Since 2007: The News, Events, History and People of Our Town, Dorchester, Nebraska
Monday, November 5, 2007
News Briefs: School Construction Continues
Here are updates on a couple of developing news stories.
Work on the Dorchester School renovation project continues, as the new foundation is being laid on the expanded west side of the campus. Construction on the western portion of the project will be continue through the rest of this year and into the spring, as the gymnasium side of the school campus will be totally enclosed. Demolition of the 1927 building will go ahead as planned in mid-to-late May of 2008.
Unfortunately, a "For Sale By Owner" sign remains on the door of the Dorchester Grocery. There is no official word yet on whether a prospective buyer have come forward and shown interest. In a recent Lincoln Journal Star article, the director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association said the number of independently owned grocery stores in Nebraska has dropped from 1,200 to about 600 over the past 15 years. In the article, Doug Cunningham, director of the Hometown Merchants Association of Nebraska, emphasized that small businesses need each other and that a community’s school, bank and grocery store are particularly important. “If you don’t have a minimum of those things, it’s pretty hard to compete with other communities to bring economic development into your community,” Cunningham said. We at the Times could not agree more.
A@A and their subcontractors should be on the inside of the school instead of the outside, maybe they could learn how to read and quite running the school stops, stop signs, @ speed limits.
A business model that has been successful in other small communites is the "town ownership" model. Everyone that is able and interested "buys in" to the store and runs it for the community. Sometimes the owners hires a manager and other times they have a rotating shift. Profits are shared as the owners deem fit.
Another model is the "mall shop" idea. Interested community members "buy" a section and "own" it, runing it as their own mini-store making all the ordering decisions, making all the profit (minus a percentage to the "mall" to pay labor, taxes, etc.)
Either way, only truly interested people are in the process and ownership stays in the community. Anyone out there want to step up to the plate?
We need the grocery store in town..... I hope the for sale sign woke some folks up so they shop there instead of walmart...... why do we want to drive 15 miles more on what will likely be $4 gas by January???
UNFORTUNATE, indeed! I think we need a grocery store in Dorchester. Bruhas do a FANTASTIC job with keeping prices competitive and service always comes with a smile. Father Andersen, I think your ideas and challenge are a good starting point. I would like to take the challenge to even a more basic level........HOW MANY OF THE D.A.C.A. AND D.A.C.F. MEMBERS SUPPORT THE DORCHESTER GROCERY???? (I asked---not even 50%...how sad it that?) HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT DORCHESTER OFFERS SUPPORT TYSER REPAIR, FARMERS COOP, SHERYLL'S WESTSIDE SALOON, FIRST STATE BANK, DORCHESTER GROCERY, DONNA'S HAIR CREATION, KLEIN CONSTRUCTION, BZ CONSTRUCTION, STUTZMAN DIGGING, SLEPICKA BROTHERS, SHARON'S, RUT AUCTION AND NOVAK AUCTION (I know I've forgotten some businesses but not intentionally .. sorry)???? If we truly want Dorchester businesses to survive and attract new ones, we HAVE to support them. If people would even spend a portion of their grocery budget in Dorchester, we just might be able to keep it. So how about all of us stepping up to the plate and spending our $$$ in our hometown.
I had a flat tire in Lincoln yesterday. My tires have 50,000+ miles, but I waited to have them changed until I can get them replaced in Dorchester. Little actions make the difference when it comes to supporting hometown businesses.
Are you on a personal crusade to save the Dorchester Grocery? Perhaps the city ought to levy a tax to subsidize the store? Whatever the solution you propose, your attempt to single out members of DACA and DACF (who give their own time and efforts to help Dorchester) is unfair and cheesy. Did you stop to think that Mr. Bruha might not want your observations brought to a blog like this?
When you work hard for your money, you have the right to get the most for it. I think you would agree to that. And who is better qualified to spend it, then the person who makes it. That's the way it is in the free market. Should we stop all the folks from out of town from spending money here in Dorchester, and tell them to go back and spend their money in their town?
Some people do not have the luxury of shopping in a store because it's in their town. Prices, choices, and quality matter. Perhaps a convenience store would do better here?
I am not sure we ought to blame the little guy for getting the most out of their dollar. Perhaps we should examine the politics and practices of the "big box" stores that allow them to beat our local stores.
Dorchester, if we're going to progress it isn't going to be in "main street" stores. Main street as we know it is gone. I wish it wasn't so, but it is. Think outside of the box.
Blue Collar, on a scale of 1-10, your arguement rates a 0.5 for holding water. Blame Wal-Mart for Dorchesterites shopping out of town? Blame the free market system? That's sad, man. I agree we can't tell people where to spend their cash. We can't force them to care about their own community or their neighbors or our town's business owners. However we can encourage them to do so.
I stopped in Wal-Mart on a Sunday in September to pick up a few items for the kids' birthdays (I haven't been back since, since I don't speak Spanish). I was shocked to see how many Dorchester-area people were there getting groceries. I could name them here, but I know it would be deleted. Besides, I doubt it would do any good.
No one expects residents to get everything from Dorchester Grocery, but can't we all set a personal goal to buy our basics there? Or how about patronizing it 4 of every 5 grocery shopping trips? (For the record I have compared prices in Lincoln grocery stores to those in Dorchester. Dorchester was CHEAPER, YES, I SAID CHEAPER, on 80% of goods, esp. cereal, meat, butter, milk and bread.)
Blue Collar Guy.... I agree, we all work hard and long to make our $$$. My point being, that if anyone should understand the importance of supporting our local businesses (even on a limited basis), it most certainly should be the DACA and DACF members. Was I singling them out..yes...trying to make a point. If the goal here is to make Dorchester better, help it grow then asking people to keep some of their $$$ here locally is not too much to ask. I do know how much time they generously give to our community (I know because I too am a member) but I also know how many of our local businesses are asked to support/donate to everything our community does. I do agree that we need to look "outside" the box for answers but still feel strongly that we can all contribute to Dorchester's survival by supporting our local businesses. Being a part of community means more than just living here.
I think what would make the store run better is to run sale ads, like they used to. I know it might cost aliitle, but think of the extra people that would come in and buy the sale items. I think if they would at least try it 6 months, they would see more people, and probably make more money. Bruha's are doing a good job, but in small community, I think this would help bring more people in. I wish they would at least try it for awhile, I know I always bought alot of the sale items, and more people would shop more, everyone always likes sales.
.5 on a scale of 1-10, Cmon!! OK Bob, if not for cheaper prices found at Walmart and other places, then why do people from Dorchester shop at Walmart instead of the Dorchester Grocery? Maybe they just enjoy driving their Tyser cars, fueled by Coop gas, on Crete's paved streets, to purchase more expensive groceries at the Crete Foodmart, and to eat out at their favorite mexican restaurant (it tastes alot like Kolaches you know) Hope you all don't mind the humor. Which brings up an interesting point. Bob, would you expect Dorchester citizens to go to a Mexican restaurant as much as The Westside Saloon, if it was in Dorchester? If so, I can make a mean taco, and I'll by my hot sauce at Dorchester Grocery.
Concerned Citizen,
OK, so you love Dorchester and it's businesses. I do too. And if you are a member of DACA and DACF, then I guess it'S OK. But how many businesses are we able to support? and to what extent? Maybe Mr. Bruha needs to do a survey or somethin to help him find out what Dorchester needs, and then come up with a plan. Find out what Dorchester is willing to pay. Or does the market say that a store won't work in Dorchester, because Crete has better choices? Well the Bruhas are wonderful and smart people. And if there is a way they will find it. But you have to know what you are up against if you are going to find real answers to your problems.
To receive our occasional news update emails -- or to send us your news, photos, and announcements -- contact us at dorchester.times@gmail.com (note the period between "dorchester" and "times").
Main Street Dorchester in 1906 with ponies from Col. Thompson's Elmwood Pony Farm.
Got News? Want Alerts?
The Dorchester Times is your community news source. We rely on information provided by area residents, community leaders, school officials, students and alumni. If you know of a Dorchester-area event or story, send your stories to Dorchester.Times@gmail.com. Photos are also welcomed. If you would like to be notified when the Times publishes a new post, send us your e-mail address and we will add you to our contact list.
Dorchester Cooperative feed mill fire in the 1950s.
Dorchester: A Good Little Family Town
Dorchester, Nebraska (est. population 630) is located in northern Saline county. Close in proximity to Interstate 80, Dorchester is only 25 minutes from the state capital of Lincoln (est. population 250,000) and about 55 minutes from Omaha (metro population 725,000).
Dorchester's median resident age is 37 years. In 2005, Dorchester had a median family income of approximately $35,600. The median house value was about $63,000. About 95 percent of Dorchester residents commute to work via Interstate and highways.
The village has a quality public school, which received a $4.1 million expansion and modernization in 2008; it offers a small classrooms and individualized attention. Total enrollment of grades K-12 is around 230-250 students.
Ancestries of the Dorchester area are primarily German (42.4%), Czech (24.9%), Irish (12.5%), English (5.4%), and Dutch (4.9%).
Dorchester's West Mills, 1910. The mill, built by some of the area's first settlers, sat on the West Fork Big Blue River and was completed in 1864.
Dorchester-Area Job Listings
Live in Dorchester and still find a career in almost any sector. See today's latest Dorchster-area job listings by clicking here.
Dorchesters's Elmwood Pony Farm and W.J. Thompson, auctioneer, in 1912.
Join Dorchester Community Foundation Today
Want to make Dorchester an even better place to call home? Join the Dorchester Community Foundation. The Foundation and its fund have already spurred several community improvements, such as the city park renovation and the new 'Welcome to Dorchester' signs. To donate, simply click here.
Dorchester Historical Facts
* On July 4, 1871, the railroad reached Dorchester.
* Incorporated in 1881, Dorchester's population grew from 200 to 500 by 1882.
* In 1882, Dorchester had 90 buildings, 35 of which were businesses or public facilities. Brick buildings lined both sides of Washington Avenue for two blocks.
* Dorchester's longest-running newspaper was The Dorchester Star, which was published until the late 1940s.
* By 1889, Dorchester's population is said to have reached 800, while the town housed an opera house, a two-story brick schoolhouse with a bell tower, and four churches.
* By the 1910s, Dorchester had electricity, a water tower and a fire department.
* Dorchester's main arteries, Highways 6 and 33, were graveled in the 1940s.
* Dorchester's first irrigation well was drilled on Chris Weber's farm and rural electrification was finished following WWII.
Dorchester's Main Street, 1908, looking north.
A Village with History
Dorchester is one of the "alphabet towns" on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad line built west from Lincoln. The town site was selected for its pleasant location in the northern part of Saline County, about eight miles west of Crete. This situation is an attractive one, being on the level prairie land, midway between the West Blue River and Turkey Creek. The first named stream is three miles north, and the latter about the same distance south from the town. Dorchester was platted in 1870 and incorporated in 1881. The name "Dorchester" came from either for a suburb of Boston by that name or a town in England. No one is sure. Two of the very first settlers were James Seely and Edward McIntyre, who both made Dorchester their permanent home.
Dorchester's Methodist Church circa 1889-90, shortly after the building was moved from Pleasant Hill.
Turkey Creek stock farm, circa 1885, south of Dorchester.
Dorchester: In The Beginning
Here is a look at Dorchester around 1890, less than a decade after its official incorporation, as documented by Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska:
* POPULATION: "About 300, and is made up of a substantial and progressive class of citizens, who are moral and industrious. ... The town grew but very little until the year 1879, for the reason that Pleasant Hill, on Turkey Creek, a short distance south, was the county seat and naturally drew a trade for quite a large scope of country."
* BUSINESS: "The business and professional interests of the town are represented by three general merchandise stores, two drug, one grocery, one furniture, two hardware, and two millinery stores, one bank, two restaurants, two hotels, three livery stables, a post office, one newspaper office, two elevators, two lumber yards, two coal yards, two blacksmith shops, two lawyers and four physicians."
* SCHOOL: "The schoolhouse is a good one. The schoolhouse was built in 1872, since which time the public schools have been continually kept up. The present schoolhouse is 24' x 40' in size, two stories high. The school is graded and consists of three departments. The house is found too small, and arrangements will soon be made to increase its size."
* CHURCHES: "There are three substantial churches."
* HOMES: "The residence portion of the village is made up of neat houses of different styles of architecture, but none of them very large."
* NEWSPAPER: "The Dorchester Star, which was established August 21, 1881, by H. C. Bittenbender, who edited it until January 19, 1882, when he sold it to Ryerson & Bullock, the present proprietors. The Star is a bright weekly paper, five-column quarto, in size, and is Republican in politics."
Portrait of three boys in costume on a dirt road in Dorchester, early 1900s. One is dressed as a Uncle Sam, while the other two are dressed as Native Americans, complete with feathered headdresses, fringed clothing and bows. Photo by Russell Freidell.
Dorchester Homes For Sale
Dorchester offers friendly, small-community living for families and individuals. The cost of living here is one of the nation's most affordable, while the quality of life is tremendous. Click here for the latest Dorchester area real estate listings.
The "famous Dorchester race car" from the 1930s, built and raced by Henry Sehnert, the village's longtime Ford auto dealer.
Dorchester Items On eBay
See what Dorchester-related items are for sale on eBay by clicking here. It should be noted that the Dorchester Times is neither affiliated with eBay, nor do we receive compensation from the company.
1909 Dorchester baseball team.
Share News With Your Fellow Community Members
Let us know if there is something that you want to see covered or featured in the Dorchester Times. E-mail stories, photos and news tips to Dorchester.Times@gmail.com.
The Old Dorchester School used from 1890-1927.
Current Dorchester Demographics
Click here for the most up-to-date information on Dorchester, including information and statistics on our residents, housing, school, businesses and climate.
Dorchester's train depot as featured in a postcard from the early 1900s.
Today's city hall as it appeared circa 1920, when it housed the Citizens State Bank, post office and Masonic Hall (upstairs).
Gathering at Dorchester's fairgrounds, 1908
TIMES POLL: What Issue Is Most Important When Voting For School Board Members?
RESULTS: Student Behavior/Perfomance -- 48.1%; Teacher/Staff Evaluation -- 16.3%; Cooperation With Village -- 15.4%; New Spending -- 14.4%; School Renovation -- 5.8% (104 votes)
Freeouf's Garage & Livery of Dorchester, circa 1925
Dorchester's Charles Havlat was the very last U.S. soldier killed in action in the European operations of WWII. Private Havlat was shot May 7, 1945, while on patrol in Bohemia, by German soldiers who were unaware a ceasefire had been declared.
TIMES POLL: Bring Back The Summertime Street Dances?
RESULTS: Yes -- 78.4%; No -- 21.6% (102 readers surveyed.)
The Dorchester telephone building, which housed operators and switchboards, as it appeared in the 1920s.
TIMES POLL: When Do You Get In Touch With Old DHS Classmates?
RESULTS: Alumni Tournaments -- 62.7%; Stay in touch regularly -- 18.6%; Homecoming -- 8.5%; Christmas/New Years -- 6.8%; Fourth of July -- 3.4%. (59 votes)
Dorchester Methodist Church around the turn of the 20th century
Dorchester's First Baptist Church (year unknown)
TIMES POLL: What Is Dorchester's Best Quality?
RESULTS: The people of Dorchester -- 32.6%; School -- 18.5%; Close to larger towns -- 17.4%; Cost of living -- 16.3%; Other -- 9.8%; Organizations and businesses -- 5.4%. (92 readers surveyed.)
Dorchester Christian Church, circa 1908
Depot, telegraph office and elevator at Dorchester, circa 1910
Dorchester's Elmwood Pony Farm, owned by W.J. Thompson, 1912
TIMES POLL: What Is The Most Positive Development In Dorchester Lately?
RESULTS: City Park Renovation - 40.2%; More Civic Participation - 22%; Main Street Improvements - 13.6%; Growth Of Co-op - 13.6%; Nerud Field Project - 10.6%. (132 votes.)
Dorchester's July 4th G.A.R. parade, 1908
Dorchester's two-story depot, built in the 1870s, housed the station agent and his family upstairs
TIMES POLL: Which Era Had the Top Male Athletic Talent?
Grocery Industry Association said the number of independently owned grocery stores in Nebraska has dropped from 1,200 to about 600 over the past 15 years. In the article, Doug Cunningham, director of the Hometown Merchants Association of Nebraska, emphasized that small businesses need each other and that a community’s school, bank and grocery store are particularly important. “If you don’t have a minimum of those things, it’s pretty hard to compete with other communities to bring economic development into your community,” Cunningham said. We at the Times could not agree more. 
A@A and their subcontractors should be on the inside of the school instead of the outside, maybe they could learn how to read and quite running the school stops, stop signs, @ speed limits.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the grocery store...
ReplyDeleteA business model that has been successful in other small communites is the "town ownership" model. Everyone that is able and interested "buys in" to the store and runs it for the community. Sometimes the owners hires a manager and other times they have a rotating shift. Profits are shared as the owners deem fit.
Another model is the "mall shop" idea. Interested community members "buy" a section and "own" it, runing it as their own mini-store making all the ordering decisions, making all the profit (minus a percentage to the "mall" to pay labor, taxes, etc.)
Either way, only truly interested people are in the process and ownership stays in the community. Anyone out there want to step up to the plate?
We need the grocery store in town..... I hope the for sale sign woke some folks up so they shop there instead of walmart...... why do we want to drive 15 miles more on what will likely be $4 gas by January???
ReplyDeleteUNFORTUNATE, indeed! I think we need a grocery store in Dorchester. Bruhas do a FANTASTIC job with keeping prices competitive and service always comes with a smile. Father Andersen, I think your ideas and challenge are a good starting point. I would like to take the challenge to even a more basic level........HOW MANY OF THE D.A.C.A. AND D.A.C.F. MEMBERS SUPPORT THE DORCHESTER GROCERY???? (I asked---not even 50%...how sad it that?) HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT DORCHESTER OFFERS SUPPORT TYSER REPAIR, FARMERS COOP, SHERYLL'S WESTSIDE SALOON, FIRST STATE BANK, DORCHESTER GROCERY, DONNA'S HAIR CREATION, KLEIN CONSTRUCTION, BZ CONSTRUCTION, STUTZMAN DIGGING, SLEPICKA BROTHERS, SHARON'S, RUT AUCTION AND NOVAK AUCTION (I know I've forgotten some businesses but not intentionally .. sorry)???? If we truly want Dorchester businesses to survive and attract new ones, we HAVE to support them. If people would even spend a portion of their grocery budget in Dorchester, we just might be able to keep it. So how about all of us stepping up to the plate and spending our $$$ in our hometown.
ReplyDeleteI had a flat tire in Lincoln yesterday. My tires have 50,000+ miles, but I waited to have them changed until I can get them replaced in Dorchester. Little actions make the difference when it comes to supporting hometown businesses.
ReplyDeleteC.J.----Good for you!!! That's what we all need to do. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING DORCHESTER!!!
ReplyDeleteI am a DACA member and nobody asked me if I shop at the Dorchester Grocery, although I do.
ReplyDeleteCORY........I ASKED JOHN BRUHA WHO SHOPPED AT HIS STORE, FIGURED HE WOULD KNOW.
ReplyDeleteConcerned Citizen,
ReplyDeleteAre you on a personal crusade to save the Dorchester Grocery? Perhaps the city ought to levy a tax to subsidize the store? Whatever the solution you propose, your attempt to single out members of DACA and DACF (who give their own time and efforts to help Dorchester) is unfair and cheesy. Did you stop to think that Mr. Bruha might not want your observations brought to a blog like this?
When you work hard for your money, you have the right to get the most for it. I think you would agree to that. And who is better qualified to spend it, then the person who makes it. That's the way it is in the free market. Should we stop all the folks from out of town from spending money here in Dorchester, and tell them to go back and spend their money in their town?
Some people do not have the luxury of shopping in a store because it's in their town. Prices, choices, and quality matter. Perhaps a convenience store would do better here?
I am not sure we ought to blame the little guy for getting the most out of their dollar. Perhaps we should examine the politics and practices of the "big box" stores that allow them to beat our local stores.
Dorchester, if we're going to progress it isn't going to be in "main street" stores. Main street as we know it is gone. I wish it wasn't so, but it is. Think outside of the box.
Blue Collar, on a scale of 1-10, your arguement rates a 0.5 for holding water. Blame Wal-Mart for Dorchesterites shopping out of town? Blame the free market system? That's sad, man. I agree we can't tell people where to spend their cash. We can't force them to care about their own community or their neighbors or our town's business owners. However we can encourage them to do so.
ReplyDeleteI stopped in Wal-Mart on a Sunday in September to pick up a few items for the kids' birthdays (I haven't been back since, since I don't speak Spanish). I was shocked to see how many Dorchester-area people were there getting groceries. I could name them here, but I know it would be deleted. Besides, I doubt it would do any good.
No one expects residents to get everything from Dorchester Grocery, but can't we all set a personal goal to buy our basics there? Or how about patronizing it 4 of every 5 grocery shopping trips? (For the record I have compared prices in Lincoln grocery stores to those in Dorchester. Dorchester was CHEAPER, YES, I SAID CHEAPER, on 80% of goods, esp. cereal, meat, butter, milk and bread.)
Blue Collar Guy....
ReplyDeleteI agree, we all work hard and long to make our $$$. My point being, that if anyone should understand the importance of supporting our local businesses (even on a limited basis), it most certainly should be the DACA and DACF members. Was I singling them out..yes...trying to make a point. If the goal here is to make Dorchester better, help it grow then asking people to keep some of their $$$ here locally is not too much to ask. I do know how much time they generously give to our community (I know because I too am a member) but I also know how many of our local businesses are asked to support/donate to everything our community does. I do agree that we need to look "outside" the box for answers but still feel strongly that we can all contribute to Dorchester's survival by supporting our local businesses. Being a part of community means more than just living here.
I think what would make the store run better is to run sale ads, like they used to. I know it might cost aliitle, but think of the extra people that would come in and buy the sale items. I think if they would at least try it 6 months, they would see more people, and probably make more money. Bruha's are doing a good job, but in small community, I think this would help bring more people in. I wish they would at least try it for awhile, I know I always bought alot of the sale items, and more people would shop more, everyone always likes sales.
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDelete.5 on a scale of 1-10, Cmon!! OK Bob, if not for cheaper prices found at Walmart and other places, then why do people from Dorchester shop at Walmart instead of the Dorchester Grocery? Maybe they just enjoy driving their Tyser cars, fueled by Coop gas, on Crete's paved streets, to purchase more expensive groceries at the Crete Foodmart, and to eat out at their favorite mexican restaurant (it tastes alot like Kolaches you know) Hope you all don't mind the humor. Which brings up an interesting point. Bob, would you expect Dorchester citizens to go to a Mexican restaurant as much as The Westside Saloon, if it was in Dorchester? If so, I can make a mean taco, and I'll by my hot sauce at Dorchester Grocery.
Concerned Citizen,
OK, so you love Dorchester and it's businesses. I do too. And if you are a member of DACA and DACF, then I guess it'S OK. But how many businesses are we able to support? and to what extent? Maybe Mr. Bruha needs to do a survey or somethin to help him find out what Dorchester needs, and then come up with a plan. Find out what Dorchester is willing to pay. Or does the market say that a store won't work in Dorchester, because Crete has better choices? Well the Bruhas are wonderful and smart people. And if there is a way they will find it. But you have to know what you are up against if you are going to find real answers to your problems.
GO BOB!!, GO BLOG!!
LUV YA,
BLUE COLLAR GUY
I'm still buying my groceries in Dorchester. Period.
ReplyDeleteLove,
ME