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Good morning, Princeton friends. In this morning’s newsletter, Jr. Highers get strong at BCMC, Café Grace brings the flavor, and axolotls arrive at Boek-el-ZOO. Golden Rice rebuilds, Apollo Pop nears opening, and Downtown Liquidation keeps things wild. The Senior Center hosts science fun, and The Princeton Closet celebrates 56 years with food, raffles, and more.

Let’s go.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
👑Calling All Future Fair Queens
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🗓️Upcoming in Princeton
📋LivingWorks Training
💼Princeton Businesses
🩳Celebrating 56 Years
🏐Sports Camps
🇧🇷Get Grady to Brazil
🍿At the Apollo

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Matt Eggers and Cyle Dickens! 🎉

• Princeton Veterans to Host Pancake Breakfast Sunday, June 1

• BCR: Lydia Kyle of Princeton Logan Junior High School won the 7th-grade high jump title at the IESA Class 3A State Track & Field finals. She was one of four Logan athletes to reach the awards podium.

• The 54th annual Homestead Festival will carry the theme “We Got Spirit!” The announcement was made during the Princeton Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

• The “More on 34” Father’s Day Weekend Garage Sales are set for June 13–14, 2025, across Bureau and Henry counties. To list your garage sale or highlight a local event like a food stand or car show, email [email protected] by June 4. Sale listings will be printed and distributed regionally.

• Join the City of Princeton and Bike & Walk Princeton for a Bicycle Scavenger Hunt in celebration of National Bike Month. Solve location riddles, bike to each site, and take a picture. Submit photos and contact info to [email protected] by June 13, 2025, for a chance to win prizes. Follow along at facebook.com/bikewalkprincetonil.

• The 4th annual ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo is Saturday, June 7, from 11 AM to 9 PM at Rotary Park, featuring food, drinks, and live music. Performers include Al Brown, Brass from the Past, and Beatles tribute band American English, with a kid-friendly “Shrimply Fun Zone” open from 11–5; details at www.princetonshrimpfest.com.

📍Outside City Limits

• A Vacation Bible School is coming to Wyanet Community Bible Church at 215 S Locust Street! Join us July 16–18 from 10–11:30 a.m. for Wonder Junction by Answers in Genesis, with a free meal following for kids and families. Sunday School for all ages is at 9 a.m., followed by our worship service at 10. Register online at Answers in Genesis – Wyanet Community Bible Church or contact Pastor Kevin at [email protected]—walk-in registration is also welcome!

• Illinois Officials Urge Water Safety as Child Drowning Deaths Rise

• Illinois Senator Secures $3.34 Million for Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Projects

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• This well-maintained 3-bedroom, 3-bath home in Princeton offers 2,498 square feet of living space on a spacious 1.33-acre lot near Zearing Park. Built in 1951, the home features a formal living room with bay window, wood-burning fireplace, and built-in bookcases, as well as a large family room with beamed ceiling, pocket doors, and a second fireplace. The main floor includes a mudroom with laundry and a full basement offering excellent storage. The primary bedroom features an en-suite bath and an adjacent bonus room, ideal for a nursery, office, or walk-in closet. Recent updates include a new roof (2023), furnace (2019), air conditioning (2019), water heater (2024), sump pump (2024), and septic system (2024).

• Located near the hospital and Zearing Park, this charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath home offers 1,755 square feet of living space and the potential for a fourth bedroom. The remodeled enclosed front porch leads into a cozy living room with hardwood floors, a fireplace, and built-in features. The kitchen and dining area include updated appliances, and two bedrooms are located downstairs with a large upstairs bedroom that could be split into two. The home features a usable unfinished basement with laundry, sink, shower, and a battery backup sump pump. Appliances, including washer and dryer, stay with the home, and there is ample storage throughout.

👑CALLING ALL FUTURE FAIR QUEENS

The Bureau County Fair Queen Pageants are now seeking candidates for 2025 — and it’s a special one!

This year marks the 170th Bureau County Fair, one of the longest running fairs in Illinois. The 2025 Queens and their courts will reign over an unforgettable week filled with awards, grandstand events, and fun for the whole community.

Interested? Request an application by emailing [email protected] — the deadline is July 1st!

Age divisions:

• Miss: 16–21

• Jr: 12–14

• Little: 6–8

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌦️Today: It will be a cool and cloudy day, with showers developing by the afternoon. The high will reach about 68°F, and winds will shift to the east-northeast at 10 to 15 mph. There’s a 40% chance of rain, and humidity will hover around 62%. Tuesday night will remain mostly cloudy, with a scattered shower or two still possible. The low will be around 52°F, and winds will increase slightly from the north-northwest at 10 to 15 mph, keeping it breezy and damp.

⛅️Wednesday: Expect a mix of clouds and sunshine with a few passing showers. The high will be near 70°F, and north-northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph will help keep the air fresh and cool. Humidity remains moderate near 56%. Wednesday night will bring partly cloudy skies and a drop in temperature. Look for a low near 51°F, with continued northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph and decreasing humidity overnight.

⛅️Thursday: The morning will begin with some sunshine, but skies will become mostly cloudy again by afternoon. The high will reach about 72°F, with light northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph and a 20% chance of a stray shower. UV levels will be very high, so sun protection is advised. Thursday night will be partly cloudy and mild, with a low around 53°F. Winds will shift to the south-southwest at 10 to 15 mph, and humidity will increase slightly to 69%.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.09
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.11
Casey’s West/North: $3.15
Beck’s West/North: $3.15
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.15
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.15

🗓️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

🐾 Paws on Park Avenue – Dog Parade & Vendor Fair – Bring your pup for a dog parade and vendor fair at Greenfield Retirement Home on Saturday, May 31 from 9 AM–2 PM. Parade starts at 10:30 AM; vendors, BBQ, and more.

🦐 4th Annual ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo – A full day of food, drinks, and music on Saturday, June 7, from 11 AM–9 PM at Rotary Park. Performers include Al Brown, Brass from the Past, and Beatles tribute band American English. “Shrimply Fun Zone” for kids runs from 11 AM–5 PM. Details at www.princetonshrimpfest.com.

🚴‍♂️ Bike & Walk Princeton – Join the City of Princeton and Bike & Walk Princeton for a Bicycle Scavenger Hunt in celebration of National Bike Month. Solve location riddles, bike to each site, and snap a photo. Submit pictures and contact info to [email protected] by Thursday, June 13, for a chance to win prizes. More info at facebook.com/bikewalkprincetonil.

🌳 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.

🤼‍♂️ Micro Wrestling at The Hawg House – A 21+ night of body slams, suplexes, and mayhem on Friday, August 1, from 8–10 PM at Hawg House Saloon. Featuring multiple matches and nonstop action under 5 feet tall.

🥿 Walk a Mile for Freedom House – A one-mile walk in downtown Princeton to support DV and SV survivors on Saturday, August 2 at 9 AM. Activities, teams, and prizes.

🎤Trace Adkins with Brushville – Bureau County Fair – Country star Trace Adkins performs with special guest Brushville on Thursday, August 21 at 7:30 PM at the Bureau County Fair. Tickets available at bureaucountyfair.com.

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📋LIVINGWORKS TRAINING

LivingWorks safeTALK is a half-day training that equips participants to recognize and respond to signs of suicidal thoughts. Scheduled for May 27, 2025, from 12–4 PM at the Peru Police Department, this session is hosted by OSF HealthCare and costs $20 to attend. Participants will learn how to approach individuals showing signs of suicidal ideation, connect them to safety and support, and understand community and personal attitudes toward suicide. In 2022 alone, the program trained over 74,000 individuals, led to 58,000 interventions, and helped prevent more than 8,100 suicide attempts. safeTALK empowers attendees to confidently talk about suicide, make life-saving connections, and ensure individuals remain safe until help is available. For registration or inquiries, call 815-876-2085 or email [email protected].

LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a two-day interactive workshop offered July 15–16, 2025, at OSF St. Clare Medical Center in Princeton, IL (White Oak Classroom). At a cost of $75 per person, this intensive training equips attendees with first-aid intervention skills to support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts. Open to anyone aged 16 or older, the training requires no prior experience and is led by Michelle Hansen (ICAHN Director of Clinical Services) and Stefanie Morris (OSF Healthcare Community Health Education Coordinator). The session aims to build confidence, readiness, and the ability to intervene in suicide crises. Registration is available online at icahn.org/event/asist-july2025, and questions can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected].

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• BCMC is hosting a Jr. High Strength & Conditioning program from July 14–17 for students in grades 5–8, with morning sessions by grade. Fees range from $40–$50, and spots are limited to 8 per session; register at registration.princetonparkdistrict.org or call 815-872-0840.

• Cafe Grace invites guests to enjoy a cozy dining experience with unique weekly specials. This week’s menu includes Chef Salad (Tuesday), Grace’s Burger with spinach artichoke dip (Wednesday), Chicken Brushetta (Thursday), and a full Friday menu featuring Apple Cinnamon Waffles, BLTs with avocado, and Shrimp & Grits.

• The Bureau County Senior Center is hosting a science experiment event on May 28 at 1:30 p.m. All science enthusiasts are welcome to join for a fun and engaging afternoon.

• Corner Chair Market showcased a birds-eye maple wash stand with great storage and ideal side table height, ready for purchase.

• Golden Rice has moved to 1220 Vernon St. and is building a new structure. They plan to reopen soon with a limited menu of ready-to-eat items and will update customers once a reopening date is set.

• Apollo Theater announced that Apollo Pop, a gourmet popcorn shop next door, is nearing its opening. No official opening date yet, but progress is being made.

• Downtown Liquidation continues to rotate its discount inventory, showcasing heating pads, lighting, and more under the slogan “Never the same store twice.”

• Boek-el-ZOO announced new stock, including axolotls and fresh bugs. Some animals are already spoken for, and deposits are required for holds.

• Wyaton Hills Golf Course will begin Junior Golf on June 5. Kids ages 5–11 play on Thursdays, and ages 12–18 play on Fridays.

• Crazy Eight Homestead is selling over 175 used cinder blocks for $1 each, with 60–70 remaining. Pickup is near Malden.

• The Superman Cake Batter Cookie Dough Blizzard is now available at the Princeton Dairy Queen. Princeton Dairy Queen is offering $2 off boxed novelty treats from May 26 to June 1, 2025, while supplies last. Offer valid only at the Princeton, IL location.

• In Home Care Connection is currently looking for excellent caregivers for our clients (all shifts) that are located in the western Bureau County area. Serious inquiries only! You can apply at www.ihcc.care.

• A new HIIT + Core fitness class begins May 29 at 9:30 AM at the Bureau County Metro Center’s Aerobic’s Room. Led by instructor Caitlin Meyer, this class includes fast-paced cardio intervals and core-targeted strength training. Open to all fitness levels, it meets Mondays and Thursdays at 9:30 AM.

• Main Street Dance Academy will host its Summer 2025 Camps and Intensives beginning with Rising Stars Dance Camp for K–1st grade from June 16–20. Weekly intensives run from June 23 through August 1, offering sessions in Jazz & Hip-Hop, Jumps/Leaps/Turns, Contemporary & Lyrical, and Conditioning & Choreography for students in grades 2–12, with tiered pricing starting at $55 and registration due by June 6.

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🇧🇷HELP FORMER PHS STAR GRADY THOMPSON GET TO BRAZIL

From his GoFundMe: I am excited to share I have been selected to join the USA D-3 Basketball Team for their Brazil Tour in 2025!

This amazing opportunity will take place from July 7th to 16th. The "USA D-3 Basketball Teams" are made up of talented men's basketball players from NCAA Division 3 colleges and universities across the United States, and I am so honored to be among those chosen to represent our country and the University of Dubuque.

This tour is much more than just basketball. While we will be playing high-level games against teams in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the trip is also designed to provide a unique international experience focused on educational, cultural, and social growth. We will have the chance to engage with local communities through outreach programs, visiting schools, clubs, and churches, and even hosting a youth basketball clinic. Additionally, we will have the incredible opportunity to explore iconic landmarks such as the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain.

The tour begins with an orientation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday, July 7th, before we depart for Brazil that evening. We will spend time playing games in both São Paulo (July 8-9) and Rio de Janeiro (July 10).

I am truly thrilled by the prospect of representing the USA and UD on the court, competing against international talent, and immersing myself in the vibrant culture of Brazil. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to grow as an athlete and as an individual.

To help make this dream a reality, I have set up a GoFundMe page. Any financial contribution you might be able to offer would be deeply appreciated and would directly support my participation in the USA D-3 Basketball Team Brazil Tour. Your generosity would help me represent our country and UD with pride, develop my skills, and experience a new part of the world.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and any support you are able to provide. It means the world to me!

Support Grady Here

🏐SPORTS CAMPS

Baseball

The 2025 Tiger Baseball Camp runs June 9–13 at Prather Field for boys entering 3rd through 9th grade, with two age-group sessions in the morning. The camp costs $40 and emphasizes fundamentals such as hitting, bunting, pitching, catching, fielding, and teamwork. Participants should bring a glove, water bottle, and wear appropriate athletic gear; each camper will receive a camp shirt. Led by PHS coaches and players, the camp promotes skill development, confidence, and sportsmanship in a fun environment. Click to sign up

Football

The Princeton Tiger Football Camp will be held July 21–25, 2025, at Little Siberia Field for incoming 9th–12th grade students, with evening sessions from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $60 per athlete or $50 each for families with multiple participants. Players must bring a helmet, shoulder pads, cleats, and shorts, and registration forms and payment are due by July 1 to secure a spot. The camp emphasizes work ethic, team commitment, and preparation for the fall football season under the direction of Coach Ryan Pearson and staff. Click to sign up

🩳CELEBRATING 56 YEARS OF LENDING A HAND

Celebrate with The Princeton Closet!

• June 26th – Cows Coffee, 9 AM–1 PM

• June 27th – Didoughs, 10 AM–4 PM

• June 28th – Flags of Freedom Cookout, 11 AM–1 PM

• Second Story Bake Sale, 11 AM – Sold Out

Join us for raffles, special promotions, and meet some of our Lending a Hand recipients!

Raffle tickets will be sold on-site during store hours:

10 tickets for $5!

Store Hours:

• Thursday/Friday: 10 AM–5:30 PM

• Saturday: 9 AM–5 PM

Raffle Drawing will begin Saturday, June 28th at 3 PM on a Facebook Live!

We are always looking for volunteers! Volunteering is a great way to get involved with our community. If you are interested, contact us at: 815-875-3145, [email protected], Or visit our website: princetoncloset.com

🍿AT THE APOLLO

LILO & STITCH (PG)

A beloved Disney classic returns! Join mischievous Stitch and his ohana for a hilarious and heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and finding your place in the universe.

• Thursday: 6:00 PM (PJ Premiere)

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 (R)

Ben Affleck returns as the brilliant but dangerous accountant with a lethal skill set. In this action-packed sequel, past secrets resurface and new enemies threaten everything he’s built.

• Daily (Tues–Sun): 4:15 PM & 7:00 PM

• Sunday: Also at 1:30 PM*

• Thursday: 4:15 PM only (Final showing)

THUNDERBOLTS (PG-13)

Marvel’s misfit team unites for one final mission. With grit, humor, and unexpected alliances, this installment delivers explosive action and redemptive arcs for fan-favorite antiheroes.

• Daily (Tues–Sun): 4:30 PM & 7:15 PM

• Sunday: Also at 1:45 PM*

• Thursday: Final day

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].