Tonight's Scary Show -- Twilight Zone: 'The Doll'

For Halloween week, the Dorchester Times has aired the three scariest episodes of the classic TV show, "The Twilight Zone." 

We've selected these three episodes of "The Twilight Zone" because some of us Times staff members actually remember when CBS aired this imaginative series.

These 30-minute programs are wildly creative, spine-tingling tense and yet family friendly.  

Imagination and solid story lines carry these shows, whose quality far surpass any of the "scary shows" produced today.

Tonight's episode is called "Living Doll" -- one of the most memorable "Twilight Zone" stories.

"Talky Tina" is a gift from a mother to her daughter Christie. It can talk, saying things like "I'm Talky Tina and I love you very much."   

But Tina's petty, bitter and mean stepfather Erik (Telly Savalas) thinks it talks too much, and is resentful of its presence.  In his efforts to get rid of the doll, he gets more than he bargained for.

Enjoy tonight's episode.  But be sure to leave on an extra light. Or maybe two. Happy Halloween.

https://vimeo.com/187879041

Tonight's Scary Show -- Twilight Zone: 'The Grave'

From now through Halloween, the Dorchester Times is airing the three scariest episodes of the classic TV show, "The Twilight Zone." 

We've selected these three episodes of "The Twilight Zone" because some of us Times staff members actually remember when CBS aired this imaginative series.

These 30-minute programs are wildly creative, spine-tingling tense and yet family friendly.  

Imagination and solid story lines carry these shows, whose quality far surpass any of the "scary shows" produced today.

Tonight's episode is called "The Grave."  Lee Marvin plays Conny Miller -- a hired gun who misses killing his target, the evil Pinto Sykes, who is instead gun downed by the local townsfolk.  

At a bar, several of the townspeople tell him that Sykes vowed to reach up and grab Conny if he ever dared to visit his grave.  

After a drunken wager, Conny decides to prove his courage by doing just that, leading to one of the creepiest moments in the history of The Twilight Zone. 

Enjoy tonight's episode.  But be sure to leave on an extra light.  And Happy Halloween.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3v1p0w

UPDATE: Missing Dorchester 14-Year-Old Is Found Safe

(UPDATE, Oct. 29: A social media post reports that Isabelle Magana, a Dorchester student, has been found safe.  She had been missing since mid-September.)

Norfolk radio station US92 reports that Saline County Sheriff’s officials continue to investigate the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl who is a student at Dorchester Public Schools.  But Sheriff Alan Moore says his office has no information to indicate that Isabelle “Izzy” Magana has come to any harm.

She was last seen in mid-September.  Moore says she may have left in the company of a 17-year-old male, identified as Brayan Arevalo.

Moore says his officers are continuing to work with family members of both youths, following up on leads regarding where they may have gone. But, he says there’s no solid information about where they may be.  Arevalo, like Magana, was also a student at Dorchester Public Schools.

Moore adds that his officers have been in contact with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as the investigation continues.  He says his office has not received any tips on the whereabouts of the pair, from non-family members.

The sheriff says his office has not received any evidence of financial transactions that may provide clues as to where the youths have gone.

Isabelle Magana is described as Hispanic, 5-feet, 6-inches tall, weighing about 135 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair.  Brayan Arevalo is Hispanic, 5-feet, 6-inches tall, about 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation, is asked to call the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, at 1-402-821-2111.

Tonight's Scary Show -- Twilight Zone: 'Nightmare At 20,000 Feet'

From now until Halloween, the Dorchester Times is airing the three scariest episodes of the classic TV show, "The Twilight Zone." 

We've selected these three episodes of "The Twilight Zone" because some of us Times staff members actually remember when CBS aired this imaginative series.

These 30-minute programs are wildly creative, spine-tingling tense and yet family friendly.  

Imagination and solid story lines carry these shows, whose quality far surpass any of the "scary shows" produced today.

Tonight's episode is called "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" -- perhaps the most recognized in the series.  

William Shatner plays Bob Wilson, a man recently discharged from a sanitarium after having a nervous breakdown on a passenger plane. Convinced he's cured, he boards a flight home with his wife. But then he sees it, a maniacal creature tampering with the wing of the jet, to bring it down.  Is it for real? Is he relapsing into insanity? It's that tension that makes this such a wonderful watch.

Enjoy tonight's episode.  But be sure to leave on an extra light.  And Happy Halloween.

https://tune.pk/video/2701316/the-twilight-zone-nightmare-at-20000-feet-1963-full-episode

Dorchester's Bill Wenz Passes At 65

Dorchester's William "Bill" Michael Wenz passed on October 25, 2017.   Services were Monday, Oct. 30, at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. He was 65.

Bill passed away at his home in Dorchester from an apparent heart attack. He was born on the 6th day of May, 1952 to William F. Wenz and Jane Anne (Timothy) Wenz in Fort Riley Kansas where his father was stationed while serving during the Korean War. Bill was the second of eight children.

Bill attended Eight Mile Grove, a K-8 country school in Cass County until the family moved to the Seven Oaks Farm east of Union where he and his siblings attended the Nehawka School District. There he participated in football for 4 years and basketball for one year, attaining All Conference status as an offensive lineman his senior year. He also enjoyed his involvement in several all school music productions including “Lil Abner” and “Oklahoma”. He graduated from Nehawka High School in 1970.

Bill married Shannon Colleen Anderson on September 27, 1974, at the United Methodist Church in Milford, Ne. First residing in Plattsmouth, the couple then moved to Friend where they raised their daughter Sarah. Upon purchasing the first of two houses in Dorchester, the Bill Wenz family called this town their home .

Bill Jr. spent most of his working career working with his father in the rendering business both at Aaron Corp in Omaha, and then later helping build Midland By-Products into a regionally recognized rendering facility. Bill learned his mechanical crafts from the ground level up as a maintenance man and then as a foreman for several years before being promoted to the position of vice-president of the company, a position he held until the facility was sold in 1994. Bill managed another rendering facility in Booker, Texas, commuting regularly from his home in Dorchester. 

Bill will be remembered as an avid hunter, regularly organizing hunting parties for family and friends. He was a gun and coin collector, enjoyed fishing, golf and was a skilled carpenter. He immersed himself into whatever his current interest was and remained committed to the endeavor until he had mastered it. His varied interests were only exceeded by his willingness to lend a hand to others. If there were tasks to be done or needs to be met, a simple phone call would be sufficient to send him running with tools in hand. Bill kept no ledger. If you needed assistance, he would help. It was really that simple.

William M. Wenz is survived by his daughter Sarah Wenz-Shrestha of McCook, his dear companion, Teresa Salinger of Plattsmouth, his siblings Kathleen (Curt McKean) Wenz of Omaha, James (Mary) Wenz of Roca, Douglas (Deborah) Wenz of Crete, Laura (Gary) Gammel of Crete, Jeffrey (Tammy) Wenz of Crete and Shari (Richard) Tretheway of Lincoln. Bill also has fourteen nieces and nephews who all held a very special place in his heart. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jane Wenz, father, William F. Wenz, his wife, Shannon, and his brother Timothy Wenz.

Bill's wit, his telling of tales, (some fairly tall, to be sure!), his generosity and his humor will be sorely missed by his many close friends, by his family and by some simply gathered to share weekday morning coffee.

For the online obituary or to leave your condolences, click here.

Dorchester Raffle Will Benefit Splash Pad Construction

The Times has learned that the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund will is conducting a raffle to help raise funds for the new splash pad, which could soon be built in Dorchester's city park.

According to an e-mail we received, the Foundation will raffle off two Nebraska volleyball tickets (for the game on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.) and two Husker football tickets for the Nov. 24 game against Iowa.

Raffle tickets can be purchased for a $1 donation, or donate $5 and get six tickets, or donate $10 and get 15 tickets.  

Again, all proceeds will go towards the new splash pad in the park.

If you would like to get your raffle tickets and help make the Dorchester splash pad a reality, contact Dale Hayek at 641-4075, or Mike Pracheil at 641-1921, or Judy Schweitzer at 641-7050.

Go Huskers! And go Dorchester Community Foundation!

Study Says Nebraska Kids Among Nation's Fattest, Adults Not Far Behind

Media reports are saying that a new study finds Nebraska’s kids are becoming just as sedentary and chunky as their parents.

The report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds almost 30% of Nebraska children between the ages of 10 and 17 are overweight or obese.

The report also found almost 17% of young Nebraska children, between the ages of two and four years, were overweight or obese.

The obesity report for young children ranks Nebraska the 5th worst state in the nation.

It follows a report earlier this month that found 32% of Nebraska adults in that category.  Nebraska is the 13th most obese state, a rate that’s also holding steady.

Parents are a tremendous influence on their children in many ways, so given the number of obese Nebraska adults, it’s little surprise so many children are shaping up the same way.

“It’s what’s being served and sold in schools, what kind of physical activity policies are in place in schools,” one expert says. “It’s also the practice of eating healthfully and being physically active and there have often been recommendations that parents and kids be active together, walk outside together, so that the parents can model healthy behavior.”

Anonymous DHS Booster Provides 2018 Football Team Tees

An anonymous donor has purchased Dorchester Longhorn Football t-shirts for Dorchester boys participating in football next year.  Students were spotted on social media wearing their shirts today (Friday).

Next football season will bring the return of high school football to Dorchester on Friday nights, following a unanimous vote by the Dorchester Public School board earlier this month.  Dorchester leaders had been exploring six-man football as an option, and board members decided there was sufficient support from parents and student interest to bring back DHS football in the six-man form.

An online survey of Times readers, conducted in late September, showed nearly three-quarters of readers said they wanted DHS football to return. 

Dorchester has been without a football team of its own since 2013, as fewer enrolled boys in grades 9-12 and decreased participation rates raised questions whether a viable eight-man team could be fielded.  Soon after, DHS decided to co-op with Milford, which is in Class C-1.

DHS is entering six-man football as the version of the game is gaining popular support, with more than 40 Nebraska high schools expected to be play six-man ball next season, including nearby schools.  

This is the last season the Nebraska Six-Man Coaches Association will be overseeing six-man football in the state.  It will move under the umbrella of the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) in 2018, just as Dorchester restarts its own team on Nerud Field.

The idea of six-man football at Dorchester is not new.  Sixty-nine years ago this fall, Dorchester resumed its football program (following an hiatus in the program following the 1930s death of a DHS player) with only 11 players going out.  From the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, the Longhorns played six-man ball for 10 seasons, getting better with every snap.  In fact, Dorchester's six-man teams of the 1950s were quite successful.   DHS alum Vern Johnson once told us that "the best six-man player DHS ever had was Jack Bruha, a two-year all-state player in the early 1950s."

DHS transitioned to eight-man football in 1959, when DHS went undefeated.  (Back then, Nebraska did not have a state playoff system for football.)  By 1969, Dorchester was playing 11-man football, a tradition that continued until 1991, when DHS reverted to eight-man ball and dropped to Class D.  

NEWS ROUNDUP: DHS Grad Dan Stehlik Plays Key Role At NU's Tech College

• DHS Grad Dan Stehlik Has Key Role at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture: Dorchester native and DHS graduate Dan Stehlik is playing a key role in enhancing the technical, hands-on skills of Nebraska's young people.  According to a report in The Fence Post, an ag news publication, Stehlik is now in his third year at the University of Nebraska's Curtis campus, where technical agricultural skills are taught.  At Curtis, Stehlik is a senior agricultural mechanics instructor, which includes welding, electricity, irrigation technology, farm machinery maintenance and small engines courses.  Prior to his time in Curtis, he taught agricultural education for 19 years in Kansas high schools. Stehlik was featured prominently in the story for his leading role in facilitating the expansion of the college's welding program in 2016, leading to an upgrade in equipment, facilities and the overall program.  Great to see Longhorn alumni doing great things to improve the Good Life.

• Nice Acreage On 40 Acres South Of Dorchester Still For Sale:  A nice farmstead is still for sale at 1057 County Road 1300, which is south and west of town.  According to the listing, this secluded farmstead featuring countless trees and wandering creek.  There are "plenty of outbuildings for anyone's imagination. There is approximately 40 +/- acres total with over 11 acres of farm ground for personal use, income or the farmer in you. It features "a charming home with over 1200 sq. feet. Some wood flooring is beaming through."  The seller is leaving their cell-phone range extender.  "The covered deck is fabulous for sitting and enjoying the evenings or having morning breakfasts."  Listing price is $294,000.  See the listing by clicking here.

• Deshler Provides Model For Six-Man Football Success: The Lincoln Journal Star this week featured a story on Deshler's six-man football program, which is 6-1 on the season and ranked No. 5 in the state.  This is Year 4 for the Deshler football program playing in six-man, and the Dragons appear to be getting the hang of it, the Journal Star reports.  "In its first two seasons after dropping from eight-man, Deshler went 2-6 and 1-7 with young teams. A year ago, the Dragons were 5-3, and with seven players with starting experience back from that squad, they’ve taken it to another level." Deshler's head coach said switching to six-man "was a learning process for all of us."  This season, Deshler's QB has thrown for 1,447 yards and 30 touchdowns while scoring six on the ground himself.  Sounds like exciting football -- and it looks like Deshler is a program Dorchester coaches and players should aim to imitate.  The article also points out that "this is the last season the Nebraska Six-Man Coaches Association will be overseeing six-man football in the state. It will move under the umbrella of the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) in 2018," when Dorchester restarts its own team on Nerud Field.

DHS' Abigail Plouzek Grabs CRC Spotlight In York

Photo Credit: York News-Times

At this past weekend's Crossroads Conference tournament play in York, 6-foot-2 DHS Longhorn sophomore Abigail Plouzek captured the spotlight.

As reported by the York News-Times, Dorchester's Plouzek recorded a match-high eight kills for Dorchester in the third set as the Lady Longhorns won 2-1 over the Mustangs behind scores of 25-20, 10-25, 25-12.

The win advanced DHS' Orange and Black Attack to the CRC quarter-final against top-seeded Meridian on Saturday evening.

Unfortunately, DHS wasn't quite up to the test against Meridian.  The Lady Longhorns lost to the Lady Mustangs in two straight sets, 25-11, 25-22.

The York newspaper lauded DHS' second match effort as Dorchester "went blow for blow with Meridian in a set that saw 13 ties."  Plouzek recorded an ace block that tied the set at 10 and she followed that up with a kill to tie things at 11.

A Dorchester ace from freshman Jacee Zoubek led to a Meridian timeout, and after the break the Mustangs fell behind 14-11 but eventually worked their way back to tie at 16 thanks to hitting errors from the Longhorns.

The final tie came at 22, but Meridian benefited from an attack that landed out of bounds and a block from MHS to give the Mustangs a 24-22 advantage.  Dorchester committed a foul on the following possession to end the match.

The young Dorchester squad is 8-18 on the season, with two regular season contests remaining, including a home game on October 26 against Nebraska Lutheran.

Dorchester-Based Farmers Co-op Is 73rd Largest Co-op In U.S.; 6th In State

My how you've grown over the years!

Nebraska is home to eight of the country's largest cooperative businesses, according to the latest annual report from the National Cooperative Bank.

Dorchester-based Farmers Cooperative, with numerous locations throughout southeast and central Nebraska, as well as northern Kansas, is 73rd on the list.  

The NCB Co-op 100 list ranks the top co-ops in the country based on revenue. 

Other Nebraska co-ops that made the NCB list and their rankings were: Ag Processing Inc., Omaha, 11th largest; FCS America, Omaha, 40th; Central Valley Ag Cooperative of York, 42nd; Livestock Producers Marketing Association of Omaha, 43rd; Aurora Cooperative Elevator Co., Aurora, 54th; Frenchman Valley Farmers Cooperative, Imperial, 82nd; and Cooperative Producers Inc., Hastings, 94th.

NEWS ROUNDUP: DHS Football Is Coming Back After Monday School Board Vote

Sources Say DHS Football Will Return In 2018: Next football season will bring the return of high school football to Dorchester on Friday nights.  That's according to sources who attended Monday night's Dorchester Public School board meeting.  The board vote was unanimous, we are told.  As we reported last month, Dorchester leaders have been exploring six-man football as an option for the past several months. A meeting of DPS parents and students was held in late September to discuss the options and requirements to go forward with the plan. An online survey of Times readers, conducted in late September, showed nearly three-quarters of readers said they do want DHS football to return. Dorchester has been without a football team of its own since 2013, as fewer enrolled boys in grades 9-12 and decreased participation rates raised questions whether a viable 8-man team could be fielded.  However, it seems six-man football is gaining popular support and more teams in our corner of the state, and the revival of Longhorn football is a real possibility next season.  There are reports that more than 40 Nebraska high schools will be playing the game next season, including Friend and other nearby schools.

Last Night's Volleyball Game Featured 'Pink Out':  Tuesday night's Dorchester High School volleyball games featured a lot of pink.  The school and its fan base conducted a "pink out" to support a cure to breast cancer.  The Lady 'Horns took on BDS and McCool Junction with games starting at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.  DHS fell in both matches, dropping to 7-17 on the season.  The volleyball squad is off for the rest of the week until Saturday's CRC tournament in York.

Effort To Get Dorchester's Vacant Homes Filled By Spring 2018?: We received an e-mail from a town resident who wishes to remain anonymous, but says she wants this blog to explore ways to fill Dorchester's vacant homes within the next six months.  That would be a heavy lift and we're not exactly sure what a blog could do to instigate such a movement, but we do agree some kind of formal effort needs to be undertaken.  At one point within the past year, more than 20 homes in Dorchester were sitting vacant.  That is harmful in a community that needs more family housing, especially when the community sits just 8 minutes from Crete, 15 minutes from Seward, and 25 minutes from Lincoln.  If you have ideas to combat the issue of homes sitting vacant, please leave them in the "comments" section below.

Freeze Warning: First Frost Expected Tonight, Wednesday Morning

UPDATED: The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for our area, in effect from Wednesday, 12:00 a.m. CDT until Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. CDT.  Lows are expected to fall to the upper 20s to around 30 for a few hours late tonight into early Wednesday morning. Prolonged sub-freezing temperatures will kill any unprotected outdoor plants.  A freeze warning means sub-freezing temperatures are imminent or highly likely. These conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

Brrrrr!

For those excited for the season's first frost, you may not have much longer to wait.  

According to the National Weather Service -- the Dorchester Times' official forecasting firm -- the first killing frost could hit Saline County early Wednesday morning, Oct. 11.  Click here for the official warning.  

As a point of reference, the average first frost date for our area is Oct. 12.

If our area emerges frost free, the next possible first frost would be Oct. 18, according to the long-term forecast.

And if we don't see frost by then, our area could go without its first frost until Nov. 5 through Nov. 7, according to AccuWeather.

Enjoy the green while it lasts.

Stop The Biting Bugs! Minute Pirate Bugs Take Over Area

"What keeps biting me?!"

That was heard all over southeastern Nebraska this past weekend, as folks were squashing tiny black bugs and itching soon thereafter.

According to UNL Extension, during the late summer and early fall, small insects known as minute pirate bugs cause painful bites that seem out of proportion with their size.

The minute pirate bug is about 1/8-inch long, oval to triangular in shape, flattened and black with whitish markings on the back. Normally, they are predators and feed on insect eggs and small insects. They feed by impaling their prey with their short blunt beak and sucking the juices.

Minute pirate bugs are found throughout the summer in fields, woodlands, gardens and landscapes. In the late summer, they begin the unpleasant behavior of biting humans. They do not feed on blood or inject a venom or saliva.

People differ in their response to pirate bug bites. Some people have no reaction to the bite, but others have bites that swell like a mosquito bite or turn red. Because the bite is noticeable and the pirate bug doesn't fly quickly, the victim is usually able to successfully smash the offending insect.

Control of minute pirate bugs is not practical. Repellents are generally not effective, although some people have found applying baby oil or suntan oil liberally to the skin may prevent some bites by coating the pirate bugs with oil.

One thing is for sure -- the coming frost will provide relief. 

Longtime DPS Custodian Ron Sehnert Passes At Age 81

Ronald David Sehnert was born June 15, 1936 at Dorchester, Nebraska to Harry and Emma (Boshart) Sehnert, the 4th of five children.  He passed away suddenly, September 27, 2017 at his home in Seward at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 12 days. 

As a young boy, he attended Dorchester Public School and graduated with the DHS class of 1954. On October 15, 1954, Ronald was united in marriage to Mary Ann Jirsa at the Friend Methodist Church. He was inducted into the US Armed Forces on September 19, 1957 and was discharged on September 18, 1959.

Upon his return from his service to his country, Ronald became a custodian at Dorchester Public Schools and retired in 2001 after more than 25 years of service. He also served his community as a member of the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years. In his spare time, Ronald enjoyed woodworking and made many wood intarsia items, selling them at craft fairs around the area. He also enjoyed fishing in the lakes around Crete. 

Ronald is survived by his sisters and brother-in-law, Marlene and Harry Axline, Dorchester, Jane Hopper, Omaha, brother and sister-in-law, Gerald (Jerry) and Geraldine Sehnert, Dorchester, nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Ann in May of 2017, a sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Harry Spacek, a niece Stacie Lynn Sehnert.

A private graveside service will be held at Dorchester Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department or Dorchester Public School Scholarship Fund.  (Click here to leave your condolences.)

This Sunday, Oct. 8, Is Dorchester Clean-Up Day

To address unkempt yards or untidy properties, Dorchester residents have organized Village Clean-Up Campaign.

And it comes to a climax this Sunday, October 8, when volunteers will hit Dorchester's streets to help those residents whose properties have gotten away from them. 

According to organizer Carol Olsen, Dorchester United Methodist Church members will be meeting at the church parking lot around 9:15 a.m. Sunday. They will then depart the church to help fellow residents with their property issues. 

Anyone wanting to pitch in to help, can join by being at the church parking lot no later than 9:15 a.m.  Volunteers will break up into groups and go tackle any Dorchester property issues. Volunteers are being asked to wear bright clothing and bring gloves. Then the group will meet back at the church for a potluck lunch.

You don't want your property sticking out like an ugly, swollen thumb. So all Dorchester residents are encouraged to take the time to clean their yards and other properties to show that they have pride in Dorchester.

For more details and to volunteer for this clean-up effort, contact Carol Olson at 402-656-3615 or cjolson@farmersco-operative.com.

Will DHS Football Return? Oct. 9 DPS Board Meeting Should Tell

When it comes to the possible return of high school football to Dorchester on Friday nights, it appears a decision will likely be made Monday, Oct. 9, at the Dorchester Public School board meeting.  

The board meeting will begin at 8 p.m. at the school.

As we reported last month, Dorchester leaders are seriously exploring bringing back six-man football to Dorchester High School in time for the 2018 football season.  

A meeting of DPS parents was held in late September to discuss the options and requirements to go forward with the plan. 

An online survey of Times readers, conducted in late September, showed nearly three-quarters of readers said they do want DHS football to return. That is up from 68% in 2014. (Some readers who opposed cited Dorchester's unwillingness to merge with Friend High School several years ago.)

Dorchester has been without a football team of its own since 2013, as fewer enrolled boys in grades 9-12 and decreased participation rates raised questions whether a viable 8-man team could be fielded. However, it seems six-man football is gaining popular support and more teams in our corner of the state, and the revival of Longhorn football is a real possibility next season.

To see reader comments on this topic, click here.

Next Polka Party Is Oct. 22 At Dorchester Legion

Are you ready to party to polka?

Back by popular demand, the Dorchester American Legion will again host a polka dance on Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Legion Hall.

According to flyers spotted around town, polka queen Angie Kriz and the PolkaToons will show you how polka was meant to be played. 

The Oct. 22 event will kick off at 4:00 p.m. and continue until 8:00 p.m. 

Only a $5 cover charge and the Dorchester Legion kitchen will be open. So plan to have dinner at the Legion.

Free will donations will be accepted.

Proceeds will go to the Dorchester American Legion.

And here's a little trivia for some of you with curious minds: Polka originated as a Czech peasant dance. Historic folklore has it that a peasant girl named Anna Slezak invented the steps one day for her own amusement.  The word “pulka” is derived from the Czech phrase for “half-step,” which refers to the dance pattern of lightly stepping from one foot to the other.