SPONSORED BY

Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. The weather’s perfect, and Homestead Festival week is almost here — but that’s just the start. This Saturday’s Princeton NOW+ brings packed updates, local flavor, garage sale finds, a heartfelt letter, and can’t-miss community stuff.

Let’s get it going.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏷️Garage Sale
🎊Homestead Schedule
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton People of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
👗Support Travis
👷Princeton Job Openings
🏃‍♂️The Underground 5K
🏀3 on 3 Basketball
🏔️Letter From Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• BCR: The Princeton Rotary Club dedicated 40 volunteer hours to refreshing the Lovejoy Homestead fence, completing the project on Saturday, August 23, just in time for the Homestead Festival.

• Gateway Marks 55 Years of Service, Cuts Ribbon on New Classrooms

• The Princeton Public Library will host a free Beginner’s Chess Workshop on September 24 from 5:30–7:30 PM, led by Erik Czerwin, who will teach participants the basics of chess, including how the pieces move, scoring, and turn tracking. All ages are welcome, though children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

• The “Voices from the Past” PHS Alumni Concert will be held on Saturday, September 6 at 4:00 PM at the Prairie Arts Theater, 24 Park Avenue East in Princeton. The event will feature performances by several alumni, including Rachel Kiser Rucker, Ron McCutchan, Susan Nelson, Adam Webber, and more, with accompaniment by Charles Gebeck; donations will benefit the Prairie Arts Center.

• The Homestead Festival has posted the full schedule for September 4–7, 2025, featuring the Walk of Fame, evening concerts, a Saturday 1:30 p.m. parade with family activities, and Sunday events such as the car show and BBQ rib cook-off.

• The Princeton Tigers return to their radio home , WAJK, for the 2025 season.  Once again, you'll be able to hear every Tiger game, home and away, on 99.3 FM. Lucas Burris and Princeton alum Jeremy Reed bring you the action each week. You can stream wherever you are through StarvedRock.media, and listen anywhere with the free WAJK app.  Scroll down for a schedule. Pregame is 6:45 p.m. unless noted.

• The City of Princeton advises that Euclid Avenue will be closed from Elm Place to Railroad Avenue for approximately one week starting Sunday, Aug. 24, while BNSF Railway performs construction; alternate routes are recommended.

• The City of Princeton will host an Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, October 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Bureau County Highway Department; the city’s link provides the list of accepted items.

  📍Outside City Limits

• Antique Train Ride Tickets Selling Fast for Mineral Gold Fire Department Fundraiser on September 7, 2025

• IVCC alum’s career is out of this world

• Multiple Fire Departments Respond To Spring Valley Structure Fire

• City Of Spring Valley Asks For Support For Family Impacted By House Fire

• Grand Jury Indicts Mendota Man on Arson Charge

🏷️GARAGE SALE THIS WEEKEND

A garage sale will be held at 684 W Boyd Ave in Princeton.

Hours are Thursday, August 28 from 2–6 p.m., Friday, August 29 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday, August 30 from 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Shoppers will find a wide selection including estate jewelry, garden items, and kitchenware, Hummel Figurines, and Glass paperweights. Other highlights include a power shovel, a chaise lounge, and many additional household goods.

🎊HOMESTEAD FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

The Homestead Festival is happening September 4–7!

Plan for a weekend full of tradition, fun, and community spirit. Don’t forget to grab your 50/50 raffle tickets—the drawing will be held on Sunday, September 7, and you don’t need to be present to win.

Thursday — September 4

• 12–5 PM • Bureau County History Center Tours

• 5:45 PM • Walk of Fame Dedication (Robert Petkoff @ Apollo Theater)

• 6–9 PM • Down on Main Street Concert (Electric Avenue: The 80s MTV Experience)

Friday – September 5

• 12:00–5:00 PM — Explore local history at the Bureau County History Center Tours

• 1:00–4:00 PM — Visit the Owen Lovejoy Homestead Tours

• 4:00–8:00 PM — Take a ride on the Main Street Trolley

• 5:00–7:00 PM — LEGO Design Competition Reception at the Prairie Arts Center

• 5:00–10:00 PM — Homestead Celebration at Soldiers & Sailors Park

• 5:00–9:00 PM — Enjoy food trucks and beverages

• 5:30–7:00 PM — Live music from Rodeo Drive

• 6:00–9:00 PM — Twilight horse-drawn carriage rides

• 7:00 PM — Homestead Festival Announcements: Grand Marshals, winners of the StudioK LEGO Contest, Jr. Women’s Club Baby Contest, and Chamber of Commerce Window Display Contest

• 7:30 PM — Pie Eating Contest, Pie Bake-Off & Auction

• 8:00–10:00 PM — Headliner performance: Infinity Concert

Saturday — September 6

• 8–12 PM — 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament (Alexander Park)

• 8:30 AM — Underground Railroad 5K (Metro Center, 7 AM registration)

• 8:30–12 PM — Farmer’s Market (Soldiers & Sailors Park)

• 9–6 PM — Beta Sigma Phi Arts & Craft Show (Courthouse Lawn)

• 9–11 AM — Homestead Festival Fun Fair (Heartland Bank South Lot)

• 9–11 AM — Princeton High School Tours

• 10–12 PM — Owen Lovejoy Homestead Tours

• 11–5 PM — 4-H Pork Cook-Out (Soldiers & Sailors Park; Drive-Thru at Fairgrounds; 11–2 PM @ Covenant Church)

• 12–5 PM — Bureau County History Center Tours

• 1:15 PM — Main Street Relay Race

• 1:30 PM — Homestead Festival Parade (Grand Marshals: Drs. Barbara Swalve Everett & Richard Everett; Gamma Phi Circus to follow)

• 3 PM — Euchre Tournament (Soldiers & Sailors Park; 2:30 PM registration)

• 3–5 PM — Owen Lovejoy Homestead Tours

• 4 PM — PHS Alumni Concert (Prairie Arts Center)

Sunday — September 7

• 8:00–3:30 PM — BBQ Rib Cook-Off (Central Bank Lot)

• 8:00–12:00 PM — Pancake & Sausage Breakfast (Moose Lodge)

• 8:00–2:00 PM — Homestead Flea Market (Bureau County Fairgrounds)

• 8:00–3:00 PM — 45th Annual Car Show (South Main Street)

• 9:00 AM — Tug Fest (Metro Center; 8:30 AM registration)

• 10:00–4:00 PM — Beta Sigma Phi Arts & Craft Show (Courthouse Lawn)

• 10:00–1:00 PM — Pony Rides (Soldiers & Sailors Park)

• 10:30 AM — Story Hour (with Bureau County United Way)

• 11:00 AM — Dunk Tank (Soldiers & Sailors Park)

• 11:00 AM — Bags Tournament (Prairie Arts Center; 10:30 AM registration)

• 11:30 AM & 2:30 PM — Magic Shows (Soldiers & Sailors Park)

• 12:00–2:30 PM — Tractor Pull (11:45 AM registration)

• 1:00–4:00 PM — Owen Lovejoy Homestead Tours

• 3:30 PM — 50/50 Raffle Drawing (Apollo Theater Marquee)

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️ Today — A quiet late-August day. Morning sunshine mixes with fair-weather clouds through the afternoon, with highs near 80°F. A WNW breeze 5–10 mph keeps it comfortable and the UV index runs high, so midday sun will still bite. Humidity hovers near 60%. The evening cools quickly under partly cloudy skies; overnight lows slip to about 54°F with a light SE wind.

🌤️ Friday — Another mainly dry day with intervals of sun and clouds and a seasonable high around 74°F. Winds run E–ENE 5–10 mph and humidity eases into the mid-60% range, making it a pleasant afternoon. Friday night turns mostly clear and crisp; plan on a cool low near 51°F and light E/ENE breezes. Great sleeping weather.

⛅ Saturday — A touch more cloud cover at times, but still some filtered sun. Expect a high around 76°F with a gentle E–ESE 5–10 mph wind and ~70% humidity. The night stays partly cloudy and cool again, bottoming out near 52–56°F with an ENE breeze.

🌤️ Sunday — A classic late-summer day: sun and clouds mixed, very comfortable, and largely dry. Highs reach ~79°F with an ENE ~8 mph wind and upper-60% humidity. Skies remain partly cloudy Sunday night with a low near 55°F and a light ENE breeze.

🌤️ Monday — Labor Day cooperates. Partly cloudy from start to finish with highs around 79–80°F. Winds are E 5–10 mph and the UV index is very high, so sunscreen still matters. The evening turns cool and quiet; lows dip to ~56°F under partly cloudy skies.

🌤️ Tuesday — Bright again with sunshine and passing clouds. Afternoon highs top out near 80–81°F with a light SE 5–10 mph wind and lower-60% humidity—comfortable for outdoor plans. Tuesday night is partly cloudy and seasonably cool, falling to ~58–61°F with light S/SE breezes.

🌧️ Wednesday — A changeable day. Morning rain showers are likely, then showers become more spotty in the afternoon as some breaks of sun try to return. Cooler with a high near 75°F and a WNW breeze 10–15 mph; chance of rain ~40%. The night trends drier—a couple of showers early, then partly cloudy—and turns quite cool for early September with lows near 47–48°F and a light SSE wind.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.29
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.29
Casey’s West/North: $3.39
Beck’s West/North: $3.39
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.29
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.39

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $3.14

🏆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].

🔒PRINCETON NOW PREMIUM

• Princeton NOW Premium subscribers receive:

  🚫Ad free

  ❤️Local Obituaries

  🚔Arrests

  🏡Property Transfers

  🔍Health Department Food Inspections

  💍Marriages

  🏛️Board and City Council Meeting Summaries

  ⏫Upgrade your newsletter today and join 191 others.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Dairy Queen (615 N Main St) is kicking off the weekend with fall-themed Blizzards and shakes including Pumpkin Pie, Caramel Toffee Cookie, and Maple Cookie Shake, plus returning favorites like Superman Cookie Dough and Cotton Candy. Dairy Queen is clearing space for fall by offering buy one, get the second half off on select Blizzards (Confetti Cake, Mixing Bowl Mashup, and Superman) while supplies last.

• The Knack will be open Labor Day from 11 AM to 4 PM with no reservations needed for a relaxing day of pottery painting, and all fall pottery will be 20% off. It’s a great chance to unplug and create with friends and family.

• Paisano’s Ristorante is wrapping up August with just two nights left to try their Elote Pizza made from nearly 600 ears of local sweet corn from Boggio’s Orchard. They’re open 4–10 PM and also featuring rolled ice cream in Birthday Cake, Oreo, and MnM flavors.

• Crazy Eight Homestead Farm Stand will open tomorrow at 9 AM until sold out with eggs and peaches available. After that, they’ll be moving to an unscheduled format due to slower egg production.

• Tossed & Found Resale + Consignment is running a 20% off sale on all purchases including clothes, shoes, purses, home décor, and accessories. They’re open from 10 AM to 5 PM at 225 Backbone Rd E #5 behind Sullivan’s.

• The Homestead Festival is one week away, and the Bureau County History Center will debut a new exhibit called “Digital Oakland Speaks” on September 4–5 from 12–5 PM. The exhibit offers an immersive storytelling experience about prominent local figures.

• Spoons and Forks is open today from 11 AM to 8 PM and serving up their Friday-only Philly Cheesesteak. Dine in or call ahead for carry-out at 815-872-9001.

• Fresh Finds Princeton has new fall coffee flavors in stock and encourages customers to grab theirs before they’re gone. They’re open today from 9 AM to 6 PM.

• Tailholt Trading Post is offering a deep discount on a dining table with five chairs—reduced from $250 to $125—and all items on it are half off too. Items marked with a red dot indicate additional savings.

• Bureau County Senior Center is selling $1 chocolate bars (or $60 per box) as a fun treat or to prep early for Halloween. They’re open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.

• Rossy’s BBQ Joint is serving up their signature pulled pork sandwiches with a hometown twist, topped with slaw for a perfect sweet and savory bite—available this weekend only.

• Little Blue Dress is now featuring the FYB Charm Bar, where customers can build their own necklaces with charms for $20 and adjustable chains for $38.

• La Katrina Autentica will be serving from noon to 8 PM on Saturday, August 30 behind Barrel Society at 15 West Marquette, offering authentic Mexican flavors in every bite.

• The Bike Place will host the Princeton Bike Fest “Swap & Super Sale” over Homestead Weekend—Fri 9/5–Sat 9/6 (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) and Sun 9/7 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.)—at 701 N. Main St., featuring vintage and collectible bikes, e-bikes, trikes, tandems, memorabilia and more.

• Shane’s Shine Shop is hosting its Open Garage on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 8–11 a.m. at Rotary Park in Princeton. Shane’s Shine Shop invites the community to bring their rides and enjoy a morning of cars and pop-up booths.

Upcoming:

• Midnight Rider at Soldier & Sailors Park — Enjoy live music with Midnight Rider at Soldier & Sailors Park on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 700 S Main Street. Full event details will be posted soon.

• 12th Annual Artisan Market — Spend a beautiful fall day at the 12th Annual Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Enjoy 30+ fine artists, food trucks, home-baked goods, live music, beer and wine, local produce, artisan popsicles, and more — free admission.

• Shine Shop Supplies will host the 3rd Annual Open Garage car meet on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 8–11 a.m. at Rotary Park in Princeton; expect more vehicles, additional vendors, and possibly food.

👗SUPPORT TRAVIS AT THE PRINCETON CLOSET

This week, The Princeton Closet is rallying support for Travis—a beloved customer, former volunteer, and valued member of the community.

To aid Travis and his family, the store will donate all monetary contributions and 10% of its profits directly to them. Community members are encouraged to participate in this meaningful effort. Special promotions are also being offered, including a buy-one-get-one-free deal on all ties.

Additionally, “Basket Days” will take place today, allowing shoppers to fill a basket with up to 12 qualifying items for just $8 (limit two baskets per customer). The Princeton Closet remains committed to serving the community with compassion and generosity.

✉️NEW SUBSCRIBER?

You have access to all previous newsletters: click here to read them.

👉Please, please, please make sure to add the Princeton NOW newsletter email address as a “contact,” “VIP,” or “Whitelist” in your email service. This will prevent it from going to spam or bouncing.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• The Account Associate position with State Farm Agent Adam Hellman in Princeton offers a salary range of $60,000–$80,000 per year with benefits such as a hiring bonus, performance-based incentives, health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for advancement. The role focuses on helping customers manage everyday risks and achieve financial goals through services like auto, home, life insurance, and retirement planning. Responsibilities include managing customer accounts, assisting with policy changes, processing claims, and building strong client relationships while marketing relevant products and services. The position is designed for motivated, people-oriented professionals seeking career growth, flexibility, and the chance to positively impact their community.

• Scooter’s Coffee is seeking baristas who can create memorable customer experiences through fast, friendly service and consistent, high-quality products. The role involves greeting customers, answering questions, handling transactions, preparing drinks according to recipes, and maintaining cleanliness and efficiency throughout the store. Candidates should be dependable, energetic, flexible, and able to work well in a team while quickly learning and solving problems. A passion for people, commitment to brand standards, and a focus on teamwork are key qualifications for success in this position.

• The ALDI Full-Time Store Manager Trainee program offers hands-on training in all aspects of store operations, preparing candidates to eventually manage their own location. Trainees start at $28.50 per hour with an estimated first-year earning potential of up to $92,500, and they receive comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, and paid leave. Responsibilities include supervising daily store operations, ensuring high standards of customer service, managing schedules, hiring staff, resolving customer concerns, and maintaining product quality and store presentation. Additionally, trainees will lead meetings, conduct performance evaluations, and foster a culture of teamwork, professional growth, and accountability within the store.

🌼DANDELION WISHES REFURBISHED FURNITURE

Michelle DeVoss has this refurbished lodge chair available at her home shop in Sheffield. The front and back have been decoupaged with a buffalo and a southwestern design and sealed for durability. The frame and seat have also been redesigned. This is a unique chair that will make a statement. Asking price is $250 and limited delivery may be available. 

Be sure to follow “Dandelion Wishes Refurbished Furniture” on Facebook for upcoming projects! Michelle can be reached through Facebook Messenger or by email at [email protected]. 

🏃‍♂️THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD 5K

Join the fun on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at the Bureau County Metro Center (837 Park Avenue West, Princeton, IL). The race begins and ends at the Metro Center.

Registration:

• $25 if registered by August 6

• $30 on August 7 and after

• $300 Corporate Team (up to 20 participants)

• Kiddy Fun Run — FREE!

Race shirts are guaranteed for all pre-registered runners and available on race day while supplies last.

Awards:

• Overall Male & Female

• Top Princeton Male & Female

• Top 3 finishers in each Male & Female age division

Questions? Contact Brett Renner at 815-876-0721 or [email protected].

🏀3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

The Homestead Festival 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Alexander Park, 500 S. Anderson Street. Games will begin at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Online registration is open now, and teams that register before August 21 will receive a free t-shirt. After August 21, teams can still register, but no t-shirt will be provided. The cost is $80 per team, and space is limited to 30 teams total, so early registration is encouraged. First place team medals will be awarded in boys and girls divisions for grades 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 (entering grade as of August 2025). All proceeds benefit the Illinois Valley Rimrockers Organization. Register here. More details can also be found here. Event fees will be refunded if the tournament is cancelled.

🏔️LETTER FROM LORI

Who loves to hike? Not this fat girl! Oh, in my younger days I roamed the woods endlessly, looking for morels, ginseng, and woodland creatures. I spent whole afternoons exploring God’s wonders. Now, I am older, more crippled, and less graceful. I can no longer leap over fallen trees or dance through the thickets. Hiking now would almost certainly end in disaster and earn me another punch on my frequent flier card at the local wound clinic.

Younger, saner people who still pursue the adventure will wisely stay on the path. They’ll walk the forest on well-marked trails, free from multiflora rose bushes and thistles. They will choose, quite intelligently, the path of least resistance.

I was not that person. I always chose the steepest path, the densest brush, the slipperiest slopes. I slid through the clay. I crawled through the bushes. I ignored the signs. I’m glad I never hiked at Starved Rock State Park, because I would have inevitably careened off a cliff, forcing responsible hikers to frantically dial 911 and have me life-flighted out—while muttering under their breath about my stupidity.

Sometimes my path was rocky because of things out of my control, but more often my difficulties were self-induced. Quite often I’d go chasing a squirrel with the intent of befriending him, only to find myself in a precarious position that required ingenuity to escape. And being a nonconformist, I would scoff at the sheep following safely and think I could do better—or get there faster—if I took an alternate route with little guidance.

Sometimes I was wrong. Sometimes I got injured or maimed along the way. Sometimes I had to pause in the middle of a predicament and wonder why I had chosen such a difficult road.

But sometimes, I was right, and things turned out surprisingly well. Sometimes I discovered a rock or fossil I wouldn’t have found if I had stayed on the beaten path. Sometimes I saw a bird that only lived in the thicket. Sometimes I stumbled on a secret cache of morel mushrooms, a wide patch ripe for the picking.

Those golden treasures and unexpected blessings were enough encouragement for me to keep going where others hadn’t. I wasn’t deterred by hardships. I wasn’t discouraged by mud on my boots, scrapes on my shins, or cockleburs in my hair.

Now that I’m older and less able to fight my way through the wilderness, I find myself choosing friendlier paths. Occasionally I take the easy road. I’m less likely to dive into roadside chaos and more likely to stick to the asphalt. I still love squirrels, but I’m content to sit in my chair, sip some coffee, and watch them through a good pair of binoculars.

But every once in a while, I still slip off my flip-flops, lace up my hiking boots, and jump into the brambles. After all, I’ve got mushrooms to hunt.

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

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].