November 20, 2023 🚨🎸🐰🚙

We had a wonderful time at the Christmas Walk over the weekend, as I’m sure you did too. Princeton is truly a warm and charming town, as it has been since my childhood. The Praise and Shine Quartet at the Prairie Arts Center was tremendous. My kids and I absolutely loved Sayler’s General Store, too. The candy selection is a 10/10!

What You Should Know

• Gas Prices

  >Casey’s West: $3.45

  >Sullivan’s: $3.44

  >Casey’s North: $3.45

  >Beck’s North: $3.47

  >Road Ranger: $3.49

• PHS legend Grady Thompson went 4-4 from 3 and had 15 points off the bench in the win against Monmouth Friday. They are now 3-0 in his Freshman season.

• 2019 PHS graduate Michael Kramer will be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He is marching with Band Director's of America. There are 400+ participants in the group including Michael and Jennifer Mills, also of Princeton.

• The Princeton Tigers Girls Basketball Team won their season-opening tournament against Erie-Prophetstown 43-30. Vote for Keighley Davis for News Tribune Athlete of the Week.

• PHS Principal Andy Berlinski announced that eight students from the graduating class of 2024 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. These include: Ellie Wetlte, Judah Shipley, Abigail Brown, Caitlin Meyer, Morgan Foes, Bennett Williams, Michael Smith, and Morgan Bartkiewicz.

• Heartland Bank and Trust donated $2,500 to Second Story Teen Center.

Local Music

• Music Jam will take place on Tuesday, November 21st, 5:30 at the Princeton Public Library. If you play bluegrass, gospel, country, folk, or pop music, bring your guitar, banjo, mandolin, or whatever instrument you can, and play a song or jam with the group. Players and listeners are welcome.

• Not Petty is back at The Black Rose Saloon, Wednesday, November 22nd at 7pm. Come kick off the holiday weekend in style with America's favorite Tom Petty Tribute duo.

• Festival 56 presents Music, Memories, and Merriment: an Evening of Songs with Sarah Smith. Friday and Saturday, December 1st and 2nd at 7:30pm @ Grace Performing Arts Center. Buy tickets here.

• Saturday, December 2nd, 3pm: FiddleRock! will be at the Hawg House Saloon. Rock, pop, metal, and country. Hear the music of Tool, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Metallica, Chicago, Dire Straits, AC/DC, Charlie Daniels, Guns-n-Roses, Led Zeppelin, and more—all on violin.

• Sunday, December 8th, 3pm: Princeton Community Band will perform at Princeton High School.

• The Princeton High School Madrigal Singers will perform at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Barn at Hornbaker Gardens, located 22937 County Rd. 1140 N. in Princeton (BCR). You can order your tickets here.

Places to Go

• Black Friday sale at the Boek-el-Zoo, and a kids movie with popcorn on Saturday. Bring your own beverage.

• Home for the Holidays Christmas Light Drive Thru: Friday, Nov 24, 2023 - Sunday Nov 26, 2023. Friday and Saturday: 5 pm-9 pm, Sunday 5 pm-8 pm @ the Bureau County Fairgrounds.

• Saturday, November 25th: Small Business Saturday. Shop small!

• Barrel Society will be hosting Elf Trivia Tuesday, November 28th at 7pm. Send a message on Facebook or Instagram to sign up your team of 2-6 people.

Outside the City Limits

Wyanet

The Wyanet United Methodist Church Food Pantry is open on Wednesday 4 pm to 5 pm.

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and all their elves will be traveling through Wyanet on Saturday Dec 9th. Starting at 9:30 a.m., they will begin their journey in a Wyanet Fire Truck. Ages are newborn through 10 years old. If you would like Santa and Mrs. Clause to stop at your house, message Kim Rich and she will get you on the list. Deadline to sign up is November 27th.

Spring Valley/Lasalle

The Takeaway, a restaurant set to serve reimagined homestyle favorites with generational family recipes, opened last Thursday.

Spring Valley's annual lighted Christmas Parade: Saturday, November 25th.

Lasalle’s “Miracle on First Street”: Saturday, December 2nd

• Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus: 8:30 am & 9:30 am @ The Auditorium Ballroom (Seats are limited. Call 815-223-3755, press 1 for reservations)

• Santa's Workshop: 9:00 am-1:00 pm, Ax Church @ 944 1st Street

• Fire Truck Rides & S'mores: 10:00 am-1:00 pm @ La Salle City Hall

• Photos with Santa & snacks for the kids: 10-2pm at @ The Auditorium Ballroom

• Carriage Rides: 12:00 pm-3:00 pm. Hot Chocolate & Cookies provided by 815 Media @ 1st & Wright Streets.

• Christmas Family Bingo: 12:30 pm-2:30 pm @ The Grove Center

• Tree Lighting: 3:00 pm @ City Hall, 745 2nd street

• Celebration of Lights: Open nightly Nov. 10th-Jan. 1st, @ Rotary Park, 2845 E. 5th Road, La Salle; Sunday-Thursday, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm; Friday-Saturday, 5:00 pm-10:00 pm

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Some Princeton History

Owen Lovejoy, a prominent 19th-century American abolitionist and politician, had a significant connection to Princeton, Illinois. Born in 1811, Lovejoy became a Congregational minister before emerging as a fervent advocate for the abolition of slavery. His ties to Princeton began when he moved there in 1838 to assume the role of pastor at the local Congregational Church. Lovejoy's time in Princeton marked a critical period in his life, as he actively used his pulpit to speak out against the institution of slavery, gaining both support and opposition in the process.

Beyond his role as a clergyman, Owen Lovejoy's impact on Princeton extended into the realm of education. He played a key role in the establishment of the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society in 1837, and his efforts contributed to the founding of the abolitionist-leaning Princeton College (now known as Monmouth College) in 1853. Lovejoy's legacy in Princeton endures through his dedication to the abolitionist cause, shaping the town's history and its stance on crucial social issues during a pivotal period in American history.

For More Princeton News, See These Previous Issues

• November 11th: Banjos, Mushrooms, Walks, Bumblebee, and Football 

• November 13th: History, Music, Dog Parks, Trains, and Parades

• November 15th: Orchestras, Christmas Walk, Elves, Movies, Weekend Weather, Gas Prices

• November 18th: An Earthquake, the Red Covered Bridge, Saturday Events, Gas Prices, T-Giving at the Movies, and Weather