The 'Old Bell' Has Been Pride Of DPS Campus Since 1932

The Dorchester Public School's bell monument, now located prominently in front of the school building's main entrance, features the refurbished bell from the 1890 school building. 

How many of you know the story behind the bell?

For those old enough to remember, the old school bell was showcased as part of a 1932 brick monument, just east of the 1927 school building, which was demolished in the summer of 2008. The old bell monument was razed a few years earlier due to its weakened structure and safety concerns.

Thanks to a loyal reader, the Dorchester Times was sent a May 1932 DHS alumni newsletter, which helped us uncover a little more history behind the old monument and the school bell itself.

According to an Dorchester High School Alumni Pep Bulletin article written by W.R. Freidell (DHS Class of 1907), the bell was salvaged from "the wreckage of the old red brick school house" after that building was demolished in 1930. 

That's when the DHS Alumni Association asked DHS graduate Merion Mooberry (Class of 1916), a skilled architect, to design "an appropriate mounting for this bell." (Editor's note: The sketch below is from the May 1932 issue of the Bulletin.)

The original bell monument was unveiled at the fifth-annual DHS alumni banquet May 21, 1932. The "historic landmark and "grandsire of the campus" was presented to alumni by its builder, DHS graduate and contractor Thomas Grey Jr. 

The newsletter reports the bell was mounted in "a lovely designed, final resting place just east of the new high school." 

Following the alumni banquet, toasts were made "around the traditional old bell."

Tickets for the 1932 alumni banquet were reduced to 65 cents a plate, due to "Old Man Oppression" -- or the Great Depression, as we call it today. But attendees still received the "same big three-course dinner," per the orders of Mrs. Panter, chair of the banquet and wife of the town doctor.

Following the monument dedication and banquet dinner, alumni were invited to visit the historian's exhibit entitled, "See Yourselves as Others Saw You on Your Graduation Night Years Ago."

Saline County Museum Is Open For 2024 Season

It's that time of year again. The Saline County Museum will soon be open for the summer season. 

Beginning Sunday, May 5, the museum (located in south Dorchester) will be open every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. 

Best of all, the May 5 event will feature free homemade ice cream.

Admission to the museum and its many buildings is free, although donations are welcome. All individuals and families are encouraged to visit and get in touch with this area's unique and special history. (See several photos of the museum's displays on the museum's social media.)

For those who don't know, the museum's roots can be traced back to the 1950s, when Dorchester's own Rosa Dusanek had a dream of building a Saline County museum to house the history of our area's people. 

Here's how it went down:

In 1957, the Saline County Historical Society was established.  In 1960, the Saline County commissioners gave the society a one-tenth mill levy.

The museum's first building -- the teal colored structure you see from Hwy. 33 -- was built in 1964.

Today there are a dozen buildings, with two being completed in just the last few years.

The recently added Kaspar Memorial Building (white and blue building near Washington Ave.) -- which features antiques automobiles and farm equipment -- and the newer research building (gray and red building near Hwy 33) continue to be filled as we write this article.

The Chapel contains “In Loving Memory” funeral displays, an altar and wedding dresses and suits. A nearby memorial pays tribute to Dorchester's Charlie Havlat, the last American killed in WWII's European Theater.

The Memorial Building has an 1800s bedroom, a 1950s living room, a parlor and an old-fashioned kitchen. There is a textile room, dentist office, doctor’s office and a beauty shop.

The Machinery Building has implements from the past centuries.

The Voting Building is original. This building was only used for voting.

The Buckingham School is a one room country school from 1871. It is a building where present day children can go to school to see how their great grandparents were educated.

The Burden Home belonged to the first black homesteader in Saline County. Seven children were born and raised in this two room home, dated 1868.

The Cizek log cabin, which dates back to 1866, is in the yellow building, along with a large collection of barbed wire and other items.

The Dorchester Depot houses fascinating train and railroad-related memorabilia.

And the Plato Post Office building is a traveling post office, a tiny building that moved from farm to farm.

The Saline County Museum is operated strictly by volunteers. The Saline County Historical Society Board consists of several individuals who meet quarterly. And the museum volunteers say they are working on new displays. 

Dorchester Home For Sale: 306 W 11th Street

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong despite the days of easy, cheap money -- following nearly years of money printing necessitated by massive government spending -- are coming to a close.

Many homes in large cities, as well as most acreages, have become unaffordable for the average buyer. Dorchester looks even more appealing now to most folks in the market for a home. Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A newer K-12 school with smaller class sizes and some of the state's best educators. This means individualized attention for your child.

• A SAFE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system, and a surplus of funding at Village Hall.

• LOWER COSTS: Affordable living costs with lower property taxes compared to surrounding school districts.

• KEY BUSINESSES AND PRIME LOCATION: Headquarters for one of the nation's largest agri-businesses (Farmers Cooperative) and situated on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.

• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to employers in Crete, Milford, Friend, and Seward. Just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 12 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a small, close-knit community.

Here's a Dorchester home that just hit the market:

306 W 11th Street: Built in 1992, this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home is located on a large corner lot. Primary bedroom has 3 closets and primary bath. All appliances included. Informal dining room opens to family room. Laundry room connects to an oversized utility room. This property boasts an attached double garage that is both heated and cooled. A heated shop and a detached single garage, providing ample space for cars, storage and hobbies. Enjoy nights on the covered porch, or in the backyard. Everything you need on one level! $3,000 flooring allowance provided by seller. Open house Sunday, April 14, at 3:00 p.m. See the listing.

Ten Ways To Ruin A Small Town

(Editor's Note: This post was originally published in July 2007.)

Recently, a Times reader sent us a thought-provoking piece that appeared in the Keith County News. Since both attitudes and actions play an important role in community development and prosperity, we thought it would be worthwhile to share this list of "ways to ruin a town" with others. Regardless of where you live, we think the following list serves as a good reminder of what not to do if you want to improve your community.

'Ten Ways to Ruin a Town'

1. Never attend public meetings. Criticize the way “they” do things.

2. Always remind others about the cold winters, hot summers and general tough conditions for those who live here.

3. Complain about community groups, volunteers, etc.

4. Keep convincing yourself that it’s not important to attend town board meetings, school board meetings, school programs, church services, concerts, ballgames, etc. You won’t be missed.

5. Knock your public officials, including teachers and administrators. Talk about the “kickbacks” that the city council and school board must be getting.

6. Stay away from church. You might attend on Easter or Christmas to re-assure yourself that all who attend are hypocrites.

7. Make purchases out of town or through catalogs or internet sites. These firms will give back a lot to your community.

8. Remind others that your local newspaper and other communications are no good and have less local news than out-of-town media.

9. Remember: All kids are delinquents, all businessmen are crooks, and bad remarks about your town are the order of the day.

10. Above all, always be skeptical, cynical, and negative about anything designed for the community’s progress and betterment.

If any of this sounds like something you do, even occasionally, change your behavior. Build your community. You can make a difference. (This list originally appeared in "101 Ideas on Economic Development" by Cal Clark.)

Larry Kaspar Celebration Of Life, April 27

Larry C. Kaspar, age 80, of rural Dorchester, passed away on Thursday, March 28 in Lincoln following a long battle with cancer. He was born on Nov. 19, 1943 in Friend to Bernard and Helen Kaspar. 

Larry was a DHS graduate in the Class of 1961 -- and a standout athlete in his high school years -- as well as a Navy veteran. He was a valued member of the Saline County community, and a dedicated volunteer in several organizations. 

He was especially active with the American Legion and the Saline County Historical Society, even donating funds for the Kaspar Memorial Building, which was established in recent years.

From noon until 4 p.m. on April 27, a Celebration of Life service will be held at the Dorchester Legion. More details and Larry's full obituary can be read here.

Solar Farm Coming To Saline County?

On Tuesday, April 16, at 7:15 p.m. at the county courthouse, the Saline County Planning and Zoning Board will meet to consider approving an application to construct a new solar energy facility near Tobias.

All interested parties are invited to attend this meeting for a chance to be heard regarding this proposed project. Written testimony and phone calls will also be accepted by calling (402) 821-3326 or emailing lweber@salinecountyne.gov.

According to public notice, the new solar generation farm would be on roughly 10 acres, which is about the size of 10 football fields.

The solar facility is being proposed by a company called Today's Power, along with Norris Public Power. It would generate only 992 kilowatts, which would only be enough to power a small handful of homes, according to our research.

This project is among the hundreds or thousands across the country using taxpayer funds to build renewable energy projects, in most cases with materials or finished goods from China. Funds include the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program, a program created through the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, a priority of the Biden administration.

A separate meeting regarding this proposed solar project will be held 9:30 a.m. on April 30, when the Saline County commissioners will take up the plan.

Vil Dweller's Note: The agendas for these upcoming meetings were taken from notices published in The Crete News. The county has not yet posted them on the official county website, which is a shame when considering how much residents are paying in property taxes for local government services. Property taxes are levied locally by local schools and governments, not the state; this is something the current governor of Nebraska and many in the Legislature have yet to grasp.

Dorchester Times Turns 17

 

Seventeen years ago this month, the Dorchester Times made its debut. 

 

Back in April 2007, we wrote: "Welcome to the Dorchester Times. This site is dedicated to our town, Dorchester, Nebraska. While we relish our proud past, we also enjoy the blessings of today and eagerly look forward to the future."

The same holds true today.

Now, 17 years later, the Dorchester blog has gathered an estimated 3.5 million page views.

 

As of April 2024, we are still averaging a whopping 43,932 hits a month, even in the era of social media.

 

Not bad for a community of approximately 600 residents. Not bad at all.

Despite being the most widely read website in Saline County, and one of the most popular blogs in Nebraska, we have rejected offers to advertise on our site. We've always wanted this site to be your site -- and to focus on the people of Dorchester, celebrating its past, and helping to be a part of its future.

To help us keep up on the latest developments in and around town, be sure to email your stories and photos or other relevant material at dorchester.times@gmail.com. (Do not, however, send notices to our Facebook instant messenger account. They likely won't be read.)

Thanks to our readers, contributors, and even our critics (like good ol' Cynical Richard) as we look forward to the next 17 years.

Read on.

Happy Easter From The Times

The staff of the Dorchester Times wishes all our readers and area residents a happy Easter. 

May you and your families enjoy together the blessings and forgiveness bestowed upon each of us and our community.

Take time today to remember the reason for this special day. 

“He is not here; he has risen!” - Luke 24:6

NEWS ROUND-UP: Spring Clean-Up Time In Dorchester

Spring Community Clean-Up, April 6-13: Dorchester Community Spring Clean-up will be from Saturday, April 6 to April 13. For Dorchester residents only, the village dump site will be open that week from Monday through Friday from 1-7 p.m. and Saturday 9-5 p.m. Accepted items: Furniture, televisions, carpet, mattresses, metal, appliances, batteries, wood without nails. (No pallets, wet pain or hazardous waste, or you will be fined. Also no tires or garbage.) The attendant on duty has authority to accept or reject items.

Volunteer Fire and Rescue to Host Brisket Sandwich Meals, April 6: On Saturday, April 6, from  4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department will have brisket sandwich meals to go at the fire station. Drive-thru or pre-order. Free-will offering. Proceeds to support Dorchester Fire and Rescue expenses and equipment. Order by phone at 402-946-4641 or you can text: 402-826-7346.

Hoffman Set to Appear in District Court, April 3: Matthew Hoffman of Dorchester will appear in district court Wednesday, April 3, after a Saline County Court judge ruled earlier this month that the state had met its burden of proof for charges that Hoffman stole more than $22,000 as an employee of Fritz's Bar and Grill in Wilber. Hoffman, who has had legal troubles before, faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

DeWitt Woman Charged After Contraband Found in Inmate's Feces: Straight from the "Ewwww!" files, a 23-year-old DeWitt woman, Aubree Vculek, has been charged for attempting to pass drugs to a Lincoln penitentiary inmate, according to court documents. Vculek passed the narcotics onto the inmate via a kiss; the drugs were later found inside the inmate's feces. Like Johnny Cash, that stash has been everywhere, man.

Dorchester Easter Egg Hunt Is Saturday, March 30

Hey, kids! The Easter Bunny will soon be dropping by Dorchester. 

It's time to train your eyes and practice your egg hunting.  

The Dorchester Easter Egg Hunt will take place 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30. 

And it's going to be a hopping good time. 

Here's where to report (we suggest getting there by at least 1:45 p.m.): 

• Ages 3 and under, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, and first and second graders meet at the football field northwest of the school. 
• Third and fourth graders meet at the practice football field two blocks north of the school.
  

Make sure your children are part of this special holiday tradition in our community.

The hunt is sponsored by the Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

For those kids who want to have fun getting Easter eggs ready for the big hunt, all children are invited to help color the eggs tonight, Friday evening, March 29, at 7 p.m. at the Dorchester Fire Hall. Prepared to get messy (that means don't wear nice clothes).

FLASHBACK: Salute To Miles Nerud, Father Of SFS Baseball

A few years ago, Dorchester High School alum Jack Guggenmos -- a former athletic standout -- wrote on Facebook: "It’s so great to see the legacy of Mike Nerud continue and grow! He is the true father of SFS League baseball. Believe me, he would be so proud. Congrats to the coaches and players on their championship! The tradition continues in Dorchester!"

In October 2007, the Dorchester Times reported the passing of Miles J. Nerud, one of Dorchester's favorite sons and a local baseball hero. Here's what we wrote at the time:

"Miles Nerud, 91, passed away at 12:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007 in Friend. Born April 2, 1916 to John and Anna Nerud, survivors include nieces, nephews and friends, including special friends and neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sehnert.

"Nerud brought organized little league baseball to Dorchester in the 1950s. He served as one of the founding fathers of the Seward-Fillmore-Saline (SFS) League in 1957. Despite some changes from the original town teams, the SFS League remains strong today, half a century later.

"Prior to Nerud's work with Little League ball, he organized the first Dorchester Legion baseball team in the late 1940s.

"According to the Dorchester Centennial history book, Dorchester was known as a baseball town as early as 1905. Miles Nerud played a vital role in securing that reputation. He helped to grow the town's love for the game and produced some of the finest ball players in the region. 

From an early age, Nerud recognized that baseball was more than a game for our area community, but a social network that brought families together regardless of age, ethnicity or social standing. 

 

"Around these parts, he will always be remembered as Mr. Baseball -- by players past and present. And we will be reminded of his contributions whenever we see a game played on Dorchester's Nerud Field, named in his honor."

NEWS ROUND-UP: Nearly 2,000 Visit Dorchester This Weekend

Big Turnout for Dorchester's Annual Spring Activities: The 30th annual DHS Alumni Basketball Tournament, the Dorchester Community Foundation's annual steak feed, the 11th anniversary of City Slickers Bar and Grill, and karaoke at East Side Bar and Grill brought tons of visitors to Dorchester this weekend. At any given time Saturday evening, there were between 100-200 vehicles down town. Based on headcounts and car counts conducted by Times staff, we estimate nearly 2,000 people were either at the school to watch the tournament or to participate in downtown activities. Impressive numbers for the village.

DPS' Ridpath Named Teacher of the Year: Dorchester educator Karma Ridpath has been selected as the 2024 Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year, according to social media reports. Recognized at the March 14 NRCSA conference in Kearney, Ridpath was awarded the honor for playing "a major part in creating an intervention time for K-6 students to receive what they need to improve their reading skills.  She continues to spark discussion for change to benefit our students in the best way possible." 

DHS Quiz Bowl Teams Take Third: Dorchester's junior high and the high school quiz bowl teams recently placed No. 3 at the Crossroads Conference Quiz Bowl held at Meridian Public School. Coached by longtime DHS educator Sandy Severance, the high school team was comprised of Gabby Theis, Bailey Theis, Addison Lehr, Owen Vyhnalek, Andrea Pavlish (Captain), Ashton Jirsa, Amber Kotas, Victoria Leavitt, Madison Theis, and Baylor Behrens. The junior high team was comprised of Lyberty Bartlett, Ella Vyhnalek, Kendall Kasl, Blake Cerny, Max Novak, Troy Dawes, Faith Elkins, Thor Nerud, Trevin Steuk, and Josh Gordon.

East Side Unveils 2024 Polka Lineup: The East Side Bar and Grill has posted its schedule for this year's polka shows. See it here. Things kick off today, March 17, with a fantastic polka show by Kenny Shuda from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dorchester Community Foundation Seeks Intern: The Dorchester Foundation and Nebraska Community Foundation is looking for an intern who would be an employee of NCF, and funded by the Dorchester Foundation Fund. This intern will work primarily with the village and be supervised by Jen Kasl. The intern won’t necessarily work 40 hours a week, and they most likely will help us on research for Dorchester's 150th birthday (about seven years away), the community's 4th of July celebration, among many other things. Jen and the intern will attend a day idea sharing/orientation workshop. For more information, call Dale Hayek at (402) 641-4075 or email dhayek@farmersco-operative.com.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Alumni Tourney Time Is Here

It's Alumni Basketball Tourney Time: It's Dorchester's "big dance" -- the DHS Alumni Basketball Tournament, set for Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16. This year marks the 28th year for the popular event, missing only 2020 (thanks, China virus!) over the past nearly three decades. Watch for participating alumni to be in town on Friday and Saturday with action taking place at the DHS gym.

Annual Steak and Burger Feed Is March 16: On Saturday, March 16, the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund's Annual Steak and Hamburger Feed will be held in conjunction with the Dorchester High School Alumni Basketball Tourney. The feed will take place from 5 p.m. until roughly 9 p.m. Read the Times' full story.

Celebrate City Slickers' 11th Anniversary: Come celebrate the 11th anniversary of the regionally famous City Slickers Bar and Grill in downtown Dorchester on March 16, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Live music will be provided by Cole Younger and the Renegades. Drink specials and giveaways, all coinciding with the equally famous Dorchester Alumni Basketball Tournament.

Hailey Schweitzer Earns Statewide Honor: DHS' Hailey Schweitzer was recently honored by the Nebraska School Activities Association when she was presented the NSAA's "Believers and Achievers" award at the Nebraska Girls State Basketball Championships. The Believers and Achievers award was designed to reward high school students for their excellence in academics and participation in NSAA activities. These winning students are involved in both school and community activities along with a commitment to citizenship.

Know of Students Wanting to Transfer to Dorchester?: If you know of any high school students wanting to transfer from another school district to Dorchester for next school year, they should file by March 15. Option Enrollment applications can be submitted after March 15, but after March 15 permission from the student's home district will be required. If students are accepted after March 15, they would still have to meet a May 1 deadline to be immediately eligible for activities in the fall. For more information, call Dorchester Public School at 402-946-2781.

Roesler Is Dorchester Utility Superintendent: Village of Dorchester employee Trent Roesler has been named the village's utility superintendent by the village board, according to the minutes from last month's board meeting. The board meets again Monday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Farmers Cooperative meeting room for its regular monthly meeting.The meeting is open to the public.

Happy 93rd Birthday, Bob Kasl: Dorchester's Bob Kasl is celebrating his 93rd birthday this weekend. Be sure to tell him happy birthday when you see him.

Looking Back: Russell Freidell Captured Dorchester Images More Than A Century Ago

Every now and again, we come across old photos of the Dorchester area that will take all of our readers back to a time that no one alive today can remember. But we can all imagine what it was like thanks to the imagery.

Today we wanted to share a few such photos taken by Dorchester's early photographer Russell Freidell.

Russell Freidell was the son of William Freidell, the well-known dry goods store owner and retailer who ran his business in Dorchester for more than 50 years. The Freidells resided in a beautiful Victorian home on the corner of Washington Avenue and 10th St. (The home was renovated in the late 1990s and today it looks nothing as it once did.)

The Freidell's dry goods business also managed to survive a 1896 fire that destroyed a portion of Dorchester's business district, when the buildings were mostly wood.

In 1890, William Freidell was a key decision-maker in the construction of the community's first dedicated high school, which cost of $10,000. That same year, Russell was born.

Seventeen years later, Russell was a proud 1907 graduate of Dorchester High School. In addition to his Sunday School service and work with the Masons, he would also go on to become known for his photography.

Russell was drafted during World War I, and he was around Dorchester as late as the 1940s. He lived to age 97 and was buried in Houston, Texas in 1987.

Nearly 117 years after his high school graduation, we're still talking about Russell's photos. 

All of his images are worth a long look, whether it was the 1908 photo that Freidell took of the Big Blue River north of town or images of an area country road -- with no road signs and certainly no wider than the width of a Model T or a horse-drawn carriage. (Click on any photo here for a better view.)

One of our favorite Freidell photos shows Dorchester's Independence Day in 1908 (pictured atop this story). It gives viewers a front row seat at the village's celebrated Fourth of July parade, which continues to this day. The theme of Dorchester's 1908 Fourth of July Parade was "Comic Parade."

Another favorite photograph by Freidell illustrates a clear, crisp view of the 1909 Dorchester baseball team. Back then, games were often played south of town in the space now occupied by the Saline County Museum, or in a cow pasture northwest of town called Grant Horner's pasture. Yet another location was Bankson's pasture, just on the outskirts of Dorchester. Most games were played during free time on Sundays, according to old-timers quoted in the Dorchester Centennial history book.

Freidell's postcards are occasionally available for purchase online and make a fine gift for any Dorchester native or resident who enjoys studying our area's history.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Farmers Co-Op Has Dorchester Jobs

Farmers Co-Op Has Dorchester Jobs: Dorchester's Farmers Cooperative -- one of the largest cooperatives in the nation -- has published several job openings. Seven of them are right here in Dorchester, with positions available for a commercial truck driver; maintenance and millright specialist; custom applicator; and drivers. See the openings here.

Spring Means Baseball and Softball Time: Is your child excited to hit the ball diamond? Baseball and softball forms are available at Dorchester's Village Office.

Community Service Opportunity for Dorchester Youth: If your eighth grade and high school students need community service hours, come and get them at the Dorchester Community Foundation's steak and hamburger feed, set for Sat., March 16, as previously reported at the Times. Help is needed from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Let Mrs. Choyeski know if you would like to volunteer for this community activity.

Annual UWF Soup Luncheon This Sunday: As previously reported by the Times, the annual UWF soup luncheon will be Sunday, March 3 at the Dorchester United Methodist Church with serving starting at 11 a.m. Whether you fancy chili, clam chowder, chicken noodle -- or the Dorchester UMW's famous liver dumpling soup -- you'll be sure to savor every spoonful.  The soup is served with meat, cheese, and relishes, as well as some of Nebraska's very best deserts, including homemade cinnamon rolls. Free-will offering.

City Slickers Turns 11 Years Old: Come celebrate the 11th anniversary of the regionally famous City Slickers Bar and Grill in downtown Dorchester on March 16, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Live music will be provided by Cole Younger and the Renegades. Drink specials and giveaways, all coinciding with the equally famous Dorchester Alumni Basketball Tournament.

Looking Back: Freshman Initiation At DHS

Dorchester High School freshman class, 1946-47 school year.

To any high school freshman who may be reading this, you might think you have it rough right now. After all, you've endured months of new routines, new classes, a faster pace of life, and those mean upperclassmen.  

A freshman's life can be tough.

But here's a reminder that you don't have it so bad, at least compared to the Dorchester High School freshmen who came decades before.

We searched through the old yearbooks in our history vault and found this excerpt written by the DHS Class of 1947.  

Read it with a smile on your face.

DHS Freshman Initiation

When we, the seniors of 1947, were mere freshmen, we were subjected to the trickery and pranks of the seniors of 1943 in the form of Freshman Initiation.  

After preparing us for weeks in advance by telling us weird tales of the fate that awaited us on our initiation, the seniors finally announced the day.  We were instructed to wear all our clothes backwards, our hair uncombed or unbraided. The girls could wear no makeup and the boys were forced to wear makeup, with ribbons in their hair and donning aprons.  

At school, we were expected to salute the seniors and carry their books from class to class. The seniors lined us up in front of the student body and painted green "F's" on our foreheads.

In the evening, the seniors made us do humorous tasks. Some of us had to measure the stage with wieners, while others were forced to drink milk from baby bottles or throw tomatoes at one another.  

At the end of the night, ice cream was served to everyone.

The Class of 1947 got the chance to show their senior power on September 27, 1946. When we initiated the freshmen class, they were ordered to come to school dressed in the fashion of Mother Goose characters. Every hour, they were to bow down and say a prayer suitable to the occasion.  

At noon, the seniors marched the freshmen through main street. In the evening, a final ceremony was held with various stunts played on the freshmen. A watermelon feed followed the activities.

March 16: Dorchester's Steak And Hamburger Feed

Ring in spring with a tasty steak or burger at the Dorchester Community Hall and Legion Hall on Saturday, March 16.  

In the process, you'll be helping Dorchester improve the friendly confines at Nerud Field.

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund's Annual Steak and Hamburger Feed will be held in conjunction with the Dorchester High School Alumni Basketball Tourney, according to social media.

The feed will take place from 5 p.m. until roughly 9 p.m.

For those who don't want to dine in, to-go orders will be available by calling 402-946-2099 or 402-525-5705.

Diners who have been to this event in the past know it's some of the best beef available anywhere -- and in a small-town, friendly environment. 

As noted above, funds raised will help support Nerud Field's new shade structures. 

This event has been one of the most popular in Dorchester for the past decade. And the food always gets top-notch reviews.

 

In previous years, the event has raised as much as $2,500 after expenses -- helping support many worthwhile initiatives, including the "Welcome to Dorchester" signs, the directory at the Dorchester Cemetery, and the water park.

Come out and support Dorchester March 16.

OUR OPINION: Communities Quit Working When Their People Do

A community is like any other organization; it stops working when its people do.

Nowadays, so many people want to change the world, but most never stop and think how they can improve life for those people in their own neighborhood.

Psychologists tell us that there are really just a handful of characteristics needed to build better relationships. Most important are:

• Loyalty;
• A common purpose;
• A serving heart; 
• Open communication; and
• Patience.

Oddly enough, these are the same ingredients to build and maintain a strong community. 

When is the last time you've asked yourself, "What have I done to help Dorchester? What more can I do tomorrow to improve Dorchester?" 

The best part of a small town is that one person really can make a difference.

On three different occasions this week, Times staff members heard from out-of-town visitors how much they liked our small town.  One visitor from Hastings said, "You really have something special here." 

It's easy to take for granted the involved, peaceful, and safe community we have. After all, life moves a little more slowly in a small town. We assume all the good aspects to Dorchester will always be there. 

But that brand of apathy hurts communities. The smaller they are, the more apathy negatively impacts the town.

The fact is, our area businesses, organizations and schools (and school activities) suffer when people quit participating, quit supporting one another, and quit caring. 

We wanted to use this space and recognize the following folks who really stand out right for their hard work and efforts to help Dorchester grow and thrive:

• Dorchester's businesses: Dorchester's business owners have been investing in our community, making it better day by day. Everyone in town, especially elected leaders, should be asking how they can help ensure the success of those businesses.
  
  
• Dorchester's school administrators and faculty: It's great to see Dorchester school administrators and educators working together to teach our next generation, while serving as strong role models in the community. Dorchester is blessed to have a strong K-12 district that continues to improve and to address deficiencies when they arise.
  
  
• The coaches of Dorchester sports: It's easy to coach when throngs of kids go out; it's more challenging when you have to work hard with the players you're given. From DHS wresting, to both basketball teams, to football and volleyball, to younger kids' basketball, to little league baseball, you're doing great work and it's noticed.
  
  
• The Dorchester United Methodist Church: In many ways, the church remains the fabric of the community. We appreciate the community events they hold and their consistent out reach to members and non-members alike.
  
  
• Dorchester Volunteer Fire Dept. and Rescue: This group is the most under-appreciated group in town. If we could give them tax breaks as a way to say thank you, we would.
  
  
• All those involved in Dorchester's volunteer groups: From the Community Foundation to the Legion to the elementary parents group, you all don't get the credit you deserve for keeping Dorchester moving forward.
  
  
• All property owners who've made improvements to their homes and yards, large or small: Your efforts are improving Dorchester's quality of life.
  
  
• Those young Dorchester residents who've stayed in Dorchester or returned to make Dorchester an even stronger community: Our future depends on you.

As we said above, communities quit working when their members do. Please use the comments section below and nominate anyone you think deserves to be recognized for their hard work to improve our community.

Ban on New Water Wells, Expanded Irrigation Goes Permanent

Recent tests conducted by the Lower Big Blue Natural Resource District -- the NRD that contains nearly all of Saline County -- found that groundwater levels remain at record lows. 

Last fall, the NRD measured the static water level of 172 irrigation and dedicated monitoring wells all across the district. The results were eye-opening.

From spring 2023 through late autumn 2023, groundwater levels in Saline County wells had declined an average 4.32 feet. This followed the results of 2022, when Saline County wells recorded their lowest levels since the NRD started measuring groundwater.

Results were even more dire in surrounding counties. 

From spring 2023 to fall 2023, levels in Gage Country plummeted nearly 6 feet. In Jefferson County, levels fell nearly 6.5 feet. 

The staggering drop in groundwater levels is due to irrigation and drought. As a result, the NRD has imposed a permanent moratorium (or stay) on the construction of new wells and increase in irrigated acres in the district.

See the NRD's groundwater monitoring page. 

For Dorchester-specific information, the NRD, in cooperation with UNL School of Natural Resources Conservation and Survey Division, has outfitted a dedicated monitoring well in with a real-time data logger. 

Dorchester's water level information is available online. 

At last check, Dorchester's water level is significantly below its traditional levels, as this graphic illustrates.

Home For Sale: 1109 N Washington

 

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong despite the days of easy, cheap money -- following nearly years of money printing necessitated by massive government spending -- are coming to a close. 

Many homes in large cities, as well as most acreages, have become unaffordable for the average buyer. Dorchester looks even more appealing now to most folks in the market for a home.

Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A newer K-12 school with smaller class sizes and some of the state's best educators. This means individualized attention for your child.

• A SAFE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system, and a surplus of funding at Village Hall.

• LOWER COSTS: Affordable living costs with lower property taxes compared to surrounding school districts.

• KEY BUSINESSES AND PRIME LOCATION: Headquarters for one of the nation's largest agri-businesses (Farmers Cooperative) and situated on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.

• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to employers in Crete, Milford, Friend, and Seward. Just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 12 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a small, close-knit community.

Here's a Dorchester home that just hit the market:

1109 N Washington Ave.: At $217,000, this is an affordable four-bedroom home. Take a look at the sq. ft. in this lovely home. Has over 1,500 on each level, so it gives you over 3,000 sq. ft. of finished living space. This could be used as a fifth bedroom and the main level has two of those bedrooms, along with a huge open living room, dining room and kitchen areas and main floor laundry. All of this is located on over a half acre on the north end of Dorchester, just minutes from Lincoln. See the listing.

Looking Back: The Oil Wells Of Dorchester

Can you imagine oil prospectors drilling in Saline County?

It has happened before.

As petroleum power became a reality early last century, there was active exploration for oil in the Dorchester area. 

Pictured at the right is an oil well drilled just outside Dorchester in August of 1925. The well proved unsuccessful and was discontinued in 1927. But the search for an oil field continued for several years, including a 3,500-foot prospect well on the William Mumma farm in 1933.

You may be asking: Nebraska an oil state? According to the Nebraska State Historical Society, the first publicized report of oil in Nebraska was an 1883 newspaper account of a "vein of petroleum" discovered in Richardson County. Over the next 57 years, the search for oil consumed thousands of dollars, and hundreds of wells were drilled throughout Nebraska. Traces of oil were reported at various locations across the state, but Nebraska did not have a producing well until 1940.

In 1940, the Pawnee Royalty Company reported that one of their wells began producing and averaged 169 barrels daily for the first 60 days. The well easily qualified for a $15,000 bonus offered by the Nebraska Legislature for the first oil well in the state to produce at least 50 barrels daily for 60 consecutive days. Interestingly, the well was located about five miles east of the "vein of petroleum" reported in 1883.

Nebraska's crude oil production peaked in 1963. So it's clear that with high oil prices, our state offers oil resources if the Biden administration stays out of producers' way. 

 

Here are the Nebraska counties where most production occurs today. Nebraska's oil production is now largely centered in the southwestern panhandle, although a sustained resurgence in oil prices would certainly rekindle interest in continuing oil production in other areas of the state, if it exists.

We are interested in what our readers know regarding Nebraska's oil production history and capacity.