This was the sky southeast of Freeman Tuesday evening and rain and stormy weather moved across the region. But while many areas received much-needed moisture, the Freeman community was teased with only a light, brief shower, exacerbating concerns about dry conditions and what that means for farmers.

In yet another construction project taking place in Freeman this summer, the foundation work has been completed on The Hangar, Freeman Public's new wrestling/mutli-use facility being built east of the elementary gym and west of the bus lane. While work has been idle as of late, it is expected to resume Aug. 8 with the arrival of precast walls that will lead to the rise of the addition. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Progress continued on the Main Street project Monday morning as workers with Reede Construction continued to lay sections of concrete; with the southbound roadway poured, attention is shifting to the northbound side of the street between Third and Railway streets. Sidewalks and the extended curbs still need to be installed, as well.

This photo shows the main home of one of the first settlements in the area that came with the Germans-from-Russia migration that started in 1874. The settlement was built by one of the earliest pioneers, Daniel Unruh, who in 1874 established his homestead on 445 Ave. southeast of what would become the city of Freeman. The home pictured included 15 rooms; the photo was taken in 1904. Pictured are, from left, Susie Richert, John Richert, John D. Unruh, Regina Unruh, Daniel Unruh, Jacob Vogt, John J. Unruh, Adeline Dalke and Marie Dalke.

Owen Feser is greeted by teammates after crossing home base following his solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, which knotted Freeman's amateur baseball showdown with Menno at 1-1. Menno's run in the top of the first also came on a home run — an inside-the-parker by Dylan Lehr. The No. 3 Blacksox ultimately came out on top in a 3-1 game against the No. 6 Mad Frogs to advance to the semifinals of the Region 6 Amateur Baseball Tournament being hosted by Freeman. The Sox will face No. 2 Tabor Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Merchants State Bank Field.

It's another game day at Merchants State Bank Field as the District 6 Amateur Baseball Tournament gets underway. The first game begins at 6 p.m. and features No. 4 Wynot against No. 5 Crofton, which will be followed by No. 3 Freeman facing No. 6 Menno. The winners will play Lesterville and Tabor on Sunday at 5:30 and 7 p.m., with the losers of today's games playing an elimination game next week Thursday, July 28. 

The the baseball field being prepped for another game, players from Scotland/Menno warm up before facing Platte-Geddes in the second round of the S.D. Region 4 American Legion Tournament being played at the Lily Pad in Menno. The Trappers lost 14-4 and will try to come back through the consolation bracket in a must-win game; they face Tabor at 5 p.m. today. Other games scheduled for Thursday include Parkston vs. Alexandria at 3 p.m. and Mt. Vernon/Plankinton/Corsica-Stickney against Platte-Geddes at 7 p.m. The tournament continues Friday and concludes Saturday.

This photo accurately summarizes what the summer in Freeman has been like as a number of construction projects are underway. This road closed sign is a new one and blocks traffic on Cedar Street as the concrete roadway is poured in the Westward View housing development. Work also continues on the Main Street project, The Hangar at Freeman Public Schools, and the Salem Mennonite Home is currently having work done in the ramp area between the two wings.

This is the Hole No. 5 tee box located at Freeman's new Frisbee Golf Course on the south side of the Freeman Prairie Arboretum, which is now open to the public. The nine-hole course is a project spurred by the Freeman Lions Club, with Hole No. 1 located just off the gravel driveway/parking area near the corner of Cedar Street and the South County Road. Game play is free and open to the public starting this week. Look for more on this in the July 21 edition of The Courier.

This is the framework for one of the extended curbs being built as part of the city's Main Street project. These zero-grade extensions are being included at the intersections of Main and Third and Main and Fourth streets and will provide better accessibility and safety for those visiting downtown.