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Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. Last night’s Spring Dance Recital by The Main Street Dance Academy was a real treat. As a dad who knows zero things about dancing, I’m amazed by all these young ladies. You can express lots of cool emotions when you dance. The only emotions I express when I dance are shock, fear, horror, shock again, mega-panic, remorse, anti-anti regret, passion, nightmare screams, nuance, reggae-feet, cotton mouth, serious concern, insecurity, and shock for a third time. There’s a lot of sweating too. Anyways, the girls are really great.

Let’s go.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🐴Wonder Junction
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton People of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
🌹Sports Camps
👷Princeton Job Openings
😬Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Rachel Jensen and Nathan Begly! 🎈

• The Princeton Fire Department will be collecting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on May 25 from 9 AM to noon outside the fire station. Last year’s fundraiser raised $3,820.04, and community support is encouraged again.

• 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.

• 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.

• Bureau County Sheriff Report 05-16-2025

📍Outside City Limits

• Author John Butte will present “The Silver Streak & the Gypsy Coeds” at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 17 at the Mason Memorial Library in Buda, IL, sharing the story of nine adventurous girls from Bradford who traveled across the country in the 1930s and 1940s. Weather permitting, the historic car will be on display before and after the event, with a book signing to follow.

• Cornerstone Community Wellness is celebrating 10 years of promoting health in the community. On Monday, May 26, they’re hosting a free family event from 4:00–6:30 PM at 302 N. Mason St., Sheffield, IL, featuring walking tacos, games, kids’ activities, and an open house. Guests can also enjoy prize drawings and share their input during a community session at 6:00 PM.

• The fact that an air show in such a tiny Illinois region was included as one of the top 10 in America is impressive. As of the date of this writing, we're only days away from this year's celebration above Peru, Illinois.

• Extrication Needed Following Two-Vehicle Wreck In Peru

• Communities along Route 34 are encouraged to have town-wide garage sales, food stands and other events. This will include LaMoille, Dover, Princeton, Wyanet, Sheffield and Neponset in Buireau County, and Kewanee, Galva, Altoona, Oneida and Wataga in Henry County.

🐴WONDER JUNCTION VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Wonder Junction Vacation Bible School will be held at Princeton Bible Church from Sunday, June 8 to Thursday, June 12, 2025, running nightly from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The program is open to children ages 4 (fully potty trained) through 6th grade. The VBS theme is “Marvel at Jesus, Live for His Glory,” aiming to help kids know who Jesus is and what He has done for them. Activities include energetic assemblies with music, wacky intros, and a mission moment, followed by rotation through five fun stations. Registration is free, and a themed music CD is available for $2.50 at the registration table each evening. The event promises a joyful, Christ-centered experience for kids to grow in faith and wonder.

Register here

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Today: Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High near 68°F with west-northwest winds at 15 to 25 mph; gusts could exceed 40 mph. Mostly clear overnight with a low around 44°F and northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. Humidity at 68%.

🌤️Sunday: Sunshine and clouds mixed. High near 75°F with north winds at 10 to 20 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a low around 46°F. Northeast winds at 10 to 15 mph. Humidity increases to 77%.

⛈️Monday: Cloudy with a few storms. High near 67°F with east winds at 15 to 25 mph; gusts may reach over 40 mph. Evening thunderstorms taper to partly cloudy skies overnight with a low near 51°F and north-northeast winds at 10 to 15 mph. Rain chance 40%.

⛈️Tuesday: Rain in the morning with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High around 64°F with east winds at 15 to 25 mph. Showers diminish late at night with a low of 49°F. North-northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. Rain chance 60% daytime, 50% overnight.

🌦️Wednesday: Considerable cloudiness with occasional showers. High near 63°F with north-northeast winds at 10 to 20 mph. Mostly cloudy skies become partly cloudy overnight with a low of 45°F and north-northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. Rain chance 40%.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.19
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.26
Casey’s West/North: $3.29
Beck’s West/North: $3.29
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.29
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.29

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $3.06

🏆PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

Did someone go the extra mile? Did a Princeton Person bless you or someone else you know? Nominate them, give me the details, and they may be chosen as the Princeton NOW Person of the Week. Nominate your Princeton Person of the Week by emailing your nomination to [email protected].

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• Miss Betsy’s has introduced a new French Cruller donut, available glazed and either plain or topped with chocolate frosting. Stop in to try one for a sweet start to your day.

• Paisano’s Ristorante is serving up a new Buffalo Chicken sub layered on their buttery garlic bread with crispy buffalo chicken, lettuce, and house-made buttermilk ranch. It’s available from 4–9 PM and brings the heat with a cool finish.

• Finders Keepers has restocked with fresh clothing, home décor, and accessories, and every purchase helps support Friends of Strays animal shelter. They are also seeking volunteers for dog walking, cat care, store help, and cashier positions—perfect for students looking for service hours.

• The Apollo Theater is showing Lilo & Stitch (PG) with a PJ Premiere on Thursday, May 22 at 6:00 PM. The Accountant 2 (R) and Thunderbolts (PG13) run daily through May 22 with showtimes varying by day, including open-captioned Sunday night shows. Full schedule at www.apolloprinceton.com.

• Boek-el-ZOO is offering aquariums and enclosures at discounted prices. All items are first-come, first-served with no holds unless a deposit is placed.

• Miracle-Gro All Purpose Garden Soil is on sale for 4/$10 through Memorial Day, May 26 at Ace Hardware. Offer valid while supplies last at participating Neighborhood Ace Hardware stores.

• Shannon’s Memorials has been busy with new headstone placements, medallions, and a bench installation. For help with any monument needs, call or text 815-878-3682.

• Optimal Health now offers Kalona SuperNatural Organic Cream-Top Whole Milk, praised for its fresh-off-the-farm taste.

• Wild Honey Boutique has new PHS-themed jewelry and accessories, ideal for 8th grade graduates heading to high school or high school grads moving on. Items include earrings, bracelets, and keychains perfect for gift-giving.

• Fresh Finds Princeton invites customers to browse a variety of vibrant garden decor and plant accessories. They are open Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Upcoming:

• Princeton Community Band Concert: Enjoy an evening of music with the Princeton Community Band on Sunday, June 1, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Bring your lawn chairs and relish the melodies under the open sky.

• Chamber Classic Golf Outing: Tee off at the annual Chamber Classic Golf Outing on Friday, June 6. Network with local professionals and enjoy a day on the greens.

• The Princeton Mile: Participate in The Princeton Mile on Saturday, June 7, starting at 10:00 AM. The race begins at the Apollo Theater and concludes at Rotary Park, promoting fitness and community engagement.

• 4th Annual Shrimpfest with Princeton Rotary: Savor delicious shrimp and more at the 4th Annual Shrimpfest on Saturday, June 7, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Rotary Park. Enjoy live music, food, and fun for the whole family.

• More in Bureau County Rummage Sales: Discover hidden gems at the Bureau County Rummage Sales on June 13 and 14. The event runs all day at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, offering a variety of items from local sellers.

🏐SPORTS CAMPS

Boys Basketball

The 2025 Tiger Basketball Camp will be held June 2–5 at Princeton High School’s Prouty Gym for boys entering 3rd through 12th grade, with sessions divided by grade level. The cost is $50 per camper, and each participant should bring proper shoes, clothing, and a drink—but not a basketball. Led by Head Coach Jason Smith, assistant coaches, and current PHS players, the camp will focus on basketball fundamentals including shooting, defense, passing, and team building. Campers will receive a shirt and may win awards; registration is due by May 20, 2025. Click to sign up

Volleyball

The Princeton Tigresses Volleyball Camp runs June 16–19, 2025, for girls entering grades 3–12, with different time slots based on grade level. The camp costs $65 per athlete or $50 each for families with multiple participants from the same household. The focus is on learning proper volleyball techniques in a fun and competitive setting, covering skills like passing, serving, and hitting, along with team scrimmages. Registration and payment are due by May 23 to secure a spot, and all checks should be made out to Princeton Volleyball. Click to sign up

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

Girls Basketball

The Princeton High School Girls Basketball Camp will be held June 9–12 for grades 9–12 and July 7–10 for grades 2–8 at the Prouty Gym. Camp times vary by age group, and each camper will receive a T-shirt, basketball, and daily refreshments. The cost is $50 per athlete or $45 each for families with 2+ campers, with registration due by Friday, May 23. The camp focuses on developing fundamental basketball skills, with an emphasis on learning, competition, and having fun. Click to read more

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👷PRINCETON JOB OPENING

• Beck’s is hiring a Car Wash District Manager responsible for overseeing multiple car wash locations, ensuring top-notch service, cleanliness, staff development, and profitability. The role involves hiring and managing car wash managers, setting company culture, enforcing accountability, and ensuring all locations meet brand standards. Candidates must be mechanically skilled, able to troubleshoot equipment issues, and understand wash systems including electrical and plumbing operations. Preferred applicants have over five years of relevant experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and demonstrate traits like honesty, humility, and responsibility. Beck’s is a 100% employee-owned company operating fuel, convenience, and car wash businesses across North-Central Illinois.

• Heartland Bank and Trust Company is seeking a full-time Relationship Banker at their Princeton, IL location. This role serves as the frontline representative of the bank, welcoming customers, delivering excellent service, and offering financial solutions. Pay ranges from $17.95 to $23.84 an hour. Responsibilities include creating a personalized customer experience, opening and servicing accounts, promoting bank products, and helping minimize fraud risks. To apply, text “2191” to (309) 322-9911.

• The Bureau County Senior Citizens Association is looking for a full-time Transportation Coordinator/Driver at their Princeton, IL location. Pay starts at $15 an hour, with a Monday–Friday, 8-hour day shift schedule. Responsibilities include safely transporting seniors, maintaining records, inspecting vehicles, and delivering outstanding customer service. Benefits include a 401(k) with matching, paid time off, and a retirement plan. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and strong knowledge of transportation safety regulations.

• The Bureau County Highway Department is accepting applications for a full-time Highway Maintainer based in Princeton, IL. This role pays $29.34 an hour and involves maintaining highways, rural roads, and rights-of-way, including patching pavement, repairing guardrails, and clearing snow or brush. Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED, a valid Illinois CDL, and experience with manual labor, truck driving, and operating heavy equipment. Benefits include dental insurance, health insurance, and a flexible spending account. Applications are accepted online or in-person at 595 Elm Place, Princeton, IL, until Thursday, April 17, 2025.

😬LETTER FROM LORI

It’s all in the presentation.

I’ve believed this since the beginning of time. My daughter’s father is the Putnam County Road Commissioner. When she was little, he had plans to pick her up for their Christmas celebration, but Old Man Winter had other ideas and dumped a load of snow. Her heart was broken. She loved her daddy and had been looking forward to spending the holiday with him. I could have validated her grief and fed the negativity. Instead, I explained how her dad was a hero—and that by plowing the roads, he made it possible for many other little boys and girls to be with their dads, and for other families to gather. She would still see her dad, just not on the exact day she had planned. So, even though her young heart was still sad, she now saw her dad as a hero, with his red cape flapping in the wind, transforming impassable roads into highways of happiness.

When I was a daycare provider and the kids fell and scraped something, I always called them over with a cheerful, “Hop up! Come here and let me see.” I’ll admit, part of it was laziness—because if I jumped to my feet every two minutes during yard time, I’d never sit down. Kids are kind of clumsy, after all. I was once questioned by a “concerned citizen” about why I didn’t rush to their side with worry and compassion written all over my face. I assured them I did care—but in the time it took the kids to walk to me, I could assess the damage. More often than not, they’d get distracted mid-trek and forget they were even mortally wounded—thus saving me from having to dial 911 and involve the paramedics.

Don’t get me wrong: if there was copious blood or bones poking out, they got the attention they needed. But those instances were very rare in my 20 years of caring for children.

So, how often do we approach life with panic and worry? How often do we overreact to our circumstances, setting into motion a full-scale tornado of chaos that upsets us and everything around us? When we approach our situations with a casual shrug—and maybe even a little jokey-joke—it doesn’t escalate into something it never needed to be… a tragedy.

So the next time you’re faced with a challenge or a roadblock, stop. Reconsider your reaction, and evaluate the situation for what it is—not what it might become if you turn into a dramatic writer spinning it into a sweeping epic for all the world to read. Save that talent for a creative writing class, where the reward is an A+ on your assignment—not a Tums for your stomach ache and a Xanax for your anxiety.

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

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