This photo from 1977 shows the Pioneer Hall auditorium all set up for Schmeckfest. This has been the norm since the beginning of the festival, when entertainment followed the traditional German meal, and especially since 1967, when full stage productions began a tradition and a big part of the festival. But COVID-19 has impacted that; "Matilda the Musical" was not staged in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic and officials announced this week that the musical would not be presented in 2021, either. Other details about next year's Schmeckfest are still being worked out.

The Freeman Community Center, the Wipf Street building that was constructed as the Freeman High School gym in 1957, is now available to the public for recreational use at no charge. Meeting Monday night, Oct. 26, the Freeman City Council, which owns and manages the facility, voted 6-0 to let families and individuals use the auditorium for free, pending other scheduled activities like wedding receptions and wrestling practice. Those wanting to use it should check in at City Hall for availability and an access code.

Snow that fell over the weekend mixes with the colors of fall Monday morning, Oct. 26.

Freeman Academy's Jada Koerner and Titus Roesler were all smiles after turning in outstanding showings at the 2020 State Cross-Country Meet in Rapid City on Saturday. Koerner, a sophomore, finished third in the Class B girls race while Roesler, a senior, was fourth to lead the FA/Marion boys to second place in the Class B standings. Snow and cold weather conditions were the reality for runners and spectators, but the lack of wind made it more pleasant than it otherwise would have been.

Menno’s Morgan Edelman gets ready to run in her final cross-country race at state on Saturday. 

Yes, that's a fresh dusting of snow on the facade of Jamboree Foods, Freeman's downtown grocery store, Friday morning, Oct. 23. It can down during the overnight hours, giving residents a white surprise when they woke up. It's not much, at least, and should be gone sooner rather than later; temperatures are expected to climb above zero this afternoon.

These helmets will be on full display as the Canistota/Freeman Pride host Chester Area in Freeman in the first round of the playoffs tonight, Thursday, Oct. 22. Game time is 7 p.m., and it's going to be cold. The winner moves on to the quarterfinal round Thursday, Oct. 29. The Pride are 7-1; the Flyers are 6-2.

Pumpkins, gourds and other October/Halloween decorations can be seen on doorsteps, porches and in front yards as the fall season wears on. 

The area received its first visible reminder that winter is just around the corner thanks to a light dusting of snow Monday, Oct. 19. While it was enough to "decorate" the fall colors, it didn't stick around long. The cold has, though, with highs today in the 40s and overnight lows expected to be around the freezing mark.

The sunny days of the weekend have been replaced by something else entirely — cloudy skies and moisture. Light precipitation was falling in Freeman Monday morning with a 50% chance of more throughout the day and also on Tuesday. It's cold, too; highs aren't expected to exceed the low 50s all week long and on Saturday, when the State Cross Country Meet commences in Rapid City, highs are forecast to be in the 30s — with a chance of precipitation.