Street work at the corner of Main and Fifth streets in downtown Freeman is scheduled to begin this week — weather permitting. While access to nearby properties will be available, other traffic is advised to avoid this intersection and plan an alternate route during construction. The intersection will continue to be off-limits to regular traffic into the week of Aug. 17, as seven full days will be required for concrete to dry before the street can be driven on.

Kids are enjoying the Freeman Swimming Pool for one more day this season; Sunday, Aug. 9 is the final day for recreation at the local summer hotspot. The pool in Menno will be open for one more week. PHOTO BY OLIVER WALTNER

A tomato ripens on a vine growing in a local garden. It is the season for fresh produce as vegetables grow, are picked, sold in grocery stores and farmers markets, and, finally, consumed. 

The public got its first glimpse of what the "new" Freeman water tower will look like as workers with Maguire Iron made progress on painting Thursday, Aug. 6. The tower will feature the Freeman city logo with gold trim; the bottom portion of the bowl will be maroon, as will be the legs. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Players on the Canistota/Freeman football team run through drills on the first day of practice Thursday morning, Aug. 6. Two two-time defending 9A champions join other teams from across the state on the gridiron in preparation for the 2020 season; their first game is against Chester Area in Canistota Friday, Aug. 21. Soccer practices began on Monday and cross-country and volleyball participants will report for their first day next Thursday, Aug. 13.

Children who attend Growing Dreams Learning Center were out for a morning stroll Wednesday, Aug. 5. Also pictured is caregiver Libby Miller.

Gideon Rembold and Lane McCune ride their bikes through Dead Man's Alley to go fishing at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum on a beautiful Tuesday morning, Aug. 4. This week's weather is conducive to all outdoor activities, with highs comfortably in the 70s and no chance of rain. A warm-up is expected this weekend.

Progress is apparent early this week on the water tower maintenance project underway in the city of Freeman. The blue, led-based paint has been stripped and workers are moving toward the repainting of the structure. This is the third week of the project, which is expected to be wrapped up by the end of this month.

Corn continues to mature as we head further into the growing season and closer to what is expected to be an outstanding harvest.

Members of the Freeman 12u softball team smile for a photo in front of Sam Fransen's home last Thursday evening, July 30. The team dropped off balloons, small gifts and offered support for both Sam and teammate Vaida Ammann, who are quarantined at their homes after being around COVID-19 exposures. The mini-parade was organized by coach Dena Deckert and the 12u girls.