Upcoming Events Include Buffalo Feed, Chili Feed

Here are a few notable events for your Dorchester area calendar:

• Dorchester Legion Buffalo Feed: The Dorchester American Legion's annual buffalo feed will be held Sunday Jan. 25 at the Legion Hall. Both a lunch and dinner session are planned. Lunch will be served from noon to 2 p.m., while dinner will begin promptly at 5 p.m.

• Chili Feed at Crete Eagles Club for Dorchester Youth Basketball: A chili and cinnamon roll feed to support the Dorchester youth basketball program will be held this Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Crete Eagles Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Eagles have generously provided their facility, tea and coffee for the event, and will also match the proceeds from the event. This is a free-will offering event. The DHS basketball players will be there to serve the food and to visit with community members. The funds raised from the event will support youth basketball in their training, equipment and travel. For more information, email Tisha Hewitt at tish.hewitt@doane.edu or call at (402) 418-1031.

• DHS-Shickley Contest Rescheduled: The Dorchester boys and girls basketball games with Shickley, which were postponed last month due to winter weather, have been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Dorchester, according to Crete News reporter B.J. Fictum. The girls JV game will be at 5 p.m. followed by the 6:15 girls varsity game. Boys varsity will begin at 8 p.m.

NEWS BRIEFS: DHS Grad Wins National Innovation Award

• DHS Grad Wins Innovation Award From National Farm Magazine: Dorchester High School graduate Kirk Beekley (DHS '68-'72) is the latest recipient of Successful Farming magazine's innovation award. Last month, Beekley, who farms between Crete and Wilber, won the magazine's "All Around the Farm Idea of the Month" contest. Beekley devised an indoor/outdoor extension boom for his wire-feed welder, air compressor and other machine shop tools. As a result, Beekley received $2,500 Firestone in-store credit by the magazine. To see more details of Beekley's invention, as well as a on-the-farm video and demonstration, click here. To see Successful Farming's profile of the Dorchester native, click here.

• DHS Grapplers Take Fifth At Malcolm: Two DHS wrestlers competed in their respective class' championship round at Saturday's Malcolm Invitational. Overall, the Longhorn squad took fifth place, outscoring nine other area teams, including the Lincoln Northeast JV; Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer; Meridian; Freeman; Lincoln North Star JV; Lincoln High JV; and York JV. In the 145 lb. weight class, DHS's Adam Kahle took first place, while Russel Barak took the silver in the 189 lb. division.

Longhorn Teams Stampede At Meridian

The DHS Lady Longhorns, thanks to balanced scoring from their players, managed to win comfortably at Meridian Friday night, despite the frigid temps.

The DHS girls, now 7-1 on the season, beat the Mustangs 49-39 in a match-up that the Lincoln Journal Star had cited as a key game. The Lady Longhorns led by only three points after the first period and by five at the half. But Class D1's No. 4 team, according to the Omaha World-Herald ratings, kept on the pressure in the third quarter, holding Meridian to only seven points and giving DHS some breathing room.

Leading the way in scoring for Dorchester were Wendy Boller and Molly Pracheil, both with 9 points, followed by Wells 4, Havlat 7, Spanyers 8, Springer 4, Lawver 8.

Meanwhile, the DHS boys improved to 6-2 as they beat Meridian, 60-55. The win was good enough to bolt the DHS boys to No. 21 in the Nebraska School Activities Association's point standings out of more than 60 Class D1 teams.

(CORRECTION: This Tuesday, Jan. 13, both Longhorn teams take on rival and Class C2 opponent Friend at Friend. The Friend boys are 2-9 on the season, while the Lady Bulldogs are 5-6. Our post originally stated the game was a home contest and we regret the error.)

Journal Star Highlights Efforts On Pvt. Havlat Memorial

Two veteran reporters from the Lincoln Journal Star have issued their mea culpa to Dorchester.

In today's edition of the LJS, journalists Nancy Hicks and JoAnne Young note that they were incorrect a few weeks ago when they reported that no Nebraskans had asked the state highway commission to name any highways in recent years.

In their "Around the Rotunda" column, Hicks and Young write: "The Dorchester American Legion has asked three times that Nebraska Highway 33 between Dorchester and Crete be named after Charles Havlat."

The column goes continues: "Havlat, who died in the process of freeing a monastery in Czechoslovakia, was the last solder confirmed killed in the World War II European front. In 2006, the Highway Commission took no action on the request, thus rejecting it, and suggested naming a city street, park or having an historical marker or plaque displayed in an appropriate location to honor Charles Havlat, according to minutes of that meeting.

"The Dorchester Legion is now going to the state Historical Society to request a historical marker be placed at the Saline County Museum in Dorchester, according to Legion Commander Larry Kaspar. Charlie Havlat’s brother, Adolph, is writing the 180-word history allowed on the marker. The Dorchester Area Community Foundation is sponsoring and raising money for the project, which will cost about $5,000, Kaspar wrote in an e-mail."

We at the Times are glad to see the Journal Star devoted time and space to the memory of Pvt. Havlat and efforts of current Dorchester leaders.

To see the Times' June 2007 story on Pvt. Havlat and reader comments, click here.

SPORTS ROUND-UP: No. 4 Lady Longhorns Fly Past Sterling Jets

• No. 4 DHS Girls Breeze Past Jets: The Lady Longhorns, rated No. 4 by the Omaha World-Herald, picked up their sixth win of the season as DHS breezed by Sterling Thursday night, 58-28. The feisty DHS defense held Sterling to only eight points in the final two periods, including only two points in the fourth. Leading the way for the Longhorns in their 30-point victory were the following players: Boller 15, Lawver 11, Pracheil 9, A. Havlat 8, Wells 4, Spanyers 4, Springer 3, M. Havlat 2.

• Longhorn Boys Stymied By No. 4 Sterling: The DHS boys fell to 5-2 Thursday after a 56-30 road loss to Class D2's No. 4 Sterling. DHS could not recover from their slow start, in which they scored only 10 points in the first two periods. The Longhorns trailed 32-10 at the half. Dorchester was led in scoring by Zoubek 7, Bruha 4, Lee 2, Morris 4, Walton 8, and Kotas 5.

• DHS-Meridian Contest Cited As "Key Game": Both Dorchester basketball are in action tonight, Jan. 9, as the DHS squads battle Meridian in another road contest. The Lincoln Journal Star touts the Lady Longhorns' contest against Meridian as a "key game" to watch.

• Lady Longhorns Among State Basketball Leaders: Several players on the DHS girls basketball team are among area high school leaders in the game's categories, including three-pointers and assists. The lists include players from all area high school, regardless of class size. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, the DHS players are ranked in the following categories: "Three Pointers" -- Malinda Havlat is ranked No. 1 (seven of 12 shots made, 58.3%); "Free-Throw Percentages" -- Molly Pracheil is No. 7 (14 of 18, 78%) and Charity Springer is No. 9 (10 of 13, 77%); "Assists" -- Wendy Boller is No. 3 (28, or 4.7 per game); "Steals" -- Wendy Boller is No. 12 (22, or 3.6 per game).

• DHS Wrestlers Back In Action Tomorrow: The Longhorn wrestling team is back in action Saturday, Jan. 10, as they travel a few minutes northeast to the Malcolm Invitational.

NEWS BRIEFS: DHS Girls No. 4 in Omaha World-Herald

• Lady 'Horns No. 4 in World-Herald Ratings: The DHS girls basketball team is ranked fourth in this week's Omaha World-Herald Class D-1 ratings. The Lady Longhorns (5-1) follow top-ranked Bancroft-Rosalie, No. 2 Humphrey and No. 3 Deshler, who recently beat top-10 Class C-2 Freeman, while narrowly defeating DHS at last week's holiday tourney. Meanwhile, the Lincoln Journal Star has the Lady 'Horns at No. 9. Both Dorchester basketball teams resume action tomorrow, Jan. 8, in a make-up contest at Sterling. On Friday, Jan. 9, the DHS squads battle Meridian in another road contest. The Journal Star touts the Lady Longhorns' contest against Meridian as a "key game" -- while the paper says tomorrow's DHS boys game at Sterling (ranked No. 4 in both polls) is another contest to watch.

• Volunteers Needed to Help Area Elderly Apply for Homestead Exemption: The Saline County assessor’s office is looking for volunteers in the Dorchester and Crete areas to help the elderly and other Saline County residents fill out the Homestead Exemption papers for 2009. Those interested in volunteering should contact the Saline County assessor’s office at (402) 821-2588 by January 20. The assessor's office currently has a training session scheduled for Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. in Wilber.

• Food Entrepreneur Seminar Offered To Area Residents: For Dorchester area residents looking for home-based-business opportunities, we suggest considering the Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program Seminar. The Food Processing Center at UNL is offering a one-day seminar in Lincoln for all individuals interested in exploring the idea of starting a food manufacturing business. The seminar will be offered on March 9. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Registration deadline is Feb. 27. Contact Jill Gifford at (402) 472-2819 or jgifford1@unl.edu for more information.

Longhorn Lip Balm A Hit At Crete Wal-Mart

In previous posts, the Times has featured Dorchester-related items for sale, including items found on the Internet. From a Dorchester city limits sign to a 1930's air mail envelope with a rare Dorchester postmark, we have been impressed with the wide variety of Dorchester memorabilia available to area residents and collectors.

This week, a reader of the Times sent us the latest Dorchester item on the market -- Dorchester Longhorns lip balm, which contains SPF 15 sunscreen.

While the lip balm is available through different outlets, our reader told us in an e-mail that she found hers at the Crete Wal-Mart in the sporting goods section. No other local school lip balms were found in the super store, according to our reader. She also reported that when she paid for her items, the Wal-Mart clerk noted: "Oh good, we have the Longhorn chapstick in again. I know a little girl who really wants this."

It looks like we underestimated the marketability of the Longhorns beyond the Village borders.

If you know of other unique or rare Dorchester-related items for sale, let us know by e-mailing our staff at Dorchester.Times@gmail.com.

Times Issues Formal Reader Comment Policy

The new year brings new rules for reader comments at the Dorchester Times.

This Web site was designed to promoted and facilitate lively discussion and we want to keep it that way. We value the feedback from our readers and realize that most of the "news" generated by the Times is derived from the commentary after every post. But even here in the "blogosphere", it is important to have boundaries.

Since the Times first went online in April 2007, we have published the vast majority of comments submitted by our readers, unless they contained personal attacks, profanity or contained blatant factual errors. A few were not published because they were incredibly off subject or were direct comments to the Times staff.

As the Times' readership has grown, we feel we owe readers a more formal comment policy.

Since this Web site will still publish almost every comment submitted by readers, let us clearly state what type of comments that will not be posted, as established by the nine staff members of the Times:

• Comments containing personal attacks. (Constructive criticism of decisions by public figures, including elected officials or members of the media, will be permitted as long as done tastefully, without libel or "unverifiable hearsay.")


• Posts using racial, ethnic or religious slurs; or obscenity or profanity (including expletives with dashes/symbols).


• Abusive, threatening or inappropriate remarks.


• Incoherent communications.


• Spam and unsolicited advertisements.


• Posts with absolutely no connections to the topic of the Times story.
• Comments intended for the Times staff.

We welcome strong opinions and criticism of this blog. However, we do not want comments to become bogged down with discussion of the Dorchester Times, so we will moderate accordingly. (We plan to offer an "open forum" from time to time, so readers may leave comments pertaining to any issues weighing on their mind.)

Also, if you wish to receive a direct response from the Dorchester Times, please e-mail us at dorchester.times@gmail.com. We will not and cannot always respond to blog comments.

It should be noted that all comments on this blog are the responsibility of the commenter, not the Times staff or its editors. By submitting a comment to the Dorchester Times, you agree that the comment content is your own.

In early 2007, we wrote that the success of this Web site would be determined by our readers. We still maintain that philosophy. It is our goal to continue to provide substantive reader commentary for area residents and others with Dorchester ties. By posting our criteria for reader submissions, Times readers can be assured of a healthy exchange of intelligent and informed ideas that will better our community.

We hope to hear from all our readers -- and often -- in 2009.

Mountain Lions Are Focus Of Jan. 7 Meeting In Beatrice

(UPDATE: 1/8, 9 a.m. -- As noted by one of our readers, the Lincoln Journal Star today reports that last night's Game and Parks meeting in Beatrice attracted more than 200 who wanted to learn more about mountain lions in the Cornhusker State. "Mountain lions are native to Nebraska," the story notes. "But the big cats disappeared in the 1890s because of hunting, trapping and poisoning, and there were no confirmed sightings for 90 years.") Several weeks ago, the Dorchester Times received a prank e-mail that boasted visual evidence that mountain lions had been photographed near Fort Calhoun, Neb. Many other Nebraskans found the same electronic waste in their in-box.

Fortunately, news media across the state reported the e-mailed photos were actually taken from a deer stand in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Despite the hoax, members of the Times staff remain vigilant when it comes to the possibility of mountain lions in Saline County. Since this Web site went online in April 2007, the Times has received more than half a dozen e-mails from readers who claim to have seen mountain lions or tracks in the Dorchester area.

The reader comments left on our Nov. 26 post indicate other Dorchester area residents also have spotted what they believe are cougars.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission currently claims there is no evidence of mountain lions roaming the Saline County countryside. However, we wanted our readers to know that Game and Parks will present information on the status of mountain lions in Nebraska this Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. in Beatrice. The public is invited.

The meeting will include the commission’s protocols regarding mountain lions and a question-and-answer session. For more information, including a map of confirmed mountain lion sightings, go to the Game and Parks' Web site.

DHS Girls No. 3, Boys No. 15 In State Standings

Longhorn basketball is back, according to the Nebraska School Activities Association point standings.

By winning the Dorchester Holiday Tournament this week, the DHS boys basketball team (5-1) has emerged in the top 15 of Class D-1, which is comprised of more than 60 schools from across the state.

And despite falling from the No.1 spot, the Lady Longhorns (5-1) remain high in the NSAA standings at No. 3.

Moreover, we may have caught a glimpse of this year's girls Class D-1 state championship at the holiday tournament. Deshler now claims the top the top spot in Class D-1 after their narrow 66-60 victory over Dorchester Tuesday night.

According to the NSAA Web site, the girls top five Class D-1 point standings are as follows:

1. Deshler (8-0), 46.0000
2. Bancroft-Rosalie (4-0), 45.7500
3. Dorchester (5-1), 45.3333
4. Wauneta-Palisade (6-1), 45.1429
5. Sandhills/Thedford (6-0), 44.5000

The DHS boys trail No. 1 Arapahoe by three points in the NSAA standings. The only DHS opponent currently in the top 15 is Giltner at No. 6.

Both Dorchester basketball teams resume action Jan. 8 in a make-up contest at Sterling. On Jan. 9, the Longhorn squads battle Meridian in another road contest.

Happy New Year From The Times

The staff of the Dorchester Times wishes all our friends and readers a Happy New Year! We wish you all the very best for 2009.

Thank you for another year online and for allowing us to be a part of your community life.

DHS Boys Win Tourney; Lady 'Horns Snag 2nd Place

In a prime time match-up Tuesday night at "the coral" in Dorchester, the DHS boys' basketball team beat Class C-2 Cross County 55-51 to claim the top spot at the Dorchester Holiday Tournament . Despite trailing 27-17 at halftime, the Longhorns rallied on the shooting of Brandon Bruha as the team scored 38 points in the final two periods. Those scoring for DHS were Zoubek 8, Bruha 24, Lee 3, Morris 7, Walton 8, Palky 1, Kotas 4. Several who watched the game noted the solid defensive effort of the Orange and Black Attack.

In the girls' championship game, the Lady Longhorns suffered their first defeat of the season against a scrappy squad from Deshler in 66-60 contest. Despite scoring 44 points in the final two periods, the DHS girls could not overcome their slow start, in which they scored only six points in period No. 2. The Longhorn scorers were Pracheil 21, M. Havlat 13, Springer 12, Lawver 6, A. Havlat 4, Boller 2, Spanyers 2.

Both Dorchester basketball teams resume action Jan. 8 in a make-up contest at Sterling. On Jan. 9, both DHS squads will battle Meridian in another road contest.

DHS Basketball Returns To Action Today & Tomorrow

(UPDATE 12/30, 8:45 a.m. -- Both Dorchester teams are headed to today's championship matches at the Dorchester Holiday Tourney. The Lady Longhorns cruised by Class C-2 Cross County yesterday, Dec. 29, posting a 59-37 win. DHS was led in scoring by Pracheil 15, A. Havlat 13, Lawver 9, Boller 8, Springer 7, M. Havlat 5, Pariset 2. In boys' action, DHS edged Deshler in an overtime thriller, 69-67. The DHS boys will take on Cross County in tonight's 8:15 championship. The Lady Longhorns will play Deshler in the 6 p.m. championship.) After a long hiatus caused by the winter weather and Christmas holiday, DHS basketball returns to action Monday at the Dorchester Holiday Tournament. Longhorn fans are urged to take advantage of the warm weather and support the Longhorns in full force.

The Dorchester Holiday Tourney will tip off at 3 p.m. today when the DHS girls take on Class C-2 Cross County (2-2). Later, the Deshler girls will play Exeter-Milligan in the 6:30 p.m. contest. The winners of today's games will face off in the girls championship game at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow (Dec. 30), while the consolation game will be at 3 p.m.

The Lady Longhorns (4-0) remain No. 1 in the Nebraska School Activities Association Class D-1 point standings, leading by a full point over No. 2 Bancroft-Rosalie.

In boys action, DHS (3-1) will play Deshler (4-2) at 8:15 tonight. The Exeter-Milligan boys will play Top-20, Class C-2 Cross County at 4:45 p.m. today. The winners of today's contests play in the 8:15 boys championship tomorrow, while the consolation game will tip off at 4:45 p.m.

New Village Board Members Take Oath; Schmale Elected Chairman

Dorchester's newest village board members were sworn in at this month's meeting, as Dwayne Schmale was selected as chairman of the village board.

According to the meeting minutes, published in Dec. 24 issue of The Crete News, new Dorchester Village Board members Lyle Weber and Brandon Koll were sworn-in at the Dec. 1 board meeting at Village Hall. Schmale was elected chairman of the board, following a motion by Koll. Harold Axline was elected Chairman Pro-Tem on a motion by Weber.

Chairman Schmale then appointed the following board members to head the following committees:

• Parks & Streets: Weber;
• Sewer & Cemetery: Schmale;
• Water & Buildings: Axline;
• Safety: Cerny and Ed Dvorak.
  

Several actions were taken by the new board on unanimous votes: Jessica Tuttle was named clerk and treasurer. Ed Dvorak was named utility superintendent, while Marvin Kasl was named assistant utility superintendent. Steven Parr was named street commissioner, while JEO was named village engineer.

Scott Gropp with Kalkwarf & Smith Law Offices was name attorney, while First State Bank in Dorchester was named bank depository. In other matters, the fire department was given permission to sell the old Jaws of Life device after new DVFD members were trained on the new Jaws of Life equipment. Major claims approved the board included $2,253 to Beatrice Concrete Co. for gravel for the streets, and $3,044 to Saline County for sheriff's patrol.

The next village board meeting is 7 p.m. on Jan. 5.

Santa Visits The Village

It is the night before Christmas. But Santa's stop in Dorchester this evening won't be his first of the holiday season.

On Dec. 6 , St. Nick visited our town during the Dorchester Area Community Association's "Morning with Santa" at the Community Building. (Click on the pictures for close-up viewing.)

Sixty area children attended the event. Many brought non-perishable food items. Dorchester Methodist Church's Rev. Baptista delivered those items to Friend’s food bank.

All the children who sat on Santa’s lap received an instant photo as a token of remembrance. With the help of Dorchester High School's FBLA students, the children made frames for their photos, as well as puppets and ornaments. The main attraction again this year was decorating and eating Christmas cookies.

DACA member's would like to thank Farmers Cooperative, the Legion Auxiliary, and Corrine Tyser for donating money towards this event, as well as the United Methodist Women for supplying the cutout cookies.

DACA also thanks the FBLA members who took time out of their busy schedules to help throughout the morning.

(UPDATE: 12/24, 6:30 p.m. -- The Times has learned Santa is already en route to Dorchester. To track Santa's whereabouts, click here.)

Dorchester Residents Help With Crete Cares Campaign

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in our community as several Dorchester area residents are being recognized for their volunteer work with the Crete Cares program.

Last Saturday, Dec. 20, despite the sub-zero and windy conditions, Larry and Bev Gish, Steve and Vicky Parks, Wayne and Velma Hansen, Kevin and Carol Olson, and Dorchester Methodist Rev. Paixao Baptista delivered food boxes -- a complete Christmas meal of turkey and all the trimmings -- to Dorchester area residents needing a little extra help this holiday season. Fruit baskets were also delivered to area residents who were honored for their longtime contributions to the community.

A special thanks has been sent to John Bruha at the Dorchester Grocery for packing the boxes and baskets; to Farmland Foods for donating the hams; to the Dorchester residents and organizations who donated financially to Crete Cares; and to the Crete Area Ministerial Association for including Dorchester in this very worthwhile cause.

There is still time to help. Contributions to Crete Cares may be sent to: Crete Cares, P.O. Box 343, Crete, NE 68333.