department the department. Looks to be a fairly large department with officers in the article referred to as specials and regulars. I remember a time not long ago when the Princeton Police Department only had two squad cars, typically they were Fords however, when our Buick Pontiac garage changed hands, the dept. was supplied with two new 1978 Buick LeSabres, The cars in the 70s had a single red dome on the top, not as high tech as today’s cars. Princeton State police officer Rod Etter had a late 70s Plymouth that was the first unmarked car I was aware of, single red dome mounted on a pipe in the center of the interior of the car.

🚐MOBILE FOOD PANTRY

River Bend Food Bank will host a Mobile Food Pantry on Saturday, January 31 at the Bureau County Fairgrounds. The event will take place at 811 W. Peru Street, with registration running from 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Food distribution will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. The Mobile Food Pantry is offered in partnership with the Bureau County Food Pantry, Old Wheels Club, and First Lutheran Church. Attendees are asked to arrive no more than 30 minutes before distribution begins, and distribution will take place indoors and may last up to two hours. Laundry baskets are recommended for carrying food, and the event is made possible through the support of volunteers and River Bend Food Bank.

🐈LETTER FROM LORI

Oh, this cat! She is determined to keep me from completing my duties! I am trying to write my column, and she is playing with my fingers and initiating the NEED for the spellcheck I spoke so poorly of last week! Every time I sit down, she is in my lap, laying on my arm, or on the chair behind me.

I dealt with this with my children when they were young. I’d wail, and they’d say, “But we LOVE YOU, MOMMY!!” In frustration, I’d reply, “Love me less!” Of course, I didn’t mean that. I loved that they loved me and wanted to be near me, and ON me, and UNDER me. I just didn’t want them in the way of doing what I wanted to do. I had stuff to do. I had tasks to accomplish. I had a LIST!

I felt like I did a good job of keeping my priorities in order. I made time for them. I tried to do most of my stuff when they were at school or at an activity that didn’t ask for my presence. I intentionally made time for them. Now that they are older, I pray that they see my effort, even if it wasn’t perfect. I hope I set a good example and that they do the same for their own children (so far, so good from what I’ve seen!).

BUT sometimes they were speedbumps. Sometimes they slowed me down when I was on a roll. Sometimes I had to swerve to avoid running over them as I rushed from one duty to another. Sometimes I didn’t swerve fast enough and knocked them down or stepped on them. As far as I remember, I never mortally wounded any of them, but I’m sure there was a bump or minor contusion here and there. I remember telling them, “You can help me best by getting out of the way.”

With this cat—aka Beulah the Terrorist—I have shoved her, accidentally kicked her, knocked her down, stepped on her tail, and YET she hasn’t learned. She is constantly underfoot and refuses to leave me alone no matter what effort I put into deterring her behavior. It is so frustrating!

My granddaughter loves to “hep” me at the pet store I own. As I push the feed cart around, she is often in front of me, in danger of being run over. Once I open a cage to put food in, she wiggles in between me and the cute critter inside so she can pet it or kiss it. I have to wait for her to lavish her affection on it before I can continue my effort. When she “heps,” it often takes me much more time to get it all done, and I plan accordingly. As a Crammy, I have learned a few things about “hepping,” and one of them is patience and an increase in my time-management skills.

I recently drew the parallel to my relationship with God. How often do I get in His way? How often is He trying to accomplish something in my life, and I get between Him and the goal? Do I wiggle in and think I can do it better? Do I grab the water bucket and spill it all over in my attempt to “hep” Him? Do I splash in the mess or apologize and let Him do what He needs to do? In my innocence (or ignorance), do I see that if I would just get out of the way, things would go much smoother? Does God roll His eyes and wish I’d just MOVE so He could finish?

Naw, I think He patiently waits, smiles at my idiocy, and then, when I decide I’m done with my own agenda, He just steps in and continues. I think He looks at me like a GRANDfather, with that level of patience, rather than a FATHER who might actually get annoyed. If you’re like me, it has taken a lot longer for Him to get things done because of ME. I’m a good DO-er, but I’m not a good LISTENER.

So, kiss those critters, dance in front of the cart, fall down here and there. God will just smile while holding the feed scoop, and eventually, everyone will get fed!!Lori owns the Book-el-ZOO in Princeton. It’s not just a pet shop — it’s an experience!

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