🦖Tickets Selling Fast, Art Classes, and Guillermo

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Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. Which country music artist is set to perform live in concert with special guest Brushville, with tickets selling fast? Which local transportation service will be temporarily closed on Friday, March 21, as they pick up new vehicles to improve public transit? Which Princeton athlete earned 3rd Team IBCA All-State honors for his hard work and dedication on the basketball court?

Hmmmm…find out more below.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🎨Art Classes for Kids
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton People of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
🇺🇸Celebrate Flags of Freedom
👷Princeton Job Openings
✨Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Linda Ratliff and Brad Fine!🎁

• Don't wait—tickets are selling fast for Trace Adkins with special guest Brushville Live in Concert. Grab your friends and family for a night of amazing music and fun. Get your tickets now.

• BPART (Bureau-Putnam Area Rural Transit) announces a temporary closure on Friday, March 21, with services resuming on Saturday, March 22. The team is excited to pick up new vehicles to enhance public transportation.

• Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 3rd Annual Career, Job & Volunteer Fair on Friday, April 4, at Princeton High School. Student session: 9:25 a.m. – 3 p.m. Public session: 4–6 p.m.

• BCR: “The Princeton Logan seventh-grade volleyball team went down swinging, making a second game stand, but saw its run to the IESA Class 3A State Tournament come to an end with a loss to Staunton Friday night at Warrensburg-Latham High School.”

• Noah Laporte earned 3rd Team IBCA All-State honors. His hard work and dedication on the basketball court have been recognized at the state level.

• Water Assistance is Available Now for Illinois American Water Customers. The applicant must be a residential customer of Illinois American Water. Customers can apply online or call 1-888-282-6816. Visit the website for more details.

🎨ART CLASSES FOR KIDS

Taught by Professional Artist Judy Gosse

A series of six weekly art classes for kids ages 8 through 14 will start on Wednesday, March 19 at the Prairie Arts Gallery located at 24 Park Avenue East in Princeton. Classes start at 5:30 pm and run through 6:30. Lessons will be on fun and formal subjects such as Figure Drawing, Perspective Drawing, Cartooning, and Art History. Cost is $10 per class plus a $20 fee for all art supplies (that will go home with the students at the end of classes.) There will be a reception at the gallery for parents and friends on Friday, April 25 at 6:00 that will feature the kid’s work. For more information or to register please email [email protected].

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Today: Windy with mostly cloudy skies and a stray shower early. High of 55°F with southwest winds at 20 to 30 mph, shifting northwest. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. The night remains mostly cloudy early, then partly cloudy after midnight, with a low of 30°F and west winds at 10 to 20 mph.

☁️Sunday: Mainly cloudy with a high of 48°F and west-northwest winds at 10 to 20 mph. The night will be partly cloudy, with a low of 32°F and west-northwest winds at 10 to 20 mph.

🌥️Monday: Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy conditions in the afternoon. High of 66°F with west-northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. The night remains partly cloudy, with a low of 48°F and west-northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph.

🌥️Tuesday: Partly cloudy skies with a high of 74°F and southeast winds at 15 to 25 mph. During the evening, skies will become cloudy overnight, with a low of 51°F. Winds will shift from east to west-northwest at 10 to 20 mph.

🌧️Wednesday: Showers early, becoming steady rain later in the day. High of 60°F with northeast winds at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. The night will bring rain showers transitioning to snow showers late, with a low of 30°F and northwest winds at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation remains at 60%.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.24
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.29
Casey’s West/North: $3.33
Beck’s West/North: $3.33
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.33
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.33

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $2.80

🏆PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

Simon Zehr

Reason for Nomination: “Simon always has a smile and seems to know everyone—pretty much anywhere! I have never heard a negative word come out of his mouth. He is eager to help whenever he is asked and often jumps in when he sees a need. He is a hardworking young man who encourages others. I know that Simon makes the world a much better place, and I am privileged to know him.”

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

• Optimal Health tempts dessert lovers with its latest sweet addition—Italian Cream Cake. This indulgent treat, topped with pecans and rich cream frosting, is now available for those with a sweet tooth.

• Apollo Theater Princeton shares its showtimes for the week, featuring a special PJ Premiere of Snow White on Thursday at 6 PM. Other screenings include Novocaine and Mickey 17, with Sunday’s final showings offering open captions for accessibility.

• Signature Land Settings LLC is ready to kick off the spring season by offering lawn care and outdoor space maintenance. Homeowners can contact them for estimates to keep their yards looking pristine. Call or text: 815-719-2831

• Neighborhood Ace Hardware helps gardeners prepare for spring with seed starting kits, gloves, and a variety of gardening tools. Shoppers can find everything needed to get their plants growing successfully.

• Corner Chair Market showcases a uniquely designed bar and storage island, crafted with a mix of rustic and industrial elements. Featuring front and back access shelves, along with railroad spike hooks, this piece blends functionality with creative design.

• Cafe Grace is serving up a classic St. Patrick’s Day meal all weekend. Their traditional corned beef and cabbage dish invites customers to gather and celebrate with hearty flavors.

• Boek-el-ZOO reminds pet owners to plan ahead for summer vacations by booking boarding services for their exotic pets. Their care includes spa treatments, nail trimming, and customized enclosures to keep animals comfortable while owners are away.

• Beck’s announces the return of their Fish Sandwich for a limited time. Available at Beck’s Chicken and Grab N’ Go locations, this seasonal favorite is perfect for those observing Fish Fridays.

• The Studio Boutique embraces the warm weather with a fresh selection of spring fashion. Cheri showcases a stylish new outfit featuring trendy high-rise jeans paired with a lightweight spring top, available online and in-store.

• The Knack is hosting a PJs + Donuts event on Saturday, March 22, from 9 AM to noon. Participants can paint pottery and enjoy a free donut from Miss Betsy’s.

• Shane’s Shine Shop transformed a kitchen countertop in just one day at a fraction of the cost of real marble. They encourage customers to reach out for their home improvement needs.

• Sislers Ice Cream introducied two new flavors on March 1, Lucky Charms and Pot of Gold. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM.

• Master Electrician is now serving the Princeton community. Contact 815-200-4816 for services.

• Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens is looking for artists to join its outdoor market on September 20, 2025. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 3 at 9 AM. Get full details and apply at https://www.hornbakergardens.com/artisan-market/.

• Rediger Auction Service is holding its next machinery consignment on March 29. They are now accepting consignments for this live and online event.

Today:

📚 Math: Right from the Start – 6:30 AM-9 AM at 633 Masonic Dr, Princeton. A training event for child care providers.

🌿 Make Your Own Clay Planter – 11 AM-12:30 PM at The Knack. A pottery workshop with a plant included.

🎸 St. Patrick’s Weekend Line-Up – 1 PM at Hawg House Saloon. Live music with Next Thing Smokin’ on Saturday and Cody Calkins on Sunday.

🎤 Karaoke & Open Mic – 7 PM-9:45 PM at Downtown Pub & Event Center. Open mic night with karaoke every Saturday through May.

🍀 Shamrockin’ St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – 7 PM-2 AM at The Black Rose Saloon. Enjoy corned beef & cabbage and a DJ.

🦖 Guillermo Meet & Greet – 10 AM-1 PM at 419 S Main, Princeton. Meet a mini dinosaur and get a free trading card while supplies last.

🇺🇸CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF FLAGS OF FREEDOM

The Flags of Freedom is celebrating their 20^th  year of the flags flying at Exit 56 on Interstate 80 as the front door to Princeton and Bureau County.

On September 10, 2005, the flags were raised with great fanfair and enthusiasm enjoyed by over 2500 people, including many local and state dignitaries along with a number of current and past members of the U.S. Armed Forces.  The City of Princeton requested help in July 2016 to help with fundraising for the cost of the flags and the infrastructure, as no tax money is used to support this display.  At that point the Flags of Freedom Committee was formed to support the associated costs of maintaining the Flags of Freedom.

The 20^th  Anniversary Star Spangled Event will be held at the Cider Mill Event Center in Princeton.  Doors open at 5pm, program and auctions will beginning at 5:30 pm sharp.  The food will be heavy  hors d'oeuvres provided by local restaurants.  Las Vegas style fun will follow the program with something for everyone.  New to our event are more trips than ever before.  You can visit our website to view information about the trips and purchase them before the auction.  Purchase a trip before March 1st, and receive a $100 gift card as a bonus.  Tickets for the event and vacations can be purchased under the Donate button on our website www.flagsoffreedomi80.org.

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👷PRINCETON JOB OPENING

• The Pack Department, 1st Shift position at Allegion in Princeton, is a full-time role with overtime opportunities. Pack Operators are responsible for packing, filling, and labeling cylinders while following safety and quality standards. They also perform quality checks, inspect parts for correctness, and reconfigure products as needed. Employees must follow safety regulations, maintain clean work areas, and have flexibility to work overtime when necessary. The job requires attention to detail, adherence to standard work processes, and communication with team leaders about any issues. Allegion specializes in security products and has received recognition as an engaged workplace in 2024.

• St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Princeton is hiring for three part-time positions: Director of Music Ministry (15-17 hrs/week), Director of Youth & Family Ministry (9-10 hrs/week), and Media Outreach Technician (6-8 hrs/week). A qualified candidate may fill all three roles for a total of 30-35 hours per week with insurance benefits. Job descriptions are available at www.StMatthewsPrinceton.org, and resumes can be sent to [email protected] or mailed to 416 E Dover Rd, Princeton, IL 61356-9551.

• The Princeton Closet is hiring a part-time operations employee to help with donations, cashier duties, and customer assistance. This role also includes organizing spaces and merchandising the sales floor. Those interested can email Amy at [email protected].

✨LETTER FROM LORI

Nothing sends my family and friends into a panic quite as quickly as me not arguing when they suggest I go to the hospital. I am a self-proclaimed Martha Stewart of medicine and have practiced on myself, countless animals, and a few small humans over the years. I don’t possess any kind of degree, but I did do a ride-along or two with Dr. McCutchan back in the day when I had lofty aspirations of becoming the next James Herriot (a book series I read countless times).

I gave up those dreams when I realized how academically challenging the field was. I wanted a family, and even at a young age, I could see that a career like that is a 24/7/365 commitment. I mean, a cow giving birth doesn’t really care if your daughter has a dance recital or if your son is being inducted into the football hall of fame.

So instead, I decided to become a special education teacher—until my senior year of college, when I just knew in my heart I’d be immediately fired from any educational institution because of my combative nature and my unwillingness to submit to administrative authority. Those kids needed a voice, and I have a very loud one. In my 20s, I had not yet honed my diplomatic skills, so unemployment—if not jail time—was pretty much guaranteed.

But I digress.

Last week, when I became completely unable to walk, it was suggested I go to the ER. As fate would have it, my friends and family were not wrong. The nurses and doctor all agreed that I was one idiot moment away from sepsis. So, they threw me in a gown, threw me in a room, and started an IV to cleanse my body of the ick I had incurred. I don’t know how I got the ick, and it hasn’t completely left my body yet, but I’m working on it.

I worked as furiously from my phone in a prone position as I do in an upright position because, you know, stuff needs to get done. My baby brother, on one of his visits, told me that maybe there was a reason for this inconvenience. I 100% agree with him.

It put me in touch with my age.
My mortality.
My lack of control over my life.

It also brought out the best in those around me—from those who drove me to the hospital, to those who fed the critters for me, to those who showed up when I needed to be at the store and helped with the things I was incapable of doing.

Did I say incapable? That’s not a word in my vocabulary.

But this past week, God put it there. He assured me that even when I am not capable, He is. He took the reins and led me through this latest speed bump. He placed people and circumstances in line, in order, and together, He and I navigated what I once thought was impossible.

So, if you see me toddling along with a walker and moving a little slower, please forgive me. I’m coming to terms with the fact that I am not invincible, and maybe—just maybe—I should tuck my cape into my pants and move on.

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

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