2011 Homestead Festival Grand Marshal
Steve Samet
Steve was born and raised in the Chicago area. He attended Brother Rice High School on the south side, and earned a scholarship at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana where he majored in Psychology and minored in both Speech and Mathematics. Upon graduation, he received a commission in the United States army as a second lieutenant. Steve left the service at the completion of his tour with the rank of captain.
At the completion of his service, Steve had some interesting job offers including an offer from the FBI, but his true love was broadcasting. After a brief time at a station he leased, Steve was offered an opportunity to buy into and run what was then WZOE-AM. Steve took the offer as he’d always loved working in Princeton. He and Bernie were married in 1975. In 1980, WZOE-FM, better known as Z-98, went on the air and several years ago, WRVY-FM in Henry was purchased. Steve has owned radio stations in other markets including the Winter Haven / Lakeland market and the “heritage” stations in Effingham and Terre Haute so named by the industry because of their longevity, quality of programming and population coverage.
Steve is an experienced lobbyist having petitioned congress many times on behalf of broadcasting, a heavily regulated industry. He also spent eight years on the board of the Illinois Broadcasters’ Association and was elected President of that organization in 1990. His peers encouraged him to run for the Board of Directors of the National Association of Broadcasters, an organization that is considered to be one of the most powerful and best funded lobbying organizations in Washington. He did so and was elected for two consecutive terms – the maximum that can be served. Steve and Bernie have one son, Mike, who was raised here in Princeton. He and his wife, Lauren, reside in Las Vegas. Steve has served on many local boards including the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, United Way, American Cancer Society and Zearing Child Enrichment Center. He is a member of Princeton Rotary and a member of the board of Citizens First National Bank and Princeton National Bancorp.
2011 Homestead Festival Honorary Grand Marshals
The Mayor, the Lovejoy Trustees, and the City of Princeton look forward to welcoming approximately 30 direct descendents of Owen G. Lovejoy whose birth bicentennial we are celebrating during the 2011 Homestead Festival.
The descendents who have responded descend from Elijah Parish (II) and Mary Emma Skinner Lovejoy. Elijah Parish II, son of Owen G. and Eunice Denham Lovejoy, was born in 1850 and died in 1931. His wife, Mary Emma Skinner Lovejoy was born in 1856 and died in 1917. They were the parents of four sons: Parish Storrs, Owen Lloyd, Elijah Parish III, and Arthur; and one daughter: Mary Eunice. The family built and lived in the home east of the Lovejoy Homestead which is now the Elk's Lodge.
Several who will join us this fall are from the line of Elijah Parish (III) and Jane Howell Lovejoy, and several are from the line of Owen Lloyd and Ann Milton Lovejoy. Additionally, at this time we are aware of nearly 20 descendents of Parish Storrs and Ruth Harrison Lovejoy who will be coming to Princeton to celebrate.
Here to honor the memory and contributions of Owen G. Lovejoy will be two great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, three great-great-great grandchildren, and four great-great-great-great grandchildren along with other family members. They will be traveling to Princeton from the East and West Coasts, the Southeast, and the greater Midwest.
Family members will be Honorary Grand Marshals for the Homestead Parade, and will also be guests of honor at a public reception from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday at the log cabin on the Lovejoy grounds.
Princeton is pleased to host this reunion of Lovejoys.
Past Homestead Festival Grand Marshals
2010 - Gary & Bea Coates
