NEWS ROUND-UP: Strong Numbers at Dorchester Youth Football Camp

Strong Numbers at Dorchester Youth Football Camp: The future of Dorchester football looks promising. Earlier this month, 20 Dorchester boys participated in the DPS Youth Football Camp, where the school's future football talent pipeline was developed. With numbers like these, could 8-man football return soon to Nerud Field?

DPS Calendar for 2023-24: The start of the new school year is only about three weeks away. The first day of school at Dorchester Public School is Aug. 16. See the new school year calendar overview.

Free Domestic Drinking Water Tests: High nitrates, E.coli bacteria, and other elements in drinking water pose real hazards to health. Free water tests for private domestic and livestock wells are available through the Lower Big Blue NRD. Call (402) 228-3402 to request a nitrate test bottle or to discuss other tests available for a small fee.

Aug. 3 Deadline to Apply for Village Board: According to an official notice, Eric Bird resigned from his term on the Dorchester Village Board on July 7. The village is now seeking a qualified registered voter who resides full time in Dorchester's village limits. A qualified applicant will need to be be nominated, as provided by law, by the board chairman, for approval by the full village board, to fill the vacancy. The remainder of the four year term will end Dec. 2, 2024. If you are interested in being nominated to fill the vacancy, drop off or mail a letter of interest and resume to the Village Clerk Jennifer Kasl, 701 Washington Ave., PO Box 287, Dorchester, NE 68343. Letters and resumes must be received no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3.

Nebraska's U.S. Senators, Congressmen Visit Dorchester

In an update on consideration of the new federal farm bill -- which provides hundreds of millions of dollars for food programs, as well as farmer incentives and producer safety net programs -- U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith reports Nebraska's congressional delegation recently visited Dorchester's Weber Feedyards.

"The delegation started our day of listening sessions at Weber Feedyards in Dorchester, joined by representatives from the Nebraska Cattlemen," Smith writes. "There, we examined challenges faced by the beef industry – including the need to address our country’s workforce shortage. While Nebraska currently leads the nation with our low unemployment rate, the civilian workforce participation rate is a more accurate representation of the strength of our workforce. 

"This shows we must incentivize and encourage opportunity for the workers currently on the sidelines of our economy to take advantage of good job openings across the state."

Read the congressman's full report.

Swan City: Saline County's First County Seat

The Times staff is proud of Saline County's rich history -- not only the storied past of our own community, but also the history of other communities in our area, including those that no longer exist.

More than 157 years ago, on Feb. 17, 1866, the Saline County Board held its very first meeting at Swan City -- a town that would cede its county-seat title to Pleasant Hill just five years later in 1871. 

Two decades later, Swan City would completely disappear.

Swan City, which was located a few miles west of present-day DeWitt, was Saline County's first community and county seat. Situated in the fork of Turkey Creek and Swan Creek, from which it took its name, Swan City held prominence for only a few years. But it did have its share of businesses, including a general store and a sawmill, both built in 1865. 

Soon after, in the post-Civil War period, the thriving business center added a hotel and another store. 

The O'Connor Circus spent a few winters in Swan City, according to our research.

Over its short life, Swan City grew to approximately 200 residents, a respectable population for a community on the Plains at that time.  

But in 1871 -- just five years after the town's establishment -- the county seat was moved from Swan City to Pleasant Hill.  

That same year, the railroad was built roughly three miles from Swan City. Since most early Nebraska settlers wanted to be near the railroad, most residents moved to either DeWitt or Wilber or Pleasant Hill, signaling the death of Saline County's first town.

Swan City's flour mill continued to operate until it burned down in 1891, the year when Swan City officially joined the list of Nebraska's ghost towns.  

Today, a state historical marker along Highway 103 designates the approximate location of the community.

Swan City: Gone but not forgotten.

FLASHBACK: Dorchester's Home Improvement Awards

Readers may remember that the Dorchester Times in the past has named several properties throughout town as recipients of our Home Improvement Awards.

The last time we did this was 2018, when we bestowed our Home Improvement Awards to properties on Dorchester's east side. At the time, we wrote that property owners need to be celebrated when they invest in their homes and their community. Here's a look back to what we said:

Washington Ave. and East 10th St.: This home is currently undergoing one of the more impressive home improvements we've seen in some time. The owner took one of Dorchester's most historic homes, since it belonged to the well-known Dr. Panter, and has given it an eye-catching makeover. Both exterior and landscape improvements have slowed traffic driving past this home in recent weeks. Kudos to these proud Dorchester residents for owning and renovating a great place!

East 10 St. and Lincoln Ave.: This renovation deserves recognition throughout the state. Those who has driven on East 10th Street over the past few years have noticed the impressive restoration of one of Dorchester's most historic homes -- the transformation of the former estate of Dorchester pioneer W.J. Thompson. This 3,000 sq. ft. home, built in 1901, is an intriguing piece of Nebraska's past as it was the site of Dorchester's famous Elmwood Pony Farm, reportedly the largest pony farm west of the Mississippi. The mansion is now home to Dorchester's The Well, which offers alternative and holistic health services and products, including massages, aromatherapy health, essential oils, soaps and lotions, crafts -- even yoga class. What's old is amazing and new again!

Now that it's 2023, let us know who deserves the Times' Home Improvement Award for this year. Leave your comments below, or email them to Dorchester.Times@gmail.com.

What Could Have Been: Major Business Ideas That Failed In Dorchester

From time to time, this blog has examined Dorchester's business history.  For example, we took a look at Dorchester's business scene in the post-World War II years.

Dorchester history is replete with hundreds of mom-and-pop businesses -- small operations. Some thrived for decades or still exist today. Others didn't survive more than a few months. 

Many of our readers could name some of those former businesses right now.

But did you know at the turn of last century, Dorchester was on the brink of being home to some major businesses -- at least in concept? Had those businesses been successful, they would have turned into major area employers.

In the publication "Obsolete American Securities and Corporations, Volume 2," the Times has located the following proposed business from Dorchester that didn't quite get off the ground in the first decade of the 1900s:

• Dorchester Butter and Cheese Co.
• Dorchester Grain and Live Stock Co.
• Dorchester Telephone Co.
• Buntin Mining and Coal Co.

While the history books make us wonder what might have been, we also take time to give thanks for the success stories Dorchester has produced and all of its current businesses. After all, being home to one of the nation's largest cooperatives isn't too shabby for our humble hometown.

Saline County History: Earliest Settlers Came 165 Years Ago

This cabin was the home of early settler J.S. Hunt and his family.

Years before Nebraska was a state, pioneers were already establishing communities in the territory -- and not all of them were along the Missouri River.

So who were some of Saline County's earliest settlers? 

According to Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, the first European Americans to lay down roots in Saline County arrived here in 1858.  

Among those first pioneers were E. Frink, who located on Turkey Creek, near the present site of Pleasant Hill, and Victor Vifquain, who located in the northeast part of the county, not far from where Crete now stands.  

Records show Vifquain was most likely the first permanent settler in the county.

Soon after, Tobias Castor arrived and established a post office at Blue Island, which was approximately mile to the south of present day Wilber.

The photo accompanying this story is of a painting that many readers will recognize from the Saline County courthouse.  It hangs outside the county treasurer's office.  Entitled "The Hunt Cabin, Blue Island, Saline County, Nebr." and completed in 1861 by Jack Tobias, the Hunt cabin was the home of early settler J.S. Hunt and his family.

Others immediately following Vifquain, Frink, Hunt and Castor were:  William Stanton, James Johnston, Jonas Gilbert, John Tucker, J. C. Bickle, William Remington, William Wall, among others.

By January 1863, the number of families settled in the county was 15, according to Andreas' historical account. The population of Saline County grew from 39 in 1860 to 3,106 in 1870, three years after Nebraska became a state.

Ten years later, in 1880, the county population stood at 14,943 -- about 700 more than resided here in 2010. The Dorchester precinct was home to more than 950.  The Pleasant Hill precinct claimed 1,013.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS' New Crow's Nest Going Up

New, Improved Crow's Nest Going Up at Nerud Field: There will be a fresh new look this fall for those who attend Dorchester Longhorn football games and other activities at beautiful Nerud Field. Dorchester Public School's social media reports the "crow's nest" is well on its way to completion. Dorchester-based BZ Construction is erecting the new project, which comes after other improvements in recent years such as new lights and a new scoreboard.

Dorchester Youth Basketball Camp is July 27-28: Kids, get ready to work on your b-ball skills! On July 27-28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days, Dorchester Public Schools is hosting a youth basketball camp for all kids going into grades 1 through 8. There's no need to sign up -- and the camp will be free. Just show up the day of the camps and be ready to learn from the high school coaches and athletes. Questions? Contact Coach Brandon Bruha at brandon.bruha@dorchesterschool.org.

DHS Volleyball Takes Division Crown at Concordia: The official start of the new volleyball season is still six weeks away, but DHS is off to a great start in the preseason. The Lady Longhorns varsity team, under the guidance of Coach White, and Coach Clouse, took first place in their division at the Concordia University Volleyball Camp last week, giving Longhorn fans plenty of reasons for optimism for the official 2023 campaign.

Village of Dorchester Board Vacancy: According to an official notice, Eric Bird resigned from his term on the Dorchester Village Board on July 7. The village is now seeking a qualified registered voter who resides full time in Dorchester's village limits. A qualified applicant will need to be be nominated, as provided by law, by the board chairman, for approval by the full village board, to fill the vacancy. The remainder of the four year term will end Dec. 2, 2024. If you are interested in being nominated to fill the vacancy, drop off or mail a letter of interest and resume to the Village Clerk Jennifer Kasl, 701 Washington Ave., PO Box 287, Dorchester, NE 68343. Letters and resumes must be received no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3.

Lois Nohavec Passes At 74

Lois Eileen (Skrdlant) Nohavec of rural Crete passed away after a short battle with cancer on July 7 at Tabitha in Crete at the age of 74. She was born in Red Cloud on May 4, 1949, the second of five children to Irvin and Marjorie (Duval) Skrdlant.

Lois grew up on the family farm west of Doniphan and attended Doniphan High School, graduating in 1968. Following high school, she attended Bryan College of Nursing in Lincoln. During that time, she met the love of her life, Kenny Nohavec, at a dance in Hastings and they have been dancing together ever since. Days after graduating from Bryan, they were united in marriage on August 15, 1970. They made their home on the Nohavec family home place west of Crete where Kenny grew up. They enjoyed their time on the farm raising cows, chickens, ducks, corn, kids, and grandkids.

Shortly into their marriage they were blessed with their three children, Kristi, Cindy, and Mike. In addition to being a full-time homemaker and raising kids, Lois also held two other full-time jobs: being a registered nurse and farmer’s wife. She spent many hours helping Kenny with hauling grain during harvest and handling the farming books. When the grandchildren came along, she added part-time babysitter to her resume. Lois loved all six of her grandkids dearly and was so proud of them. She was regularly seen at school and sporting events cheering them on. She passed her love of cooking and baking to each of them, and they all enjoyed baking rolls and kolache alongside Grandma at a very young age, learning her magic touch.

Lois was very active in many community organizations and activities through the decades. These include being a permanent member of the August-Vanek Dorchester American Legion Auxiliary Unit #264, a club leader for the Crete Creative 4-H group, the Wannanoit Extension Club, and a member of the Dorchester United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and played the organ for the past 30+ years. She was honored by the Dorchester Women of Faith last fall with the Special Mission Recognition Pin for her years of service & leadership. Lois & Kenny enjoyed dancing throughout their entire marriage, with polka dancing being their favorite. Their polka family saw them almost weekly at local & regional afternoon dances and at weekend festivals across Nebraska and across 10 different states as they followed “their bands”.

In July of 2021, Lois retired from the Crete Hospital after 51 years of service. She started as a floor and emergency room nurse in 1970 right after graduating from Bryan. When they added the cardiac rehab program downstairs at the old hospital, she transferred to that unit. A few years later she realized she missed her patients and co-workers, and she went back to the surgery floor. Lois was a very dedicated, skilled, compassionate nurse and over the years many people would comment on how lucky they were that they had her as their nurse, or that they worked under her or beside her, learning from her voice of experience.

Lois is survived by her husband Kenneth, children Kristi Nohavec of Omaha, Cindy (Darin) Kotas of Western, and Michael (Amanda) Nohavec of rural Crete. Grandchildren Michelle, Megan, & Amber Kotas and Benjamin, Garrett, & Camille Nohavec; Brothers Ray (Mary Jo) Skrdlant, Russ (Teresa) Skrdlant, and Duane (Sue) Skrdlant;  Sister-in-laws Jane Bolling, Sharon (Harold) Axline, Aris (Bill) Rut, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents Irvin and Marjorie Skrdlant, in-laws Stan and Judy Nohavec, brother Marvin Skrdlant, and niece Rebecca Skrdlant.

Visitation is Wednesday, July 19, 5-8 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. A memorial service will be Thursday, July 20, 10:30 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home. Memorials in lieu of flowers to be designated at a later date. See the obituary online here.

Dorchester Polka Party At Eastside, July 16

Are you ready for polka? It's that time again.

Back by popular demand, Eastside Bar and Grill is hosting a big-time polka dance on July 16. 

Live music will be provided by Brad Husak, which cranks out traditional Czech polkas and waltzes, from accordion solos to five-piece full-band melodies.

The special will include: pork, Kraut, dumplings, dressing, gravy, vegetables, and rye bread.

The event will kick off at 4 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. (or later if the rowdies demand it). 

Come dance to your favorite polka; or just sit and listen to the entertainment and catch up with friends.

In the meantime, here's a little trivia: Polka originated as a Czech peasant dance. Historic folklore has it that a peasant girl named Anna Slezak invented the steps one day for her own amusement. The word “pulka” is derived from the Czech phrase for “half-step,” which refers to the dance pattern of lightly stepping from one foot to the other.

Dorchester's Gerald Pierce Passes At Age 88

Dorchester's Gerald E. Pierce, 88, passed away July 5 at his home in town. 

He was born May 5, 1935 to Clyde & Helen Iva (Whitcomb) in Hastings. 

Services will be Monday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Dorchester.  

Public viewing will be Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury.

Memorials may be sent to the Dorchester American Legion. 

Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery with military rites by Fairbury VFW.  

Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. See the obituary online.

Dorchester's Richard Kasl Passes At Age 87

Richard L. Kasl passed away on July 2 at Crete Area Hospital at the age of 87 years. He was born on the family farm near Tabor Hall on August 12, 1935 to George, Sr. and Emma (Rezabek) Kasl.  

Richard attended Mount Pleasant Country School until the 8th grade, and then helped on the family farm.  He served in the Army National Guard for several years. On May 10, 1955, Richard and Darlene Kotas were united in marriage and made their home place near Tabor Hall.  They were blessed with their only son, Marvin R. Kasl, on July 16, 1957. 

Richard was a member of Tabor Hall and August Vanek American Legion Post #264. He enjoyed listening to polka music and every Sunday to the All Star Polka Show. Darlene passed away on September 14, 1984. Richard later met Shirley Ladman and on March 19, 1993 they were married and made their home in Dorchester.  

Richard is survived by his wife Shirley of 30 years; son Marvin and wife Sharon of Dorchester; granddaughter Katie Jo Kasl of Phoenix, Arizona; grandson Brent Marvin Kasl of Dorchester; Stepson Allen Ladman and wife Karen; stepdaughter Sharon Slama and families; brother Robert Kasl and wife Marva of Dorchester; sisters in law Shirley Kasl and Evelyn Kasl, both of Dorchester; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents in law: Edward and Marie Kotas; sisters and brothers in law: Evelyn and Elmer Branzovsky; Helen and Edward Halada, Dorothy and Lumir Kotas, Gladys and Warren Burda; brothers and sisters in law: Ed and Rosella Kasl, Frank Kasl, and George Kasl, Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 7 at 10 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Visitation is on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are designated to the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department in lieu of flowers. Click here for the obituary page at Kuncl Funeral Home.

Dorchester's Fourth Of July Schedule

**** UPDATE: The fireworks show has officially been postponed for tomorrow night, July 5 at 10 pm. 

We are sharing Dorchester's Independence Day events schedule with all our readers in hopes that many from our area of Nebraska will be able to experience one of the best small-town July 4 celebrations in Nebraska. (Feel free to print this schedule for your use.)

Dorchester's July 4 all-day celebration is an annual tradition that draws 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 crowds of larger communities.

Of course, the highlight of the day comes after dark with the famous fireworks show, which has been delighting crowds for three decades.  

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✭✭✭ Dorchester's Fourth of July Celebration ✭✭✭

2023 Schedule of Events for Tuesday, July 4

7 a.m. ....................... City Slickers open for breakfast and beverages until 11 a.m.

7:30 a.m. ................. Longhorn Stampede Fun Run/Walk (Begins in front of First State Bank; sign in at 6:30 a.m.)

8 a.m. ..................... Buttercup 4-H Club Bake Sale @ Community Building

10 a.m. .................. Saline County Museum open until 5 p.m. (free of charge)

10 a.m. .................. Dorchester splash pad open (free of charge - all day) 

11 a.m. .................. Sons of American Legion Chicken and Pork Feed @ Legion (until 3 p.m.)

11 a.m. .................. Auxiliary/Jr. Auxiliary Pie and Ice Cream Social/Raffle @ Legion (until 3 p.m.)

11 a.m. .................. East Side open until late afternoon

1 p.m. .................... Show and Shine on Main Street (antique tractors, classic autos)

2 p.m. .................... Bingo by Legion Auxiliary @ Community Building

3 p.m. ................... Kids' games at Dorchester City Park until 5 p.m.

4 p.m. .................. Kids' Tractor Pull. South of City Park on 7th St. (Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Participants must register.)

7 p.m. ................. Parade (Line-up begins at 6:30 at Co-op parking lot near elevator on Depot St. Bring a description of your entry. Email pegbergmeyer@yahoo.com for more details.)

10 p.m. .............. The Big Show: Fireworks at Nerud Field. (Alternate date is July 5.)

✴✴✴✴✴

Dorchester's 4th of July celebration depends on private financial support. Dorchester area residents and friends of Dorchester are encouraged to send their donations to: 

First State Bank Nebraska
July 4th Celebration
P.O. Box 264
Dorchester, NE 68343

or visit this site.