At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, the Dorchester United Methodist Women will host Elfi Lee, subject of the book Watching Over Me -- a story of survival during WWII Germany and escape from post-war Communist East Germany. Elfi Lee was born in 1940 and lived a picture-perfect life on a quiet acreage in eastern Germany. She delighted in heading to the forest with her mother, Mutti, who sang hymns as the two gathered boysenberries in a basket. Free to roam the farm, four-year-old Elfi had a good life. Despite her country's political leadership, her family did not subscribe to the ideologies of the Nazi Party. As 1944 drew to a close, the reality of war invaded her family's acreage. Her father was drafted into the Germany army, and rumors raged of an approaching enemy. On a snowy day in January 1945, as artillery fires in the distance, Elfi was forced to flee with her family to escape the advancing Red Army. They boarded a train and headed west, destination unknown.
The family arrived in a suburb of Hamburg. When Elfi's father returned unexpectedly after the war, the family was thrilled. Soon, however, the daily grind of post-war Germany set in. Food was in short supply, and so was spiritual nourishment, as free worship was not permitted in Communist East Germany. When an offer to come to America and live near a Lutheran church was made, the family accepted. That's when the true adventure began. Everyone is invited to hear Elfi speak on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Masks are required in the church. For further information or questions, please contact Rhonda Schlick at (402) 946-2143.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the flu season is just around the corner and local health experts say it's time to prepare for it. KFAB reports that up in Omaha, the Douglas County Health Department wants residents to get their flu shots this season as soon as possible. They say COVID-19 and the flu have the same symptoms and they worry that could send a lot of people to the hospital.
Flu shots are already available at some retailers. It’s especially important for students to get vaccinated soon. Flu season usually starts in the fall and can continue into spring. The CDC recommends getting flu shots before the season starts to help protect yourself and those around you.
Doane Suspends Extracurricular Activities: News Channel Nebraska reports that "Doane officials announced today that all extracurricular activities are suspended for the rest of the month." This is "due to an increased threat of COVID-19 spreading among our student body," an athletic department spokesman said. Milford H.S. Cancels First Football Game Due to COVID-19 Outbreak: News Channel Nebraska reports that due to an outbreak with the Milford football team, the Eagles will miss their first game of the year against Malcolm. Special Village Board Meeting Next Thursday: There will be a special meeting of the Dorchester Village Board of Trustees on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Fire Hall. The meeting is being held to conduct a budget workshop.
DHS Alumnus Gerald Bartek Passes at 78: Gerald Bartek, a 1961 DHS grad, recently passed away from Parkinson’s at his home in Lincoln. Read his obituary here. Dorchester Native Jane (Sehnert) Hopper Passes: Earlier this summer, Dorchester native and graduate Jane (Sehnert) Hopper passed away at age 77. See her obituary here. COVID-19 Vaccine by November?: It sounds like Pfizer may be first out of the gate with a COVID-19 vaccine. The company is on track to be submitted for regulatory review as early as October. In the meantime, fatality rates for COVID-19 are way down, even for those who are sent to the ICU.
The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund reports that several area residents have inquired about where to make contributions to Dorchester's city park and new splash pad. Here's a way: A new deposit box has been installed at the city park. Monies collected in this deposit box will be designated towards Dorchester's park maintenance and future park or main street boulevard improvements. The Foundation leadership notes that "there have been several ‘out of towners’ enjoying our park and this will help give them the opportunity to contribute." Also, if anyone has a realistic idea for an improvement, feel free to share it with with the Foundation. By the way, the Foundation recently added river rock to the bases of the welcome signs. These signs have added a classy touch to the community.
Longtime Dorchester resident Jerry Frederick Schlamann passed away at his home surrounded by family on August 9, 2020. He was born to Raymond H. Schlamann and Anna M. (Witte) Schlamann on March 16, 1945 in Carleton, Neb. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron. He attended school in Hebron, where he graduated in 1964. He married Nancy L. Mundt on October 14, 1967 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete, and to this union four children were born. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for almost 53 years. Jerry and Nancy called Dorchester home for almost 47 years, then they decided to move to Warrensburg, Missouri in 2018, and then to Leeton, Missouri a year later. Jerry was a hard worker and supported his family no matter what it took. He had many jobs including a semi-truck driver, a security guard, and for 38 years he worked at Nestle Purina making pet food. He retired from Nestle in 2010, and thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. He volunteered at the Crete FoodNet on the weekends and was a driver and did odd jobs for them for 9 years. Jerry and Nancy did a lot of traveling during his retirement, and not only did they travel to see family, but they also got to see parts of the country that they had never been to before. Jerry loved to travel, work outdoors, do handyman projects, work on vehicles, and spend time with his grandchildren. He also loved to tell stories to his children and grandchildren, even sometimes to complete strangers. Jerry was a quiet man, but could be stern when he needed to be. He led a servant life and was always trying to help others. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Robert and Arnold), daughter-in-law Beth (Donner) Schlamann, and son-in-law Bradley Slick. He is survived by his wife Nancy (Leeton, MO), son Rev. Mark (Tanya) Schlamann (Tooele, UT), daughter Elizabeth Schlamann (Wayne, NE), daughter Rebecca Slick (Creston, IA), and daughter Jennifer (Joseph) Peek (Chilhowee, MO), grandchildren Mikayla (Daniel) Wilson (Lincoln, NE), David Weigle (Seward, NE), Della (Evan) Griggs (Odessa, MO), Hannah Peek (Independence, MO), Alexandra and Mason Slick (Creston, IA), great grandchildren: Reign Wilson (Lincoln, NE), and Kimber and Levi Griggs (Odessa, MO). He is also survived by his sister Linda Hinderks (Lincoln, NE) and numerous nieces and nephews. Services were held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete on Friday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m. Interment was be at Dorchester Cemetery following the funeral service. Leave condolences online here.
Even in the era of COVID-19, the school bell must ring again. It's that time. Dorchester Public School will welcome the return of students -- in the actual classrooms -- on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Football and volleyball practices already started on Monday of this week. Even the marching band -- the pride of all Dorchester -- is getting ready. (Preschool begins Monday, Aug. 24) A letter and detailed reopening plan were recently sent to parents, along with additional documents about face covering use/care and screening for COVID-19 at home each morning. For more information, go to the DPS website. Regarding athletic activities for this fall, the Nebraska School Activities Association has ruled that "each school has the authority to determine if it will participate in the 2020 fall season. "During the season it will be the responsibility of the host school to provide administrative oversight in compliance with established COVID-19 guidelines in accordance with their local health departments and facilities. ... The visiting team and spectators will be expected to adhere to all protocols established by the host school." For now, here are the DHS volleyball schedule and football schedule.
Even in the COVID-19 era, Dorchester High School continues its longstanding tradition of producing some of Nebraska's finest journalism. Earlier this year, five DHS students were awarded honors earlier at the NSAA State Journalism Competition. (UPDATE: The Crete News has published an article on these awards and others earn by DHS journalism students.) DHS competed in the Class C competition (schools with fewer than 150 students in grades 10 through 12). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, results were announced online via a live stream through Striv in late April. Dorchester students earned several awards, including:
Breanna Muff, a senior, earned first place in the category of Yearbook Sports Feature Writing for the second consecutive year.
Mackenzie Jirsa, a junior, place seventh in Infographics.
Jose Real, a junior, placed fifth in Sports/Action Photography.
Alli Novak, a junior, placed third in Yearbook Sports Feature Writing for the second straight year.
Danni McKnight, a junior, placed third in Sports/Action Photography and fifth in Yearbook Feature Writing.
The team of Breanna Muff, Danni McKnight, and Alli Novak placed fourth in Yearbook Theme Development
Overall, DHS placed ninth out of 35 Nebraska schools -- and fifth overall in traditional Class D. Dorchester was the third smallest school to receive medals, and only one school smaller finished higher. Because Dorchester only has a yearbook as a journalism project, they could only be entered in 10 of the 25 categories. This makes there placing even more outstanding. (But maybe it's time to revive the student newspaper and publishing it online?) It's worth noting that this is the fourth year in a row that a Dorchester student has placed first in Yearbook Sports Feature Writing. Brittney Zoubek placed first in 2017; Makenna Bird placed first in 2018; and Breanna Muff placed first in 2019 and 2020. Congratulations to these budding journalists and their advisor, Mrs. Sandy Severance.
We've reported on the accomplishments of Dorchester native and DHS alumnus Dan Stehlik before. For the past few years, Stehlik has played a key role in educating young people at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Neb., where technical agricultural skills are taught. At NCTA, Stehlik is a senior agricultural mechanics instructor, which includes welding, electricity, irrigation technology, farm machinery maintenance, and small engines courses. Prior to his time in Curtis, he taught ag education for 19 years in Kansas high schools. Now Stehlik has been named a top educator in post-secondary education for his expertise in the classroom and laboratory at Curtis, according to NU. The Nebraska Agricultural Education Association recognized Stehlik for NCTA’s outstanding post-secondary program. According to the NCTA, "Dan has done an amazing job building our agriculture mechanics program, which includes welding, irrigation technology, small engines and agriculture safety courses. He knows NCTA quite well, having graduated in 1975 with an associate degree in production agriculture. Dan farmed for a few years at his hometown near Dorchester, then returned to a college campus to become an agriculture teacher. In 1986, he received a bachelor’s degree in dual programs of agriculture education and general agriculture." NCTA will celebrate Dan’s award when he officially receives the plaque and banner which accompanies the annual award. The Times congratulates Dan on this award. We encourage any young people in Dorchester who want to pursue a career in technical agriculture to connect with this fellow Longhorn.
We have been notified by email that Judy Ottmann needs volunteers to help set-up for Steve’s estate auctions (the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays in August). If you would like to help with the set-up, help is needed to move flats onto the various tables and trailers for each sale. Volunteers willing to help place flats for the auction are asked to assist on Thursdays, Aug. 6, 13, and 20 starting at 5 p.m., as well as Fridays, Aug. 7, 14 and 21 (starting at 10 a.m.). You can call Judy(402.418.2571), or email judithannottmann@gmail.com, or just come out. "The more help the better, because Steve did have a lot of stuff," according to the note.
The auction days are Saturday, Aug. 8, 15, and 22 at 1146 County Road F. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the sale starts at 10 a.m. Concessions will be provided by The Sons of the American Legion (Aug. 8), the Legion Auxiliary (Aug. 15), and the Dorchester 4th of July Committee (Aug. 22).
Our world is changing rapidly. After decades of being frowned upon by our big city cousins, small communities in rural America suddenly look more appealing than ever -- and not just to those who grew up here. The coronavirus, urban violence, and scenes of widespread destruction of property in our cities -- including Lincoln -- will have a permanent impact on where people choose to work, raise families and retire.
According to a Harris poll, 39% of urban dwellers say the COVID-19 crisis has prompted them to consider leaving for a less crowded place.
Data from Realtor.com also shows suggests people are interested in moving to properties outside of cities. Realtor.com's figures, which compared June 2020 to June of 2019, found that homes in rural zip codes saw a 34% increase in views.
The time is right for small, rural communities like Dorchester to act in order to retain young residents and attract new residents. The question, of course, is: How do we do that? This editorial by Zachary Mannheimer, an Iowa City-based expert in rural revitalization, gives eight starting points for smaller rural communities. They are:
Market directly to these workers who can work from home – know who they are, identify them — many likely left a rural area for work not that long ago. Make sure your online presence is enticing, like Wilson, Ark., (population 829).
Have basic infrastructure — especially broadband — in place, or have a plan to address it.
Have the right amenities in place — or have a plan to bring about more cultural organizations, co-working and maker spaces, child care, restaurants, breweries and recreation.
Facilitate workforce development programs to train/upskill job seekers who want to remain rural but still work in a high-tech field. Look into bringing educators to your community to teach skills and courses.
Ensure you don’t have to drive 40 miles for health care, or install tele-medicine units.
Make sure your downtown is presentable.
Incentivize homeowners and builders like Newton, Iowa, (population 15,130) which offers up to $10,000 to move there, plus a lawnmower.
Mannheimer concludes with this: Even with the challenges posed by the coronavirus, rural communities should start working immediately to capitalize on the work migration that’s beginning now and will continue as more companies (allow) employees to work remotely.
To receive our occasional news update emails -- or to send us your news, photos, and announcements -- contact us at dorchester.times@gmail.com (note the period between "dorchester" and "times").
Main Street Dorchester in 1906 with ponies from Col. Thompson's Elmwood Pony Farm.
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Dorchester Cooperative feed mill fire in the 1950s.
Dorchester: A Good Little Family Town
Dorchester, Nebraska (est. population 630) is located in northern Saline county. Close in proximity to Interstate 80, Dorchester is only 25 minutes from the state capital of Lincoln (est. population 250,000) and about 55 minutes from Omaha (metro population 725,000).
Dorchester's median resident age is 37 years. In 2005, Dorchester had a median family income of approximately $35,600. The median house value was about $63,000. About 95 percent of Dorchester residents commute to work via Interstate and highways.
The village has a quality public school, which received a $4.1 million expansion and modernization in 2008; it offers a small classrooms and individualized attention. Total enrollment of grades K-12 is around 230-250 students.
Ancestries of the Dorchester area are primarily German (42.4%), Czech (24.9%), Irish (12.5%), English (5.4%), and Dutch (4.9%).
Dorchester's West Mills, 1910. The mill, built by some of the area's first settlers, sat on the West Fork Big Blue River and was completed in 1864.
Dorchester-Area Job Listings
Live in Dorchester and still find a career in almost any sector. See today's latest Dorchster-area job listings by clicking here.
Dorchesters's Elmwood Pony Farm and W.J. Thompson, auctioneer, in 1912.
Join Dorchester Community Foundation Today
Want to make Dorchester an even better place to call home? Join the Dorchester Community Foundation. The Foundation and its fund have already spurred several community improvements, such as the city park renovation and the new 'Welcome to Dorchester' signs. To donate, simply click here.
Dorchester Historical Facts
* On July 4, 1871, the railroad reached Dorchester.
* Incorporated in 1881, Dorchester's population grew from 200 to 500 by 1882.
* In 1882, Dorchester had 90 buildings, 35 of which were businesses or public facilities. Brick buildings lined both sides of Washington Avenue for two blocks.
* Dorchester's longest-running newspaper was The Dorchester Star, which was published until the late 1940s.
* By 1889, Dorchester's population is said to have reached 800, while the town housed an opera house, a two-story brick schoolhouse with a bell tower, and four churches.
* By the 1910s, Dorchester had electricity, a water tower and a fire department.
* Dorchester's main arteries, Highways 6 and 33, were graveled in the 1940s.
* Dorchester's first irrigation well was drilled on Chris Weber's farm and rural electrification was finished following WWII.
Dorchester's Main Street, 1908, looking north.
A Village with History
Dorchester is one of the "alphabet towns" on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad line built west from Lincoln. The town site was selected for its pleasant location in the northern part of Saline County, about eight miles west of Crete. This situation is an attractive one, being on the level prairie land, midway between the West Blue River and Turkey Creek. The first named stream is three miles north, and the latter about the same distance south from the town. Dorchester was platted in 1870 and incorporated in 1881. The name "Dorchester" came from either for a suburb of Boston by that name or a town in England. No one is sure. Two of the very first settlers were James Seely and Edward McIntyre, who both made Dorchester their permanent home.
Dorchester's Methodist Church circa 1889-90, shortly after the building was moved from Pleasant Hill.
Turkey Creek stock farm, circa 1885, south of Dorchester.
Dorchester: In The Beginning
Here is a look at Dorchester around 1890, less than a decade after its official incorporation, as documented by Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska:
* POPULATION: "About 300, and is made up of a substantial and progressive class of citizens, who are moral and industrious. ... The town grew but very little until the year 1879, for the reason that Pleasant Hill, on Turkey Creek, a short distance south, was the county seat and naturally drew a trade for quite a large scope of country."
* BUSINESS: "The business and professional interests of the town are represented by three general merchandise stores, two drug, one grocery, one furniture, two hardware, and two millinery stores, one bank, two restaurants, two hotels, three livery stables, a post office, one newspaper office, two elevators, two lumber yards, two coal yards, two blacksmith shops, two lawyers and four physicians."
* SCHOOL: "The schoolhouse is a good one. The schoolhouse was built in 1872, since which time the public schools have been continually kept up. The present schoolhouse is 24' x 40' in size, two stories high. The school is graded and consists of three departments. The house is found too small, and arrangements will soon be made to increase its size."
* CHURCHES: "There are three substantial churches."
* HOMES: "The residence portion of the village is made up of neat houses of different styles of architecture, but none of them very large."
* NEWSPAPER: "The Dorchester Star, which was established August 21, 1881, by H. C. Bittenbender, who edited it until January 19, 1882, when he sold it to Ryerson & Bullock, the present proprietors. The Star is a bright weekly paper, five-column quarto, in size, and is Republican in politics."
Portrait of three boys in costume on a dirt road in Dorchester, early 1900s. One is dressed as a Uncle Sam, while the other two are dressed as Native Americans, complete with feathered headdresses, fringed clothing and bows. Photo by Russell Freidell.
Dorchester Homes For Sale
Dorchester offers friendly, small-community living for families and individuals. The cost of living here is one of the nation's most affordable, while the quality of life is tremendous. Click here for the latest Dorchester area real estate listings.
The "famous Dorchester race car" from the 1930s, built and raced by Henry Sehnert, the village's longtime Ford auto dealer.
Dorchester Items On eBay
See what Dorchester-related items are for sale on eBay by clicking here. It should be noted that the Dorchester Times is neither affiliated with eBay, nor do we receive compensation from the company.
1909 Dorchester baseball team.
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The Old Dorchester School used from 1890-1927.
Current Dorchester Demographics
Click here for the most up-to-date information on Dorchester, including information and statistics on our residents, housing, school, businesses and climate.
Dorchester's train depot as featured in a postcard from the early 1900s.
Today's city hall as it appeared circa 1920, when it housed the Citizens State Bank, post office and Masonic Hall (upstairs).
Gathering at Dorchester's fairgrounds, 1908
TIMES POLL: What Issue Is Most Important When Voting For School Board Members?
RESULTS: Student Behavior/Perfomance -- 48.1%; Teacher/Staff Evaluation -- 16.3%; Cooperation With Village -- 15.4%; New Spending -- 14.4%; School Renovation -- 5.8% (104 votes)
Freeouf's Garage & Livery of Dorchester, circa 1925
Dorchester's Charles Havlat was the very last U.S. soldier killed in action in the European operations of WWII. Private Havlat was shot May 7, 1945, while on patrol in Bohemia, by German soldiers who were unaware a ceasefire had been declared.
TIMES POLL: Bring Back The Summertime Street Dances?
RESULTS: Yes -- 78.4%; No -- 21.6% (102 readers surveyed.)
The Dorchester telephone building, which housed operators and switchboards, as it appeared in the 1920s.
TIMES POLL: When Do You Get In Touch With Old DHS Classmates?
RESULTS: Alumni Tournaments -- 62.7%; Stay in touch regularly -- 18.6%; Homecoming -- 8.5%; Christmas/New Years -- 6.8%; Fourth of July -- 3.4%. (59 votes)
Dorchester Methodist Church around the turn of the 20th century
Dorchester's First Baptist Church (year unknown)
TIMES POLL: What Is Dorchester's Best Quality?
RESULTS: The people of Dorchester -- 32.6%; School -- 18.5%; Close to larger towns -- 17.4%; Cost of living -- 16.3%; Other -- 9.8%; Organizations and businesses -- 5.4%. (92 readers surveyed.)
Dorchester Christian Church, circa 1908
Depot, telegraph office and elevator at Dorchester, circa 1910
Dorchester's Elmwood Pony Farm, owned by W.J. Thompson, 1912
TIMES POLL: What Is The Most Positive Development In Dorchester Lately?
RESULTS: City Park Renovation - 40.2%; More Civic Participation - 22%; Main Street Improvements - 13.6%; Growth Of Co-op - 13.6%; Nerud Field Project - 10.6%. (132 votes.)
Dorchester's July 4th G.A.R. parade, 1908
Dorchester's two-story depot, built in the 1870s, housed the station agent and his family upstairs
TIMES POLL: Which Era Had the Top Male Athletic Talent?
At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, the Dorchester United Methodist Women will host Elfi Lee, subject of the book Watching Over Me -- a story of survival during WWII Germany and escape from post-war Communist East Germany. 
