Dr. Ken Kirton, the former chief of staff at Freeman Regional Health Services, offers a few remarks after being presented with a Modern Woodmen Hometown Hero award Monday afternoon, Sept. 21. After living in Freeman since 1992, Kirton has moved to Sioux Falls where he is the medical director for the hospice program at Avera, although he is still practicing at Freeman Regional Health Services one week a month. Watch the Sept. 24 issue of The Courier for more on Kirton's Hometown Hero honor. 

Falling leaves are the tell-tale sign of a new season, and, in fact, the first day of fall is upon us.

Austin Smidt clears away pieces of old concrete at the intersection of Fifth and Poplar streets across from the Freeman Post Office Monday morning, Sept. 21. Koerner Construction has been hired by the city of Freeman to replace all four approaches at that intersection for just over $10,000.

Folks of all ages found fun on Menno's Fifth Street as the fifth annual Menno Volunteer Fire Department Car Show played out Saturday afternoon and evening, Sept. 19. Vehicles of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages lined both sides of the downtown area and firefighters served ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and other foods out of the fire hall. Watch for more in the Oct. 1 issue of The Courier.

This photo was taken last September inside the Menno Fire Hall as the fourth annual Menno Volunteer Fire Department Car Show unfolded on Fifth Street. The fundraiser returns today, Saturday, Sept. 19 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and will include food (ribs and pulled pork) prepared by the fire department and live music in the evening. 

This view from the Freeman Prairie Arboretum shows the sun dropping to near the horizon on a comfortable Thursday night, Sept. 17.

Cross-country runners from Freeman Public begin the combined boys/girls junior high 3,000-meter race at the Flyer Invitational at Valley View Golf Course Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 16. Pictured are, from left, Claire Loofbourrow, Vaida Ammann, Alaric Knittel and Brody Gossen. Runners from Freeman Public, Freeman Academy and Menno joined teams from more than a dozen other schools at the meet that included varsity, junior varsity and junior high races.

Freeman High School senior Rijjy Peterson records one of her 15 kills against Bridgewater-Emery in home volleyball action Tuesday night, Sept. 15. Peterson also led the team with 26 digs, but the Flyers lost to the No. 3 Huskies 13-25, 19-25, 25-20, 17-25. Freeman Academy/Marion and Menno were also both in action Tuesday night, with the Bearcats getting swept by Irene-Wakonda and the Wolves losing 3-2 to Howard.

With the Freeman water tower peeking over top, a field of corn is pictured near Freeman early this week. With September half over, thoughts across the region turn to the harvest.

Children who attend Little Blessings Day Care at Freeman Academy are out for a stroll on a beautiful Monday morning, Sept. 14.