JEREMY WALTNER  -  PUBLISHER In his book, One Nation Under God by Dr. David Gibbs, the author notes that, in the Declaration of Independence, God is referenced four times in one way or another, and that in the founding era of our nation, from 1760 to 1805, the source that is cited the most in all political writings was the Bible.

Click here for photos from Menno's 2021 Fourth of July celebration.

JEREMY WALTNER  -  PUBLISHER There will be something for everyone in Menno this weekend as the community rolls out the red, white and blue carpet for its traditional Independence Day celebration. The weekend will double as the Menno-Olivet All-School Reunion, which will add an additional layer of fellowship and fun to the festivities. Saturday, July 3 will be a big day in Menno because it includes the parade in the morning and the all-school reunion and dance later in the afternoon and into the night. Here’s everything else you need to know.

JEREMY WALTNER  -  PUBLISHER At the recommendation of councilor Lonnie Tjaden, the city of Freeman will get an estimate of how much it would cost to include a new blacktop surface on the roadways extending one block off the B-1 business district as an add-on to the Main Street project slated for 2022. “We’re doing Main Street; we’re spending roughly $3 million on it,” Tjaden said at the Freeman City Council meeting last week Tuesday, June 15. “Have you guys drove a block off Main Street on these roads?”

There will be plenty of activity in Freeman this weekend as two major events are on the calendar — Ribs and More at the Ranch on Saturday evening, June 26 and the community’s Independence Day celebration the following day.

JEREMY WALTNER  -  PUBLISHER Young adults heading into a world of post-secondary education frequently face some tough questions, like, “What course of study to pursue?” and “How am I going to pay for college?” and “Will I even be able to find a job once I graduate?” Not Rachel Goossen.

JEREMY WALTNER  -  PUBLISHER In response to concerns shared by incoming board member Doug McCune about the preliminary plans for a new wrestling facility provided by CO-OP Architecture, the Freeman Public School Board agreed on Monday to table the discussion until more information can be obtained. McCune’s concerns with the 4,458 square-foot addition, proposed to be built on the east side of the elementary school gym and estimated to cost $500,000, include the lack of full specifications and inspections from a licensed architect.

Effective immediately, watering will not be allowed in Freeman between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., per action by the Freeman City Council Tuesday night, June 15. The watering restriction will remain in place until further notice.

Freeman grocer Bob Pidde is pictured with his 4-year-old grandson Jackson Leite after Jackson and his mom, Nikki, visited Jamboree Foods early Monday afternoon, June 14. The youngster represents the fourth generation of the Pidde family's involvement in the grocery business. Bob took over the store from his dad, Ted Sr., and today works alongside his son Brett (who was out of town during the Leite's visit on Monday and would have otherwise been included in this multi-generation photo).

The Freeman School Board deferred action on a number of capital improvement projects, including a new wrestling facility and youth ballfields, at its regular monthly meeting June 14. Watch the 40-minute meeting here.