PHOTO OF THE DAY: THE ROOM WHERE IT WILL HAPPEN

A Schmeckfest sign hangs on the north wall of Freeman Academy’s maintenance building Friday morning. Photographed through racks that will be used in preparation for the upcoming Schmeckfest Drive-Thru, the familiar red and white imagery represents the festival that began in 1959 as a celebration of the Germans-from-Russia Heritage on which this community was founded. Because of COVID-19, Schmeckfest as it has come to be known will not be held for a second year in a row. Instead, volunteers are preparing and will sell some of the traditional foods at a drive-thru at the school’s parking lot March 19-20 and 26-27 from 1 to 6 p.m. Orders can be placed here.