BCR_IV Living_031523

Taking time for self-care

With how busy we get in our day-to-day lives, it’s often an unwanted reality check when we find ourselves sick or injured. It throws our schedules out of whack, and we wonder how we can fight through and stay on track while we recover. It’s even worse when you’re sick or injured because you didn’t pay enough attention to your health.

As a writer, I’m used to sitting down a lot, way more than I should. I stand up frequently to take breaks and stretch, and I go for the occasional run when the weather is nice. When I found myself busier than usual in December and early January, I logged some longer hours at my computer in a chair that was absolutely opposite of ergonomically correct. Within a couple of weeks of sitting too much in an unsuitable

chair, I had messed up my back something fierce.

With lots of ice packs, sitting in better-suited chairs, and many trips to my chiropractor in Princeton, I’ve finally started to feel better. The worst part was knowing that it was my choices that caused all this pain and inconvenience.

How many of us do what we have to do each day with little thought about whether it’s really good for us? I was scrolling through Facebook the other day and noticed a post from a friend of mine who has lost more than 80 pounds in the past year. That’s amazing, and that kind of progress only happens with self-awareness, constant vigilance, and focused determination.

My painful back experience and the knowledge that I don’t always do

the best job of eating properly, keeping my weight in check, and getting enough exercise has motivated me to want to do a better job at protecting my number one asset – my health.

Any readers who have overhauled their lifestyles to improve their health and wouldn’t mind sharing their stories in print are invited to email me at sserpette@shawmedia. com. Your story might help someone else make a positive change in their life.

Best wishes,

Shannon Serpette Niche Editor

Living magazine Bureau County Republican P.O. Box 340 Princeton, IL 61356-0340 815-220-6948

Publisher

Dan Goetz

Niche Editor

Shannon Serpette

sserpette@shawmedia.com

Regional Advertising Director

Excited For Spring

An assortment of activities for a warmer season.

As Easy As Pie 14

If you’re looking for an easy dessert to serve, it’s hard to beat pie.

On the cover: Niel & Shorty’s staff, including waitress Claudia Nordstrom (from left), owner Shawn Nichols, and Cade Harrison, assistant manager, offer friendly service.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

Do you have a story idea you’d love to read about in Illinois Valley Living magazine? Share your idea with the editor by emailing sserpette@shawmedia.com.

Jeanette Smith jmsmith@shawmedia.com

Writers

David Cook

Katlyn Sanden

Shannon Serpette

Photographers

David Cook

Katlyn Sanden

Shannon Serpette

Designer

Liz Klein

Published by:

Illinois’ longest operating lumberyard continues to thrive along Peru’s historic riverfront. Maze Lumber has been providing top quality building materials to Illinois Valley contractors and homeowners for 175 years, still owned by the founding fathers (Maze).

Located in a 15,000-square foot showroom and office, we offer building materials for the modern home as well as a full line of the traditional lumber items used in home building, commercial construction, and industrial applications. Our experienced sales staff takes pride in their ability to provide knowledgeable assistance along with prompt delivery at reasonable prices.

The Princeton Closet

Touching lives, a day at a time

Story and photos by Katlyn Sanden

For nearly 60 years, The Princeton Closet has been a staple amongst the Princeton community and beyond. What started as a mission to get shoes for migrant children has now blossomed into a full-fledged, charity-driven business.

When the Church Women United began this project, they just wanted to provide reasonably priced shoes, clothes, and other items for families who may have been too proud to accept charity. Little did they know their mission would turn into the most sought-after second-hand retail store in Bureau County.

Not only has it become a fad

to be thrifty, but The Princeton Closet is much more than a typical second-hand shop. Current store manager, Jenn Conwell, describes the vibe as clean and eclectic. She says it’s cool to see all the new things come in each week.

“We’ve worked really hard in the past year to make it feel like a retail store you’d see on any main street,” Conwell said. “We keep everything organized and clean. Our prices are excellent for a resale shop, and we’re really passionate. Every single week, it looks completely different than the last. We really like to keep the excitement. We have a lot of loyal customers.”

The Princeton Closet offers everything from clothing for the

whole family to home décor, jewelry, furniture, toys, books, and so much more. And it’s all thanks to the generous donors, which Conwell credits for donating high-end items.

“We have 58 volunteers and six employees,” said Conwell. “Every volunteer has their little department they take care of so it’s nice. We have somebody who just does linens, someone who just does fabric, and a couple ladies who just do jewelry. Having volunteers that come in and take care of certain departments takes a ton off my plate. We need people from baggers, to cashiers, to people to clean up hangers when basket days start, to sorting and hanging clothes. Every department needs at least one of these

Jenn Conwell, manager of The Princeton Closet, shows off the wall that’s always changing. The display and items are changed every week.

Jenn

community impact. We give all our proceeds back to nonprofit organizations at the beginning of every year through our Lending a Hand Program. We also have a voucher program with Bureau County agencies to provide for emergency needs. We work with schools, churches, and other organizations who need us.”

Conwell said another neat thing is that they recycle everything whenever possible as they don’t want to see the landfills fill up. They recycle any non-sellable goods, including metal, cardboard, and soft goods such as clothing, linens, and shoes.

As far as the future of The Princeton Closet goes, Conwell has big plans.

traveled vastly in my previous job and am born and raised in Princeton. It’s amazing to be back in my community giving back every day. I absolutely love waking up every morning coming to this job. It’s so fun. It’s creative. I still get the retail side. I still get the business management side. There’s a lot to running a non-for-profit. And then I get to help people in need. I have the best job.”

people, so it’s a lot.”

She says the most challenging aspect of gathering the troops is payroll. While she wishes everyone could get a paycheck, the mission of The Princeton Closet has always been to collect the proceeds from sales and donate them back to local non-profit organizations. Payroll is by far their biggest expense, but even after all expenses were paid, they were still able to give $218,000 back to the local community through their Lending a Hand Program. Thirty-six non-for-profits received some of those funds.

“I had left corporate retail of about 22 years and was just taking some time off when I heard The Princeton Closet wanted a manager,” Conwell said. “I was a corporate retail store manager for very, very high volume. Even though this is much smaller scale, I feel it’s so much bigger in the

“We’re redesigning the website right now, which will launch us to a lot bigger demographic,” she said. “We’ll be able to be found quickly on Trip Advisor, Bing, Google. We’re also starting a texting program where you can join our text program and get weekly updates on the store and what’s going on. We’re at full capacity now. We just built a beautiful donation center, but we’re going to keep growing. Space is hard, though. We own our building and donation center, so we don’t want to move. At the same time, we run out of space quickly because our donors are very gracious.”

Conwell says that’s a good problem, though, and says the people – donors, volunteers, and paid employees – are what make The Princeton Closet a success.

“I’ve always worked with people,” said Conwell. “I’ve

The Princeton Closet accepts donations at the rear of the building Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and they’re always welcoming volunteers who have a passion for positively impacting their community. For more information, visit theprincetoncloset.com.

Manager of The

says she absolutely loves her job because she gets to work and decorate. This is just a small sample of the type of items available for purchase.

Picturedfromleft: Dr.LoriSchultz, Dr.Dennis Farrell,Dr.JarredFarrell

Princeton Closet, Jenn Conwell,

Conwell, manager of The Princeton Closet, stands in the sorting area donors come to when donating gently-used clothing, household items, furniture, and books. She says the bins are used to help sort all the items received.

A Family-Inspired Business

Niel & Shorty’s has something for everyone

An annual family activity requiring working together eventually led to a business venture for the Nichols family.

Shawn Nichols, who, along with his wife, Maura, owns Niel & Shorty’s BBQ Co., shared the story of how their restaurant first began. Shawn’s father-in-law was good friends with a man who ran the Illinois State Kansas City-style barbecue competition and would help him with the competition.

Shawn and Maura would

bring their two sons to the competitions, and the whole family would look forward to the three-day event, pitch a tent, and have fun competing.

“It was a family deal. We were hooked. It was a lot of fun,” Shawn said.

The family entered the competition for several years. When Shawn was later laid off from his job, he was invited to prepare and serve food to golfers in Bureau County at a facility.

“That’s how we started selling barbecue,” he said.

After a short time at that location, Niel & Shorty’s BBQ, which is named after the couple’s sons’ nicknames, moved their restaurant to Main Street in Princeton, where it has been ever since.

“It’s been a blur,” he said, adding that the restaurant has been open for seven years.

During that time, he and his wife have learned a lot about the restaurant business.

“If you want to do it right, it takes a lot of work,” he said.

See BBQ page 8

Niel & Shorty’s got its name from the nicknames of owners Maura and Shawn Nichols’ two sons.

Story and photos by Shannon Serpette

Loaded tater tots are a filling appetizer to try.

The pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich at Niel & Shorty’s is a popular menu item.

This plate features Niel & Shorty’s brisket, pulled pork, fries, and sweet potato fries.

FROM PAGE 6

But even working hard and being prepared isn’t always enough to avoid stressful days. And you can never count on knowing how any day will unfold.

“Don’t ever think you can figure out how many people are coming because you can’t,” Shawn said.

Although some spouses may not enjoy working together, it hasn’t been a problem for Shawn and Maura, who are both originally from Princeton.

“She hasn’t killed me yet. I’m still here,” he joked. “You help each other out.”

The restaurant managed to make it through the pandemic, which is a major accomplishment since the Covid-19 outbreak was responsible for the permanent closure of many restaurants throughout the country.

“It’s been pretty rough,” he said. “You just do the best you can.”

He added that the business has been blessed by great staff and thanked their loyal customers for continuing to show their support.

Another reason for Niel & Shorty’s success is that careful thought has been put into crafting a menu that everyone can enjoy.

Claudia Nordstrom, who is a waitress at Niel & Shorty’s, said she wasn’t a fan of barbeque before she started working there. Now, she counts herself as a barbecue fan, and her favorite item on the menu is the pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich.

“We try to offer a little bit of everything for everyone,” Shawn said, adding that not all women or kids like to eat barbecue. “I promise we’ll find something here for you.”

Cute décor hangs throughout the restaurant.

It’s not unusual for the flowers of early spring to experience a bit of late-spring snow.

Excited For Spring

An Assortment of Activities for a Warmer Season

Story and photos by David Cook

AAfter months of biting wind and freezing temperatures, the arrival of spring invites us back outside to enjoy many of our favorite pastimes.

Random Bureau County residents who were asked about what they most look forward to regarding the end of winter all responded similarly – it was just the ability to comfortably be outside, and the activity didn’t really matter. Locals can enjoy a number of outside activities, and the following suggestions will hopefully in-

spire residents to fully enjoy the warming weather.

Gardening

After so many bleak, bone-chilling days, even basic yard work becomes pleasurable. Gardens will usually need a bit of care so they can look their best when they begin to burst forth with colorful blooms after lying dormant beneath fallen leaves and icy snow.

To help with your planning or with any questions you may

have, the Princeton Public Library’s new gardening group, Read’ Em and Weed, is a valuable resource. They meet on the first Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the library’s meeting room.

“This group is open to anyone wanting to talk about gardening or how to grow things. We’ve covered many topics so far, from house plants to properly putting perennials to bed for the winter,” Lela Wenzel, group organizer, said. “Our most exciting event so far has

been a winter sowing and seed swap. We traded seeds, as well as planted some that will sprout once spring arrives. We’re gardeners of different levels coming together to learn from one another, and the meetings are very fluid. We spend our time helping one another solve the problems in our gardens.”

She added that spring is her favorite season and views the soon-to-bloom flowers as a reward for making it through another winter.

“I love gardening because it’s a giant experiment. I’m constantly trying new things and bending the rules just to see what would happen,” Wenzel said.

Once your garden is ready to go, it’s always fun to look for some new additions that you’ll be able to enjoy over the next several months of sunny days and leafy green plants. Located just a few miles outside of Princeton, a visit to Hornbaker Gardens will lead you to a unique garden center with an impressive selection of plants, fountains, art, decor, and much more. You’ll also be able to enjoy the opportunity to wander the tranquil display gardens and take in the natural beauty of the grounds.

Opening for the year on April 10, owner Rich Hornbaker was asked if there was anything customers tended to look for early in the growing season.

“Anything new, whether it’s trees, shrubs, flowers, or hostas. If it’s new, they’ll want it, and it’s amazing what kinds of hybridization growers are continually able to come up with,” he said.

Parks and Recreation

Local parks offer a wide variety of activities for all ages. Families can visit to enjoy the play areas, and there’s usually a pleasant trail to follow for walkers, frequently with canine partners more excited than anyone to be outside on a nice day. Park-goers will generally have a variety of seating choices when ready for a rest. Other activities include tennis, pickleball, basketball, handball, fishing, disc golf, and more.

The Princeton Park District’s Nick Davis said youth baseball leagues will soon be underway, and there will no doubt be plenty of other activities as we move through spring and into summer.

Princeton’s

Jordan and Enzo enjoyed a 1.3-mile walk around the looping trail at Zearing Park.

Cycling

Those who enjoy their outside fun with two wheels are always eager to get back out on area trails or roads, whether their cycles are engine- or pedal-powered. Those who favor the pedal-powered variety will want to visit The Bike Place, which is located along Princeton’s Main Street. The volunteer-led one-stop bike shop includes a program for See SPRING page 12

Rich Hornbaker, owner of Hornbaker Gardens, stands in front of an empty greenhouse in early February, which will be full of new plants by the time they open for the season on April 10.

Eileen

Spring

FROM PAGE 11

rescuing, repairing, selling, and donating bikes of all shapes and sizes. It’s also a great source for information regarding cycling in the area and bicycle safety for all skill levels.

Outdoor Events and Other Choices

As the temperatures continue to increase, it also means the beginning of a long line of outdoor events, including concerts, shopping promotions, outdoor dining, and other activities such as golf, car shows, and more.

Birdwatching can be done throughout the year, but spring brings the return of several species. Feeders and bird-

baths also usually require a good cleaning following winter.

Many home repair, maintenance, and improvement projects are already underway or soon to be started. Other outside work can include cleaning your vehicle inside and out after a winter of snow, slush, and salt. No matter how you choose to enjoy your pleasant spring day, relish it. Because before you know it, summer will have passed, the leaves will be turning, and we’ll be heading back into winter again.

Tulips are an early spring favorite that provide an intense burst of color to many local gardens.

Princeton Tourism invites you to our....

2023 MAIN STREET CONCERT SERIES

Saturday, June 3rd

Brass from the Past Shrimpfest at Rotary Park

Friday, June 16th

Rockland Road

Beef & Ag Festival Weekend

Friday June 30th

Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience

SAVE THE DATES

Friday, June 23rd

Summer Solstice Chamber Shopping Event

Z Tour Bike Fest at Rotary Park

Saturday, June 24th

Z Tour Bike Ride

Tuesday, July 4th

Wild Card & Rodeo Drive

4th of July at Zearing Park

Friday, July 28th

Infinity: The Ultimate Tribute Band

Friday, August 11th

Brushville

Thursday, September 7th

Freebird: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute

Homestead Festival Weekend

Saturday, September 30th

Paloma & Heidelberg German Band

Oktoberfest at Rotary Park

NAMED #3 WITHIN PUREWOW’S TOP 10 MOST CHARMING SMALL TOWNS IN ILLINOIS! VISIT PRINCETONTOURISM.ORG TODAY!

TORO RECYCLER 22” SELF-PROPELLED SMARTSTOW® LAWN MOWER

the self propel high wheel lawn mower with SMARTSTOW is a first of its kind space saving lawn mower with proven reliability.

• Briggs & Stratton 163cc EXi 725 Series™ Engine

• Save up to 70%* floor space by storing the mower upright, with no fuel or oil leaks

• 22” Recycler® Cutting Deck

The Toro 75749 TimeCutter is a 42-inch zero-turn mower that is built to be easy to store while also giving quality cuts and easy maneuverability. This mower is powered by a 22-horsepower Kohler engine and dual hydrostatic Hydro-Gear ZT-2100 transmissions.

• 22HP Kohler V-Twin engine

• 42” Stamped cutting deck

• Dual hydrostatic Hydro-Gear ZT-2100 transmission

As easy as Pie

By Shannon Serpette

If you’re looking for an easy dessert to serve, it’s hard to beat pie. You can buy a store-sold, ready-toroll crust or a pre-made graham cracker crust, or if you’re feeling motivated, you can make your own crust with a few simple ingredients.

Pie is versatile because it can be a dessert or a main meal, and it can be served hot or cold. Whether you’re new to pie making or an experienced baker, here are a few pie recipes you may want to add to your collection.

Pie Crust

(for double-crust pies)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup shortening

5 to 7 Tbsp cold water

DIRECTIONS

Sift together flour and salt; cut in shortening with a pastry blender or mix in a food processor. When it is all moistened, form into a ball. Flatten the ball on a lightly floured surface. Roll from center to edge until dough is 1/8-inch thick.

Strawberry Glaze Pie

INGREDIENTS

4 cups fresh strawberries

1 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

3 Tbsp cornstarch

1 baked pastry shell

DIRECTIONS

Crush one cup of the smaller berries and cook with water for about two minutes; sieve if wanted. Combine sugar and cornstarch; stir into berry juice. Cook and stir until a gel-like substance has formed. Place half the berries in the baked pastry shell; pour half the sauce over the berries. Repeat with

remaining berries and sauce. Chill before serving.

Strawberry

Chiffon Pie

INGREDIENTS

1 baked pastry shell

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

3 egg yolks, beaten

3 Tbsp lemon juice

Dash salt

2 and 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, crushed (about 1 and ½ cups after crushing)

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS

Bake the pastry shell in a pie pan and set aside.

In a pan, combine gelatin and sugar. Stir in water, egg yolks, lemon juice, and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until boiling; remove from heat. Move the gelatin mixture to a bowl and stir in crushed strawberries. Cover and chill for approximately one hour until partially set; stirring occasionally.

In a mixing bowl, beat the whipping cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Fold the whipped cream into the strawberry mixture. Cover and chill for about 20 more minutes, and then spoon the filling into the cooled pastry shell. Cover and chill for at least four hours or until firm.

Chicken Pot Pie

INGREDIENTS

Prepared pie dough

1 large onion

1 cup sliced mushrooms

3/4 cup sliced celery

2 Tbsp butter or margarine

1/3 cup flour

1 tsp poultry seasoning

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 and 1/2 cup chicken broth

1 cup milk

2 and 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 cup frozen peas and carrots

1 egg, beaten

DIRECTIONS

Either make the double-crust pie dough from scratch or buy a prepared pie dough crust. In a big pan, cook onions, mushrooms, and celery in hot butter over medium heat for four to five minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the flour, poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add broth and milk all at once, and cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in chicken, peas, and carrots. Pour into a two-quart rectangular baking dish. Place the pie dough over the top of the chicken mixture in the dish. Turn the edges of the dough under and flute to the edges of the dish. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg. Bake uncovered in a 400-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Easy Chocolate Pudding Pie

INGREDIENTS

4 oz cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp white sugar

1 Tbsp milk

One 8 oz container of frozen whipped topping, thawed

Two 3.9-ounce packages of instant chocolate pudding mix

2 cups milk

One 9-inch prepared chocolate cookie crumb crust

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, white sugar, and milk. Beat until smooth. Gently fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread the mixture on the bottom of the crust.

In another large bowl, combine the chocolate pudding mix with two cups of milk. Beat with a wire whisk for two minutes (the mixture will be thick). Spread over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for at least four hours. Before serving, spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer.

Banana Rum Pie

INGREDIENTS

2 medium diced bananas

1 graham cracker pie crust

1 (4-serving) instant vanilla pudding mix

2/3 cup Non-fat dry milk powder

1 and 1/4 cup water

¾ cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 tsp rum extract

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

Layer bananas on the bottom of the pie crust. In a big bowl, combine the dry pudding mix, dry milk powder, and water. Mix well with a wire whisk. Blend in one-fourth cup of the whipped topping, rum extract, and nutmeg. Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the bananas. Refrigerate for 20 minutes before spreading the rest of the whipped topping over the pudding layer. Refrigerate for another hour before serving.

CGH Medical Center is dedicated to helping you and your loved ones feel healthier and happier! Whether visiting the hospital or one of our 16 health clinics, our skilled physicians and professional staff are ready to provide personalized care for all of your healthcare needs. Our

- BIRTHING CENTERDesignated Baby-Friendly hospital, featuring 10 private, spacious birthing suites, Cesarean surgical suite within the unit, cozy furniture, sleeping accommodations for your partner and a soothing whirlpool

- CARDIOLOGY SERVICESStroke emergent facility that includes two 24/7 Cath Labs, two interventional cardiologists, six nurse practitioners, electrophysiology/pacemakers, and Cardiac Rehabilitation

- SURGICAL SERVICESOur board-certified physicians and providers are your source for excellence in Vascular, Orthopaedic, Podiatric, Oral/Maxillofacial, and General Surgery options