Eldon “Smiley” Arnold Guericke, 75, was born on March 16, 1945 in Scotland, S.D. Eldon was the youngest of seven children to Arthur and Alice (Werning) Guericke. At two years old he lost his oldest sibling in a tragic car accident. This really took a toll on his parents’ lives, especially his adoring mom who had health issues, and passed away just before his ninth birthday.

Work on the Freeman city water tower is complete. The city is refilling the tower today following the maintenance project by Maguire Iron that began on July 13 and finished up over the weekend — well short of the 45 days that had been scheduled for the job. The city is now under contract with Maguire Iron for ongoing maintenance and upkeep as it becomes necessary.

Street work at the corner of Main and Fifth streets in downtown Freeman is scheduled to begin this week — weather permitting. While access to nearby properties will be available, other traffic is advised to avoid this intersection and plan an alternate route during construction. The intersection will continue to be off-limits to regular traffic into the week of Aug. 17, as seven full days will be required for concrete to dry before the street can be driven on.

Kids are enjoying the Freeman Swimming Pool for one more day this season; Sunday, Aug. 9 is the final day for recreation at the local summer hotspot. The pool in Menno will be open for one more week. PHOTO BY OLIVER WALTNER

A tomato ripens on a vine growing in a local garden. It is the season for fresh produce as vegetables grow, are picked, sold in grocery stores and farmers markets, and, finally, consumed. 

The public got its first glimpse of what the "new" Freeman water tower will look like as workers with Maguire Iron made progress on painting Thursday, Aug. 6. The tower will feature the Freeman city logo with gold trim; the bottom portion of the bowl will be maroon, as will be the legs. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic hardships it is causing will likely result in a wave of personal, farm and small-business bankruptcies in South Dakota in the coming months that may lead to a wider economic crisis spurred by the coronavirus.

Players on the Canistota/Freeman football team run through drills on the first day of practice Thursday morning, Aug. 6. Two two-time defending 9A champions join other teams from across the state on the gridiron in preparation for the 2020 season; their first game is against Chester Area in Canistota Friday, Aug. 21. Soccer practices began on Monday and cross-country and volleyball participants will report for their first day next Thursday, Aug. 13.

Norma J. Hofer, 81, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls. Her funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 at First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, and will be livestreamed on the First Lutheran YouTube channel. The church requires that all attendees wear masks and social distancing will be observed. Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls.

Children who attend Growing Dreams Learning Center were out for a morning stroll Wednesday, Aug. 5. Also pictured is caregiver Libby Miller.