A sign on the front door at the Freeman Post Office reminds patrons that it is closed because of Martin Lutheran King Jr. Day, a federal holiday observed annually the third Monday of January. The holiday was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and first observed in 1986. It wasn't officially observed in all 50 states, however, until 2000.

Sunday morning dawned with sunshine for the first time in days, illuminating the landscape and these blades of grass peeking through the snow.

Today's Photo of the Day serves as a reminder that you can find updated basketball scores, as well as upcoming games, in the Scoreboard under the Sports section at this website. Also note the Question of the Week feature that appears on the right side of the website. Feel free to weigh in if you haven't. 

A few boys from Freeman Elementary gather to play a little football during recess earlier this week. There is no recess today — there is no school today — because of the winter weather that has moved across the region. While little snow has fallen, high winds are making for tough conditions in eastern South Dakota, which is on the back side of more severe system to the east. Thursday's night's Freeman doubleheader at Bon Homme was postponed, as was the home girls basketball game at Menno.

This photo of Celeste Donovan and her dad, Larry Tolzin, was taken a number of years ago. Tolzin, well known in the Menno community, passed away late last week. His obituary is included in this week's Courier, along with a 5-Minute Interview with Celeste. 

This is the broken curb in front of the Freeman Public Library — symbolic of the deteriorating condition of Freeman's Main Street. This week's Courier includes a discussion as it occurred during the city council meeting on Jan. 6 about rebuilding the roadway as early as 2022. This week's Question of the Week also addresses the issue.

American flags like this one at Freeman Public Schools are being flown at half-staff this week in honor of the two U.S. Capitol police officers who died in the Wednesday, Jan. 6 riot on and inside capitol grounds by supporters of President Donald Trump.

It was a sunny start to the work week Monday morning, Jan. 11, with clear skies and mild conditions; birds could even be heard chirping. Highs are expected to be in the 40s for much of the week, with a slight cool down as the weekend approaches.

This photo was taken in May and shows the Salem Reformed Church of Menno on a warm spring day — much different from the current winter landscape. While this winter has been relatively mild compared to others (so far), it might not be too early to start thinking about spring. After all, days are getting longer, there are 63 days until Daylight Saving Time begins and 10 weeks until the first day of spring. It's not exactly right around the corner, but we are on the other side of the calendar. 

Casey’s in Freeman is pictured on foggy early Saturday morning.