This club basketball team sponsored by Huber Motor Company of Freeman poses for a photo with the signature Ford emblem — the car company the Freeman dealership specialized in during its operation beginning in 1940 and continuing into the 20th century before closing in 2005. Pictured are, top from left: Harry Lee Smidt, Keith Ellwein, Harris Hofer, Reiny Mutchelknaus, Winnie Haar; front from left: Eddie Schmeichel, Ted Morgan, DuWayne Lippelt, Melvin Schmeichel and Ted Pidde.

With a partly-cloudy sky behind it, the Monday morning sun hits Freeman's water tower as a new work week began with a lovely summer morning. Another shot of overnight rain made the morning air feel crisp and fresh and a nice week of weather is expected.

A steady stream of people and a well-populated tent was evident on the grounds of the Freeman Prairie Arboretum — particularly early in the day — during Saturday's fifth annual South Dakota Chislic Festival. Starting around 11 a.m. and continuing well into the afternoon, hundreds mingled throughout the festival grounds for food and fellowship in a relaxed and enjoyable setting that has come to help define the event. Watch for a recap and photos in the upcoming edition of The Courier.

Colleen Reilly, a volunteer from Sunnyvale, Calif. and friends with South Dakota Chislic Festival board member Joann Smith and her husband, KC, helps set up the merchandise tent in preparation for the festival Saturday morning, July 29. The fifth annual event that celebrates the South Dakota state nosh gets underway with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the day, with food, drink, music and fun and games on full display. All of it is taking place at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum located on the southwest corner of town.

Bailey Sage (33) bumps fists with player/manager Jake Weier after being introduced as the starting left fielder prior to Freeman's District 6 elimination game against Lesterville Thursday night in Crofton. And the Blacksox saw their season come to an end with a 6-3 loss to the Broncs, who will be joined by Crofton, Wynot and Menno in representing the South Central League at the state tournament in Mitchell beginning Aug. 2. The bracket will be announced Sunday.

For the second year in a row, Menno overcame a last-place seeding in the District 6 Amateur Baseball Tournament to advance to the state tournament. The Mad Frogs got the job done with a 5-3 win over Wynot in an elimination game in Crofton, Neb., Thursday night, July 27.

For the second year in a row, Menno overcame a last-place seeding in the District 6 Amateur Baseball Tournament to advance to the state tournament. The Mad Frogs got the job done with a 5-3 win over Wynot in an elimination game in Crofton, Neb., Thursday night, July 27. Meanwhile, Freeman dropped its own elimination game 6-3 to Lesterville in Thursday's second game for a season-ending loss. Crofton and Tabor will play for the district championship Saturday, July 29 at 7 p.m. The winner will represent District 4 at state as the champion while the loser will be Rep. 1.

South Dakota's lone representative in the United States House of Representatives, Dusty Johnson, will attend the 2023 South Dakota Chislic Festival in Freeman this Saturday, July 29, according to an email from his office. Johnson is scheduled to arrive on the grounds of the Freeman Prairie Arboretum, the site of the festival, at 2 p.m. The fifth annual celebration of South Dakota's state nosh runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Bryce Sattler reacts from the pitcher's mound of Scotland/Menno's final out against Freeman/Marion in Wednesday night's elimination game that was part of the VFW 16U Region 4 Tournament. In addition to their 7-2 win over the Sticks, the Trappers defeated Salem 8-5 after falling behind 0-5 earlier in the day. Scotland/Menno will face Tyndall in the region championship round Thursday night. Both teams will represent Region 4 at state in Parkston next week.

Facing two must-wins game in 90-plus degree heat, Scotland/Menno staved off elimination twice and punched their ticket to the 16U State VFW Tournament with wins over Salem and Freeman/Menno Wednesday evening in Freeman. The Trappers first defeated the Cubs 8-5 and then took out the Sticks 7-2 to earn one of two Region 4 spots in the state tournament next week in Parkston.