Children who attend Growing Dreams Learning Center were out for a morning stroll Wednesday, Aug. 5. Also pictured is caregiver Libby Miller.

Gideon Rembold and Lane McCune ride their bikes through Dead Man's Alley to go fishing at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum on a beautiful Tuesday morning, Aug. 4. This week's weather is conducive to all outdoor activities, with highs comfortably in the 70s and no chance of rain. A warm-up is expected this weekend.

Progress is apparent early this week on the water tower maintenance project underway in the city of Freeman. The blue, led-based paint has been stripped and workers are moving toward the repainting of the structure. This is the third week of the project, which is expected to be wrapped up by the end of this month.

Corn continues to mature as we head further into the growing season and closer to what is expected to be an outstanding harvest.

Members of the Freeman 12u softball team smile for a photo in front of Sam Fransen's home last Thursday evening, July 30. The team dropped off balloons, small gifts and offered support for both Sam and teammate Vaida Ammann, who are quarantined at their homes after being around COVID-19 exposures. The mini-parade was organized by coach Dena Deckert and the 12u girls. 

Jai Walter and Jeff Liebl grill hamburgers at the Lily Pad in Menno on what was a picture perfect Thursday evening, July 30. The burgers were served along with a host of other options at the concessions stand during the District 6B baseball games, all of which are being hosted by Menno. Two games were played on Thursday; in the first, Lesterville hung on to beat Menno 7-5, which was followed by a 14-6 win for Tabor over Irene. Two games remain.

A tent covers the Freeman water tower as workers remove led-based paint from the structure as part of the maintenance project that has been underway since July 13.

Ryan Liebl, manager of the Menno Mad Frogs, prepares the batter's box in-between Tuesday's night's two semifinal games that saw No. 5 Wynot upend No. 1 Tabor 5-1 and No. 3 Crofton take down No. 2 Menno 10-5. It was a late night for folks who took in the second game, which was delayed because of both the length of the first game and lighting in the area. Scheduled to start at 8 p.m., the Menno/Crofton game didn't get underway until after 11 p.m., with the final out coming around 1:45 a.m.

This picture of Irene Gross was part of a "Glamour Shots" photo shoot conducted by social worker Lindsey Unruh at Oakview Terrace last week. Dozens of photos were taken of residents to be sent to their families, with several men and women choosing to have a little fun while they were at it. This and a number of other pictures from the session will be included in the July 30 edition of The Courier. 

Members of the Freeman Blacksox are introduced prior to the start of their District 6B game against Irene Sunday night, July 26 in Menno. The Cardinals eliminated Freeman from play with a convincing 16-3 win and will move on for a chance to play in the state tournament on Thursday. Action picks up again Tuesday night with No. 1 Tabor facing No. 5 Wynot at 6 p.m., followed by No. 2 Menno against No. 3 Crofton. The winners of those games will play for the district title Saturday night. All games are in Menno.