🅿️Princeton NOW Newsletter: Good Citizens, a Business Closure, and Nerf Nights

TOGETHER WITH

It’s Saturday, Princeton. We’re going to gain over 80 minutes of daylight in the month of March. I know you can’t see me, but I’m doing a bunch of backflips to celebrate right now.

Let’s boogie.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
☀️Princeton Weather
🤵🏻‍♂️Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🎸Local Music
👷‍♂️Job Opportunities
🏡Princeton Homes for Sale
👶🏻Need a Babysitter?
🧹Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Stephanie Bonucci 🎈

• Princeton Basketball Legend Grady Thompson and the University of Dubuque Spartans played the first round of the NCAA Tournament yesterday. They lost 59-57 by a buzzer beater.

• Byron defeated the Princeton Tigers in the 2A sectional finals last night 59-43.

• Bennett Williams received the DAR Good Citizenship Award.

• Princeton is named as one of the “12 Most Underrated Towns in Illinois” by World Atlas: “This delightful Bureau County town possesses an engaging blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Princeton's charm lies in its quaint shops and well-preserved covered bridges. But you can delve deeper into the town's history at gems like the Bureau County Historical Society Museum. Housing thousands of intimate local photographs and rare Native American artifacts, it showcases the area's people and places through the years. Visitors will appreciate exploring the life of abolitionist Owen Lovejoy at his 19th-century home, now a National Historic Landmark.”

• Bureau County Clerk: Recently, the Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter ruled to remove Republican Primary Candidate Donald Trump from the March 19th Illinois Primary Ballot. However, this ruling is on hold, pending the outcome of a case before the United States Supreme Court. As such, I want to reassure the public that at this time no changes are taking place with March 2024 Primary Ballots. Republican Party Primary Ballots will still have Donald Trump as a candidate. If you have already participated in In-Person Early Voting or Vote-By-Mail you do not need to take any action at this time. The Bureau County Clerk & Recorder’s Office will follow any Court Decision as it relates to the 2024 Presidential Election.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: Sunny with a high near 36°F during the day, becoming clear and breezy at night with a low around 26°F. Expect breezy conditions with southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, gusting as high as 35 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a daytime high near 53°F. West wind 10 to 15 mph, gusts as high as 25 mph. At night, mostly clear with a low around 24°F.

Monday: Mostly sunny with a high near 60°F. Partly cloudy at night with a low around 31°F.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 67°F, turning partly cloudy at night with a low around 36°F.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 45°F. The night brings a 30 percent chance of rain, mostly cloudy conditions, and a low around 38°F.

click here for road conditions.
click here for an I-80 traffic camera. 

👱‍♂️PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

🏅Pat Lilley

Reason for nomination: “Pat has been an active member of the Moose Lodge for decades. He has brought fun and laughter to any event in which he has participated. He, along with his wife Gaylynn have raised 3 boys who also have big hearts. Pat is always willing to lend a hand to those around him.”

Pat, 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

• Blooms on Elm is officially closing. They are having a going out of business sale, and today is the last day, from 10am-2pm. 50% off all plants and candles; Home decor and silks are 75% off. Everything must go.
  

• Nerf Nights at the Bureau County Metro Center will begin Friday, March 29th. Click here for more information. Click this link to register your child.
  

• Second Story Teen Center is closed Tuesday. They will be open again on Friday the 8th.
  

• The Boek-el-Zoo will have a camel to check out on March 16th. More information to follow.
  

• Golden Rice Authentic Thai Food will be serving Thai Tea now and throughout the summer.
  

• Over 110 tables have been reserved for the Winter Garage sale at the Bureau County Fair on March 9th, but there’s still room for you to set up and sell. A 10×10 space with 3 tables is $35. Large spaces are available. Head to bureaucountyfair.com for more information.
  

• Because there is no school on March 4th, The Knack is offering 25% off for kids and students’ pottery, from 12-5pm.
  

• Ace Hardware is having a sale on the EGO Power+ 56 volt Select Cut Touch Drive Self-Propelled Mower. It is now $599.
  

• This month only, become an independent consultant with Jessica Odell and Pampered Chef and receive the Start-Up Box, which includes the Cup Slicer.
  

• Sayler’s General Store is now selling cotton candy of various flavors.
  

• Los Ranchitos is now serving whole fried tilapia on Fridays.

• Purchase a new Bean Buzz cup and use it to get 10% off of refills.

• Wild Ginger Bistro and Wine Bar revealed some menu items in this Facebook post.

• Paisano’s Ristorante’s March Pizza of the Month is “The Reuben”: 1,000 Island base, shredded corned beef, sauerkraut, and mozzarella cheese.

• Dune Part Two (PG-13) plays at the Apollo today at 3:30 and 7pm. Ordinary Angels (PG) plays today at 4:30 and 7:15pm.

• Cafe Grace has a Sunday breakfast buffet tomorrow from 8am-2pm.

• Sisler’s Ice Cream’s Shake of the Month is the Shamrock Shake: Crème de Menthe-flavored, topped with whipped cream. Their Float of the Month is the Lime Sherbet Float: Lime sherbet topped with lemon lime soda and whipped cream.

• Hornbaker’s Gardens will be announcing their workshops and other fun information, including exciting new plant varieties, to our email subscribers in a couple of weeks. Sign up to get early access.

• Tailholt Trading Post is having a used furniture sale out behind their store. They will have some dressers, end tables, coffee tables, curio cabinets, and whatever else they can fit in trailer. Hours are 10 to 4.

• 50% off all clothes at Finders Keepers today.

• Hollywood & Vine is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Saturday, March 16th with Burn n’ Bush and Big on Blondes.

🔗TOP CLICKS THIS WEEK

1. I created a Facebook group called Everything Free in Princeton, Illinois. Princeton is a generous and giving community — If you have new or used items to give away around the house that others may need or want in Princeton, this is a great place to post.

2. A man was stabbed after breaking up an alleged fight in Peru.

3. Did you know Princeton has Airbnb’s available to stay at?

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.51
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.56
Casey’s West/North: $3.59
Beck’s West/North: $3.59
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.59
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.59

Diesel

Amoco, N Main St: $3.59
Beck’s West/North: $3.99
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.99
Casey’s West/North: $3.95
Road Ranger, N Main St.: $3.99

🎸LOCAL MUSIC

• Peter Fletcher | Princeton Public Library | March 8th at 5pm

• Burn N’ Bush | Hawg House Saloon | March 9th at 3pm

• Acoustic Worship Night | Evangelical Covenant Church | March 9th at 6:30pm

• Wayne “The Train” Hancock | Moose Lodge | March 16th

• STEAM Irish Quartet | Grace Theater | March 30th at 7:30pm

• Joe Rian & The A.M. Drinkers | Barrel Society | March 30th at 7pm

• Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos | The Cider Mill | Apr. 12th at 6:30pm

• Girls Like Us: Music of Carole King, Carly Simon, and Joni Mitchell | Grace Theater | Apr. 12th at 7:30pm

👷‍♂️JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Project Architect | Studio K Architecture | $28/hour

• Cashier | Beck’s | $15-16/hour

• Safety and Loss Prevention Manager | Ace | Full-time

• Gardener | Hornbaker Gardens | $14-16/hour

• Domestic Violence Advocate (2) I Freedom House I Full-time

• Quality Technician, 3rd Shift | Allegion I Full-time

• Maintenance I McDonald's | Full-time

• Management and Sales I Sherwin-Williams | Full-time

• Paraprofessional Substitutes I Princeton High School I Full-time

• Online Order Processor I Walmart I Full-time

• Patient Access Associate | OSF Health Care | $18.43/hr

• Cashier | Road Ranger | $13.20-$17.42/hr

• Teller | Midland State Bank | Full-time

• 2nd Shift Maintenance | Allegion | Full-time

• Loan Technician | US Department of Ag | $39,576–63,733/year

• Zearing Child Enrich. | Teacher/Teacher Aids | $ Based on Exp. and Ed.

• Staff Nurse RN or LPN | Liberty Village | Full/Part-time

• Cleaning Specialist | Combined Cleaning | $15-16.50/hour

• Dietary Clerk | OSF Healthcare | $16.83/hour

🏷️PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

508 S. 8th Street | $191,999 | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms

324 E. Peru | $149,500 | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms

110 S Church St | $122,500 | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

711 E. Central Ave | $110,000 | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

117 S. First | $198,000 | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

👶🏻NEED A BABYSITTER?

• Angela Whitford: 779-349-8332

• Jasmine Whitford: 779-349-8332

• Cheyenne DePatis: Facebook Message

• Bailey Carrington: Facebook Message

• Jocelyn Strouss: 815-719-9689

🧹LETTER FROM LORI

Recently, I was confronted by a person who had a different opinion from mine. She felt I hadn't made the right choices concerning something in my care. She based her opinion on a photo and a paragraph of information. I believed I had made the better decision, coming from a point of view of experience, a broader view of the situation, and knowledge of my intentions. A third party interjected her opinion, possessing the same information as the original person but also professional, educated knowledge, and entered the conversation by acknowledging the validity of all opinions.

Three opinions.

Three ways to see the same situation.

Each view had valid points.

So, which one is right?

I have a sign in my store that says, "5+3=8, but so does 7+1, 6+2, 4+4. Just because you are right, it doesn't mean everyone else is wrong. Offer grace."

How often do we enter into a debate believing that our way is the only way? Do we have all of the facts? Have we considered all of the possibilities? Have we factored in all angles and aspects? On what are we basing our opinion? Is it only our personal experience, or have we heard testimonies from trusted sources that have shaped the way we think?

Consider this too. We can have a handful of facts that don't add up to the truth. Several years ago, I was accused of allowing my rather large dog to defecate on the sidewalk in front of my store. The accuser had facts! She had a picture of the feces (photographic evidence!). She knew I owned a large dog (which subsequently produces large feces). She contended that the police had been called prior to this particular incident, indicating an ongoing problem. She had video!

All of these were facts.

There was feces on the sidewalk.

I do own a mastiff and a great dane.

The police had been called, and the issue was peacefully resolved. The video showed my dog defecating near my building. Unaware of it at the moment it occurred, I had willingly, and without hesitation, gone back and cleaned it up when it was brought to my attention.

All those facts did not add up to the truth. I was none of the things I was accused of being:

- Irresponsible

- Poor citizen

- Bad dog owner

A clear-minded individual interjected an alternate possibility. Maybe someone else who owned a large dog had been walking their dog and had allowed it to defecate on the sidewalk without cleaning it up. Perhaps a dog had escaped from his enclosure and deposited this gift in his moments of temporary freedom.

So you see, before you stand in judgment of someone, make sure you know it all. Our only real judge, and the only one that counts, is God, and He does know it all. Every little bit. Every aspect. Every intention. So let's brush up on our math and see that there is more than one equation that adds up to the same solution.

—Lori Boekeloo

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