Students at Freeman Academy examine a sapling being shown by kindergarten instructor Lynnelle Hofer during a special visit from members of Freeman's branch of Tree City USA Friday morning, April 21. The classroom visit by Lance Edwards, Charly Waltner, Micah Graber and Mark Harberts, who all have an association with ecology in the Freeman community, was designed to inform the children about the importance of trees and the management of trees in conjunction with Arbor Day, which will be observed next Friday, April 28.

This was the view of the Merchants State Bank front entrance from The Courier office Thursday morning, as a wet morning turned from rain to snow. The cold, windy and wet weather was expected and prompted Freeman Public to cancel its Flyer Invitational scheduled to begin today at 1 p.m.

A group of golfers gets ready to tee off from the fifth hole at Valley View Golf Course north of Freeman on Wednesday. The Cornbelt Conference junior high meet it is town and is expected to continue through much of the afternoon. Freeman Public is along the teams taking part.

The “in like a lion” phrase typically applies to early March, but it is certainly fitting in this, the third week of April, as cool and blustery conditions continue to make the weather conditions feel anything like “a lamb.” Winds are expected to be sustained for much of the week, with highs reaching only into the 50s through the weekend. The statue pictured here stands at Freeman’s Lions Park.

Freeman Public Superintendent Jake Tietje sets the pitching rubber at Freeman's softball field Monday morning, April 17 in advance of this evening's home softball game between the Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy Phoenix and Bon Homme. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. This will be the only Phoenix softball game in Freeman, although a quadrangular is scheduled to be held in Marion April 22.

This building was located where Casey’s is today and was part of a small settlement known as “Freedom” just east of Freeman. The building served as a service station and small cafe through the 1950s, before Freeman grew toward the highway. 

The cast of Freeman High School's "The Lion King, Jr." assembles for a photo prior to their matinee presented to the student body Friday afternoon. The popular story was presented again to the public Friday night and will be a second time Saturday night, April 20 starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.

Freeman Lions Club members Shirley and Delmar Hofer and Alan Ries assemble sandwiches for Soup Day being held at the Freeman Senior Citizens Center today, Friday, April 14. The trio was among a larger group of volunteers preparing to serve the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to ham and cheese and tuna sandwiches, the menu includes chili, noodle soup, hot dogs and chili dogs, as well as pie and a drink — all for a free-will donation that will go toward Freeman Lions Club projects. 

Martin Sieverding goes over a start list at the Menno Relays Thursday morning, April 13. Two dozen varsity teams and 11 middle school teams are taking part in what is, for many, their first track meet of the season. With more teams than usual, the meet is expected to last into the evening.

These four candidates are vying for two spots in today's Menno School Board Election. Registered voters are hitting the polling place located inside the Menno Fire Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jon Schempp is an incumbent and Jackie Vaith, Joel Rempfer and Molly Huber are challengers. Results will be posted when they are tallied and made available later tonight.