It's Official: Trash Collection Coming To All Dorchester Homes In January

Standardized garbage collection is officially coming to every home in Dorchester.

The Village of Dorchester this week officially announced that Waste Connections of Nebraska will be the only garbage company servicing Dorchester, starting January 1, 2018.

The monthly rate will be $14 per residence, unless you want more than one container.  Extra containers are $5 per month.  (To request an extra container, contact Village Hall.)  This fee will be part of your monthly utility bill, we are told, beginning with the February 1 bill.

Business rates vary based on size of dumpster.

Here are some things to know ahead of time:

• Curbside garbage collections will begin every Friday, starting January 5.  (Due to the holiday week, that first pickup will actually be January 6.)  

• Village officials are asking residents to leave their trash container within four feet from the street no later than dawn (6 a.m.) of collection day.

• If you're moving, you must contact the village to let them know when to discontinue service, otherwise you'll continue to be charged.

• Also, if you need additional containers, call ahead to request them.  Extra garbage bags are not allowed alongside the trash containers.

• Any correspondence with the trash company must be mad through the village government.

• If you're currently using another company and have paid in advance, be sure to call them to stop service and request a refund.

Dorchester's New Rescue Squad Is Now In Service

This month brought good news to the community of Dorchester and area residents who depend on the village's first responders.

The Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department's new 99-2 rescue squad is now in service. 

The ambulance was paid with funds from the village government, as well as with help from a USDA Rural Development grant of $132,000 from USDA.

The new 2017 ambulance cost more than $230,000, according to estimates.

The upgraded ambulance will provide a significant boost to the rescue team's capabilities, according to insiders.

Also this month, Dorchester's all-volunteer fire and rescue department held its officer elections. 

DVFD officers for 2018 are:

• Fire Chief- Brant Pracheil; 
• Assistant Fire Chief- Todd Axline;
• Rescue Captain- Matt Steuk;
• Assistant Rescue Captain- Cory Schlueter; and
• Secretary/Treasurer- Chad Tuttle.

Hats off to our community's first responders and its leaders for serving Dorchester and its surrounding countryside.

Cougar Spotted In Nearby York County: Report

Since the early days of this blog, we've reported on area sightings of mountain lions.  

Some of those sightings may have been false, but the frequent reports lend credibility to the fact the big cats have migrated eastward over recent years.

Now a homeowner in Waco has reported seeing a mountain lion in the area on Friday night.  That's according to a wire report.

The York County Sheriff’s Office received the report just before midnight. The sighting was not confirmed.

Mountain lion sightings have been common in the area. Last September, a mountain lion and a dog tangled in the Waco area.

The first time the Dorchester Times ran a story on area sightings of mountain lions was in 2008.

What should you do if you do encounter a mountain lion? The experts with the National Parks Service say:

• Remain calm! Enjoy the sighting.
• Never run from a mountain lion. No one can outrun a mountain lion.
• Do not crouch down; the lion has seen you long before you saw it.

If you happen to encounter a lion acting aggressively:

• You must convince the lion that you are not prey and that you pose a threat to the animal.
• If you have small children with you, pick them up and do all that you can to appear large -- hold your arms out.
• Hold your ground, wave your arms, shout! If the lion still behaves aggressively, throw rocks at it.

Dorchester's John Nerud Passes At Age 57

John "Hunza" Edward Nerud of Dorchester passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2017. 

He was born on September 23, 1960 in Friend. John attended various country schools, St. James elementary and graduated from Crete High School in 1978. 

In 1979, John began his obsession with custom harvesting, a job he loved until the day he passed away. John also did many other jobs during the off season. He was always busy with several random farm projects and loved being busy. He couldn’t wait to teach his grandkids everything he knew, especially how to weld. 

John would always put his friends and family before himself and you could always count on him to be there when you needed him. He was a loving father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many and a source of joy and laughter for all that knew him. 

He will be missed by his children Jeremy (Bonnie) Nerud, Joseph (Lindsey) Nerud, Rachel (Tyler) Moormeier, and Jacob (Tara) Nerud. Grandchildren, Thor and Sawyer Nerud, and Fordham Moormeier. Parents, Don and Jeanette Nerud. Brothers, Tom Nerud, and Randy (Lisa) Nerud. And many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nephews, and Niece. He will be missed and his memories will be cherished forever.  

Pallbearers Marc Cerny, Bill Weickert, Gene Benes, Ernie Odvody, Joe Gyhra, and Arlin Pomajzl. Honorary Pallbearers Bob Tyser and Larry Pomajzl. 

Services will be this Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crete. Visitation is Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. and rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. In lieu of flowers, memorials are in care of the family for future designation. Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete is handling arrangements.

To send private condolences to the family, click here.

Nominate Your Favorite Dorchester Display Of Christmas Lights

The Christmas spirit is alive and well in Dorchester.  

It is not even December yet and we are seeing so many displays of holiday cheer -- like these houses on Lincoln Avenue and main street (also known as Washington Avenue).

From one end of the village to the other, Christmas lights and holiday displays have gone up quickly, just like the daily temperatures as of late.

We at the Times like to see the lights greeting residents and out-of-towners alike.  They add a special warmth to the village.

We want to know which Dorchester homes you think best reflect the Christmas and holiday spirit.  And we are taking your votes!

What Dorchester residence gets your vote for best holiday display? Give us your nomination by Sunday, Dec. 17, by leaving it in the "comments section" of this post or by e-mailing your nomination to Dorchester.Times@gmail.com. (Be sure to note the period separating "Dorchester" and "Times.")

We will announce which displays received the most nominations the evening of Dec. 17.

When It Comes To Housing, Dorchester Could Learn From Stuart, Neb.

Stuart, Nebraska and Dorchester have a lot in common.

Both villages have around 600 residents. Both are in rural counties, with mostly an ag-based economy.

And both villages are struggling with finding sufficient housing.

According to an article in the Norfolk newspaper, community leaders in Stuart don’t want anyone interested in moving to town to walk away because there isn’t any decent housing. That’s why they’ve made affordable housing their mission.

The newspaper article details all the steps implemented by Stuart dating back to the 1970s, when the village government invested in Parkside Manor, a 42-bed nursing home and assisted living facility that was built to care for the elderly, as well as free up existing houses for new residents or people who wanted different homes.

The local bank was heavily involved in that effort, the story says.

Then in the 1990s, the Stuart Development Corporation was established to be a “conduit for development.”  

Today, the corporation partners with the Village of Stuart, which operates its own housing rehab program, and the Central Nebraska Housing and Economic Developers, which was formed in 2005 by the Central Nebraska Economic Development District (CNEDD), which operates in 17 counties with a goal of improving housing and encouraging home ownership.  Those organizations provide a variety of means by which property can be developed.  For instance, the development corporation buys dilapidated property, cleans it up and sells it to individuals or some other entity that will develop it. Or the corporation develops it themselves, according to experts.

One of its first projects involved a hog farm that was technically inside the village and next to the city park.  The corporation received a no-interest loan from the village’s housing rehab program, bought the property in question, cleaned it up using volunteer power and built two speculative homes. Four lots then were sold to private developers.

That scenario has been repeated numerous times with all of the profits from the sale of the spec homes recycled back into the program.

While most of the houses start out as modestly sized and modestly priced, the people buying the houses can opt to customize them if they are able to acquire the additional funding either through the local bank or some other source, the Stuart banker said.  So far, the houses have ranged in price from $56,000 to $145,000, and 36 new homes have been constructed in Stuart since 1995. Eleven of those were public projects and 25 were private.

Although the process of creating affordable housing may sound daunting, it’s not, the banker said. “It’s one house at a time, one rehab property at a time. The only way to do it is to get started.”

See the full article on Stuart, Nebraska's housing efforts by clicking here.

Christmas Shopping Alert: Major Holiday Vendor Event This Sunday At DHS Gym

Want to get your Christmas shopping done early? 

Or maybe you want to sell a line of products to local customers?

Here's your chance.

Dorchester's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter will be hosting a Holiday Vendor Extravaganza at the Dorchester School Gymnasium (506 W. 9th St.) on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

The event is intended to raise money for Longhorn students who attend the National FBLA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

The event will also feature a free-will soup luncheon to benefit Dorchester's FBLA, complete with desserts and other goodies.   

There will be dozens of vendors at this huge event, making it the perfect venue to find high quality and unique Christmas gifts for your friends and loved ones.

More information is available for sellers and buyers by contacting Kyleigh Lewis at klewis@dorchesterschool.org.

Last year's holiday vendor extravaganza in Dorchester was a smashing success.

For those who are unfamiliar, the FBLA is a nationwide career and technical student organization.  

Established in 1940, FBLA is non-profit organization of high school ("FBLA"), middle school ("Middle Level"), and even college ("PBL") students, as well as professional members ("Professional Division"), who primarily help students transition to the business world.

FBLA is the largest student-run organization in the United States.  It is also one of the top 10 organizations listed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Dorchester's FBLA charter has been active for 26 years.  

While DHS' participation numbers in some activities have declined, DHS' FBLA membership today claims numerous students -- impressive for a Class D school.

Over the years, Dorchester has become a force to be reckoned within the FBLA universe and its statewide competitions. 

In 2015, Dorchester took second place at the Nebraska FBLA competition for the Market Share Award, for example.

In the 2010-11 school year, Dorchester's Jessica Hansen was elected as Nebraska's FBLA state secretary.  

Other Dorchester alumni have served as state FBLA officers over the years.

The Dorchester community can be proud of its FBLA chapter and should support its FBLA members by attending this year's Holiday Vendor Extravaganza at the Dorchester School.

TONIGHT: One Act Show And Dinner At DHS

Tonight, Saturday, Nov. 18, Dorchester High School will host a one act play and dinner.  And attendees are sure to have a blast.

Dinner will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. and the show will start at 7:15 p.m.  Dinner includes pasta, salad, garlic bread and dessert.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children (10 and under).

The one act play being presented by Dorchester thespians is called "Dinner with the MacGuffins."

At first glance, this is a typical family comedy: teenager James and girlfriend Karen try to make out one afternoon, only to face repeated interruptions by other members of James' family. But the ultimate interruption comes when a cell phone goes off in the audience, breaking the "fourth wall" so that James can see the spectators. 

As James tries to convince his increasingly worried family that a wall is missing from their house, and that people are watching them, the play takes more left turns than Bugs Bunny should have taken at Albuquerque -- until it reaches a happy (if twisted) ending.

Come out to the DHS theater tonight and catch a great time!

Want To Build In Dorchester? We Know A Place For That

A reader e-mailed the Times this past weekend to notify us of "lot for sale" signs that have appeared in Dorchester's northeast corner.

We checked it out for ourselves, and sure enough -- the signs are there.  (See the photo above just off Jackson Ave.  Click photo for closer view.)

For those considering building in Dorchester, here are the options we know of:

• EAST, NORTHEAST DORCHESTER:  We are told that Jack Bruha has housing lots available for new construction east of Fulton Street and Jackson Ave., as well as north of 10th Street.  This is a pretty part of the community and one of most peaceful. (As seen on the sign, Jack's phone number is 402-946-2321. Confirmed by the Times.)

• NORTH DORCHESTER:  We were also informed that Ron Zoubek has a handful of lots in north Dorchester just off of 11th Street and north of the football field.  This is a very nice neighborhood, and allows for quick access to the school and Highway 6.

• FAR SOUTH DORCHESTER:  If you don't want cars driving past your home often, there are at least four lots available for new construction on Whitmar Street in south Dorchester, south of the museum grounds.  Bob Kasl has them for sale on this dead end street in a well-kept and quiet neighborhood.

The Times is passing this information along since it comes from a well-informed and trustworthy resident.  

Those interested in these lots should contact the owners directly, not the Times.  Of course, not only would the land need to be purchased, but the village government would need to approve the permitting for construction.

As we've reported recently, with demand for small town life growing fast, Dorchester cannot keep quality homes on the market for 24 hours.  This comes as no big surprise since Dorchester has a lot going for it -- if you prefer living in a safe, friendly and affordable community that has much potential for the future. 

If you're ready to call Dorchester home, we encourage you to take a look at these lots and consider building in our community.

Shirley Gautreaux Passes At Age 69

Shirley A Gautreaux, wife of longtime Dorchester High School educator and principal Terry Gautreaux, passed on Nov. 8, 2017, as a result of complications from a stroke at Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend at the age of 69 years, 4 months and 21 days. 

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, at Friend Public School's East Gym officiated by Rev. Brian Tuma. Interment will be in Andrew Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday and 2-9 p.m. Tuesday, with the family greeting relatives and friends from 6-8 p.m. at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend.   Memorial Donations are suggested to: LCMS Mission Central, Friend School Scholarship Fund or Warren Memorial Hospital.

Shirley Ann Gautreaux, was born June 18, 1948 in Tecumseh, Nebraska, to Gerald “Jerry W. and Mildred M. (Bartels) Rinne, the oldest of three children.  As a young girl she attended school in several locations as she moved with her parents. Shirley graduated from Gering High School in 1966 and later attended the University of Nebraska. She graduated in 1970 with a degree in German and Education. While at the University of Nebraska, Shirley met Terrence “Terry” Michael Gautreaux of Chalmette, Louisiana. Shirley and Terry were married on June 7, 1970 in Gering, Nebraska and to this union three sons were born, Keith, Jeffrey and Elliott.

Shirley began her teaching career in 1972 in Waukegan, IL. She started teaching at Friend Public School in 1973 and, having found the perfect small town, never left. She taught at Friend until her retirement in 2013 after 40 years of dedication to students, parents, and the school district. She spent most of her life, youth and adult, in school as a student or a teacher.  She was an encouraging mother and teacher, loving her sons, and especially her grandchildren who were the highlight of her life. Shirley especially enjoyed the many trips she took to spend time with her grandchildren after her retirement as a teacher.

Shirley’s life was dedicated to her family, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cordova, and Friend Public School. She was “Mrs. G” to thousands of students from Friend. She taught Geography, Social Studies, Speech, English, and German at Friend. She drove the school bus, coached Speech, directed one-act plays, coached junior high track, kept statistics for the football team, and organized school events too numerous to mention. Shirley taught Sunday School and was a constant presence at the church for Bible study, potlucks, weddings and funerals. Shirley was always thinking of those in need of prayer, assistance, or, her special lasagna.
     
In 2004, Shirley was honored as Friend’s Citizen of the Year. This award recognized the significant impact she made on Friend and its residents. Shirley exemplified what it meant to be a citizen and always was proud to call Friend her hometown. After Shirley retired from teaching, she became even more active in her community as she became a member of the Friend Rotary Club, and was an active helper with the Friend Historical Society.  Even after she retired from teaching, Shirley remained a fixture at Friend Public School, as a substitute teacher and driving the bus for extracurriculars, as well as attending many sporting events and activities. 
     
For the full obituary and to leave your condolences to the family, click here.

Events To Honor Veterans Will Be Today In Dorchester

This weekend, most of the nation -- at least those who aren't taking a knee at an NFL game during the national anthem -- will pay tribute to our veterans.

Veterans Day, November 11, gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. (Don't confuse this holiday with Memorial Day, which honors our military men and women who have died in service to our country.)  

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- made it official that Nov. 11 would be a day to honor all American veterans of all wars -- not just the end of WWI, as the day had originally been designated.

After signing the legislation making November 11 "Veterans Day," President Eisenhower said, "It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper and widespread observance of this day. ... I have every confidence that our Nation will respond wholeheartedly in the appropriate observance of Veterans Day."

Today, Friday, November 10, the Dorchester American Legion, Post 264 will be hosting a 10 a.m. Veterans' Day Service at the Dorchester Public School.  The ceremony will be conducted in cooperation with the Dorchester Junior Auxiliary.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend to honor our veterans.  

Then later today, a soup supper will be held at the Dorchester Legion Hall from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  There will be a free-will offering to help the Dorchester Legion.  The public is invited to attend.

Dorchester Jr. High Play Set For Tuesday Night, 7 P.M.

Lights! Action!

The Dorchester Public School Junior High Thespians will be performing "Bottle of Joy" on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in the Multi-Purpose Room at the school.  (That's just east of the basketball gymnasium, for those unfamiliar.)

The show will start at 7 p.m.  

Admission for the event will be $3 for kindergarten students through adults.  

The theme of the production centers around the idea that happiness doesn’t come from a bottle, box, envelope, etc.  It comes from each of our hearts and grows the more it is shared.  

Please join Dorchester's junior high students for an evening of entertainment.  There will be snacks available at the end of the evening -- a free-will donation project to help cover the cost of the production.

Dorchester Youth Volleyball Teams Give Glimpse Of Bright Future

Photo credit: Sharon Axline

We rarely make predictions, but it's a safe bet that Dorchester's volleyball future is bright.

This fall, Dorchester's fifth and sixth grade Lady Longhorns and their capable coaches have captured the spotlight in YMCA club league action.  

On the season, the Dorchester girls racked up six wins and only one loss.

This comes as Dorchester's third and fourth grade girls have also shaped up to formidable force, with frequent practices and an eagerness to learn and get better.  

What is driving this positive change following several years of down participation in youth sports?

Photo Credit: Amanda Johnson Nohavec

"It appears more parental involvement is paying off for Dorchester's elementary athletics," one parent told the Times.  

"Dorchester's younger kids, especially the girls, are excited about participating, working as a team and representing their school by wearing the orange and black."

Another parent said, "Good things are happening in Dorchester's youth sports.  The culture is changing back to the positive.  It helps when parents help lead the charge."  

The same parent told us that he sensed the return of Dorchester football in 2018 was "already creating positive vibes" throughout Dorchester elementary, as the younger students "saw the older kids wearing their DHS football shirts" and were "just as excited as the older guys."

As we reported, last month an anonymous donor purchased t-shirts for the projected members of the 2018 Longhorn football team.  The DPS newsletter this month reported there were 24 t-shirts purchased for grades 8-11 boys saying they were going out for football next year -- strong participation rate (about 80%) out of approximately 30 boys.

Monday's Town Board Meeting Will Address Dorchester's Trash Service

Is it time for the Village of Dorchester to include trash pick-up as part of its utility service?

On Monday, November 6, at 7 p.m., the Dorchester Village Board will hold its monthly meeting at the fire hall.  

As part of the meeting, there will be a public forum to discuss a proposal to make trash pickup mandatory at every residence in town.

Currently, Dorchester residents have few options regarding trash pickup, with most residents in the village using Waste Connections of Nebraska.  Those who go with Waste Connections typically pay around $20 to $25 in monthly fees.

Some say a village-wide mandatory service would lower the cost of trash service, while also helping to ensure trash doesn't build up outside certain homes.

According to public information, if the Village Board idea is approved, households would pay for the trash service as a line-item on their monthly utility bill, along with electrical, water and sewage services.

At Monday's board meeting, taxpayers of Dorchester will be allowed to state their position on the trash pick-up plan. Those speaking will need to state their names and addresses for the public record, and will have three minutes to give their opinion on the matter.

For information on the meeting, click here.

NEWS ROUNDUP: 24 DHS Boys Pledge To Go Out For Football In 2018

• Don't Forget to Set Your Clocks Back, Dorchester.  Daylight savings ends at 2 a.m. Sunday!

• 24 DHS Boys Pledge to Go Out for Football in 2018.  As we've reported, Dorchester High School is bringing back football next year as the school is experimenting with the return of six-man football.  We also reported last month that an anonymous donor purchased t-shirts for the projected members of the 2018 Longhorn football team.  The DPS newsletter this month reported there were 24 t-shirts purchased for grades 8-11 boys saying they were going out for football next year.  That's a strong participation rate (about 80%) out of approximately 30 boys, although it would be great to see that rate near 90%.

• Friend Co-oping Football With Exeter and Milligan. Exeter-Milligan has agreed to a two-year co-op with Friend for football, according to the Friend newspaper.  Exeter-Milligan started the season with just 13 players but were down to eight players due to injury by season's end.  It will be an interesting experiment.  The newspaper reports that E-M Superintendent Paul Sheffield met with E-M's 7th through 11th grade boys at mid-season and "were given information on the three options for the football program, including continuing as an eight-man program, dropping to six-man football or joining with Friend."  According to Sheffield, "the original survey showed the boys preferred to stay on their own by a 15% margin. Sheffield reissued the survey the week before the school board meeting, and the results were 50/50 to stay on their own or go with Friend."

• Farmers Cooperative Has Job Openings. Farmers Cooperative, headquartered in Dorchester, has more than a dozen current job openings.  Click here to see them

• Crete News Looking for News Editor.  The Crete newspaper is looking for a full-time news editor.  The paper is looking for a "web savvy story teller" with lots of new ideas.  Candidates should have media experience.  Apply at the Crete News.

NEWS ROUNDUP: DHS Volleyball Season Concludes

York News-Times photo.

DHS Volleyball Season Concludes: The Dorchester High School volleyball squad saw its 2017 season come to an end earlier this week.  While the Lady Longhorns were able to defeat Lincoln Parkview Christian in the first round of the Class D2-2 district competition at Shelby, DHS was not able to beat Exeter-Milligan's top-notch program, falling in three sets by a tally of 25-15, 25-12, 25-11.  The young Dorchester squad finished 9-22 on the season, but expects to be a strong contender in Class D2 next season thanks to several returning starters and new talent.

Veterans' Day Service Set For Next Friday: The Dorchester American Legion, Post 264 will be hosting a Veterans' Day Service next Friday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m.  The service will be held at the Dorchester Public School and will be conducted in cooperation with the Dorchester Junior Auxiliary.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend to honor our veterans.  Later on Nov. 10, a soup supper will be held at the Dorchester Legion Hall from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  There will be a free-will offering to help the Dorchester Legion.

Help Needed For Nov. 17 Jr. High Wrestling Tourney: Help is needed at Dorchester's annual junior high wrestling tournament, set for Friday, Nov. 17.  Experienced individuals are primarily needed at the tables to help with the scoring of matches and to ensure that wrestlers are where they need to be when it's their turn.  If you want to help, call Brent Zoubek at 402.946.2781 or 402.418.1019.

Excited For The Return Of DHS Football?: If you're counting down the days to the return of Dorchester High School football, get a little help from a countdown clock we found on the Web.  Just click here.