DHS' Best Football Teams Of All Time

A while back, the Dorchester Times ranked the best high school football teams DHS has ever produced. What made our effort credible is we relied on the expertise, input, and collective memories of former athletes and long-time DHS sports fans. The ranking was compiled over a year's time.

To be sure, this was no easy task. There have been some solid Dorchester High School teams over the past 70 years or so.  

Complicating our effort was the fact that DHS football has come in three different formats over six decades. 

In the early 1960s, DHS went from six-man football to eight-man. In 1969, DHS converted to the 11-man game, which it played for 22 seasons; in the fall of 1991, the school reverted to eight-man; and in 2018, after a few seasons without a DHS football team, the school revived the six-man game.

Let's not forget that in the fall of 1949 DHS' football program was restarted after years of not playing the game -- idled by the death of a player in the 1930s.

Despite the challenges, we did our best to objectively rank the Longhorn football teams of the past by paying special attention to the the talent of opponents they faced and the class of ball in which they played. Below is our top 10 list. (NOTE: The years we cite represent the autumn of that school year. For example, 1961 represents school year 1961-62; boys who were in the Class of 1961 would not have played on that team.)

Beginning with the best two DHS football teams of all time, here's our list:

1.)  (tie) 1961: Undefeated and perhaps the most talented bunch at every position.  Names like Tesar, Guggenmos, Axline, Sysel and August dominated the opposition with stellar offense and defense.

1.)  (tie) 1979: Also undefeated, this team was touted as one the best Class C-2 teams in Nebraska by many, including Lincoln and Omaha sportswriters. The group certainly claimed the best skill-position players DHS has ever seen on one team. The DHS scoring explosion!

3.)  1971: This DHS team was also undefeated. Many in the area still claim this was the best Class D team in all of Nebraska that particular year. (As a side note, former DHS coach Jack Guggenmos' four years at the helm produced a 29-5-2 record.)

4.)  1977: Ranked No. 7 in Class C-2 by the Lincoln Journal and No. 5 by the Omaha World-Herald at season's end, this group claimed the Pioneer Conference champion trophy. "The hardest hitting team ever to wear the DHS uniform," one local expert said.

5.)  1986: This team was ranked No. 8 in Class C-2 by the Omaha World-Herald at season's end. State qualifier. Also, the only DHS team we know of who had a member, Bob Zoubek, shatter a helmet on an opponent. Led by the classes of 1987 and 1988, both blessed with skill and size.

6.)  1987: The group was ranked No. 9 in Class C-2 by the Lincoln Journal and No. 5 by the Omaha World-Herald at season's end. State qualifier. Led by the classes of 1988 and 1989, two classes with deep talent.

7.)  1978: Ranked No. 5 in Class D by the Omaha World-Herald at season's end, the group was champions of the Pioneer Conference. This group gave fans a preview of the successful 1979 team.

8.)  1958: This was one of DHS' first great football teams according to every Longhorn fan who saw them play. The squad finished the season ranked No. 2 in six-man by the Omaha World-Herald. Older fans say DHS never looked better than in the fall of '58.

9.)  1976: Ranked No. 5 in Class D by the Lincoln Journal and No. 7 by the Omaha World-Herald at season's end, this group was in the midst of the mid-to-late 1970 glory days for DHS football. Pioneer Conference champs.

10.)  1999: This team had a 7-1 regular season record, with the state's second-leading rusher in Jed Burkey, and was ranked much of the season. A late season injury at QB likely prevented this team from reaching at least the quarter-finals in the Class D-1 playoffs.

***** Honorable Mention *****

• 1959 -- Ranked No. 8 in six-man by the World-Herald.
• 1994 -- State qualifier. Only team to lead No. 1 Falls City Sacred Heart that season.
• 2006 -- State qualifier in eight-man.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Phil And Bernice Weber Celebrate 70 Years

Webers Celebrate 70th Wedding: Dorchester's Phil and Bernice (Abrahams) Weber were married July 8, 1956 in Utica and are celebrating their 70th anniversary this week. They have three children: Larry (and Faye) Weber, Dorchester; Lyle (and Cathy) Weber, Dorchester; and (Ron and) Lori Schultz, Lincoln. The Webers also have nine grandkids and 13 great-grandkids. To help Phil and Bernice celebrate, cards may be sent to 419 County Road 1400, Dorchester, NE 68343. 

Lola Sue's, Dorchester's New Coffee Shop and Bakery, Is Open: For those who haven't yet tried it, Dorchester's newest business is Lola Sue's Coffee Shop & Bakery at 102 East 8th Street on Main Street (Washington Avenue). Serving food, specialty drinks, and impressive lineup of baked goodies, this family-owned business lives by this motto: "Bites of happiness, sips of joy — coffee, desserts, breakfast & lunch at Lola Sue’s." Call 402-366-5098 for details and more information.

Saline County Is No Longer in Drought: The latest University of Nebraska Drought Monitor map shows 100% of the county is no longer in drought conditions or even abnormally dry. Recent rains have removed event the "abnormally dry" shadings from the map. Meanwhile, most of Nebraska's panhandle is in extreme or exceptional drought following months of no to little precipitation.

Funeral Services for Larry Kahle, July 18: Dorchester's Larry J. Kahle, 83, passed away on June 28 in Crete. Larry spent his life farming and trucking. He enjoyed going to and competing in tractor pulls, hunting, watching local races and Nascar races on TV. He married Jean Justa in 1972, and helped her raise her two children, Candy and Wes. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at the Dorchester Community Cemetery followed by lunch at the Dorchester American Legion. See Larry's full obituary.

Dorchester's Annual Rib Cook-Off Is Aug. 15: Get ready for summer BBQ. On Saturday, Aug. 15, the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund will host its first annual rib cook-off, or "Ribfest," and street dance. This event, which will be held at the Dorchester American Legion building, will feature some of the area's best cooks as they vie to be named the rib cook-off champ. More information will be coming soon.

Dorchester United Methodist Church's Vacation Bible School, July 27-30: Dorchester United Methodist Church will host its annual Vacation Bible School at the church from July 27-30. This year's theme is "Surprise Party VBS." Bible school begins on Monday, July 27, with registration (for all area children) from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. RSVP by July 13 to get a t-shirt. All are invited to attend. Contact Hannah Railsback at 402-335-0361 for more information or to register.

OUR VIEW: Remember True Significance Of July Fourth

It's time to celebrate another Fourth of July. But this year will be different.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, we want to pay tribute to the history and exceptionalism that make our country the most successful experiment in human history.

We also want to make this simple plea: Even in an era of divisive politics, exacerbated by uncivil comments on social media, let us unite around the ideals enshrined in our Declaration and the vision of our 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence who had the courage to sign what amounted to their own death warrant. Most of these men sacrificed their fortunes, their livelihoods, and, in some cases, their families and personal safety for the cause of liberty.

 

Two hundred and fifty years later, we know it was worth the sacrifice. At the time, these patriots had no way of knowing that their bravery would establish the greatest nation in the history of mankind.

One of our favorite reminders of America's greatness came from President Ronald Reagan during his farewell speech in 1989. He said: "Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: 'We the people.' 'We the people' tell the government what to do, it doesn't tell us. ... Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which 'We the people' tell the government what it is allowed to do."

In 2026, more of our politicians and wanna-be politicians (at all levels) are doing all they can to grow the power of government. They are attempting to take an ever-larger "fair share" of what others have earned. It's clear they've either forgotten or are ignorant of the Spirit of 1776.

For generations, we have been warned that the failure to appreciate the values embodied in the Declaration could result in an erosion of the American spirit and the values that led to our independence. Unfortunately, those warnings have turned prophetic in some cases.

Too many Americans have never learned the story of the American Revolution or been adequately taught about the revolutionary thought and sacrifices of our Founders. Two or three generations of Americans have been indoctrinated by modern education, entertainment, and news media.

As we celebrate America 250, we recall another important reminder voiced by President Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” 

Let's renew our American spirit by re-examining the words of our Declaration of Independence and remembering the true significance of the Fourth of July. 

 

God bless America.

-----------------

 

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes ... But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies ...

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved ... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Dorchester's Fourth Of July Schedule: America At 250!

The Times is sharing Dorchester's Independence Day schedule in hopes that many from across southeast Nebraska will be able to experience one of the best small-town Fourth of July celebrations in the state. (Feel free to print this schedule for your use.)

Dorchester's July 4th celebration is an annual tradition that draws folks from near and far, including residents from neighboring communities, friends, family, and alumni from across the country. You'll find plenty of things to do in Dorchester on Independence Day, without the hurried crowds of larger communities. (Keep updated on the weather forecast.)

Of course, the highlight comes after dark with the famous fireworks show, which has been delighting crowds for three decades.  

✭✭✭ Dorchester's Fourth of July Celebration ✭✭✭

2026 Schedule of Events for Saturday, July 4

 

All Day ......... Dorchester splash pad/water park open (no charge) 

 

10 a.m. ......... Saline County Museum open until 5 p.m. (free of charge)

11 a.m. ......... Sons of American Legion Sirloin Steak Sandwich "Freedom Feast" @ Legion (until 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.)

11 a.m. ......... Auxiliary/Jr. Auxiliary Pie, Ice Cream Social/Raffle @ Legion (until 2 p.m.)

1 p.m. ........... Show and Shine at Museum (antique tractors, classic autos)

2 p.m. ........... Bingo by Legion Auxiliary @ Community Building

 

3 p.m. .......... Buttercup 4-H Bake Sale @ City Park (until 5 p.m.)

3 p.m. ........... Kids' games @ Dorchester City Park until 5 p.m.

3 p.m. ........... Buttercup 4-H bake sale @ City Park until 5 p.m.

4 p.m. ........... Lil' Red Draggin' Kids' Tractor Pull. South of City Park on 7th St. (Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Participants must register.)

7 p.m. ..... Parade (Line-up begins at 6:30 p.m. at Co-op parking lot near elevator on Depot St. Bring a description of your entry. Email pegbergmeyer@yahoo.com for more details.)

10 p.m. ....... The Big Show: Fireworks at Nerud Field.

✴✴✴✴✴

See this website for more details.

Dorchester's 4th of July celebration depends on private financial support. Dorchester area residents and friends of Dorchester are encouraged to send their donations, payable to "July 4th Celebration," to: 

First State Bank Nebraska
July 4th Celebration
P.O. Box 264
Dorchester, NE 68343

Home For Sale: 1102 Stephens Ave.

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong. This despite that cheap lending money -- following years of federal money printing and massive government spending -- is long gone. You can count on interest rates remaining high due to the uncontrollable debt unleashed during the COVID-19 years.

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

• STREET IMPROVEMENTS: Village leaders have paved many more blocks in recent months and more street improvements are planned.
  
  
• POTENTIAL FOR MORE BUSINESSES: Due to its strategic location and available commercial buildings, Dorchester could see an increase in more small businesses over the next few years with the right leadership.
  
  
• 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 COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system.

• 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:

1102 Stephens Ave.: Beautifully maintained three-bedroom, two-bath home with a two-stall attached garage. This property offers outstanding curb appeal with landscaping, including two established magnolia trees, colorful perennial flower beds, and a row of mature pine trees along the north side for added privacy and year-round beauty. Inside, you'll find brand-new carpet installed throughout the entire home in June 2026. Built in 1992, the spacious floor plan provides a comfortable living and entertaining space, while the enormous primary bedroom serves as a true retreat with four closets and a private en suite bathroom. Oversized two-stall attached garage measures 23' 9" x 23' x 2" and houses an emergency storm shelter. With attractive updates, abundant storage, and a beautifully landscaped setting, this home is ready for its next owner. Schedule your showing today.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Former Dorchester Grocery, Hardware Buildings For Sale

Former Grocery, Hardware Buildings on Main Street for Sale: If you've ever wanted to own one of Dorchester's main street buildings, now is your chance. There's a "for sale" sign in the window of the Betel Worship Center, with an asking price of $80,000. It's our understanding the building to the north is part of the deal. Modern-day residents will remember the building as home to the Dorchester Grocery -- which closed in 2007 -- and before that Torson's Grocery and Dorchester Hardware, and before that Orv's Grocery. Next door was the West Side Cafe, Virgie's Cafe, and a host of other businesses through the decades. (A century ago, the side-by-side buildings housed Troyer Furniture and Undertaking, as well as Tom Jarrett's Hardware as shown in this photo.)

'Nebraska Farmer' Features Shelly Bruha's Restored Tractor: "Nebraska Farmer" magazine recently published a story on longtime Dorchester area farmer, and now village resident, Shelley Bruha. According to the article, Bruha restored his father's 1946 John Deere GM tractor decades after it left the family. As a young boy, Shelley rode the tractor through a fencerow when he couldn't activate the tightened hand clutch. His father had the clutch rod extended by a local welder to give young Shelley enough leverage. Decades later, Shelley found the tractor rusting under a shade tree on another farm and recognized it by that unique extended hand clutch before bringing the wartime-era machine back into the family. 

Football, Basketball Camps For Kids: Get ready to up your game, kids. Dorchester Public School coaches are offering young players a chance to improve their football game or just learn the basics. On June 22 and 23, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. both days, the Longhorns Youth Football Camp will be held at the game field for students going into the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. There is no cost to attend and attendees can just show up both mornings. Call Coach Zoubek at 402-418-1019 for more information. Then on June 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the school gym, DHS coaches Corey Bird and Brandon Bruha will conduct the Longhorn Basketball Camp for kids going into grades 1-8. Again, no cost to attend. Just show up the mornings of camp. For more, email corey.bird@dorchesterschool.org.

Darlene Gerner Passes at Age 90: Longtime area resident Darlene Libbie Gerner, age 90, of Milford, passed away on June 13. Born on March 29, 1936, in Crete to Edward and Libbie Nerud, Darlene had a genuine character and quiet courage that has left an everlasting mark on her family, friends, and all that knew her. Read the full obituary here. Services are Saturday, June 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pleasant Dale United Methodist Church with lunch to follow at the Pleasant Dale Legion Hall. Graveside service at 1:30 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Dorchester. Read the full obituary.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester Receives Splash Pad Improvement Funds

(Photo: Sharon Axline) 

Dorchester Receives Splash Pad Improvement Funds: According to credible sources, the Village of Dorchester has received a grant from the Farmers' Cooperative Grant Program. A grant of $1,000, along with a matching grant from Land O' Lakes of $1,000, was provided to the village for improvements at the city park splash pad. Pictured with the village employees are members of Dorchester's Youth Action Committee (YAC),  who will be working with the village employees on park improvement projects. For those who don't recall, the Dorchester water park was completed seven years ago, in the summer of 2019, following a large fundraising drive by the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund.

Dorchester's Kathy Palky Passes: Rural Dorchester's Kathleen Ann Palky, age 83, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2026, in Lincoln. Services will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Dorchester United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Friday, July 10, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. A more detailed obituary will follow. Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.

Former DHS Standout Vern Johnson Passes: Dorchester alumnus and former Longhorn athlete Vern L. Johnson passed away June 8, 2026 in Geneva at the age of 85. Vern grew up in Dorchester and graduated from DHS in 1960. A gifted athlete, he excelled in football, basketball, and track, earning numerous all-conference honors and All-State recognition in football. Around 1956, while still a teenager, Vern was asked to help organize what became the SFS Baseball League. At just 16 years old, he began coaching alongside Mike Nerud and later coached on his own. Over the next 35 years, he coached baseball teams in Dorchester, Friend, Fairmont, and Geneva, impacting generations of young athletes. Read the full obituary.

Dorchester's Blake Hansen Featured in UNL Publication: DHS alum and recent University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate Blake Hansen has been spotlighted in UNL's "Nebraska Today" online magazine. Hansen, the third generation in his family to attend the university for ag economics, served as president of the Tractor Restoration Club and a teaching assistant in agronomy and horticulture. He received the Holling Family Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Assistant Award and was honored with the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award. Hansen graduated on May 9 with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics and agronomy, both with high distinction, and minors in agricultural systems technology and agribusiness. He has also returned to his family farm.

Looking Back: Freidell Photos Captured Dorchester 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 historical home was renovated in the late 1990s and today it looks nothing as it once did.)

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

In 1890, William Freidell was a key decision-maker in the construction of the community's first dedicated high school, which cost $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. 

Russell lived to age 97 and was buried in Houston, Texas in 1987. Nearly 120 years after his high school graduation, we're still talking about his 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: County Hearing On Solar Standards, June 16

 

Saline County Hearing on Solar Standards, June 16: At 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, a public hearing will be held on Saline County's proposed zoning regulations. The meeting will be held at the Saline County Courthouse in Wilber in the Assembly Room. Comments can also be sen to the Saline County zoning administrator at 402-821-3326 or lweber@salinecountyne.gov. Norris Public Power District, which is a monopoly, government utility, is currently building a distributed network of solar sites in the region, including a facility planned in Saline County with more than 2,000 solar panels. Nebraska is not currently short of electricity supply, and its power grid is ranked among the most reliable in the U.S. However, the state is experiencing an unprecedented "energy crunch" as utilities struggle to build out new infrastructure quickly enough to match exploding demand from AI and other newer uses.

Village Splash Pad Is Open: Dorchester's water park is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday, it's open 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Dorchester Football Camp, June 22-23: Dorchester will again hold its Youth Football Camp on June 22 and 23, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The camp is especially for youth in grades 3-8. Forms are available at the Village office, which is open weekdays 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Village Imposes Watering Restrictions: Water restrictions are in effect for watering lawns and gardens, according to the Village newsletter. Even-numbered houses are allowed to water on even-numbered days, while odd-numbered homes can water on odd-numbered days.

Village Board Meeting, June 8: The next Dorchester Village Board meeting is set for Monday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Farmers Cooperative headquarters building. Attendees should use Door No. 2. The meeting is open to the public.

State Democratic Party Officially Claims Smith: Recently, we shared our concerns regarding "dark money" from leftist organizations sent to the campaign of Shay Smith, a Crete-based lawyer who is running for State Legislature as an "independent." One reader accused us of "falsely flying our red flags." Yet days later, the Nebraska Democratic Party issued this news release celebrating Smith's candidacy, in what is an obvious endorsement. The state Democrats are clearly aligned with Smith. As we wrote back in mid-April, because the Nebraska Legislature is non-partisan, voters are at a distinct disadvantage when candidates refuse to publicly identify their true beliefs.

Antiques Roadshow-Type Event Comes To Dorchester, June 7

Do you enjoy "Antiques Roadshow" -- the TV program on PBS? 

Then you'll love the event planned at the Saline County Historical Museum. 

And you'll be able to get your favorite antique's value appraised for free.

The Saline County Museum, located in south Dorchester just off Highway 33, will host expert antiques appraiser Tom Bassett on Sunday, June 7, starting a 2 p.m., according to social media notices. 

Get there early and check out some of the new and refurbished displays at the museum's 13-building campus. 

The June 7 event will be like "Antiques Roadshow" in our own community, according to information the Times has received from readers. 

Attendees can bring an item to be appraised. There will be no charge for the event. 

Admission to the Saline County Museum is always free. Donations are accepted and will help with repairs and new displays.

Community Garage Sale Weekend: June 5-6

It's garage sale season! 

Dorchester is once again planning its Community Garage Sale Weekend this Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6. 

If you're hosting a garage sale, contact the village office at 402-946-3201 to be put on the official listing of sales in and around town.

 

According to organizers, maps will be available the week of June 1 at Village Hall.

 

A generic ad will be placed in the Crete News. Those who want to advertise their specific garage sale will need to do so on their own. 

Event organizers say the garage sale weekend is the perfect opportunity for residents who want to save some money on kids' clothes and other items. Friend, Exeter, and Fairmont are also holding their garage sale weekend at the same time.

Be sure to get a bright and early start. Shoppers will be out in full force.

 

Stay up-to-date on the weather forecast. 

Some Gave All: Remembering Dorchester's F.C. Green

On this Memorial Day, we remember the ultimate sacrifice made by DHS alum F.C. Green.

Like most Dorchester residents, our staff members recalled the general details -- that Green died in a military training accident in the early 1970s as a Navy pilot. 

When we scanned the Dorchester School yearbooks, we found no recorded history of the incident -- just a memorial in Green's honor (pictured).

So we asked our hundreds of Facebook followers what they remembered. Several readers were helpful, particularly reader JR Wolfe. 

We're passing along the information they provided so that Lt. F.C. Green -- a Dorchester hero -- and his ultimate sacrifice can be recalled by future generations.

----------------

U.S. Navy Lt. (j.g.) Francis Clair Green II was born Nov. 8, 1945. He passed away March 9, 1970 in the South Atlantic Ocean when a wing fell off his aircraft during training. 

He served aboard the USS Sangra La, which was stationed out of San Diego. He was the son of Francis Clair Green and Anna Sehnert of Dorchester, the former being Dorchester's long-time postmaster.

Green was a very popular student at Dorchester -- a star athlete, a top scholar, and editor of the school yearbook. He was a member of DHS' Class of 1963.

According to a Lincoln Star story from March 12, 1970, he went on to study and graduate from UNL, where he continued to forge his successful path. 

He was a honor student, yell king, president of his fraternity, a representative of the UNL campus at national events, and a member of Navy ROTC. 

Green was named outstanding senior midshipman while in the ROTC program. He was even named "most eligible bachelor" by the NU yearbook, and was an a national finalist for the Outstanding Collegiate Man Award.

A memorial service was held a few days later without Lt. Green's body, which was lost at sea.

This past March marked the 56th anniversary of Lt. Green's death. Take time to remember this hero. Think about the life that was; the life that could have been; and the sacrifice Lt. Green made to serve his country.

Memorial Day Services Set For Monday

It's Memorial Day weekend. Let's not forget the reason behind the holiday, especially as further military action appears imminent in the Middle East to prevent a radical regime in Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

We should all take time this Memorial Day -- Monday, May 25 -- to pay homage to the true meaning of this special day of remembrance.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, between 1775 and 1991, the U.S. military recorded 651,031 battle deaths and 539,054 non-combat deaths, totaling 1.2 million fatalities. From 1980 to 2022 alone, there were more than 10,000 recorded deaths related to military activities.

Dorchester's Memorial Day program is a tradition in our area that we are proud to honor. It is a heartfelt tribute to our fallen military heroes who have sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom. The Dorchester American Legion will host two Memorial Day services:

• 10 a.m. at the Dorchester Cemetery; and
• 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery

State legislative candidate for District 32 Mark Schoenrock, an Army veteran, will be the featured speaker. A potluck luncheon follows services at Dorchester American Legion Hall on Dorchester's Washington Ave., expected to start around noon.

In case of rain, please meet at the Dorchester Legion at 10 a.m.

 

The Dorchester Legion Bar and Grill will be open most of the day, from noon to 8 p.m., if this year follows patterns of the past.

NEWS ROUND-UP: State-Bound Longhorns; State Gets Much-Needed Rain

Over 3" of Rain Cover Dorchester Area: Some relief from the ongoing drought as much-needed precipitation fell on the Dorchester area over the past three storm-filled nights, May 16-18. Dorchester itself received around three inches in total, with most of that rain coming Saturday evening. Despite pea- and bubble-gum-sized hail and high winds, Dorchester emerged without significant damage. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for other parts of the state as tornadoes struck populated areas in central and southeast Nebraska. 

DHS Sending Four Girls to State Track and Field: Four Lady Longhorns are headed to Omaha this week to represent DHS at the 2026 Nebraska Track and Field State Championships at Burke Stadium. Bailey Theis will compete in both the shot put and discus; Kaitlyn Bolton in discus; Micaela Loarca in the 3200 meter run; and Brennaly Vazquez in the 200 meter dash. See the schedule for the May 20-23 events here. These are some serious athletes as DHS girls continue to shine in athletics. The track and field state championships will be live-streamed, including all track events May 20-23 live from Omaha.

DHS Excels at State Journalism Contest: Congratulations to the DHS journalism students who placed fifth as a team in Class C out of 27 schools competing at the NSAA State Journalism Competition held in Norfolk on Monday, April 27. Dorchester also had one individual state champion, Max Novak in the Yearbook Sports Feature Writing contest. Other top-four finishers included Lyberty Bartlett (4th in Yearbook Feature Writing), Briana Tellez (4th in Newspaper Feature Writing), and the team comprised of Emilia Perez, Briana Tellez, and Lyberty Bartlett (2nd in Yearbook Theme Development). The students are advised by Mrs. Severance. 

 

Annual DHS Alumni Banquet Set For Saturday

It's alumni time in the Big D.

On Saturday, May 23, 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 2026 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.

To register or for more information, call the school at 402-946-2781. Cost to attend is $20 per person.

Classes ending in "6" will be honored, with the DHS Class of 2006 hosting the event. 

May 13 was the RSVP deadline, but spaces are still be available we are told. Dinner will be beef tri-tip or smothered chicken.

Guest speaker will be longtime DPS educator and principal Mr. Terry Gautreaux.

For those who'd like to carry on their conversations beyond the banquet, the Dorchester American Legion has traditionally been open after the banquet. East Side is another option.

For those who cannot attend but would like to contribute to the Dorchester Alumni Association, send donations to: 

Dorchester Alumni Association

P.O. Box 7

Dorchester, NE  68343

May 15 Deadline To Register For DHS Alumni Golf

Proud Dorchester alumni will hit the links at the end of May for the annual DHS Alumni Golf Tournament. 

Some will be great golfers. 

Some will be OK duffers. 

Others will be just trying to survive on the course.

The tourney is set for Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the Friend Country Club.

Four-person teams are asked to register by this Friday, May 15.

Captains of each four-man team should contact Dorchester Schools Athletic Director Brent Zoubek at brent.zoubek@dorchesterschool.org or 402-946-2781.  

For more information, see page 7 of the most recent school newsletter.

Cost is $70 for 18 holes (includes cart and meal), $20 for a t-shirt, and $280 per foursome.  

Check-ins will start at 8 a.m. 

 Shotgun starts at 9 a.m. T

And, yes, there will be pin prizes.

Players must be DHS alumni. (Sorry, Tiger.)