🅿️Princeton NOW: Spring Forward, Dodgeball, and How to Avoid Scams

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It’s Saturday, March 9th, Princeton. My time in California is coming to a close. I learned a lot, basked in the sun, and ate my body weight in churros. But it’s time to get back to the town I love — a town mentioned in this article as one of the “13 Best Towns to Retire in Illinois in 2024.”

Let’s kowabunga.

—Justin Bullington

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📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
☀️Princeton Weather
👩Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
🥁Local Music
👨‍💻How to Avoid Scams
💀Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Alex Marquis! 🎂

• Remember to set your clocks one hour ahead before you go to bed tonight. Learn how to set your iPhone to do this automatically here.

• The American Legion Auxiliary will meet at 9:30am on March 13th at the Legion Post to put together Easter bags for veterans. They will also host a chili/soup dinner from 4-7pm on March 21st. All you can eat, served with fresh bread. Adults: $10, Kids 6-10: $5, Kids 5 and under: Free. Proceeds will support local veterans, their families, and communities.

• Gateway Services will host a fundraiser at Rip’s Chicken April 10th and 11th.

• The Police Department is hiring. Applications can be picked up at 605 Elm Place.

• Early registration for the Bureau County Fair Queen Golf Outing ends April 12th. There will be a $500 cash prize.

• BCR: The Princeton Christian Academy 8th-grade girls basketball team capped an undefeated season by defeating Malden 25-16 in the BVEC championship game.

• The City of Princeton is looking to hire an individual who will fill the role as the next Planning and Zoning Administrator. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by Friday, March 15, 2024.

⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: Partly sunny with a high of 47°F. There will be a moderate northwest wind of 15 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. The chance of rain is minimal at 5%, and there is a slight chance of snow at 2%. The temperature will feel like 40°F.

Sunday: It will be a clear day with plenty of sunshine and a high near 50°F. The wind will come from the west-northwest at 12 mph, and gusts could reach 22 mph. The likelihood of precipitation is virtually zero, and cloud cover will be minimal.

Monday: A mostly sunny day, warmer with a high of 66°F. Expect breezy conditions with a south-southwest wind blowing at 14 mph, and gusts possibly reaching 32 mph. The precipitation probability is very low at 2%, with average cloud cover of 11%.

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

👩PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

🏅Marty Kiser

Reason for Nomination: “Marty is a dedicated servant to her church, her school, Princeton Christian Academy, her family, and her community. She is a gifted singer, a wonderful director, and a skilled teacher — and her joy is contagious.”

This is absolutely true, Marty. We love and appreciate you! 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

• Homemade Handyman is hiring both cleaning and handyman positions. Are you looking for a flexible schedule? Good with your hands? Retired and looking for part time work? As a handyman, Brett provides a work van and the tools you will need — as well as work flexibility. As a cleaner you will also have work flexibility as well as the tools and cleaning supplies you will need. Both positions offer competitive pay and employees are treated like family. If you are interested, call 815-303-0048.

• The Huge Winter Sale at the Bureau County Fairgrounds will be today, from 8am-2pm.

• On March 9th, The Moose Lodge will host a Saturday Night Fever Black Light Bingo night at 7:30pm.

• The Friends of the Princeton Library is hosting the Spring Book Sale beginning Wednesday, March 13th, for members only. Then Thursday the 14th-Saturday for the general public.

• The Princeton Fire Department will host KWQC meteorologist and PHS graduate Cyle Dickens for a weather event presentations on Thursday, March 14th at 6:30pm.

• Eat, Shop, & Be Lucky: Today and tomorrow, 60 Chamber member retailers and restaurants participating. Lucky cards will be available at the Chamber of Commerce, as well as participating businesses.

• Cafe Grace is hosting an Easter brunch from 8 AM to 2 PM and dinner from 4 PM to 7 PM. The brunch menu includes scrambled eggs, egg casserole, various meats including bacon and turkey, along with sides like seasoned corn and assorted desserts. Reservations can be made by calling 815-872-4000.

• Today you can catch the Farmer Smoked BBQ food truck at uptown Princeton, the corner of Main and East Peru Street, 11-3pm or until it is sold out. They will have their regular menu, Mac-n-cheese, and our Chopped Chicken.

• There will be an Adult Dodgeball Tournament at the Metro Center on April 27th. Matches begin at 6pm. It is $75/team.

• The Downtown Pub & Event Center is looking for line cooks and bartenders. Apply here.

• Shawna Fillenwarth Photography has three more spots open for April. Message her to book a spot.

• The Princeton Elementary School District is hiring bus monitors at $14 per hour. Email [email protected].

• Chris Stevens will play at Coal Creek Brewing March 16th, 7-10pm.

• New indoor/outdoor rugs arrived at Johnson’s Carpet Shoppe. 

• Gateway Services is hosting a Trivia Night on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Shandy's Pub & Grub. The event features a chicken and spaghetti dinner for $25 per person, with doors opening at 4:30 PM and trivia starting at 6 PM. Prizes are $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd, and $100 for 3rd, with tickets available Gateway.

🔗TOP CLICKS THIS WEEK

1. Here’s a drone video of the Red Covered Bridge just posted by WQAD.

2. Butler Concierge Services LLC now provides personal assistance for seniors in Princeton, IL and the surrounding area. They assist seniors with their non-medical, daily tasks, including light housekeeping, transportation to doctor appointments, recreation, and shopping. They also organize, sort, and pack for moves.

3. This beautiful home is for sale on West Central for $185,000. There will be an open house March 9th.

🎸LOCAL MUSIC

• 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

• Chris Stevens | Coal Creek Brewery | March 16th, 7-10pm

• 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

🧑‍💻AVOID SCAMS

How to Recognize and Avoid Scams

Scammers may pretend to be from a known organization, announce a problem or a prize, pressure for immediate action, and dictate a specific payment method.

• Do not give them money or personal information.

• To avoid scams:

  • Remain calm and talk to someone you trust.

  • Hang up or ignore suspicious messages and do not click on links or attachments.

  • Protect your money by not making payments through untraceable methods.

  • Protect your personal information and be wary of unsolicited contacts.

• Scammers Impersonate the Government:

  • Scammers may claim to be from the Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare and demand money or personal information.

  • All such calls or messages are scams as government agencies do not solicit money or personal data in this manner.

• To report scams, contact the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

💀LETTER FROM LORI

When considering numbness, one might ponder whether it is a form of pain relief or if the absence of sensation is troubling. Often, numbing pain is beneficial. For example, novocaine during dental procedures like root canals helps avoid severe discomfort. In childbirth, many choose an epidural to ease the intense pain. Numbing creams for tattooing also exemplify this concept. Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' alludes to using substances to escape emotional distress. Instinctively, we avoid discomfort.

However, by numbing life's 'ugly' aspects, we might miss its beauty. Some women opt for natural childbirth to fully embrace the profound experience. Similarly, enduring the pain of tattooing can be part of the meaningful process of body art. Overcoming addiction can make the world appear more vibrant and joyous.

There's a tale of a child who lacked the sense of touch, protected from pain but vulnerable to unnoticed harm, illustrating the hidden dangers of numbness.

Ultimately, when life's struggles cause agony, understanding that pain signifies vitality and consciousness can be comforting. Pain may not be ideal, but it allows us to fully value joy and guards us against potential harm.

—Lori Boekeloo

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