🍤ShrimpFest, Father’s Day Weekend, and the Homestead Parade

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Good morning, Princeton. Thank you for subscribing to this humble newsletter. It has been such a joy sharing the best of Princeton with you. This town has so much to offer.

Let’s get started.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
✅Places to Go This Weekend
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
✂️Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
🎣Fathers Day Weekend
🔗Top Links of the Week
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Openings
👕Garage Sales
⛪️Princeton Churches
🌊Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Tara Brown! 🧁

• BCR: “After 19 seasons as head coach, Dan Foes is retiring as the head boys track and field coach at Princeton. He won two sectional championships, two Three Rivers Conference championships and had a state qualifier every year.”

• Princeton Tourism and Victoria Yepsen are seeking talented individuals to perform the national anthem at street concerts. To apply, send a recording of yourself singing or playing the anthem, along with your name, contact information, and a brief bio to [email protected].

• The annual Homestead Festival will take place from September 5-8, honoring Reverend Owen Lovejoy for his significant contributions to abolition and the Underground Railroad. This festival celebrates Lovejoy's legacy as a founder of the Illinois and national Republican Party and a congressional leader. The parade will be September 7th at 1:30pm.

• Tiger Softball finished 2nd in their conference with a 17-8 record, improving from 7-17 last season. Congratulations to TRAC East All-Conference Selections: 1st Team - Avah Oertel, Kiyrra Morris, Makayla Hecht, Keely Lawson, Kelsea Klingenberg; 2nd Team - Reese Reviglio.

• 2025 TE Noah LaPorte did an interview with Sports Illustrated about his Michigan State Offer.

• Starved Rock: “According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 197 turkeys were gunned down this past spring season in Bureau County. That's 1 bird less than last spring.”

• Join Gateway Services for their 5th Annual Online Silent Auction starting June 2nd at 12 PM and ending June 9th at 9 PM. Explore and bid on a variety of items donated by local businesses and community members. Engage with our community and support a great cause while securing unique items from the comfort of your home.

• The Princeton Youth Soccer League is announcing that fall soccer registration starts on June 1st, and ends on June 31st. They are moving from school grade-based divisions to age-based divisions for the fall season.

• The Zearing Child Enrichment Center's School Age program is hosting a Lemonade Stand Fundraiser on June 4th from 12:15 PM to 1:45 PM. Funds raised will support summer experiences and supplies, with items available for purchase including lemonade, Perler bead creations, cookies, Chex Mix, Bugle Mix, and Rice Krispie treats.

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✅PLACES TO GO THIS WEEKEND

• The Rotary Club is excited for ShrimpFest today, despite the weather forecast. Attendees can look forward to amazing music, good food, and cold drinks from 11 AM to 9 PM at Rotary Park. Food options include The Station Food Truck, Flo's on Pulaski, Didoughs Twisted Pretzel Co., Farmer Smoked BBQ, Nelson Family Concessions, and Gramma's Kitchen and Desserts. Additionally, Coal Creek Brewing Company has created a special beer in honor of ShrimpFest. Due to expected morning rain, the jazz performance by Al & Jeanne Brown from 11:30 to 12:30 has been canceled, but all other activities, bands, and food trucks will proceed as planned, including performances by Infinity from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and Brass from the Past from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Come out, enjoy the festivities, and support the Scholarship Fund!

• The Big Bike Bash will take place today from 11 AM to 5 PM. The event will feature big sales, ice cream, games, and free helmets at The Bike Place, located at 701 N. Main St.

• Princeton Community Band 2024 Summer Season begins tomorrow at 6pm at Soldiers and Sailors Park. Here are the concert dates:

  • June 2

  • June 16

  • June 30

  • July 7

  • July 21

  • July 28

⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: Rain is likely with a high of 66°F. Winds will be ENE at 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain is 100%, with rainfall around a half inch. It will be mainly cloudy in the evening. The low will be around 56°F with light and variable winds.

Sunday: The day will have intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high near 79°F. Winds will be light and variable. Expect partly cloudy skies in the evening. The low will be around 61°F with winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Monday: Scattered thunderstorms are expected with a high of 83°F. Winds will be S at 10 to 20 mph. The chance of rain is 50%. The evening will continue with scattered showers and thunderstorms. The low will be around 66°F with winds S at 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain continues at 50%.

Three Facts About the Month of June

1. Longest Day of the Year: In the Northern Hemisphere, June 21st is typically the longest day of the year, known as the summer solstice. On this day, the sun reaches its highest position in the sky, providing the most daylight hours.

2. Historical Events: Many significant historical events occurred in June. For instance, on June 6, 1944, the Allied forces launched D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history, marking a turning point in World War II.

3. National Dairy Month: June is celebrated as National Dairy Month in the United States. It began as National Milk Month in 1937 and has evolved to promote the health benefits of dairy products, with many regions hosting dairy-themed events and promotions.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.59
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.64
Casey’s West/North: $3.59
Beck’s West/North: $3.62
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.65
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.65

✂️PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

🏅Kelly Sissel-Morris

Reason for Nomination: “Kelly is the co-owner of the illustrious Guys and Gals Salon and the biggest advocate of the Princeton community. No one loves their hometown and all its activities and businesses more fiercely than Kelly! She is one of Princeton's biggest supporters.”

I agree! Congratulations, Kelly! You’ve won the magnificent 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

• Main Street Dance Academy is still accepting registrations for their Summer Camps and Intensives. Camps include Rising Stars Dance Camp for Kindergarten to 1st Grade, Strengthening and Acro Intensive for Grades 2nd-12th, Jazz and Hip-Hop Intensive, and Jumps, Leaps, and Turns Intensive. Registration is due by June 7, and the fee includes a t-shirt. For more information or to register, contact Miss Lindsay at [email protected].

• Little Blue Dress has the perfect oversized relaxed shirt available for $30, in sizes small to large. Hurry in as these are flying out the door!

• Wild Ginger Bistro and Wine Bar is expanding and seeks local items for their new space, specifically tables with a farmhouse look, old feed/seed sacks, and old doors.

• Wyaton Hills Golf Course is hosting a Junior Golf Camp with sessions for 5-11 year-olds on June 6, 13, 20, 27, and July 11, and for 12-18 year-olds on June 7, 14, 21, 28, and July 12. Each session costs $20 and runs from 8 AM to 10 AM; call (815) 872-2641 to register.

• Hornbaker Gardens is now an official seller of POLYWOOD Furniture, offering durable, low-maintenance pieces made from recycled plastic, available in various colors and resistant to environmental stressors. Join Hornbaker Gardens on Father's Day, June 16th, from 4 PM to 6 PM for the Music in the Meadow Wildwoods Show. Enjoy good music, beer, wine, and food!

• The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Lunch & Learn event on Thursday, June 13th from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at the Prouty-Zearing Community Building. The session, led by Joy Meachum from OSF HealthCare, will focus on managing stress and improving sleep, with lunch provided by Los Ranchitos. Register by June 12th by scanning the QR code or calling (815) 875-2616, with a fee of $15 per person.

• Cathcart Photography, by the movie theater, now offers high-resolution film scanning for 35mm slides and prints, complete with color correction and scratch removal. This service allows customers to preserve, digitize, and share their old images conveniently without having to send them offsite.

• Splash Tech Solutions is now offering Mini-Website Audits. Regularly priced at $97, you can avail of this service for just $47 throughout May. You'll receive a report with three actionable recommendations to enhance your website.

• Optimal Health now offers "All Good" products to protect your skin and soothe sunburn.

• Steve Becker at Thrivent provides personalized financial services in the Princeton area, offering strategies in retirement planning, life insurance, and annuities. His approach not only aids in achieving personal financial goals but also fosters community contribution through various philanthropic programs.

• Mavolan's offers colorful notebooks, travel mugs, activity kits like the Funtastic Wallet, glitter bottles, keychains, pouches, water bottles, plush accessories, and a vintage speaker. Stylish travel bags and organizers are also available, perfect for keeping everything in order on your road trip.

• Four Seasons is offering 50% off Emily Daniels items, both in-store and online, until June 2.

• Did you know the Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station can replace 3,785 16 oz. plastic water bottles each year and raise your WaterScore? If your WaterScore isn't as high as you'd like, Kinetico can help improve it.

• At the Apollo:

  • Garfield (PG)

    • Saturday: 4:45 PM & 7:15 PM

    • Sunday: 2:15 PM, 4:45 PM, & 7:15 PM

    • Tuesday - Thursday: 4:45 PM & 7:15 PM

  • IF (PG)

    • Saturday: 4:30 PM & 7:00 PM

    • Sunday: 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM, & 7:00 PM

    • Tuesday - Thursday: 4:30 PM & 7:00 PM

The Rising Demand for Whiskey: A Smart Investor’s Choice

Why are 250,000 Vinovest customers investing in whiskey?

In a word - consumption.

Global alcohol consumption is on the rise, with projections hitting new peaks by 2028. Whiskey, in particular, is experiencing significant growth, with the number of US craft distilleries quadrupling in the past decade. Younger generations are moving from beer to cocktails, boosting whiskey's popularity.

That’s not all.

Whiskey's tangible nature, market resilience, and Vinovest’s strategic approach make whiskey a smart addition to any diversified portfolio.

Schedule a call with a Vinovest advisor to learn more.

🎣FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND

The Illinois Conservation Foundation is hosting Free Fishing Days from June 14-17, 2024, coinciding with Father's Day weekend. This event allows participants to fish without needing a license, salmon stamp, or inland trout stamp, providing a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and create lasting memories with loved ones.

Places to Go, From Bureau County Tourism

• Garage Sales: Thursday, June 13 to Saturday

• Lunch in the Park: Main St, Princeton - Friday

• Hungry World Farm Wood Fired Pizza: Tiskilwa - Friday

• Psycho Silo Car & Motorcycle Swap Meet: Friday & Saturday

• Town-Wide Sales: Wyanet & Princeton - Friday & Saturday

• Sale at the Wyanet VFW: Friday & Saturday

• Wyanet Locker Cookout: Friday & Saturday

• Sunset Ridge Motocross (MX Championship): Walnut - Friday to Sunday

• Movie & Music: Spring Valley Mini Park - Friday

• Ryan Daniel Concert: Psycho Silo - Saturday

• Old Wheels Car Show: 1st Lutheran Princeton - Saturday

• Princeton Farmers Market: Saturday

• Daddy’s & Donuts: Zearing Park - Saturday

• Beef & Ag Festival with Jason Pritchett: Saturday

• Community Band Concert: Princeton - Sunday

• Lake DePue Car Show: Sunday

• Music in the Meadow: Hornbaker’s Garden - Sunday

🔗TOP LINKS THIS WEEK

• “Two motorcycle riders were badly hurt Saturday afternoon after crashing on Route 6 in Hollowayville…it appeared they lost control on a corner, hit the guardrail and were then ejected.”

• Explore this spacious one-level home at 136 N Linn St, perfect for those seeking comfort and convenience.

• “Weather service surveyors have confirmed a very brief tornado touchdown in Bureau County last Friday.”

👕GARAGE SALES

• Jenny Jusufi is hosting a garage sale at 605 West Hudson today from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Most items are priced at $1 or less, with many new items available and open for negotiation. Featured items include a humidifier, various small kitchen appliances, a clock, adult and kids clothing (with kids clothes at 25 cents each), and other household items. There are tables of clothing and accessories priced at $1 each, offering a wide range of items at bargain prices.

• A multi-family sale will be held today at 240 State St, Tiskilwa, IL 61368. Many items will be available for sale.

• A garage sale will be held on June 14th from 9 AM to 4 PM and June 15th from 9 AM to 2 PM at 722 N. Linn St in Princeton. Items for sale include a Craftsman Band Saw, numerous tools, a recliner, teen homecoming dresses, plus-size women's clothes, home decor, and women's shoes.

• More in Bureau County is hosting a county-wide garage sale event on Father's Day weekend, June 14 and 15. This year, the event extends beyond its traditional Route 34 location, inviting the entire community to participate. Residents who wish to have their garage sales listed or who seek more information about participating venues can contact [email protected]. Sale details will be included in a printed directory available to all shoppers during the event.

Announce your garage sale: [email protected]

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• The Princeton Fire Department offers a four-month Basic Operations Fire Academy for $100, with classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 PM to 10 PM, and two 8-hour Saturday sessions each month. Applications are available at the Princeton Fire Station. Contact Nick LaVanway, FF Academy Coordinator, for more details.

• Spoons and Forks is hiring bartenders and servers. Stop in for an application during their hours: Tuesdays from 11 AM to 3 PM and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 AM to 8 PM.

• The BELIEVE Foundation is hiring an Event Coordinator to manage all aspects of their nonprofit fundraisers, including budgeting, scheduling, site selection, permits, food planning, transportation, themes, activities, equipment, and risk management. If you are organized and enjoy planning events, contact [email protected] or call/text Mary at 815-579-6993.

• The Youth Service Bureau in Princeton is hiring a Family Finding and Resource/Recruitment Specialist to help foster children find homes. This position is generally Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with occasional evenings and no weekends. Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field, strong communication and research skills, and a valid Illinois Driver's License. Responsibilities include researching and locating kinship relationships, supporting caseworkers, and engaging with youth and families to ensure stability and permanency.

• Princeton Elementary School District 115 is looking for classroom paraprofessionals to join the team at Douglas Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year. Successful candidates will assist students and teachers with general supervision, education, and management of students. This is a great opportunity for those looking to make a difference in the education sector. Interested candidates should contact Amanda Hunt at [email protected]. Come be a part of the PES team and contribute to a positive learning environment.

• Sherwin-Williams is urgently hiring for their Management & Sales Training Program in Princeton, Illinois, offering a starting salary of $51,500 per year. This full-time, entry-level position provides an accelerated path to store management within 18-24 months, focusing on operations, client relations, and market strategy to oversee a million-dollar business. The role typically involves a 44-hour work week that may include evenings and weekends, preparing trainees for advancement to Assistant Store Manager upon successful completion of the program.

Add a job to the list — email: [email protected]

🤝HELP WANTED

Dauber Company, a manufacturer of high-quality silicon carbide products, is family-owned and operated and is located in Tonica, Illinois.

We are hiring experienced maintenance workers starting at $32/hr, entry-level maintenance workers at $25-31/hr, and laborers starting at $24/hr.

Dauber Company offers paid holidays and vacation, 100% free medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401k plan, profit sharing, and advancement opportunities.

Apply by sending an email to [email protected], mailing to 577 N. 18th Rd, Tonica, or calling 815-442-3569, extension *813.

⛪️PRINCETON CHURCHES

• Join 1st Presbyterian Church Princeton tomorrow to celebrate their graduates: Aero Ford (Preschool), Karlie Schultz (8th grade), and Brenna Powelson (PHS). Additionally, enjoy a special presentation of "Horton Hears a Who."

• Princeton First United Methodist Church is saying farewell to Reverend Ryan Sutton, who has served for the past five years. His final services will be on Saturday, June 15 at 5:30 PM with a reception to follow, and Sunday, June 16 at 9:00 AM with a reception to follow. The public is invited to attend and thank him as he relocates to Roscoe United Methodist Church.

Vacation Bible Schools

• Princeton Bible Church | June 9th-13th | 6-8:30pm | Sign Up Here

• First Lutheran Church | July 14-18 | 5:00-7:30pm |  815-875-1685

• Evangelical Covenant Church | June 10th-14th | 9-11:30am | Sign Up Here

• Bureau Township Community Church | July 8th-12th | 6pm | Website 

• Princeton First United Methodist Church | July 8th-11th | 6pm | Sign Up

• Tiskilwa Community Church | June 24th-28th | 6pm | Sign Up: 815-878-4763

Food Drives

• On June 1st, from 10am to 12pm, Chelsea Gives Back is hosting a food drive for The Free Little Pantry at the First Presbyterian Church in Princeton. Community members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support this worthy cause. For those unable to attend in person, donations can be made directly to the food pantry through the provided link. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Donate here.

• The Bureau County Food Pantry, in collaboration with the Old Wheels Club and 1st Lutheran Church, is hosting a Mobile Food Pantry event at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W. Peru St., on Thursday, June 27th. Registration starts at 9:15 a.m., with food distribution beginning at 10:00 a.m. Participants should bring laundry baskets for collecting food items. The distribution, expected to take up to two hours, will be indoors for comfort and accessibility. Attendees are advised not to arrive more than 30 minutes early to manage the flow. Volunteers' efforts are greatly appreciated. For more information and a map of area food pantries, visit www.riverbendfoodbank.org. This event aims to provide essential food supplies to those in need.

🌊LETTER FROM LORI

Moderation. What an interesting word. I describe myself as an 'all or nothing' girl. I go all in with everything I do. Want me to plan an event? I'll get you camels and bounce houses. Want to advertise your business? I have connections in TV, radio, and newspapers. Want some food for something? I can make main dishes and desserts to feed 1000!

So, I'm told to practice moderation. What? What is THAT? LESS?? How do I do that? I know that my penchant for 'all or nothing' often leaves me overwhelmed and out of control, but dialing it back? It's not me. It's not who I am.

How many of you are feeling like your life is out of control? I used to have a recurring nightmare about running in front of a tidal wave, terrified to slow down for fear of being completely consumed and drowning. Sometimes dreams really speak!

But I also know people who drive to the beach, only to sit in the parking lot, afraid they'll be sunburned, get sand fleas, or burn their feet as they navigate the crowds.

So, I'm learning. I'm learning to just sit on the beach with my wet bucket of sand, making drip castles and enjoying the sun on my face. I'm learning to listen to the seagulls and find their screeches for popcorn soothing, not some demonic scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie. My lazy beach chair is in lounge position, sunscreen applied, sunglasses on, and maybe there's an adult beverage in my hand.

Do I peek out from under my Ray-Bans on occasion to check for whitecaps in the surf? Do I still wonder if the seagulls are going to peck my eyes out while I slumber in the sun? Yeah. Those fears might never leave me completely, but I am dedicated to reading a book and becoming bulletproof in the sun, tanning to shoe leather.

Life is all about change and transformation, so you too can find that middle ground called moderation, and you can join me at the water's edge. You watch the movement of the water. I'll keep an eye on the seagulls.

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

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