🎃The History Center, Halloween Decorations, and a Trivia Night

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Guten Morgen, Princeton. Are you heading out to Octoberfest at Rotary Park today? The origins of Oktoberfest can be traced back to a single wedding that has now been commemorated for over 200 years. The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The event kicked off on October 12, 1810, and lasted almost a week, concluding on October 17 with a thrilling horse race. Following the success of the celebration, the royal couple decided to make it an annual tradition.

Now you know. Let’s go.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
✅Things to Do This Weekend
🏈Local Football Scores
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
🔗Top Links This Week
📍Outside City Limits
👷Princeton Job Opportunities
📚Happening at the Library
🔭A Look Ahead
➕Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Emaleigh Morrissey and Aaron Harris! 🥳

• PHS football beat Hall last night 41-0 on Homecoming night.

• Early voting is now available at the Bureau County Clerk’s Office, open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM until November 5th.

• Youth basketball registration at the Metro Center is open through Friday, October 11th, for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Games will be held on Saturdays from November 2nd to December 14th at the Metro Center. Registration can be completed online, in person, or by phone.

• The Princeton Rotary Club is hosting a blood drive on October 8th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Rotary Park. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome, and participants should bring a photo ID.

• Tethered hot air balloon rides will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Bureau County Fairgrounds. The event is part of the Monster Mash Balloon Bash.

• The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce invites all residents to participate in a Halloween home decoration contest. Registration is free and open to all Princeton residents, with entries due by October 14th.

• The Princeton Fire Department will be at Culver’s on October 22nd from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM for a Touch-A-Truck event. Families can come by for cheese curds and to check out the fire engine and ambulance.

• The Bureau County Emergency Management Agency is seeking volunteers to join its Field Service Unit. Opportunities include emergency communications, EOC support, and field operations, and interested individuals can find more information on their website.

• Our Table will be offering free meals on Monday, October 14, and October 28, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Hall, with doors opening at 4:45 p.m. Future meals are also planned for November 11, November 25, December 9, and December 16, with the December 16 event featuring a Christmas party.

✅THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

🍕Join the 5th Annual Harvest Festival from 1 PM to 7 PM today at Hungry World Farm! Activities include a petting zoo, hayrack rides, farm tours, wood-fired pizza, pumpkin painting, and more. Enjoy the day exploring the farm, learning about sustainable agriculture, and experiencing the great outdoors. There will also be live demonstrations, tours, and fun family-friendly activities throughout the day.

👒Join award-winning actress Leslie Goddard at 1 PM today as she brings to life Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most influential public figures of the 20th century. Through a thoroughly researched performance, Leslie will portray Eleanor's journey from a shy orphan to a passionate advocate for human rights. The event will be held at 24 Park Ave E and is free and open to the public.

🇩🇪Celebrate Oktoberfest at Rotary Park from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM today. The first 100 people to purchase a drink from one of the vendors will receive a free commemorative mug. Enjoy food and drink vendors, face painting, pottery painting with The Knack, artisan vendors, pumpkin painting, kids’ games, and pretzel necklaces.

🎸Join Fiddlerock at 3 PM today for an exciting live performance at Hawg House Saloon! Enjoy your favorite rock, pop, country, metal, and more—all performed with a unique four-string twist. Don’t forget to bring your song requests and check out their current song list at fiddlerocklive.com/songlist. It’s going to be a jam-packed afternoon of music and fun!

🐈Friends of Strays invites you to save the date for an open house today from 12-4 PM. Join them for an afternoon filled with food, music, raffles, and much more to support their mission.

😱Prepare for a spine-chilling experience at the Nightmare Haunted Attraction on October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Tickets are $15 per person. Follow the attraction’s Facebook page for updates and photos to stay informed.

🏈PRINCETON TIGERS DOMINATE HALL 41-0 IN HOMECOMING SHUTOUT

The Princeton Tigers cruised to a 41-0 shutout victory over rival Hall during their homecoming game. Ace Christiansen kicked things off with a 47-yard interception return, putting the Tigers up 7-0 early in the first quarter. Quarterback Will Lott connected with Arthur Burden for two touchdowns, one a 36-yard pass late in the first and another for 18 yards in the third quarter. Etheridge added a rushing touchdown from 7 yards out just before halftime, extending the lead to 21-0. Common Green capped off the scoring with a 2-yard run late in the third. Princeton’s defense was relentless, ensuring their rivals couldn’t get on the board.

Local Scores

• IVC 35 — St. Bede 22

• Sterling Newman 29 — Mercer County 16

• Riverdale 21 — Erie-Prophetstown 18

• Rockridge 35 — Orion 14

• Amboy 46 — FCW 14

• Farmington 26 — Macomb 20

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Saturday: Partly cloudy and breezy with a high of 87°F. Winds will blow from the south-southwest at 10 to 15 mph, with a moderate UV index and 54% humidity. The evening will be mostly clear, with a low of 56°F. Winds will remain at 5 to 10 mph from the south-southwest, with humidity rising to 68%.

🌤️Sunday: A few clouds from time to time, with a high of 74°F. Winds will be from the south-southwest at 10 to 15 mph, with 51% humidity. The night will be mostly clear, with a low of 41°F and winds from the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph. Humidity will increase to 71%.

☀️Monday: Sunny skies with a high of 72°F. Winds will come from the north at 5 to 10 mph, with 52% humidity. The night will be mostly clear with a low of 40°F, and winds will be light and variable. Humidity will rise to 70%.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.39
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.43
Casey’s West/North: $3.47
Beck’s West/North: $3.47
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.47
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.47

Gas in Peru 👀

Sapp Bros., 3130 May Rd.: $2.96

🏆PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

Lex Poppens

Reason for nomination: “Lex Poppens is the Director of the Bureau County History Center. He has been instrumental in securing funding for the history center and organizing volunteers to remodel the Sash Stalter Matson building. Along with the museum staff and board, Lex continues to bring exciting events and speakers to Bureau County to promote the area and its history.”

I agree, Lex. Thank you for preserving our history! Congratulations, you’re the 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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💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Freedom House is hosting a Fall Family Fun Fest on Saturday, October 12th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Soldiers and Sailors Park. The event will feature a bounce house, face painting, crafts, a bake walk, cotton candy, games, a dunk tank, a scavenger hunt, and more, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

• Gateway Services is hosting a Trivia Night on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the Princeton Moose Lodge. Doors open at 4:30 PM, and trivia starts at 6 PM, with food available from 5-6 PM and a cash bar. The entry fee is $15 per person, and teams of 8 can compete for cash prizes of $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third.

• Neighborhood Ace Hardware is running a special throughout October with a buy-one-get-one-free deal on Beyond Bright garage lights, originally priced at $31.99 each.

• Paisano’s Ristorante has named Taco Pizza as October’s pizza of the month, featuring a refried bean base, taco meat, mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and Doritos. Starting tomorrow, they are also bringing back their giant 1.5 lb pretzel, fried and topped with garlic butter and served with nacho cheese.

• Skoonerz Grill & Bar has brought back the Reaper Burger for a limited time. This hand-patted burger is seasoned with a spicy kick, topped with pepper jack cheese, deep-fried jalapeño, and drizzled with house-made reaper sauce.

• Princeton’s Oktoberfest is packed with food and drink vendors, from BBQ and pretzels to funnel cakes and nachos, offering something for everyone. Local vendors include Farmer Smoked BBQ, Wild Ginger Bistro, Philly Factory, and more, with festive beer from Barrel Society and Princeton Inn.

• Myrtle’s Pies is open today from 10 AM to 2 PM and offers special pie orders for Wednesdays and Sundays. Today’s selection includes pumpkin pie, banana cream, RumChata pie, and salted caramel, among other flavors.

• Boek-el-Zoo has received a big shipment of animals, including chinchillas, hedgehogs, and guinea pigs, along with great deals like used tanks for $1 a gallon. Shoppers can also check out the new trading card collection and try to win $20 in the gumball machine.

• Hoppy-Go-Lucky Hollands Rabbitry is offering three Holland Lop rabbits with pedigrees: two does and one buck. The available rabbits include a 3-year-old proven black tort doe, a 10-month-old opal doe, and a 1.5-year-old broken blue tort buck. For more information and pictures, potential buyers can reach out privately; the rabbits are located in Princeton.

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🔗TOP LINKS THIS WEEK

• Kewanee couple’s actions save lives during Hurricane Helene

• This bright, airy two-bedroom home at 308 N Pleasant St is perfect for many buyers, featuring open-flow, light-filled living spaces and gleaming hardwood floors.

• This store owner in Illinois might want to consider a new location after getting robbed eight times in just three months.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

Store Manager | The Princeton Closet | Full Time | Pay Not Provided

The Princeton Closet is seeking a full-time store manager. The Closet is a faith-based resale organization whose mission is to give back to the community. The manager works full time M-F with once-a-month Saturdays required. Other requirements include retail sales management experience, team orientation, leadership, excellent communication, computer skills, financial skills, and past work with volunteers is a plus. Submit all resumes to [email protected].

More Jobs:

• Kennel Attendant | Friends of Strays | Part-Time | $14 an hour

• Housekeeper | Liberty Village of Princeton | Part-Time | Pay not provided

• Crew Member or Delivery Driver | Jimmy John’s | Full-Time/Part-Time | $14-$23 an hour

• Lawn Care Specialist | Taylor’s Way | Full-Time | $18-$21 an hour

• Maintenance | Prime Quarter Steak House | Part-Time | $14 an hour

• Groundskeeper | Princeton High School | Full-Time | $15-$17 an hour

• In-Home Caregiver | In-Home Care Connection | Part-Time | $17-$19 an hour

• Laborer | Corteva Agriscience | Contract | $18.25 an hour

• Administrative & Property Management Assistant | Brush Creek Investments and studioK Architecture | Part-Time | $15-$17 an hour

• DSP | Gateway Services, Inc. | Full-Time | Pay not provided

• Journeyman Lineman | Corn Belt Energy Corporation | Full-Time | $53.29 an hour

• Assistant Manager | Culver’s | Full-Time | $17-$20 an hour

• Preschool Teacher | Zearing Child Enrichment Center | Full-Time | $14.50-$15.00 an hour

⛪️Part-time positions open at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church:

• Director of Music Ministry

• Director of Youth & Family Ministry

• Media Outreach Technician

For more details, visit www.StMatthewsPrinceton.org or send resumes to [email protected].

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• The Walnut Fall Fest Car Show is happening on Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Walnut, featuring a variety of vehicles, door prizes, and entertainment from AMC Sound DJ. Proceeds from the event will benefit the WCCB Hot Rod Camp, and attendees can enjoy the unique CAR-B-QUE car. The Fall Fest will also take place on October 5 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering live music, kids' activities, and a vendor show.

• Nearly 140,000 Illinoisans are due to receive checks from the state’s unclaimed property program.

• If you live in Illinois, you will see snow. That's one of life's guarantees, but some places in the state get more snowfall than others. The top 20 list based on averages has some surprises in it.

• Here are 11 classics (and a few not really classics) that have Illinois as part of their story.

• When You Should Stop Mowing Your Lawn For The Season In Illinois

📚HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARY

Saturday October 5, 10-2:30pm: Tim Burgess will be at the Princeton Public Library to talk about Medicare needs and questions. Join us Saturday October 5 from 10-2:30 for this free program. All are welcome to attend.

Wednesday October 9, 5:30-6:30pm: A community music night at the Princeton Public Library. Calling all musicians, avid listeners, and everyone in between. Whether you are participating or taking it all in, we’d love to see you there. This program is free and all are welcome to attend.

Thursday October 10, 6-7:30pm: Join the Page Turners Book Club Thursday October 10th to share your thoughts and feelings about this month’s literary work All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers. (#1 New York Times Bestseller) In the propulsive debut novel from the host of the #1 true crime podcast Crime Junkie, a journalist uncovers her hometown’s dark secrets when she becomes obsessed with the unsolved murder of her childhood neighbor—and the disappearance of another girl twenty years later. Order your own copy on PrairieCat or stop by circulation desk to be put on hold for your own borrowed copy. Page Turners meetings are free, and all are welcome to attend.

Thursday October 24, 4-7pm: Donate blood at their monthly blood drive, by ImpactLife. To register for this event go to www.bloodcenter.org. Walk ins are welcome. Many variables can impact our blood inventories such as weather, holidays or tragic events. Every day, patients who need blood are in crisis and you can help by volunteering to donate. Less than 10% of the population gives blood, so donors that give on a regular basis are important to meet these needs. Schedule an appointment today. Give and get choice of gift card or a donation to Make-a-Wish IL or bonus points to the rewards store!

Friday October 25, 4:30-5:30pm: The monthly Writer’s Club Meeting will take place. This group votes to decide the type of writing they will focus on for the following month. Writers are encouraged to share their work, receive constructive criticism, and share any knowledge about the writing process. Participation in publishing contests with prizes is also encouraged. This program is free and all are welcome to attend.

Wednesday October 30, 5-7pm: A night of relaxing music and coloring at the Princeton Public Library. Coloring pages and bookmarks will be provided. Bookmarks can be laminated with contact paper. Feel free to bring your own coloring book from home or any materials you would like to use if you have a preference. This program is free and all are welcome to attend.

🔭A LOOK AHEAD

Leslie Goddard Presents Eleanor Roosevelt (Saturday, October 5th): Award-winning actress Leslie Goddard brings Eleanor Roosevelt to life in this engaging performance at 1 PM. Learn about Roosevelt's journey from a shy orphan to a powerful advocate for human rights. This event, held at 24 Park Ave E, is free and open to the public.

Pumpkin & Pajama Party (Friday, October 11th): Put on your favorite pajamas and fuzzy slippers and head to The Knack for a fun pottery painting session from 10 AM to 2 PM! Choose from a wide selection of fall pottery, including pumpkins. Sip apple cider, enjoy donuts, and spend quality screen-free time with friends and family. Pricing: $7 for kids/students, $10 for adults, plus the cost of pottery ($10-$70, average $15). No reservation required.

Simply Patsy at Festival 56 (Saturday, October 12th): The Pearl Handle Band joins Mary Pfeifer for a lively tribute to Patsy Cline, with two shows at 2 PM and 7 PM. Enjoy the story of Cline's trials and successes with the band backing Mary’s excellent vocals. Tickets are $25, and the event is located at Grace Theater, 316 S Main St.

Shadows of the Blue and Gray (Saturday, October 12th): Step back in time at this Civil War reenactment event held at City County Park from 9 AM to 4 PM. Enjoy battle reenactments, artisans, music, food, and storytelling, preserving history in a fun and engaging way. This is a family-friendly event perfect for history enthusiasts.

6th Annual Halloween Parade (Saturday, October 12th): Join the Bureau County Fair’s Halloween Parade, featuring spooky floats and family fun. Starting at 5 PM, this free parade promises a festive atmosphere. Spectators are welcome to enjoy the sights at the Bureau County Fairgrounds.

The Killer Riffs at Hawg House Saloon (Saturday, October 19th): Enjoy music and drinks at Hawg House Saloon with The Killer Riffs starting at 3 PM. Experience a lively atmosphere with great music and drinks to keep you entertained throughout the day. The event takes place at 18066 US Highway 6.

Fall Craft & Vendor Sale and Flea Market (Sunday, October 20th): Head over to the Bureau County Fairgrounds from 8 AM to 2 PM for a fun day of shopping! Explore a variety of vendors, crafters, and flea market items, all with free admission. Whether you're looking for unique crafts or one-of-a-kind finds, this event has something for everyone. Visit the Bureau County Fair website or call 815-866-3606 for more information.

2024 Holiday Market at The Elowen Room (Saturday, November 23rd – Sunday, November 24th): Support local artists and makers during this two-day Holiday Market from 10 AM to 4 PM each day! Featuring 8-10 vendors showcasing unique handmade items perfect for holiday gifts and décor. The event will also include festive holiday music and a cozy coffee bar for a warm, cheerful shopping experience. Located near the trolley stop on the North End of Main Street, it’s part of Princeton’s Christmas Walk Weekend, so make sure to stop by!

🌀HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF

Flooding from Hurricane Helene has devastated Asheville, NC, with over 38 confirmed deaths and hundreds still missing, largely due to limited communication in affected areas. The hurricane, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm, brought unprecedented rainfall of 10 to 29 inches, causing deadly landslides and severe flooding across the mountains. Over 1,000 people are unaccounted for in Buncombe County, and more than half a million residents are without power, while food, water, and fuel shortages are creating tension at local supply points. They need help.

Here's a list of organizations helping the flood victims in western North Carolina.

The American Red Cross of Illinois has issued an urgent call for volunteer support in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Interested individuals are encouraged to help in emergency shelters, providing crucial services and support. For those able to commit, training and a two-week deployment are required. To volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer. Additionally, financial donations and blood donations are critical; visit redcross.org for more information on how to contribute.

➕LETTER FROM LORI

How many of you have fallen victim to unrealistic expectations? For women, it’s often the expectation to be a wife, mother, and maintain a 40-hour workweek. In my youth, it was hard but not impossible. When I dropped the “wife” role, the challenge shifted, but the world still expected me to attend every sporting event my children participated in, while juggling a job (or three) to ensure my kids had an adequate lifestyle. Meanwhile, the bank and utility companies demanded bills be paid on time, and my neighbors expected my lawn to be weed-free, cut precisely to match theirs, so as not to drag down their property values. There were times it got so overwhelming that I swear I imagined tigers lurking, hunting gazelle.

The pressure of these expectations often led me to eat my stress away, inflating my weight to Baroque proportions, which disappointed both potential suitors and my closet.

Growing up, I always felt like a disappointment. My mother envisioned a sweet little Shirley Temple with curls, a smile, and a delicate nature. What she got was the exact opposite—me, dirty 90% of the time, wearing jeans, and wildly inappropriate in my speech and mannerisms. Honestly, not much has changed in the 50 years since.

My father expected a strong work ethic, success, and beauty. I tried but never felt I worked hard enough. The 90+ hours a week and a lifetime of multiple jobs never seemed to meet his expectations. As for beauty? I fell short. But looking back at photos, I realize I wasn’t as far from the mark as I thought.

Men, too, face society’s expectations. We expect them to be breadwinners of epic proportions, and we want father figures like Pa Ingalls. Women dream of Jason Momoa looks, but often, we end up with more Jason Alexander.

All this judgment, all these expectations, all these “you need to meet my impossible standards” create a very sad world.

I have a sign at my store that reads, “4+4=8, but so does 5+3, 6+2, and 7+1. Just because you are right doesn’t mean everyone else is wrong.”

This is where the concept of grace comes in. We need to recognize that there’s an ideal we all strive for, but not everyone has the same skills, talents, resources, or opportunities. We must understand that people are doing the best they can with what they have—and sadly, we don’t all “have” the same. Have we really looked at another person’s situation and weighed their effort and resources to see if it equals adequate? Our formula might add up to “ideal,” but more often than not, it’s “good” or even “great.”

We all fall short of someone’s unrealistic expectations. The key to true happiness is to set our own personal goals based on what we know we’re capable of and strive for those. We need to set the height of our own bar and aim to clear it—like the unfortunate high jumper at the recent Olympics, who didn’t quite make it because a part of his body failed him (in a way that was rather amusing to the spectators).

Even in our constant failures, we can learn, try again, and celebrate our victories—while our neighbors look down their noses, fingers poised to call the town council. Maybe, just maybe, the tigers in your yard will lose interest in the gazelle and find a sweaty old man a more appealing target.

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

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].