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.

Drought Continues; Now Covers Nearly All Nebraska

Nearly all of Nebraska is currently experiencing some form of drought. This includes Saline County, which has just been moved to the moderate drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Keep in mind this is occurring at what is traditionally a wet season for the Cornhusker State. Earlier this week, it was reported that Nebraska's topsoil moisture is rated at 72% short-to-very short and subsoil moisture is 79% short-to-very short.

Meanwhile, a report from the University of Nebraska shows groundwater levels continue to decline in parts of the state following several years of on-going drought. 

Due to increased irrigation use and lack of rainfall, the Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Report -- which looks at nearly 5,000 irrigation wells -- show 61% of the state's wells showed declines with an average statewide drop of 0.52 feet in 2024.

Fortunately, it appears moisture is on the way. This Sunday -- Easter Sunday -- our weather models show a 95% chance of rain. The Times combines several different forecast platforms on behalf of our readers. Sunday will see increasing winds with periods of rain and a thunderstorm; chilly; storms could bring damaging winds, large hail, and even a tornado.

Next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will also bring reasonable chances for rain.

Our models show multiple chances for rain the first week of May, as well. Beyond that, the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts a generally warm and wet spring for Nebraska. May is forecast to have above-normal temperatures and rainfall across the southern half of Nebraska.

Home For Sale: 706 Stephens Ave.

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong. This 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 that just hit the market:

706 Stephens Ave.: Affordable ranch-style home with full basement! This lovely home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, first-floor laundry and large family room in the basement, and much more. Located on a large lot with fenced backyard. All appliances are included. View the listing.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DVFD Burns Home To Make Room For New Construction

(Photo Credit: Sharon Axline)

DVFD Burns Dilapidated Home Near School: On Saturday morning, April 12, the volunteers of the Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department conducted real-world training with a controlled burn of a vacant home at 605 W 9th St. It was the former home of longtime residents Rev. Roger and Marilyn Wolfe. Local photographer Sharon Axline captured images of the exercise. We are told the vacant lot will be the site of a new housing project, which will add a much-needed residential unit to our community.

Sharon Axline Receives Statewide Honor: The Nebraska School Activities Association has honored Dorchester's Sharon “Mimi” Axline, bestowing her with the organizations Above and Beyond Award. winner. A longtime business owner and DPS volunteer, Axline was honored for "her unwavering support, kind spirit, and tireless dedication to Dorchester Public Schools." At the Times, we treasure Sharon's constant effort to capture sporting events and other major community events with her amazing photography skills. Read the NSAA's award notice.

New Superintendent Building Home in Dorchester: For years, this blog has encouraged employees of Dorchester Public School, Farmers Cooperative, and other employers in town to live in Dorchester. One obstacle to making that a more common occurrence has been the lack of available housing. So we are thrilled to see that DPS' next superintendent, Dr. Nick Mumm, and his family are constructing a new house in Dorchester. The home will be the third unit in Dorchester's Northview Estates development.

School Board, Village Board Meet This Week: For members of the public who wish to get more engaged with their local government, the Dorchester Village Board will conduct its monthly meeting on Monday, April 14, at Farmers Cooperative at 6:30 p.m. Last month, the board discussed housing development plans, among other items. Also, the DPS Board will meet Tuesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

Spring Clean-Up Begins: Dorchester's Community Spring Clean-up will be from Saturday, April 19 to April 26. For Dorchester residents only, the dump site will be open 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, please. Also, no wet paint or other hazardous waste. No tires, no lead acid batteries, and no trash.) The attendant on duty has authority to accept or reject items.

DHS Alumni Golf Tourney, May 31: The annual DHS Alumni Golf Tourney will be held Saturday, May 31 at the Friend Country Club. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Learn more on page 15 of the DPS April newsletter.

Dorchester Easter Egg Hunt Is April 19

Hey, kids! The Easter Bunny will soon be dropping by Dorchester.  It's time to practice your egg hunting skills.  

The Dorchester Easter Egg Hunt will take place 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19. 

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.

All children are invited to help color the eggs on Friday evening, April 18, at 7 p.m. at the Dorchester Fire Hall. Prepared to get messy (don't wear nice clothes).