Dorchester Gift Ideas For Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a big deal.  And this year it comes on Sunday, May 12. 

To celebrate your mom and recognize all she has done for you, you could give her the same-old gifts, cards, flowers, or candy.

Or you could give her a personalized, special gift from Dorchester.

Maybe a gift certificate for a massage or special heathcare products from The Well?

Or perhaps a certificate for a great meal from the regionally famous City Slickers restaurant?

Or maybe the up-and-coming Eastside Bar & Grill?

How about a certificate for a hair appointment from Donna's Hair Creations?

Perhaps a gift card for gas from the Co-op filling station?

Maybe a special relic from the past from Hedgehog and Hubby's Antiques?

Or if you're really feeling generous, a new car or truck from Tyser Auto Sales!

When it comes to finding that special gift, there are many options from Dorchester businesses, even more than we mentioned here.

Show mom you cared enough that you went above and beyond just getting her something from a Wal-Mart aisle or convenience store.  Give her a personalized gift from Dorchester.

Paper: Eight Dorchester FBLA Students Will Compete In Texas In June

The Friend Sentinel reports on the outstanding performance of Dorchester's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students at a recent state competition.

"A total of 23 students from Dorchester Public Schools attended the FBLA State Leadership Competition in Omaha," the paper reports. "Of those 23 participants, eight placed for the national competition in San Antonio, Texas, in June."

A list of DPS students and their placements are as follows: 

• Kyra Creamer: second place in 3D Animation; fourth place in Mobile Application Development; sixth place in Business Financial Plan;

• Blake Hansen, Jose Tellez and Karter Tyser: second place in Computer Game Simulation;

• Jaquelin Acosta, Maricela Magana and Andy Real: third place in Mobile Application Development 

• Blake Hansen, Abigail Zoubek and Jacee Zoubek: seventh place in Introduction to Business;

• Haley Weber: seventh place for Client Service, Business Achievement Award;

• Jacee Zoubek: fifth place in Introduction to Financial Math; and 

• Ben Nohavac, Cole Lisec and Josh Thompson: seventh place in Management Information Systems.

Among the DHS students receiving honorable mentions were:

• Jaquelin Acosta and Maricela Magana for Digital Video;

• Breanna Muff, Ben Nohavoc and Karter Tyser for Social Media Campaign; 

• Blake Hansen for Introduction to Financial Math;

• Abigail Plouzek for Who's Who.

Contact FEMA If You Suffered Home Damage In Recent Flooding

Were you affected by the recent spring flooding? 

If so, there's something you can do to help yourself.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering assistance to those who've suffered property losses.

Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) -- or go to www.disasterassistance.gov.

When you contact FEMA, you will need to have ready the following:

• Address with zip code.
• Directions to your property.
• Condition of your damaged home.
• Insurance information.
• Social Security number.
• Phone number where you can be reached.
• Address where you can get physical mail.

If you have suffered losses to your home and property, take advantage of FEMA's services.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Jacee Zoubek, DHS Journalism, FBLA Leaders

Here's what is happen in the Dorchester metro area:

DHS Journalism Students Take Home State Honors: Congratulations to Dorchester High School's state journalism medalists. They include the following Longhorns: Harmony Shepherd (2nd in Photo Illustration, 2nd in Yearbook Feature Writing, 7th in Yearbook Theme Copy Writing); Breanna Muff (1st in Yearbook Sports Feature Writing, 7th in Yearbook Feature Writing); Alli Novak (3rd in Yearbook Feature Writing); Megan Kotas (6th in Yearbook Feature Writing); Danni McKnight (4th in News/Feature Photography); and Ashton Rasplicka (7th in Photo Illustration). Dorchester placed 9th overall out of 23 teams competing at State and 38 teams overall.

Jacee Zoubek Sets New DHS Record In 200M Dash: The 200 meter sprint in track is reserved for the speediest of athletes. So when the Longhorns' Jacee Zoubek this week broke the longstanding DHS record for the 200 meter race -- with a time of 26.95 seconds -- people were impressed. Congrats to Jacee for this impressive feat.

Creamer, Muff Will Lead DHS FBLA In 2019-20: The DHS Future Business Leaders of America -- one of the top chapters in the state -- has elected its new slate of leaders for next school year. Elected as president was Kyra Creamer. Serving as vice president will be Breanna Muff. Blake Hansen will be the secretary, while Ashton Rasplicka will be the new treasuerer. Congrats to the new FBLA leadership team.

Joann Znamenacek Passes At 81

Joann Znamenacek, 81 of Lincoln and formerly of Dorchester, died April 20, 2019. She was born to Henry and Rose (Pecka) Horky on April 14, 1938 in a cabin at Horky’s Park at Crete, which is now known as Blue River Lodge. She was raised on farms north of Milford, south of Crete and south of Dorchester (by Pleasant Hill). She loved her cats and dogs. She enjoyed playing the trumpet in the band and participating in marching band at school events and parades. She enjoyed dancing.

She worked in Crete at Bud’s Cleaners and Formfit Rogers, before her marriage to Lester on May 5, 1956. She helped her husband in the Massey Ferguson Implement business and Zoom’s Autos. She enjoyed gardening, baking and raising her family and going to garage sales. After the passing of her husband in March 2005, she became a volunteer at Bryan LGH Hospital. She had a loyal companion cat named “Lucky”.

She is survived by her daughter Leslie (Mark) Kinzie of Lincoln; son, Kevin (Jane) Znamenacek of Western; nine grandchildren, Jolene Grable, Tim Kinzie, Jamie Brueggemann, Sandra Koll, Susan Senft, Kane Znamenacek, Michael Znamenacek, Tyler Znamenacek, and Mitchell Znamenacek; thirteen great-grandchildren, Matilda Koll, Henry Koll, Riggs Brueggemann, Carter Kinzie, Eleanor Senft, Franklin Koll, Charles Koll, Brennan Znamenacek, Odessa Grable, Emilee Brueggemann, Howard Senft, Mila Znamenacek, Hayden Znamenacek. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lester, son Gerry and sister Janice Klika.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Lincoln Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 25, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. also at the funeral home. Memorials have been suggested to the family for future designation.

Chicken Fajita Luncheon To Raise Funds For Dorchester Water Park

This Saturday, April 27, will bring a free-will chicken fajita luncheon to Dorchester.

The donations for this event will go to help build the forthcoming water park or splash pad in the Dorchester City Park.  

The word we've received is that these are some of the best chicken fajitas in the region.

The luncheon will take place at the Dorchester Community Building on main street (Washington Avenue). 

Hours for serving will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Stay and eat at the community hall, or grab some fajitas for the road or your planting work.

Take-out or in-town delivery is available by calling 402-381-7789.

Be sure to support Dorchester and its new splash pad this Saturday. 

If you're unable to take part in the fajita feed, donations are being accepted via mail with checks made payable to the Dorchester Foundation Community Fund and sent to: 

Dorchester Community Foundation Fund
c/o Peg Bergmeyer
101 Washington Ave.
Dorchester, NE  68343

The Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of the Nebraska Community Foundation, so all donations are tax deductible.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Happy Easter From The Times

• Happy Easter From The Times: First and foremost, the staff of the Dorchester Times wishes all our readers and fellow area residents a happy Easter. May you and your families enjoy together the blessings we bestowed upon our community and take time to remember the reason for the special day. “He is not here; he has risen!” - Luke 24:6

• DHS Journalism Program Gets Spotlighted in Friend Newspaper: Dorchester High School's journalism students were the subject of a Friend Sentinel write-up following being honored by the Journalism Education Association earlier this spring. The award-winning student journalists at DHS are Breanna Muff, Jose Real, Harmony Shepherd, Alli Novak and Danni McKnight. See the Friend Sentinel's story here.

• DHS Athletic Banquet Will Be Next Tuesday Night: DHS will honor its top student athletes next Tuesday, April 30, at the annual D Club Athletic Banquet. The program will begin at 6 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, while children in grades K-3 are free. Tickets are available at the door.

• New Gym Lights To Be Installed: New LED lights will be installed this summer in the Dorchester main gymnasium. Sources tell the Times that the new lights will make a big improvement in visibility in the Longhorn's "corral." In addition, the new lights should bring significant cost savings to the school.

DHS Selected Again To Design Art For White House Easter Egg Roll

This is huuuuuuuuuge.

The art students of Dorchester High School were once again selected to create an egg art design for the White House Easter Egg Roll.

The event will take place in Washington, D.C. this Monday, April 22.

The DHS art students crafted a design that recognizes Nebraska's resilience in the face of this spring's historic flooding, coupled with a terrible blizzard that hit later in March.  

The "Nebraska Strong" motto is featured prominently.

DHS' longtime art instructor Stacy Lutjemeyer told the Times about the students' design.  She said: "The helping hands in the center help to show that we care about our fellow neighbors.  

"Beef is a great export for Nebraska, and it was also affected.  Because we are the "Cornhuskers," of course the design has corn stalks featured on our egg.  The great cottonwood, meadowlark, golden rod, and honeybee -- all some of our state symbols -- also appear."

Longhorn students who worked on the design were Haley Weber, Harmony Shepherd, Jose Real and Danni McKnight, along with Mrs. Lutjemeyer.

1982 DHS Grad Brad Kovar Passes At Age 54

Bradley Alan Kovar, a 1982 graduate of DHS, has passed unexpectedly.  

Kovar was born on May 16, 1964, in Kearney and was adopted by Cyrill H. and Eunice Jean (Fiedler) Kovar. He passed away on April 11, 2019, in Lincoln at the age of 54 years, 10 months and 26 days.

Brad grew up on the family farm between Crete and Dorchester. He attended Star School District 1 and later graduated from Dorchester High School with the Class of 1982. After high school, Brad worked as a guard for Farmland for several years. He also worked at Kawasaki and Lincoln Public Schools for a number years. For the last 10 years or so, Brad drove a cab for Servant Cab Company in Lincoln. He enjoyed meeting new people every day and looked forward to his regular customers, who will miss him dearly. Brad was quite the toy collector and loved watching movies. Brad loved playing “Dungeons & Dragons” and any other game for that matter. He enjoyed family gatherings and loved his family very much. Brad would help anyone that was in need, he had a true and giving heart.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Kovar and his grandparents.

Brad is survived by his two children, Sarah and Aaron Kovar; father, Cyrill H. Kovar, Crete; two sisters, Barb and Jason Eastman, North Platte, Anne and Jason Tidblom, Bennington; brother, Bob and Jessica Kovar, Wichita, KS; seven nieces and nephews; 11 great nieces and great nephews; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends.  See the online obituary here.

Home For Sale: 102 E. 9th St.

Dorchester's real estate market is red hot! As we've reported before, with demand for small-town life growing due to high costs in urban areas, reasonably priced homes are typically sold in just hours in our village.  

It's no surprise quality Dorchester housing is in hot demand.  After all, our community 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 10-year-old K-12 school with some of the state's better educators. The lowest school tax levy in the county and one of the lower property rates in southeast Nebraska.  (And not constant property tax hikes like some of our next-door neighbors.)

• SAFE COMMUNITY: With a new water system and sewer system.

• LOWER COSTS: Affordable cost of living with lower property taxes compared to surrounding school districts.

• KEY BUSINESS: Headquarters for one of the state's largest agri-businesses (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 employers in Crete, Milford, Friend and Seward, and just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 10 minutes to I-80.  Yet all the advantages of a rural small town.

However, one challenge facing Dorchester is available housing. So today we are showcasing the latest Dorchester home available.  If you're ready to call Dorchester home, we encourage you to not wait, but instead 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.

102 E 9th Street: This affordable ranch on Main Street is ready for you.  It has three bedrooms, one bath and features a shed, fenced backyard and two-car attached garage. This is a very well maintained home with many new updates. You will love this quiet neighborhood. Don''t miss out on this great home! Schedule your showing today. Listed at $145,900. For more information, click here.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Students Selected for Cornhusker Girls' State

Acosta, Creamer Selected For Girls' State:  Dorchester juniors Jaki Acosta and Kyra Creamer have been selected to represent the Dorchester American Legion Auxiliary at the 2019 Cornhusker Girls' State that will be held this summer in Lincoln. Breanna Muff was chosen as the alternate.  The conference runs June 2-8 and is a non-partisan program that aims to teach young women responsible citizenship.  Girls' State gives participants the opportunity to learn how state and local government operates by working together as self-governing citizens. Participants are taught the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy, while instilling confidence, pride and love of God and country.

Job Opening At Dorchester's DOT Office: The Times has received word that the Nebraska Department of Transportation is currently accepting applications for a highway maintenance worker/senior in Dorchester. For a full job description and to apply, visit www.statejobs.nebraska.gov. An on-line state application must be completed on or before the closing date of April 24. The State of Nebraska is an equal opportunity/veterans preference employer. It should be noted that DOT employees will be getting an increase in pay come July 1.

Kindergarten Registration Is Tuesday: Dorchester Public School's Kindergarten Registration for 2019-2020 kindergartners will be held this Tuesday, April 16. So spread the word. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Later in the week, on Thursday, April 18, a "Kindergarten Round-Up" will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., so the new students can meet one another and their teacher. If you have questions, just call Mrs. Carroll at 402-946-2781.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dornan, Hoffman, Thompson Are Boys' State Reps

Dornan, Hoffman, Thompson Are Boys' State Reps: Dorchester's Jonathan Dornan, Ridge Hoffman and Josh Thompson have been selected to represent their community at Cornhusker Boys State this summer. The Longhorn juniors are being sponsored by the Dorchester Legion and Dorchester Auxiliary.  Cornhusker Boys’ State is held annually during the summer before the senior year of high school, typically during the first week in June, on the main campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.  Boys’ State is a plan for training in the functional aspects of citizenship.  Its purpose is to teach the youth of today constructive attitudes toward the American form of government.  Boys’ State attempts to show that our form of government has not outworn its usefulness; that all a democracy needs is an intelligent citizenry and a clean, honest and impartial administration responsive to the will of the people.  This program originated in Illinois in 1935.

School Yearbooks Will See Price Hike After April 15: If you'd like to order a 2019 Dorchester School yearbook, they are now on sale for $40 through April 15.  After the 15th, the cost will go up to $43.  Contact Dorchester Public School at (402) 946-2781 if you need more information to place your order.

DHS Journalism Students, Yearbook Take Home Top Honors: Dorchester students recently competed in the Journalism Education Association competition, which assembled more than 30 schools.  Most of the schools were from Omaha, Lincoln and other Class A schools, while Dorchester was the smallest school in the competition.  DHS' Harmony Shepherd received an excellent score in yearbook theme copy writing and photo/artistic illustration.  Danni McKnight received an excellent in sports/action photography and an honorable mention in yearbook theme copy writing.  Alli Novak received an honorable mention in photo/artistic illustration.  Jose Real received an honorable mention in sports/action photography.  DHS' entire 2017-18 yearbook received a superior for yearbook theme development -- the only school to receive the highest honor.  The yearbook students are advised by Mrs. Sandy Severance.

DHS FBLA Students Qualify For Nationals In San Antonio:  Congratulations to Dorchester FBLA for your successful trip to State Leadership Conference last week.  According to social media posts, Dorchester has not one, not two, but eight students who have qualified for the National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas in June.  Dorchester's Future Business Leaders of America program continues to be one of the state's finest.

Contest: Why Does Dorchester Elementary School Matter?

You love Dorchester and its school.  

Now you can tell the world why your elementary school matters -- in 250 words or less -- and you could win $5,000.  

And to make it even sweeter, every Dorchester elementary student will win their own bicycle helmet.

The contest is being sponsored by United Healthcare and News Channel Nebraska.  

The deadline to send your entry is April 30.

Students, parents, teachers, and community members are all invited to nominate their elementary school to win the grand prize.  

Specifically, the contest asks: Why do you think that your school matters?

The winning school will be chosen at random on May 1 and contacted by phone.  

News Channel Nebraska and United Healthcare will present the grand prize and bike helmets before the end of the school year.  

Submit your nomination by clicking here.

35 Years Ago: The DHS Team That Was One Shot From State

Some in our area have made quite a fuss over the future of DHS basketball, wondering if Dorchester's teams can ever "turn it around." 

They forget that fortunes in sports, like life in general, can turn on a dime. Case in point: the DHS boys team of 35 years ago -- the team that wouldn't quit.

The 1983-84 DHS boys basketball squad will forever be known as the Longhorn team that was a shot away from the Class C-2 State Tournament -- just one second away from a chance to play in the Devaney.  

Moreover, the team's success launched the start of a six-year run in which Dorchester became known for its prowess in boys basketball, appearing regularly in the top-ten rankings for Class C-2.

But go back to the beginning of that season thirty years ago, and the Longhorns didn't start off looking like state-worthy material.  

Dorchester lost their season opener by 55 points to a feisty Class C-1 team in Henderson that put 98 points on the board.  In fact, the Longhorns won only two of its first seven contests. 

The situation was dour for the struggling DHS squad. But then DHS, coached by Larry Gish and Scott Pohl, found some magic.  The team would go on to win 10 of its next 13 games, capturing the district title by knocking off Palmyra and emerging power Lincoln Christian.  

The Longhorns were led by junior Lyle Weber, who would receive all-state accolades for his efforts, along with seniors Dean Slepicka, Bob Wolesensky, Eddie Moore, Brad Hohensee and junior Neal Pavlish -- a fan favorite.

The 1984 Class C-2 regional game pitted DHS against a top-notch Humboldt team. The winner would go onto state.  

A last-second desperation shot by a Humboldt player, who unloaded from half court, dealt the Longhorns a season-ending blow that would be talked about for years to come.  

Little did Longhorn fans know then, however, that just one season later the DHS boys would make it to the Class C-2 State Tournament, paving the way for the great DHS teams of the mid- and later 1980s.

And little did the DHS players of that 1983-84 season know then that three decades later folks would still be talking about their efforts -- and about the Longhorn team that wouldn't quit.

Sources: Dorchester Water Park To Be Up And Running In June

An e-mail to the Dorchester Times confirms that Dorchester's water park in the city park will be under construction no later than June.

Groundbreaking is planned for this spring, according to the e-mail.

A source who wishes to remain anonymous wrote the Times this week to say that funds have been steadily flowing to the Dorchester Community Foundation, which is leading the splash pad effort.

"If all goes well, groundbreaking will take place this spring and we could have the splash pad up and running in June," the source said.

It should be noted that the splash pad will be built in two phases, according to our information. So larger splash pad features will be installed in Phase 2, we're told. But organizers felt it was necessary to get as much completed this year with the money that was available.

The Dorchester Community Foundation has raised around $130,000 of the estimated $200,000 in funds needed to construct the proposed splash pad, according to the e-mail sent to the Times.

The foundation recently held its popular steak and hamburger feed in mid-March.

A splash pad is a small scale water park without a pool, but includes several water fountain or spray type features to help cool anyone off on those hot summer days. There are no lifeguard expenses, as with a pool, and it shuts off automatically when there is no activity. 

  

The Times encourages every reader to give generously so the second phase of the splash pad can happen sooner rather than later.

Donations, made payable to the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund, can be mailed to: Peg Bergmeyer, 101 Washington Ave., Dorchester, NE 68343; or Dale Hayek, 652 County Road 1200, Dorchester, NE 68343.

The Dorchester Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of the Nebraska Community Foundation, so all donations are tax deductible.

OUR VIEW: Dorchester's 'To Do' List -- One Year Later

Over the years, this blog has encouraged Dorchester leaders -- primarily those serving on the Village Board, but also those who run our local organizations, businesses and school -- to sit down and formally develop a long-term plan to enhance our community. 

The authors of this blog have encouraged housing plans; main street buildings' plans; business development plans; industry expansion plans; and street improvement plans.

Last year at this time, we published our own plan for Dorchester -- a "to do" list.  We are publishing it again.  Take a look below; see what progress has been made.  (For example, regarding a housing plan, much has happened thanks to the positive steps take by the Dorchester Village Board to annex the Plouzek land north of town and encourage new housing through the use of tax increment financing.)

See what you think and let us know your thoughts and observations.  What would you add to Dorchester's "to do" list?

Dorchester's 'To Do' List

Housing

- Fill vacant homes.  (We count at least 20 homes that are currently empty, but currently aren't for sale or rent.)

- Rehabilitate run-down houses.

- Develop plan to bring new housing.

Main Street and Business

- Fill all vacant main street and other commercial buildings by 2020.

- Recruit a convenience store to town.

- Work with existing businesses to grow their business and services, while encouraging Dorchester students (like those in FBLA) to develop their own plans to establish a business in town.

Education

- Boost school enrollment by 2020.  Promote the quality education that a first-class school like Dorchester provides.

- Increase Dorchester youth and student involvement in activities.  Start with the youngest of students by making it part of the culture to participate.

- Increase number of students on the DPS honor roll.

Infrastructure

- Make plans for targeted street paving where it makes sense. (Like finishing 10th Street, for example.)

- Resurface existing paved streets.

- Fix rough and uneven intersections along main street (Washington Ave.).

Community

- Work with current Dorchester students, K-12, to get their input on improving Dorchester.

- Encourage Dorchester's youth (regardless of age) to consider making Dorchester their home someday after graduation.

- Encourage high-quality young families residing elsewhere to consider moving to Dorchester to be part of this exciting time of renewal and involvement.

BREAKING NEWS: All Of Dorchester To Be Paved By End Of Next Week

It appears Dorchester's secret initiative to begin paving more of its streets has been taken to a new level.

Following a 5-0 emergency vote last night by the Dorchester Village Board, plans have been made to issue bonds starting today and begin paving every street, alley and intersection in Dorchester by the end of this week.

According to one town board trustee, "This will be an unprecedented paving exercise.  

"Not since the Civilian Conservation Corps was a working in the 1930s will Nebraska have seen so much concrete poured in just a few days," the board member said.

Details sent to the Times report that several Lincoln-based construction companies will be contracted to do the paving.

One resident who heard the news celebrated will a loud yell that was mistaken for the village emergency siren.  She said: "Now my car won't get stuck in the gravel potholes anymore."

Our sources tell us the village won't stop here and that "several" blighted properties will see their yards paved since the residents park in the yards anyway.

The Times has also learned that several opponents to the paving have caught wind of the plan and will be picketing on Main Street to greet the pavers.

Developing ... Please remember it's April 1.