The Swimming Pool Park was the place to be in Freeman Saturday evening, Aug. 15 as the Freeman Volunteer Fire Department hosted its seventh annual Firehouse Rib Cook-Off. With perfect weather and an eagerness to get out and do something social, the fundraiser was a smashing success, with large crowds and positive vibes. Music filled the air as men, women and children of all ages gathered in the late afternoon, early evening hours of a fleeting summer day. Watch for pictures and a full report in the Aug. 20 edition of The Courier.

Phil Luke and Victoria Blau of Marion prep ribs on a picture-perfect Saturday morning at the Freeman Swimming Pool Park. The Marion Fire Department is one of 16 teams taking part in the seventh annual Firehouse Rib Cook-Off being hosted by the Freeman Volunteer Fire Department; organizer Chad Soulek said more than 20 teams were scheduled to take part, but the threat of COVID-19 took six of those out. A bean bag competition and car show starts at 12 p.m. Judging of both brisket and ribs will begin at 4 p.m. with serving to the public beginning at 5 p.m.

I love the story about Kent Mettler and the bell he purchased from a seller in Tyndall not long ago. You can read it on the front page of the second section of this week’s Courier, or by clicking here.

Bottles of hand sanitizer are placed in classrooms throughout Freeman Public Schools as staff prepares to welcome students back into the building next week. Freeman Public recently released its comprehensive back-to-school plan, and Freeman Elementary yesterday released its action plan in response to COVID-19. You can read that by clicking here.

Freeman Elementary has released details about its plan to return to school next week and how it is dealing with COVID-19. The first day of the 2020-21 school year will be Wednesday, Aug. 19, with a 1 p.m. dismissal.  BEFORE SCHOOL

The final of the falls sports — volleyball and cross-country — officially begin today, Thursday, Aug. 13, with the first allowable practices in South Dakota. Watch next week's Courier on what to expect from Freeman and Menno schools in the weeks and months to come.

Dana Hess | For the S.D. Newspaper Association Putting on high school athletics and activities during a pandemic is going to take patience, flexibility and constant communication. That was the consensus during a strategic planning session of the South Dakota High School Activities Association board of directors and executive staff. 

JEREMY WALTNER   - PUBLISHER Growing up on a farm 4½ miles north of Menno, Kent Mettler has distinct memories of his mom, Carol, ringing an old school bell when she needed to get in touch with members of her family.

After five months out of the classroom, students from Freeman and Menno public schools will report for a new year next week. Menno Public is the first to begin the 2020-21 term with the first day of class — a half day — scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18. It will also be a 1 p.m. dismissal in Menno on Aug. 19. Freeman Public’s first day will be Aug. 19 and will also be a half-day of instruction. The first full day will be Thursday, Aug. 20. Freeman Academy is scheduled to start its year with a full day of class on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Street work is in its second day at the corner of Main and Fifth streets as workers from Koerner Construction are repairing the badly damaged intersection. While local traffic is allowed, through traffic is being asked to find another route.