FOR THE 64TH TIME IN THE LAST 67 YEARS, Freeman’s traditional ‘festival of tasting’ generated a spirit of community and commonality — even among those with different backgrounds — that has helped define the annual event. And, once again, food, music and heritage was front and center. The lure of Sch...

A review of the outstanding Schmeckfest musical ‘Jane Eyre’ | BY JEREMY WALTNER Let’s reach into our bag of words and see what we can find. Engaging. Sure, but we can do better. Enthralling. Yes, absolutely. But still not quite right. Mesmerizing. Definitely. But what about … Spellbinding. That’s it...

Ben Crick and Joseph Wipf won a seat on the Menno School Board of Education in the election held April 8 at the fire hall. Josh Hora and Audrey Massey were also on the ballot, with the results as follows: Ben Crick - 191 Joseph Wipf - 175 Josh Hora - 117 Audrey Massey - 59 Crick and Wipf will replac...

I am writing to address recent developments regarding a potential sports cooperative between Marion and Freeman. Following the Freeman School Board’s special meeting on April 2, the board requested a “formal proposal” for an all-sports cooperative from Marion. After careful consideration, I have dec...

All seven who spoke during the public input portion of the Freeman School Board’s special meeting Wednesday night, April 2 spoke in favor of continuing the sports relationship with Marion, and the school board agreed on two things: To request a formal proposal from Marion for an expanded co-op, and;...

Schmeckfest has been part of the Freeman community’s culture since it debuted  in March of 1959, with varying degrees of successes and challenges. But the one constant — a celebration of a people and the want to come together — remains today, and it will again be on fully display when the ‘festival ...

Boards appear to be closing in on 9-year sports agreement as ‘Pheasants’ starting this fall, with football, softball & wrestling beginning in fall of 2026 Parker School Board to hold special meeting with public input Thursday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. Marion School Board to invite additional public comm...

After a long stretch without much for dining options, The Coffee Cafe scheduled to open on Highway 81; Watecha Bowl Grille downtown And just like that, a restaurant scene in Freeman that has been dormant in recent years has taken on new life. Not only is The Fringe at Valley View Golf Course open ag...

Other demonstrations planned for Schmeckfest April 4-5; Freeman museum to debut new exhibits at annual festival Heritage Hall Museum & Archives has a full slate of activities planned during Schmeckfest 2025. That includes artisans who will demonstrate traditional crafts and “Heritage Pickers,” indiv...

The Freeman High School boys are playing for a championship — a consolation championship, that is. And one day after sitting out because of illness, freshman David Walter — the team's leading scorer — will play. The Flyers will face Wall in the fifth/sixth-place game at 1:45 p.m. Saturday after defe...