New Ad Recruits Student Athletes To DHS

Attention Area Student Athletes

(Grades 7-11)

 Do You Want To:

ü Play at the Varsity Level During Your High School Career?

ü Get Noticed on the Field or Court – and in the Classroom?

ü Play Multiple Sports?

ü Get a Top-Notch Education?

 

 

We Want You To Come To Dorchester Schools!

 

 

DORCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL – HOME OF THE LONGHORNS

Dorchester Public Schools is a K-12 facility that offers:

 

§  Small classes with great teachers.

§  A friendly, comfortable, modern setting to meet the needs of individual students.

§  Great opportunities to participate in team sports and other extra-curricular activities.

 

Option Enrollment deadline for students wanting to play sports next fall is March 14.

For more information, call Dorchester School at (402) 946-2781.

Dorchester is located 25 minutes southwest of Lincoln in northern Saline County.  Transfer/Option-Enrollment students are welcome.  DHS athletic teams compete in Class D, but will soon be co-oping with Milford High School to play Class C in football and perhaps other sports.  Quality coaches for every sport.  A new $4.1 million school building (built in 2008) offers a large weight room, two gyms and a new wrestling room.  Our facilities also feature new classrooms, a first-class theater, band room and large computer labs.

To play sports next season, you have only until March 15 to sign up for option enrollment.

 

This ad was neither produced nor paid for by Dorchester Public Schools, but by private citizens.  Inquiries about Dorchester Schools and its athletic programs should be directed to school officials at 402-946-2781.
 

Dorchester Community Foundation Update On 'Welcome' Signs

The Dorchester Community Foundation (DCF) would like to thank everyone that came to the foundation's chicken supper earlier this month and who gave or sent donations for the community's new "welcome" signs.

According to inside sources with the DCF's board, there were some farmers who donated grain, as well as people who donated time and/or supplies. The foundation heard from many alumni, as well. 

Without such generous community support, and support from Dorchester natives across the country, the project could have never become a reality, said one board member.  "It would still be a dream," the DCF board member said.  "Instead, we have almost reached our goal and wanted to thank you all for supporting Dorchester." 

Some of the Dorchester High School alumni that sent donations also included some of their Dorchester history, according to the DCF, which will be sharing these notes throughout the month of December. 

Here is one from Lois Nichols Jurgens, DHS Class of 1949:

Dear Dorchester Community Foundation:

Thank you for the information about the Dorchester Community Foundation fund. I am proud to say Dorchester is my hometown.

My grandparents, Orton and Mary Nickols, were pioneers to the area.  My grandfather came to Nebraska in a covered wagon from Illinois.  My grandmother was born in a sod house by the Big Blue River.  By trade, my grandfather was a painter and carpenter.  He was also a sexton of the Dorchester Cemetery for many years. He helped dig graves.  The summers were spent mowing the cemetery -- with a push mower.

My mother, Alice Nichols, was a telephone operator and Avon sales agent.  She was a graduated of the then-"new" school (1927 DPS building). I graduated in 1949. After working at Pospisil's Grocery and Citizens State Bank, I attended Doane College. From there, I went to North Platte and onto Colorado.  But I always remember my roots and the town that shaped my values. 

Please keep me informed on the foundation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lois (Nickols) Jurgens
Estes Park, Colorado

As reported earlier, the Dorchester Community Foundation is raising funds to finalize the town's new welcome signs. These signs will feature the community's new logo, which will also be on the village's new water tower -- to be completed yet this year or early 2013.

The concrete and brick welcome signs will be rather substantial in size, measuring 8' tall (pillars) and 20' wide. They will stand on an elevated landing measuring 6' by 24'. Plans are to have them lighted, as well. (See our Aug. 30 story on the new signs.)

You can contribute to this project by making checks payable to Dorchester Community Foundation Fund.

Donations should be sent to:

Mr. Dale Hayek
652 County Road 1200
Dorchester, NE 68343

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund is a non-profit subsidiary of the Nebraska Community Foundation so all donations are tax deductible.

 

Business Spotlight: Kohout's Christmas Trees

With Christmas only a 30 days away, we wanted to recognize Kohout's Christmas and Landscape Trees, which has served the Dorchester area for several years.

The Kohout tree farm opens the right after Thanksgiving. Business days are during the weekends, 9 a.m. until dark. Some of the customer perks include: hay rack rides to and from the field; complimentary hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies; and free coloring books for kids. Christmas tree varieties include Scotch Pine and White Pine.

 

At Kohout's, wreaths, swags, tree stands, bags and other Christmas items are also for sale. Trees will be shook and netted for free.

Located at 1214 State Highway 15, just southwest of Dorchester, the Kohout tree farm may be contacted by phone at (402) 946-6531 or by e-mail at makohout@hotmail.com.

 

On a sad note, Marvin Kohout, owner of Kohout's Christmas Trees, tells the Lincoln newspaper that the drought wreaked havoc on his trees this year.  He had 1,500 trees in containers this year and about 50 survived.  "It's kind of discouraging," said Kohout, who has been in the Christmas tree business since 1984.

Kohout has about 300 field trees of all shapes and sizes. He might try to raise some more trees in containers next year, but this could be his last year in the family business, which he has been scaling down the past 10 years.

 

Dorchester Artwork Now Online

The Friend Sentinel recently published a news story about the new ability of Dorchester students and their parents to view student artwork on a free, online gallery called Artsonia.

"I recently sent home the permission slips to all of the parents to have some of the student’s artwork displayed online," Stacy Lutjemeyer, the K-12 art teacher at Dorchester, said.  Lutjemeyer has been the art teacher at Dorchester for the last 13 years.

She was told about this online art gallery by a co-worker and has been working with it since the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.  “I posted a few of my art projects from the summer to see how it worked. I have recently uploaded a few projects of the students to the website,” Lutjemeyer said. “My goal is  to have artwork for everyone K-12.”

The Dorchester Times found that more than 270 pieces of art by DPS students have been posted online since late September.

In order to protect the privacy of each student, their artwork is posted by a screen name that consists of their first name and a number. Their last name is never posted to the website, according to the Artsonia website.

Parents can find their child’s artwork by entering their screen name in the “find artist section” of the homepage. A general search can also by done by the name of the school.  “I really like that parents can buy a mug, bag or coaster among other things with their child’s artwork on it,” Lutjemeyer said. “That would be a great gift for grandparents.” 

Whenever you place an order with Artsonia, 20% of the order is donated back to the school arts program. Not only are you receiving a high-quality keepsake with your child’s artwork, but you are also helping the art teacher purchase additional art supplies and other needs for their arts program, according to the Artsonia website.

The Dorchester student’s artwork can be found here. 

McCool Junction Sets Standard For Smaller Schools

"We are one big family."

That's the secret behind a thriving Class D school in McCool Junction, according to a new report by 10/11 News. 

The story offers key insight to how the rural school in York County is beating the odds.  In a time of shrinking student bodies in Nebraska's rural towns, the McCool Mustangs are growing in enrollment and school spirit.

This story could have very well been shot in Dorchester, another school that is thriving due in large part to our new facilities approved by the district voters five years ago. 

But we would ask the students, teachers and administrators to watch the 10/11 story and emulate the philosphy used in McCool: "We are family."

When going to school, representing your school, teaching students and ensuring the success of your school becomes more than just a job -- more than just routine -- that's when you know you're on track for long-term success.

You can view the 10/11 News story by clicking here.

Weber, Koll Re-Elected; Bors, Havlat, Zoubek Get Another Term

 

More than a week has passed since Election Day, and we had hoped to report the official results from Dorchester's Village Board and Dorchester School Board races much sooner.  However, the Saline County Election Commissioner has still not posted the official vote counts. 

That said, we can safely report that Brandon Koll and Lyle Weber have both easily won re-election to the village board. 

And Lindsey Zoubek, Mark Bors and Brad Havlat all won their bids to serve another term on the school board. 

We appreciate these volunteers and their willingness to serve.  We understand they have a mostly thankless job, but our town and school could not function without their public service.

Here are the unofficial returns from last week:

Dorchester Village Board Member

Vote for 2

Brandon A. Koll............142

Lyle Weber.................120

WRITE-IN....................63

Dorchester School Board Dist. #44

Vote for 3

Lindsey Zoubek............346

Mark Bors...................371

Brad Havlat.................335

WRITE-IN....................14

Vets Day Ceremony At DPS This Monday, Nov. 12

Come honor our area soldiers, saliors, Marines and airmen -- past and present -- this Nov. 12.

Veterans Day is Sunday, but on Monday, Nov. 12, the bank and post office will be closed due to the official government observance of the holiday. 

Area residents are invited to salute America's veterans at a ceremony at the Dorchester Public School.  There, attendees will hear a presentation from the Dorchester American Legion Post No. 264 and see a slide presentation by Iraqi/Afghanistan veteran Rio Beranek. 

The event begins at 10 a.m. on Monday.

At the very least, make sure you personally thank the veterans you know on this special day. Pay him (or her) a visit, give him a call, or send a card or email. Really celebrate the true meaning of this holiday.

Dorchester's Ottmann Wins SCC Board Spot

The Lincoln Journal Star today reports on Dorchester's Steve Ottmann and his Tuesday election to Southeast Community College’s Board of Governors. 

Ottmann beat incumbent Jim Garver by just 226 votes.

According to the newspaper, "Ottmann has been the faculty representative to the board for more than five years and decided to seek the board’s at-large seat."

"He said SCC is facing a number of challenges, including finding a replacement for President Jack Huck, who has said he plans to retire soon. The college also needs to win reaccreditation.

"Ottmann said he expects the thousands of students he’s taught in the 34 years he’s worked for the college may have tipped the scales in his favor, as well as the red T-shirt he often wore announcing his candidacy."

The Times congratulates Steve Ottmann for his victory and his willingness to be a public office holder.

How Dorchester Voted In The Presidential, Senate Races

It's the day after Election Day.  Half of America is happy; the other half is depressed.  America's brand of democracy is constantly creating winners and losers in the political process. 

Barack Obama is your president again for the next four years, but Nebraska and Dorchester area voters didn't want him re-elected.  Mitt Romney was favored 61-38 percent in Nebraska.  In the Dorchester precinct, Romney beat Obama 56 percent to 42 percent.

In the race for U.S. Senate, Deb Fischer beat Bob Kerrey rather handily.  In Nebraska, Fischer won 58-42 percent, a wider than many in the media had expected.  In the Dorchester precinct, Fischer won 53-47 percent -- nearly exactly what the Dorchester Times survey showed a couple of days prior to the actual vote.  (Our Times poll showed voters favoring Fischer 53-46.)

It's Voting Time

Finally, Election Day 2012 is here. That means it is time for you -- the voter -- to decide who will lead our community, our school, our state and our country into the future.

Best of all, it means you won't hear or see any campaign advertising for a long while.

Here is our last-minute summary of the 2012 election as it impacts Dorchester and the rest of Nebraska.

National Election: We asked Dorchester area residents which issues mattered to them as they consider which presidential candidate they will vote for.  Here is what our sampling revealed.

Economy/Jobs -- 59%
U.S. Debt -- 56%
Tax Burden -- 29%
Energy Development -- 21%
Education -- 21%
National Security -- 16%
Social Issues -- 8%

U.S. Senate Race:  Following a poll conducted by the Dorchester Times, it appears Deb Fischer holds a clear lead among Dorchester-area voters in the race for U.S. Senate.  Our survey of readers showed Deb Fischer winning among area voters, 53% to 46% over Bob Kerrey.

Dorchester School Board:  For the three open positions on the Dorchester Public School Board of Education, the Times is endorsing: Mark Bors, Brad Havlat and Lindsey Zoubek.

Dorchester Village Board:  For the two open spots on the Dorchester Village Board, the Times is endorsing: Brandon Koll and Lyle Weber.

Be sure to vote tomorrow. Make your voice heard.