This shows the layout for the 2023 South Dakota Chislic Festival that is returning to Freeman this Saturday. For reference, the Freeman Academy campus is not shown but located directly above the image area. The star next to the parking area identifies the main entrance. The fifth celebration of the state's official nosh runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER When considering other popular festivals across the state, the South Dakota Chislic Festival is still relatively young. It debuted just five years ago, and Saturday’s big to-do will be just the third time it will be held on the sprawling grounds of the Freeman Prairie Arboretum. Yet it feels familiar.

The Swiss Choral Society has announced its concert for the fall of 2023 with a performance of Brahms' “A German Requiem” or “Ein Deutsches Requiem.” The work will be performed in English with piano accompaniment and soloists. Peter Tuff, who had the leading male role in the Schmeckfest production of “State Fair,” will be featured as the baritone soloist. 

Two Tyndall runs in the third inning made the difference in Tuesday evening’s Region 4B battle against Scotland/Menno as the Bon Homme-county squad came away with a 2-0 win over the Trappers. Scotland/Menno will play in an elimination game Wednesday at 5 p.m. against the winner of Tuesday’s second game between Parker and Salem.

Two Tyndall runs in the third inning made the difference in Tuesday evening’s Region 4B battle against Scotland/Menno as the Bon Homme-county squad came away with a 2-0 win over the Trappers. Scotland/Menno will play in an elimination game Wednesday at 5 p.m. against the winner of Tuesday’s second game between Parker and Salem.

The gazebo that accents the Freeman Prairie Arboretum is pictured through a pair of birch trees near the interpretive center on a sunny Tuesday morning. The arboretum was quiet early this week but will be a popular spot in a matter of days as the 2023 South Dakota Chislic Festival unfolds on Saturday. Watch this week's Courier for all you need know about this year's popular event.

Amateur baseball teams from both Menno and Freeman can both advance to the state tournament with wins Thursday night, July 27, in Crofton, Neb.

Merchants State Bank Field in Freeman will be alive with activity each of the next four nights as the VFW 16U Region 4B tournament comes to town. Action begins at 5 p.m. with Tyndall facing Salem followed by Freeman/Marion taking on Parker. Games continue at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (if necessary) on Thursday. In addition to the four teams playing Monday night, Region 4B includes Scotland/Menno, which will play its first game at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The 14U Sticks bounced back from a 6-0 semifinal loss to Mt. Vernon/Plankinton with 13-0 win over Platte-Geddes in the third-place game of the S.D. VFW State Tournament held in Corsica over three days starting Friday. Freeman/Marion scored three runs in both the first and second inning to build an early lead, and pitchers Riley Gall Tayden Kerrigan and Easton Tschetter teamed up to pitch a two-hit shutout. The Sticks finished with 16 hits, with Gall going 3-for-3 and Kerrigan going 3-4; the two combined for five RBI.

The Freeman/Marion 14U Sticks came up short in their bid for the state championship game Saturday afternoon, falling to Mt. Vernon/Plankinton 6-0. Titans pitcher Tyce Feistner held the Sticks to hour hits, and Freeman/Marion committed three errors in the field to take the loss. The Sticks are now 15-3 and will face Platte-Geddes in the third-place game at 1 p.m. Sunday.  Mt. Vernon/Plankinton and Parkston will square off for the championship at 4 p.m.