News Round-Up: Greg Tyser, Mystery Woman Get Our 'Good Neighbor' Award

Here's what is trending in Dorchester:

'Good Neighbor' Award Goes To Greg Tyser And Mystery Woman:  Recently seen on social media was a post from Jennifer Kolterman Gaede of Blue Hill, Neb.  Mrs. Kolternman Gaede posted the following: "I want to share a story that helped to restore in me a little bit of faith in mankind.  My son, Gage, and his friend Wyatt were heading back home from Crete on Saturday afternoon. The water pump went out in Gage's Jeep, leaving them on the side of Highway 33 in between Crete and Dorchester.  A very kind woman stopped to see what she could do.  She said she knew a gentleman who owns a repair shop in Dorchester and she had his cell phone number.  She called him and he agreed to head out and see what he could diagnose on the highway. Before leaving them, she asked if they needed food, water or anything else. The boys didn't get her name, but would like to say THANK YOU to our mystery woman, and appreciate what you did for us. So after diagnosing the problem, auto shop owner Greg Tyser took the boys back to Dorchester to the bar, and they waited for my daughter Linsey, who lives in Lincoln, to rescue them. Mr. Tyser went back, towed the jeep back to his shop, and said he would try to fix it so Gage could make it to work Sunday afternoon. He followed through on his promise, and had the Jeep fixed and ready to go by noon -- ON A SUNDAY! Just a great example of small town, good hearted people who are still willing to help those in need. If anyone knows Mr. Tyser or the woman who stopped, give them a hug for me. The world needs more people like you!" 

Dorchester's West Spur Getting Resurfaced: Today, resurfacing started on Dorchester's west spur -- the main connection between the two key arteries that go into Dorchester, Hwy. 33 and Hwy. 6.  The project will likely continue through the week.  Meanwhile, the Nebraska Department of Roads has also started a "chip seal" project on Hwy. 6 near Milford -- and on June 30, a similar project will begin on Hwy. 33 near Crete.  Chip seal is an application of an asphalt binder to a roadway surface followed by an aggregate.  (We think the Dept. of Roads should generously donate any extra materials and manpower to resurface Dorchester's paved streets.  Our wishful thinking.)

Dorchester Legion Auction Moved To Sept. 11:  The Dorchester American Legion has moved its Sportsman/Gun Auction originally set for July 4 to Sunday, Sept. 11.  A social media post from the Legion states: "Please support the Dorchester Legion by consigning your items at this auction. 20% of every sale goes to the Dorchester Legion and 80% goes to the seller. Novak Auction Services is generously donating its services and time, for no profit of its own."  Call one of the following members to describe your item(s) to be on the auction: Roger Glenn (402.946.4181); Tom Cerny (402.381.8049); Jamie Karl (402.418.1021); Kelly Vyhnalek (402.610.5104).

Dorchester Youth Football Camp Set For July 11-12: For Dorchester's future gridiron stars, it is never too early to start brushing up their skills. This is especially important if parents want football to return to DHS and Nerud Field.  On July 11 and 12, DHS football coaches Ryan Voelker and Brent Zoubek will hold the Dorchester Area Youth Football Camp for boys entering grades 3 through 8. The camp will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. both nights at Dorchester's Nerud Field.  Dorchester boys should encourage fellow Dorchester boys to attned. The cost is only $15 per player (make checks payable to Dorchester School). Both payment and entry form are due no later than the day of camp. Participants will receive a Dorchester Longhorns t-shirt.  For more information or to register, contact Brent Zoubek at (402) 418-1019 or Ryan Voelker at 416-8058.

News Round-Up: Hoffman Leads Neb. Jr. Legion Auxiliary; Foundation Plans Golf Event

It is a busy week in Dorchester as the buildup begins towards the July 4 celebration.  Here's what's trending in Dorchester:

Dorchester's Hoffman Is President Of Nebraska's Jr. Legion Auxiliary:  Dorchester continues to produce impressive upcoming female leaders. Dorchester's Daisha Rae Hoffman has been elected to serve as president of Nebraska's American Legion Auxiliary Honorary Junior Department.  The group convened last week in Kearney.  In April, Dorchester's Carly Rains and Allison Wiles were elected as officers for the District 11 Jr. Legion Auxiliary. Clarissa Bors of Dorchester, a 2016 DHS graduate, has just concluded her term as the national American Legion Junior Auxiliary historian. In 2013-2014, Bors was the Nebraska president of the Jr. Legion Auxiliary.

Community Foundation Plans Aug. 21 Golf Fundraiser:  The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund is planning a Golf Tournament fundraiser for Aug. 21, 2016, at the College Heights Country Club in Crete.  The Foundation is seeking sponsors who would like to donate prizes for each of the nine holes. If you are interested in donating or sponsoring a hole, please contact Linda Easley at (402) 641-0564.  Meanwhile, the Times has learned via an e-mail that the Foundation successfully raised its needed funding for the new cemetery directory in just over four months.  Impressive work by this group and the folks from all over the country who financially support it.

Joyce Karl Retiring From DPS; New Superintendent Begins Next Week:  An e-mail to the Times confirms that longtime Dorchester School secretary Joyce Karl, a 1969 DHS alum, is retiring from DPS after 34 years in the front office.  A retirement celebration was held at City Slickers last month.  We're also told this is the final week for DPS Superintendent Mitch Kubicek, who is taking a job at Milford Public School after eight years at Dorchester. Incoming Superintendent Daryl Schrunk will begin his duties next week, we are told.  He most recently served at the Columbus Lakeview Community School district and has 13 years of experience as a Nebraska school administrator.

Precipitation Possible This Week:  Dorchester and much of the rest of southeast Nebraska could used some moisture.  It looks like our area has a good shot at getting some, with meteorologists at AccuWeather placing the chances as high as 60% tonight through Tuesday, and somewhere between 25% and 40% through Thursday.  See the latest Dorchester forecast here.

Fireworks Now On Sale In Dorchester

If you have heard the booms in your neighborhood, this isn't news.

Firework sales started today (Saturday) in Dorchester.  

The village's one and only fireworks stand is just south of the Dorchester Fire Hall.  All proceeds from every firecracker sold will support the Dorchester's big fireworks show on July 4.

Hours are:

5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through July 1.

1 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 2 and July 3.

10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4.

Also, there will be a raffle drawing for "The Big Stuff" -- as in some of largest, most impressive fireworks from the fireworks stand.  Raffle tickets will be sold at the stand, and the drawing will be held July 3 at 5 p.m.  Need not be present to win.  

"Big stuff" items are being donated due to the generous contributions of: BP Agronomics; Complete Ag; Novak Auction Service; Rut Auction Service; Weber Feedyards; Donna's Hair Creations; City Slickers; Ben's Iron Salvage; Smith's Tractor Salvage.

Dorchester's 4th of July celebration depends on private support. Dorchester area residents and friends of Dorchester are encouraged to send their donations to: 

First State Bank

4th of July Celebration

P.O. Box 264

Dorchester, NE 68343

Happy 135th Birthday, Dorchester!

Today marks the 135th anniversary of Dorchester's incorporation as a village. Happy Birthday, Dorchester!

***

As Dorchester's population grew to nearly 300 by the early 1880s, it became necessary to establish a formal system of government. 

On June 23, 1881, a petition was presented to and granted by the Saline County commissioners for the incorporation of the village.

The following residents were appointed by the commissioners as village trustees: D.G. Panter, John Oberlies, N.B. Alley, Thomas Jarrett and W.H. Pallett. 

C.F. Thomas, J.H. Clark and M.O. Alley were named village clerk, treasurer and marshal, respectively.

On July 6, 1881, the first meeting of the Dorchester Village Board was held.  At this meeting, the trustees designated that the first Monday of each month would be the regular meeting time for the board, which is still adhered to today, 135 years later.

Four other ordinances were approved at this first meeting of the Dorchester village board.  

They were:

• Ordinance 1:  Regulating the sales of intoxicating liquors in the village;

• Ordinance 2:  Imposing a license tax on dogs in the village;

• Ordinance 3:  Levying a five mills to the dollar valuation taxes for the year 1881; and

• Ordinance 4:  Providing for the grading and guttering of streets and alleys, as well as construction of wooden sidewalks.

These ordinances showed the concerns of a new community that was trying to improve conditions and encourage growth of our village.

Just a little history lesson on Dorchester's 135th birthday.

Ken Nohavec's 75th Birthday Party Is This Friday

At this time in 1941, Franklin D Roosevelt was president as the nation debated whether or not to enter the second world war.

Congress had passed the Lend-Lease Act, giving president the power to sell, lend, and lease war supplies to other nations. 

The U.S. population was 133,402,471.

Federal debt had ballooned to $57.5 billion under FDR's New Deal.

U.S. unemployment was 10%.

The cost of a first-class stamp was $0.03.

And Dorchester-area farmer Ken Nohavec was making his grand entrance into the world. 

Ken turns 75 on June 23.  To celebrate, his family is throwing a birthday bash at the Dorchester Legion hall this Friday, June 24.

In Ken's honor, an open house and social will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A wild and crazy polka dance -- with the Polka Dudes -- will start at 6 p.m., going strong until 10 p.m. 

Birthday cards may be sent to 747 County Road 1800, Crete, NE 68333.

For Sale: Acreages And Hunting Sites Near Dorchester

This blog has made it a practice to regularly update readers about opportunities to buy homes in Dorchester and the surrounding countryside when they become available.

Today we are alerting readers about opportunities to purchase land near Dorchester to build an acreage or use as a hunting spot.

The first two properties are listed with a firm called Whitetail Properties, headquartered in Illinois.

Both pieces of property are approximately five miles south of Dorchester.

• County Road 1300:  This 21.5 acre lot is advertised as "a chance to own a small but highly diverse piece of hunting property with good road access, mature timber, shared pond access, and an abundance of deer sign throughout."  Price: $129,000

• County Road K:  This 27.5 acre plot is being advertised as a "small acreage with great county road access, mature timber, an abundance of oak trees, shared pond access, and good hunting with an abundance of deer sign." Price: $159,000

• Country Home: For those interested in an affordable home in the country, we found this home at 446 County Road 1700, which is roughly 2.5 miles northeast of Dorchester. Enjoy living in the country in this three bedroom home with updates including, flooring, paint, appliances, furnace and a/c. Is located just a half mile off of the highway, with a large two-stall, detached garage and a machine shed for all your toys. The acres are not exact at this time, but should be close to 2 acres. There will also be an easement to access the property and and easement back to the farmer/land owner for him to access the field and irrigation motor/well.  Price: $159,000.

Dorchester 8-And-Under Team Crowned Softball League Champs

This past weekend was yet another reminder of the young athletic talent that currently resides in Dorchester.

That's because Dorchester's 8-and-under softball team won the gold and made the village proud.

The Dorchester squad -- the youngest of the community's girls softball teams -- competed June 17-19 at the FUNFRALL League tournament held this year in DeWitt.

The longstanding FUNFRALL league is comprised of several nearby communities, including Exeter-Milligan, Friend, Wilber, Plymouth and many others.

In the first round of the tournament on Friday, the Lady Longjorns won 9-3 over BDS.  On Saturday, the girls beat Geneva by a tally of 15-3.

On Sunday, Dorchester beat Friend 6-4 in the semi-finals, and went on to beat the hometown advantaged DeWitt 6-5 in the championship. 

One Dorchester parent told the Times: "This team is a special group of kids who work hard to get better day by day.  The team's success is the result of good parents, good coaches and kids who care about their performance."

The Lady Longhorns were coached by Brent and Lindsey Zoubek, as well as Brittney Zoubek.

Our congratulations to Dorchester's 8-and-under softball team!

DEADLINE IS NOW: Cemetery Directory Bricks Must Be Purchased This Week

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund is finishing up work on its latest project -- a directory for the Dorchester Cemetery.

This structure will help loved ones and friends find the burial site of those who have been laid to rest in our community's cemetery just east of the village.

To help raise the necessary funds for this important project, the Foundation is offering an engraved brick sponsorship, according to Peg Bergmeyer, a key leader of the Foundation.

According to Bergmeyer, the campaign to fund the cemetery directory by purchasing bricks is coming to an end. The Foundation needs to hear from you ASAP if you still wish to purchase a brick. Please contact Judy Schweitzer or Bergmeyer (402-525-5705) to get your order in. 

"We are very grateful to everyone who has donated so far and we will be happy to receive orders from anyone else in the next couple days," Bergmeyer said.


Personalized engraved bricks will be used in the construction of the cemetery directory.  

• The price for a 4” x 8” brick with one or two 16 character lines (spaces are counted) is $100 or 3 lines for $125.

• An 8” x 8” brick with one to six lines is $200; or adding a logo with print on the 8” x 8” brick is $250.

• This sponsorship is similar to the Park Shelter brick wall. 

• DEADLINE TO PLACE ORDERS IS THIS WEEK.

To download and print a contribution form, click here.

Established over a decade ago, the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund is guided by one central mission:  To raise funds for worthy projects that will enhance Dorchester and our quality of life.  Contributions to the Foundation are deductible for income and estate tax purposes.  You may consider giving cash, outright gifts (including bushels of grain), memorial gifts, deferred gifts (trusts-life insurance policies etc.), gift annuity or real estate.

A non-profit affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation, the Dorchester Community Foundation has been instrumental in various projects and activities.  These include the city park's new playground equipment and shelter; annual scholarships; the Charlie Havlat Memorial; the village welcome signs; and the steak and chicken feeds.

See the contribution form for more details.  Make checks payable to: Dorchester Community Foundation Fund, c/o Peg Bergmeyer,101 Washington Ave., Dorchester, NE 68343.

Another Fire Call At City Slickers

Multiple Dorchester Volunteer Fire Dept. trucks and emergency vehicles were called around 9:00 p.m. Sunday to City Slickers Bar and Restaurant.

Fire personnel were busy working at the rear of the building, with several onlookers in the alley by the Dorchester City Park.

City Slickers' social media account reports: "Got a fire call...no damage to building! Will be closed tomorrow. Will update as needed....on our way there now!"

(UPDATE, 10:05 p.m. Sunday: According to City Slickers staff, there was an outside electrical fire.  They report, "Thanks Greg Tyser for your observant eye. Power is shut off...will still be closed Monday.")

This marks the second fire call at the establishment -- which for decades was known as Joes Place -- in less than eight months.

Back in November, Dorchester area residents were biting their nails in anticipation, awaiting the completion of the renovation at Dorchester's City Slickers Bar and Grill.  Then a fire broke out at the establishment formerly known as Joe's Place.  

The new-and-improved City Slickers' grill re-opened in March featuring a new kitchen; much larger dining area, with many tables separate from the bar area for a pleasant dining experience; and a dance floor with a band/DJ area.  Tens of thousands of dollars have been poured into City Slickers for its new interior and structural reinforcements.

Developing...

Health Alert Issued For Saline County Lake

A health alert has been issued for the Harlan County Reservoir in south-central Nebraska. One remains in effect at Swan Creek Lake #5A (also known as Willard Meyer Recreational Area) in Saline County. The health alert for Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County has ended.

Samples taken this week from the Harlan County Reservoir indicate levels of total microcystin (a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae) exceeded the state health alert threshold of 20 parts per billion. Readings at Swan Creek Lake #5A were low this week, according to state health officials, but the lake must pass two consecutive rounds of testing before state officials will lift the alert. 

Signs have been posted to warn the public at the affected lakes. Swimming beaches have been closed.

Recreational boating as well as fishing are permitted. The state advises avoiding full immersion in the water during the alert. Public areas for camping, picnics, and other outdoor activities remain open.

Lincoln Newspaper Covers Dorchester's Flag Day Ceremony

This past Tuesday, June 14, was Flag Day.

To recognize the importance of the day, the Dorchester American Legion, Post No. 264, hosted a flag retirement ceremony.

Along with several local and area residents, American Legion State Commander Mike Reimers attended the event and addressed the crowd.  

A total of 1,957 unserviceable flags from the communities of Dorchester, York, Fairmont, Lincoln, Wilber, Fairbury and Crete were retired during the Dorchester Legion's flag retirement ceremony.

The Lincoln Journal Star took pictures of the event.  They can be viewed by clicking here.

Following the flag retirement ceremonies, the Legion and Legion Auxiliary provided a covered-dish meal.

June 20 Meeting Will Focus On Home Ownership In Dorchester, Saline Co.

Did you know that between Dorchester's two largest employers -- Farmers Co-op and Dorchester Public School -- fewer than 20 of approximately 100 employees live in Dorchester?

Ideally, job creation should encourage new income to be invested in the community where it was earned. 

This dynamic must change if Dorchester is to have a bright future. 

That is why Dorchester area residents are invited to a June 20 meeting at Doane University in Crete to discuss home ownership opportunities.

Located at 1014 Boswell Ave. in the East-West Dining Room of Perry Campus Center, the meeting will begin at noon on Monday.

The focus of the event will be opportunities available for families and individuals to achieve the dream of homeownership.   USDA Rural Development has approximately $120 million available in Nebraska to assist with meeting the housing needs in rural communities.

Available housing is important in supporting employers in the community, and allows families to live and raise their families in communities where they work. 

State and federal partners, community officials, lenders, realtors, major employers, home builders and other housing partners will convene for the meeting.  Families that are interested in living in rural communities and owning their own home or existing home owners that need assistance with home repairs should plan to attend.

Representatives from USDA Rural Development, Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), and the City of Crete will be available to discuss programs that offer up to 100% financing for a home purchase.  Financing is available with interest rates at 3% and below, and households may qualify for rates as low as 1%. 

These affordable rates with no or a low down payment makes home ownership affordable and may be less than rent.   Low interest rate loans at 1% are also available for home repairs for existing home-owners for very low income household.  Grants are available for elderly households 62 years of age or older for home repairs that are unable to repay a loan.

Register to NIFA for the meeting: http://tinyurl.com/cretecommunitymeeting.

For information, call 402.826.6775.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Reports Of New Business Coming To Dorchester

Reports Of New Bar And Grill Coming To Dorchester: The Times has heard several reports, none confirmed, that Dorchester's main street will soon be home to another bar and grill, located in the building that most recently housed Ben's Iron Grill. (Update: This story has been retracted due to conflicting information received by the Times.  We will report more when details are confirmed.) Developing...

Flag Retirement Ceremony Tuesday Night: Dorchester American Legion Post No. 264 will host a flag retirement ceremony at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at the Legion Hall in Dorchester. American Legion State Cmdr. Mike Reimers will speak, and the Dorchester Legion will provide the meat dish for a covered-dish meal to follow the formalities. All color guards, auxiliary units and Sons of American Legion are encouraged to attend. Anyone can take flags that need to be retired to Hersh Talley at The Brand, 1344 Main Ave., Crete, during business hours. For more information, call Larry Kaspar, 402-946-6711, or Rich Kasl, 402-946-7651.

Dorchester Public School Job Available:  Dorchester School seeks applicants for a school bus driver.  Wages start at $21.50 an hour.  Interested individuals should call 402-946-2781.  Applicants must have or be willing to obtain a CDL and complete a Level I Driver Training.

Got News Or Announcements?:  Do you have news or announcements you'd like to share with the Dorchester Times? Last month, this blog received nearly 28,000 page views, so your news is sure to be seen.  Simply e-mail your text and pictures to dorchester.times@gmail.com or message us through our Facebook account.

Garage Sale Weekend In Dorchester

It's garage sale weekend in Dorchester.

The Dorchester Times knows of at least 10 garage sales taking place this Friday and Saturday in the village.  

Garage sales will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday (June 10) and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (June 11).

Maps are available at City Slickers restaurant and bar on Dorchester's main street. (Stop in for lunch,  dinner or a beverage while in Dorchester on your shopping trip.)

Here is the most recent list of garage sales according to information gathered by Dorchester's Sandy Rains:

June 10-11 Dorchester Garage Sales 

1. Sandy Rains on 201 Washington 
2. Amanda Cerny on 913 Fulton St.
3. Mark Bleach on 1110 Colfax Ave.
4. Becky Degon on 603 West 9th St. (Fri. 1-7 & Sat. 9-1)
5. Jamie Vyhnalek on 806 Washington Av. (main street)
6. Rita Brummet on 1103 Stephens St.
7. Tammy Doohoe on 602 11th St.
8. Brenda Nerud on 562 County Road 1700 (three miles east of Dorchester)
9. Pat and Ed Dvorak on 1013 Fulton Ave.
10. Don Eret on 712 Lincoln Av.

If you are having a Dorchester area garage sale that isn't listed above, let readers know about it by leaving details in the comments section of this story.

UPDATE: Farmers Market Begins Today In Dorchester's City Park

The Dorchester Area Farmers Market is back! 

That's right.  Dorchester's farmers market will be beginning again today (Friday, June 10) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  

This year, the farmers market will be located in the Dorchester Park, under the picnic shelter for shade.  This will ensure the comfort of both customers and vendors alike.

The farmers market will up and running each and every Friday until approximately Oct. 7. 

This tradition is a great event and quality of life booster for our community.  In addition, buying from area residents helps our local economy.

Currently, the Farmers Market is looking for vendors. 

Those interested in selling produce, grafts, baked goods, art, and other items at the Dorchester Farmers Market should contact Laura Sysel as soon as possible at (402) 580-8533 or e-mail at laura.sysel@gmail.com.

Happy marketing!

Kasl's Celebrate 60th Anniversary This Saturday

The year is 1956.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, also known as "Ike," is in the White House.

The population of the U.S. is 169 million, only half of what it is today.

The federal debt is $272.7 billion, compared to today's $20 trillion.

And Dorchester's George, Jr. and Shirley Kasl are newlyweds after their wedding in Wilber.

Skip to 2016. The Kasl's are inviting area residents to join them this Saturday, June 11, to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Their children are George and Jennifer Kasl of Dorchester.

To celebrate, the couple’s family is hosting an open house on June 11 from 4-7 p.m. at the Dorchester American Legion and Community Building. 

Cards may be sent to them at 1375 County Road I, Dorchester, NE 68343.

The couple requests no gifts.

FOLLOW-UP: Could Rattlesnakes Return To Saline Co. Soon?

Extremely venomous Timber Rattler 60 miles from Dorchester in 2013.

A hundred years ago this month, in 1916, Crete area farmer Ed Aksamit encountered a large rattlesnake while cutting alfalfa in Saline County.

Then he killed it.

The incident was reported in the "Days Gone By" section of last week's issue of The Crete News.

A century ago, rattlesnake sightings in Saline County -- while rare -- did occur.

Why do we mention this?  Our June 1 post regarding the recent increase in garter snake sightings has produced just under 3,500 page views. 

Since reader interest is obvious, we wanted to examine Nebraska's snakes more carefully.

The fact is, Nebraska has nearly 30 different types of snakes.  This video by the University of Nebraska examines the state's eight most common snakes, including the garter and bull snakes, which are prevalent throughout Cornhusker Country.

Nebraska has four kinds of poisonous snakes -- the prairie rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, western massasauga (a small rattlesnake), and copperhead.  The prairie rattlesnake is found in the western two-thirds of Nebraska and the other three in the southeastern corner.

While a few decades have passed since Mr. Aksamit killed the rattler in his alfalfa field south of Crete, don't let your guard down quite yet.  In 2013, the Lincoln Journal Star reported that a deadly Timber Rattlesnake was spotted near at Burchard Lake -- about 60 miles southeast of Dorchester. 

The Timber Rattlesnake, a dangerous breed that hadn't been spotted in the area of Burchard Lake since the 1980s, "will kill you," one snake expert told the Lincoln paper.  "It has enough venom to actually kill a person.”

The Timber Rattlesnake -- described a “sit and wait” predator that often coils up and waits quietly for its prey to come within striking distance -- is native to next-door Gage County, though are found far south in the area and in Northeastern Kansas.  The last population count indicates there are roughly 300 adult Timber Rattlesnakes in the general area occupying 12 den sites.

Dorchester's Roger Glenn Profiled In Vietnam Honor Flight Article

Earlier today, 500 Vietnam veterans flew to Washington, D.C., as part of a daylong tour of the city's memories.  

Among the veterans will be Dorchester's Roger Glenn, who was profiled in the Omaha World-Herald story detailing the honor flight.

The World-Herald reported: "Roger Glenn has a lot of friends to remember Monday when he gets to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  A high school classmate who died in Vietnam. And 33 Marines from the helicopter squadron Glenn served with during 1968 and 1969. All of their names etched in the memorial wall’s black granite."

“'I’m going to put a rose at the base of each panel,' said Glenn, 68, of Dorchester, Nebraska. 'I’m sure tears are going to flow.'”

The World-Herald reported that Glenn and the other 500 Vietnam veterans from Nebraska were honored at a banquet Sunday night at the Embassy Suites in La Vista.

Early this morning, they received a 2 a.m. wake-up call and climbed aboard buses for Eppley Airfield, where they boarded planes that took them to Washington for a daylong tour of patriotic memorials in the nation’s capital.

Glenn said he is honored to be part of the flight.

“It’s going to be a touching experience,” he said. “It’s really nice that they’re doing it — and that I’m going to be alive to go.”

See the World-Herald's story here.

UPDATE: See the Nebraska Radio Network's coverage here.

Saturday Brings DHS Golf Tourney, Concert At City Slickers

On Saturday, proud Dorchester High School alumni will be breaking out the clubs and gathering for the third annual DHS Alumni Golf Tournament. 

The tourney will be held at the Friend Country Club.

This year's tourney will be only a 9-hole contest.  That way, alumni can get back to wonderful downtown Dorchester while it is still light outside to gather with friends at City Slickers or other venues.

According to inside intelligence (and Facebook feeds), the band "300 Proof" will be at City Slickers Saturday night to entertain DHS alumni. 

All alumni are encourage to join their friends and former classmates after the alumni golf tournament.

For those who haven't heard them, "300 Proof" is a 5-piece rock band from our area and is considered an "up-and-coming" group.  

See their Facebook page here.

Six Keys To A Successful Rural Community

Today we share with you a simple set of guidelines sent to us by a frequent contributor.

Please read them.  Then share them with your friends and neighbors. Remember them often

In Dorchester -- and other small communities like ours -- these are rules to live by.

*****

Six Factors to Define a Successful Rural Community

• Leadership that matters. Leaders in a community must actively say: “We’re not fine with where we are. Here’s where we’d like to go; let’s figure out the steps that will take us there.

• Hopeful vision backed by grit.

• Deliberate efforts to invite others into leadership roles, including people who might not otherwise participate.

• Not letting fear be a barrier.

• Willingness to invest in community.

• Strong social networks.

(Hastings, Lindsay. Nebraska Human Resources Institute)

Increase In Garter Snakes Reported In Dorchester

In the past couple of weeks, the Times staff has heard several stories from multiple Dorchester residents who say they've seen more garter snakes than usual this year.

The reason? Heavy rains, like last year, are ensuring taller, thicker grass.  And snakes in our neck of the woods thrive in tall, thick grass.

This year, our slithering reptiles are bigger than usual.  One area resident said if the snakes get much bigger, they'll soon be swallowing people's dogs and cats.

Jokes aside, we've read recent reports from the Chicago area where a snake invasion is occurring in the city's suburbs.  One Chicagoland neighborhood has gone without mail delivery due to slithering sidewalks.  In Wichita, snakes are invading homes due to the recent flooding.

Keep in mind that a female garter snake can have between 40 to 80 offspring per litter. So population control makes sense, no matter how many insects or mice a snake might eat.

We asked local experts what they recommend to control the local snake population. For those who want to minimize the chances of snakes in their yard -- or home -- here are the keys: 

• Repellents don't seem to have good success rates, according to UNL Extension Educators.

• Keep your yard and other properties mowed short and mowed often. (Including making sure your neighbor keeps his/her property mowed.) 

• Make sure there are no bunches of leaf litter or compost piles in the yard.

• Make sure there are no rock piles or wood piles in the yard.

• Getting a good cat is probably the best way to get rid of them. (Remember, this is the advice of experts, not our opinion.)

• Lava rock landscaping can sometimes reduce snakes.  Snakes will not lie on new lava rock because of its sharp edges. 

• Lawn mowers have proved to be the number one enemy of all snakes.  We have not yet found a snake who has won a battle with a moving mower blade.