Looking Back: Dorchester's Old Gym

It's hard to believe, but it has been nearly 15 years now since Dorchester's "old gym" last stood.

Friday, April 18, 2008 marked the very last high school dance held in Dorchester School's original gymnasium -- also known to later generations as the multi-purpose room.

Despite the razing of the 1927 school building in May 2008, good memories of the old gym still linger in the hearts and minds of Dorchester alumni.

Looking back, the tiny arena was put into use immediately upon the building’s completion in December 1927, according to the Dorchester Centennial History Book. For the next 40 years, it showcased all the school's indoor sports, drama, music, speech, prom, and homecoming activities.

Throughout the years, the gymnasium housed some tremendous talent, including the 1937-38 DHS boys basketball team, which made it to the Class B semi-finals of the Nebraska State Basketball Tournament.

With its tile floors and cramped corners, the old gym had a seating capacity of only 200 people, all of whom would watch the games from the rafters.

Basketball was no longer played in the old gym after the 1964 season following the completion of the school's new addition and current gymnasium -- both of which were approved by the district’s voters for a total of $296,000 in May 1963.

But for an additional 43 years, the old gym continued to serve as the venue for junior high and high school plays, as well as speech activities. 

The old gym was often the site of the DHS prom, and it housed the DHS homecoming dance for at least 70 consecutive years, going back to the mid-1930s.

When the 1927 school building was reduced to rubble in May 2008, many good memories were relived in the minds of former DPS students. "If only those walls could talk one last time," said one observer who watched the school come down.

It is very likely that no other area of the 1927 school building will ever be remembered quite as fondly as Dorchester's "old gym."

If you are old enough to remember it, share your favorite memories in the comments section below.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Saline County Leads Nebraska In Motor Vehicle Fatalities

Slow down, Saline County: According to a new ranking, Saline County leads Nebraska in fatalities from motor vehicle crashes, based on 2020 data (the most recent year available). That year, Saline County saw seven motor vehicle crash fatalities, equally a rate of 48.6 per 100,000 people. Three involved drunk drivers.

March 5 Soup Luncheon: The ladies at the Methodist Church are planning an event that's sure to tantalize the taste buds. The UWF soup luncheon will be held Sunday, March 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dorchester Methodist Church. Whether you fancy chili, clam chowder, chicken noodle, or liver dumpling, you'll savor every spoon full. There is no charge for the event, just a free-will offering. 

School Seeks a New Secretary: Due to retirement, Dorchester Public School is conducting a search for a school secretary. According to the DPS job ad, applications should be submitted no later than March 6. The anticipated start date is early April. See the advertisement here.

DHS Boys Basketball Ends Season: The Longhorn boys basketball season ended Monday, Feb. 20 following a first-round loss in the Class D2-1 subdistrict tournament. The team endured a tough 2022-23 season, dropping 19 of 20 games. DHS is counting on improvement during the off-season, as well as upcoming talent, to turn things around next year.

Happy Birthday, Sharon Axline: Dorchester photographer, hair stylist, and all-around volunteer Sharon Axline celebrated her 79th birthday on Feb. 20. We often use Sharon's photographs on this blog. She always seems to be where the action is. We hope our readers wish her a happy belated birthday!

Wolfes Celebrate 67th Anniversary: On Feb. 19, longtime Dorchester residents Roger and Marilyn celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Their family includes, their children JR, Diane, Julie and Christian; sons-in-laws and daughter-in-law; sister Corrine; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

CHECK-UP REPORT: Dorchester's 'To Do' List

Over the years, this blog has encouraged Dorchester leaders -- primarily those serving on the Village Board, but also those who oversee local organizations, businesses, and school -- to develop a formal, collaborative long-term plan to grow our community. 

This blog has encouraged housing plans; main street plans; business development plans; industry expansion plans; and street improvement plans.

Five years ago, we developed our own plan for Dorchester -- a "to do" list to address the community's most pressing priorities.

And now in February 2023, we are republishing the list to let residents of Dorchester evaluate the community's progress. What on this list has been accomplished? What still needs work? You be the judge.

Dorchester's 2018 '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 grade) to consider making Dorchester their home someday after graduation.

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

Reader comments from our original post in 2018 have been preserved in the comments section.

Saline County Sees 45% Jump In Sex Offenders Since 2017

The well-being of our youth is a top priority of the Dorchester Times. 

To help parents, grandparents and caregivers take appropriate steps to ensure their children's safety, we are publishing this post.

Nebraska law recognizes that sex offenders present a high risk as repeat offenders. For that reason, sex offenders must register as provided by the state's Sex Offender Registration Act.

Under state law, there are three levels of registered sex offenders -- those who must register for 15 years, 25 years, and life. The duration is based on the seriousness of the crime. 

This information is used to provide public notices and information so Nebraska communities can develop reasonable plans to safeguard children and teens. You have a right to know.

There are currently 32 registered offenders in Saline County, according to the Nebraska government site. That's an increase of 10 offenders since 2017.

The registry's map shows one offender in Dorchester.

There are 13 in Crete (up two since 2017); seven in Wilber (up three since 2017); three in Friend (up two since 2017); one near Tobias; two in Western; one in Swanton; one near Pleasant Hill; two in DeWitt; and one near Tobias.

In other nearby communities, Milford has two offenders (with three more in the nearby countryside); Seward has 10; Lincoln has hundreds.

Know your neighbors. Click here to see if there are any registered offenders in your area.

To see the list of registered sex offenders in Saline County, click here.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Girls' Basketball Season Ends; Big Snow Coming

(Photo Credit: Sharon Axline)

Girls Basketball Season Ends With Subdistrict Loss: After an 11-9 regular season, the DHS girls basketball team won their first contest of the D1-1 Subdistrict Tournament by knocking off Pawnee City 42-17 on Monday, Feb. 13. But the Lady Longhorns ran into some heart breakers on Valentine's Day, losing to the host school, Johnson Brock, 59-33. The girls season ends with a 12-10 record. Fortunately, the team will return all its starters for the 2023-24 season, which promises an even more competitive squad.

Another Reminder It's Still Winter: Saline County and the surrounding areas is in a winter weather watch beginning Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. AccuWeather, the Times' official weather alert service, is forecasting 6 to 10 inches of wet and heavy snow. Winds could gust up to 35 miles per hour, bringing whiteout conditions. Times readers are encouraged to keep up with the latest details here.

All-State and Conference Music Recognition: Dorchester High School has announced that Jacob Cerny, Ashton Jirsa, and Owen Vyhnalek have been selected for the 2023 Class D All-State Honor Band. Moreover, Cerny and Jirsa were selected for the 2023 Crossroads Conference Honor Band. Meanwhile, Jirsa, Cerny, Vyhnalek, Bryer Shaw, Amber Kotas, Andrea Pavlish, Victoria Leavitt, Kayli Carey, and Mitzu Real were selected for the 2023 CRC Honor Choir. Congrats to these talented Longhorns.

Legion Hall Improvements: The Dorchester Legion Bar and Grill recently posted this video showing off the Legion Hall's reconditioned wood floor. (DHS alumnus Hector with Oax Remodeling did the work.) The bar and grill volunteers thanked its customers and says more renovations are coming soon. The Legion will be open this Sunday, Feb. 19, from noon until 5 p.m. for those who want to check out the refinished floor. 

FLASHBACK: Nebraska Towns Aim To Keep Their Young People

Back when this blog was just getting started, we spotlighted central Nebraska communities and their efforts to retain their young people, while also recruiting young families back to their hometowns.

The article, published in The Grand Island Independent, profiled small-town economic development proponents who were aggressively seeking new ways stabilize their population and grow their economy. 

The story quotes Nancy Glaubke, the business development coordinator for Valley County Economic Development in Ord, who said decades ago, returning home usually meant you had failed someplace else. But after realizing the potential consequences of losing too many young people, she had seen her community begin to champion efforts to reverse that trend.

Valley County Economic Development launched a young professionals group last winter to nudge its younger residents toward making valuable social connections. The group was formed after a community survey revealed a resounding message from its young people: It's hard to get to know people my own age, and it's even tougher to get involved when it seems like everyone has known one another for most of their lives.

"We just kept hearing that over and over," said Bethanne Kunz, Valley County Economic Development's executive director. 

So the group started simply, with a Husker game. Soon, they had steadily added names to a countywide database that alerted to social events geared toward singles, couples, and young families. Their database had grown to 170 adults under age 40. 

Ord was one of four central Nebraska communities that had kicked off networking groups for young professionals in the past year, joining Grand Island, Hastings, and Aurora.

To recruit natives back to their hometown, several communities started targeting high school graduates with mailings and a website. For example, Burwell planned to launch its program, aimed at alumni ages 27 to 35, within the next month. The high school is developed a website touting the town's assets to alumni. 

Burwell Economic Development sent mailings to about 200 alumni. The organization hoped to attract at least one or two new families back to the area each year by emphasizing Burwell's low cost-of-living and the area's opportunities in start-up businesses and working from home.

More than 15 years later, it would be interesting to follow up on the experiences of these communities. Moreover, it would great to implement any best practices learned.

Looking Back: Crete's FM Radio Station

For those too young to recall, Crete once had its own FM radio station, broadcasting from near the intersection of 12th and Main. It played a central role in Saline County life -- offering everything from community programming, to community updates, to polka shows, to weekly football score prediction contests.

Moreover, the station had strong Dorchester connections.

Allow us to provide a little history lesson.

Going back more than half a century ago, Crete's hometown station was KTAP, located on the dial at 103.9 FM.

The first owners were a group from Columbus calling themselves Airwaves Broadcasting Services Inc. The first general manager was Walt Chockley, who was known as Scotty Holiday on his wild morning show, "Scotty on The Potty...Brushin' and Flushin'." The format started out as adult contemporary, going to 1970s-style album-oriented rock after 6 p.m. with "Garry Lee (Rice) in your night time, rockin' your socks 'til midnight." 

Sunday's feature was Hank and Helen Zahourek from Dorchester hosting the "Polka Show" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Dating back to 1955, Zahourek was chief of his own polka band, Hank’s Melody Masters, and was a owner of the Blue River Lodge, which featured Sunday polka dances through the mid-1970s.)

Another key Dorchester-centered feature was a regular update from Dorchester educator Jan Stehlik, who hosted “What’s Doing in Dorchester."

Multiple Dorchester personalities DJ'd at the station over the years.

In 1975, the station was sold to Don Robson and Bill Whitlock (who were the principals of City and Farm Broadcasting, owners of KTTT Radio in Columbus) Joe Stavas, its general manager, and Ron Kruse, the sales manager.  They hired Walt Chockley as the general manager of KTAP. Whitlock thought that people would associate "K-Tap" with taping your toes to the music. The station was in a downward spiral from the moment its doors opened, and Chockley was soon fired and replaced by another General Manager. 

Whitlock and Robson approached Jim Jaworski (from sister KTTT) and asked if he would consider relocating to Crete and reprogramming the station more like KTTT. After three months, Jaworski was offered a fifth of the station to stay on board. He agreed and became an equal partner. 

Two years later the station was for sale, but Jaworski stepped in -- and with the help of Tom Aron and Dick Sinkule of the Crete State Bank -- was able to purchase the station. They ran a contest for what KTAP stood for and the winning entry was "Key To Area Progress". 

The years of 1977 to 1984 brought KTAP's glory days. Polka DJ's included Joe Zumpf and later Elmer Niemec. While known for it's polka, the station became profitable once again with its country music format, local markets, and local news. 

In the spring of 1984, Mel Gleason bought the station and the call letters were changed to KBVB (Blue Valley Broadcasting). Mel brought in Harvey Watson to manage the station. Shortly after, Mel died and wife Louise took over. Harvey quit and went back to work at KFOR.   

By March 1988, KBVB was up for sale again.  According to former employees of the station, the instant the ink was dry, one of the brothers that bought the place walked into the studio, shut the song off in mid-stream, then announced that the station was leaving the air. He then fired the entire staff, and that was the end of commercial radio in Crete. 

The end of local radio was a blow to community journalism in Saline County.

NEWS ROUND-UP: China's Spy Balloon Flew Over Saline County

China's Spy Balloon Flew Over Saline County: China's surveillance balloon that gathered intelligence from the continental U.S. likely flew over Dorchester and Saline County area, according to public information collected by open-source intelligence accounts. Before the craft was downed in the Atlantic, it appears China was able to found out how (and how fast) the U.S. can detect intrusions into its airspace and what its reaction to it is. Other experts say the balloon, which is nearly impossible to detect by radar, was monitoring U.S. military assets and/or strategic energy resources. Whatever the case, it's looking more likely our nation may soon need to reinstate the military draft for the first time in 50 years. China is preparing.

DHS Basketball Wraps Up Regular Season: Dorchester's high school basketball teams are winding down their regular seasons as subdistricts draw near. The Lady Longhorns (10-8) have struggled in recent weeks, dropping their last four of six contests. The girls can finish strong this week as they travel to Hampton (7-12) this Tuesday and McCool Junction (18-2) on Friday. The DHS boys (1-16) will conclude their regular season with contests against Hampton, McCool, and on Feb. 17, Exeter-Milligan. 

DPS Preschool Now Taking Applications: The Dorchester Public School Preschool is now taking applications for the next school year. The no-cost preschool is open to children who've reached their third birthday by July 31 or their fourth birthday by July 31. For more information or to register your child, call the school at (402) 946-2781.

Alumni Basketball Tourney Set for March 17-18: DHS' annual alumni basketball tourney will be held March 17-18. Players and teams can register by contacting DHS Athletic Director Zoubek at (402) 946-2781 or (402) 418-1019 or brent.zoubek@dorchesterschool.org. Cost is $30 per player. Use the form on Page 6 of the most recent school newsletter.

Experts: Valley Fever Could Target Nebraska

Valley Fever is a disease caused by a soil-based fungus that gets into your body through your lungs. It can make you feel like you have a cold or the flu and may cause a rash. It can be deadly. 

And new cases have been diagnosed in Nebraska. In fact, one study predicts that the disease will become endemic in Nebraska, southeastern Montana, southern Idaho and South Dakota by 2065, Fox News reports.

The fungi spores enter the air when the soil is disturbed by strong winds or activities like farming, construction, and biking or ATV traffic over dry soil. Once in the air, the fungus spores can infect the lungs, causing respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath, as well as fatigue, fever, headache, night sweats, muscle or joint aches, and a rash on the upper body or legs, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of Valley Fever tend to mimic those seen in patients with COVID-19, experts say. Valley Fever primarily affects the lungs but, especially in dogs, can spread to other areas of the body, such as the bones, eyes or nervous system.

While Valley Fever occurs mainly in dry desert areas of the southwestern U.S. and in Mexico, experts say warmer winters could trigger an expansion of Valley fever into northern states, including Nebraska -- especially with the increase of dust storms. 

About 60% of people who get infected have no symptoms or only very mild flu-like symptoms and do not see a doctor, the CDC says. In more serious cases, however, symptoms may take months or even over a year to resolve. The CDC estimates between 5 and 10% of cases turn into serious or long-term problems. 

In California, cases of Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis infection) have increased almost five-fold over the past 20 years.

Read this news article and this public health flyer for more information.

Limestone Houses Still Stand Near Dorchester

Take a winter drive in the countryside south of Dorchester and you will likely spot an old stone house or two. 

These structures played a vital role in the permanent settlement of southeast Nebraska.

Fortunately for us, more than 130 or 140 years after their construction, some of these homes still stand, allowing the residents of the 21st century to take a step back in time.

When the first European settlers came to Saline County in the 1850s and 1860s, quality lumber had to be brought via the Missouri River and by wagon from Nebraska City. That trip could take several weeks. As an alternative, most homes were either dugouts or made from sod or -- better yet -- limestone. (By the 1880s, lumber was more readily available and homes like this were appearing in Saline County.)

Luckily for our Saline County pioneer ancestors, a vein of limestone runs near Pleasant Hill and Turkey Creek. Quarries and lime kilns could be found throughout the Pleasant Hill precinct, according to the Dorchester Centennial history book. 

Some of these quarries operated until the mid-twentieth century, when they ceased to be financially viable.

The Sukraw house, Brown house, Pisar house and barn, Freude house, and See house were prime examples of this early architecture. They were as practical as they were sturdy.

A map of the stone home locations can be found on page 198 of the Dorchester Centennial history book. (Note: The centennial book can be found here.)

We encourage Times readers to explore the architectural history and heritage of the Saline County area. But respect the rights of the owners and don't set foot on these properties without first getting permission.

Storm Spotter Training Is Feb. 28

The calendar says February -- but severe storm season isn't far off.

Gage, Jefferson, and Saline County Emergency Management invites you to Storm Spotter Training to be held at the Homestead National Monument Educational Center, 8523 West Hwy 4, Beatrice on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The event will be held from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Training will be provided by the National Weather Service, Omaha/Valley office. No RSVP is required.

Whether you're a storm spotter for an official agency or a serious storm chaser, this event is open to the public. Come and learn what to look for.

This training is free. See this Facebook page for more information.

In the meantime, if you haven't already, sign up for free text alerts from Jefferson and Saline County Emergency Management. These alerts could save your life or those of your loved ones.