Xina Michelle Renata, age 69, lived in the community of Belmont Shore in Long Beach, Calif. She passed away Sunday, October 31, 2021 with her family by her side. Xina was born and baptized in Rural Freeman, S.D. to June and Walfred Heckenlaible. She married and had 2 daughters.

Earla Kaye Strid, 76, went to her heavenly home Saturday, June 24 at Avera Bormann Manor. A funeral was scheduled for Friday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at Geddes Community Methodist Church, Geddes, S.D. Visitation was set for Thursday, June 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Geddes Community Methodist Church.

The was the cloud formation looking to the east late Saturday as unsettled weather dotted the region. Rainfall totals across the larger Freeman community varied considerably, but was well over an inch in most places — especially after a brief but hard shower rolled across the area early Saturday evening. Sunday will be windy and cooler.

An overnight storm brought much-needed rain (reports from across the area have ranged from 1.25 to more than 2 inches) but also wind, as evident in this photo taken along Freeman's South County Road. There was also no water at some locations in Freeman because of what is believed to be a lighting strike at the city's water tower. 

That's a hard rain pounding Main Street shortly before noon on Friday. The region is entering a fairly active weather pattern that will bring a chance of rain and thunderstorms into the area overnight and into Saturday.

Jocelyn Lee, who plays the part of Miss Trunchbull — the headmistress of Crunchem Hall Primary School and the antagonist in the story — sings "The Smell of Rebellion" during a rehearsal for "Matilda, Jr.!" Thursday morning. It was the ninth day of the 10-day musical theater camp for the Freeman Area Children's Choir, which will culminate with a performance Sunday, June 25 in Pioneer Hall starting at 6:30 p.m.

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the announcement of plans to build the Freeman Prairie Arboretum, a multi-phase process that saw a major transformation of 40 acres of pasture land located in the southwest corner of Freeman over a three-year period. The arboretum was formally dedicated in 2002. This week's Courier editorial reflects on the announcement, all that came afterward and the rich value the arboretum brings to the community.

Darline Bezug was born on Jan. 11, 1937, to parents Ted and Alinda Guthmiller in Yankton, S.D. She went to be with the Lord peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by family, on June 5, 2023, in Lodi, Calif. She was 86. Darline grew up on the family farm in Menno, S.D., and graduated from Menno High school. After high school she worked for a short time as a telephone operator and for the Farmers Union.

When “Matilda, Jr.!” takes the Pioneer Hall stage this Sunday evening, it will be a bittersweet affair — bitter in that it serves as a reminder of the Schmeckfest musical that never saw the light of day and sweet in that this endearing story is finally making its way to an audience in Freeman. Since last week, 31 youngsters in grades 4-8 and two directors associated with the Freeman Area Children’s Choir have been preparing the junior version of the story made popular by British author Roald Dahl for Sunday’s performance. Curtain is 6:30 p.m.

Tis the season for swimming lessons — at least it is in Freeman, where the first of two sessions for all levels is underway. Tuesday, June 20 was the second day of the first two-week session, and this is the Level 1 participants (the youngest group) getting used to the water. Lessons begin each day with Levels 5 and 6 at 8 a.m., with Levels 4, 3, 2 and 1 continuing through 11:45 a.m. The first session of lessons runs from June 19-30 with the second session scheduled for July 10-21.