JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER It wasn’t long after Eric Hartel discovered Freeman Academy and began learning about the larger community that he came upon a way of life that resonated deeply — that this was a place that cared deeply for one another.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER “If it’s a whirlwind, we’re spinning in the right direction.” That’s the 35,000-foot view summarized by Jake Tietje when looking at his relatively short time as superintendent of Freeman Public Schools — specifically the growth in enrollment the district has seen since he arrived as the top administrator in the summer of 2021.

One night after Freeman Public played in its home-opener, volleyball teams from Freeman Academy/Marion and Menno take their own home courts on Tuesday, with the Bearcats hosting Corsica-Stickney at Marion and Menno hosting Tripp-Delmont/Armour.  Pictured on this right are returning letter winners from Menno - standing from left: Joslynn Fischer, Kaelie Derby, Ashton Massey and Maggie Miller; kneeling from left: Ellyana Ulmer and Taylor Freier. 

These returning letter-winners and the Freeman High School volleyball team will play in its home-opener tonight against Corsica-Stickney. The JV game begins at 6:15 p.m. followed by the varsity. The Flyers competed in the Hanson Early Bird Tournament last week and will take a 1-2 record into tonight's home match. Freeman Academy/Marion and Menno are both at home Tuesday night as the Bearcats host Corsica-Stickney and the Wolves host Tripp-Delmont/Armour. Check back tomorrow to see photos from those teams.

The Sunday morning sun shines above the Bethlehem Reformed Church OPC of Freeman Aug. 27 — part of what is turning out to be gorgeous later-summer weekend across the area.

This photo from South Dakota News Watch was published last week with an accompanying story by Stu Whitney that focuses on the Turner County Fair and its ability to thrive in what are otherwise difficult times for county fairs.

Doug Kraft, who operates Kraft Pillow Service with his wife, Vanease, steps out of the trailer to collect pillows that had just been dropped off for cleaning Friday morning, Aug. 25. The mobile service is out of Kingsley, Iowa and been in operation by the Krafts since 1982, and the couple has been coming to Freeman since those earliest years. Their visit to Freeman is in partnership with the Et Cetera Shoppe, which in conjunction with the visit from Kraft Pillow Service is selling brand-new feather pillows, with proceeds going to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee.

This photo, along with an accompanying story, appears on the front page of the Aug. 24 edition of The Courier. The caption reads:

As the Wednesday morning light hits Freeman’s most historic building, Olan Schrag and Ezekiel Unruh smile for a picture before walking in to start their first day of kindergarten at Freeman Academy. All students like Olan and Ezekiel — the 5-year-old sons of Nick and Sonja Schrag and Austin and Lindsey Unruh — from across the area are now back at school for another year.

Menno School Board members Joel Rempfer, left, and Tim Freier help serve a light supper to students, parents and staff during an open house in advance of the new school year Monday evening, Aug. 21. As is per traditional, the school board prepared and served the meal in conjunction with an open house that included a number of activities, as well as a chance for families to meet teachers and ask questions. School is set to start at both Menno and Freeman Academy on Wednesday. Freeman Public started with a half day on Tuesday while Marion began its 2023-24 term on Monday.