Spotlight On Dorchester's Summer Carlson & Welding Program

Photo by Lincoln Journal Star

The Lincoln Journal Star has spotlighted Dorchester High School's Summer Carlson -- and we think she deserves the spotlight.

In a nation that lacks enough skilled workers -- at a time when some people are refusing to work rather than go into demanding but great-paying manufacturing or construction jobs -- Summer is showing she has the skills needed to compete.

She's a role model for other teens -- and other girls.

The Journal Star writes: "The fact that no girls — not one — had ever taken the year-long welding class at Dorchester High School did not faze Summer Carlson. Nor did the fact that she's the first woman to work in the pipe yard at Exeter’s Horizontal Boring & Tunneling, a job that requires a hard hat, some serious welding skills and the ability to haul pipe and drive forklifts and other large vehicles."

Summer will be a senior at Dorchester High this fall.  She obviously has a serious head on her shoulders and knows where her skills are needed.

The newspaper story quotes her as saying: "I plan to stay at Horizontal my whole life. That’s the plan, anyway."

According to the Journal Star, to help fill the nation's skills gap, many educators are trying to encourage more girls to sign up for vocational-skill classes -- everything from engineering and robotics to electronics and welding, all of which are largely dominated by boys.

The article says that "of the 2,668 students who took welding classes in Nebraska's high schools last year, just 10 percent, or 263, were girls."

Here's the heart of the Journal Star story's feature on Summer:

"Carlson, who spent most of her childhood in Oklahoma, said her interest was sparked by friends who were welders and an artist she knows who makes beautiful metal creations.  Her high school northeast of Tulsa didn’t offer much of a welding program, so when her folks decided to move back to Nebraska, where they’d both grown up, she was in luck.

"Dorchester High — part of a K-12 district with 180 students nine miles west of Crete — offered a full-year welding program.  When Carlson started there last year as a junior, she wasn't bothered that boys were the only ones who ever signed up."

Summer said: "I went into it knowing I could do it and I did it, you know?"

Read the full Journal Star story here. 

Let's congratulate Summer on her willingness to follow her passions in a field in which her nation needs her skills.  

And let's also congratulate the educators at Dorchester High for helping her develop those skills and launching her career.

Saline County Robotics Team Being Formed; Meeting Set For Tuesday In Friend

Calling all kids ages 9-14.

If you're interested in STEM and robotics, be sure to mark Tuesday, July 31 on your calendar.  

At 7 p.m. that night, at the San Carlo Room in Friend, an informational meeting will be held to gauge the interest in a First Lego League (FLL) Robotics team.

Adults interested in the organization/coaching of a team are invited to join at 6 p.m. July 31 for registration and program information.  

According to an e-mail sent to the Times, the Crete area has had four to five FLL teams through 4-H and the Crete Middle School in recent years, with teams learning and competing in a tournament.

The First Lego League releases an annual challenge, which is based on a real-world scientific topic.  Each challenge has three parts: the Robot Game, the Project, and the Core Values. Teams of up to ten children (again, ages 9 to 14), with at least two adult coaches, participate in the challenge by programming an autonomous robot to score points on a themed playing field. Teams may then attend an official tournament, hosted by Nebraska 4-H.

If robotics are your thing, or you'd like to learn more about this quickly developing filed, attend this informational meeting on July 31.

For more information, e-mail eric.stehlik@unl.edu.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Summer Reading Program At Dorchester Library Winding Down

Dorchester Library's Summer Reading Program Is This Wednesday: It's the last full week for the summer reading program at the Dorchester Public Library, and a critical component for the reading  bingo prize is the children's story time this Wednesday, July 25, at 5 p.m. Bingo forms are due August 4.  Make sure your child uses what is left of this summer to accomplish more than just time in front of a screen. Brain cells are ready to be nourished.

Used Oil Collection Will Be Aug. 27 In Dorchester: On Monday, Aug. 27, you will be able to drop off your used oil for proper disposal from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  Drop-off site will be the Saline County shop in the southeast section of Dorchester, according to a flyer.

Dorchester Dump Site Hours:  As a reminder, the Dorchester yard waste disposal site is open Wednesdays 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.  Lawn clippings and tree limbs or branches only.

Dorchester Post Office Hours:  We occasionally are asked for the window hours at the Dorchester Post Office.  Here they are:  Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Next Village Board Meeting Is Aug. 6:  For those wondering, the next Dorchester Village Board of Trustees meeting will be Monday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Dorchester Fire Hall.

Bird Named To Doane Scholar Athlete List: DHS graduate and current Doane track athlete Corey Bird has been named to Doane University's list of standout student athletes.  To make the list, students must carry a 3.3 GPA or better while participating in their sport.  See the full list here.

Dorchester FBLA Gets National Spotlight, Honors

The Dorchester Times has reported extensively on Dorchester High School's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter.

It's a fact that Dorchester has one of the state's leading FBLA programs.  

And now it can be said that DHS has one of the nation's outstanding FBLA chapters.

10/11 News reported yesterday that more than 390 Nebraska students, advisers, and guests recently attended the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

More than 9,000 FBLA members from 46 states, as well as U.S. territories and international chapters, attended the conference.

Dorchester was well represented.  When the dust settled, Dorchester had captured second place in the market share competition for the Mountain Plains Region contest.

What's more, DHS' Kyra Creamer was awarded the National Business Achievement Award – America Level.  This is the top award for this four-level FBLA program.

Congrats to all the Longhorn FBLA students who made it to Baltimore.

To learn more about FBLA, click here.

HOME FOR SALE: Great Ranch On South Side Of Town

Dorchester's real estate market is hot!  As we've reported before, with demand for small town life growing, this village of around 600 cannot keep quality homes on the market for 24 hours. 

This comes as no surprise since Dorchester has a lot going for it -- that is, if you prefer living in a safe, friendly and affordable community that has much potential for the future. Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A new K-12 school with some of the state's best educators.  The lowest school tax levy in the county -- and one of the lower property rates in southeast Nebraska.
• SAFE COMMUNITY:  With a new water system and sewer system.
• LOWER COSTS: Affordable cost of living.
• KEY BUSINESS: Headquarters for one of the state's largest agribusinesses (Farmers' Cooperative) and is situated on the thriving Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.
• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to many employers in Crete, Milford, Friend and Seward, and just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 10 minutes to Interstate 80.  Yet all the advantages of a quiet, safe small town.

However, one challenge facing Dorchester is available housing.  We often hear from many readers who say they would like to move to Dorchester, if only homes were available.

Today, we are showcasing the latest Dorchester home available right now. If you're ready to call Dorchester home, we encourage you to take a look and make a timely offer (again, things are moving fast in this market).  Make Dorchester your home and enjoy a great small-town way of life.

104 Whitmar Street: A for-sale by owner sign has appeared on this home.  We learned of this from an e-mail and don't have many details, other than this was the home of longtime Dorchester residents Joe and Josie Slama.  Josie recently passed away.  This ranch-style home is on the south edge of town, with the Saline County Museum as its back yard.  Zillow says the home has 1,302 sq ft and was built in 1966. It contains 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The property tax in 2017 was $1,227. The tax assessment in 2017 was $81,530.  Call: 402-432-3915 if interested.

Jeanine (Kasl) Essman Funeral Saturday, 2 P.M.

Dorchester native and DHS graduate Jeanine “Jean” Joyce Essman, daughter of Bob and Marva (Hayek) Kasl, was born January 3, 1961 in Crete, Nebraska. She passed away July 6 at her home in Lincoln with her family by her side. She was beloved by all she touched, especially by her husband Paul and their children Andrew Kasl and Samantha Lena. Jean was a farm girl who knew she wanted to be a teacher like her mom from the start. Although the majority of her students were pre-school special education, many of them would recognize her years later and call out “Miss Jean!” when they saw her. Jean enjoyed spending time with her family and attending Andrew’s and Samantha’s many activities. Before her passing, she loved being part of both children’s weddings and helping to find their first homes. She was a special aunt and great aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Jean was confirmed in the Dorchester Methodist Church and later joined St. Mark’s Methodist Church in Lincoln. She went to Dorchester schools and graduated with the class of 1979. After graduating from Kearney State College in 1983, she taught special education in Kansas for two years, and later received her Master’s Degree from Doane College.  Jean then continued to teach in Lincoln for 23 years.  She was a member of the Dorchester Legion Auxiliary and the ZCBJ Tabor Lodge for over 50 years. She was very proud of her Czech heritage and she worked with 4-H and youth activities. Jean enjoyed gardening and she loved to read. She was always there to support and take care of those in need.

Jean is survived by her husband Paul Essman (32 years), children Andrew (Natalie) Essman of Eagle and Samantha (Christopher) Hobelman of Waverly, parents Bob and Marva Kasl, sisters Sandy (Chuck) Rains and Judy (Mark) Bors, and sister-in-law Sheri Kasl, all of Dorchester, father-in-law Roger Essman of Lincoln, sisters-in-law Lisa Essman (Mark Vucenich) of Pennsylvania and Amy Essman (Don Gentle) of Missouri, special friend Belinda Becker of Omaha, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and students. She was preceded in death by her brothers Bobby Kasl and Brad Kasl, mother-in-law Larae Essman, and grandparents George and Emma Kasl and Lumir and Evelyn Hayek.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Project Purple, Early Childhood Programs, or Lincoln Children’s Zoo would be appreciated. Condolences may be left at trumpmemorials.com.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 14 at 2 p.m., St. Mark’s Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln with Pastor Kara Hillhouse officiating. Private interment will be held at a later date.  Trump Funeral Services, 1600 West “O” Street, Lincoln are handling the arrangements. 

NEWS ROUND-UP: New Village Clerk Likely To Be Selected Friday

New Village Deputy Clerk Expected to Be Selected Friday Night:  According to a public notice, the Dorchester Village Board on Friday night will likely select a new deputy village clerk.  The village government has been advertising the position for several weeks now.  A special meeting this Friday will likely yield a recommended hire.  Stay tuned.

Football's Coming Home in Just 42 Days:  According to a countdown clock on the Dorchester Public School's website, only 42 days remain until a new era and season kick off for DHS football. 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.  From 2014-2016, DHS co-oped with next-door neighbor Milford, a Class C-1 school.  For the first time since the 1950s, DHS will compete in six-man football this season, as the version of the game is gaining popular support statewide.  See the 2018 schedule here.

Acreage for Sale South of Dorchester:  An acreage at 1057 County Road 1300 south of Dorchester is for sale and has been reduced to $179,000, according to real estate site Trulia.  If you're in the market for country living, this appears to be a reasonable deal.

Two Job Openings At Dorchester School

Dorchester Public School is looking for dynamic, energetic, hard-working individuals who can communicate and collaborate well with teachers, parents and students to fill the following positions for school year 2018-19.

The open positions are:

Spanish/English bilingual para-educator

-- Assist students under the direction and guidance of teachers
-- Interpret spoken language between home and school
-- Translate written communication from English to Spanish 

Special Education para-educator

-- Assist students under the direction and guidance of teachers

Those interested should contact Daryl Schrunk, DPS superintendent, at (402) 946-2781.

Application may be picked up at the office or found on our website at dorchesterschool.org.

Longtime Dorchester Resident Ferman Rediger Passes At 95

Longtime Dorchester resident Ferman Rediger went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the age of 95 years 9 months and 3 days.  

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, July 11) at Friend Christian Assembly with Pastor Eric Jensen officiating. Interment will be in Andrew Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 1-8 p.m. at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home with the family greeting relatives and friends from 6-8 p.m.  Click here to send sympathies to the family.

Memorials are directed in care of the family. 

Ferman was born October 4, 1922 to Jake and Lavina (Hershberger) Rediger, the youngest of eight children. He enjoyed being the youngest having four brothers and three sisters (he got a bit spoiled as you can imagine). Living on a farm southwest of Milford the family belonged to East Fairview Mennonite Church and he attended Country School District #47 until 1936. At an early age, Ferman studied a Confession of Faith and accepted Christ by the symbol of water baptism. 

Even though the 1930s were hard due to the drought and depression, he always said he had fond memories. As his older siblings got married, his mother sold the farm, and Ferman went back to school in Washington, Iowa where he attended Sugar Creek Mennonite Church near Wayland. Ferman worked part-time at Guther Picture Studio and also worked on a farm. Wages were poor, so he went to Peoria, IL and worked for R.G. Letourneau Heavy Grading Equipment Company until he was drafted for WWII in 1942. Because of his Christian heritage and pacifist view, the Draft Board allowed him to serve in Civilian Public Service doing work of national importance in construction for the duration of his draft. As a relief effort, Ferman also worked in the George Marshal Plan shipping horses and cattle to Gadansk, Poland, known as U.N.R.R.A. (United Nations Relief and Rehabilition Administration).   He was discharged from service in May of 1946 and returned to Milford, Neb. where he began working for Milford Co-op delivering fuel and oil to farmers.

On September 6, 1949, Ferman was united in marriage to Ina Earnest of Wayland, IA and they made their home in Milford. They had three children, Lynette, Earnest, and Gretta.  In the early 1950s, they moved to Dorchester where he was the fuels agent for Mobil Oil Company of Omaha.  Being a fuels agent became a life-career for Ferman as he worked for the Farmers Cooperative in Dorchester.

He was a member of the Friend Christian Assembly in Friend and also served as a board member. Ferman loved being at home and had a concern for his family’s spiritual awareness.   His interests included reading and studying his bible and discussing politics and sports. His hobby was carpentry and he enjoyed using barnwood to make picture frames and various art pieces. He also enjoyed helping Ina with the flower gardens and last, but not least, collecting rocks, stones and coins.

When Ferman retired, he and Ina became the caretakers of the Saline County Museum in Dorchester, and also volunteered at a Christian College at Edenburg, TX for Latino students. Over the years, the family traveled to many places of interest for vacations.

Ferman is survived by his wife, Ina, as well as his daughters and son-in-law, Lynette Rediger, Gretta and Mark Stutzman, all of Friend, son, Earnest Rediger, Colorado Springs, Co, four grandchildren and spouses, Amanda and Ross Ricenbaw, Lincoln, Shane and Jennifer Stutzman, Friend, Holly and Brandon Borchers, Utica, Danielle Rediger, Colorado Springs, CO, eight great-grandchildren, Alexa Ricenbaw, Lincoln, Royce, Bentley and Aston Ricenbaw, Lincoln, Charlee and Sawyer Stutzman, Friend, Barrett and Everly Borchers, Utica; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Arlene Kremer, Sun Lake, AZ, Ronald Earnest, Harpers Ferry, IA, Carla Earnest, Coralville, IA, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Sterling, Stanley, Merle and Dallas Rediger, three sisters, Verda Roth, Ollie Roth and Maybelle Krabill, sisters-in-law, Kelly Earnest and Ruth Rediger.

HOME FOR SALE: Nice Ranch On Dorchester's East Side

Dorchester's real estate market is hot!  As we've reported before, with demand for small town life growing, this village of around 600 cannot keep quality homes on the market for 24 hours. 

This comes as no surprise since Dorchester has a lot going for it -- that is, if you prefer living in a safe, friendly and affordable community that has much potential for the future. Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A new K-12 school with some of the state's best educators. The lowest school tax levy in the county -- and one of the lower property rates in southeast Nebraska.
• SAFE COMMUNITY:  With a new water system and sewer system.
• LOWER COSTS: Affordable cost of living.
• KEY BUSINESS: Headquarters for one of the state's largest agribusinesses (Farmers' Cooperative) and is situated on the thriving Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.
• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to many employers in Crete, Milford, Friend and Seward, and just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 10 minutes to Interstate 80.  Yet all the advantages of a rural small town.

However, one challenge facing Dorchester is available housing.  We often hear from many readers who say they would like to move to Dorchester, if only homes were available.

Today, we are showcasing the latest Dorchester home available right now. If you're ready to call Dorchester home, we encourage you to take a look and make a timely offer (again, things are moving fast in this market).  Make Dorchester your home and enjoy a great small-town way of life.

806 Fulton Ave.: 1,354 square foot ranch-style home located on 2.5 lots.  This home has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, dining/living room, utility room.  Full basement with living room and storage area. Home has an over-sized attached two-stall garage, concrete drive, underground watering system, back yard patio, utility shed  and more.  Listed with United Country Real Estate in Hickman. Call: (402) 792-2820 or (402) 440-7779. E-mail: amy@1fsr.com.  Click here for the website.

Schedule For Dorchester's July 4 (And July 6) Celebration

(UPDATE: According to the Dorchester 4th of July Committee's Facebook page, the date of the Dorchester fireworks show has been moved to Friday, July 6. The Times was not made aware of this change and is unsure as to the reasoning for the change other than that a Friday show provides a chance for more to see Dorchester's fireworks. The rest of the July 4 activities schedule remains unchanged.  See updated schedule below.)

Dorchester's Independence Day is one of the very best small-town July 4th celebrations in all of Nebraska. It's personal, quaint and genuinely patriotic. 

Our community's July 4th celebration is also an annual tradition that draws in folks from near and far, including residents from neighboring communities, friends, family and DHS alumni from across the country.  

You will find plenty of things to do in Dorchester on Independence Day, without the hurried (and sometimes rude) crowds of larger communities.  Of course, the highlight of the day comes after dark with the famous fireworks show, which has been delighting crowds for more than two decades.  

If you're on Facebook, check out the Dorchester 4th of July page.

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Dorchester's July 4 (AND 6TH) Celebration

2018 Schedule of Events

All Day (July 3 and 4) .......... Co-ed Softball Tourney (@ Nerud Field. Call Jared Jensen at 402-641-1154.)

Wednesday, July 4: 7 a.m. .................. Stampede Fun Run (1 mile walk/run or 5K begins in front of bank on main street.  Call Kelli Whitney at 402-217-3374 or register online here.)

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ....... Visit the Saline County Museum (open to public).

11 a.m.- 7 p.m. ........ Sons of American Legion BBQ @ Dorchester Legion Hall.

11 a.m. ................... Auxiliary/Jr. Auxiliary Pie and Ice Cream Social/Raffle @ Legion Building.

1 p.m. ................... "Show and Shine" @ County Museum along Hwy 33. (Tractors, autos, motorcycles -- any year.  No cost.  Call Matt Smith at 402-826-9303 for more information.)

2 p.m. ................... Bingo hosted by Legion Auxiliary @ Community Building on main street.

3 p.m. ................... Kids' Games @ city park. 

4 p.m. .................. Kiddy Tractor Pull.  South of City Slickers on 7th St. (Sponsored by Farmers Co-Op. Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Participants must register.)

7 p.m. .................. Parade (Line-up begins at 6:30 p.m. at Co-Op offices and parking lot near elevator.  Bring a description of your entry. For more, e-mail pegbergmeyer@yahoo.com)


Friday, July 6: 10 p.m. ........... "The Big Show" -- Fireworks at football field.  

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Firework sales in Dorchester will be from June 25-July 4 at the trailer just south of the Dorchester Fire Hall.  All proceeds will support the Dorchester fireworks show on July 4.  There will be a raffle for "The Big Stuff" -- as in some of the big fireworks from the Dorchester fireworks stand, where the raffle tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held July 3 at 5 p.m.  Need not be present to win.  

Dorchester's 4th of July celebration depends on private support. Some of the contributors of the 2017 fireworks show were: Village of Dorchester; First State Bank; Farmers Co-op; Novak Auction; The Well; City Slickers; Big T's BBQ; Sandy Creek Restoration; Dorchester Legion Auxiliary; Spring Creek Repair; Barley's Specialties; Holly Well Drilling; Tabor Hall; Rut Auction; Donna's Hair Creation; Allen and Twila Papik; John and Kathy Palky; Kelli Hromek; Daryl and Lynelle Schrunk; Shelley and Rose Bruha; Matt and Donna Hansen; Marvin and Lorraine Kohout; Mark and Judy Bors.

Dorchester area residents and friends of Dorchester are encouraged to send their donations for 2018's celebration to: 

First State Bank

4th of July Celebration

P.O. Box 264

Dorchester, NE 68343

Happy 137th Birthday, Dorchester

June 23 marked the 137th anniversary of Dorchester's incorporation as a village. Happy belated 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.  At the same time, 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.

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 137th birthday.

Longhorns Youth Football Camp Will Be Next Week

For Dorchester's future football stars, it is never too early to start brushing up their skills. 

This is especially important as football returns to DHS and Nerud Field this fall!

The coaches at DHS are offering young players in the Dorchester area a chance to improve their football game or -- if they aren't familiar with the game, learn the basics.

On July 9-10, DHS football coach Brent Zoubek will hold the Dorchester Area Youth Football Camp for boys going into grades 3 through 8. 

The camp will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. both mornings at Dorchester's Nerud Field, which was recently outfitted with modern, state-of-the-art lights.

The camp will introduce and reinforce some of the basic fundamentals of football.  Included will be: skill development; athletic fundamentals; drill work; position education; team time; and 6-on-6 passing drills.

The cost is $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 946-2781.