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.)  

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester Junior High Boys Track Keeps Setting Records

Dorchester Junior High Track Just Keeps Winning (and Setting Records): Dorchester's junior high tracksters are raising some eyebrows as more DPS junior high records fall. Last month, we reported on a new junior high record in the 4X400 meter relay set by teammates Brenden Bergmeyer, Harrison Vyhnalek, Payton Zoubek, and Hunter Sherwood. The fab four broke their own record this month with a time of 4:04:02. In the 800 meter relay, Bergmeyer and Sherwood joined Mason Vyhnalek and Legend Smith to break the 1985 record with a time of 1:50:84. Then in the 3200 meter relay, Sherwood, Bergmeyer, Boone Smith, and David Loarca broke the record set in 2003. The stars are shining bright at DPS this spring.

Theis Will Represent DHS at All-Star Volleyball Game: DHS senior Bailey Theis Centennial Classic volleyball all-star game. The event, which features recent graduates, has quickly become a premier summer showcase for Nebraska high school volleyball athletes. 

Skeeter Howlett Passes at Age 70: Dorchester native William “Skeeter” Wesley Howlett, a 1970 DHS alum and a lifelong music buff, master tinkerer, proud grass-mowing enthusiast, and unofficial encyclopedia of songs, passed on May 1. His obituary may be read here.

Dorchester School Season Winding Down: With graduation over, the Dorchester Public School season is coming to a close quickly.  Monday, May 18, is the final day of the school year for DPS preschool, while Tuesday, May 19, will be the last day for K-11 students. May 23 is the annual Dorchester alumni banquet. May 30 is the annual DHS alumni golf outing.

Tire Recycling Collection at Saline Center: Need to dispose of your old/used tires Saline Center will be collecting them June 5, 6, and 7. 

Historic Drought Gets Worse: Nebraska's historic drought -- which, in many areas of our state, is the worst drought in modern history -- keeps bringing bad news. Little to no rain has fallen this spring. Here's the latest Drought Monitor map. Meanwhile, this interesting comment was left on our recent story on the drought: "(B)ack in the day, they planted trees every mile to the half-mile lines on farm ground; that's what stopped the wind from blowing away the top soil. Well, in this day and age, they have taken out every windbreak for as far as the eye can see. So its a pretty easy fix, but convincing people that might fix it is harder today. Actually I'm betting if you had a tree line every mile, you probably wouldn't see many wind generators lining the countryside."

DHS Class Of 2026 Graduates May 9

 

 

The caps, tassles, gowns, and Kleenex were in full effect Saturday, May 9, at the Dorchester High School gymnasium. 

 

That's when graduation ceremonies were held for 10 Longhorn seniors and their friends and families.

 

Here are the members of DHS' Class of 2026 and their post-graduation plans as detailed by DPS social media. (We're noticing more graduates statewide choosing to enter the skilled trades as AI promises to replace basic white-collar office skills in the near future. This year's DHS graduating class presents a clear example of that.)

• Hunter Wake: Hunters' guardians are Hannah and Jake Railsback. He will attend SCC, studying to become a Physical Therapy Assistant.
   
• Chase Tachovsky: The son of Dawn Zoubek and Scott Tachovsky, Chase will attend Concordia, majoring in Exercise Science while competing for the Bulldogs in football. 
   
• Bailey Theis: Bailey is the daughter of Beth and Mike Theis. She plans on majoring in Exercise Science at Concordia in Seward and competing for the Bulldogs in track and field.
  
  
• Moises Alexander Lopez Tercero: The son of Mario Lopez Lucas and Maria Concepcion Tercero Lopez, Moises will attend SCC, studying Automotive Technology.
  
  
• Micaela Loarca: Micaela is the daughter of Dominga Lopez & Miguel Loarca. She will attend SCC, majoring in Criminal Justice and Business, with the goal of becoming a paralegal. 
  
  
• Savannah June: Savannah is the daughter of Spencer and BJ June. Savannah will attend SCC to major in Nursing.
  
  
• Justin Dixon: Justin is the son of Jesse and Sabrina Dixon. He plans to attend SCC, studying Agriculture - Livestock Management and Production.
  
  
• Carter Cerny: The son of Amanda and Bret Cerny, Carter will attend SCC to study Auto Body/Electrical Technology.
  
  
• Caden Axline: Caden is the son of James and Tina Axline. He plans to attend SCC to major in Welding.
  
  
• Adrian Alcaide Rodriguez: The son of Juan Alcaide and Reina Rodriguez, Adrian plans to attend SCC, majoring in Electrical Technology. He also wants to serve his country by joining the Army.

Our heartiest of congratulations to the accomplished Longhorns in the Class of 2026. The sky is the limit for all of you. Remember your roots and your Dorchester foundation.

 

Saline County Museum Is Open For 2026 Season

It's that time of year again. The Saline County Museum will be open for the summer season beginning Sunday, May 3, according to social media posts.

 

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

 

Admission to the museum and its numerous buildings is free, although donations are welcome. 

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

Here's how it went down:

In 1957, the Saline County Historical Society was established. In 1960, the Saline County commissioners gave the society a one-tenth mill levy. The museum's first building -- the teal colored structure you see from Hwy. 33 -- was built in 1964.

Today there are more than a dozen buildings.

1. The Kaspar Memorial Building (white and blue building near Washington Ave.) features antiques automobiles and farm equipment.
   
   
2. The Research Building (gray and red building near Hwy 33) now features a old-fashioned General Mercantile Store as it would have appeared in the early 1900-1920s.
   
   
3. The Weidner Building contains turn-of-the century horse equipment, wagons, and old-time printing presses.
   
   
4.  The Chapel was refurbished in 2025 and contains “In Loving Memory” funeral displays, an altar and wedding dresses and suits. A nearby memorial pays tribute to Dorchester's Charlie Havlat, the last American killed in the European Theater at the end of WWII. 
   
   
5. The Memorial Building has an 1800s bedroom, a 1950s living room, a parlor and an old-fashioned kitchen. There is a textile room, dentist office, doctor’s office and a beauty shop. It was recently upgraded to include air conditioning, we're told.
    
6. The Machinery Building has implements from the past centuries. In recent years, it has been re-organized with items labeled to explain how old-timer equipment was used.
   
   
7. The Voting Building is original. This building was only used for voting.
   
   
8. The Buckingham School is a one-room country school from 1871. It is a building where present day children can go to school to see how their great grandparents were educated. 
   
   
9. The Burden Home belonged to the first black homesteader in Saline County. Seven children were born and raised in this tiny two-room home, built just after the Civil War.
   
   
10. The Cizek log cabin, which dates back to 1866, is in the white building north of the Burden home, along with a large, fascinating collection of barbed wire and other items.
    
    
11. The Dorchester Railroad Depot houses fascinating train and railroad-related memorabilia, giving visitors a look at how Americans traveled to distant locations before planes and modern reliable automobiles.
    
    
12. The Main Building contains a wide variety of items, from John Palky's pre-historic tool collection, to military displays, to items showcasing Pleasant Hill's history.
    
    
13. And the Plato Post Office building is a traveling post office, a tiny building that moved from farm to farm.

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

'Reminds Me Of Those Dust-Bowl Days'

It's not your imagination. Nebraska is in a severe drought and it's only April. 

In fact, much of Nebraska is drier in April 2026 than during any other April in our recorded history.

Over half of the state, 56%, is now experiencing extreme drought, according to the newest measurements, according to Nebraska Public Media.

One area old-timer, who just turned 96, told us: "This reminds me of those Dust-Bowl days."

NPM reports that the National Weather Service confirmed in early March that Nebraska recorded its third-warmest winter since the Dust Bowl years in the 1930s. 

But when looking at both temperature and moisture, the 2025-26 winter is worse than the "Dirty Thirties."

And even the Dust Bowl days didn't feature the level of destruction seen this year from prairie fires that have burned around 1 million acres in western and central Nebraska. This has destroyed pastureland needed to feed cattle this summer and uprooted entire cattle operations in the midst of a beef supply shortage.

The Times talked to three Dorchester-area farmers, all three of who said the drought is among their biggest concerns.

These producers also said that businesses serving agriculture -- those that traditionally benefit from farmer dollars, including lenders and cooperatives -- must share in the pain as drought and depressed crop prices continue to impact the sector.

"It can't be status quo," one of the producers said.

Area producers are going to have to alter some of their practices, another farmer told us. He said some producers were running pivot irrigation as early as April 20 or before, and that such practices would lead to "crackdowns" and "water restrictions" by the state or local NRD. (Note: NRDs in recent years have restricted the drilling of new irrigation wells.)

The only good news is the weather models used by the Times shows between a 50% and 88% chance of rain Saturday, April 25, and 80% to 96% on Sunday. Even Monday brings a 25% to 50% chance of precipitation, while Tuesday offers up to a 60% chance.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Junior High Boys Set New Track Record

New Dorchester Junior High Track Record: It appears Dorchester is building a lot of talent for its future boys athletics. Recently, junior high speedsters (pictured left to right) Brenden Bergmeyer, Harrison Vyhnalek, Payton Zoubek, and Hunter Sherwood broke Dorchester Junior High's 4x400 record. The foursome ran a 4:07.9 at the Osceola Invite beating the previous record of 4:12. Congrats to these rising Longhorn stars.

Village Board Addresses Key Issues in Early 2026: As street paving continues in Dorchester this spring, the Dorchester Village Board of Trustees has been active early in 2026, addressing critical staffing transitions, infrastructure maintenance, and public safety. In January, the board promoted Brent Kasl to Utility Superintendent. By March, Gavin Hobson was introduced as the new Assistant Utilities Superintendent. The board continues to evaluate critical infrastructure, specifically the design for a new well and the acquisition of a generator for Well #5. Discussions regarding future projects at the quonset site and potential re-zoning of residential lots are ongoing as the board awaits formal proposals. The board also recently approved the purchase of six flashing stop signs funded by keno funds. And the board approved the use of the village's federal ID to assist Tabor Hall in applying for the Farmers Cooperative Community Grant program. You can always read the Village Board meeting minutes here.

DPS Board Completes Busy First Quarter: The Dorchester Public School Board has focused its early 2026 sessions on strategic growth and safety, punctuated by the high-profile approval to purchase 605 W. 9th St. and 710 W. Depot St. properties from Ziemann & Sons Construction. During the Feb. 9 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Nick Mumm emphasized that these land acquisitions are central to a broader safety initiative aimed at protecting students and staff during the increasingly busy school drop-off and pick-up hours. In March, the board voted to approve an extension of the Superintendent's contract, as well as a healthy "classified staff wage increase of 4%" for the upcoming school year. You can read DPS Board minutes here. 

Dorchster Area Could See 2" of Rain This Week: Forecasting models used by the Channel 10/11 weather team in Lincoln show the next six days could bring our area as much as two inches of much-needed rain. In a social media post, meteorologist Brad Anderson wrote: "I know what some of you are thinking ...You'll believe it when you see it. I get it." Nearly all of Saline County is in severe drought, while about 40% of Nebraska is in extreme drought, according to the Drought Monitor map.

Editorial: Legislative Candidate's Cash Haul Raises Red Flags

It's an election year. Campaign mailers are flooding mailboxes, including flyers from the candidates seeking the District 32 seat in the Nebraska Legislature.

Fortunately, Senator Tom Brandt is term limited. A big land owner, Brandt has for years intentionally muddied the waters between state and local taxes. Even during serious state budget crunches, he brags about state government spending $1.6 billion annually to subsidize local property tax bills. Yet property taxes are imposed by K-12 schools, counties, cities, and NRDs — not the state. Brandt is comfortable using Nebraskans' sales and income tax dollars to let the Unicameral play "sugar daddy," allowing big spenders at the local level to avoid accountability.

Vying to replace Brandt this November are two candidates who will appear on the May primary ballot:

• Mark Schoenrock, a "conservative Republican," Army veteran, and career officer who has served as a Jefferson County Commissioner.
  
  
• Shay Smith, a Crete-based lawyer and tax professional who presents herself as an "independent problem-solver." However, the Crete News previously published photos of Smith attending an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vigil, leading many to suspect she supports liberal causes. Because the Nebraska Legislature is non-partisan, voters are at a distinct disadvantage; there is no "R" or "D" after names on the ballot to provide clarity.

This week, The Plains-Sentinel, an online Nebraska publication, wrote: "In a potential surprise from a usually right-leaning rural district, Shaylene Smith, an independent progressive candidate for District 32, out-raised the Republican candidate Mark Schoenrock $57,000 to $30,000 and had nearly $85,000 cash on hand compared to Schoenrock’s $36,000."

No wonder Smith is sending us so many glossy campaign flyers.

The Times investigated Shoenrock's and Smith's campaign statements filed with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (NADC). Three red flags stood out regarding Smith’s funding:

1. State Senator Danielle Conrad, a liberal activist attorney and a leader of the Unicameral’s far-left wing, is a donor to Smith’s campaign.
   
   
2. Smith's campaign received $25,000 from Democracy Nebraska. This group is a well-oiled progressive activist group that Google's Gemini says is comprised of "Lincoln/Omaha elites" and is "funded by out-of-state interests who want to 'California-ize' our election laws." The AI tool also called Democracy Nebraska "the primary recruitment and training ground for the next generation of liberal organizers" and "a 'who’s who' of Democratic and progressive operatives in Nebraska."
   
   
3. Wyoming-based Way Back PAC, another "dark money" group, gave Smith's campaign $10,000. Gemini said this about Way Back: "They are systematically funding the infrastructure ... designed to crack the 'red wall' in the West. Their funding of liberal stalwarts in North Dakota and Kansas proves that 'Way Back' isn't about going back to old-school civility; it's about providing a back-door for liberal policy wins in states where the Democratic brand is underwater." Gemini notes that the most significant move by Way Back PAC in recent cycles was their heavy backing of Dan Osborn in the 2024 Nebraska U.S. Senate race. "While Osborn ran as an independent, the PAC’s involvement — alongside traditional Democratic donors — signals their role as a bridge for liberal interests to support non-traditional candidates in deep-red states where a 'Democrat' label is a death sentence."

Only about $12,850 of Smith's reported campaign contributions since Jan. 1 were from individuals from Lincoln, Crete or other nearby communities. That compares to about $10,500 for Schoenrock.

The Times will not endorse a candidate for the Primary Election. However, we will take a stand against "dark money" and suspicious donations fueling candidates who are allowed to hide behind non-partisan labels to avoid public scrutiny.

Nebraskans deserve transparency. It shouldn't require hours of investigative research to discover who is actually bankrolling the people who want to write our laws.

Dorchester Times Turns 19

 

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

 

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

The same holds true today.

Now, 19 years later, the Dorchester blog has gathered an estimated 4 million page views. Pretty incredible.

 

As of April 2024, we are still averaging tens of thousands of visits each month, even in the era of social media.

 

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

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

To help us keep up on the latest developments in and around town, be sure to email your stories and photos or other relevant material at dorchester.times@gmail.com. Do not, however, send notices to our Facebook instant messenger account. They likely will never be read.

Thanks to our readers, contributors, and even our critics (like good ol' Cynical Richard) as we look forward to the next 19 years.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Bruha Snags 'Coach Of The Year' Honor, Again

Brandon Bruha Is Once Again Nebraska Girls Basketball 'Coach of the Year': The 2025-26 NebPreps Girls basketball "Coach of the Year" is Brandon Bruha of Dorchester, as voted by the public. This marks the second consecutive year that Bruha was awarded the honor. See NebPreps social media post.

Dump Site Open for the Season: The Village of Dorchester's Dump Site is now open again for the season. Dump hours are Monday and Wednesday, 3 to 7 p.m., as well as Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The dump accepts branches, leaves, grass clippings, and garden waste. Recycling bins are also available at the site.

Next Village Board Meeting, April 13: The next Dorchester Village Board meeting is set for Monday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Farmers Cooperative headquarters building. Attendees should use Door No. 2.  The meeting is open to the public.

Daylight Donut Trailer Here This Thursday, April 16: Daylight Donuts Trailer will be visiting Dorchester, Thursday, April 16. The trailer will be parked by the Post Office from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. or until sold out.

Dorchester's Spring Clean-Up Coming Soon: Dorchester's village spring clean-up will be Saturday, April 18 through Saturday, April 25. Roll-offs will be available at the dump site free of charge -- and some of those yards need them! This is for Dorchester residents only. Attendant on duty has authority to accept or reject items. The dump will be open Monday through Friday that week, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Village Hall at 402-946-3201 for details or questions. Accepted Items: furniture, televisions, carpet, mattresses, metal, appliances, batteries, wood without nails. (No pallets. And certainly no wet paint, hazardous waste items, tires, lead-acid batteries, or garbage.) Be watching for Dorchester Times staff members taking photos of blighted properties.

FLASHBACK: Salute To Miles Nerud, Father Of SFS Baseball

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

In October 2007, the Dorchester Times reported the passing of Miles J. Nerud, one of Dorchester's favorite sons and a local baseball hero. Here's what we wrote at the time: "Miles Nerud, 91, passed away at 12:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007 in Friend. Born April 2, 1916 to John and Anna Nerud, survivors include nieces, nephews and friends, including special friends and neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sehnert.

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

Dorchester Easter Egg Hunt Is April 4

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

The Dorchester Easter Egg Hunt will take place 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4. 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.):

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

Make sure your children take part in this special holiday tradition. The hunt is sponsored by the Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

All children are invited to help color the eggs on Good Friday evening, April 3, at 7 p.m. at the Dorchester Fire Hall. Prepared to get messy (that means don't wear nice clothes).

 

BREAKING: Village to Pivot on Blighted Properties; Two New Municipal Pools Announced

After decades of residents requesting a municipal swimming pool, it appears the Village of Dorchester is ready to dive in. 

According to a "highly classified" memo and architectural renderings leaked this week, village officials have fast-tracked a plan to convert two prominent empty basements on blighted properties into state-of-the-art swimming facilities by early summer.

The "dual-campus" aquatic plan addresses the town's geographic divide, with one pool designated for the north side and another for the south side.

The vacant basements —  left behind by a house relocation and a controlled burn — have long been considered "unattended hazards." 

However, the village memo suggests that with a few garden hoses and a liberal application of industrial chlorine, these "holes in the ground" are actually "turn-key recreational assets."

"Why spend millions on concrete when the digging is already done?" the memo stated. "It’s a win-win for the budget and the youth."

One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed cautious optimism.

"I’m just glad they’re doing something with it," he said. "I did suggest they bolt a high-dive to that free-standing chimney at the north pool. I've always been smart like that."

Early public reaction has been mixed, particularly regarding a controversial "clothing-optional" hour proposed for the south side location.

"At this stage of the planning process, nothing is off the table," one official reportedly said. 

Developing...

(Happy April Fools' Day!) 

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Journalism Students Take Big Honors

DHS Journalism Student Take Home Awards: Dorchester High School students recently competed in the Journalism Education Association Winter High School Journalism Competition. Approximately 850 entries were received from 34 schools statewide, with most being Class A schools. Dorchester was the smallest school represented. Emilia Perez received a superior score in Newspaper Sports Feature Writing and excellent in Yearbook Layout; Briana Tellez received an excellent in Advertising and an excellent in Feature Photography. Rosie Lopez received an excellent in Yearbook Feature Writing, while Lyberty Bartlett received an excellent in Newswriting. Sierra Sherwood received excellent in Infographics, while Max Novak received a Superior in Newspaper Sports Feature Writing. The team of Emilia Perez, Briana Tellez, and Lyberty Bartlett received a superior in Yearbook Theme Development, one of only two schools to get this honor. They are advised by Mrs. Sandy Severance.

Dorchester's Spring Clean-Up Coming Soon: Dorchester's village spring clean-up will be Saturday, April 18 through Saturday, April 25. Roll-offs will be available at the dump site free of charge -- and some of those yards need them! The dump will be open Monday through Friday that week, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Village Hall at 402-946-3201 for details or questions. 

Dorchester Community Foundation Fund Fish Fry, April 3: We have learned that the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund is planning to hold its first-ever fish fry. The event is set for Friday, April 3, starting at 5 p.m. at the Dorchester American Legion Hall and Community Building. Details emerging.

April 11 is Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department Brisket Meal: On Saturday, April 11, the Dorchester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department will host its brisket mean and silent auction fundraiser. Dinner will be served from 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the fire hall. Orders to go will also be available by calling 402-826-7346.

Next Village Board Meeting, April 13: The next Dorchester Village Board meeting is set for Monday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Farmers Cooperative headquarters building. Attendees should use Door No. 2.  

Rural Dorchester's Karen Sysel Passes At 76

Karen Kay (Hagelstein) Sysel, age 76, of rural Dorchester, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln. She was born on Jan. 13, 1950, at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln. Karen was baptized March 26,1950 and confirmed May 23, 1965, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo. Karen married Deryl Sysel on November 16, 1974, at First Lutheran Church in Lincoln. To this union they had one daughter, Debra Kay.

Karen attended Wahoo elementary and high school through the first semester of her junior year when her family moved to Rock Falls, IL. She graduated from Rock Falls in 1968. Upon graduation, she worked at the Cerebral Foundation. In 1969, her family moved back to Lincoln where she worked for Central Service Company for 5 years. Growing up, Karen swore that she would never marry a farmer, but that soon changed when she met Deryl Sysel. They made their home SW of Dorchester where they farmed for nearly 50 years. Soon after moving to the farm, Karen wanted to learn how to drive the truck and tractors to help Deryl in the field. She enjoyed spending time in the field with Deryl and Deb and looked forward to their annual family vacations. Karen also enjoyed attending Young Farmers Conventions with the Lorenz and Hayek families, where many memories were made over the years.

Karen was a Gold Star member of the American Legion Auxiliary #82 Wahoo and VFW Post 4502 Wahoo. She was a former member of Crete Young Farmers, Girl Scout leader and member. She also held several positions in Farmers Union, both at the county and district levels, holding many different officer positions. She was also a school board member of District #57.

Karen enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Her greatest joy was attending her grandsons' events and helping on the farm. She enjoyed hosting family and friends where she was able to cook and bake for them. She was a dedicated caregiver for Deryl.

Karen is preceded death by her husband, Deryl in February 2022, parents: Ken and Delores Hagelstein, parents-in law: George and Elsie Sysel, brother-in-law, Joe Mares and nephew, Brad Kasl.

She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Deb (Nate) Shaw, grandsons: Landon and Connor, sister-in-law, Cheryl Mares, niece, Sheri (Kevin) Schuetze and their children: Carter and Atley, aunt, Ruth Heiser, family friend, Dale Lawver and many cousins.

Services were March 26 at the Dorchester United Methodist Church. Click here to leave condolences for the family.

Looking Back: The Mills Of The Dorchester Area

Nowadays, the rivers and creeks of Saline County are used mostly for irrigation and fishing. But in days gone by, mills located on Turkey Creek (pictured above) and the west fork of the Big Blue River (pictured below) played an even more substantial role. In fact, Dorchester's first electricity was generated by a dam on Turkey Creek.

In Dorchester's early days, the milling industry was a staple of the area's economy. The 1880s saw rapid growth of the milling business on Turkey Creek, just south of town.Turkey Creek became recognized as "the Old Mill Stream," according to the Nebraska State Historical Society. 

Of the five mills on Turkey Creek in Saline County, two predominately served the Dorchester area. 

One was Amity Mill at Pleasant Hill. Constructed in 1870, the Amity Mill produced flour and meal, and later provided the first electricity for Dorchester. 

The other Dorchester-area mill, Lawrence Mill, was located near the current Gilbert Cemetery.

A trip to the nearest mill, with a team and wagon loaded with grain, occupied most of a farmer's day back in those early years -- and when the weather was pleasant, such a trip often provided a holiday for Saline County settlers. This allowed farm families to picnic, as well as take in the sights and sounds of water pouring over the log dam. 

The dams also provided excellent havens for large catfish.

The Amity Mill at Pleasant Hill was destroyed by a fire started by lightning and was not rebuilt. In 1934, the dam was removed by dynamite. Millstones from the Amity Mill can be seen at the Saline County Museum located in Dorchester.

No specific details are known about the demise of the Lawrence Mill.