Dorchester To Consider Revised Redevelopment Plan For Co-Op Properties

On Monday, Jan. 3, at 6:30 p.m., the planning commission for the Village of Dorchester will meet to consider revisions to a previously approved redevelopment project that will utilize tax increment financing (TIF). 

The meeting, which will be held in the Dorchester Community Building, is open to the public. (Unfortunately, the notice has not been published electronically on the village website.)

The area of town under consideration contains property owned by the Farmers' Cooperative, according to the Village's public notice. (See graphic above.) This includes parcels that contain the filling station, co-op parking lot, co-op office building, and grain silos.

For readers who may be unaware, TIF is utilized to help make new development and property upgrades financially viable, beginning with the city government declaring an area as substandard, blighted, and in need of redevelopment. 

Under the state's TIF rules, the city government must hold a public hearing and prepare a redevelopment plan, which must show, for example, the boundaries of the redevelopment project area, proposed land uses, population, land and building intensities, changes in zoning, and traffic flow.

Dorchester has used TIF previously for the housing development area in the northwest section of town.

According to the public notice, all interested parties will be afforded an opportunity to express their views at the Jan. 3 meeting regarding the revised redevelopment plan.

A map of the redevelopment area and a copy of the cost-benefit analysis are available at Village Hall.

Developing...

Remember The Christmas Blizzard Of 2009?

Christmas weekend 2021 will see mostly sunny skies in Dorchester, with temperatures in the lower to mid-50s. 

Weather-wise, this Christmas season will be remembered for the December tornado that hit our area last week, causing significant damage in town and in the surrounding countryside.

But 12 years ago, on Dec. 26, 2009, it was a different story. The Dorchester Times reported:

This is first time in two generations that blizzard conditions have ravaged Dorchester on Christmas Day. Power has been knocked out in several homes in the area countryside and nearby communities, such as Milford. ... The Nebraska State Patrol has closed westbound Interstate 80 from Omaha to Lincoln and both directions of I-80 between Lincoln and Grand Island due to dangerous travel conditions. Highway 6 is also closed and county roads are not being maintained. ... Snow and blowing snow with wind gusts as high as 41 mph have virtually closed many secondary highways in the central and eastern parts of the state. ... US Highway 6 is closed at Friend due to several jackknifed semis in town blocking all lanes. US Highway 81 has also been closed north and south about a mile south of Geneva due to an accident. Highway 74 in Saline County from Highway 15 west to the Saline-Fillmore county line is closed due to blowing, drifting snow. Travel is not allowed on this highway and is not encouraged on any county roads and highways within the county.

Yes, it was that bad. The Christmas blizzard of 2009 was one for the record books. 

Not even Bing Crosby would have been too happy.

Most eastern Nebraska residents had lost electricity during the storm. Highways were closed and rural residents were literally trapped in their homes as country roads were drifted shut.

Climatologists at UNL confirm that 2009's snowfall was the most snow ever recorded in the Dorchester area on Christmas. 

The Lincoln Journal Star reported that December 2009 was the area's snowiest December ever, with a total 23 inches on average. Half of that came on Christmas day.

The Christmas blizzard brought an estimated 11 inches of snow to Dorchester. 

The following pictures were taken in Dorchester in late December 2009, sent to us by Times readers. (Click on the pictures for a better view.)

Tom and Jerry Party At Dorchester Fire Hall, Dec. 26

Looking for something to do over the holiday break?

Dorchester has several options. For adults, one of them will be at the Dorchester Fire Hall.

Consider joining your friends at the Dorchester Fire Hall for Tom and Jerry's on Sunday, Dec. 26, when members of the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Dept. will host a Tom and Jerry party.

The event will kick off at 9 a.m. and continue until around 1 p.m. 

According to our in-depth and extensive research, the Tom and Jerry -- now known as a traditional Christmas time cocktail -- was devised by sportswriter Pierce Egan in the 1820s. The eggnog-brandy-rum drink is a reference in Egan's book "Life in London." 

To publicize the book, Egan introduced a variation of eggnog by adding ½ fl. oz. of brandy, calling it a "Tom and Jerry."  

The additional fortification helped popularize the drink.

To try Tom and Jerry's at your home this holiday season, here is our recipe:

TOM AND JERRY INGREDIENTS

Boiling water
1 tbsp Tom And Jerry Batter*
1 oz Cognac
1 oz Dark rum
Whole milk, hot

Garnish: Nutmeg, clove and allspice
Glass: Coffee mug or Tom and Jerry cup

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*Tom And Jerry Batter

INGREDIENTS:
12 Eggs, separated
1 tsp Cream of tartar
2 lb Sugar
2 oz Dark Jamaican-style rum
1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)

PREPARATION:
In a nonreactive bowl, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until they form stiff peaks.  In a separate bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar, rum and vanilla (if using). When the mixture is completely liquid, fold it into the whites.

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How to make the Tom and Jerry Cocktail

Rinse a small coffee mug (or, indeed, a white ceramic Tom & Jerry cup) with boiling water to warm it and discard the water. Add the batter, cognac and rum to the cup and fill with hot milk. Garnish with a mixture of 2 parts freshly grated nutmeg to 1 part each ground clove and ground allspice.

Lillian Rezabek Passes At 96

Lillian L. Rezabek passed away peacefully at the age of 96 at the Wilber Care Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, with her family by her side. She was a resident of the Care Center for the past eight years. 

Lillian was born on Aug. 28, 1925, on a farm southwest of Wilber, the youngest of four daughters born to Raymond and Agnes (Kohel) Vlcek. She attended school at District 93 and graduated from Wilber High School with the class of 1942.

Following graduation, Lillian worked at the Crete Creamery for about a year and then left for Midland, Texas where her future husband Donald C. Rezabek was serving in the Army Air Corps. They were married on Oct. 20, 1943. They returned home briefly to celebrate their wedding with a dance at Tabor Hall on Dec. 7, 1943. When Donald was discharged from the service in 1946, they moved to a farm south of Dorchester. On Feb. 4, 1947, they welcomed twins, Raymond Gene and Beverly Jean. 

When the twins were in high school, Lillian went to work at Formfit in Crete and later worked at Walkers in Seward until she retired. Lillian enjoyed working on the farm taking care of both the livestock and her large garden. Gardening was a tradition she continued after they moved to Dorchester in 1971. She was known for her beautiful flowers and lawn. 

Donald and Lillian enjoyed their second home in Republican City where they spent many weekends fishing with their boat at Harlan County Lake, often times with friends and family. They especially enjoyed taking their grandchildren on these fishing trips. They were also fond of taking vacations, traveling to Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska and South Padre Island. They enjoyed trips to Arizona in the winter and Colorado in the summer. 

Lillian loved her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Christmas dinners of duck, dumplings and sauerkraut, along with kolache and vdolky, were her specialty and always appreciated by the entire family. 

Lillian spent many hours embroidering, creating the most beautiful pillowcases, tablecloths and quilts which she shared with family. Her work was exquisite and no one could match her skills. Each piece will always be a treasured remembrance of her. 

Lillian was a long time member of August-Vanek Auxiliary Unit 264, and a member of Tabor Lodge #74 of Dorchester.

Mourning Lillian’s loss are son, Raymond and wife, Connie Rezabek of Dorchester and daughter, Beverly and husband, John Walker of Dorchester. Grandchildren Daniel and Christina Rezabek of Lincoln, Rachel and David Biar of Dorchester, Sarah and Michael Fuchs of Arlington, Lori and Jeff Herz of Lincoln, Donald Sladek of Seward, and Rebecca Severn of Rapid City, South Dakota. Great Grandchildren Aaron, Erica and Isaiah Fuchs, Tyler Sladek, Chelsea (Kevin) Volkmer, and Lily and Macy Severn. Great-Great Grandchildren Ila and Sylas Sladek and Madelyn Volkmer. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Donald C. Rezabek, who passed away in July of 2004, her parents Raymond and Agnes Vlcek, sisters and brothers-in-law Irene and Ernest Fictum, Adeline and Ervin Brozovsky, and Norman and Floyd Timm, and son-in-law Jerry Sladek. 

Funeral Service will be held Saturday Dec. 18, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.  Visitation is set for Friday Dec. 17, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to be designated at a later date.  Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.

Dust Bowl Days Returning? Major Damage From December Wind

The Dust Bowl was the name given to the drought-stricken Southern Plains region of the United States, which suffered severe dust storms during a dry period in the 1930s. As high winds and choking dust swept the region from Texas to Nebraska, people and livestock were killed and crops failed across the entire region.

There has always been a threat of those days returning, due in part to the loss of grassland, wooded areas, and more tilled acres in our windy part of the country. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 15, the Dorchester area and all of central and southeastern Nebraska got a taste of the Dust Bowl once again as a powerful storm system blew through the Great Plains and Midwest, combining with unusually warm temperatures to close highways and prompt numerous tornado warnings.

In Dorchester and the surrounding area, there are reports of lost buildings, roof damage, downed trees, and other wind-related damage. Dorchester and other communities have lost power.

At the Lincoln Airport, a 93 mph wind gust was recorded. A tornado was spotted north of Crete.

High wind warnings and a blowing dust advisory remain in effect until later tonight for our area.

The photo above shows a weather satellite-captured image of the storm system over the central U.S. on Wednesday afternoon shortly before sunset. Severe thunderstorms can be seen over eastern Kansas and eastern Nebraska, but the brown clouds over central and southwestern Kansas are actually dust being picked up by extreme winds. When this satellite image was captured, winds across this portion of Kansas were howling between 55 mph and 100 mph. 

Developing.....

Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration At Museum, Dec. 18

Get ready for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration.

The Saline County Historical Society will host a free holiday event Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Saline County Museum in Dorchester.

The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

And now for the big news: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there.

There will be hot chocolate, snacks, and Christmas activities for all ages.

Everyone is invited. 

Don't miss this special event at one of Nebraska's best kept secrets.

Dorchester's Jack Bruha Passes At 87

Jack LeRoy Bruha was born July 13, 1934 in Omaha to Frank and Creola “Sidy” (Niehardt) Bruha and passed away on Sunday, Dec. 5 at his home in Dorchester at the age of 87.

As a young boy, Jack attended a country school south of the home place and later graduated from Dorchester High School with the class of 1952.  He enlisted into the US Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955.  Jack was united in marriage to Ann Jelinek on Jan. 4, 1958, in Wahoo, and to this union five boys were born:  John, Jim, Tim, Don, Brian. Together they lived in the Dorchester area their entire lives, ultimately moving into 1012 Fulton Ave. in the early 1970s. 

Jack had various jobs over the years, but mainly was a heavy equipment operator for NL Cole Construction and JJ Westhoff Construction, retiring at the age of 83. Over the years, Jack loved watching his children and grandchildren’s athletic events and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and going on hunting and fishing trips with his friends and family. He was a member of the Dorchester American Legion and the Dorchester Fire Department.

Jack is survived by his wife, Ann, Dorchester; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Rochelle Bruha, Dorchester, Jim and Tracy Bruha, Wickenburg, Ariz., Tim Bruha and Diane Bruha, Crete, Don and Tricia Bruha, Lincoln; grandchildren, Shelena and Dan Neeman, Dorchester, Brandon Bruha and special friend, Cassidy Olson, also of Dorchester, Alexis and Andrew Gothier, Laurel, Neb., Bailey and David Smaus, Yuma, Ariz., Ethan and Seth Bruha, both of Lincoln; five great-grandchildren, including one more on the way; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jelinek, Lincoln, Pat Bruha, Milford; several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, son, Brian, in 1988, a brother, Dale Bruha, a sister, Carol Hrdlicka, three brothers-in-law, Carl and Lawrence Jelinek and Bob Hrdlicka.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Friend, with Fr. Leo Seiker officiating.  A rosary will be recited at 10 a.m., also on Saturday.  The family suggests casual attire.  A luncheon will be provided after the mass in the parish hall, followed by a graveside committal at Dorchester Cemetery.  

Visitation is Friday, Dec. 10, at Lauber Funeral Home, Friend, from 1-8 p.m. with family receiving relatives and friends from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Pallbearers are:  Ethan Bruha, Seth Bruha, Andrew Gothier, Brandon Bruha, David Smaus, Danny Neeman, and Jimmy Jelinek. Honorary Pallbearers are:  Alexis Gothier, Bailey Smaus, Harold Axline, Greg Tyser, and Shelena Neeman. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.   

WWI Helmet Shows Sacrifice Of Dorchester's Dr. Charles Arnold

Stories of Dorchester's wartime heroes continue to spread across Nebraska and the nation. (An appropriate topic on the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.)

We've all heard of the fate of Pvt. Charley Havlat in World War II. But have you heard of Charles Arnold and his efforts in World War I?

The U.S. Army helmet you see here belonged to Dr. Charles H. Arnold. It's a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of Dorchester citizens that came before us.

It also is a reminder of our community's sometimes-forgotten links to British ancestry.

Dr. Arnold was a native of Dorchester and a DHS graduate. He received his medical degree in 1913. Later, he enlisted with the British Expeditionary Forces during the first world war and served with the Royal Army Medical Corps on the front lines in France and Belgium.

Arnold was dressing a wounded soldier near Aveluy Wood, France, when a German sniper fired a bullet through his helmet. Although Arnold’s scalp was injured, he finished dressing the soldier’s wound before being attended to himself.

He was released to the American Expeditionary Force in January 1919 and discharged the following month with the rank of major in the Medical Corps Reserve. After his military service, Dr. Arnold returned to his Lincoln practice, where he continued to gain honors and prominence.

He continued his studies at the University of Vienna in 1930 and 1933. When World War II began, he re-enlisted and was sent to England, where he served as consulting surgeon to more than 50 military hospitals in Europe.

Dr. Arnold would go on to have an active medical career, spanning 53 years. He served as a surgical staff member and lecturer on surgery at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln; a surgical staff member at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln; surgeon for Traveler’s Insurance Company; special lecturer in the surgical department at Creighton University School of Medicine; and surgical consultant and honorary professor of surgery at West China Union University in China, and at the Chinese Army Medical Center at Shanghai.

The Nebraska State Historical Society has a wonderful collection of materials that belonged to Dr. Charles Arnold and his family. Click here to learn more about Dr. Arnold's service and career.

Christmas Gatherings This Year In Dorchester

Dorchester has serious Christmas spirit.

Christmas lights are on all over town on more than a quarter of the village's homes.

And several Christmas gatherings are planned in the coming days and weeks.

The first is Monday night's (Dec. 6) Dorchester Elementary School Christmas concert, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the school. This is always a seasonal favorite in the community. The DHS Christmas concert is set for Monday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, the traditional Morning With Santa will be held from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Santa arrives at 9 a.m.) at the Community Building and Legion Hall. The event will feature a free-will offering breakfast, as well as kids crafts.

The Saline County Historical Society will host a free old-fashioned holiday event Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Saline County Museum in Dorchester from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Dorchester United Methodist Church's Christmas open house will be held on Dec. 19 from 2-5 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
 
On Monday, Dec. 20, the Dorchester Legion and Legion Auxiliary will host their Christmas program and supper. This popular event begins at 6 p.m. and the entire community is invited. It features an ugly sweater contest, and chances to win a ham, turkey, duck, or pie!

Reports: Omicron In Saline County

(UPDATE 12/3: Dorchester Public School will host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic Thursday, Dec. 9, from 12-3 p.m. This event is open to the public. Primary doses and booster shots of all three vaccines will be available. All children must be accompanied by a parent. No appointments are necessary. To reduce chances of potential side effects, the Times suggests checking out this site.)

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is here -- in Nebraska, in Saline County.

The Public Health Solutions District -- which includes Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, and Thayer counties -- announced today there are six cases of the COVID-19 strain in its five-county area.

Sources have told this blog the cases are definitely in Saline County given the ties to the COVID-positive person who traveled to Nigeria. That person returned home Nov. 23 and started experiencing coronavirus symptoms the next day, according to online reports.

The other five cases were likely linked to the original case through household contact. Of those five, only one person was vaccinated, and that person had not yet gotten a booster dose of the vaccine, other reports say.

All of the infected people have had "mild-to-moderate" symptoms for the time being, but it is too early to tell how the virus will ultimately impact the infected individuals, experts say.

Kim Showalter, director for Public Health Solutions, said it is important to get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the omicron variant. 

The omicron variant was first identified last month in South Africa and since has been detected in dozens of countries. Nebraska is the sixth state to report a case. (Here's what the CDC is saying about the variant.)

Gov. Pete Ricketts has said there are no plans for any additional directed health measures due to the discovery of the latest variant in Nebraska.

New cases of COVID-19 have surged in Thayer, Saline and Jefferson counties over the past two weeks, with rates of 64 or more cases per 10,000 residents.

As of Thursday, there were 553 people hospitalized statewide for COVID-19, including 168 who were in intensive care.