JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER A Marion freshman will write a new chapter in the Marion/Freeman wrestling book this week.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER The city of Freeman is advertising for bids for its long-awaited Main Street project.

Freeman Academy Auxiliary officials say canceling the traditional Schmeckfest for another year was a difficult decision, but they are happy to be making plans for a “Schmeck Stop” — including a walk-in Country Kitchen market along with homemade sausage sales. The dates have been set for two Saturdays, March 26 and April 2, from 2 to 7 p.m. This alternative to Schmeckfest gives the opportunity to stop by and stock up on Schmeckfest favorites.

Petitions aren’t due until the end of the day Friday, Feb. 25 so the full picture isn’t yet fully clear, but it appears there will be an April 12 election for both Ward 2 in the city of Freeman and for a three-year term on the Menno School Board of Education. According to the city finance office, petitions have been turned in by both Ward 2 incumbent Steve “Charly” Waltner and Terry Waterman, a challenger who lost his bid for mayor to Michael Walter two years ago.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER As a seventh grader a year ago, Riley Tschetter was probably thrilled just to make it to the State Wrestling Tournament in his rookie season wrestling at the varsity level, never mind that he lost both of his matches in the 106 lb. weight division. This year? “I’m just going out there planning on winning,” he said.

The Courier is making this story available for members and non-members alike. If you appreciate this type of community journalism, please consider signing up by clicking here. Paityn Huber picked the right time to find her touch from the outside.

Freeman eighth grader Riley Tschetter will compete in his second State Wrestling Tournament after finishing second in the 132 lb. division of the Region 2B Wrestling Tournament in Freeman Saturday, Feb. 19.

No. 8 Menno will host No. 9 Freeman Academy/Marion in the Region 5B Tournament play-in game Monday, Feb. 21. The game has been moved from the evening to 2 p.m. because of expected incoming winter weather. The winner of Monday's game will travel to top-seed Centerville Tuesday.  In other action on Tuesday, No. 4 Freeman will face No. 5 Scotland at 7:30 p.m. in Centerville. Also, No. 2 Viborg-Hurley will face No. 7 Gayville-Volin and No. 3 Irene-Wakonda will play No. 6 Alcester-Hudson; both of those games are hosted by Viborg-Hurley.

The ward map of Freeman published in the Feb. 17 issue of The Courier had Ward 1 and Ward 2 flipped. The map published here is correct.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEREMY WALTNER On March 5, 2021, with Freeman Academy/Marion facing Viborg-Hurley in the third round of the Region 5B Tournament, Connor Epp dazzled the crowded house inside the Freeman High School gym with the game of his life: 25 points, eight assists, five steals and five rebounds. But that’s not what he remembers.