It's a new year and time for a new open forum for Tim
es readers. Once again, this is your chance to say something, report breaking news or ask a question, on any issue. Any topic is fair game, although the Times' comment policy still applies. Keep it clean; keep it civil. (Please see the bottom of the left-hand column.)The Times' Web site is averaging more than 530 hits a day, according to an independent tracking service. That means the Times is the perfect forum to air your thoughts, news tips, announcements, complaints and concerns.
Social experts say that people need three places: the home, the office, and a community hangout or gathering place. With this thought in mind, please consider this Dorchester's community virtual hangout. Go ahead and sound off. We are listening.
This story appears in today's Lincoln/Journal Star.
ReplyDeleteA new study has found that five times as many high school and college students are dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues than youth of the same age who were studied in the Great Depression era.
The findings, culled from responses to a popular psychological questionnaire used as far back as 1938, confirm what counselors on campuses nationwide have long suspected as more students struggle with the stresses of school and life in general.
"It's another piece of the puzzle _ that yes, this does seem to be a problem, that there are more young people who report anxiety and depression," says Jean Twenge, a San Diego State University psychology professor and the study's lead author. "The next question is: what do we do about it?"
Though the study, released Monday, does not provide a definitive correlation, Twenge and mental health professionals speculate that a popular culture increasingly focused on the external _ from wealth to looks and status _ has contributed to the uptick in mental health issues.
What do you bloggers think?
dweller: time to update your photo of mainstreet. The old blue marquee has been gone for three years and the east side of the street is now rockin'
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThe streets of Dorchester are paved with packed snow and ice. As smooth as they've ever been. :)
When are they going to put the drive by mail box back to where it was. It is about as convenient has ordering your food at a drive thru and then having to park and go inside the restrauant to pick it up. Thank you for your consideration.
ReplyDeleteSomething good is happening in Dorchester, have you noticed that all the parking is taken on Fri. and Sat. night. Ben's had a full house again this Saturday night, but the great food and cheap beer was well worth the wait. "Hey Ben and Sue how about adding on again"
ReplyDeleteRegarding "Dr Freud's" comments, I grew up during the Great Depression. We didn't have to worry about our looks and money, we had no money to spend on our looks or on food. We also did not have electronics, didn't have to multi task, text, think of our next project while working on a current project, hurry, hurry, hurry. Some mental health experts feel that our teens and pre-teens are keeping way too busy, no time for relaxing or day dreaming. Look at computer games. Our brains have to work overtime to win these games,leaving no down time. I am very worried about this aspect of our society today, and look for it to become much worse. On top of all this, we have 2 wars going on, nothing but gloom and doom by the media. What else can we expect?
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely something good going down in the Big D! Joe's Place is packing 'em in during the weekend and has a good sized crowd during the week. That has been an amazing turnaround. Always people coming and going. Ben's Iron Grill (BIG) is always full on the weekends, too. Can't believe it, but sometimes you have to walk a couple of blocks to get through the front door. Keep it going Dorchester.
ReplyDeleteDr. Freud shares many of the same concerns as "Anonymous 6:37 PM." You sound as if you care deeply about children. However, I think you need a hug. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Why does the post office have to close for 2 HOURS over the lunch hour? They are closed at the most inconvient time, 11:30-1:30. Don't they realize that some of us only have from 12-1 to do our mailing. I know that they are open early and that is great, but they don't stay open any later.
ReplyDeleteIDEA FOR YOU ALL, especially the school board.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed a handful of small homes for sale in town ... one right by the school. Why not consider the school district buying one or two of these as properties to help attract new school teachers. We can't compete with Lincoln and Omaha Public Schools for salaries, but if you can give a young teacher decent housing for $100/mo., I'm willing to bet you can get good teaching talent here AND HAVE THEM LIVE IN THE DISTRICT. Imagine that, just like the old days.
Is Dorchester hiring teachers, may be interested?
ReplyDeleteIs there a need for a new gym floor and all the money that will be spent on this.
ReplyDeleteAnybody know what is going on??
Seems like a lot of money to be spent when the economy is this bad
I have heard from very good sources that Dorchester Schools will be hiring at least a couple of new teachers for the upcoming school year.
ReplyDeletePREVIOUS POSTING BELOW:
ReplyDeleteI have it from a good source that approx. 65% of the gym project is being paid for with Stimulus Package Money, which has some big strings attached (meaning it's hard to spend on meaningful things). One rather large acceptable way to spend is that of Handicapped Accessibility. Because the current bleachers (which are in need of some repair, have been repaired in the past 2 or 3 times), do not offer accessibility to today's standards that is an acceptable way to spend the money. Another acceptable way to spend the money is to adequately repair the seam in the floor, where the current metal transition barely does the job.
I also have it from good sources that these upgrades will not require any new taxes, although it's understood every cent they spend belongs to we taxpayers.
I'd say the old equipment served well. I hope the new stuff does too. At least we're able to spend it on something we need.
the house by the school, I wouldnt live in, needs lots of work, If we had good houses, it would be nice,some of the house are nice, and some need lots of work
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hug, Dr. Freud. All of our children need hugs, also.
ReplyDeleteI am also upset about the location of the outdoor mail box. Someone is going to slip on the ice trying to get to it. I wish who ever ran over the other one would run over this one so they would put it back in a drive up location. All other towns have drive up mail boxes, WHY CAN'T WE?????
ReplyDeleteHow goes the big pipeline project out your guys way? I've seend some big write ups in some magazines on it.
ReplyDeletePLEASE make me Dorchester citizen of the year. If chosen, I will:
ReplyDelete1.) Have a bucket of gravel ready to fill in any pothole on any Dorchester street.
2.) Volunteer to eat at Ben's Iron Grill each night of the week.
3.) Stand on Highway 33 to welcome passers by each night of the week.
4.) Repaint the Dorchester Coop orange and black so that we don't have to look at the peeling paint anymore.
5.) Replace the rusty water tower with a new aerospace plastic material, also in orange and black.
6.) Babysit every child in Dorchester for those parents who complain about the school all the time and can't find time to raise their own kids.
7.) Stand in front of the post office to take people's letters and relieve them of walking three steps to the outdoor mailbox.
8.) Tear down any Dorchester house that has not been lived in for the past year.
9.) Shoot stray cats and dogs.
10.) Show up at the Community Hall on Saturday nights to ensure ethnic and english-speaking diversity at the gatherings.
I just want to say a friend of mine wanted to go eat the other day and said we should go to Dorchester to Bens to eat. I was thinking in my head the whole way there I can't believe that I am going to eat in Dorchester there is nothing there. When I got there I was so surprised on what I seen. That place cleaned up so nice. The salad bar was amazing. The thing that I liked the most was that everyone in there was nice and having a good time. The only thing that I didn't like was I thought that there could of been a couple more things on the menu but I am sure that in time they will add more things.
ReplyDeleteI just read in the Journal/Star that a State Senator has proposed eliminating the State Tresurer's office due to budget problems. Will Saline County be next??
ReplyDeleteI saw in the Lincoln Journal Star that Al Kalkwarf passed on Jan 12,2010. So to all you friends and family in Dorchester and Crete and other local towns: My condolences he was a great guy.
ReplyDeleteI saw in the Lincoln Journal Star that Al Kalkwarf passed on Jan 12,2010. So to all you friends and family in Dorchester and Crete and other local towns: My condolences he was a great guy.
ReplyDeleteI will miss Al on my visits back home. I've known him all his life. A great guy. He would come out to Donna's to visit with us and always had a good word for Dorchester. Another guy who died too young. He will be missed. My condolences to his sister Alvina and his Aunt Clara. Jim Sehnert
ReplyDeleteTo the fulton gal, the house by the school would need alot of work, I have been in it, and I would not live in it. It needs way to much work, siding and window, the floor is bad, needs new carpet, a complete update. If I were a young teacher this house would not impress me at the least.
ReplyDeleteThe following is from Reuters News Service:
ReplyDelete“The number of children aged 2 to 5 who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and prescribed powerful antipsychotic drugs has doubled over the past decade, according to research released on Friday. The research suggests that while it is still rare to prescribe powerful psychiatric drugs to 2-year-olds, the practice is becoming more frequent.
The data was compiled from 2000 to 2007, and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. However, the psychiatric diagnosis of very young children is anything but an exact science," said Harry Tracy, a psychologist and publisher of NeuroInvestment, a monthly publication specializing in central nervous system disorders.”
As a forty-something individual MISDIAGNOSED with bi-polar illness, I agree with the last statement that this can be an inexact science…..even in adults. By the way, my true disorder was severe anxiety. Our children are over-medicated.
In regards to J.R. Wolfe's support of LR292, it's my understanding that the resolution is part of a grassroots movement in state legislatures across the country to protest the intrusion of the Federal government into State government affairs. Does this mean Nebraskans will no longer accept Federal farm subsidies?
ReplyDeleteHow about planning some extra activities for alumni weekend to get more people back. There needs to be more than a dinner and then a beer bash at the Legion. How about a Farmer's Market or a Flea Market during the day. Maybe an encore of one of the school plays after the dinner (I know school's out but maybe the cast could be paid a few bucks from the cost of admission - I suppose you have to check with NSAA to be sure this doesn't make them "professionals").
ReplyDeleteDear Molly Ivans,
ReplyDeleteWhen I was farming, on what I farmed on my own, I did not accept or pursue farm subsidies. I believe firmly that the old Whig Idea of subsidizing ANY business, hurts that industry, and leads to its demise.
Between Whigs, who hold to protectionism, high taxes, subsidies and tarriffs, and Progressives, with their nanny government enslavment of us, we have ceased to follow the Constitution. It must stop for the future of our children, and future generations.
JR
If the Post Office feels it needs the box in the front, it can still be a drive up. DeWitt has one. The placement of it now is very inconvenient & I'm able to walk, I can't imagine for those who can't.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the common sense?
If you REALLY have a problem with the mailbox location, send an e-mail to the US Postal Service Inspector General at
ReplyDeletehotline@uspsoig.gov
Or you can call the US Postal Service inspector general at (703)248-2100 and leave complaints there.
ReplyDeleteJR,
ReplyDeleteYou made my point. Any State that so vigorously opposes Federal intervention, yet gladly accepts subsidies will never be taken seriously by Washington. You cannot have it both ways. It’s like Bill Clinton or David Vitter preaching to us about the sanctity of marriage.
Molly... you have a distorted, twisted view of reality. Direct farm subsidies comprise approximately .05% of all federal spending -- trust me, I'm an expert. Your democrat party is the group responsible for bloating the budget by a deficit of $1.5 TRILLION last year and that ain't going to farmers or cattlemen.
ReplyDeleteLIVE FREE OR DIE!
Um, with all due respect, Molly Ivins IS dead. Read Pat Buchanan if you really want to know what is going on. http://www.wnd.com/news/archives.asp?AUTHOR_ID=185
ReplyDeleteThe United States spends less than half of one percent of all federal spending on agricultural programs. BUT, according to USDA, Nebraska received over one billion dollars in direct payments between 2003-2005. If you want sovereignty, Nebraskans must demand a return to free market agriculture.
ReplyDelete"Live Free or be a Hypocrite"
I agree, but first I want the federal government to cut my taxes in half, and terminate the jobs of half the federal workers who do nothing and produce nothing. Cut social welfare in half, too. Get government bribes and mandates out of our lives.
ReplyDeleteLIVE FREE OR BE A LIBERAL!
Why the “but first” talk?
ReplyDeleteShow Washington you are serious by organizing and advocating for a free market.
Build a coalition throughout the “Farm Belt.”
It begins at the grassroots level.
Because, genius, you are taking MY money. I want it back before you end the redistribution of the working people's wealth. How hard is that to understand.
ReplyDeleteLIVE FREE OR DIE BROKE!
For all concerned: I actually called the # that Bob listed regarding the location of the Post Office Box. That # is used for internal issues, but I thank you Bob for giving me at least a starting place. The number that needs to be called is actually Consumer's Affairs at 402-573-2109
ReplyDeleteThe person I spoke with said she handles all of Nebraska and encouraged anyone who has a concern to call and maybe something can be done. This is a government facility and it should be accessible to everyone.
I like the action taken by Anonymous January 20, 2010 3:12 PM. It's constructive and mature.
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing awesome things about Ben's. I live about an hour away but would love to take a road trip to Ben's. Could someone tell me if I arrived at 6PM on a Saturday night, would I have much of a wait? What are some of the menu items that eveyone likes & what are the weekend specials? Any other info you think would be helpful, is appreciated. '76 DHS Grad
ReplyDeleteTo Czech Queen:
ReplyDeleteYou will be fine if you arrive at 6:00 based on my experience. The new seating to the north insures that there's almost never a wait and there's plenty of seating for all. Go with the catfish ;)
To Czech Queen:
ReplyDeleteFor a great meal at a reasonable price, you cannot beat the 1/2 chicken or the ribs. The Prime Rib is also excellent!
I too appreciate Bob's info for the post office. I went a different route, I went on line & filled out a complaint. It said I would get a response back via e-mail, which I have not received yet & if I don't, I will dial the number Anonymous posted. Thanks to both.
ReplyDeleteGreat news from the post office. I received a response e-mail to my complaint about the mail collection box. After a few e-mails back & forth, they explaining why they wouldn't, I arguing why they should. This morning I got an e-mail from Sandy (the Dorchester Postmaster). She said Omaha contacted her saying "they are going to replace the box in the alley soon & put it on the books to put the reinforcement poles around it in the spring". Thanks to all who worked together to get this changed, including Sandy at the post office. And for those who think it's a good idea to run into the box or put things other then mail in it, it's not a good idea, it is very immature & causes hardship for others. "Think before you act".
ReplyDeleteI am told a small video camera will be monitoring the mailbox once it is in the alley. GOOD!
ReplyDeleteIf parents can't watch their little kiddies, then I guess cameras and the law enforcement system will have to do the job for them.
ReplyDeleteBetty, thanks for taking the initiative.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear the farmers complain about where the federal money goes! I click on EWG.ORG and can see how many hundreds of thousands of dollars that each farmer receives and they are still complaining about where the federal money goes? I lived on a farm growing up and didn't realize the government money the farmers (even my Dad) was receiving was so large. I didn't understand as a kid in the 1970's how we could make more money by being in the "PIK" program than actually farming the ground. Dad never told me that the government bought us our grain bins and quanset sheds. How many "poor" farmers does anybody know today? Most of them are getting more in the farm subsidy every year than I make in a year as an engineer!
ReplyDeleteIn this difficult economic times where there is a 10% unemployment rate and the farmers are still complaining? I don't get it? I actually had a farmer tell me that the 800 billion dollar bank bailout was just wrong...he said the the government should not give money to any business! I asked him if he would be willing to NOT take his farm subsidy check anymore and he said "I need that money to live on". How big of double standard is that.
I would love to see Nebraska be one of the states that tries to be government free of any welfare / farm subidy handouts.
LIVE FREE AND WORK ALL YEAR, NOT JUST PLANTING & HARVEST
Now that the lady huskers basketball team is #7 and undefeated i think i now know why a certain female basketball player who was too good to play for crete moved to the east coast. She knew she couldnt have started for connie yorrie an nebraska!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing to see the level of support and financial contributions for Gabe Fischer at last night's basketball game.
ReplyDeleteImagine if we had the same type of event to refurbish the baseball/softball field?
Is the following request for Federal aid appropriate?
ReplyDelete"Nebraska asks for federal aid help with winter woes"
Disaster assessment teams say a series of snowstorms caused about $11.5 million in damage in 66 Nebraska counties that might qualify for emergency federal aid. The request includes a number of Southeast Nebraska counties, among them, Lancaster, Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, Polk, Saline, Saunders, Seward and York.
http://www.journalstar.com
/news/local/article_
7829bbd2-079c-11df-91bb-001cc4c03286.html
We certainly don't need Federal Aid in Lancaster County for our "winter woes".
ReplyDeleteAs an individual citizen, I do not approve of either farmer bail out or bank bail out. My dad was a farmer, rough times, but no federal bail out back then. Why should there be? We all have rough times, just have to work a little harder and "tighten our belts" a bit. Not wait for someone to bail us out. No wonder we are in such a mess!
Great win by both Longhorn teams on Friday night! Wow, what a thriller the boys game was, even though they had much more talent, McCool scraped back into the game and nearly one.
ReplyDeleteThey only disappointing thing was to see a McCool fan throw objects at the refs. C'mon, is that necessary. I would have confronted that good ol' boy personally had I been wearing the zebra stripes. Guess thats why I don't want to be a ref.