By order of President Joe Biden, flags are to fly at half-staff through March 31. The president's proclamation reads:

Part 1: Overture My first memory of a Schmeckfest musical came when I was 6 years old. It was 1983 and my dad, age 33 at the time, was directing “Oliver!” and working with Tom Graber on a scene in which Fagin accosts him for asking for more food. The director and title character were near the stage on the north side of the Pioneer Hall auditorium-turned-theater and my dad was telling Tom to make his body fall limp when Fagin, played by LeRoy Epp, grabs his arm and shakes him. It’s the only thing about the 1983 musical I remember, but it obviously left an impression.

For those looking for a sign — any sign — that spring is really here, this photo will be of good news. The food delivery to the clubhouse at Valley View Golf Course took place Tuesday morning, just days ahead of the opening of The Fringe. The kitchen, bar and dining area inside the clubhouse located one mile south of Freeman will open this Saturday, April 1. Grill hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Flocks of Canadian geese have been seen and heard frequently in recent days as the spring season marches on (although it certainly doesn't feel like it) and the birds head back to their northern home.

This is what The Link connecting Sterling Hall and Pioneer Hall on the campus of Freeman Academy looked like around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, as the line to get a number for the meal extended from the Pioneer Hall lobby, through The Link and into the Sterling Hall auditorium.

Kate Schraufnagel, who lives in Wisconsin, and Anna Pullman, a Bridgewater native, enjoy green bean and noodle soup during the Schmeckfest musical Friday evening, March 24. By all accounts, the return of Freeman's big "tasting festival" was wildly popular, with sold-out crowds for both the evening meal and musical, "State Fair," and large and steady crowds across campus — particularly in Heritage Hall Museum & Archives. The 62nd Schmeckfest concludes today, which is expected to be even busier than Friday.

Brothers Jon and Dan Graber work together to stuff Schmeckfest sausage Friday morning, March 24 in preparation for sausage sales at this, the 62nd annual festival that is returning for the first time since 2019. Action gets underway this afternoon and will continue through Saturday. During that time, several thousand will converge on the Freeman Academy campus to take in all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of one of South Dakota's marquee festivals.

The cast of "State Fair" poses for a photo following its final dress rehearsal Wednesday night, March 22. The Rogers and Hammerstein production that takes place at the 1946 Iowa State Fair opens tonight in conjunction with the 62nd Schmeckfest. A limited number of tickets are available for tonight's performance through schmeckfest.com, but reserved seating for Friday and Saturday night are both sold out. General admission tickets will be available for all three performances at the ticket counter.

Sam Waltner, a junior at Freeman Academy, helps set up curtaining inside the Sterling Hall auditorium Monday afternoon, March 20. Activity is picking up across the school campus as students, staff and a host of other volunteers prepare for the return of Schmeckfest. The traditional festival will take place this Friday and Saturday evening, March 24 and 25 for the first time since 2019. Watch this week's Courier for a detailed look at what's in store, as well as a look back on the "disaster" that was the very first Schmeckfest back in 1959.

It's the week of Schmeckfest and the Schmeckfest Ticket Exchange board is beginning to populate. The board is used for those who have tickets to sell, and those who are looking for tickets, and is located in The Link connecting Sterling Hall and Pioneer Hall, where the two marquee Schmeckfest events — the meal and the musical — will take place. The 62nd Schmeckfest will be held this Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25 for the first time since 2019. Watch for a full preview in this week's Courier.