DHS Grad Blogging From South Korea

A faithful Dorchester Times reader informs us of a blog authored by 2001 DHS graduate Abe Springer, who has spent the past nine months half a world away -- in Seoul, South Korea -- where he teaches English to adults and youth.

On his blog, entitled The SoKo Gazette, Springer reports: "The Land of Morning Calm has been really good to me. I never imagined I would enjoy eastern civilization as much as I have thus far; but at the same time I also never fathomed being absent from my native soil for so long. I've made life long friends, enjoyed new customs, started writing for an international culture and entertainment magazine (that's now being distributed in New York and LA), been on dates with numerous Korean women (some who spoke very shoddy English) and learned so many things that I was oblivious to prior to coming to SoKo."

Springer also writes: "Koreans know that the majority of Americans haven't the foggiest of a clue where Samsung or LG are manufactured (along with dozens of other major companies that even small children should know about such as KIA, Hyundai, etc) and they are paying close attention to our world rankings slipping each and every month. There is great curiosity as to how a place with as much to offer as the U.S. is becoming a disturbing puppet for the Chinese. ... (T)hey just want to know what happened to the America from the past. And this is (from) a country that likes us! "

To see Springer's SoKo Gazettee blog, click here.

Saline County Journalist Featured In Journal Star

Lincoln Journal Star reporter and columnist Cindy Lange-Kubick dedicated her Saturday column to longtime area journalist and emergency management director B.J. Fictum of Wilber.

Fictum, who covers Dorchester athletics, has "suffered a run of bad luck. Complications from diabetes have settled in his left foot and surgery after surgery -- and months in and out of the hospital -- have left him saddled to a wheelchair, his medical expenses mounting." Click here for the Journal Star column.

Yesterday was B.J. Fictum day in Wilber. A big breakfast with a freewill donation and a silent auction were held at Sokol Hall. The fundraiser for Fictum was also featured on Sunday night's 10 p.m. KOLN-KGIN newscast.

The Times is unaware of any special accounts for additional donations to assist with Fictum's health care expenses. However, if such an account exists, we encourage readers to share information with fellow residents and Saline County natives. Moreover, we urge Dorchester area residents to be generous and show their appreciation for Fictum's extraordinary service to our community and county.

NEWS BRIEFS: DHS Takes State's Top Journalism Award

• DHS Takes Top Honors In Yearbook Contest: The Nebraska High School Press Association has announced that Dorchester High School is the Class D winner of the 2009 Cornhusker Awards, the association's highest honor for high school yearbooks and newspapers. DHS and Bertrand shared the Class D honor, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

• Zemunski Gets Degree: Kaplan University's Lincoln campus held a graduation ceremony recently for 120 students. Receiving her bachelor of science degree was Tonya Zemunski of Dorchester.

• Are Nebraska High School Athletes Losing A Step?: A link sent to us by read "CJ" asserts that Nebraska high school football players aren't what they used to be. According to a story posted on MyHitNews.com, Nebraka's high school class of 2009 had nine players that received Division 1A offers, but only seven signed on the dotted line. Only two Nebraskans in the 2009 class found their way to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a scholarship -- and the Nebraska ‘09 walk-on class was pretty small too. The blog asks: "What does this all say about the state of Nebraska high school football; its relationship with the current Husker staff; and the future ramifications of it all?"

A Glimpse At Future Health Care In Saline County?

A local Saline County doctor has sent the Dorchester Times this link on federal health care reform initiatives.

In the physician's e-mail to the Times, he said this story, conducted by ABC News, provides "a glimpse at what future health care may look like in our area should Congress pass health care legislation now being debated on Capitol Hill."

The Times typically reserves its space for local issues. However, due to the impact that Washington, D.C. has on the lives of our fellow citizens, and the fact this was sent to us by a local health care provider, we decided to post this important story. Click here.

OPEN FORUM: November 2009

New month, new open forum for Times readers.

Here is your chance to say something, report breaking news or ask a question -- on any issue. Any topic is fair game, although the Times' comment policy still applies. (Please see the bottom of the left-hand column.)

The Times' Web site averages more than 300 page views a day, according to an independent tracking service. That means the Times is the perfect forum to air your thoughts, news tips, announcements, complaints and concerns.

So go ahead and sound off. We are listening.

Property Cleanup Successful In Small Nebraska Town

Reader "90s Grad" reports on a successful cleanup program down the road on Highway 6 in southwest Nebraska. "Perhaps we in Dorchester can take a page from Wauneta (pop. 625) and model a program after their property improvement program," writes "90s Grad."

According to a report in The Wauneta Breeze, "significant strides have been made in cleaning up neglected and aging properties around Wauneta, and more improvements are in the works." Village Superintendent Bill Bischoff and board members "expressed their appreciation for property owners taking steps to help improve the community."

The Breeze also reports, "While a formal announcement is still pending from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, village board members received word that the request for $315,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds has been OK'd for owner-occupied housing upgrades and improvements in Wauneta."

Reader "90s Grad" wrote: "Why can't we in Dorchester be more pro-active in seeking grants for simple, realistic ideas like clean-up of neglected or abandoned properties? Would any board members pledge to insure that we do a better job of seeking such opportunities? I still think a town hall meeting at the community hall on this issue would be worthwhile."

Water Issue Generates Commentary, Questions

Our Oct. 26 post regarding drinking water issues has generated much conversation.

Reader Kelly Brummett reported that "all Dorchester residents need to vigorously boil all drinking and cooking water until further notice or use an alternate source." She also noted "there are contaminants in the water."

Many readers have been disappointed in the Village and this publication for not doing a better job in alerting residents. Others suggest new water policy. See the latest commentary on the water subject by clicking here.

Dorchester Cemetery Is Part Of Gravestone Project Archives

An anonymous reader has sent us the following report:

Dorchester Times readers should all know about the Nebraska Gravestone Photo Project. The mission of this project is to capture digital images of gravestones of our ancestors.

As decades pass, many stones are becoming harder, if not impossible, to read the inscriptions they originally contained. By archiving the images, we can help save these important records and also assist researchers using this valuable resource.

Nebraska Gravestone Photo Project has surpassed the 103,000 gravestone photographs. We are currently seeking volunteers to help take and upload photos for many counties across Nebraska. If you have an interest in volunteering for this rewarding part-time activity please contact the project's state administrator.

To see the Dorchester Cemetery archive at the Nebraska Gravestone Photo Project, click here.

NEWS BRIEFS: Residents Warned To Boil Water For Consumption

• Report: Boil Your Water: Kelly Brummett reports that "all Dorchester residents need to vigorously boil all drinking and cooking water until further notice, or use an alternate source." She notes "there are contaminants in the water." This warning "is posted on the marque and there is a notice posted in the post office." Call the Village Office for more information at (402) 946-3201.

• Ducks Unlimited Banquet Next Week: On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Saline County Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual banquet at 6 p.m., at the Saline County Fairgrounds, Ag Hall, in Crete. Contact: Robert, (402) 826-9052 or kf51110@alltel.net.

• Importance Of Small Town Grocery Stores: DHS alumnus Mike Feeken sent us an story from the Boomtown Institute on the importance of hometown grocery stores. "Rural grocery stores are small businesses, providing jobs and generating tax revenue that support the community. Without a local store, the payroll and tax revenue that our food purchases generate go elsewhere. ... Similar to a school, post office, restaurant and churches, a grocery store makes a community a more attractive place to live. Grocery stores can also be social places where you run into neighbors in the produce aisle, introduce yourself to someone new in town, or catch up on local news with the cashier. Without a local grocery store, residents miss out on these benefits." The story notes several models used by communities around the nation to keep their local grocery store. See the story by clicking here.

Saline County Farms See Drop In Ave. Size, Subsidies

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) has just launched the results of its 2007 census of agriculture. Some of its findings may surprise you.

According to a USDA release, Saline County lost 26 farms from 2002 to 2007, a loss of 4%. The county's average farm size actually fell from 474 acres to 425 acres, a notable shift from recent trends.

About 200 Saline County farms are in the "50-179 acre" category. The second largest category is the "180-499 acre" group. Around 100 Saline County farms claim more than 1,000 acres, while another 100 hold 10-49 acres.

The average Saline County farm has a net farm income of $69,722, according to the census.

The average Saline County farm has seen a decrease in federal farm bill crop subsidies -- from $10,207 in 2002 to $9,293 in 2007. However, county farmers received about $5.6 million in 2007, an 8% increase from 2002.

Saline County ranks 34th of 93 Nebraska counties in corn production; 23rd in soybean production; and 6th in sorghum production. In livestock production, Saline County is 33rd of 93 in hogs and pigs; 83rd in cattle and calves; and 4th in broilers and other meat-type chickens.

To see the USDA agriculture census summary, click here.

Looking Back: Dorchester's Fast Past

In 2008, the Times ran this post about the "famous Dorchester race car" from the 1930s built and raced by Henry Sehnert, Dorchester's longtime Ford auto dealer.

We're told the retired car hung from the rafters of Sehnert's Garage at 8th and Washington for many years.

In addition to the latest model of Ford vehicles, Sehnert's Garage provided a number of services, including auto repairs and a towing service. Sehnert owned and operated his South Side Garage on Dorchester's Washington Ave. from 1925 to 1930. In late 1930, Sehnert switched over to a Ford dealership that continued until 1974, according to the Dorchester Centenial history book.

The post generated much discussion regarding the race car, as well as the current condition of the building that once housed the Sehnert Garage.

Illegal Immigration, School Athletics Are Subjects Of The Month

Illegal immigration and athletic participation at DHS are the main topics this month at the Times' open forum.

See the comments and leave your own by clicking here.

Also, we thought Times' readers would appreciate this story of a former Crete business owner who was granted a last wish: to watch one more Husker football game.

NEWS BRIEFS: Larry Hromek Wins Husker Tickets

• Larry Hromek Wins Husker Football Tickets: State Senator Russ Karpisek, who represents Dorchester and District 32 in the Unicameral, recently donated two Nebraska-Texas Tech football tickets to the community of Dorchester to help pay for the improvements being made to Nerud Field's athletic facilities, according to a letter we received from Joyce Karl. To raise the needed funds, the Husker tickets were the top prize in a raffle held last Friday at the DHS football game versus Freeman. One of our readers reports that Dorchester resident Larry Hromak was the winner of the Husker tickets. The raffle raised more than $500 in improvement funds, we are told.

• Housing Funds Available For Small Neb. Communities: DHS graduate Mike Feeken, now an economic development specialist in St. Paul, Neb., reports to us that the Neb. Dept. of Econ. Development has extended the deadline for its community affordable housing development grant. Applications will be due no later than November 13, 2009 – via fax or email. The Nebraska Affordable Housing Program (NAHP) is intended to 1.) provide funds to eligible recipients for acquisition, rehabilitation, construction, and production of affordable housing to increase the supply of decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low-to-moderate income Nebraskans; 2.) promote and advance the goals of the 2010-2014 Nebraska Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development; and 3.) provide a mechanism to leverage private investment in the development of affordable housing. For more information, call (402) 471-6587 or email: lindsay.schmuecker@nebraska.gov

• $92,000 Business Grant Available For Saline County: Have a business idea but don't know how to raise the capital to fund it? Reader "Newshound" reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced it has awarded nearly $399,000 to four Nebraska nonprofits to support business development and entrepreneurship. One of those is grant for $92,000 for Nebraska Venture Capital Forum to conduct new venture competitions in York, Red Willow, Nemaha and Saline counties. In these competitions, entrepreneurs submit business plans to a panel of judges. The winner receives a $25,000 cash investment and $10,000 worth of professional services, if the business locates in the respective economic regions. See more by clicking here.

Web Site Touts Dorchester's Ghost Sightings

(This article was originally published on Aug. 5, 2009.) Halloween is near and another Dorchester ghost-related Web site has been brought to our attention. According to GhostsOfAmerica.com, "Not everyone who inhabits Dorchester is alive." To prove it, the site allows visitors to post stories and photos of their personal encounters with the dearly departed.

Visit the Web site by clicking here. Some of the accounts of Dorchester-area ghost sightings are:

• "A young relative died in our house years ago. We have heard a young girl singing during the day. Guests have felt someone staring at them in the night."

• "Gilbert's Graveyard, located about 5 miles SW of Dorchester, is a graveyard where lies the Gilbert family who lived as pioneers in the 1890’s. ... A number of strange events have been reported here. Among them, strange noises and the movement of tombstones."

• "Reports of figures or shapes moving around in the 2nd floor of the city hall building."

Another ghost-related Web site called Omahaunt.com has a Dorchester listing and features photos from town and surrounding sites.

OPEN FORUM: October 2009

New month, new open forum for Times readers.

Here is your chance to say something, report breaking news or ask a question -- on any issue.

Any topic is fair game, although the Times' comment policy still applies. (Please see the bottom of the left-hand column.)

The Times' Web site averages more than 250 page views a day, according to an independent tracking service. That means the Times is the perfect forum to air your thoughts, news tips, announcements, complaints and concerns.

So go ahead and sound off. We are listening.

Museum Open House Next Sunday, Oct. 11

Plan a step back in time next weekend!

Judy Rada with the Saline County Historical Society reports the Saline County Historical Society will host an open house next Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1-5 p.m. at the Saline County Museum in south Dorchester.

The program will begin at 2 p.m. with Jerry Penry on fatal air crashes in Nebraska during WWII.

Everyone is welcome. For information, call (402) 243-2356.