NEWS ROUND-UP: Morning With Santa, Dec. 9

Morning With Santa in Dorchester, Dec. 9: In just a couple of weeks, the big man himself will be visiting the village. Santa will be at the Dorchester Community Building and Legion Hall on Saturday, Dec. 9. Breakfast will be served by the Dorchester Community Foundation from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Santa will be in the house from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Kids' games, crafts, and other activities will hosted by Dorchester's Partent Teacher Organization and the Dorchester FBLA.

Kids' Wrestling Sign-Up, Nov. 28: An informational meeting and participant sign-up for Dorchester's Youth Wrestling will be held at 6 p.m., Nov. 28 in the school cafeteria. According to a social media posting, there are no fees or dues to join for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Renew Dorchester, Julie Holly Add to Main Street Beautification: Sources tell us that Renew Dorchester, the startup community development group, provided funding for the flower pots added some time ago to Dorchester's main street. The Times was unaware of this donation until now. Julie Holly has been purchasing and caring for the flowers in the containers.

Dorchester Native, DHS Alumna Karen Parks Passes: Karen A. (Kenney) Parks, 89, of Beatrice passed away peacefully at her home Nov. 15, 2023. Karen graduated from Dorchester High School in 1952. Celebration of Life Services will be held Dec. 20 at the United Methodist Church in Dorchester. Read the full obituary.

Our Thoughts on NU Staff Reductions: The University of Nebraska is eliminating staff and degree programs due to huge budget deficits. Want to bet that the university will hire lobbyists to try to recoup its losses by grabbing more taxpayer dollars at the State Capitol? That would be a shame because the hard times facing NU and other institutions of "higher learning" are a direct result of the outrageous costs imposed by Big Education for decades, as well as the radical left-wing ideas being instilled into young minds of mush, as a famous radio host used to say. Parents with kids in high school would be wise to insist on community college or a technical career center from which young people can graduate with real-world, useful skills for in-demand careers, versus graduating with a bunch of debt, far-left political views, and a chip on their shoulder for life.

Happy Thanksgiving From The Times

Several years ago, the Times received an e-mail that we felt compelled to share with all of our readers. Today, it is reprinted here with the permission of the author. 

From the staff of the Dorchester Times, a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

*****

Sweet home Dorchester! Oh sweet Nebraska! On this Thanksgiving we have so many things to be grateful for.

You never really know how amazing something or someplace or someone is until you no longer have it or them in your daily life.  I lived away from here for several years and during that time I reminded myself almost daily of the things and the people I missed.

On this Thanksgiving, I will once again take time to give thanks for those things that make life worth living. They are:

1.) The bountiful fall harvest.

2.) My small town and the feeling of community that we're all in this together.

3.) A peaceful main street I can walk with no fear of violence.

4.) Mom-and-pop businesses and no big box stores.

5.) Our Dorchester school and the wonderful students and teachers.

6.) Small town chatter, even the gossip.

7.) Farmers, hunters, people of commerce, and our community elders (the producers and providers).

8.) Not being honked at in your car or truck when you're at the one and only red light.

9.) The smells of home, including a wood burning stove or fireplace and the crisp Midwest air this time of year.

10.) Pumpkin pie, homemade jelly and all the great local baking.

This is a good start. Oh yes, I am also thankful for my great-grandparents who came to Dorchester to start their families. It is because of them that Dorchester is my home.

Sincerely,

Name Withheld

Mother, Wife and Farmer

A Warmer Saline County? USDA Says Yes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its updated planting zone map this week -- and it shows a warmer U.S., including Saline County.

The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which helps determine what plants are most likely to survive harsh temperatures, divides the country into 13 zones, each representing a band of 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The map also includes half-zone bands (like Zones 6a and 6b) representing differences of 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Saline County has moved into a warmer zone -- Zone 6a -- on the 2023 map compared to being in Zone 5b under the USDA's previous map, created in 2012.

The map reflects the average lowest winter temperature in any given location over a 30-year period, according to the USDA. 

Climate specialists are warning gardeners and farmers to understand that despite the changes on the USDA map, the new zone designations represent very modest warming and very little change. While most experts say that the world is getting slightly warmer, they advise against buying into media sensationalism.

Moreover, the map doesn't reflect the extreme temperatures that can be deadly to plants, experts say.

Saluting Dorchester's American Legion Post No. 264

Saturday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. The Times wants to salute every veteran who has served our nation, in times of war and peace.

We also want to pay tribute to Dorchester's August-Vanek American Legion Post #264, the Sons of the American Legion, the Legion Auxiliary and Junior Auxiliary.

Many in our community may not realize that Dorchester's Legion Post is in its 103rd year.

Following World War I, the veterans of Dorchester wanted to join the American Legion, a national organization for U.S. veterans. State Department Adjutant Frank B. O'Connell of Lincoln presided at the May 24, 1920 meeting to organize an American Legion post in Dorchester. 

The following Dorchester men signed an application for a charter: Claude Kennedy, Frank Mares, William Sanburn, Joe Mateja, Casper Schuerhoff, Frank Grant, Tony Wolfe, Fred Littlefield. Russell Freidell, Frank Kozak, Russell Bruning, Vincent Rogers, Clark West, Cecil Ward, John Cerny, William Johnson, Nels Hansen,Walter Hartly, Albert Peterson, and Ray Ward. 

The charter was presented on Aug. 1, 1920 and filed August 10. 1920. Dr. N.P. Hansen was the first Commander of the Post of the American Legion #264. 

The name August was selected for the Post in honor of Ernest R. August who was killed in World War I. 

In those early years, the Dorchester Legion was housed in a few different locations. In 1954, the Post bought a building -- the present Legion Hall -- from W.O. Howlett. This building was remodeled for the use of the Legion, the Auxiliary, and club facilities.  It was dedicated on March 23. 1956. 

In January 1955 the Post added another name -- Vanek -- to their Post name honoring Emil Vanek, killed in action in the Pacific theater of World War II.

Legion activities throughout the years have been a key part of community life in Dorchester. Back in 1922, there was a Model-T Ford raffle drawing. In the 1930s and '40s, the Legion held home talent plays.  

Legion members built a cabin for the Boy Scouts on the Kenney farm in the 1930s. In 1933, lights and light poles were purchased and erected north of the elevator for all types of softball league games and tournaments.  

By the 1950s and '60s, the Dorchester Legion was sponsoring representatives to attend Boys State -- and later on, Girls State. 

Many community activities have been and are sponsored by the Legion and its Auxiliary to serve veterans in need and in final rites for the deceased. 

One hundred and three years have proven that the stronger our local American Legion post, the stronger our community.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Veterans Will Be Honored Friday at DPS

Veterans Will Be Honored Friday at School: On Friday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m., a Veterans' Day program will be held at the Dorchester Public School. The DHS FBLA and the school cafeteria staff will serve coffee and cinnamon rolls to all veterans beginning at 9 a.m. Also, check out this Times' story recognizing Dorchester's August-Vanek American Legion Post #264, which is in its 103rd year.

Three Residents Apply for Vacant Village Board Seat: According to sources, at least three Dorchester residents have applied to fill a vacant seat on the Dorchester Board of Trustees. The vacancy comes after Andrea Pracheil, who had been serving as board chair, last month announced her resignation. The term will only be for the remainder of Pracheil's four-year term, which ends Dec. 9, 2024. The deadline to apply is tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 9). The position will be discussed at the upcoming village board meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 at the Community Building.

Dorchester Jr. High Play Is Thursday, Nov. 9: Get ready for some great entertainment as the Dorchester Jr. High presents its one-act play, "The Curse of Wolvesmede." Loaded with humor, oddball characters, and questionable motives, we can only wonder what happened to the maid and why a Schwan’s ice cream man was making rounds on a miserable night. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 in the school's multi-purpose room. $3 admission for kindergarten students through adults.

DVFD to Visit DPS Nov. 15: Members of the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department will be visiting Dorchester students Wednesday, Nov. 15 to recognize Fire Prevention Week. Students in pre-kindergarten through the fourth grade will receive fire safety briefings so they can share the knowledge with family members.

Eastside Set to Host Polka Party, Nov. 19: Dorchester's Eastside Bar and Grill is about to get nuts again. On Sunday, Nov. 19, Kevin Koopmann will be playing polka from 3-7 p.m. As always, a good crowd is expected, so get there early. Specials include: Pork, kraut, dumplings, dressing, gravy, vegetables, and rye bread.

Plan on Turkey Bingo at the Legion, Nov. 20: On Monday, Nov. 20, the Dorchester Legion Bar and Grill will host turkey bingo. Participants can win a turkey, ham, duck, or pie (and then tell their family at Thanksgiving that they splurged just for them). Doors open at 5 p.m., food is served at 6 p.m., and bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. All ages welcome.  

Here They Are: 10 Great Ideas For Dorchester

Earlier this year, the Dorchester Times asked readers to send us their ideas to improve Dorchester. 

Under the banner of our "Great Ideas for Dorchester" project, we asked readers to send ideas (via our email, Facebook, or blog comments) to enhance and grow Dorchester and secure its future.

As 2023 begins to close its curtains, we are rerunning the 10 best ideas for Dorchester submitted by Times' readers. In no particular order, they are as follows:

• Establish an "adopt a building" program to work with the owners of main street buildings. Focus for one or two years to improve a particular building. Raise funds. Volunteer labor and/or supplies. Hold open houses to show off progress. Get everyone involved.
  
  
• Have Dorchester's FBLA run student-run businesses from a main street building. Maybe a current owner could donate use of one of the vacant buildings.
  
  
• Create a matching fund, that is funded by donations, to offer matching grants to individuals wanting to start in-demand businesses, like a convenience store, grocery, new car wash, or workout facility.
  
  
• Paint a huge mural on the east Farmers Cooperative elevator where the emblem is completely worn down. The mural would be of a longhorn breaking through the cement, with the words “We ❤️ our Longhorns."
  
  
• The paving of the streets, a gym, a grocery store, new paint on buildings to give color and life to our small town.
  
  
• Do more to spotlight local businesses, business owners, and employees.
  
  
• An annual food truck festival with live music on main street.
  
  
• Work with the school to start an online weekly newspaper.
  
  
• Flower pots full of flowers on main street, possibly with benches with sponsors' names on the backrests. 

• Create a new housing development with a real developer. Model it after the Oliva project in west Wilber, but make it even more desirable than that, with trees and ponds and walking trails.

Thanks to our readers for their engagement.

We encourage community members to get involved with Dorchester activities and volunteer organizations, and work to make these great ideas a reality.