Tonight's Scary Movie: The Brain That Wouldn't Die

Every Halloween week, the Times airs scary classic movies or shows. It has become a tradition.

Tonight's movie is called "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" -- a 1962 horror film. This film was completed in 1959 under the working title "The Black Door," but was not theatrically released until May 1962 due to copyright issues.

The film focuses upon a mad doctor who develops a means to keep human body parts alive. He keeps his fiancée's severed head alive for days, and also keeps a lumbering, malformed brute (one of his earlier failed experiments) imprisoned in a closet.

Enjoy tonight's Halloween movie. But be sure to leave on an extra light.

Tonight's Scary Movie: Plan 9 From Outer Space

Every Halloween week, the Times airs classic horror shows. It has become a tradition.

Tonight's movie is called "Plan 9 From Outer Space" -- a 1957 science-fiction horror film. The epitome of so-bad-it's-good cinema, Plan 9 is an unintentionally hilarious "thriller" from anti-genius Ed Wood that is justly celebrated for its staggering ineptitude.

The film was shot in November 1956 and had a theatrical preview screening on March 15, 1957 at the Carlton Theatre in Los Angeles (the onscreen title at this time read "Grave Robbers from Outer Space"). It later went into general release on July 22, 1959 in Texas and several other southern states re-titled "Plan 9 from Outer Space."

The film's storyline concerns extraterrestrials who seek to stop humanity from creating a doomsday weapon that could destroy the universe. The aliens implement "Plan 9", a scheme to resurrect the Earth's dead, referred to as "ghouls." By causing chaos, the aliens hope the crisis will force humanity to listen to them; otherwise the aliens will destroy mankind with armies of the undead.

Enjoy tonight's Halloween movie. But be sure to leave on an extra light.

Tonight's Scary Movie: The Blob

Every Halloween week, the Times has airs scary classic shows. It has become a tradition.

Tonight's movie is called "The Blob" -- a 1958 horror film starring Steve McQueen (in his feature film debut). 

The movie was originally distributed as a double feature with "I Married a Monster from Outer Space."

"The Blob" is about a growing, corrosive, alien entity that crashes to Earth from outer space inside a meteorite. It envelops everything in its path in small towns in Pennsylvania -- growing larger, redder, and more aggressive, eventually becoming larger than a building.

Enjoy tonight's Halloween movie. But be sure to leave on an extra light.

Tonight's Scary Movie: 'Dark Night Of The Scarecrow'

Every Halloween week, the Dorchester Times airs scary classic shows. It has become a tradition.

Tonight's program is called "Dark Night of the Scarecrow" -- one of the most frightening made-for-TV shows ever produced. Watch the movie here.

"Dark Night of the Scarecrow" is a 1981 film. In a small Southern town, Charles Eliot "Bubba" Ritter -- a large but gentle, mentally challenged man -- befriends young Marylee Williams. Some of the townspeople are upset by the closeness between Marylee and Bubba, and the mean-spirited postman Otis Hazelrigg is the worst. 

When Marylee is mauled by a vicious dog and lies unconscious at a doctor's office, Otis promptly assumes that Bubba has murdered her even though Bubba saved her life. Otis and three friends – gas station attendant Skeeter Norris and farmer-cousins Philby and Harliss Hocker – form a lynch mob. 

Bubba's mother disguises him as a scarecrow and posts him in a nearby field to wait for the drama to cool down. The bloodhounds sniff Bubba out, and all four vigilantes empty multiple rounds from their guns, killing him. Afterwards, they discover that Marylee is, in fact alive, thanks to Bubba, whom they have just murdered. 

Acting fast, Otis places a pitchfork in Bubba's lifeless hands to make it appear as if he were attacking them with a weapon. The vigilantes are subsequently released because of lack of evidence against them (and blatant perjury by Otis) when the murder is brought to court.

And that's when the real horror begins.

Enjoy tonight's Halloween movie.  

But be sure to leave on an extra light. 

Nov. 9: Dorchester Foundation's Windsor Loin, Hamburger Feed

It's a highlight of Dorchester's end-of-harvest season.

The Dorchester Community Foundation will host its Windsor loin and hamburger feed Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Dorchester American Legion Hall and Community Building. The feed will take place from 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Most will choose to dine in, but take-out will be available by calling (402) 641-7050 or (402) 641-4322.

Those who have been to the Foundation feeds in the past know it's some of the best small-town food available anywhere. Best of all, it's served in a friendly environment.

Diners can choose a healthy-sized Windsor loin or a hamburger/cheeseburger. Sides include scalloped potatoes, pork and beans, coleslaw, and dessert.

This is a free-will offering, so give what you can. Proceeds will go to improvement projects in Dorchester.

Come out, get a great meal, meet up with friends, and support Dorchester.

Dorchester's Spookiest Places

Halloween is fast approaching.

Back in 2007, the Times started publishing reports on the Dorchester area's haunted places. Here's an update on the latest reports regarding our area's spooky spots.

Gilbert's Graveyard: The most famous of Dorchester's "haunted places," Gilbert's Cemetery -- the final resting place of the family of John W. Gilbert -- continues to draw attention from inside and outside Saline County. (There's even this video of some brave souls who went into the graveyard at night for electronic readings.) Click here to see some of the stories left about Gilbert's Cemetery on a site called "Haunted Places."  Another report on the pioneer cemetery came from a website called  "Hauntings" (no longer active), which featured a "pre-haunt interview with the locals" in Dorchester. The site recounts some of the history behind Gilbert's Graveyard and its namesake, using historical accounts published by this blog and the 1981 Dorchester Centennial book. As Hauntings reported, "a number of strange events have been reported here. Among them, strange noises and the movement of tombstones. ... Sadly, this location has been host to vandalism and disrespect for some of the area's earliest pioneers. If you plan to visit this location, think on how you would want your remains and the stone markers of your final resting place treated."

The website also featured firsthand accounts from those who have visited the cemetery. One visitor named Chris wrote the following: 

"The first trip we had made (to Gilbert's Graveyard) I ended up in tears; just the feeling of being there was enough to make you sick. We started to drive through the graveyard, and someone pointed at a tree that was knocked down over a grave, and when I looked over there I saw a black fog coming up from the grave, we decided to leave. As we left the graveyard, we looked over to the graveyard and about nine-plus flashing lights came up from the graveyard and seemed to follow us. I was the driver and I looked in my rear view mirror to be horrified to see a older lady staring at me in the mirror, then scream and then I began to cry uncontrollably. I stepped on that gas and swore I would never return. But consequently we did, and the second time it was more calmer then the first, not much happened except for hearing footsteps in the distant, and the feeling of you being followed closely."

Former 'Squeaky Bridge': According to GhostsOfAmerica.com, the site of the former ''squeaky bridge'' over Turkey Creek, south of Dorchester, is "extremely haunted" (County Rd. 1500 between county roads G and H). "According to legend several men were hanged on the bridge, which was closed and removed in or around 1994. However the ghosts still appear on a routine basis at night. They are transparent figures hanging by a noose right where the bridge once stood. Some have said the hanged men will occasionally look up and stare at observers."

Specter of Highway 33: For years, we've heard reports of a "man" who supposedly walks on Highway 33 as you near the west edge of Crete. People have reported seeing him on the road, or just off to the side, and swerve to miss him.  When they look back, he is gone. The Times has investigated the story further. Some say the apparition is that of a Dorchester lad who died decades ago in a very bad accident a mile west of Crete. Others say it is the ghost of an Oregon Trail pioneer who lost his way and died on the journey.  

Second Floor Above the Village Office:  According to GhostsOfAmerica.com, "there have been many reports of figures or shapes moving around in the second floor of the village office building" on main street Dorchester. The website claims to have a picture of the ghostly figure taken with a cell phone in 2009.

Dorchester School Boiler Room: We can confirm that the boiler room of the 1927 Dorchester School building is no longer haunted, if it ever was. The old school building was torn down in 2008 to make room for the current DPS campus. But when it existed, there were reports that in the late 1920s a child "locked himself in the boiler room and died." According to the old stories, school janitors in the modern era sometimes heard yells coming from the boiler room during the night -- and "when they went down into the boiler room, they didn't find anyone." So convincing were the reports that the Lincoln Journal Star in 2006 wrote a story on the the old boiler room.  The story quotes former school secretary Joyce Karl and former custodians Ron Sehnert and Sharri Kasl, who said: "I never go down there in the mornings if I’m ever here by myself." Another publication ranked the Dorchester boiler room the second-most haunted site in Nebraska.

Doane College Library: Doane College's old library seems to be haunted by a woman in a white dress, according to some reports. On a full moon, she will appear in front of one of the windows. She has been reported to roam about the basement as well.

Rural Workforce Housing Funds Available

For years, this blog has highlighted the need of more housing options for Dorchester. 

Without viable housing -- including efforts to rehab existing homes -- small, rural communities fade away, as do their quality of life. 

We were encouraged a few years ago to learn that a non-profit group called Renew Dorchester was being formed to focus in part on housing projects, but we are unsure what became of the organization.

Now the Nebraska Department of Economic Development is currently accepting applications for funding under its 2024 Rural Workforce Housing Fund Program. (Here's an example of how the program is working in Imperial.)

To be eligible, non-profit entities -- which must be housing-related non-profits -- can submit a letter of intent by 6 p.m. Nov. 21. Full applications are due by 6 p.m. Jan. 15, 2025.

The RWHF program was established in 2017. The Nebraska Legislature allocated $12.5 million for a fourth program year in 2024. Eligible applicants are Nebraska-based 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) non-profit housing or related service organizations. More details are available here. A copy of the guidelines can be requested by calling (402) 580-0713 or emailing nick.dropinski@nebraska.gov.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Wrapping Up Fall Sports; Tragedy For Former Dorchester Family

 

 

DHS Volleyball Wraps Up Regular Season: The Crossroads Conference Volleyball Tournament in York begins today (Saturday, Oct. 19), with the Lady Longhorns earning the CRC's third-seed slot. The Lady Longhorns (16-9) will play their first game at 5:30 p.m. this evening at the York Auditorium. Should DHS win, the team will advance to Monday's 6 p.m. contest. The tourney wraps up on Tuesday night, Oct. 22.

Dorchester Football Prepares for Season's Finale: The DHS football team will play their final contest of 2024 at Meridian on Friday, Oct. 25. The Longhorns (1-6) have struggled to keep games close this season, dropping their last three contests by a combined score of 163-27.  

Dorchester Junior High Wins Quiz Bowl: Dorchester took home the gold this past week when its "A Team" won the junior high quiz bowl in Osceola today. The DPS team captured the top prize by beating 19 other teams. Congrats to these top scholars.

Donna's Hair Creations to Be Temporarily Closed: Local barber and hair stylist Donna Parks is reportedly having surgery Nov. 19, according to her social media posts. Due to a six to eight week recovery period, Donna's Hair Creations will be closed likely until the Christmas period. Donna says she "will maintain my workload until the day of the surgery, potentially with increased intensity. To ensure continuity, please schedule appointments in advance by calling (402) 641-1734; I will be available, including on days off."

Blood Drive Is October 30: Dorchester Public School is asking area residents to participate in a blood drive set for Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter "Dorchester" to schedule an appointment.

DHS Alum Honored: Rachael (Rezabek) Biar, a 1990 graduate of DHS, was honored to receive the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) Public Finance Employee of the Year award recently. Biar was recognized for her 30 years of public service and for helping all families achieve their education goals with 529 savings plans.

Former DPS Student Passes: Max Real Cisneros, 14, a former student of Dorchester, passed away following an automobile accident on Oct. 18. Max was a freshman at Friend-Exeter-Milligan High School. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crete. Visitation with the family present will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter. See the full obituary.

Desert-Like Conditions Fuel Fires Across Nebraska

 

Drought persists across Nebraska, including Saline County. In fact, several weeks have passed since the last measurable rainfall.

September was the driest September in Nebraska in 132 years, experts say.

Meanwhile, windy and dry conditions are fueling field fires, brush fires, and wild fires. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for several counties. 

It was just a matter of time before the Dorchester area experienced one of these dangerous fires.

A major field fire occurred Friday roughly three miles southeast of Dorchester Friday, prompting emergency action by area farmers and volunteer firefighters.

The fire may have started from a ditch after a careless flick of a cigarette, according to reports. Regardless of the origin of the fire, it took nearly 20 tractors and discs working up roughly 80 acres of field to stop the blaze from advancing.

No significant property damage was reported.

According to the forecast, a reasonable chance of precipitation is expected Monday, although rain totals are expected to be small. The next chance of rain won't arrive until October 30.

The models used by the Dorchester Times show a wetter November, fortunately.

And experts say La Niña is expected to dominate in the winter months. This could mean more precipitation than normal in parts of the U.S., including southeast Nebraska.

First Killing Frost Comes Over Next 48 Hours

Brrrrrr.

The first killing frost arrives over the next 48 hours, right around the average timeline for our neck of the woods.

According to AccuWeather, temps are expected to dip to 28 degrees overnight into Tuesday morning. 

Meanwhile, a freeze watch is in effect for parts of central and eastern Nebraska late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Low temperatures could fall to the mid 20s.

Keep this in mind: These freezing temps are the coldest we will see over the next 10 days. 

In fact, freezing temperatures aren't expected to reappear in the Dorchester area until mid-November, according to forecasts.

As a point of reference, the average first frost date for our area is Oct. 12.

Developing...

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester's Autumn Street Paving Projects

Dorchester's Autumn Street Paving Projects: Dorchester continues to add more concrete streets, as crews work to pave sections of Franklin Ave. and 8th Street that border the city park. Approved the the village board, the project will ensure paved streets surround the park, with the exception of the alley to the east. Meanwhile, Dorchester's main street, Washington Ave., is being resurfaced for the first time in more than 30 years. According to our records, the street was last resurfaced in the fall of 1991, or 33 years ago. In recent years, the street had become quite rough due to holes and cracks in the surface, especially as more semi-truck and trailer traffic utilizes the roadway.

Community Fall Clean-Up Begins Saturday: Dorchester's Community Fall Clean-Up will be from Saturday, Oct. 12 through Monday, Oct. 19. The dump site will be open Monday thru Friday 3-7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

DHS Football Scores First Victory of 2024: The Dorchester football team picked up its first win of the 2024 campaign on Sept. 27, beating Harvard 58-12. The Longhorns, now 1-4, on the season, will take on Diller-Odell (4-1) this Friday, Oct. 11, in a contest at Nerud Field.

DHS Volleyball Team Hits Rough Patch: This blog may have jinxed the DHS volleyball team when we wrote on Sept. 24 that the Orange and Black Attack deserved to be in the Class D-2 top ten. Since defeating No. 8 Osceola, Dorchester has dropped five of its last nine contests. The Lady Longhorns now stand at 14-7 on the season. Next up for DHS is Cross County (13-11) in a Thursday road game (Oct. 10) and a home contest against Lincoln Parkview Christian ( 0-18) on Monday, Oct. 14.     

Missing Lincoln Woman Found in Dorchester: A woman who went missing from her home in southwest Lincoln was found in Dorchester, according to media reports. Charlotte Starkey, 75, had been missing since Sunday, according to the Lincoln Police Department. Police said her husband returned to their house near 16th and Burnham streets at about 2:30 p.m. and couldn’t find her. Around 6 a.m. Tuesday, LPD said Starkey was found “safe, healthy, and in good spirits.”

EPA Offers Recreation Grants: The U.S. EPA's Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program is accepting applications through Oct. 16. The program provides planning assistance to small towns and rural communities to help them boost their outdoor recreation economy and revitalize their main streets. Past projects have included promoting outdoor-oriented businesses and supporting economic growth and amenities in downtowns. Learn more.

Looking Back: Dorchester's Elmwood Pony Farm (And Rodeo)

Today we look back at one of the most intriguing pieces of Dorchester's past: the Thompson Elmwood Pony Farm. (Click on the accompanying pictures for a closer look.)

Owned and operated by Colonel W.J. Thompson, the Elmwood Pony Farm was located in the northeast corner of Dorchester. The farm sat on present day 10th Street, between Lincoln and Fulton Avenues -- home of the present-day "The Well" spa and health business.

Dating back to the 1890s, the Elmwood Pony Farm was one of the largest pony farms west of the Mississippi River. By the 1920s, the pony farm had become home to more than 300 ponies.  

Thompson's pony farm was a popular destination for children from miles around, according to accounts of longtime residents. Children who lived in the country were even permitted to take home a pony and ride it all summer, if they agreed to keep it fed well.

Each September, Colonel Thompson took as many as 35 Shetland ponies to the Nebraska State Fair for rides. He entered many more of the animals in the fair's show contests. All of the ponies were herded overland from Dorchester to Lincoln by Thompson farm employees.

In 1930, Colonel Thompson's son, Wallace, started the Thompson Rodeo. It was usually a three-day event held each fall, complete with fighting broncos, cowboys, clowns, trick riders, cowgirls, bull dodgers, concessions, rides, dancing and "whoopee." 

Dorchester's Thomspon rodeo attracted many top riders from around the country, as well as local talent.  An Oklahoma rider even came within 0.7 seconds of the world's record in calf roping at the Dorchester Rodeo.

At one time, more than 7,000 spectators were reported in attendance at the Dorchester Rodeo. 

Many people had high hopes that Dorchester would become a permanent rodeo on the famous circuit that included Cheyenne Frontier Days, as well as the Burwell and Sidney rodeos. 

But by 1940, the rodeo hit a spell of heavy rain and events were cancelled.

Then came World War II, and in 1942 the Thompson Rodeo closed its doors permanently, becoming another chapter in the history book of our community.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Volleyball Makes Case For Top-10 Ranking

 

DHS Volleyball Sweeps No. 8 Osceola: Dorchester's Class D-2 volleyball team convincingly beat Class D-2's No. 8 Osceola Lady Bulldogs in three straight sets Tuesday night. In a contest held at the Dorchester gym, the Orange and Black Attack looked sharp, dominating Osceola (10-2) most of the contest. The DHS ladies are now 10-2 on the year and have adequately made the case that they should be ranked in Class D-2's top 10. Next up for the Lady Longhorns are High Plains Community (7-4) and Shelby/Rising City (4-7) in a Thursday triangular at High Plains. On Saturday, Sept. 28, DHS will travel to Waco to take on Omaha Christian Academy (6-4) and Nebraska Lutheran (6-6) in another triangular.

Shirley Kasl Turns 90: Shirley Kasl of Dorchester will celebrates her 90th birthday this week. She was born Sept. 25, 1934, in Wilber. Her family members include her son and daughter-in-law, George and Jen Kasl of Dorchester; four granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters. To help Shirley celebrate, cards may be sent to 1375 County Road I, Dorchester, NE 68343.

Farmers Cooperative to Build Major Facility Near Pawnee City: Farmers Cooperative has unveiled plans to build a grain shuttle loading facility near Pawnee City in southeast Nebraska. "The facility will feature a storage capacity of approximately 3.7 million bushels and will include a 110-car shuttle shipper on the BNSF railroad,” said Dale Hayek, senior vice president of grain at Farmers Cooperative. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and the facility should be operational by the fall of 2026.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Volleyball Off To 9-2 Start

 

(Photo credit: Sharon Axline)

Longhorn Volleyball Starts Strong: The Orange and Black Attack, also known as the Dorchester High School volleyball team, is taking Class D-2 by storm. The Lady Longhorns have stormed out of the gate, winning nine of the first 11 games in the 2024 campaign. On Tuesday night, Sept. 17, DHS beat both Nebraska Lutheran and Cedar Bluffs at the Dorchester Invitational, improving to 9-2 on the young season. Dorchester's only two losses so far have been to Weeping Water and Falls City Sacred Heart. Next up for DHS is Osceola (5-0) next Tuesday, Sept. 24, in a contest at home.

DHS Football Off to Tough Start: The Dorchester football team is off to an 0-3 start on the season. The Longhorns dropped their latest contest on Sept. 14 to Grand Island's Heartland Lutheran by a count of 42-28. (Check out these great action shots of the contest.) This week, Dorchester is off. Next up for DHS is Harvard (0-3) on Sept. 27 in a contest at beautiful Nerud Field.

Homecoming Week is Next Week: Sept. 23-27 is homecoming week at Dorchester Public Schools. See the spirit week themes. The homecoming bonfire and pep rally will be Wednesday evening, Sept. 25.

Worship Service in the Park This Sunday: This Sunday, Sept. 22, the Dorchester United Methodist Church will hold services in the Dorchester City Park at 9:30 a.m. Dorchester UMC is inviting the entire village to this community worship service. Come and meet the new Pastor, Cameron Miller, and stay for a free lunch after the service. All are welcome to attend.

Community Fall Clean-Up is Mid-October: Dorchester's Community Fall Clean-Up will be from Saturday, Oct. 12 through Monday, Oct. 19. The dump site will be open Monday thru Friday 3-7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Looking Back: Dorchester's Main Street -- South Side

The photo at the right shows Dorchester's bustling main street (Washington Avenue) as it appeared in the 1920s.

The image is from a 1929 postcard.

The photo shows the South Side Garage, located on the west side of the block that sits between Dorchester's 6th and 7th Streets (next to the modern-day car wash).

Henry Sehnert owned and operated the South Side Garage from 1925 to 1930, before moving north to the other side of the street, where he would operate his Ford garage for half a century. 

The South Side Garage was located near the present-day car wash.

Also housed in this building, in later years, was: Floyd Beck's John Deere dealership; the Dorchester skating rink; and Bob Wanek's furniture storage warehouse.

Today's Village Hall can clearly be seen in the photo, looking north.

At the time the picture was taken, the corner building actually housed Citizen's State Bank -- Dorchester oldest continuous business, despite the name change.

Also pictured is the U.S. Post Office, as well as the Masonic and Good Fellows Hall, which occupied the second floor of today's Village Hall building.

Prior to the 1920s (see photos on the left side), the south side of main street was home to Skinkle Cafe and the H. Oetkin Machine Shop, according to a 1914-1920 map of Dorchester. 

Just north of the machine shop were Ireland's Dry Goods and Grocery and Randell's Shoe Shop. 

Continuing north up main street -- separated by the narrow alley and present-day bank drive-through -- were the Bank of Dorchester and Dr. Waller's Drug Store.  

In later years, these buildings would house businesses such as the Dorchester opera house, a second fire department station, Dick's Auto Body and Repair, and Max Harling's "Brand X" tractor repair.

On the east side of the street on the same block -- circa the 1920s -- sat the Commercial Hotel; Cookus Blacksmith; Parker's Cream and Poultry; the Chamber of Commerce; City Hall; Dillon's Blue Front Cafe; and Malek's Butcher Shop.

Dorchester's main street was a hub of business activity and free enterprise.

We are certain that Times' readers would enjoy hearing feedback (in the comments section below) from residents -- past or present -- who have stories from friends or family about Dorchester's early days.  

Homes For Sale on Main Street

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong. This despite that easy, cheap money -- following several years of money printing due to massive government spending -- are coming to a close.

Many homes in large cities and rural properties 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 are two Dorchester homes that just hit the market:

1013 Washington Ave.: Built in 1901, this very affordable three bedroom, two bath house has a main floor with two of the bedrooms, full bath, living/dining areas, kitchen and laundry. Primary bedroom with full bath and walk in closet are on the second level. Basement area is very small for shelter and utilities, but is mostly crawl space. Is located on a corner lot with a large two stall attached garage. Has central heat and air and second level includes the window unit for added cooling. See the listing.

909 Washington Ave.: Built in 1900, this 1.5 story, three bedroom, one bathroom home in Dorchester is a great starter property. Primary bedroom, laundry and bathroom are on the main level with two bedrooms upstairs. Selling as-is. See the listing.

Looking Back: Dorchester's Firsts

Most area historians concur that Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska -- written in the late 1800s -- is the authority on Saline County's earliest days. No other collection of information is as detailed or thorough.

Through the online edition of Andreas' History, the Times has compiled a collection of Dorchester's firsts, including the first couple married in town, the first birth, the first death, and the first official sermon.

Here is a look back at some the firsts of our community, whose roots begin in the year 1870, when Dorchester's location was selected by the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad and the survey was made. 

* First Residents: Before buying the site that would become Dorchester from the U.S. Government, the railroad sent four men to claim an entire section of land, with each claiming 160 acres. Two of the four men who settled at that time were James Seely and Edward McIntyre -- Dorchester's first residents. Both made a permanent location here. The other two remained just long enough to secure the land and transfer it to the railroad.

* First Birth: The first birth occurred in early 1872, and was that of John, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hawkins. The next birth occurred October 10, 1872, and was that of Ed McIntyre Parker, son of Hon. and Mrs. T. B. Parker.

* First Death: The first death occurred in the spring of 1873, and was that of Burke, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Windrem.

* First Sermon: Sometime in late 1870 or early 1871, the first formal sermon in Dorchester was delivered by Rev. Frederick Alley, a Congregational minister.

* First Official Schoolhouse: The first schoolhouse was built in 1872.

* First Church: The Christian church was built in the summer of 1878. 

* First Bank: The Bank of Dorchester was established in October 1881.

* First Newspaper: The Dorchester Star was established August 21, 1881, and the first edition was printed Sept. 8, 1881. (Although three other newspapers have also been published in our village over the years -- The Saline County Express, The Dorchester Booster, and The Dorchester Leader.)

* First Village Board: Dorchester was incorporated as a village in 1881, with N. B. Alley, Thomas Jarrett, John Oberlies, S. G. Panter, and W. H. Pallett listed as Trustees; C. F. Thomas, Clerk; J. H. Clark, Treasurer; and M. O. Alley, Marshal.

* First Census Count: In 1879, two years before Dorchester's official incorporation, the village had 673 residents. A year later, it ballooned to 954.

Foundation Golf Fundraiser Is Sept. 15

Get your golf clubs ready. The ninth annual Dorchester Community Foundation Fund Golf Tourney is set for Sunday, Sept. 15.

The outing will take place at the Crete Country Club, according to a flyer.  

The event will have shotgun start at 10 a.m.

The tourney will be a two-person, best ball format. Cost is $65 per person, or $130 per two-person team. 

Cost includes 18 holes, cart, meal, and pin prizes.

Registration is due no later than Sunday, Sept. 8.

The payment is due on tournament day. Checks should be made payable to: Dorchester Community Foundation Fund.

For more information or to sign up, call Linda Easley at 402-641-0564 or email geasley5@windstream.net

All proceeds go to the Dorchester splash pad project.

Recycling Is Back In Dorchester

 

 

For those who want to recycle, you can do it in Dorchester once again.

The recycling trailer is located at the village dump site. 

The trailer can only be utilized during the dump's hours, weather permitting.

 Dump hours are:

• Monday and Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Glass is not accepted, we are told.

Accepted items are aluminum, cardboard, paper, and plastics 1-7.

Methodist Church Receives $6K For After-School Program

The Dorchester United Methodist Church has received a grant for $6,000 through the Nebraska Community Foundation. The grant will fund an after-school children's program at the church during this school year.  

Funds will be used to finance a program director and two additional employees at the church. This includes busing youth after school to the church, which will provide a safe place with after school activities until the parents pick them up after their work.  

The grant was facilitated through the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund with matching funds.

Special recognition goes out to the foundation's Carol Olson for recognizing the opportunity and applying for the grant, according to Dale Hayek, the foundation's president.