NEWS ROUND-UP: Behrens, Elkins, Theis Headed to State Track and Field Meet

Three Lady Longhorns Headed to State: When the dust settled at this week's Class D-1 District Track Meet at Pawnee City, Dorchester High School found itself with three athletes qualifying for Nebraska's State High School Track and Field Championship Meet in Omaha later this month. Baylor Behrens qualified in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles; Bailey Theis qualified in shot put and discus; and Faith Elkins qualified in the 100 meter hurdles and 100 meter dash. Congrats to these student athletes for their hard work and standout performances. Check out the events schedule for the state track and field championships, which will be May 23-24 for Class D.

Behrens Sets New DHS Record: Congratulations goes to DHS senior Baylor Baylor Behrens for setting a new school record in the girls' 100 meter hurdles. Behrens' time was 16.57, enough to break the former record held by Neileen Filipi.

May 15 Deadline to Register for DHS Alumni Banquet: On Saturday evening, May 24, Dorchester alumni -- young and old and in-between -- will gather to recall the good times and celebrate the school that gave them their start. The 2025 Dorchester Alumni Banquet will be held at the DHS gym. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the banquet will start at 6 p.m. RSVP to Jessica Tuttle by Thursday, May 15, by calling the school at (402) 946-2781. For those who'd like to carry on their conversations beyond the banquet, the Dorchester American Legion has traditionally been open after the banquet. City Slickers and East Side are also options.

Main Street Median Getting Irrigation: Dorchester's famous main street median (actually Washington Ave. median) is getting underground sprinklers. Work has been ongoing for the past week as old curbing is being removed and the underground tubing goes in. This follows last fall's main street resurfacing project.

DPS Has Elementary Teacher Opening: Dorchester Public School currently has a first grade opening for the 2025-2026 school year. Learn more here.

It's Official: DHS Class of 2025 Celebrates Graduation

 

 

The caps, tassles, gowns, and Kleenex were in full effect Saturday, May 10, at the Dorchester High School gymnasium. 

 

That's when graduation ceremonies were held for 13 Longhorn seniors and their friends and families.

 

Here are the members of DHS' Class of 2025 and their post-graduation plans as detailed by DPS social media:

• Baylor Behrens: Baylor is the daughter of Bob and Julie Behrens. After graduating, Baylor plans to attend UNL where she will major in animal science with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.
  
  
• Angelina Cornejo: Angelina is the daughter of Ashley Karst and Isrrael Cornejo. Angelina plans to attend Southeast Community College where she will major in radiology.
  
  
• Isabella Cornejo: Isabella is the daughter of Ashley Karst and Isrrael Cornejo. Isabella will attend Central Community College where she major in occupational therapy.
  
  
• Mackenzie Luzum: Mackenzie is the daughter of Kevin and Carrie Luzum. Mackenzie plans to attend Southeast Community College where she will major in business.
  
  
• Alisson Nunez: Alisson is the daughter of Angela Del Carmen Escobar. Alisson plans to continue learning English so that she can go to college for cosmetology or work as a translator/interpreter. Alisson will also volunteer at the Capital Humane Society.
  
  
• Joey Peacock: Joey is the son of Patrick and Noemi Peacock. Joey plans to attend the UNL where he will major in journalism.
  
  
• AyLynn Schwisow: AyLynn is the daughter of Jacqueline Gooding. AyLynn plans to attend Peru State College where she will major in criminal justice.
  
  
• Ariana Tellez: Ariana is the daughter of Miriam and Edwin Tellez. Ariana plans to attend Southeast Community College where she will major in physical therapy.
  
  
• Julian Tellez: Julian is the son of Angelica and Rene Tellez. Julian plans to attend Southeast Community College where he will work toward an associates degree in welding.
  
  
• Gabby Theis: Gabby is the daughter of Michael and Bethany Theis. Gabby is headed to Central Community College on a basketball scholarship. She plans to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree and then transfer to Oklahoma State to complete a bachelors in sports management and marketing.
  
  
• Owen Vyhnalek: Owen is the son of Steve and Sarah Vyhnalek. Owen will attend Concordia University on a football scholarship where he will major in agricultural science.
  
  
• Atley Zoubek: Atley is the daughter of Brent and Lindsey Zoubek. Atley will be attending the Entourage Institute of Beauty and Esthetics.

Our heartiest of congratulations to the accomplished Longhorns in the Class of 2025. The sky truly is the limit for all of you.

 

NEWS ROUND-UP: Museum Open House This Sunday

Museum Open House This Sunday, May 4: On Sunday, May 4, the Saline County Museum in south Dorchester will host its open house of the newly renovated Chapel Building. According to the Saline County Historical Society's social media, visitors can tour the 13 buildings on the museum campus, then enjoy a free bowl of homemade ice cream. There's no charge to visit the museum, but donations are accepted. Summer hours are 1-4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

Dorchester Track and Field Stars Set Records: In late April, DHS standout Bailey Theis broke the DHS shot put record with a distance of 43' 9". Theis, a junior, smashed the previous longstanding and impressive record of 41' 7" set by Karmen Lawver, who was present to see the feat. See DPS social media. Meanwhile, DPS eighth grader Kaitlyn Bolton recently broke the DPS junior high discus record from 1987 set by Janet Uher. Bolton's 102-feet throw beat the 38-year record by more than two feet. Congrats to these Lady Longhorns!

Community Garage Sales, June 6-7: The Dorchester Community Garage Sales will be June 6 and June 7, according to village officials. Other towns having garage sales during this time will be Friend, Exeter, and Fairmont. Contact the Dorchester Village office if you would like to be put on the list. Maps will be available the week of June 2.

Dump Site Now Open: Now through Aug. 31, the Dorchester dump site is now open. Hours are Mondays and Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m-5 p.m. Branches, leaves, grass clippings, and garden waste are accepted. Recycling is also available at the site.

Acreage For Sale On West Edge Of Dorchester

 

 

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong despite the fact that easy, cheap money -- following years of federal money printing and massive government spending -- are coming to a close. Interest rates will continue to remain relatively high due to the uncontrollable debt unleashed during the COVID-19 years and foreign nations shedding U.S. treasuries.

While homes in large cities and rural properties have become unaffordable for the average buyer, Dorchester looks even more appealing now to most folks. Consider what our community has to offer:

• STREET IMPROVEMENTS: Village leaders have paved more streets in recent months and more street improvements are planned.
  
  
• POTENTIAL FOR MORE BUSINESSES: Due to its strategic location and available commercial buildings, many believe Dorchester will see an increase in more small businesses over the next two to 10 years.
  
  
• 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 and acreage that just hit the market:

1413 County Road 1400: Charming country living on the edge of town! This updated 1.5-story home sits on 3.5 acres and features 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a beautifully remodeled kitchen, wood and carpet flooring, and a brand-new HVAC system. The property offers everything you need for a rural lifestyle — an detached single-car garage, a livestock building, a large shop with a concrete floor, and fenced-in pasture ready for animals. Situated on a blacktop road on the northwest edge of Dorchester, it’s just two blocks from the school — offering both convenience and privacy. Acreage like this doesn’t come around often. Don’t miss your chance to make it yours! View the listing.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester's Fajita Fiesta, April 26

Fajita Fiesta, April 26: Get ready for a fun time in Dorchester on Saturday, April 28. That's when the Dorchester Community Foundation will host its Fajita Feed from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The event will take place at the Dorchester Community Building and Legion Hall. You can count on great food, drinks, and conversation with friends. Dine in or take out by calling (402) 381-7789. This is a free-will donation event, so please give generously.

Workshop This Saturday at Museum: The Saline County Historical Museum will host "Save Your Life, One Story at a Time" workshop on Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Dana Tramba -- an author, teacher, and speaker from Edmond, Oklahoma -- will be the keynote speaker. Cost is $10.

Hydrant Flushing This Week: The village hydrants will be flushed the week of April 21-25 from 7 a.m to 3 p.m. Village staff says chlorine will be added while flushing, so there may be chlorine smell.

Times Turns 18 Years Old: Eighteen 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." Now, 17 years later, the Dorchester blog has gathered an estimated 3.75 million page views. Not bad for a community of 600 residents. Not bad at all.

School Year Wind-Down: For Dorchester High School seniors, the end of the road is in sight. For other students, summer vacation is the light at the end of the tunnel. Here's a look at what remains for the DPS school year:

• May 9 - Last day of school for seniors 
• May 10 - Graduation
• May 21 - Last day of school for pre-schoolers
• May 22 - Last day of school for K-11 (class is out at 11:30 a.m.)
  

News Channel Nebraska Spotlights Axline: In case you missed it, Dorchester's Sharon "Mimi" Axline was recently named recipient of the Above and Beyond Award by the Nebraska State Activities Association. The award celebrates "the incredible individuals who make a difference in Nebraska's schools and communities." News Channel Nebraska covered the news. Read the online story.

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

Looking Back: Community Lessons From 100 Years Ago

Some of the best life lessons are learned from those who came decades -- or centuries -- before us. Their words can remind us of common knowledge that has been lost as modern life becomes more "sophisticated."

The editors of the Dorchester Times recently stumbled across a rare piece of local history: a palm leaf fan given to customers of Citizens State Bank in Dorchester during the 1920s. 

On one side of the fan is a poem titled “Boost Dorchester.” On the reverse, “Fourteen Points of Community Progress” under this headline: Boost Your Town. These pointers drive home the wisdom of doing business in your hometown to help it grow and to help your neighbors prosper.

While a century has passed since this fan was printed and distributed, the wisdom it carries is more relevant than ever. We have reprinted the 14 points below. 

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1. Are you helping our Home Town and Community?
The wealth of our citizens is the capital of our Community. Its prosperity depends upon business. Money deposited in Banks in big cities or invested in other towns, takes capital away to build up other communities at the loss of all in our own Community.

2. Money spent away from home won’t pay our Home laborers, or teachers' salaries, or build school buildings, or provide other Community needs.

3. If a Community is worth living in, it is worth trading in.
Money spent away from home never returns to make the Home Town prosperous.

4. The business men are counted upon to keep the town progressing.
Help them by doing business with them. Our Town can be no better or bigger than its business.

5. It’s the solid worth of Home-spent money and co-operation that will make our Town bigger and better in every way.

6. Our children will not live in a “dead” town.
Home-spent money keeps the town growing and our boys and girls at home.

7. It is the money spent in our Home Town that gives our property greater value and protects it.

8. Our Town depends upon the money spent in it by all the citizens of the Community for its growth and prosperity.

9. Who wants to live in a “dead” town?
The merchants, the Banks and professional men are important in the life of our Town. Do business with them and help keep our Town growing.

10. The rate of our taxation depends on the wealth of our Community.
Increase this wealth and reduce taxation by building up our Home Town and Community.

11. You like to live in a prosperous town.
Prosperity, like charity, begins at home. Every dollar spent out of town is a check against our town’s prosperity. Trade at home.

12. Dollars spent at Home return to the spender.
Dollars spent at Home mean better Government, better protection, better Schools, better Churches and better Service, and better Homes — more and better Business — a better town to live in.

13. Money invested in Blue Sky enterprises in distant towns and cities in unproved undertakings robs our Community
for all time of needed working capital for our Home Town and our Community.

14. Actions speak louder than words.
Let us build in a spirit of neighborly interest — from a genuine desire to co-operate — banishing selfishness, and developing instead a Spirit of Community Brotherhood.

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These words from the 1920s are applicable in 2025. They remind us that Dorchester's future depends on the support, investment, and spirit of those who call it home.

Thanks to all who are leading and supporting efforts to boost Dorchester today. You know who you are.