🅿️Meat Sweats, Breaking Ground, and Basketball Camp

Good morning, Princeton. My wife left for a women’s retreat with our church, so some of us men got together for RibFest 2024. Shout out to Niel and Shorty’s. They always come through. Thank you Niel and Shorty’s for making RibFest 2024 a rousing success, and for giving me the chance to use a hole in my belt I haven’t used for a while. Princeton knows BBQ. Put it on a tshirt.

Let’s get started.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
👱‍♂️Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
🔗Top Links This Week
🗑️Princeton Garbage Update
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Openings
🏡Princeton Homes for Sale
👤Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Mitchell Tenpenny with special guest Lauren Alaina concert tickets are officiall on sale! Visit www.bureaucountyfair.com to purchase your them.

• BCR: “Princeton’s Miyah Fox signed with Mt. Mercy to play volleyball and run track.”

• The PHS Boys Basketball Camp is scheduled for June 3-7, 2024, focusing on basketball fundamentals, guided by PHS Head Coach Jason Smith and his team. Registration is open for boys from 3rd to 8th grade in the mornings and 9th to 12th in the evenings, costing $50 per camper.

• The Second Story Teen Center reported progress on their new building, announcing that fencing was installed today. Excavation work is scheduled to start on Monday as they move forward with development.

• Princeton Community Band's 20th Season Concerts

  • Sundays at 6:00 pm: June 2, 16, 30; July 7, 21, 28

  • Location: Soldiers & Sailors Park, Princeton

  • Bring lawn chairs

  • Free admission

  • Refreshments available

  • Rain location: Pannebaker Gym, Logan Jr. High

• The 12th Annual Z Tour Bike Ride on June 22nd invites all ages to a charitable ride through North-Central Illinois' finest cycling routes, benefiting the Zearing Child Enrichment Center in Princeton. Sign up now for a day of family-friendly cycling and support a good cause!

• Princeton High School is proud to announce the spring show Mary Poppins, the Broadway Musical tomorrow at 2PM. Tickets can be ordered via an online form on the PHS website: www.phs-il.org, or by calling (815) 875-3308. All tickets are $10 with reserved seating. PHS student tickets are free.

• World Atlas: “No matter what time of the year you visit Princeton, there will most likely be an annual event occurring. During February, the Annual Beer & Wine Tasting event takes place as a way to raise funds while providing drink offerings and live entertainment. In June, the Shrimpfest & Brew Hullabaloo is a great event to kick off the summer where food and activities for all ages can be found.”

• Princeton NOW+ subscribers also receive Local Marriages, Board and City Council meeting summaries — along with local obituaries, arrests, and property transfers, ad free. Join 120 others and upgrade your newsletter today.

  • Susan: “I’m so glad that I subscribed, it’s well worth the price! Keep providing this great content, Justin.”

⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: Princeton will enjoy mostly sunny skies in the morning, turning to mostly cloudy in the afternoon, with a cool high around 50°F. Wind from the WNW at 10 to 20 mph. The evening will be clear to partly cloudy with a low of 31°F and winds from the WNW at 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday: A sunny day awaits, with a high near 60°F. Winds will be WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Come evening, the skies will remain clear, and the temperature will drop to a low of 36°F, with west winds at 5 to 10 mph.

Monday: The week starts with mostly sunny skies in the morning that will become overcast in the afternoon. Expect a high of 64°F with SW winds at 10 to 15 mph. The evening forecast predicts cloudy skies with a low around 50°F and winds continuing SSW at 10 to 20 mph.

It seems like a pleasant weekend with a warm start to the new week, with only a small chance of rain. Enjoy the sunshine and mild temperatures!

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.79
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.84
Casey’s West/North: $3.82
Beck’s West/North: $3.87
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.89
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.86

Diesel

Beck’s West/North: $3.99
Road Ranger, N Main St.: $4.15
Casey’s West/North: $3.95
Amoco, N Main St: $3.99
Sullivan’s: $3.99

👱‍♂️PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

🏅Jason Sullivan-Walter

Reason for Nomination: “Jason is a natural-born leader. He works full time at Midland Bank. He is a Chamber member. He is a crafter. He is attending school online. He is just an overall great person.”

Congratulations, Jason. You’ve won the illustrious Princeton Person of the Week.

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

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Meadows On Main is back! is delighted to announce their grand reopening on Tuesday, April 23rd. Special extended hours for the grand opening week are 10 am - 6 pm on Tuesday and Friday.

• Crazy Eight Homestead Farm Stand, located at 24797 1900 North Ave Princeton IL, is open Wednesday and Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM, offering self-serve chicken and duck eggs at $2 per dozen or $2.50 per 18-pack, and $1 per 6-pack, accepting cash, Venmo, and Cashapp.

• At the Cafe Grace

  • Saturday Specials:

    • Reuben Quesadilla

    • Spin Art Omelet

    • Early Closure (time not specified) for personal commitment

  • Sunday Specials:

    • Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

    • Salmon BLT

• Neighborhood Ace Hardware is offering Princeton Tiger Blue Yeti tumblers for a limited time! These are perfect for showing your team spirit, so snag one quickly to support the tigers in style.

• Paisano's Ristorante is offering a pizza that's a must-try for pepperoni aficionados – The Pepperoni Lover, which features a sweet and tangy pizza sauce base topped with three types of pepperoni and a unique drizzle of hot honey. Available for a limited time, this dish promises to elevate your pizza experience. Dive into their giant-sized pretzels with garlic butter and salt, savor the Pizza of the Month featuring taco toppings.

• For the Wild Honey Boutique Spring Shopping Night: Shop the latest spring essentials on April 24 from 4 PM to 7 PM at Wild Honey Boutique. Enjoy refreshments as you browse, with a free gift for purchases over $75.

• Coffee enthusiasts: Optimal Health has introduced a new line of coffee products, including superfood-infused options for focus, daily defense, and cardiovascular care. Perfect for those looking to enhance their coffee routine with additional health benefits.

• Wild Ginger Bistro and Wine Bar is opening in two weeks and encourages community support through social media following, especially on their new Instagram account.

  • The establishment has announced that it will feature outdoor dining and a lounge with comfortable seating, available for reservations in the evenings.

  • While they won't accept reservations for lunch or brunch, they are open to reservations for dinner.

• Enjoy a transformative experience at the Women's Retreat in the newly renovated Knox Hotel Ballroom, April 26-28, now at a special rate of $75. Register by this Friday to secure your spot at this event.

• Catch the early access showing of "UNSUNG HERO" with special bonus content at the Apollo Theater Princeton on Wednesday, April 24th. Tickets are on sale now.

• Hornbaker Gardens is ready for the season with their greenhouses brimming with color from a variety of annuals, houseplants, and a notable selection of cacti and succulents. They invite visitors to create personalized combo containers using their vibrant selection, promising continuous new arrivals each week.

• Rachel Rene announces a Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer on their clearance rack and clearance slippers, encouraging customers to grab comfortable lounge wear and pajamas. The store is open from 10-5pm for shopping, and deals are also available online at their website.

🔗TOP LINKS THIS WEEK

• KWQC: “Chapel Hill Golf Course in Princeton, Illinois, is rich with history and its clubhouse might look a little familiar.”

• Shop for the latest T-shirts and tanks at Little Blue Dress, both in store and online. Their newest arrivals are available at www.littlebluedressprinceton.com, so be sure to take a peek and snag your favorites while they're in stock. They’ve also restocked their Madrid Style Birkenstock Sandals.

• Volvo Island: “The mystery of a car stranded on a tiny private oasis in Illinois”

🗑️CITY OF PRINCETON GARBAGE UPDATE

Here is the Q & A Theresa Wittenauer recently did with the Bureau County Republican.

• Princeton is introducing new side-load garbage trucks with robotic arms, expecting delivery by May 1, 2024, and will begin operation on May 6, with recycling on a bi-weekly schedule starting May 20.

• Residents will receive one 95-gallon garbage tote for weekly pickup and can request a recycling tote for bi-weekly pickup, with no extra bags or cans unless arranged and prepaid.

• Tote delivery starts on April 29, 2024, and residents must pre-request a smaller 65-gallon tote if needed; totes are registered to the address and must stay with the property if residents move.

• Residents are responsible for their tote’s condition and will incur a $75 replacement cost; totes must be placed within 5 feet of the street with 5-foot clearance all around, or they won’t be picked up.

• Detailed instructions will accompany the totes upon delivery, and placement during delivery will indicate where totes should be set for future pickups.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

Gamma Team Security is hiring security guards for a new contract at the new Ollie’s Bargain Warehouse Distribution Center in Princeton, IL.

• Full time & part time opportunities

• Pay $18/hr

• All shifts availabl

• IL PERC card is required to work but we are willing to help you apply.

• To apply, please email [email protected] or call 224-235-434

• Please send in any security guard credentials you might have.

Wild Ginger Bistro

• Dishwasher $12-$14/hour - morning and evening dishwashers to join our team. As a Dishwasher, you will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation standards in our kitchen, ensuring that all dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment are properly cleaned and sanitized. Weekend availability is a must. Contact [email protected] for an application.

• Server/Bartender $10-$12/hour plus tips - servers/bartenders. They are responsible for ensuring our guests receive the ultimate hospitality experience. This position requires someone who can efficiently handle multiple duties under pressure, can work well with others, a positive attitude, and work in a fast-paced environment. Weekend availability is a must. Contact [email protected] for an application.

• Line Cook - $14-$16/hour - a skilled and experienced Line Cook to join our team. As a Line Cook, you will be responsible for preparing and cooking delicious meals in accordance with our menu and food safety standards. Your culinary expertise and attention to detail will contribute to the overall dining experience for our customers. Weekend availability is a must. Contact [email protected] for an application.

🏡 PRINCETON HOME FOR SALE

• This home at 816 S Main Street is listed for sale at $117,000. It offers four bedrooms and two bathrooms within its spacious 2,489 square foot interior on a 0.3-acre lot. The property was originally built in 1886 and was once two apartments, hinting at potential income property use. Recent updates include a new metal roof in 2021, an updated main floor bathroom, and fresh paint, maintaining classic features like inlaid hardwood floors, a curved glass window, and ornate staircase and pocket doors. A full basement and a detached two-car garage complete this charming home.

👤LETTER FROM LORI

Our bodies are made up of several parts that all work together with the sole purpose of sustaining life. Each part has a function that is important to the function and productivity of the other parts. So it is with the body of Christ.

For many years, I joked that I was the mouth in the body of Christ, and my mother would have agreed. She didn't appreciate my verbal nature, so, in order to seek her approval, I tried hard to be a toe or a pinky finger, but I was not designed for that role, and no matter how hard I tried, I failed.

As I matured and embraced my open, brash nature, I found that I was happier and more successful in reaching people.

Twenty-five years ago, when my ex-husband introduced me to his Mennonite church family, I hesitated. I assured him that they were about beanies and long skirts, while I was about scars and tattoos. They lived their faith quietly, and I screamed it from the mountaintops. I thought I would never fit in. I walked in, bracing myself for stares and judgment. Maybe they cringed and rolled their eyes, but I didn't see that. Instead, I was met with warm hugs and felt comfortable being myself. They encouraged me to be true to myself and use my gift to honor God. They showed me that my strength had a purpose.

So, I grew in my place. Years later, a church member approached me and confided that she felt her passive approach to sharing her faith was a weakness she struggled with, and that my example of boldness had helped her overcome some of her hesitations. She still wasn't ready for a bullhorn and pom-poms on the sidelines, or a microphone and a ten-piece band, but she did talk more to those who were willing to listen.

So, look in the mirror this morning and try to discern where you belong. Are you the eyes, able to see what God has in store? Are you the ears, designed to listen to the woes of your fellow man? Are you the kidneys, filtering out toxins? Are you connective tissue, bringing people together and bonding them? Maybe you're the big toe, bringing balance and stability to the structure of life. Could you be hair, meant to enhance and adorn? No matter what your function, it is important, and you need to rock it, embrace it, and do the best you can so that all of the other parts can function at maximum capacity.

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