Midwest Partners

05/22/2026

Can you beat this? Remember to share a picture of your bingo sheet near a little free library and be entered to win $50 to Thriftbooks! Turn in your sheets at the B Store and be entered to win $100 toward a Little!

05/20/2026

We've been holding events all about how poetry and nature can help us come together and heal. Sometimes these are tough conversations, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun too. Take this poem for example. Brian Bilston is the bees knees.

A poem for World Bee Day.

05/19/2026

It's Little Free Library week! Did you know our founder, Rick Brooks, also helped start Little Free Library? We have over 30 in Princeton, of all kinds — including pantries, pet supplies, the mini red covered bridge. To celebrate, Little Free Library is having a contest to win a $50 gift card to Thriftbooks. We are collecting completed bingo sheets for a chance to win $100 to Little Free Library. Come visit us at The B Store - Bike Place to pick up bingo sheets. If you have any questions, give Kayla a call at (219) 276-6365. See the full details here: https://littlefreelibrary.org/about/little-free-library-week

05/06/2026

Couldn't make last week's walk and write? We're hosting another one on Saturday, May 16 at 9:00AM with the The Wetlands Initiative's land steward Claire Morrical and poet/writing instructor Kayla Greenwell! For those who have mobility concerns, a UTV will be available. ALL ARE WELCOME! 🥰🌻🌿

05/01/2026

Good morning, Princeton! The sun is out and it's a great day for a walk in the woods. Join us for our first walk & write event! We will be writing poetry today, inspired by "You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World." We have free copies of this poetry collection for attendees thanks to the National Endowment of the Arts, Arts Midwest, and of course True Leaves Bookshop - Princeton, IL. Here's a sneak peak of what we'll be seeing out there at 1PM in Warnecke Woods. 🌿🌞🪻

04/30/2026

The romantic poets believed that true poetry is an overflow of emotion reflected upon in the tranquility of nature — so we're going to give it a shot! Join us tomorrow at 1PM as we wander through the Warnecke Woods with pollinator expert Ellen Starr and writing instructor Kayla Greenwell. Take in the landscape around you, listen to some poetry, and maybe even venture to write one of your own.

04/23/2026

This Saturday from 5-7 True Leaves Bookshop - Princeton, IL, we are co-hosting a Poetry & Storytelling open mic for all ages! We're so excited to partner with such incredible book lovers like Matt & Angela. Come have some fun, learn about upcoming literary arts fun, and hang out with the "cool kids." ;)

Check check, is this thing on? 🎤 Join us after-hours on Indie Bookstore Day, 4/25, to celebrate National Poetry Month at our inaugural Open Mic Night!

Come to listen or to read your original poems or stories-- or the work of your favorite writer.

Feeling curious, but a tad shy? Think it over and sign up the night of the Open Mic. Ready to commit? DM or email us to reserve a 5-minute slot. There's no fee to read or attend. This is an all ages event; choose your readings accordingly.

Confirmed poets include:
Trevor Wright, Kayla Greenwell, and Angela Adams, co-owner of True Leaves Bookshop 🍃

04/22/2026

This afternoon, join us from 1-2PM at IVCC's Jacobs Library for a poetry open mic and discussion of Ada Limon's We Are Here Poetry anthology! The event is free and open to the public -- and the student art show is going on today as well, so you could make it an artsy afternoon! Free copies of the book will be available on a first come, first served basis. Message us for more information on the Big Read!

10/31/2024

Sign up now for "Hope for Tomorrow: A Community Response to Homelessness" at 5:30 on Thursday, November 7 at Illinois Valley Community College.

✅Watch the new documentary "Americans With No Address"
✅Meet with experts
✅Visit the resource fair
✅Enjoy free food!!

You can start by listening to this "Perspective" on WNIJ public radio. Less than two minutes!

Tickets Here: https://brushfire.com/faithcontentnetwork/americanswithnoaddress/585941/tickets

03/21/2024

EVERYONE has a story.

Nestor "The Boss" Gomez, a national award-winning storyteller, will be performing for free at the Prairie Arts Center in Princeton, IL this Saturday from 6:30 to 8:00pm. A reception with wine and refreshments will follow.

If you're a fan of The Moth Story Hour this is a huge deal! He has won 79 (yes, really) Moth storytelling grand slams, and it can typically cost up to $40-$50 dollars to see him perform in Chicago.

Sunday at The Bike Place Princeton Illinois from 1:00 to 3:00pm Nestor will be giving a private workshop on written and performed storytelling! Only 15 seats are available, so register ASAP!

RSVP for Event: https://ilhumanities.org/events/everyone-has-a-story-performance-by-nestor-gomez

RSVP for Workshop: https://ilhumanities.org/events/everyone-has-a-story-workshop-with-storyteller-nestor-gomez

We hope to see you there!!!

Join us on Saturday, March 23rd at the Prairie Arts Council Center in Princeton, Illinois for an immersive performance by award-winning storyteller Nestor Gomez, who will tell his personal stories of his American dream.

The following day, March 24th, Gomez will host a storytelling workshop at The Bike Place in Princeton. Both events are hosted by Midwest Partners as part of The NEA Big Read: Reconsidering the American Dream.

👉 Space is limited. Reserve your spot now!
https://ilhumanities.org/events/everyone-has-a-story-performance-by-nestor-gomez