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Man, it's a hot one. Especially considering its still June.
At 1:30 p.m. Friday in Dorchester, the thermometer was pushing 95 degrees with the humidity making it feel like 105 degrees.
According to Saline Weather Services, today's heat advisory is due to last until 9 p.m. That means drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Remarkable June heat waves have struck one part of the United States in the years 1930, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1952, 1954, 1966, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2012, 2015, and 2017, just to list a few. But June 2018 has been especially hot.
Nebraska's monthly heat record for June was set at Beaver City yesterday (June 28) with the thermometer hitting 116 degrees. (The previous Nebraska record for June was 114° at Franklin on June 26, 1936.) On the same day, three other Nebraska locations set all-time records: McCook with 115 degrees, Benkelman with 114 degrees. and Sidney with 111 degrees.
New Welcome Sign Coming to Dorchester's North Side: The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund's social media account shows the Dorchester welcome sign lit up in Independence Day colors. The Foundation says: "Happy Fourth of July everyone! To keep everyone informed of the second welcome sign ... yes, it finally is coming. It will be placed on the west side of highways 6 and 15 at the junction of the spur leading into Dorchester. As soon as the weather clears, footings will be poured and the sign erected. This will be a good complement to the south one on Hwy. 33."
Free Snow Cones in Dorchester on July 4: The Times has learned that Jason and Cathy, owners of City Slickers, will be giving out free snow cones on July 4. According to the communication we received, "They are doing this to say thank you to the community for their support during the year. Snow cones will be available on the corner in front of the Village Office on the afternoon of the 4th." Meanwhile, a second snow cone vendor, who is new to the Dorchester business community, plans to be selling shaved ice cones (taste more like ice cream) at the ball field at the softball tournament on July 4 and before Dorchester's free fireworks show on Friday, July 6. This is according to e-mails sent to the Times.
Another New Building At Museum: You may have seen the construction site on the south end of town. It turns out that the Saline County Historical Society has broken ground on another new building at the museum, according to the museum's social media post, which said: "This new building, which will be located at the east edge of the museum grounds, is possible because of a generous donation made by the Bernard and Helen Kaspar family. It will house farm and other agriculture-related equipment from Saline County's past." The building is expected to be completed sometime in August, according to the Village of Dorchester's zoning notice.
Dorchester Fireworks Sales Hours: In an ad that ran in the Friend newspaper, we see that Dorchester's fireworks stand, which is located just south of the fire hall, is open 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. now until June 29, and from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. June 30-July 1, and from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. July 2-3, and from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. July 4. We are told there is a big sale on Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1.
Dorchester's Independence Day Schedule: As we've reported earlier, Dorchester's free fireworks show will now be held Friday night, July 6. (In our humble opinion, this is a worthwhile experiment since half the town residents seems to be shooting their own fireworks during the professional show, anyway. Also, we hope this move will reduce the number of fireworks being ignited after 11 p.m. on Independence Day.) The rest of Dorchester's July 4 celebration will go on as planned. See the entire schedule here. Also, see the Dorchester 4th of July Committee's social media.
The Times has received a press release announcing that USDA's Rural Development is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents.
The grants are being provided through USDA’s Housing Preservation Grant program.
Eligible applicants include town governments and nonprofit and faith-based organizations. USDA does not provide funding directly to homeowners under this program.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. local time on August 9, 2018 at the state office where the project will be located. For more information in Nebraska contact Jerry Pesek at 402-437-5566 or jerry.pesek@ne.usda.gov.
Here's what is taking place in our neck of the woods:
Addie Hejl To Headline Dorchester Polka Party This Sunday At Dorchester Legion: Are you ready to party to polka? Another popular polka party will be held at the American Legion Hall this coming Sunday, June 24. Addie Hejl, who is only 14 years old, will be providing the tunes. Addie just released a CD. Her grandparents gave her an accordion when she was 8, and she's been a musical success ever since. Sunday's event will kick off at 4 p.m. and continue until at least 8 p.m. There's only a small cover charge and the Legion kitchen will be open. Free-will donations will be accepted. Proceeds will go to the Dorchester American Legion.
Jefferson County Gets Up To 7″ Of Rain: Just to our south, heavy rain and hail hammered parts of Jefferson County last night. Between five and seven inches of rain had fallen as of this morning, causing significant flooding. Meanwhile, as of 7:00 a.m. today, Dorchester had received around 2 inches.
Dorchester Vacation Bible School Will Be July 9-11: It's Vacation Bible School time at Dorchester United Methodist Church. This year's theme is "Operation Overboard" and will be sure to provide a great time for the kids. VBS classes begin Monday, July 9 and continue Tuesday (July 10) and Wednesday (July 11) -- 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. each night. There is still time to register. Just show up at the church on Monday, July 9, at 5:30 p.m. That's when registration begins. Also, a light supper will be offered at the 5:30 p.m. registration. All children, regardless of their parents' church affiliation, are invited. If anyone would like to volunteer or has questions, contact Cindy Kotas 402-826-7106 or dnckotas@yahoo.com.
New Building Going Up At County Museum: The Times has learned via social media that the Saline County Historical Society has broken ground on another new building at the museum in Dorchester. This new structure, which will be located at the east edge of the museum grounds, is possible because of a generous donation made by the Bernard and Helen Kaspar family, according to the museum's Facebook post. The building will house farm and other agriculture-related equipment, and it is expected to be up soon, the post says.
Need a good, reliable job?
The Nebraska Department of Transportation is currently accepting applications for a Highway Maintenance Worker Senior in Dorchester.
Starting pay is around $15.18 per hour. Great benefits include paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave as well as a retirement match of over 150%. Job duties will include operating trucks and other light equipment to complete highway maintenance work; and operating tractors with various attachments including disc, harrows, seeders, 15 foot mowers, sprayers and hand mowers to maintain highways and highway right of ways.
For specific benefits, go to www.statejobs.nebraska.gov/benefits.html.
Applications will close June 26, 2018. So hurry if you're interested. Online applications only.
For the job's details, call 402-471-6500 or go to www.statejobs.nebraska.gov.
Calling all joggers and walkers.
Your attention, please.
New for this year's Independence Day celebration in Dorchester is the "Longhorn Stampede" -- a 1 mile and 5K fun run/walk.
This event will take place at 7 a.m. in front of First State Bank on Dorchester's main street (611 Washington Ave.).
There will be prizes awarded to the following:
* First place male and female overall in the 1 mile and 5K.
* First place male and female in each age group in the 1 mile and 5K.
Best of all, each participant will get a t-shirt!
To register, click here by the deadline of Tuesday, June 26.
(By the way, runners and walkers can then cool off in City Slickers, which will be open at 9 a.m.)
Dorchester area native and 1964 DHS graduate Jane Louise Swanson, 71, died Tuesday June 12, 2018, at her home in Emerald. Born October 30, 1946, to Bernard and Helen (Cerny) Kaspar. Jane grew up on their farm with her older brothers Al and Larry and attended Pleasant Hill school. Jane graduated valedictorian of her class at Dorchester High School, 1964, and completed further education at the Lincoln School of Commerce. She then went to work as secretary to Bennett “Abe” Martin, a prominent Lincoln businessman, civic, and political figure for many years.
She married Dale Edward Swanson June 12, 1965. Together they had three children: Sonja, Steve, and Sam. Jane stopped working to become a full-time homemaker and mother, spending many hours reading to her children and doing all sorts of activities with them. She was always involved in their education, always ready to help them with their lessons.
She was also active in the community, serving many years on the local school and water boards. As a breast cancer survivor, Jane was especially attentive and supportive to anyone she encountered who faced a similar struggle. As her children entered adulthood, Jane returned to work outside the home, working a number of jobs before landing in the newsroom of the Lincoln Journal Star. She enjoyed both the work and the people she worked with, and made many good friends in the process.
Jane was talented in many ways. She loved baking and made countless batches of candy around Christmas time for friends and family to enjoy. She loved to read, both for herself and to her children. She collected dolls and, remaining fond of pigs from her farm girl days, amassed a large collection of pig-related curios and figurines. Jane had wanted to study forensics when she was young, which turned into a lifelong interest in mysteries and whodunits both fictional and real. She was a tireless worker, a good friend, and a devoted and tolerant mother and wife.
Preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Helen Kaspar; and her brother Alan Kaspar. Survivors include husband Dale; daughter and son-in-law Sonja and Eric Bartsch; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Michelle; son Samuel; brother Larry; sister-in-law Karen Bode; brother-in-law Gene Swanson; grandchildren Ryan, Dale, and Heather Bartsch; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
A service to celebrate Jane's life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Kuncl Funeral Home, 131 W. 12th St., Crete; fellowship at the Crete VFW following the service. Private burial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Food Bank of Lincoln and the Saline County Historical Society Museum in Dorchester. Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.kunclfh.com.
Home prices are very much overvalued in the Lincoln and Omaha areas, including in areas as close in proximity as Milford and Seward. Most prospective newer home buyers can only laugh and shake their heads, unless they are desperate.
Experts say this is due to numerous factors, including:
- Surrounding farm ground prices being pushed to unreasonably inflated values by wealthy and/or well-financed bidders, thereby affecting all real estate prices.
- Cheap money caused by artificially low interest rates charged by the Fed for the past decade.
- A shortage of available homes due to Baby Boomers staying in their homes longer than previous generations, as well as the increasing average age of American homes.
- Fewer new homes being built due to shortage of home builders and contractors.
- Home builders choosing to focus on custom-built homes of $500,000 or more, instead of middle-class structures.
Inflated home prices and the shortage of home builders willing to take on middle-class home construction -- not too mention stricter lending rules following the Great Recession -- make it tough for communities like Dorchester to expand their housing stock with new homes.
That's why we wanted to use this post as an opportunity to explore modular home builders and retailers in our area.
Modular homes are not mobile homes, which depreciate in value and do not improve a community. Instead, modular homes are real homes, built section-by-section in a factory setting, indoors, where they are never subjected to adverse weather conditions like a typical stick-built home. The individual sections move through the factory, with the company's quality control department checking them every step. They are placed on a pre-made foundation, professionally joined, and completed by a local builder.
What's more, modular homes can lead to significant cost savings versus traditional stick-built homes. Think of modular manufacturing as a smarter, more efficient way of home building, just as the assembly line was for automobiles beginning over 100 years ago. Best of all, the quality of modular homes has improved exponentially over just the past decade, to the point that one can no longer tell what was stick-built and what was produced off site.
We think modular homes are the future of home building for the middle- and working class, as well as for those who want to avoid a lifetime of mortgage payments. They definitely offer at least a partial solution for smaller communities like Dorchester that are in need of new houses.
In our area, there are several modular home builders to choose from, including:
- Heritage Homes -- Wayne, Neb. (Click on the company's name to see websites.)
Flag Day is today, June 14.
Make sure you take a moment to appreciate that piece of cloth and what it represents -- the sacrifices; the blood, sweat and tears; and ideals represented by the American flag.
To mark this special day, the Dorchester American Legion, Post 264, will hold its annual Saline County flag retirement ceremony this evening.
The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., with a covered dish dinner following the services.
All area residents are welcome and encouraged to attend this very patriotic event.
Plan on coming early and bring your unserviceable American flags.
Hundreds of flags are expected to be retired.
For more information, call Larry Kaspar at (402) 946-6711 or Rich Kasl (402) 946-7651.
In the meantime, please carefully read this poem.
Our Flag
by William A. Predeau
IT FLIES HIGH UP IN THE SKIES
FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE
A BEAUTIFUL SYMBOL OF THIS LAND
OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY
IT’S FLOWN FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS
ABOVE THIS WONDEROUS LAND
AND MANY A SOLDIER GAVE HIS LIFE
TO ENSURE IT CONTINUES TO STAND
WHEN FORMER P.O.W.'S WERE ASKED
WHAT HELPED TO GET THEM THROUGH
MANY SHOWED TATTERED PIECES OF CLOTH
OF THE COLORS RED, WHITE AND BLUE
SO LET US NOT FORGET THOSE
WHO FORGED THIS LAND WE LOVE
AND THE SYMBOL THEY CREATED
TO FLY THE SKIES ABOVE
REMEMBER TO HONOR THIS BEAUTIFUL FLAG
EVERY TIME IT PASSES YOU BY
STAND AND SHOW PROPER RESPECT
AND LONG MAY IT CONTINUE TO FLY
So you're thinking about serving on the Dorchester Village Board or Dorchester Public School Board?
Even though the 2018 general election is months away, if you are considering running for local public office, it's time to get your campaign in order.
Three of Dorchester's five village board seats are up for election this year.
The school board will also have three seats on this fall's ballot.
According to information we've been sent, those interested in running for office have until August 1 to file for office. (If you already hold elected public office of any kind, you must file by July 16.)
Here is who has filed for office so far:
VILLAGE BOARD (3 seats up)
* Dean Pracheil (incumbent)
* Tom Cerny
SCHOOL BOARD (3 seats up)
* Carol Schnell (incumbent)
* Steve Vyhnalek (incumbent)
* Matt Hansen (incumbent)
Those seeking election or re-election must submit the proper paperwork to the Saline County Clerk and Elections Commissioner.
Keep in mind we are not election officials. Nebraska law is very confusing and it takes work to find out filing deadlines for the many various elected offices. When we inquired with both the Secretary of State's office and the Saline County Clerk's office, there was confusion on the other end of the line. Not good. (Perhaps our state senators should address this instead of discussing wolf hybrids or horse massages. Or maybe the school and village websites could post notices on their homepages.)
Additional information can be obtained by calling the county elections commissioner's office at (402) 821-2374 or e-mailing clerk@saline.nacone.org.
The Times has been told via e-mail that Big T's BBQ Pit Stop, the restaurant and bar on Dorchester's east side, will undergo a change of ownership.
The new owners, who are local, could change the name of the restaurant, we are told.
Big T's opened in August 2016 in the same building that has housed establishments such as Ben's Iron Grill, Rough Reins, R Lounge, The Longhorn Saloon, Pit Stop, and Last Call Bar and Grill.
Back in July 2016, Big T's was approved for a liquor licence and for KENO operation by the Dorchester Village Board.
It's unknown if the new owners will continue Big T's menu or try a different approach.
The resident we spoke with said he hoped the new owners and renamed restaurant get off to a successful start, to continue the string of Dorchester's recent positive developments.
Shortly following Big T's opening, an October 2016 study by the Dorchester Times found Dorchester's weekend traffic on the village's three-block business district surged by almost 600% on Friday and Saturday nights compared to just six years earlier.
Developing...
There was some excitement in western Saline County last night as a 2-year-old Colorado girl was found safely following an AMBER Alert being issued. That according the Channel 7 in Omaha.
The toddler, Kyley Phipps, was reported missing from Thornton, Colorado around 7:20 p.m.
About a 90 minutes later, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper attempted to pull over a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder for speeding on Highway 6 near Sutton. The driver refused to stop and the trooper started pursuing it.
During the pursuit, troopers identified the vehicle involved in the AMBER Alert out of Colorado, troopers said. With the toddler in the Pathfinder, speeds during the pursuit reached 115 mph as the vehicle crossed into Saline County. (Yes, people can be that crazy or under the influence.)
The Saline County Sheriff's Office put spike strips on the highway, causing the vehicle to stop near Friend. Officers took the driver, Donetta Phipps, 46, into custody. She is the mother of Kyley.
Kyley was found safe in the vehicle.
Donetta Phipps is being held at Clay County Jail.
Running a small business is hard work. That's why the Times wants to help support Dorchester's local businesses.
For a limited time, the Dorchester Times will run free advertising for businesses with a Dorchester mailing address.
Perhaps you have a new business and you want to spread the word. Or maybe your established business is running a sale. Or a special for new customers.
Or maybe you just want to remind readers of your business and its place in our community.
If you'd like to take advantage of the Dorchester Times free advertisement offer, do the following:
E-mail dorchester.times@gmail.com a brief description of your Dorchester-area business. Include contact information a phone number, e-mail and (if applicable) a website address. Let readers know how to get hold of you and let them know why they should do business at your business. Be sure to note any specials or new promotions.
Please include a picture or logo with your e-mail so we can run that with the advertisement story.
The Dorchester Times website averages approximately 20,000 hits every 30 days, so this free advertising offer is a great opportunity to reach potential customers.
We're so confident our free advertising will get you new business, that if it doesn't, we will refund you exactly what you paid for it.
You've heard about the great housing markets in Omaha and Lincoln. But those are nothing compared to the smoking hot real estate market in the small town of Dorchester.
Our village of around 600 cannot keep quality homes on the market for 24 hours. In recent months, houses on Dorchester's Main Street and near the school were sold in less than 24 hours after their listing.
We know of some private, non-listed home sales that have occurred since then. Even when the Dorchester homes were fixer-uppers, they have sold.
Look at some of the recent developments in Dorchester's housing market:
- Remember the run-down vacant property on the corner of 9th St. and Jefferson? Thanks to a civic-minded family of do-ers (and the Dorchester Fire Department) who cleared the property, the over-sized lot is now vacant and will soon showcase a brand new home, according to information we've received. The new home could be up by fall.
- Many in Dorchester were surprised to see the fixer-upper at 713 Jefferson go on the market recently for $40,000. However, we have learned that the sellers received close to what they were asking (very close, to be exact). This serves as an example of what happens when property owners who don't or can't take care of their homes put them up for sale. That home you don't have time and/or money for, someone else wants.
- Another fixer-upper and longtime vacant home, this one at 508 Lincoln, was recently listed for $60,000. We've noticed that an offer is pending and the home is considered sold. More proof that homes just don't stay on the market long in Dorchester.
We don't know if it's the rising interest rates; the shortage of new housing; Dorchester's small-town appeal; the village's cozy feel; the quality community and K-12 school; the attraction of a safe and quiet town; or Dorchester school district's lower property taxes. One thing is for sure, good homes are moving very fast in Dorchester.
"Looks like Dorchester is in serious need of more housing," one of the recent home sellers said. "If you build it they will come!"
Going forward, we encourage Dorchester's village leaders and private citizens to look for new and creative ways to encourage new housing, and find ways to encourage owners of vacant homes to put their properties up for sale or rent.
The time is now.
Dorchester's Josephine “Josie” Slama, 101, passed away on June 1, 2018, just a month short of her 102nd birthday.
She was born on July 8, 1916, on a farm south of Pleasant Hill, Nebraska to Frank and Christie (Sipek) Belohlavy. She attended grade school in Pleasant Hill by walking over a mile across fields, sometimes crying from the cold. There were times during stormy weather her teacher didn’t come. The janitor would then start a fire so she could warm up before sending her back home. She attended Swanton High School and later graduated from Crete High School in 1933.
Her future husband, Joe Slama, first asked her for a dance at the Cinderella Ballroom in Crete, but the music ended before they got to dance. Soon after, Joe drove to her farm and asked her to a dance near Columbus. They married in 1939 and eventually bought and moved to a farm south of Dorchester. In 1942 she gave birth to a son, Richard, in a house that wasn’t finished. There was no electricity or running water, yet she managed to make a great home for the family. There was the cow to milk each morning, large garden to care for, chickens to be butchered, eggs to pick, vegetables and fruit to be canned, jams to make, clothes to wash by hand, and sometimes soap and butter were made.
At certain times during the year, there was hay to be made and she was the one that insured the 20 foot high haystack was built correctly so it would stand into the winter. She also helped pick corn by hand and stack bundles of oats. But there was always time to attend a dance at Tabor Hall, ZCBJ lodge No. 74, where she was a lifelong member, receiving her 50-year pin in 1989 and honorary membership in 2012.
Shortly after marriage, she joined the newly formed Jes’Tus Extension Club and was an active member until the club ended in the 1970s. The 40 or so homemakers were devoted to learning the latest information provided by UNL Extension on cooking, sewing, and the many other skills homemakers needed. When the weather made roads impassable by car, they would use horses and wagon to meet at members’ homes.
Her second son, Gene, was born in 1947. The Jes’Tus club then became more important to her than ever. She also became a member of the Dorchester Methodist Church. In the 1950’s she helped start and lead the Pleasant Hill 4-H club. She specialized in entomology helping several youth get trips to 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. For retirement, Joe and Josie moved to Dorchester in 1970. One thing she enjoyed in retirement in the 70s was making and painting pairs of owls. Over 40 families received these owls and some still have them hanging in their homes.
Her husband died in 1999 after almost 60 years of marriage. Josie then spent her days in Dorchester enjoying time with friends, gardening, and helping Gene maintain records of his purebred herd of Simental cattle. Eventually she broke a hip from a fall and spent the last couple of years in Tabitha of Crete, where she enjoyed time with the staff and other residents.
She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Richard and Dianne (Whittington) Slama of Lincoln and Gene Slama of Dorchester; grandchildren Mark, David, and Todd Slama and Michelle (Slama) Brummer; and seven greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe; parents; and brothers Robert and Joe Belohlavy and sister Anna Urban.
Services will be Wednesday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home with Pastor John Slama officiating. Soloist is Tim Javorsky.
Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are to the American Diabetes Association.
Interment: Wilber Czech Cemetery. Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete is in charge of arrangements.
To leave your condolences online, click here.
Rain came to the Dorchester area in the wee morning hours of Saturday, June 2, soaking the village and surrounding countryside with much-needed moisture.
In town, Dorchester received about an 1.25" -- enough to reverse the drying effects from a very hot last week of May.
Here are the official area rainfall totals according to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources' NERain website:
Dorchester -- in town: 1.24"
DeWitt -- 0.3 miles WNW: 1.21"
Wilber -- 7.0 miles WSW 1.16"
Tobias -- 4.7 miles SSW 1.02"
DeWitt -- 3.69 miles W 0.91"
Western -- 0.57 miles W 0.81"
Friend -- 3.4 miles E 0.78"
Seward -- 0.43 miles ESE 1.40"
(UPDATE - 8 a.m., June 2 -- The official Dorchester rain gauge shows 1.24" following this morning's storms, which brought small hail and strong winds, but also much needed moisture.)
This year, we've managed to avoid the nasty severe weather that spring typically brings in Nebraska.
That could change tonight.
The Lincoln newspaper says that a swath of east-central Nebraska, including Dorchester, is at "enhanced" risk of severe storms overnight Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
The threats include 60-80 mph winds, hail, heavy rain, even a slight chance of tornadoes.
According to AccuWeather -- the official weather source of the Dorchester Times -- there's a 100% chance the Dorchester area will get hit with "a few thunderstorms, some severe; these storms can bring flash flooding, large hail and damaging winds."
Rainfall amounts could be over 2.1 inches in Dorchester.
The greatest chance for severe weather in this part of the state is from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., with storms probably arriving in our area sometime after 9 p.m., the Weather Service says.
In the meantime, Dorchester today could break the area's 1934 record for June 1 heat, which is 96 degrees. Heat records have been falling rapidly over the past week.
Cooler temperatures are in store for Saturday and Sunday.
Humidity will also be lower over the weekend as we get a little break from the heat.
The weather service says Sunday will be sunny with a high in the low 80s. Monday through Thursday are forecast to be mostly sunny with highs in the low 80s to low 90s. There is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Monday and Monday night.
