LNT BCR Homestead Fest-090424 by Shaw Media

September 5-8

Grand Marshal - Shellee (Robbins) Monier

Shellee was born and raised in Princeton 65 years ago. Shellee is the oldest of 7 children being blessed with 6 brothers younger than her. Her family grew up on Lovers Lane in Princeton and their ground attached to the family farm on south main which is now Bryant Woods. She loved the dairy farm and showing at many fairs in the state. Shellee attended St Louis Catholic school and Princeton High School. During her high school years, Shellee did the school work program working parttime at Public Aid office and being a “real” telephone operator for General Telephone.

She worked several years in the banking world and decided to go back to school (IVCC) and get her CNA and Activity Director certificates. Shellee worked 18 years in the health care field, before deciding she wanted to be home to care for grandchildren. Shellee and her husband Steve together have 6 sons and daughter in laws, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. She has been involved in many Bureau County organizations throughout her life:

• She served as a superintendent of Dairy Cattle for the Bureau County Fair

• Has been involved in 4H as a youngster, then with her children, and now helping the grand children with fair projects and showing

• Shellee was on the first committee to bring the Barn Quilts to Bureau County

• She served on the Kasbeer School Board

• Was Church president of Hollowayville Church

• Member Bureau County Cattlemen

• Member of Princeton Rotary

• Member of Princeton Chamber Board

• Shellee and Steve served on the Homestead Festival Steering Committee for 4 years

• She is on the Salute to Ag Committee

• Home for the Holidays light show committee

• Christmas Walk planning committee

Shellee and her husband farm north of Princeton. 9 years ago, Shellee decided to open a home décor store in Princeton: Meadows on Main. Recently, along with partners, purchased the Princeton Inn. She is a member of Evangelical Church in Princeton. Her extra time is spent enjoying the grandchildren family time baking pies and gardening.

Homestead Festival Lawn Social

The Homestead Festival Lawn Social is an annual event and a major fundraiser for the Homestead Weekend. This year, the event was held on June 8 at the Owen Lovejoy Homestead. 2025 Lawn Event is June 14, 2025.

This year’s host couples were Megan and Adam King, Jacob and Jenna Smith, Mady and Isaiah Taylor

UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE BUREAU COUNTY HISTORY CENTER

VELMA GLADNEY

Thursday, September 5, 5 pm

Sash-Stalter-Matson Building –Upper level. Co-sponsored with the Covered Bridge Quilter’s Guild

Admission: $10.00

The Bureau County History Center welcomes The Covered Bridge Quilters’ Guild and Velma Gladney, a storyteller of the Underground Railroad.

LESLIE GODDARD AS ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Saturday, October 5, 1 pm

Prairie Arts Center

Admission: Free

Award-winning actress and scholar Leslie Goddard portrays one of the most fascinating and influential public figures of the twentieth century.

DEARLY DEPARTED

Society for Anomalous Studies

Saturday, October 12, 1 pm

Bureau County Metro Center

Admission: Members – $17.00*; Non-Members – $19.00*

The BC History Center Campus is more than just the bricks and mortar that it is made of. Join us for this fun and interesting look at recorded paranormal events at the Clark Norris Museum! For entertainment only, learn about the many people represented at the Bureau County History Center through artifacts and personal history.

JEANNE SCHULTZ ANGEL*

Saturday, November 2, 1 pm

Prairie Arts Center

Admission: Free

Jeanne Schultz Angel presents an enlightening look at the history of universal suffrage in Illinois and throughout the nation.

Steering Committee

HOMESTEAD FESTIVAL STEERING COMMITTEE

We would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your continued support of our Bureau County Homestead Festival! What a fantastic weekend celebration this has become.

The Bureau County Homestead Festival began in 1971. It was a celebration to honor Owen Lovejoy and his contributions to our nation’s history. 2024 will mark our 53rd year of this highly anticipated event. The Homestead Festival is successful because of dedicated committee members, community volunteers, cooperating businesses and involved service organizations. We appreciate everything our 2024 Homestead Couples have done to make this event a success.

Couples have done to make this event a success.

Eric and Dena May Chantha and Susan Chhim Derick and Tina Klingenberg Tyler and Jeanine Thompson

The Homestead Festival 50/50 Raffle is back!

Last year, we split over $25,680, our goal is to reach more than $50,000 this year. Proceeds from the raffle help support the weekend!

6 TICKETS FOR $5 12 TICKETS FOR $10 24 TICKETS FOR $20

Tickets are available from our Steering Committee members Eric and Dena May, Chantha and Susan Chhim, Derick and Tina Klingenberg, Tyler and Jeanine Thompson, Rachel Skaggs, Victoria Yepsen, Jason Sullivan and several other volunteers.

Tickets may also be purchased all summer long by visiting Heartland Bank South, Central Bank, First State Bank, Midland Bank, Prescott Brothers, Guys and Gals Salon, Ace Hardware, Wyaton Hills Golf Course, Chapel Hill Golf Course, City Hall Winner drawn at the Car Show on Sunday, September 8th at approximately 3:30 p.m. You need not be present to win! Or buy tickets online at homesteadfestival.com Venmo @BureauCountyHomesteadFestival

*Please include your name, phone number and email so we can send you a confirmation email!