🌪️A Business Closing, a Funnel Cloud, and Kidbucks

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Good morning, Princeton. We’ve had some wild weather the last few days: 70 degrees, dirty-rain or rainy-dirt (crazy?), snow possibilities (what?), funnel clouds, hail, heavy rain. We’ve experienced a year’s worth of weather in a week.

Only in the Midwest. Let’s get to it.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🗓️Upcoming Events
☀️Princeton Weather
🚨Volunteers Needed
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Opportunities
💼Princeton Businesses
🎡Kidbucks Game Show
📍Outside City Limits
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
✍🏻Do We Still Need Handwriting?

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Austin Glinski and Josh Fahs! 🎂

• The Princeton Public Library is hosting its Friends of the Library spring book sale from March 20-22, with hours from 10 AM-6 PM on Thursday, 10 AM-5 PM on Friday, and 10 AM-2 PM on Saturday.

• The Bureau County Fair 50/50 Raffle is now underway. The drawing will be held at the fair on Sunday August 24th. Please contact a Board Member or call 815-303-2905 to purchase your tickets. Thank you for your support.

• Early voting is open today at the Princeton Moose Lodge from 8 AM to 4 PM and at Spring Valley City Hall from 9 AM to 3 PM.

• Bureau County: Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on southbound I-180, located a mile south of the Illinois 26 interchange (exit 7). The work will replace the bridges carrying I-180 over Bureau Creek and Tiskilwa Bottom Road. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.

• BCR: Princeton recognizes volunteer Tammi Lanxon for her work setting up warming center

• Bean Buzz is closing on April 12, and customers are encouraged to use their gift and loyalty cards before then.

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🗓️UPCOMING EVENTS

🍩 PJs + Donuts at The Knack – Wear comfy pajamas, paint donut-themed pottery, and enjoy free donuts at The Knack on Saturday, March 22, from 9 AM-12 PM.

📚The Princeton Public Library is set to host a Princess Tea Party on Saturday, March 22nd, at 10:30 am, aimed at children aged 3 to 10 and their guardians.

🌸 March Into Spring at Simply Nutrition – A celebration with sweets, sourdough, and MarDogs at Simply Nutrition on Saturday, March 29, from 10 AM-1 PM.

🎶 Hollywood & Vine’s Annual Spring Break Party – 12 hours of live music, party favors, and drink specials at Hollywood & Vine on Saturday, March 29, starting at 12 PM.

🐣 Easter Egg Hunt at Liberty Village of Princeton – Join the fun at Liberty Village of Princeton on Saturday, April 5, at 10 AM for an annual Easter egg hunt.

🎸 Burn N’ Bush at The Hawg House – Live music and drinks at Hawg House Saloon on Saturday, April 5, from 3-6 PM.

🎭PHS’s performances of Cinderella will be on Friday, April 4, at 7 pm, and Sunday, April 6, at 2 pm in Sally Skinner Auditorium at Princeton High School. Tickets may be reserved via links at www.phs-il.org.

🛍️ Princeton Swap Meet – A marketplace for motorcycle enthusiasts at Bureau County Fairgrounds on Sunday, May 4, from 8 AM-2 PM. Admission $10.

🎸 Sweetwater at The Hawg House Saloon – Celebrate Memorial Day Sunday with live music at Hawg House Saloon on Sunday, May 25, from 3-7 PM.

🌳 Homestead Lawn Event – A community event at Owen Lovejoy Homestead on Saturday, June 14, from 5-7 PM to raise funds and celebrate local traditions.

🏠 Annual Covenant Children’s Home Reunion – A gathering for past residents, staff, and volunteers at Simon Conference Center on Saturday, June 28, from 10 AM-4 PM. Donations welcome.

🚨VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

These Full Scale Exercises are very important because they give first responders the opportunity to train and learn during the exercises to help them during real life events.

Use the QR code here

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Today: Some morning clouds giving way to mainly sunny skies in the afternoon. High of 46°F with northwest winds at 15 to 25 mph. Night remains mostly clear early, with a few clouds later. Low of 31°F with southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph.

🌥️Friday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of afternoon rain. High of 58°F with south-southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph and higher gusts possible. Increasing clouds at night with scattered showers developing. Low of 27°F with south winds at 5 to 10 mph.

🌥️Saturday: Partly to mostly cloudy with a high of 49°F. South-west winds at 10 to 20 mph. Night remains mostly cloudy early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low of 39°F with south winds at 10 to 15 mph.

Midwest Hit by Dirty Rain as Dust and Smoke from Wildfires Sweep North

Wednesday’s dirty rain across the Midwest was caused by a storm system carrying dust and smoke from Texas and Oklahoma, where extreme dryness and wildfires have worsened air quality. Oklahoma’s wildfires, which began Friday, destroyed over 400 homes and caused at least four deaths, while strong winds lifted debris into the atmosphere. As the storm system moved northeast, it pulled these airborne particles along, depositing them as muddy raindrops across Illinois and Iowa. This pattern will likely continue with future storms from the southwest until significant rainfall helps settle the dust and the planting season progresses. In addition to dirty rain, poor air quality remains a concern due to lingering dust and smoke in the air. Meanwhile, the region faced the risk of severe storms Wednesday afternoon, with the potential for hail, strong winds, and isolated tornadoes. By evening, precipitation was expected to shift to snow, with light accumulation mostly on grassy surfaces. Until weather conditions improve in the Southwest, similar events may occur in future Midwest storms.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.19
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.19
Casey’s West/North: $3.23
Beck’s West/North: $3.23
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.29
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.23

👷‍♂️PRINCETON JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• The Bureau Putnam Marshall County Health Department is hiring a part-time Registered Nurse (RN) in Princeton, IL, offering up to $30 per hour. The role involves promoting health and wellness, collaborating with providers, coordinating care, assessing symptoms, and supporting patients and families. The position requires an RN license, BLS certification, and experience in nursing, with a focus on pediatrics, OB/GYN, and primary care. The work is clinic-based with no weekend shifts.

• Tiskilwa Farms Alpacas is hiring part-time farm staff for $15 an hour to assist with animal care, barn cleaning, and property maintenance. The job requires working outdoors year-round, handling repairs, and managing livestock, including alpacas. Ideal candidates should have experience in farming, animal husbandry, equipment maintenance, and heavy lifting. The position offers an employee discount, a flexible schedule, and requires weekend availability as needed.

• The Electronics Department Associate position at Walmart in Princeton, IL, is a full-time role with pay ranging from $15 to $28 per hour. The job involves assisting customers on the sales floor, recommending electronics based on their needs, and maintaining product displays. Shifts include mid-shift and closing, with additional pay incentives based on performance and work conditions. Benefits include a 401(k) plan, dental insurance, and other perks.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Friends of Strays wants you to meet Buchanan, a new pit mix at the shelter, describing him as a sweet dog who snorts, smiles with “cute little teefers,” and has a great personality.

• Open Prairie United Church of Christ is offering free laundry assistance today, from 1:00–7:00 p.m. at Princeton Laundry Village, providing two free loads per household. This service occurs every third Thursday of the month.

• Boek-el-ZOO visited the Quad Cities to educate preschoolers about animals and is planning storefront changes for 2025.

• Johnson’s Carpet Shoppe has added new kid play dough kits to the store, perfect for Easter baskets.

• Nails by Janet is offering spring manicures at Bean Buzz, and appointments can be made by calling 815-875-7990.

• Neighborhood Ace Hardware has a March paint sale with a buy-one-get-one-50%-off deal on select Clark + Kensington and Royal paint gallons and buckets.

• The Princeton Closet is running promotions this week, including Basket Days, buy-one-get-one-free frames, and a free coffee mug with a $10 purchase.

• Apollo Theater is hosting a “Minecraft” movie premiere on April 3 at 6:00 PM, with tickets available online and at the box office.

• Once Upon A Craft is holding a craft day for kids ages 6-12 on March 26, with 12 open spots available.

• The Studio Boutique is featuring new spring fashion items and is open for shopping from 10 AM to 7 PM.

• Monical’s Pizza of Princeton is offering a two-day special on March 19th and 20th for a 14” thin crust pizza with up to three toppings for $17, with additional toppings available for purchase.

• Bureau County Senior Center is hosting a baked potato fundraiser on Friday, March 21st, from 11 AM to 1 PM, with all proceeds benefiting the center.

• Buttercream Bake Shop is now taking orders for Easter cookies, with pickup scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th, from 5 PM to 6 PM at the Princeton Library.

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🎡KIDBUCKS GAME SHOW AT THE BUREAU COUNTY FAIR

We are pleased to announce that Kidbucks Game Show will be part of our free entertainment at the 2025 Bureau County Fair. This is a great show that provides fun for the whole family.

Kidbucks Game Show is a thrilling game show where randomly selected members of the audience, participate in wild and crazy games. Unlike many “trivia based” game shows where contestants ring a bell and answer a question, Kidbucks is an “action” based game in which the contestants are competing in clever, creative, challenging and entertaining games of a physical nature. The grand champion enters the Kidbucks chamber and grabs as many “Kidbucks” as possible, as they swirl about the chamber. The bucks are tallied and redeemed for a prize based on how many bucks are collected.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 815-303-8247.

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• Multiple car break-ins reported in Walnut

• Storms Roll Through Mid-Afternoon On Wednesday

• Mendota adopts 1% tax on groceries

• A proposed expansion of Northview Elementary School in Peru is the focus of a community meeting Wednesday night.

• Tickets On Sale For "Hello, Dolly!" Performances At IVCC

• Brad Paisley Returns to Illinois State Fair for Grandstand Performance August 14

• Illinois Spring Trout Fishing Season Kicks Off April, 5, 2025 with 80,000 Rainbow Trout

📚 Barre Burn – March 22, 8 AM at Cornerstone Community Wellness, Sheffield. A full-body barre-inspired workout designed to sculpt, strengthen, and empower. $7 entry.

🛍 Spring Craft and Vendor Show – March 22, 10 AM at Mendota Civic Center. The show kicks off at 9 AM, featuring a variety of local vendors and crafts.

🎸 An Acoustic Evening with SWP – March 19, 7 PM at Walnut Community Bible Church. A special acoustic concert with the Sidewalk Prophets, playing hits and sharing stories.

🌿 Pampered & Peaceful: A Mother’s Getaway – May 10, 11:30 AM at Unwind at Westclox, Peru. A relaxing retreat for moms.

✈️ TBM Avenger Reunion & Salute to Veterans – May 16-17 at Illinois Valley Regional Airport, Peru. A thrilling airshow featuring TBM Avengers and warbirds, plus an F-16 demonstration.

🛵 Antiquin’ Weekend – April 26-27, 11 AM-5 PM at LCHS Canal Market, Utica. Browse vintage and antique vendors while exploring the historic canal market.

🏍 Sunset Ridge ATVMX – Triple Crown (AMA Pro Class Only) Round 6 – May 24-25 at Sunset Ridge MX, Walnut. A major stop in the ATV Motocross National Championship series.

🎉 Grand Opening – Blissful Branch, Sheffield – April 5, 9 AM-3 PM at 113 S Main St, Sheffield. A celebration with snacks, door prizes, and Easter egg discounts.

🏠PRINCETON HOME FOR SALE

• This property at 2730 Woodside Drive, Princeton, IL, is listed for $435,000 and offers 2 beds, 2 baths, and 1,856 sq ft of living space on over 11 acres. The home is a modified A-frame with a circular driveway leading to a garage and private tennis court. Inside, there is a large stone gas fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a modern open staircase leading to a loft that can serve as a third bedroom. The galley kitchen features a 9’ deep walk-in pantry, and dining areas include an eat-in space, a screened room, and a large outdoor patio. The master suite has a 12’ x 14’ bath and its own solarium. The basement offers additional living space with a 17’ x 32’ bonus room, a 14’ x 15’ rec room, a walkout exit, and waterproofing by Davis Concrete.

✍🏻DO WE STILL NEED HANDWRITING IN A DIGITAL WORLD?

In an age dominated by digital communication, handwriting—particularly cursive—seems to be fading into obscurity. Many schools have phased out cursive instruction in favor of typing skills, and handwritten letters have largely been replaced by emails and text messages. The question arises: Do we still need handwriting, or is it an outdated skill in the modern world? While technology has certainly made communication more efficient, research suggests that handwriting still plays a crucial role in cognitive development, memory retention, and even creative expression.

Handwriting and Brain Development

Studies in cognitive neuroscience indicate that writing by hand engages the brain in unique ways. The process of forming letters manually activates different neural pathways than typing does. When children learn to write by hand, they develop better fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Research by psychologist Virginia Berninger found that children who wrote by hand, especially in cursive, demonstrated stronger reading and spelling abilities compared to those who relied solely on keyboards. The physical act of writing appears to reinforce learning by creating stronger connections in the brain.

Memory Retention and Note-Taking

Handwriting has also been shown to improve memory and comprehension. A well-known study by Mueller and Oppenheimer (2014) found that students who took handwritten notes retained information better than those who typed on laptops. The reason lies in the cognitive effort required—when writing by hand, students must process and condense information rather than simply transcribing it. This deeper level of engagement leads to better recall and understanding of material. Despite the convenience of digital note-taking, it may not be the most effective method for long-term learning.

Cursive and Speed of Writing

Cursive writing was historically taught to help students write more quickly and fluidly. While print letters require the pen to lift off the paper frequently, cursive allows for a continuous flow of writing, which can improve speed and efficiency. This is particularly useful in situations where taking quick notes is necessary, such as in lectures or meetings. However, with the rise of digital devices, many argue that typing has now replaced the need for speed in handwriting.

Creativity and Personal Expression

Handwriting is also an art form and a personal expression of individuality. Unlike typed text, which is uniform, handwriting is unique to each person. Journaling, sketching, and calligraphy all involve handwriting as a creative outlet. Studies have suggested that handwriting stimulates ideas in ways that typing does not, potentially because of the deeper neural engagement involved.

The Case for Keeping Handwriting Alive

Despite the undeniable convenience of digital communication, handwriting—especially cursive—offers significant cognitive and practical benefits. While it may not need to be the primary mode of writing, its disappearance could have unintended consequences for learning, memory, and creativity. Perhaps the best approach is not to eliminate handwriting altogether, but to maintain a balance, ensuring that future generations can still engage with this valuable skill while adapting to an increasingly digital world.

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