Snow that fell over the weekend mixes with the colors of fall Monday morning, Oct. 26.

Freeman Academy's Jada Koerner and Titus Roesler were all smiles after turning in outstanding showings at the 2020 State Cross-Country Meet in Rapid City on Saturday. Koerner, a sophomore, finished third in the Class B girls race while Roesler, a senior, was fourth to lead the FA/Marion boys to second place in the Class B standings. Snow and cold weather conditions were the reality for runners and spectators, but the lack of wind made it more pleasant than it otherwise would have been.

Menno’s Morgan Edelman gets ready to run in her final cross-country race at state on Saturday. 

Yes, that's a fresh dusting of snow on the facade of Jamboree Foods, Freeman's downtown grocery store, Friday morning, Oct. 23. It can down during the overnight hours, giving residents a white surprise when they woke up. It's not much, at least, and should be gone sooner rather than later; temperatures are expected to climb above zero this afternoon.

These helmets will be on full display as the Canistota/Freeman Pride host Chester Area in Freeman in the first round of the playoffs tonight, Thursday, Oct. 22. Game time is 7 p.m., and it's going to be cold. The winner moves on to the quarterfinal round Thursday, Oct. 29. The Pride are 7-1; the Flyers are 6-2.

Pumpkins, gourds and other October/Halloween decorations can be seen on doorsteps, porches and in front yards as the fall season wears on. 

The area received its first visible reminder that winter is just around the corner thanks to a light dusting of snow Monday, Oct. 19. While it was enough to "decorate" the fall colors, it didn't stick around long. The cold has, though, with highs today in the 40s and overnight lows expected to be around the freezing mark.

The sunny days of the weekend have been replaced by something else entirely — cloudy skies and moisture. Light precipitation was falling in Freeman Monday morning with a 50% chance of more throughout the day and also on Tuesday. It's cold, too; highs aren't expected to exceed the low 50s all week long and on Saturday, when the State Cross Country Meet commences in Rapid City, highs are forecast to be in the 30s — with a chance of precipitation. 

The temperatures have dropped but the sunshine lights up the leaves on this row of trees along College Street.

A group of students from Menno reacts after thinking they won a game during Menno's pep rally Friday afternoon, Oct. 16. It was part of a fun Friday that include a homecoming parade and an evening football game, although it didn't end the way Menno/Marion had hoped. Instead, Irene-Wakonda emerged victorious 30-26 to end the Razorbacks' season and that franchise; 2020 was the final year for the Menno/Marion football cooperative.