Freeman Lions Club members Shirley and Delmar Hofer and Alan Ries assemble sandwiches for Soup Day being held at the Freeman Senior Citizens Center today, Friday, April 14. The trio was among a larger group of volunteers preparing to serve the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to ham and cheese and tuna sandwiches, the menu includes chili, noodle soup, hot dogs and chili dogs, as well as pie and a drink — all for a free-will donation that will go toward Freeman Lions Club projects. 

Martin Sieverding goes over a start list at the Menno Relays Thursday morning, April 13. Two dozen varsity teams and 11 middle school teams are taking part in what is, for many, their first track meet of the season. With more teams than usual, the meet is expected to last into the evening.

These four candidates are vying for two spots in today's Menno School Board Election. Registered voters are hitting the polling place located inside the Menno Fire Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jon Schempp is an incumbent and Jackie Vaith, Joel Rempfer and Molly Huber are challengers. Results will be posted when they are tallied and made available later tonight.

For those waiting for that perfect spring day to arrive, the wait is over. Monday, April 10 is producing ideal weather on the backside of an Easter weekend that — while nice — was somewhat marred by wind and overcast skies. Not today. The sun is shining, the winds are calm and highs are expected to reach the low- to mid-70s. While the weather stays warm the next couple of days, winds are expected to increase Tuesday and Wednesday, and there's a chance of moisture heading into the weekend. In other words, enjoy this picture perfect Monday!

Blue sky over Valley View Golf Course late last week and a significant reduction in the amount of snow on the ground suggest a corner has been turned when it comes to the weather. Indeed, weekend highs have been in the 60s and the temperatures are only expected to warm in the days to come.

This photo was taken by legendary Freeman photographer Willard Waltner sometime in the 1960s and shows the campus of Freeman Junior College in the foreground and a strikingly baron landscape beyond. It was taken looking to the southeast, with the South County Road running diagonally across the top of the image.

Some of the 60-plus members of the Freeman Public track team stand on the sidelines cheering on others running for Viborg-Hurley junior Kobee Sherman as part of a "Run for Kobee" fundraiser Thursday afternoon, April 5. It came just weeks after Kobee was diagnosed with bone cancer and was made possible thanks to the support of local residents, businesses and organizations who offered to pledge money based on the number of laps run during a one-hour period — from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

A pair of Canada geese are on the move on the edge of Spitzberger Lake located one mile south of Freeman on the eastern side of Valley View Golf Course.

Maurice Waltner, who began his first four-year term as Hutchinson County Sheriff in January, is pictured in the county police pickup on Tuesday. Waltner was in Freeman for The Courier's 5-Minute Interview, which is published in the April 6 edition. Below is a sampling. To read it in its entirety, check out this week's issue available online to subscribers later today and in print tomorrow. The first three months have been … Exciting. Not overwhelming, but busy. What’s your department’s primary focus?

A group of house finches enjoy a Monday afternoon meal one day before the weather turned less-than-ideal for eating outdoors. Cold, windy and wet weather will mark today and tomorrow before the conditions finally turn to more springlike weather. A beautiful weekend is expected with even warmer temperatures coming next week.