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Happy Friday morning, Princeton. Last night I hit a milestone on my quest for the perfect brisket. It began Tuesday with my purchase of a 17-pounder from Sullivan’s. I covered it with Kosher Salt that night and it brinded (bround?) until last evening at 7pm. I covered it with olive oil, and then pressed a pepper-coffee-garlic-salt rub into to it. Then it sat in my smoker at 225 degrees as I caressed and sang it beautiful songs all night long. It’s still smoking until it reaches 203 degrees (around 3pm), and then it will rest in a dry cooler, wrapped until 6pm. I will serve it at my daughter’s family birthday get-together, and if it’s bad…we’ll pretend it never happened.

Let’s go!

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🗓️Upcoming in Princeton
🕶️From Princeton Tourism
☀️Princeton Weather
🎭Festival 56
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
🏋️At the Metro Center
📍Outside City Limits
👖Celebrating 56 Years

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Ray Terando and my daughter, Mia Bullington! 🎂

• Tom Kammerer has announced his intention to run for Bureau County Sheriff.

• The 2025 Summer Street Concert Series kicks off tomorrow with Mae Estes on South Main Street. Enjoy music, food starting at 5 PM, a Festival 56 performance at 5:30 PM, and the national anthem at 6 PM—all free and family-friendly.

• The Princeton Public Arts Commission is hosting a free community mural painting event at the first street concert of the season on June 20 at 4 p.m. in the Mary Uthoff Walkway. Each participant will paint a 7” square, and all supplies are provided. Children under 6 must paint with an adult.

• Ride Illinois is hosting the Z Tour Bike Ride on Saturday, June 21, beginning and ending at Zearing Park. Cyclists will enjoy scenic routes through Bureau County with rolling terrain, creek views, and minimal traffic. Proceeds benefit the Zearing Child Enrichment Center, and registration is open at ztour.org.

• Seal coating will affect two city parking lots the week of June 23. Portions of the lots near Marion, Peru, and Lovejoy will be closed during that time.

• The Great Pages Circus will perform in Princeton on Monday and Tuesday, June 23–24 at the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Showtimes include 7 p.m. Monday and 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, with free admission for children 12 and under with a paid adult. Expect thrilling acts, animal performances, and classic circus fun.

• Princeton Library Hosts Outdoor Lunch Event with Food and Music on June 25

• OSF HealthCare, in collaboration with the Bureau County Farm Bureau and Senior Center, is hosting a free “Power of Community: Health, Wealth and Wellness Expo” on Thursday, June 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton, offering senior-focused resources, financial and legal guidance, health education, caregiving support, and free cardio, glucose, and cholesterol screenings via the OnCall King Care-A‑Van.

• The Monthly Community Bike Ride continues the first Tuesday of each month through September, starting at 6:00 PM at Rotary Park. All ages and abilities are welcome to join this family-friendly ride.

• Princeton Youth Football League registration is open, with equipment pickup on June 21 and July 12 at “Little Siberia.” Practice starts in late July, and online registration is available along with a $150 fee covering both football and cheer.

• Applications for the Bureau County Fair Queen Pageant are open until July 1st, with divisions for ages 6–21. To apply, email [email protected] or call Tracy Diehl at 309-507-2596.

• A Fourth of July celebration will be held Friday, July 4 at Zearing Park, with food vendors from 5–9 p.m., live entertainment including Birdchild and balloon twisting, and fireworks at dusk. If needed, the rain date is Saturday, September 6.

• Candidate packets for the 2026 primary election will be available starting August 5 at the Bureau County Clerk’s office. Petition circulation begins that same day.

🏋️AT THE METRO CENTER

Junior High Strength and Conditioning Clinic

The Bureau County Metro Center is offering a Junior High Strength & Conditioning clinic from July 14th to July 17th. This one-week program is designed to help junior high athletes in Bureau County improve physically and build foundational strength. The camp targets students entering 5th through 8th grade, with separate time slots: 5th & 6th graders will meet from 10:30–11:15 AM, and 7th & 8th graders from 11:30 AM–12:15 PM. The fee is tiered at $40, $45, or $50 depending on registration timing or other factors. Classes will be capped at 8 participants to ensure more individualized instruction.

Participants will benefit from continued development, better agility, stronger self-esteem, increased skill, a strong base for gaining strength, and safety through strength development. Other benefits include promoting teamwork and encouraging a strong work ethic. The program teaches proper warmups, stretching, exercise techniques, and sport-specific training. It’s an excellent opportunity for youth to gain confidence and compete at a higher level.

To register, visit the Metro Center in person, call 815-872-0840, or sign up online. Early registration is encouraged due to limited spots.

Group Swim Lessons

Group swim lessons are returning to Alexander Pool this summer for kids ages 4 and up. The sessions will run on two sets of dates: June 9th–12th and June 16th–19th. Each class takes place from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. Participants will get the chance to sharpen existing skills, learn new techniques, and have fun in a supportive environment. The program is open to both members and non-members. The cost is $50 for members, $55 for residents, and $65 for non-residents. To register, visit the Metro Center in person, call 815-872-0840, or register online.

Adult Dodgeball Tournament

The Adult Dodgeball Tournament is coming to the BCMC Gym on Saturday, July 19th. Open to participants ages 21 and up, this event features 5-player teams competing in a double elimination format. Each matchup consists of three 10-minute games, with the winner determined by the last team standing or the team with the most players remaining. Matches begin at 6:00 PM, but all players must arrive by 5:30 PM for a rules explanation. The cost is $100 per team.

Attendees can enjoy a cash bar and free pizza while supplies last. This high-energy evening promises fun competition and great social interaction. To register, stop by the Metro Center in person, call 815-872-0840, or sign up online. Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

🗓️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

🔥🍕 Wood-Fired Pizza Nights on the Farm – Join Hungry World Farm in Tiskilwa on Saturdays, June 7, 14, and 21, from 5–7:30 PM for a relaxing evening with pizza, farm tours, baby goats, and lawn chair lounging.

🍑 Georgia Peach Stop Event – Tree-Ripe Fruit Co. brings fresh Georgia peaches to the Princeton Moose Lodge (1338 N Euclid Ave) on Monday, June 23, from 3–4:30 PM. Less than 24 hours from harvest to your hands. More info at www.tree-ripe.com.

🎬 Free Movie Night – Watch Green and Gold at Apollo Theater (455 S Main St) on Monday, June 23, at 6:30 PM. A story of a Wisconsin dairy farm family facing hard times. Hosted by the Bureau County Farm Bureau. Free admission.

🏠 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.

🇺🇸 Arukah Freedom 5k Color Run – Start your July 4th at Soldiers & Sailors Park with an 8 AM color run that supports a local cause. Walk, run, or splash your way through red, white, and blue. $35/person or $120 for 4.

🤼‍♂️ 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.

🎨 12th Annual Artisan Market – Celebrate fall with 30+ artists, food trucks, baked goods, live music, and more at Hornbaker Gardens on Saturday, September 20, from 10 AM–4 PM. Free admission.

🕶️FROM PRINCETON TOURISM

TODAY: Street Concert with Mae Estes! South Main Street, Princeton IL Food & Fun at 5PM | Festival 56 performance at 5:30PM | Mae Estes at 6PM | National Anthem by Lily Mabry | Free & family-friendly!

We’re kicking off the 2025 Street Concert Series with an amazing night of music, food, art, and community!

Be part of our Community Mural Project with the Princeton Public Arts Commission! Visit the Mary Uthoff Walkway to paint a tile that will become part of a powerful mural—a torch held high, symbolizing our Soldiers & Sailors Monument and Princeton marching forward to a bright future.

Come hungry, come curious! We’ve got an awesome lineup of local vendors tonight: Bureau County Cattlemen, Farmer Smoked BBQ, Golden Rice Thai, Wild Ginger, Nelson Fair Foods, Sislers Ice Cream, Xan Dandy Cotton Candy, Tacos La Rosita, Philly Factory, Barrel Society, Coal Creek Brewing Company, Hawg House Saloon, Princeton Inn, Body Expressions Face Painting and Glitter Tattoos, PHS Cheer Bake Sale, Bureau County Homestead Festival, Princeton Bike and Pedestrian Commission. AND Spoons & Forks and Neil and Shorty’s will be serving up some fun street concert specials!!

Sights Ink will be pressing custom ZTour + Street Concert shirts LIVE!

🎉 Don’t forget: Saturday, June 21 is our big day with the Beef & Ag Festival + ZTour! Join us from 11AM–6PM at Soldiers and Sailors Park for music, food, and fun! Want to participate in Ztour? Visit Ztour.org

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌦️Today: Scattered showers and storms are possible early in the day, then skies will turn sunny with a high of 89°F. Winds will come from the south-southwest at 15 to 25 mph, and humidity will hold around 64%. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy. The low will dip to 75°F with south-southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph. Overnight humidity will rise to 78%.

☀️Saturday: Saturday will be hot and sunny, with the high soaring to 97°F. Winds will be strong out of the south-southwest at 15 to 25 mph, and humidity will remain near 65%. UV levels will be very high. Saturday night stays warm and partly cloudy. Lows will only fall to 76°F, with continued breezy conditions and winds from the south-southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Humidity will increase to 81%.

☀️Sunday: Expect a mainly sunny sky and continued heat, with a high near 96°F. Winds will blow from the south-southwest at 10 to 20 mph, and humidity will remain elevated around 66%. Sunday night will be mostly clear with a few clouds and a low around 76°F. Winds will stay steady from the south at 10 to 15 mph, and humidity will ease slightly to 77%.

☀️Monday: Mostly sunny skies will continue Monday, with another hot high of 97°F. Winds will hold from the south-southwest at 10 to 20 mph, and humidity will be slightly lower at 62%. Monday night will be mostly clear and mild, dipping to 71°F. Winds will shift slightly from the southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Humidity will climb again to 77%.

☀️Tuesday: Tuesday brings a mix of sunshine and clouds, with a high of 93°F. Isolated afternoon storms are possible. Winds will shift from the northwest at 5 to 10 mph, and humidity will increase to 72%. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy and calm, with a low of 69°F. Winds will shift to the east at 5 to 10 mph, and humidity will peak at 87%.

⛈️Wednesday: Wednesday starts partly cloudy, with scattered thunderstorms expected to develop in the afternoon. The high will reach 91°F, with southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph and humidity near 73%. Rain chance is 40%. Wednesday night continues unsettled, with scattered showers and storms likely. The low will dip to 70°F, and winds will stay light from the southeast at 5 to 10 mph. Overnight humidity will be elevated at 84%.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.04
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.11
Casey’s West/North: $3.14
Beck’s West/North: $3.14
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.04
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.14

🎭FESTIVAL 56 IN NEED OF HOST FAMILIES

Festival 56, Princeton’s professional theater, is currently seeking host families for its upcoming summer season. Host families play a vital role by offering guest artists a welcoming place to stay, helping them rest and recharge after long days of rehearsals and performances. It’s a unique opportunity to support the arts, form lasting connections, and be part of the theater community.

If you’re interested in hosting, contact Tammy Tieman at [email protected] or call 815-878-1253 to learn more and discuss details.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Spoons and Forks will stay open until midnight for the Street Concert, offering a full menu until 8 PM and a bar with select items all night. Enjoy late-night favorites like Chicago-style hot dogs, meatballs, and $5 martinis.

• Wild Ginger will be serving up street-style tacos including crispy fish, carne asada, and pollo during the concert Friday night. It’s a festive weekend filled with delicious options and a great atmosphere.

• Apollo Theater invites guests to wear their pajamas this Friday for the premiere of Pixar’s “Elio” or “How to Train Your Dragon” and receive a free small popcorn. It’s a fun way to kick off the weekend with family-friendly entertainment.

• Finders Keepers has a new selection of charming, gently-used furniture, including cozy beds and unique statement pieces. Stop in soon to browse affordable home items before they’re gone.

• Scooter’s Coffee is launching a lineup of new summer treats including CHIPS AHOY! and NUTTER BUTTER® blenders, Red Bull infusions, sliders, and sparkling floats. These fun new flavors are sure to sweeten your summer.

• Taylor’s Way offers pest control services designed for long-term prevention using safe, proven methods. Their expert team provides family- and pet-safe solutions to keep your home free from ants, spiders, and more.

• Corner Chair Market just added a cedar-lined armoire with ample storage space, perfect for any room. Its beautiful wood finish and functionality make it a standout piece.

• Park Tavern is now hiring cooks and encourages interested applicants to stop by in person. Evening and weekend availability is required for the position.

• Four Seasons will remain open during regular business hours on Friday, June 20 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Limited parking is expected due to the evening concert, but guests are welcome to use the store’s back parking area.

• Paisano’s Ristorante reminds customers they can customize their pizza crust with options like thin, thick, pan-style, or even gluten-free. Dine in, pick up, or get it delivered within 10 miles between 4–9 PM.

• Stick It Tumbling has launched a more flexible Summer Saturday Open Gym format. For $10 per hour, all ages can drop in during the 2-hour window for fun, fitness, and flexibility.

• Wyaton Hills Golf Course invites ladies to its “Golf Now, Whine Later” event on Tuesday, June 24. For $42, participants enjoy a full day of golf, cart use, breakfast, lunch, and prizes—registration required.

• Rossy’s BBQ Joint has brought back their Sunday Brunch from 10 AM to 1 PM. Stop in to enjoy some comforting weekend favorites alongside their popular BBQ dishes.

• Miss Betsy’s will be closed June 16–25 for a family vacation and will reopen on June 26. Shoppers are encouraged to plan their visits accordingly.

• Friends of Strays is hiring for part-time morning cat staff at $15/hr with weekend availability required. Applicants can stop by the shelter Tuesday through Saturday between 8 AM and 1 PM—no messages, please.

• Beetz Me! has a fresh batch of new plants now in stock, displayed in creative pottery.

• Simply Nutrition has launched summer hours (6:30 AM–3 PM) and a new summer menu of boosted teas and shakes.

• A new HIIT + Core fitness class began 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.

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📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• Businesses in La Salle, Peru and Ottawa were recently tested to see if they would sell alcohol to a minor. Three locations allegedly failed the test.

• French awarded grant to improve downtown Spring Valley business

• How Illinois Organ Donors Create a Lifesaving Ripple Effect

• Judge Denies Conviction Overturn Request In The Starved Rock Murder Conviction

• Discover Rare Collectibles at Illinois Unclaimed Property Auction from June 13 to 22, 2025

• 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!

• Walnut Days Celebration Includes 5K Run/Walk for ALS on July 5

• Jubilee Bible Camp is hosting multiple sessions in June and July for various age groups. More information is available at jubileecamp.org.

🩳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

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].