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Good Saturday morning, Princeton friends. Princeton hits the gas into the first true warm stretch of the year—with 80-degree sunshine, packed events, and a full slate of local momentum all landing at once. From state champion wrestlers and a big night for The Sound of Music to rising gas prices and spring businesses shifting into high gear, we’re moving fast and finally thawed out.

Let’s go!

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠 Princeton Homes For Sale
🌽 Ag Updates
☀️ Princeton Weather
⛽️ Princeton Gas Prices
💼 Princeton Businesses
🎬 A Film About Homelessness
🗓️ Upcoming in Princeton
🎭 Festival 56 Local Audition Day
👷‍♂️ Local Job Opportunities
🍇Letter From Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Princeton Christian Academy will present The Sound of Music: Youth Edition Tonight at 6:30 p.m. Students have been preparing the production and invite the community to attend the performance.

• Princeton Wrestling is celebrating two 2026 IESA State Champions, with Hawk Amy winning at 126 lbs and Eric Giaquinto at 155 lbs, highlighting a strong season for the program.

• Princeton High Students Visit State Capitol with Youth Advisory Council

• Princeton Girls Track and Field Shines with Multiple Personal and Season Bests at Newman Open

• A Flags of Freedom Drawdown fundraiser will take place Saturday, April 18 at the Princeton Moose Lodge. The event includes a spaghetti dinner buffet, prize drawings, and limited ticket sales with cash prizes.

• The Rotary Club of Princeton announced its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Park. Children ages 0–10 are invited to participate, and photos with the Easter Bunny will be available.

• Friends of the Princeton Public Library will host their Spring Book Sale from March 26–28 in the library’s Friends Sale Room. The event will offer a wide selection of books for purchase while raising funds to support library programs and services.

• Bureau County Sheriff Arrest and Citation Report March 13

📍Outside City Limits

• Two teens charged after stolen vehicle crash in Mendota

• Sheriff’s Office Provides Update on Two-Vehicle Crash in Lee County

• The Walnut Chamber of Commerce announced its Townwide Garage Sales will take place May 1 and May 2. Residents and visitors are encouraged to participate and shop throughout the community.

• The Tiskilwa Community Association announced the headline bands for Pow Wow Days 2026. Flatland Ridge will perform Friday, July 31, and Hairbanger’s Ball will perform Saturday, August 1.

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• A brick farmhouse-style home at 1322 W. Peru St. is listed for $129,500 and offers 1,730 square feet with three bedrooms and one bathroom on a 1.53-acre lot. Built in 1856, the property features a circular asphalt driveway, fireplace in the family room, thermal windows, an enclosed porch, and spacious living areas. The second level includes three bedrooms, one with a built-in bunk bed designed for two beds. Zoned B2 and located within walking distance of town, the property offers potential for residential living, a home business, or other future uses.

• A three-bedroom, one-bath home at 318 W. Peru St. in Princeton offers 1,428 square feet of living space and carries an estimated value of $130,100. The property is currently being offered through an auction process as a foreclosure. Homes sold this way sometimes sell below typical market value depending on bidding activity. The listing indicates the sale will occur through an online real estate auction.

• A two-bedroom, one-bath Cape Cod–style home at 525 E. Marion St. is listed for $60,900 and offers 1,248 square feet on a quarter-acre lot. The property includes a detached two-car garage and has seen several recent improvements, including a new roof, windows, boiler, radiators, and updates to electrical and plumbing systems. Floor treatments and other upgrades have also been completed, with more than $85,000 reportedly invested in repairs and improvements. The home still needs interior decorating and paint but offers potential for buyers seeking a renovated property at an affordable price.

🌽AG UPDATES

Illinois pork producers optimistic about 2026 profitability: A central Illinois pork producer reports improving margins due to stable feed costs and strong consumer demand, especially as high beef prices push buyers toward pork. Industry outlook suggests better financial conditions after several difficult years. Read more on pork profitability.

University of Illinois developing AI crop-monitoring robots: Researchers are building low-cost robotic rovers that use artificial intelligence to monitor plant health in real time, helping farmers detect disease and nutrient issues earlier. The technology aims to reduce yield loss and make precision agriculture more accessible. Learn about the new robots.

Global tensions impacting fertilizer and fuel markets: Illinois Extension reports that ongoing geopolitical conflict is affecting fertilizer supply chains and fuel costs, which could influence planting decisions and input expenses for farmers this season. Market analysts are watching volatility closely. More on ag markets.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance pushes for conservation funding: A new enrollment period for conservation programs is being highlighted, with calls for continued state investment to support soil health, sustainable farming practices, and long-term agricultural resilience. Details on the program.

Crop outlook tied to early spring weather patterns: Recent forecasts indicate warmer-than-average conditions across Illinois this spring, which could accelerate planting timelines but also create uneven moisture conditions impacting crop development. Read about spring conditions.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️ Saturday: Very warm for March with mostly sunny skies and a high near 83°F. Southeast winds 10–15 mph keep conditions breezy but pleasant. The night remains partly cloudy and mild with a low around 55°F and light east winds 5–10 mph.

🌬️ Sunday: A sharp change arrives with cooler, breezy conditions and mostly cloudy skies, along with a chance for a stray shower. Temperatures fall to a high near 61°F, with north winds 15–25 mph and higher gusts. Overnight turns colder with a low around 32°F under partly cloudy skies and continued NNW winds 10–20 mph.

☀️ Monday: Calmer and cooler with mostly sunny skies and a high around 50°F. Winds shift to the south around 10–15 mph, helping stabilize conditions. The evening stays partly cloudy with a low near 36°F.

🌥️ Tuesday: Mostly cloudy throughout the day with a high near 59°F. Northeast winds 10–20 mph bring a cooler feel despite the moderate temperatures. The night remains cloudy with a low around 37°F and steady east winds 10–15 mph.

🌦️ Wednesday: Partly cloudy skies with a few showers possible, especially later in the day. Temperatures rise to about 63°F with SSE winds 10–20 mph. The evening stays mostly cloudy and mild with a low near 47°F.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.89
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.97
Casey’s West/North: $3.99
Beck’s West/North: $3.99
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.99
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.99

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Little Blue Dress is offering raw-edge button-down sweaters in multiple colors for $29, available in sizes small through large, with both in-store and online shopping options during their 10:00 AM–5:30 PM hours.

• Fresh Finds Princeton is stocked with a wide variety of Easter basket items for all ages and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, offering help in putting together custom baskets.

• Cafe Grace invites the community to dine today from 8:00 AM–2:00 PM and 4:00–8:00 PM, with Easter approaching and reservations encouraged at their Main Street location.

• Finders Keepers Resale Store is featuring over 100 newly stocked books, including titles from well-known authors, available now in-store.

• The Knack is offering $25 Easter basket kits with painting supplies and also promotes customizable take-home pottery kits, with extended weekend hours leading into Easter.

• Gateway Services is hosting its 8th Annual “Egg My Yard” fundraiser, delivering candy-filled eggs to homes across the area before Easter, with ordering available through March 31.

• Optimal Health is promoting healthier Easter basket alternatives, including low-sugar treats and snacks available in-store.

• Bureau County Metro Center is launching an early morning spin class called “Warrior Revolution” starting April 10, meeting every other Friday at 5:45 AM, free for members with day-pass options for non-members.

• Gateway Services, Inc. invited the public to attend “Next Stop: Independence” on March 24 from 5–8 p.m. at LaSalle-Peru High School. The event will provide information about jobs, education, life skills, and community support resources.

• Bureau County Metro Center is hosting an Underwater Easter Egg Hunt on April 11 at 2:00 PM, inviting participants to collect eggs in the pool with a chance to win a free pool party by finding the golden egg.

• The Princeton Closet is bringing back its popular “Basket Days” Friday and Saturday, offering 12 clothing items per basket with a limit of two per customer, along with additional in-store community events.

• Faith’s Fabulous Treats has reopened and is welcoming customers back with a focus on ice cream and warm-weather treats as the season shifts.

• Johnsons Carpet Shoppe is offering commercial and residential flooring services, including new carpet installations, with free estimates available at their North Main Street location.

• Corner Chair Market is featuring a square wood table ideal for smaller spaces such as breakfast nooks or family rooms, with matching chairs available separately.

• Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center is preparing for the 2026 season and hosting a league informational meeting on Tuesday, April 21 at 6:00 PM, with a $20 per person fee and sign-up deadline that evening.

• Apollo Theater Princeton has released showtimes through March 26, featuring Project Hail Mary and Hoppers, with multiple daily screenings and tickets available online or at the box office.

• Second Story Teen Center is hosting its 2nd Annual Shoe Drive, accepting financial donations through the end of March to provide shoes for children in partnership with Another Child Foundation.

🎬 A FILM ABOUT HOMELESSNESS IS COMING TO PRINCETON

A community film event focused on homelessness is coming to downtown Princeton later this month.

Illinois Valley PADS will host a public screening of the documentary “No Address” on Saturday, March 21 at 12:30 PM at the Apollo Theatre on South Main Street. The film follows several people experiencing homelessness and explores the challenges they face while searching for stability and dignity.

Following the screening, local organizations that work with people experiencing homelessness will participate in a discussion and Q&A about resources available in the Illinois Valley.

📍 Apollo Theatre, Princeton
🎥 Saturday, March 21 — 12:30 PM
🤝 Hosted by Illinois Valley PADS

🗓️️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

🎬 Saturday, March 21: No Address Movie at Apollo Theatre – A one-day community screening of No Address at 12:30 PM at the historic Apollo Theatre. Tickets are $10 and include a small popcorn and drink. Doors open at noon, and the event will include a post-film Q&A focused on homelessness awareness and local solutions.

🦞 Sunday, March 22: Argonaut Co. Lobster Rolls, Oysters + More! – A seafood pop-up at Barrel Society featuring lobster rolls, oysters, and more. Preordering is highly recommended so guests can get exactly what they want.

🍊 Monday, March 23: Fresh Citrus & Strawberries Stop – Princeton – Tree-Ripe Fruit Co. will stop at Princeton Moose Lodge from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM with California craft citrus and sweet Florida strawberries. A simple reservation system is being offered to help customers secure their fruit ahead of time.

🫖 Wednesday, March 25: High Tea at Four Seasons – A full high tea experience at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $10 and include treats, a fashion show featuring new spring arrivals, and 30% off purchases that day. Limited to 30 guests. Tickets must be purchased in advance in-store or by phone.

🫖 Wednesday, March 25: High Tea at Four Seasons – A full high tea experience at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $10 and include treats, a fashion show featuring new spring arrivals, and 30% off purchases that day. Limited to 30 guests, and tickets must be purchased in advance in-store

📚 Thursday, March 26: Spring Book Sale at Princeton Public Library – Annual sale hosted by Friends of the Library featuring thousands of used books, puzzles, and media.

🎭FESTIVAL 56 LOCAL AUDITION DAY

Festival 56 is hosting a Princeton Local Audition Day for high school, college, and adult actors on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 11 AM to 2 PM at 316 S. Main Street. Those interested can request a time slot by emailing [email protected] and including “PRINCETON LOCAL” in the subject line. Auditioners should prepare a short musical theatre selection of 16–32 bars and bring sheet music for the accompanist provided. For those hoping to be considered for Shakespeare in the Park, monologues from A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be available to read at the audition. There will be no dance call, allowing performers to focus on acting and vocal performance.

The 2026 season features a diverse lineup, beginning with The Comedy of Errors, rehearsing from June 15–27 with performances from June 28 through July 29 on Sunday and Wednesday nights. You Can’t Take It With You follows, with rehearsals from June 16 to July 3 and performances running July 3–11, excluding July 4. The season also includes the musical The Bridges of Madison County, rehearsing June 30–July 17 with performances July 17–25. It concludes with Anastasia, rehearsing July 15–31 and performing July 31–August 8, offering opportunities for a wide range of performers throughout the summer.

☀️IT’S HOT, NOW WHAT?

Spring apparently skipped the gentle introduction and came in like it pays the electric bill. One day people were wearing hoodies and saying, “It’s still a little chilly,” and the next day everybody was sweating through their shirts by 11:14 a.m. The first hot day of spring always catches people off guard. We’re not ready. Mentally, we’re still in soup season. Physically, we’re dressed for regret.

You can always tell it’s the first hot day because the whole town starts acting different. Dads fire up the grill with the confidence of men who have not touched it in six months. Kids suddenly appear barefoot with popsicles. Someone is already wearing flip-flops in a way that feels too aggressive for April. And every local store becomes a place to “just run in real quick” for ice, drinks, sunscreen, and something called a kiddie pool that will be destroyed within 36 hours.

Of course, the first hot day also brings the annual realization that your car’s air conditioning is either a blessing from heaven or a mild suggestion. Still, after a long stretch of cold and gray, nobody is complaining too loudly. It may be hot, sudden, and a little rude, but after winter, this kind of warmth feels like good news.

👷‍♂️LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Warehouse Associate - Inventory Control — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Princeton: This full-time Princeton position is listed at $19 per hour and focuses on supporting inbound and outbound inventory movement in a warehouse environment. The role appears geared toward candidates who can work safely, stay organized, and assist with daily operational projects tied to merchandise flow. Based on the current listing, it is one of the more prominent active warehouse openings in Princeton itself.

Customer Service Representative — Adam Hellman State Farm, Princeton: This Princeton-based opening is listed at $45,000 to $55,000 per year and is centered on client communication, service support, and daily agency operations. The position appears suited for someone with strong interpersonal skills who can handle customer needs professionally while helping maintain office efficiency. It stands out as a local office role with a clearly posted salary range and full-time structure.

Office Manager / Bookkeeper — Greenfield Retirement Home, Princeton: This full-time role in Princeton is listed at $40,000 to $43,000 per year and includes managing office operations, front desk responsibilities, phone systems, and general administrative support. The posting suggests a position that blends financial organization with day-to-day office leadership in a residential care setting. It appears to be a solid local option for someone with bookkeeping and administrative experience.

Farm Hand/Laborer — McCune Farms, Walnut: This Walnut opening, which is within roughly 10 miles of Princeton, involves general farm work connected to conventional and organic row crop production as well as work tied to a swine finishing operation. The listing notes that a current driver’s license is required, indicating a practical, hands-on agricultural role with transportation and equipment responsibility. For applicants seeking outdoor or agricultural work near Princeton, this appears to be a relevant nearby opportunity.

Custodial and Warehouse Associate — Sherman’s, Peru: This Peru position, which is within roughly 20 miles of Princeton, is listed at from $20 per hour and combines warehouse support with maintaining a clean, organized, and welcoming retail environment. The posting emphasizes store appearance and guest experience, suggesting a role that blends operational reliability with customer-facing standards. It appears to be a practical option for someone looking for steady work in facilities, stock, and general store support.

🍇LETTER FROM LORI

Years ago, comedian Brian Regan did a bit about baseball. As a child, he claimed not to be athletically inclined, but his parents signed him up anyway. When trying to convince his friends to join too, the “draw” for him was that, at the end of the game, everyone got popsicles. You got a whole popsicle no matter whether you played one inning or all of them. You got a WHOLE popsicle, no matter what. All you had to do was agree to play. Brian liked grape. I’d have to agree with his choice, although have you ever noticed that purple-colored grape things do not taste a bit like the succulent fruit that is a favorite in our house? But I digress.

As Easter approaches and we turn our attention to the crucifixion, I think of Dumas, the thief on the cross next to Jesus. I admit, I had to dig a little to come up with his name. There were other suggestions, but I chose this one because, you know, Dum-as(s)? He he. He lived his whole life out of alignment with the morality of Jesus, and yet, in his final minutes, he declared repentance, and Jesus stated that Dumas would be joining Him in heaven. Wait. WHAT?

Dumas didn’t deserve the same heaven that lifelong followers did, did he? Not fair! People who had dedicated every day of their lives in service got the exact same reward. But that’s the thing about mercy and grace: it covers everyone. When you give your heart to Jesus, He doesn’t take out a ruler, a calculator, and a list of qualifications to decide whether you qualify. He opens His arms, hugs you tight, takes you by the hand, and marches you through the gate. He doesn’t care if you come screeching up at the last minute, out of breath and sweating, clinging to His robe so you don’t go face down in the sand. He’ll give you a minute to gather yourself and welcome you in with a smile.

No hesitation.

No side eye.

No pondering.

You tell Him you want in, and that you’re sincerely sorry, and you too can have a WHOLE popsicle.

Grape.

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

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