This was the sky looking east from Freeman Monday night during a stretch of unsettled weather that moved through the area early this past week. Highway 81 is the road that runs from left to right (north to south). The region was blessed with another round of rain on Friday morning and the weekend is shaping up to be a beautiful one.

This photo of Freeman Blacksox player/manager Jake Weier and his son, Tucker, watching fireworks was taken by Emily Hofer and posted on the Blacksox Facebook page following the team's 5-2 win over Menno Thursday night, July 6. The game and fireworks display was postponed from Tuesday, July 4 because of concerns about the weather and was the final act on another Independence Day celebration. Thursday's win by the Freeman town team moved the Sox to 8-7 on the season while the Mad Frogs dropped to 0-11.

These flowers are among those that help color the Freeman Prairie Arboretum located in the southwestern corner of the community, which is continuing to be developed since plans for the 40-acre site were first announced 30 years ago.

This was the scene on the Nusz Insurance float that was among the 84 entries in Tuesday's Fourth of July parade in Menno. The traditional event once again drew hundreds of people to the community as the 45-minute processional made its way down Fifth Street and finished past the Menno-Olivet Care Center. The weather was cooler than normal but cooperated nonetheless; the storms that moved through the region were done in time for the 11 a.m. start. The evening baseball game and fireworks, however, were postponed until Thursday, July 6.

The flag at City Hall is pictured in front of an unsettled sky Monday evening as storms make their way across the region. Severe weather is expected throughout the July 4 holiday. 

Jake Weier, right, and Austin Smidt tend the grills at the chislic stand during Sunday's Independence Day celebration in Freeman, which was once again sponsored by Merchants State Bank and staffed by volunteers with the Freeman Baseball Association. Sunday's celebration was a hot one and featured youth baseball and softball games, as well as teener and a amateur baseball. The 14U Sticks defeated Scotland/Menno 12-2 while the 16U Sticks beat the Trappers 5-4 in extra innings. In the evening game, the Freeman Blacksox lost to Tabor 7-0. The night ended with fireworks. 

Those attending the Patriotic Worship Service in Menno Sunday morning, July 2 joined together in singing the national anthem at the onset of the 10 a.m. service. The traditional acknowledgement of God and country once again took place at the city park and this year included a sermon from Rev. Michael Hecht titled “Holding Forth the Word of Life.” 

With classmate and teammate Penny Schultz looking on, Holly Becker practices her pitching with Becca Schultz at the Freeman softball field Saturday morning. Penny and Holly will both be sixth graders in fall and play with the Rebels 10U softball team, which will play at the state tournament in Sioux Falls July 14-16. A number of local softball and baseball teams will take the field Sunday for Freeman's Independence Day celebration:

Starting Saturday, July 1, Fensel's Electric located on the northeast corner of the Freeman community will be under the ownership of Kleinsasser Heating and Cooling. The Freeman-based business will close Fensel's Electric for at least the new two weeks for inventory. Current owner Don Beier will remain involved.

Menno businessman and owner of Ken's Electric, Ken Steponik, helps take down senior banners from the light poles on Fifth Street Thursday morning — just in time for the American flags to go up in anticipation of next week's Fourth of July celebration in Menno. The senior banners, which were hung for the fourth year, are being given to families thanks to the sponsorship support that helps make the project possible and may be picked up inside the main entrance to Menno Public School.