Freeman Academy Head of School Brad Anderson (right) and 5-6 classroom teacher Amber Bradley (center) work with students Ismi Ali from Washington, D.C. and David Ilunga from The Congo raking leaves in the front yard of a Freeman home. Freeman Academy students and staff are spending the day outdoors for the school's longstanding Community Service Day in which they will clear leaves from about 20 local homes.

Dirt work to bring the Westward View Housing Development to its final elevation has been intensifying in the past week as Knodel Contractors has been on site of the 14-acre project west of the water tower to see it completed before winter. This photo was taken Thursday morning. "This is the highest land in Freeman and it has been built up even more," said Carol Eisenbeis, the city's marketing and development coordinator.

From left: Freeman High School's Cami Fransen, Erin Uecker, Emily Mendel and Zenovia Butler and ready for the return serve in their Tuesday night Region 4B game against Irene-Wakonda. The No. 1 Flyers showed a little rust early but hung on for a 25-19 win in the first set before dominating the No. 8 Eagles the rest of the way, winning the next two sets 25-11, 25-12. Freeman moves on to face No. 4 Scotland Thursday night in Freeman for a spot in what would be their fifth SoDak 16 in as many years.

Rebecca Hofer and daughters Brynlee and Alyssa cross Main Street during the Oct. 31 Halloween scavenger hunt sponsored by the Freeman Community Development Corporation and 22 participating businesses. Families were encouraged to visit the business community and have their "passport" stamped by 12 of the businesses for a chance to win $10 in Freeman Bucks. Dozens were out and about on what was a gorgeous Halloween afternoon and evening.

It's Halloween, and the Freeman Community Development Corporation is partnering with local businesses to commemorate the fun-filled holiday with a "scavenger hunt." Families are encouraged to use this passport to visit participating businesses, where candy is being offered to trick-or-treaters and some businesses are offering specials. Those who visit 12 of the 22 participating businesses between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 will be entered into drawing for Freeman Bucks. This passport was also printed in the Oct. 25 edition the Area Wide Connection.

Freeman Academy senior Seth Balzer, left, and Freeman High School Treyton Waltner are photographed Saturday afternoon, Oct. 29 after receiving their four-year awards at the 70th annual South Dakota All State Chorus and Orchestra festival at the Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. Balzer, who was second-chair tuba, and Waltner, who sang bass, have been representing their schools since their freshman year and were joined by others from their home delegation at the Friday-Saturday event.

These students from Freeman and Menno are taking part on the South Dakota All-State and Orchestra festival in Sioux Falls this weekend. Students gathered on Friday and will rehearse again today in preparation for the evening concert at the Sanford Premier Center. The 7 p.m. performance will air live on South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

With the exception of this approach and several others, the concrete work on Main Street has been completed. This photo is looking south from the North County Road. Curbs and sidewalks are also being poured on the side streets with pavement work expected to begin next week.

The campus of Freeman Academy is pictured on a wet and colorful fall day.

This always-changing display of skeletons outside the Freeman home of Shelly Anderson on Juniper Street offers a chuckle this Halloween season.