We here at the Times don't go out of our way to sing our own praises. However, we wanted to 
share the news with our loyal readers that the Dorchester Times has been named as one of state's best Web sites.The folks at a site called Be Heard Nebraska -- a site dedicated to all things Nebraska -- informed us last night that the Dorchester Times has been chosen as "one of the best sites" originating from the Good Life State.
The staff at Be Heard Nebraska wrote: "(W)e have found some sites that feature Nebraska or things associated with Nebraska. We have our list of some of the best sites out there that we have found. We are proud that Nebraskans have done such a good job of infiltrating the Internet and making a home there."
The Times is one of only 10 sites listed and the only site under the specialty category. According to the Be Heard Nebraska writers, the Times is a "community run blog on news in and around the Dorchester area" and "a great community builder."
We thank the staff at Be Heard Nebraska for recognizing the Times, as well as the individual(s) who nominated our little online venture.
Congrats on the award!!Great website for Dorchester. Would be nice if other towns had a nice site yours.
ReplyDeleteFor all of you at the Dorchester Times, Congratulations! Your efforts are appreciated. This site has created and enabled dialogue that hasn't happened in our village for a long time. I'm glad to see that your efforts have been recognized.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We admit we haven't been perfect. This has been a process of trial-and-error.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, we are happy with the results of our online venture, thus far. Overall, we've accomplished what we envisioned months ago.
We encourage more readers to contribute to by sending us news tips, announcements and other worthwhile items to share with fellow Dorchester Times readers. As we said in early on, the success of the Times depends directly on the participation of our readers.
I am not at all surprised by the award. You do a top-notch job, and it is very appreciated. Blogs such as this are and will be very important in building and sustaining communities in the day and age in which we live. If all communities communicated like we do on this blog, I am sure it would make a big difference nationwide. Keep up the great job!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. I think the website is cool and hope you can continue the effort. I know this has to take a considerable amount of time from someone. Don't be discouraged by Tom Scheffert's comment "The only way I can figure you got any award was to nominate yourself and they didn't do any research. Dig your head out before you screw up whats good about our town." Some people just don't know how to speak/write without trying to put someone else down.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what Tom was trying to say in his article--and good for him! I thought the same thing when I read that poll.
ReplyDeleteI've said this before and I'll say it again---Dorchester DOES NOT NEED any more businesses--the folks of this community DO NOT support the ones that we have!!!
Who in their right mind would want to open any kind of business here? Oh yeah, it might do OK for the first few months, but after that, forget it.
Now, "you at the Dorchester Times" can argue the point all day long, but how about you let us all know who you are so we can see how much each of you patronize our local businesses?
I enjoy this website also, but sometimes you guys just drive me nuts.
Wow.......go turn off a pivot and look at the action I miss. About that letter, I'm still laughing........ it's a poll on the internet, not a business permit. I'm disappointed by the reaction of a some people who almost seem jealous and determined to cut down efforts for progress and discussion......but I've been around long enough to know that some will always be spoilers if they arent the center of attention.
ReplyDeleteGee --- I guess the 40+ people who voted in the poll are all traitors to Dorchester businesses because they would like to see some of the empty store fronts filled.
ReplyDeletecynical richard--and I've been around long enough to know that people's talk in this town is not followed up by their actions. I'm not being negative, but I am being realistic.
ReplyDeletec.s.r.--no one said anything about people that voted being traitors, but it just seems to me like Tom had good points--almost everything listed on that poll we have available in our town already. So do we fill one of those vacant buildings with a meat market? Or convenience store? If someone comes in and opens a meat market, do you think there are enough folks to keep our new meat market and Dorchester Grocery both open? Same thing with a convenience store.
Again, I am NOT being negative, I AM being realistic.
cynical richard & c.s.r--maybe you two should team up and open a business in Dorchester and write a blog about how it goes for ya.
A little clarification is in order.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, when we posted our online poll, in no way were we implying that Dorchester's current businesses aren't doing a great job. They are.
We posted the poll because we feel Dorchester's long-term interests would be best served by filling the vacant buildings along our Main Street (Washington Avenue). We were simply offering some ideas of business that are thriving in nearby small communities. A more vibrant business community will benefit all residents, including current business owners.
The writer of the recent letter-to-the-editor makes valid points. However, we regret his personal and negative attacks. (For the record, none of us at the Times nominated this Web site for the award.)
A better, more intellectual approach was offered by a reader who suggested the community should work to establish a youth center -- "a place for the young people to go after games and school. A place that does not serve alcohol and offers a smoke-free environment."
We like this level-headed suggestion.
Same old nay-sayers still working their negative little fingers. Can't do nothing but complain. How does that make things any better?
ReplyDeleteSo village dweller, you said-- "A better, more intellectual approach was offered by a reader who suggested the community should work to establish a youth center -- 'a place for the young people to go after games and school. A place that does not serve alcohol and offers a smoke-free environment.'"
ReplyDeleteWell, I am several years out of DHS, and when I was there, there were parents who would organize after game activities at the Community center. I do beleive that it was a smoke free envorinment..and now that you think about it, they didn't serve alcohol either. But was there much success with getting students to come there? Nope, Not really. Good intentions though. So maybe a few guys and girls from the sports team would come there for about 10-15 minutes to get some free food. But after they were fed, they left to go elsewhere. That's how it was then, I can't imagine it being any different now, or in the future. So tell me what would be the point in spending money, no wait, I mean WASTING money (don't we have a new school to worry about...)on a whole center when the youth won't even go there for more than 10 minutes. That seems really intellectual to me. HA..
class of 87--what business are you planning on opening and what downtown building are you going to buy and renovate to open your business?
ReplyDeletecynical richard and csr are looking for partners, call them up and join their business venture, then write and let us know when the grand opening will be.
Just because our opinions don't agree with yours doesn't mean that your right.
Again, we're not being negative, we're being realistic.
You tell me which building in our downtown that you would be willing to buy and the bigger question..which building would you be willing to buy and stick money into to renovate to make into a business?
Why doesn't the letter writer start his own blog if he could do so much better? I'd love to read it. I'm sure the entire community would, too, and we'd all be so much smarter after reading it. (Please note that is heavy sarcasm.)
ReplyDeleteIs that letter for real? I mean, is he joking? C'mon. Please, someone tell me that's a joke!
ReplyDeleteI would like to respond to the illogical conclusions of the anonyomous writer above who bashed the idea of a youth community center.
ReplyDelete1.) Dorchester could certainly use a full-time youth community center, not just a part-time open house held after ball games.
(Of course kids aren't going to spend lots of time in a supervised environment on a Saturday or Friday night. Think, McFly, think!)
2.) Don't worry about your fat wallet. There would be no expense to those residents who don't want to contribute. DACA has raised about $17,000 for the park shelter. You can't tell me group of young parents, over five years, couldn't raise a hefty amount via fundraisers, donations, etc. Not everything that is worthwhile has to come from tax receipts. That's the difference in thinking that separated the past generations from the current ones.
Hey, anonymous! About your commments ("Who in their right mind would want to open any kind of business here?"), I wanna know one thing: What makes you tick?
ReplyDeleteI mean, what gives you joy in crapping on other people's good ideas and optimism? Do you stay up all night trying to run down others? How about you tell us who YOU are so we can all stay the heck away from you!!!
So sorry King Bob. (watch me now as I bend and kiss your.....feet).
ReplyDeleteI just want to make a clarification on the difference between DACA (Dorchester Area Community Assn) & DACF (Dorchester Area Community Foundation) so the readers don't get confused. DACA is strictly a social organization, bringing informational & 'fun' activities to the residents of the Dorchester Area. DACF is a Foundation affiliated with the Nebraska Community Founation that can legally raise & accept funds for the betterment of the Dorchester area. People can give to the Foundation through cash donations, life insurance policies, wills, real estate, loads of grain, etc, all donations are tax deductible.
ReplyDeleteLets open our eyes
ReplyDeleteif the new school goes through, why couldnt a rec center be built as part of it and both used for community purposes?
Other towns do it, go to
Ravenna and see what they did
and by the way, the town could use a new library and technology center, why couldnt the school and community share this also.
Wow, the leaders here need to explore all options
I want to thank the Times staff for including the obituaries on this online newspaper. When I was younger, I hated going to funerals because they reminded me that life doesn't go on forever. Now that I'm older, I like paying my last respects because it's a reminder that life doesn't go on forever.
ReplyDeleteI like the new poll. Nothing says an existing business in Dorchester could not add one of these. For example, why couldn't one of the taverns add a bakery and cafe next door and use the extra seating for special event rooms in the evening? Just a thought. I find it hard to believe people can criticize others for throwing out some ideas to help their community.
ReplyDelete