Magazine: Can Generation Z Revive Rural America?

A freshly published story in The Christian Science Monitor profiles a resurgence in rural America -- specifically rural Nebraska -- thanks to the up-and-coming Generation Z.

According to the magazine, "There’s a new generation of rural entrepreneur returning to the Great Plains. ... Unlike previous generations, they aren’t going off to big cities to acquire skills and then returning after a decade or two. Instead, these young people ... are often coming home right away."

The story quotes Dr. Tom Field of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at UNL, who urges today's young people to be role models right away for youth in their hometowns. 

Field tells his students, "The best thing you can do for your community is find what you love to do. Start a business around it and hire people to come back ... and show other young people that you can do what you love in a rural community."

According to Field, “There is a spirit in these young people that is different than anything I’ve ever experienced.” Of the 120 or more of his program's alumni, “90% of them say their goal is to return – or they choose to live in – a small or rural community.”

The story examines the success stories of some young, enterprising Nebraskans who are still in college or just graduated. 

Read the full story here.

NEWS ROUND-UP: New School Year Tidbits

With the start of the new school year fast approaching (Wednesday, Aug. 14), here are some short blurbs about what you need to know for DPS' 2019-2020 campaign.

• Preschool Open House, Aug. 8: The youngest of Dorchester's students will kickoff the new school year with an open house for the kids and parents on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. Preschool teacher Mrs. Nickel will meet attendees in the school's front lobby.

• Open House for All K-12 Students & Parents, Aug. 12: On Monday evening, Aug. 12, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., all K-12 Dorchester students are invited to an open house to visit their new classroom and meet their teacher. It's a great way to mentally prepare for the new school year. Also, you can bring your supplies to school early -- one less thing to worry about.

• Physicals for Students Needed: If your child is going to be in Kindergarten or 7th grade this school year, that child is required -- by state law -- to have a physical before the first day of school. Get it done. If your child is going to play sports, and is entering grades 8-12, they need a physical prior to the start of practice. Get it done. Questions? Call the school at 402-946-2781.

Tabor Hall's Antique Tractor Plow, Saturday At 4 P.M.

If it's July, it is time for the annual antique tractor plow and tractor show at Tabor Hall, five miles south of Dorchester.

This year, the event will be tomorrow evening, Saturday, July 27.

All visitors are welcome.  Food and refreshments will be available inside Tabor  Hall, with all the proceeds going to fix the hall, which hosts dances and receptions.

The famous antique tractor plow will begin at 4 p.m. in fields next to Tabor Hall, on County Road 1400, south of Dorchester.

Here is a summary of the schedule of events:

• Plowing begins at 4 p.m.
• Food begins being served at 5 p.m.
• Polka starts at 6 p.m. with music by Lester.

This event features many antique tractors -- some plowing, some just for show, some doing both.

Organizer Larry Fuller has said the plowing event grew from a picnic at which a bunch of farm neighbors got together and used their old tractors to plow like they did years ago.

A few years ago, Shelley Bruha of Dorchester said it is important to hold this event because it encourages rural neighbors to come together and allows those who have old tractors to have a chance to work with them. “Everyone always has a good time,” Bruha said.

For more on the tractor plow, contact Fuller at 402-641-4840, or Steve Vyhnalek at 402-641-7061. Or click here for Tabor Hall's Facebook page.

Dorchester's City Slickers Cooks For Country Music Star

Country music superstar Terri Clark performed at the Saline County Fair in Crete this past Friday, July 19.

While Clark was serving up the hits, the staff of Dorchester's well-known City Slickers restaurant was serving Clark her meal.

The restaurant's social media site shows its staff photographed with the singer, who has had had six No. 1 hits.

Clark's top hits over the decades include: "If I Were You," "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," "Emotional Girl," "In My Next Life," "Girls Lie Too," and "You're Easy on the Eyes." She has released 15 albums, with her first three certified platinum. Her "Greatest Hits 1994-2004" album went gold in both the U.S. and Canada.

Clark is the only Canadian female inducted in the sacred Grand Ole Opry, and even hosts her own radio show from there.

Of course, this isn't City Slickers' first brush with country music celebrity. Back in June 2017, country music star Jerrod Niemann threw a concert on Dorchester's main street with the support of City Slickers. 

Forecast: Heat Wave To Break Sunday

Dorchester's and southeast Nebraska's heat wave is about to come to an end. At least for a few days.

That's according to our official weather forecasters at AccuWeather.

Saline County will remain in the ongoing "excessive heat warning" until tomorrow (Saturday) night. 

As of late this afternoon, the heat index for Dorchester was 110 to 117. Tomorrow it will be 105 to 110, with the real temperature in the upper 90s.

But relief comes Sunday, as the high for our area is only expected to be 77 degrees. A 60% chance of storms also exists.

Highs will be in the low 80s Monday through Wednesday, as the mercury looks to return to the low 90s by next Friday and Saturday.

See our forecast here.

More Features Added To Dorchester Water Park

Dorchester's new splash pad at the city park just keeps getting better.

Late last week, new features were installed to complete what is known as "phase one" of the project. 

The features include as spraying rainbow of rings, as well as a giant frog.

The splash pad has even received regionwide news media coverage. News Channel Nebraska published a story Wednesday on Dorchester's new water park. 

The water park as been opperational since late June, drawing kids on a daily, if not hourly, basis.

As reported earlier by the Times, Jack Potter has generously donated sod so there isn't a muddy mess.

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund, which has been responsible for raising the money necessary to make the project a reality, earlier this year was promised a matching grant to help complete so-called "phase two" of the splash pad project at the Dorchester City Park. 

The second phase will include even larger, more interactive features, according to one insider.

If you would like to contribute to this effort to ensure the Foundation gets a reported $50,000 match grant, checks made payable to the Dorchester Foundation Community Fund can be mailed to: Dorchester Community Foundation Fund, c/o Peg Bergmeyer, 101 Washington Ave., Dorchester, NE 68343.

Kathy Pliva Passes At 71

Dorchester's Katherine (Kathy) Marie Pliva, 71, passed away peacefully, on Friday, July 12, 2019. 

Kathy was born to Floyd and Esther Boyer in Lincoln. She grew up and attended school in Beaver Crossing. There, Kathy married her husband Charles Pliva on May 21, 1966. In 1971 they settled in Dorchester. There, she raised two daughters, Colleen and Michelle; her pride and joy. 

Kathy embraced hard work as the many home improvement projects she did testify to. She was also eager and willing to lend a hand when friends and family needed assistance. Kathy was a wonderful homemaker and she did cleaning and catering with her sister Donna. They had great times working together and shared hilarious stories of their experiences. 

Family was very important to Kathy. She was very attentive and helpful to her parents in their later years with meals, visits and shopping. She loved to organize and host family events and spend time with her family camping and fishing. Kathy was a dedicated and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed. 

Kathy is survived by her husband, Charles; daughters, Colleen Schwisow and Michelle Schlueter of Dorchester; sisters: Carol (David) Tejral, Lincoln; Donna (Gary) Hansen, Beaver Crossing; Mary (James) Wenz, Roca; brother: Kenneth (Deanna) Boyer, Valparaiso; grandchildren: Brandon, Justin, Ashley, Jeremy, Makayla, and Colton; and many nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of Kathy’s life will take place Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home, 131 W. 12th St., Crete. Memorials may be given to the Pliva family in care of Kuncl Funeral Home. 

Is It Time For DHS Football To Have Its Own Tunnel Walk?

Dorchester football busted back onto the scene in a big way in 2018.

Is 2019 the year DHS football gets its own version of the Tunnel Walk?

It was way back in 2008 that we first inquired about a Dorchester football Tunnel Walk when we wrote the following:

Recently, one of our readers sent us an e-mail suggesting that Dorchester High School should feature a "tunnel walk" for the Longhorns' football team. 

Reader "CJ" wrote: "The Longhorns need to start a new [pre-game] tradition similar to that of the Huskers at Memorial Stadium." 

CJ's idea would have music playing over the loud speakers to "fire up" the DHS faithful at home games as the Longhorns make their way from the locker rooms to Nerud Field -- similar to the Huskers' tunnel walk to the old Alan Parsons Project tune "Sirius." CJ said that Longhorn fans could "form a pathway" from the school's north parking lot to the field.

Nearly 40 readers weighed in on that question 11 years ago, including offering songs they thought deserved consideration. 

See all their comments here.

If DHS were to start its own Tunnel Walk, some innovative firms offer an inflatable tunnel just for this purpose, according to our online searches.

What else are fans supposed to talk about 45 days before the first kickoff?

NEWS ROUND-UP: Football In July, Fourth Photos, Wind Farm Fury

Here's what's hopping in and around our village...

Great Turnout for Dorchester Youth Football Camp: It appears there was good participation for the Dorchester Youth Football Camp held earlier this week. Just as encouraging, several high school players helped out. 

Craig Bergmeyer to Assist DHS Football Team: We are told that DHS alum Craig Bergmeyer has been hired as the 2019 assistant coach for the high school football team. Bergmeyer was a standout player in the early 2000s for the Longhorns.

Sunday Night BBQ Social at the Park: We're told that a Splash Pad Open House with pork BBQ will be held tomorrow evening (Sunday), July 14, at 5 p.m. in the City Park. The event is a free-will offering, similar to the ice cream socials that have been held the last couple of summers.

July 4th Scenes from Dorchester: The Friend Sentinel has published a few pictures from Dorchester's Independence Day celebration. See them here.

Wind Farm Blows Up Controversy: The Crete News reports on the permitting process for a controversial wind energy project in western Saline County known as the Milligan One.  The project, a proposed wind farm previously owned by Askamit Resource Management, has officially been run by EDF Renewables since January. The current maps are of the construction site including County Roads J through S and 100-1600, within county lines. The article quotes Gary Veprovsky, who lives south of Dorchester, as saying: “To be frank, I am totally against the project. ... I don’t want it here.” Construction for the project, which consists of 99 wind turbines, is set to take place later this year. 

Dorchester's Farmers Cooperative Names New CEO

Dorchester-headquartered Farmers Cooperative has found its new CEO.

According to a posting on the Co-op's website, Allan Zumpfe has been hired to replace current CEO Ron Velder, who will be retiring Nov. 1, 2019. 

According to research by the Times, Zumpfe has served as chief executive officer of Cooperative Producers Inc., a Hastings-based farmer-owned cooperative.

Zumpfe has 32 years of experience and leadership working for agricultural cooperatives and privately-held companies. He started his career with Cargill as a management trainee in Ravenna, then worked as a grain merchandiser for Quad County Co-op in Exeter before becoming the grain division manager for Agri Co-op in Holdrege for 16 years.

Zumpfe was raised on a grain and livestock farm near Milligan, and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. He and his wife, Angie, have four children.

Meanwhile, Farmers Cooperative Chairman of the Board Galen Kuska said: "I would like to thank Ron for his hard work, dedication and leadership the past 25 years making this company what it is today.  I would also like to thank the Board of Directors for their time and effort throughout the search process.  I'm looking forward to Allan meeting our employees and patrons of this great cooperative."

With sales of nearly $800 million, 60 locations, and 600 employees, Farmers Cooperative is a full service supply and marketing cooperative. As the Times has reported, Farmers Cooperative is now the 70th largest cooperative in the nation, according to the National Cooperative Bank Co-op 100 list.

DHS alumus (Class of 1972) and former Longhorn standout Ron Velder has served as CEO of the Farmers Cooperative since 1994. Velder has been employed by the Co-op since 1973. He has received numerous awards during his time as chief, including being named agri-businessman of the year. 

A few years ago, the Seward newspaper wrote: "Velder has always put the farmer’s interest first and has made sound business decisions that have served Farmer’s Cooperative well. Velder has provided that unique blend of leadership and vision needed to consolidate and grow a farmer owned cooperative organization that serves the needs of more than 6,500 member producers."

Developing...

Dorchester American Legion Auction Set For Sept. 8 On Main Street

Autumn always brings auctions in Nebraska. 

And a big one is coming to Dorchester on Sept. 8.  

According to reports and a special mailing, the Dorchester American Legion will hold its fifth annual Outdoor Sportsman consignment auction beginning at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8, as a fundraiser for the organization.

This is your chance to free up some space and earn some cash, too.

The Legion's Facebook page says: "Held on main street in beautiful downtown Dorchester, this auction is your chance to sell your guns, hunting equipment, campers, boats, jet skis, ATVs, motorcycles, and much more. Sellers keep their proceeds other than a small commission that goes to the Dorchester Legion Post 264. Get your items in by Aug. 10 and they will be advertised for free. Services generously donated by Novak Auction Service. For details, call Tom Cerny (402.381.8049) or Kelly Vyhnalek (402.610.5104)."

Are Flooded Fields At Planting Time The New Trend?

Sure, the corn was well above knee-high by Fourth of July -- at least in the acres that were planted this year.

The fact is, in low-lying areas near creeks and rivers, many farm acres did not get planted this growing season due to the unusually wet spring weather.

NET News recently reported on the effects of the wet planting season, quoting Dorchester farmer Dan Nerud, who's the president of the Nebrska Corn Growers. 

“There is a lot of stress on farmers and farm families right now," said Nerud. "Mental and emotional, financial; it runs the whole gamut of stress.”

Nerud finished planting his corn crop in May. Nerud said it’s really pushing to the end of when farmers can plant without the potential risks outweighing all the investment. He said planting a cover crop, to protect the field, may be the best option for some. Nerud is now hoping for timely rains moving forward.

The story notes that Al Dutcher, Nebraska’s associate state climatologist, said events like these may become common because of climate change. 

“For planting purposes, I think that’s one of the issues that all of us need to consider, is that whether or not the models are right or wrong, the evidence is showing that we are seeing these bigger events," Dutcher said. "And that we’re going to need to prepare for them in the future."

(Dutcher has been a believer of man-made climate change for years. This is his livlihood, afterall, and his research is dependent on government dollars. Two decades ago, we recall him calling droughts the new normal. So keep this in context.)

Report: Dorchester Population Now Up To 630

The Village of Dorchester now has 630 residents. That's according to the latest update by BestPlaces.net, a site that regularly updates community data from across the nation. 

According to the site, Dorchester has seen at 33.8% increase in residents since 2010. 

The site also notes that the median (not average) income in Dorchester is $46,458, while the median home price is $107,600. 

Meanwhile, the median age here is about 38 years old. 

Dorchester's cost of living is 14.00% lower than the U.S. average. 

The site also reports that there are about nine students per teacher in Dorchester, helping to explain why students get a top-notch education at Dorchester Public Schools.

Many Thank You's Are In Order For Dorchester's Volunteers, Leaders

Sometimes, a simple "thank you" is in order. Today is one of those times. So in no particular order, here are the Times' thank you's for this month:

• Thank you to all the Independence Day volunteers -- including the members of the Fourth of July committee, volunteer fire and rescue department, the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary, the museum staff, the Foundation and Renew Dorchester, the two bar owners, and sponsors of events --  who made Dorchester's Fourth so successful and worthwhile.

• Thank you to the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund volunteers who have worked hard to raise the funds to build the town's new splash pad. And thank you to those who donated the sums of money -- large and small -- for this special project. This is a big quality-of-life booster for young families in our town.

• Thanks to the village board for being more aggressive in recent months on the long-term planning for our community.

• Thanks to outgoing FBLA director Kyleigh Lewis for her efforts to make Dorchester's Future Business Leaders chapter even better, as Dorchester now has one of the best FBLA chapters in the state.

• Thank you to the Farmers' Cooperative for paving Depot Street and the full block of Franklin Ave. that runs in front of the company headquarters. This is a huge improvement for the town, as well as the employees of the co-op.

Who have we forgotten? If there's someone or organization we've failed to thank, please acknowledge them publicly in the comments section below.

Here's Dorchester's July 4 Celebration Schedule; Fireworks Now On Sale

Dorchester hosts one of the very best small-town Fourth of July celebrations in all of Nebraska. It's personal and genuinely patriotic. 

Our community's July 4th festival 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. The highlight of the day comes after dark with the famous fireworks show, which has been delighting crowds for more than 25 years.  

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

***

Dorchester's July 4 Celebration

2019 Schedule of Events

July 3 and 4 

All day .......... Co-ed Softball Tourney @ Nerud Field. (Call Jared Jensen at 402-641-1154.)

Thursday, July 4 

7:30 a.m. .................. 2nd Annual Stampede Fun Run (1 mile walk/run or 5K begins in front of bank on main street. 6:30 a.m. packet pick-up.  Call Kelli Whitney at 402-217-3374 or go to secure.getmeregistered.com)

After Fun Run (Approx. 8 a.m.) .... Breakfast & drink specials @ City Slickers and EastSide Grill

All day .... Check out Phase I of new Dorchester Splash Pad/Water Park in City Park. Concessions available.

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.

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)

9:50 p.m. ..... Taekwondo performance @ Nerud Field before fireworks show.

10 p.m. ........... "The Big Show" -- Fireworks at Nerud Field football field.  

***

Firework sales in Dorchester will be from June 26-July 4 at the trailer just south of the Dorchester Fire Hall. All proceeds will support the Dorchester fireworks show on July 4.  

Dorchester's 4th of July celebration depends on private support. Dorchester area residents and friends of Dorchester are encouraged to send their donations (checks payable to "July 4th Celebration") to: 

First State Bank

4th of July Celebration

P.O. Box 264

Dorchester, NE 68343

Initial Test: All Systems Go At Dorchester's New Water Park

All systems go at Dorcheester's city park.

The new Dorchester splash pad was tested for the first time today. Water sprayed several feet into the air and glistened on the newly poured concrete. Perfect timing as temperatures again ventured into the 90s on this July 1 afternoon.

According to an e-mail sent to the Times from a person familiar with the project, Jack Potter has generously donated sod that will surround the splash pad so there won't be a muddy mess.

We're told that a Splash Pad Open House with pork BBQ will be held the evening of Sunday, July 14, at 5 p.m. in the city park. The event is a free-will offering, similar to the ice cream socials that have been held the last couple of summers.

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund, which has been responsible for raising the money necessary to make the project a reality, earlier this year was promised a matching grant to help complete Phase 2 of the splash pad project at the Dorchester City Park.  

According to insiders, Phase 2 of the water park project is "comprised entirely of water features" -- about $80,000 worth of larger splash pad features that will "wow" visitors. But the Foundation will need to hurry to raise the final $30,000 that would be used to "match" the grant.  

If you would like to contribute to this effort to ensure the Foundation gets the $50,000 match grant, checks made payable to the Dorchester Foundation Community Fund can be mailed to: Dorchester Community Foundation Fund, c/o Peg Bergmeyer, 101 Washington Ave., Dorchester, NE 68343.