City of Freeman closing in on $5 million Main Street project Council approves $2.8M bond issue; was to meet again April 6 JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER The wheels on the city of Freeman’s Main Street rebuild continue to turn fast as officials anticipate final approval of the $5 million project that would see a reconstruction of Freeman’s primary downtown roadway — as well as five adjacent blocks — within the month.

As expected, meeting in special session Thursday evening, March 31, the Freeman City Council approved a bond issue in the amount of $2.8 million that will help pay for the upcoming Main Street project, which includes one block of Railway to the southwest, as well as adjacent blocks to the west and east on both Third and Fourth streets. The bond resolution passed the council 6-0.

Those flowers in front of Jamboree Foods aren't real and it's not as warm outside as this photo looks; instead Thursday saw another brisk early-spring morning. Today's highs aren't expected to get much above 40, but a slight warmup appears to be ahead through the weekend and into the first workweek of April.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER Late Saturday afternoon, March 26, as they were filling mini meals made up of Schmeckfest sausage, stewed beef, sauerkraut and cheese buttons, volunteers with the Freeman Academy Auxiliary came to a startling realization that made their stomachs drop. They were running out of food.

Freeman's water tower is reflected in standing water Wednesday morning following overnight and early-morning moisture the turned hump day into a damp one. A slushy mix of precipitation made for a slightly white landscape as people began their days and wind speeds are expected to increase this afternoon, making it feel anything like spring.

The city of Freeman is one step closer toward formally approving its Main Street project.

The Freeman City Council will meet again in special session Tuesday, March 29 to learn about its options for issuing municipal bonds for the proposed Main Street project, and possibly award the bid. Both Todd Meierhenry of Meierhenry Sargent LLP and Freeman city attorney Mike Fink are scheduled to be at the meeting. 

The Courier is making this available to members and non-members alike. If you appreciate this kind of coverage please consider signing up to receive the award-winning weekly.   This Saturday, March 26, marks the first day of the Freeman Academy Auxiliary-sponsored Schmeck Stop. The event will be held inside the Sterling Hall auditorium on the Freeman Academy campus from 2 to 7 p.m. The Schmeck Stop will reopen again next Saturday, April 2, with the same format.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER In August of 1918, a German-American farmer in Minnesota named John Meintz was tarred and feathered for not supporting war bond drives. In Whitewater, Kan., an angry mob visited the rural home of Bernhard W. Harder, pastor of the Emmaus Mennonite Church, and nailed an American flag onto the porch of the house. Harder responded by singing “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” and not just the first verse that everybody knows. The pastor sang all four and a subdued mob left.

In the end, the boys ended up cheering for the cheerleaders. The Freeman Academy/Marion cheer team was honored Saturday night, March 19 with the highly coveted Spirit of Six Award for their support of the Bearcats basketball team at the State B Tournament in Aberdeen last week. The team was announced as the winner at halftime of the championship game between De Smet and Lower Brule, eliciting a thrilling celebration in the moments that followed and a gathering in the corner of Wachs Arena that included congratulations from, and photos with, the team.