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Good Wednesday morning, neighbor. Especially The Not So National Blitzball League teams competing in the NSNBL World Series this Sunday at 2:30, Zearing Park. This group of Princeton boys created a league this summer, created a game schedule, raised money for jerseys, and play three games a week in June and July. Love these guys’ commitment to the craft. I’ll have more info for you below.

Let’s swing for the fences.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
✅For Your To-Do List
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Sunday’s Blitzball World Series
💼Princeton Businesses
🏷️Local Sales
🌳Princeton Yard Waste Guidelines
🐅High School Important Dates
🚙Homestead Festival Lineup

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• BCR: The Second Story Teen Center has made significant progress in its fundraising efforts, raising $425,000 of its $600,000 to $700,000 goal. The center continues to seek donations to complete this important community project.

• The River Bend Food Bank, in partnership with the Bureau County Food Pantry, Old Wheels Club, and 1st Lutheran Church, is hosting a Mobile Food Pantry event on Saturday, July 27th, at the Bureau County Fairgrounds located at 811 W. Peru St. Registration for the event will begin at 9:15 AM, and food distribution is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM. Attendees are advised to bring laundry baskets for food collection and are reminded that the distribution process may take up to two hours.

• The Princeton Police Department invites everyone to National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, from 5 PM to 8 PM at Zearing Park. This family-friendly event aims to strengthen community bonds and promote safety awareness with activities including K-9 demonstrations, face painting, and tours of emergency vehicles. Enjoy free hotdogs, chips, and water while meeting the public safety folks who help keep our community safe.

• Mark your calendars for the Rotary Club of Princeton’s Lunch in the Park Scholarship Fundraiser on Friday, August 2nd, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Soldiers & Sailors Park. Enjoy a variety of delicious meal options, including grilled shrimp, sloppy joes, and all-beef hot dogs, with proceeds supporting local scholarships. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a tasty lunch while supporting a great cause!

• Dylan Schneider Music will be rocking the stage on Friday, September 6 at the Homestead Festival, with his band performing live from 7 to 9 PM. Rodeo Drive Band will be opening the show from 5:00 to 6:30 PM with their fantastic tunes. Don't miss this incredible lineup and check out Dylan Schneider's music at dylanschneidermusic.com!

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✅FOR YOUR TO-DO LIST

• Head to Downtown Pub & Event Center for an Open Mic Night on Thursday at 9 PM at 432 S. Main. Enjoy live music, poetry, comedy, and more—whether you're a seasoned performer or a first-timer, the stage is open to you. Sign-ups start at 8 PM, so arrive early to secure your spot and enjoy a night of entertainment and great company!

• Experience the best vegetable pizza ever at Hungry World Farm on Friday, from 5-8 pm, with live music by Todd Witek! Join the farm tour around 6:30 pm and bring the kids to enjoy the animals and market garden. Stay for breakfast on Saturday morning from 8-10:30 am and enjoy a free tour at 10:30 am.

• Join the Princeton High School cheerleaders for a fun-filled Car Wash & Cookout fundraiser this Friday, July 26th, from 11 AM to 1 PM at 1402 North Main Street. The cheerleaders will be hand-washing cars for donations, and a delicious cookout featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks will be available for $8.

• Support the Flags of Freedom and join the community for a delicious cookout at Soldiers & Sailors Park on Friday, July 26th from 11 am to 1 pm! Attendees can enjoy a variety of mouth-watering options including ribeye sandwiches, pork chop sandwiches, brats, hot dogs, chips, soda, and bottled water. Can't attend? No problem, delivery is available.

• The Princeton Community Band will perform its final concert of the summer season on Sunday, July 28, at 6 PM. This concert will take place at Soldiers and Sailors Park.

⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High of 78°F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Partly cloudy in the evening with a slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 60°F. Winds light and variable.

Thursday: A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. High of 81°F. Winds light and variable. Clear skies later. Low of 56°F. Winds light and variable.

Friday: Sunny. High of 82°F. Winds light and variable. Clear skies in the afternoon. Low of 58°F. Winds light and variable.

Saturday: Mostly sunny skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High of 86°F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. A few clouds from time to time later. Low of 66°F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.

Be prepared for some rain showers mid-week, but the weather clears up with sunny and clear skies towards the weekend.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.59
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.75
Casey’s West/North: $3.69
Beck’s West/North: $3.69
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.69
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.79

🏷️LOCAL SALE

• Today, there will be a garage sale at 514 North Euclid Ave, starting at 9am.

• A Farm and Business Tools Sale is scheduled for August 10, from 9 AM to Noon, at 23434 US Hwy 6. There will be a Bake Sale sponsored by Second Story Teen Center. Bakers are invited to bring baked goods wrapped and plated in 1/2 dozens.  They can be brought to the Johnson’s Carpet Store on Friday August 9 by closing time. This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses and farms to acquire tools essential for their operations. Make sure to arrive early to get the best selections!

🏆SUNDAY’S BLITZBALL WORLD SERIES

You are invited to Zearing Park Softball Field on Sunday, July 28th at 2:30 PM to witness the energy and enthusiasm of some of our teens in the NSNBL World Series! The Not So National Blitzball League, founded by the spirited kids of Princeton, showcases an exciting twist on traditional wiffleball known as Blitzball.

These young athletes have poured their heart and soul into this league, and their dedication is nothing short of inspiring. Spectators can cheer on these talented players as they demonstrate their skills and determination. The game promises to be an hour of fun-filled entertainment, with concessions like Big Smokies, hot dogs, and popcorn available to fuel the excitement.

This year's NSNBL World Series will feature three dynamic teams: the Chimney Makers, the Daddy Hacks, and the Huckledoos. Leading the Chimney Makers is Captain Jack Ellis, alongside Jonah Taylor, Carter Grey, Tristan Salazar, and Paxton Knudsen. The Daddy Hacks, captained by Logan Walter, include Eli Ozburn, Atticus Spiegel, Dominick Strouss, and Ethan Meyer. The Huckledoos, under the leadership of Captain Hunter Spiegel, are rounded out by Jack Heaton, Gabe Heaton, Tucker Cain, and Luke Ozburn. Come support these dedicated young athletes as they showcase their talent.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Princeton to support their budding stars and maybe learn how to join the fun next summer. I kind of want to join myself. The presence and encouragement of the community will mean the world to these kids, so mark your calendars and be part of this incredible event.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Little Blue Dress is having a Summer Sale! Enjoy 30% off all white denim and shorts.

• Golden Rice Authentic Thai Food announced their schedule for this week: they will be open from Wednesday to Friday, July 24-26, for lunch from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, and for dinner from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm (7:00 pm on Friday). Don't miss out on their delicious Mango and Sticky Rice!

• Kinetico Water Systems wants you to say goodbye to unpleasant tastes and odors, hard water stains, and dry, unmanageable hair by scheduling a free water test today. Improve your home’s water quality and experience the difference Kinetico can make in how your water looks, tastes, and feels.

• The Bureau County Senior Center has farmers market vouchers available. Eligible seniors can receive $50 to spend at the farmers market. To qualify, you must live in Bureau County, be over 60, meet income guidelines, and bring your photo ID. Act fast—these vouchers will go quickly! For more information, call Celia at 815-879-3981.

• Optimal Health is excited to announce the arrival of their new organic cold-pressed juices, which are flying off the shelves! These nutrient-packed beverages come in three delicious flavors: Berry Delight, Tropical Escape, and Go Green. Perfect for a refreshing and healthy treat, these juices are not from concentrate and are made from 100% fruit and vegetable blends.

• Dairy Queen is inviting everyone to join them tomorrow for Miracle Treat Day. For every Blizzard sold, $1 will be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Enjoy a delicious treat while supporting a great cause and helping local hospitals provide critical care to children in need.

• Emerald Tablet Collective announced a flash tattoo day on July 27th with deals on various designs, starting at $50 and going up to $250. Doors open from 12pm-5pm. The event supports a skatepark project and aims to ensure everyone gets a tattoo without appointments.

• For a limited time, Paisano's Ristorante is offering a unique PB&J pizza, featuring thick pizza dough, creamy peanut butter, strawberry filling (with grape coming Thursday), and a sweet golden streusel. This creation is available in any size from small to XL. Additionally, their Jalapeño Popper Pizza is available until the end of July. Discover new flavors at Paisano's.

• Johnsons Carpet Shoppe is offering a limited-time Mohawk carpet sale, valid until August 31st. Take advantage of these deals while they last to upgrade your flooring.

• Don't miss your chance to win big at the annual Homestead Festival 50-50 raffle! Tickets are available at local banks, salons, hardware stores, and golf courses, making it easy to support your favorite festival while vying for a jackpot that exceeded $25,000 last year. Let's aim even higher this year—grab your tickets today and join the excitement!

• Mavolan's has the cutest new arrivals for back-to-school season! Check out their adorable first-day outfits, backpacks, and lunch bags to get your kids ready in style. Visit the store today to pick up these must-have items for the school year.

• Once Upon A Craft invites you to stop by and explore their beautiful collection of home decor. They appreciate the community's love and support and welcome you to visit during their open hours: Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 3 PM, Thursday and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Come in and find the perfect piece to adorn your home!

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🌳PRINCETON YARD WASTE GUIDELINES

The City of Princeton has a comprehensive yard waste collection program that runs weekly from the first week of April through the first week of December. However, there will be no collections during the Thanksgiving week. Residents living east of Main Street will have their yard waste collected on Wednesdays, while those on the west side will have theirs collected on Thursdays. For larger pickups, a special service can be arranged for a fee. Additionally, residents can dispose of their yard waste at a designated area across from 1105 N. Euclid Ave.

To ensure smooth collection, smaller brush and yard waste should be placed in biodegradable paper bags or cans marked with a yard waste emblem, with each container not exceeding 50 pounds. Branches should be neatly stacked curbside, and tangled piles must be reorganized by the resident if not properly arranged. Only branches up to eight inches in diameter will be accepted, and items larger than this, as well as certain materials like construction wood and branches with nails, must be disposed of through other means.

For those with larger amounts of brush, pickups are limited to a 5'x5'x5' area and can be arranged for a $50 fee, with additional charges for larger loads. Contractor brush will not be collected, but all fees are waived following major storm events. Remember, no yard waste will be picked up during Thanksgiving week, ensuring everyone can focus on holiday festivities without worrying about yard chores.

Click here for more information.

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

Tiskilwa Pow Wow Days Schedule

Thursday, August 1 - Family Night

• 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Second Story Teen Center Soda, Water & Popcorn

• 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Family Carnival Games

• 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Touch the Truck – Local Fire and EMS Vehicles on Display plus Police K-9

• 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: DJ Chuck Hopper – Kids Dance

Friday, August 2

• 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Historical Society’s Museum on Main

• 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Historical Society’s Gallery on Galena

• 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Second Story Teen Center Soda, Water & Popcorn

• 6:00 PM - 12:30 AM: Tiskilwa Community Association Beer Garden

• 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: TCA Kids Pedal Tractor Pull (Ages 4-12)

• 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Bouncy Houses ($10 armband)

• 7:00 PM: TCA Ice Cream Eating Contest (Kids and Adults)

• 7:30 PM: TCA Draw Down (Call 815.646.4121 for Tickets)

• 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM: Wild Card Band (Music in the Beer Garden)

Saturday, August 3

• 8:00 AM: 5K Race (East Park) Pre-register by July 15th at RUNSIGNUP.COM. Price increases on July 16th and a t-shirt is not guaranteed.

• 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Historical Society’s Museum on Main

• 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Historical Society’s Classic Rides Display (Museum Lawn)

• 10:30 AM: Parade on Main Street – “Memories From The Past”

• 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Tiskilwa Community Church Lunch (Community Church)

• 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Second Story Teen Center Soda, Water & Popcorn

• 11:00 AM - 12:30 AM: Bouncy Houses ($10 armband, $20 armband good for all day/evening)

• 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM: Tiskilwa Fire Dept. Kids Water Fights

• 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Historical Society’s Gallery on Galena

• 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Tiskilwa High School Alumni Banquet (Hundred Acre Orchard, Princeton) – Social Hour 5:00 PM, Dinner 6:00 PM, Program 7:00 PM. Tickets available at 212 Ale House, IVI, or Heartland Bank South.

• 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Bouncy Houses ($10 armband)

• 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM: Brushville (Music in the Beer Garden)

Sunday, August 4

• 10:30 AM: Community Outdoor Church Service (West Park Shelter)

All events are to be held at the West Park unless otherwise noted.

🐅PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOL IMPORTANT DATES

First Day of School: August 15th (Early Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

Major Breaks:

• Labor Day: September 2nd (No School)

• Columbus Day: October 14 (No School)

• Thanksgiving Break: November 27-29 (No School)

• Winter Break: December 23, 2024 - January 3, 2025

• Spring Break: April 14-21st

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

• October 24 (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)

• October 25 (8:00 AM - 11:00 AM)

• February 27 (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)

• February 28 (8:00 AM - 11:00 AM)

School Improvement Days: 

• September 13 (Dismissal at 11:50 AM)

• October 2 (Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

• November 1 (Dismissal at 11:50 AM)

• December 4 (Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

• February 5 (Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

• March 5 (Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

• April 11 (Early Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

• May 9 (Dismissal at 11:50 AM)

Last Day of School: May 29 (Early Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

Other Notable Dates:

• Election Day: November 5, 2024 (No School)

• End of Semester 1: December 20, 2024 (Early Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

• End of Semester 2: May 29, 2025 (Early Dismissal at 2:00 PM)

  This summary includes the key dates for the Princeton District 2024-2025 school year, highlighting the start and end of the school year, major breaks, important school improvement days, and parent/teacher conference dates.

🚙HOMESTEAD FESTIVAL LINEUP 2024

Lego Design Competition: Vote for your favorite Lego creations on August 31 & September 1, gallery open from 1-3 PM.

World Turning Band: Fleetwood Mac Tribute: Enjoy an evening of classic Fleetwood Mac hits on September 5 at 6:00 PM on South Main Street.

Dylan Schneider Concert: Catch Dylan Schneider live on September 6 from 7:00-9:00 PM at Soldiers & Sailors Park.

Lego Design Competition Winners Announcement: Celebrate the winners at the Opening Reception on September 6 from 5-7 PM.

Homestead Festival Fun Fair: Bring the kids for fun activities on September 7 from 9:00-11:00 AM in the parking lot behind Central Bank.

BETA SIGMA PHI Craft Show: Explore a variety of crafts on September 7 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and September 8th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the Courthouse Lawn.

3-on-3 Basketball Tournament: Show off your basketball skills or support the teams on September 7 starting at 8:00 AM at Alexander Park.

31st Annual Underground Railroad 5K: Race begins at 8:30 AM on September 7 at the Bureau County Metro Center, with registration starting at 7:00 AM.

BBQ Rib Cook-Off: Participate in or savor the tastes of our rib cook-off on September 8 from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Central Bank Parking Lot.

44th Annual Car Show: Admire classic and contemporary cars on September 8 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on South Main Street.

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