Saturday, January 29, 2022

Top 10 Reasons Small Schools Are Better


COVID-19 continues to open our eyes to aspects of global and federal governance, as well as our society in general. It has also reminded us that small school education offers so many advantages -- the primary advantages being a more personalized experience for students and more transparency for parents and taxpayers.

Smaller schools know how to educate their students and typically can do it with better results than their larger counterparts.

In a recent report by the Rural School and Community Trust, Lorna Jimerson, Ed.D, offered her top 10 research-based reasons why smaller works best for schools. The list below was forwarded to us by a loyal reader, and we thought it was important to share it with other readers of the Times.

Patrons of the Dorchester Public School district are encouraged to review the following from time to time:

Top 10 Reasons Small Schools Work Better
  1. There is greater participation overall in extracurricular activities, which have been linked to academic success.
  2. Small schools are safer.
  3. Kids feel they belong.
  4. Small class size allows more individualized instruction.
  5. Good teaching methods are easier to implement.
  6. Teachers feel better about their work.
  7. Mixed-ability classes avoid condemning some students to low expectations.
  8. Small classes promote personalized learning and encourage positive social interactions.
  9. Smaller districts mean less bureaucracy.
  10. More graduates in one school alleviate many problems of transitions to new schools.

Village Of Dorchester Seeks New Utilities Superintendent

The Times has learned that the Village of Dorchester is currently accepting applications for an assistant utilities superintendent -- someone who can keep the community's operations running well.

The position oversees the village’s water and wastewater systems. Duties also include general maintenance of streets, operating equipment such as skid steer and motor grader, minimal electrical and upkeep of village property. 

The successful applicant must have or be able to obtain certification in both water and wastewater, as well as pesticide application, within one year of employment and possess a valid driver’s license. 

Basic computer skills required. Experience is a benefit, but the village will train the right applicant. Successful candidates will be required to live within a reasonable distance from the village limits. Wage is commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, HSA, and retirement plan.

Learn more here.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Alumna Is A Finalist To Lead Lincoln Public Schools

Dorchester Grad a Finalist to Lead Lincoln Public Schools: Jami Jo (Uhlig) Thompson, superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools and a 1991 graduate of Dorchester High School, has been named a finalist for superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools. The Lincoln newspaper reports that Thompson previously worked for Beatrice Public Schools as a special education teacher, staff development coordinator and director of student programs before becoming the Norfolk superintendent in 2013. She earned her bachelor's in special education and master's and doctorate in administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

No Dorchester Buffalo Feed This Year: January in Nebraska is a long month with few highlights, other than high school sports and snow. But traditionally, area residents can at least look forward to the Dorchester American Legion's annual January buffalo feed -- a decades-long tradition. However, there will be no buffalo feed this year due to the high cost of buffalo meat, according to a report sent to the Times. We hope this tradition gets back on track next year, even if it means charging more for this once-a-year treat.

Donna's Hair Creations Closed This Saturday: Donna's Hair Creation will be closed this Saturday due to illness, according to the business' Facebook account.

Photos of TransCanada's Dorchester Pipe Site Still Being Shown Around the World: As energy prices keep going up, all those photos of the Keystone XL pipes stored near Dorchester keep making the rounds on the internet -- including in the Boston Herald. Columnist Chris Woodward writes that Joe Biden's decision to kill the pipeline a year ago has hurt the U.S. economy and weakened America’s hand with its potential enemies, including Russia. But here in Dorchester, we know Joe's irrational decision to appeal to the irrational left has cost real people the ability to provide for their families. Sad state of affairs in D.C.

Monday, January 24, 2022

DHS Girls Fall To Meridian In CRC Tourney

The Lady Longhorns, coming off a miracle finish this past weekend, fell short Monday night in the second round of the Crossroads Conference Basketball Tournament in York. 

DHS fell 45-22 to a solid Meridian squad.

The York News-Times reported, "The Mustangs swamped the Longhorns early, as the No. 2 seed buried six of its first 10 shots from beyond the arc and led 19-3 after one quarter. Meridian cruised from there, facing little Dorchester resistance."

According to the News-Times, the young DHS team made "one of its first 15 attempts and shot just 6 of 42 (14.2%) from the floor for the game, including a woeful 3 of 26 (11.5%) from 3-point range."

Amber Kotas paced Dorchester with seven points, while Atley Zoubek added six.

Sunday, January 23, 2022

DHS' Gabby Theis Hits Buzzer Beater For CRC Victory

Now in its 30th year of membership in the Crossroads Conference, Dorchester is again getting some respect after a dramatic first-round victory by the Lady Longhorns at this weekend's CRC basketball tournament in York.

As reported by the York News-Times, High Plains held a 30-26 lead over Dorchester with under one minute to play in last night's game, but it wasn’t enough.

The Longhorns "got two free throws from Addison Lehr to make it 30-28, and then with barely any time on clock, 5-3 freshman Gabrielle Theis drilled a three-pointer to put the Dorchester girls in the quarterfinals where they take on the No. 2 seed Meridian Mustangs at 6 p.m. on Monday." (Watch the final play of the game.)

Dorchester was led in scoring by Hailey Schweitzer with nine points, all on 3-pointers, while Baylor Behrns and Amber Kotas put up seven and six points respectively. The Longhorns were 11 of 33 from the field and that included a respectable 5 of 13 on 3-pointers.

Every game of the CRC tournament you can hear on 104.9 Max Country, KOOL Radio AM and FM, and a live video broadcast from Striv TV.

Meanwhile, the DHS boys, who were without the services of Garrett Nohavec due to illness, dropped their first-round CRC contest to Shelby-Rising City, 45-21.

Monday, January 17, 2022

Flashback: Reader From Dorchester, Mass. Shares His Dorchester, Neb. Stories


We get all kinds of comments at the Dorchester Times. 

Today, we draw readers' attention to a comment left in 2016 by a reader from Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Mark Shortt, a native the Boston suburb, left his comment after he read our story titled, "How Did Dorchester Get Its Name?"

Mr. Shortt wrote: "I visited your town when I worked in Hastings, Neb., and lived in Overland Park, Kan. I am from Dorchester, Mass.! A (piece of) history about Dorchester, Mass. for you all: It was the spot on which the City of Boston was founded in June 1630."

According to Mr. Shortt, Dorchester, Mass. holds a Dorchester Day celebration and parade down Dorchester Avenue the first Sunday in June to commemorate the day that Boston was found.

Mr. Shortt adds: "The local paper is the Dorchester Reporter. Interestingly (or not) it is where Mark Wahlberg and his family are from."

Mr. Shortt concluded his comments with with a story about a conversation he was having with his neighbors. "The husband said he was going to Dorchester this past summer," so Mr. Shortt "asked jokingly if he was going to Dorchester, Nebraska," figuring he knew nothing about the small community on the Plains. "He said yes" -- Dorchester, Neb. was indeed where he was headed. "His grandfather, whose last name was Auth, lived there."

According to Mr. Shortt, he then told his neighbor he should also visit Crete and Wilber, the Czech Capital of the United States.  

Mr. Shortt said his comments nearly knocked over the neighbor. "He was stunned I knew about your town and had actually been there."

Thanks for sharing this story, Mark. You're welcome in the other Dorchester anytime.

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Looking Back: 75 Seasons Ago, Alumni Were On DHS' Regular Season Schedule


Today, let's take the time machine back to December 1946.

That's when the Dorchester alumni challenged the DHS boys varsity basketball team in a Friday night match-up on the tiles of DHS' gymnasium (the "old gym," which was torn down in 2008). 


The picture to the right is from Dorchester's 1946-47 season.


That first contest of the '46-'47 campaign was the opening game for the high school boys. Back then, most smaller communities had "town teams" of adult males -- and Dorchester had one of the better town teams for basketball and baseball, according to old timers and history books.

The Dorchester Star reported the DHS boys lost to the DHS alumni by a tally of 16-27, unable to recover from a 7-12 halftime deficit.  

The Star reported, "Earl Parks, Tom Parks, Harold Fette and Leonard Bures (the DHS captain) looked good for the high school team," as Don Pisar, W. Plouzek, Dale Arnold and Harry Axline also saw plenty of action for the Longhorns.  

"Doc" Tobiska was the star for the "old grads." 

The alumni team went on to play other games that season against opponents like the Crete VFW.

By the way, for the old timers of today, the DHS Annual Alumni Basketball Tourney will be March 18-19, according to the DPS calendar. For alumni who wish to participate, call Brent Zoubek, DPS Activities Director, at (402) 418-1019 or e-mail bzoubek@dorchesterschool.org. The Dorchester Community Foundation steak feed will take place that same weekend on Saturday, according to tradition. That should be a swinging weekend in Dorchester, as usual.


Friday, January 14, 2022

NEWS ROUND-UP: Eric Bird Appointed to Village Board

(Photo courtesy of Sharon Axline.)

Dorchester Girls Basketball Team Takes Down Friend: The DHS girls basketball team has managed to win two of their past five contests over the past couple of weeks, including a 42-33 win over rival Friend. However the girls have dropped to 4-8 on the season. Up next for the Lady Longhorns are contests against Cross County (8-6) and Shelby-Rising City (3-9). Then comes the annual CRC Tournament in York.

DHS Boys Drop Five Straight: The Dorchester boys basketball team has hit a rough patch, falling in their last five contests. The team will need to find some magic in a hurry because next week the Longhorns take on 11-2 Cross County and 5-6 Shelby-Rising City.

Farmers' Co-op Seeks to Move Anhydrous Operations: News Channel Nebraska reports Farmers’ Cooperative of Dorchester will hear action in about two weeks on a plan to establish a commercial anhydrous ammonia operation near Adams, along the Gage-Lancaster County line. According to the online publication, the Gage County board is expected to vote on approval of a special use permit for the operation. Ryan Franzluebbers of Farmer’s Co-op says the company is undertaking a safety improvement by consolidating operations and moving anhydrous tanks out of more populated areas.

Eric Bird Appointed to Village Board: Eric Bird is the newest member of the Village of Dorchester's board. Appointed and sworn into office in December, Bird replaces Matt Scholz, who resigned late last year due to his family's move. The board is currently chaired by Andrea Pracheil. 

Bob Wolesensky Sr. Passes: Dorchester-area native Robert Melvin Wolesensky Sr. passed away on his 90th birthday on Dec. 19 in Georgetown, Texas. He was born on the family farm in Dorchester on Dec. 19, 1931, to William Wolesensky and Rose Wolesensky. He and his wife, Camille, raised five children on the Dorchester farm.

Good Life, Good Family: Nebraska is the fifth best state in which to raise a family. That's according to WalletHub's revised study, which considered 51 key indicators of family-friendliness. You can see the comparison here.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Acreage For Sale South Of Dorchester

Given the ongoing housing shortage in Dorchester, the Times staff wants to keep our readers aware of opportunities to purchase a home in the Dorchester area and school district.

In the past 24 hours, we have spotted a nice acreage for sale south of Dorchester at 1392 County Road K. 

This beauty has lots of land (18 acres).

The realtor says this about the property: "Nothing but beautiful Nebraska countryside awaits! You are going to fall in love with this 1918 farmhouse and all that it has to offer. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an updated kitchen, formal dining, lovely wall to wall fireplace all on top of a poured concrete foundation! Your horses are going to love living here too! They will get a fantastic barn with some private stalls, an arena and just shy of 18 acres of land. Come check out The Good Life!"

For more details, click here.

Monday, January 3, 2022

Young DHS Basketball Teams Produce Wins


The DHS boys basketball team has worked hard to get back to playing .500 ball. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Nohavec)

Despite opening their seasons with multiple losses, both boys and girls Dorchester High School basketball teams are showing incredible heart early in the season to get back in the win column.

This has occurred even as there's just three seniors -- on both teams combined -- among the 22 Longhorns out for basketball.

The DHS boys, with only freshmen and sophomores in the starting lineup, have racked up three wins in their six games thus far, winning the last two contests over Cedar Bluffs (48-37) and Lewiston (32-25). The improved Orange and Black Attack will take on College View Academy in Lincoln this Tuesday, Jan. 4, and then travel to Sterling on Thursday, Jan. 6. Both games should be even contests.

Meanwhile, the DHS girls, with all freshmen and sophomores on the team, minus one junior, are 2-4 so far in the 2021-22 campaign. A Dec. 16 overtime loss to Osceola is all that stands between the Lady Longhorns and a .500 record at this point in the season. Like the boys, the girls squad will travel to College View Academy and Sterling this week for contests that should be evenly matched.

Next week, both DHS will gear up to play next-door rival Friend (at Friend on Jan. 11) and East Butler (at home on Jan. 13).

Be sure to support your hometown teams.