Dorchester-Milford Activities Merger: Where We Stand To Date

As this blog reported earlier, the Dorchester and Milford school board recenlty approved a two-year trial sports co-op that will begin next school year.

Several readers have sent us e-mails inquiring what are the latest developments on the situation.  Here is a roundup of what we know:

• The Milford-Dorchester junior high football merger will begin next season.
• The schools' varsity wrestling co-op will begin next school year, as well.
• A two-year varsity football co-op begins with the 2014-2015 season -- as long as projected combined enrollment numbers fall in the Class C-1 range. If the move would take the DHS-MHS squad into Class B, the co-op would be ended.
• Junior high wrestling will be combined for 2013-14 and 2014-15.
• The two schools already coop in other activities -- and not just athletics.  Activities already merged include Future Business Leaders of America activities.

If readers, including school administration officials or school board members, see any incorrect information or if we have failed to mention important details, please let us know in the "comments" section of this story.
 

Our Opinion: Give DHS Athletes Extra Credit -- In The Classroom

The winter sports season in underway at Dorchester High School and all across our great state.

 

Last night, the new-and-improved Dorchester Longhorns boys team lost their season opener at home -- in The Corral -- falling to a solid Diller-Odell squad by 47-35.  The Lady Longhorns lost to Diller-Odell 49-21.  We were very impressed by the loud DHS crowd at both games last night, as well as the efforts put forth by the student athletes. 

 

We see much brighter days ahead for the Dorchester athletic programs and we tip our black-and-orange hats to those students (and coaches and parents) who are giving their all to represent their school.  In a few more years, with hard work and dedication, DHS may very well be one of the better sports programs around, especially with added competition with Milford students.

 

But for now, it's time we give credit where credit is due.  It's time to reward our student athletes.

Consider that compared to 20 years ago in Nebraska...

* about 2200 fewer boys participate in high school football.

* more than 2000 fewer girls play volleyball in high school.

* more than 800 fewer girls go out for high school basketball.

* more than 1100 fewer boys go out for high school basketball.

This information was provided to the Times by the Nebraska School Activities Association. 

 

The decline in athletic participants comes despite the fact that  Nebraska's high school enrollment is higher that it was two decades ago.

Here is why we care: Athletics prepare students for the real world by teaching them to balance work and other obligations. Participating in sports teaches kids how to handle success -- and failure -- in life. Athletics help instill leadership qualities that simply can't be taught in the classroom. Sports teach kids about the pride that comes with representing your school and community.

It is time to give students who participate in athletics and other school-sponsored activities a half-grade of extra credit per semester for every course.  For example, a student who earned a B in algebra would get a B+ that semester due to his/her heavier-than-normal workload.

The divide between those who "do" and those who "do not" is growing wider -- not only in our community and state, but across the nation. 

We hope the Dorchester School Board will give this idea some thought. 

If we truly believe in local control in education, let's set a model by showing we want to recognize those young people who choose not to just sit on the sidelines.  Let's reward those who choose to be involved and who do their best to represent our community.
 

LOOKING BACK: The Earliest Comments On Our Blog

Five and a half years ago this month, we unveiled the Dorchester Times. You know what they say: Time does fly.

We have enjoyed bringing you the latest from our town, Dorchester. And we look forward to posting many more stories in the months and years ahead. But even more, we look forward to hearing from you. After all, the success of this publication will be determined by our readers. (You can always leave a message by just clicking on the “comments” link after each story. Readers are still encouraged to use a user name instead of signing with “anonymous.”)

For those of you who may have not been readers in our early days, we looked back at some of the more notable comments left by readers in that first month of publication. Some comments made us laugh, others made us cry, and still others made us red in the face.  But we published them all and tried to keep our opinion out of the mix.  Years later, you will see some of the issues were addressed; others are still a focal point of our community discussions.

As you read them, ask yourself: Have my opinions changed? Have I become more informed? Have I done anything to remedy a bad situation? Or am I still just leaving gripes online and with my little circle of friends?

Without further adieu, here are some of the more memorable reader comments from this blog's first month, May 2007:

On Dorchester and the Dorchester Times Blog…

"This is a great start to promote a nice community. Dorchester is almost like 'Cheers', in that 'everyone knows your name' (if you grew up there)."

"Dorchester is the bomb digitity…"

On Downtown Dorchester…

"WILL SOMEONE PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE TEAR DOWN THE OLD CONNER'S GIFT SHOP & ROOFING BUILDING? AFTER 25 YEARS, IT AIN'T COMING BACK!"

"The grocery is a must have for every community. Thank you for keeping the store open."

"I would be ashamed to send friends to our downtown area in the shape it is in. Look how many people come to our July 4th celebration; it is just as good if not better than most community events around here. However, what does the appearance of the buildings say about us?"

On Proposed Improvements…

"We certainly could make a long list of improvements that need to be made. At the top of the list should be those that will attract younger families and secure a future for Dorchester."

“The new sign (town marquee) is a great improvement over the last one. In fact, in my lifetime, I would say that the sign is the biggest improvement in town.”

"Improvements are NICE but where will the money come from?"

"If a swimming pool is needed, dig a big hole in someone's front yard."

On Paved Streets…

“If you had a curb on the streets, people would be less likely to drive onto their lawn so they could stagger three less steps into their front door.”"Do I remember the picketers? NO! However, I do remember today, driving down muddy streets, dodging mud holes. I do remember never being able to open a window in my house because the dust from the gravel streets gets everywhere."

“I hope our leadership has realized that pavement is not a flash in the pan idea, just look and ANY of our neighboring communities.”

"Come on people, we had more growth back in the days, and they didn’t have paved streets. Paving is not going to bring new growth. Fix downtown and talk about streets later."

"Do I dare to ask what we accomplished by not paving? We kept our community stagnate..... No incentive for commercial or residential development. …The cost to our community has been greater by not paving."

On Dorchester Public School…

"Consolidate with Friend? And inherit their $500,000 debt? Not in this lifetime."

"Build the new school and watch a rebirth of the town's pride."

"I have strong feelings...we don't need a new school...we need to take care of the one we have."

"Without the Dorchester school system, the community will fall apart. Families will leave and the town will probably become very poor."

"The future of District #44 depends on planning for the future, growing not just surviving."

General Comments…

"Our appearance needs to be as great as the people in Dorchester. Let's work on an environment that will allow us to keep our young people and possibly invite ones that have left back."

"Sticks in the mud make lousy pathways to the future."

"Time for leadership in the Village, not just nay saying!"

"Small town life is like wearing a dirty diaper: You can sit in your own stink and blame others or you can get up and change yourself."

And finally, our favorite comment came from 'Crete Guy' on the first story we ever posted…

“I didn't know there was enough news to report in Dorchester.”

AmeriCorps Grant Opportunity For Area Groups

Do you know of a Dorchester area organization that is doing tremendous good for our community? If so, it may be eligible for a sizable grant.

ServeNebraska has announced the 2013-2014 Competitive AmeriCorps State grant opportunity.  Competitive AmeriCorps State grants are awarded to Nebraska organizations to implement projects that utilize AmeriCorps members to impact community problems through an evidence-based approach. Projects funded tend to be sophisticated in program design and experienced in delivering high quality impactful initiatives. A subsequent AmeriCorps funding opportunity for smaller scale or newer initiatives is projected for Spring 2013

For 2013-2014 investment of funds will prioritize programs working in the focus areas of Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and Veterans & Military Families. Programs funded will begin September 1, 2013.

Eligible applicants include Nebraska public or private non-profit organizations; faith-based and other community organizations; and institutions of higher education.ServeNebraska is eager to assist communities and their leaders in designing and implementing services benefiting area residents. If you would like to learn more about how AmeriCorps may be able to benefit your organization and how ServeNebraska may be able to help you implementing new AmeriCorps programs or creating partnerships with existing programs, contact:

Greg Donovan (with ServeNebraska)                                                

(402) 471-6249                                                

Greg.donovan@dhhs.ne.gov

                            

New Ad Recruits Student Athletes To DHS

Attention Area Student Athletes

(Grades 7-11)

 Do You Want To:

ü Play at the Varsity Level During Your High School Career?

ü Get Noticed on the Field or Court – and in the Classroom?

ü Play Multiple Sports?

ü Get a Top-Notch Education?

 

 

We Want You To Come To Dorchester Schools!

 

 

DORCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL – HOME OF THE LONGHORNS

Dorchester Public Schools is a K-12 facility that offers:

 

§  Small classes with great teachers.

§  A friendly, comfortable, modern setting to meet the needs of individual students.

§  Great opportunities to participate in team sports and other extra-curricular activities.

 

Option Enrollment deadline for students wanting to play sports next fall is March 14.

For more information, call Dorchester School at (402) 946-2781.

Dorchester is located 25 minutes southwest of Lincoln in northern Saline County.  Transfer/Option-Enrollment students are welcome.  DHS athletic teams compete in Class D, but will soon be co-oping with Milford High School to play Class C in football and perhaps other sports.  Quality coaches for every sport.  A new $4.1 million school building (built in 2008) offers a large weight room, two gyms and a new wrestling room.  Our facilities also feature new classrooms, a first-class theater, band room and large computer labs.

To play sports next season, you have only until March 15 to sign up for option enrollment.

 

This ad was neither produced nor paid for by Dorchester Public Schools, but by private citizens.  Inquiries about Dorchester Schools and its athletic programs should be directed to school officials at 402-946-2781.
 

Dorchester Community Foundation Update On 'Welcome' Signs

The Dorchester Community Foundation (DCF) would like to thank everyone that came to the foundation's chicken supper earlier this month and who gave or sent donations for the community's new "welcome" signs.

According to inside sources with the DCF's board, there were some farmers who donated grain, as well as people who donated time and/or supplies. The foundation heard from many alumni, as well. 

Without such generous community support, and support from Dorchester natives across the country, the project could have never become a reality, said one board member.  "It would still be a dream," the DCF board member said.  "Instead, we have almost reached our goal and wanted to thank you all for supporting Dorchester." 

Some of the Dorchester High School alumni that sent donations also included some of their Dorchester history, according to the DCF, which will be sharing these notes throughout the month of December. 

Here is one from Lois Nichols Jurgens, DHS Class of 1949:

Dear Dorchester Community Foundation:

Thank you for the information about the Dorchester Community Foundation fund. I am proud to say Dorchester is my hometown.

My grandparents, Orton and Mary Nickols, were pioneers to the area.  My grandfather came to Nebraska in a covered wagon from Illinois.  My grandmother was born in a sod house by the Big Blue River.  By trade, my grandfather was a painter and carpenter.  He was also a sexton of the Dorchester Cemetery for many years. He helped dig graves.  The summers were spent mowing the cemetery -- with a push mower.

My mother, Alice Nichols, was a telephone operator and Avon sales agent.  She was a graduated of the then-"new" school (1927 DPS building). I graduated in 1949. After working at Pospisil's Grocery and Citizens State Bank, I attended Doane College. From there, I went to North Platte and onto Colorado.  But I always remember my roots and the town that shaped my values. 

Please keep me informed on the foundation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lois (Nickols) Jurgens
Estes Park, Colorado

As reported earlier, the Dorchester Community Foundation is raising funds to finalize the town's new welcome signs. These signs will feature the community's new logo, which will also be on the village's new water tower -- to be completed yet this year or early 2013.

The concrete and brick welcome signs will be rather substantial in size, measuring 8' tall (pillars) and 20' wide. They will stand on an elevated landing measuring 6' by 24'. Plans are to have them lighted, as well. (See our Aug. 30 story on the new signs.)

You can contribute to this project by making checks payable to Dorchester Community Foundation Fund.

Donations should be sent to:

Mr. Dale Hayek
652 County Road 1200
Dorchester, NE 68343

The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund is a non-profit subsidiary of the Nebraska Community Foundation so all donations are tax deductible.

 

Business Spotlight: Kohout's Christmas Trees

With Christmas only a 30 days away, we wanted to recognize Kohout's Christmas and Landscape Trees, which has served the Dorchester area for several years.

The Kohout tree farm opens the right after Thanksgiving. Business days are during the weekends, 9 a.m. until dark. Some of the customer perks include: hay rack rides to and from the field; complimentary hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies; and free coloring books for kids. Christmas tree varieties include Scotch Pine and White Pine.

 

At Kohout's, wreaths, swags, tree stands, bags and other Christmas items are also for sale. Trees will be shook and netted for free.

Located at 1214 State Highway 15, just southwest of Dorchester, the Kohout tree farm may be contacted by phone at (402) 946-6531 or by e-mail at makohout@hotmail.com.

 

On a sad note, Marvin Kohout, owner of Kohout's Christmas Trees, tells the Lincoln newspaper that the drought wreaked havoc on his trees this year.  He had 1,500 trees in containers this year and about 50 survived.  "It's kind of discouraging," said Kohout, who has been in the Christmas tree business since 1984.

Kohout has about 300 field trees of all shapes and sizes. He might try to raise some more trees in containers next year, but this could be his last year in the family business, which he has been scaling down the past 10 years.

 

Dorchester Artwork Now Online

The Friend Sentinel recently published a news story about the new ability of Dorchester students and their parents to view student artwork on a free, online gallery called Artsonia.

"I recently sent home the permission slips to all of the parents to have some of the student’s artwork displayed online," Stacy Lutjemeyer, the K-12 art teacher at Dorchester, said.  Lutjemeyer has been the art teacher at Dorchester for the last 13 years.

She was told about this online art gallery by a co-worker and has been working with it since the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.  “I posted a few of my art projects from the summer to see how it worked. I have recently uploaded a few projects of the students to the website,” Lutjemeyer said. “My goal is  to have artwork for everyone K-12.”

The Dorchester Times found that more than 270 pieces of art by DPS students have been posted online since late September.

In order to protect the privacy of each student, their artwork is posted by a screen name that consists of their first name and a number. Their last name is never posted to the website, according to the Artsonia website.

Parents can find their child’s artwork by entering their screen name in the “find artist section” of the homepage. A general search can also by done by the name of the school.  “I really like that parents can buy a mug, bag or coaster among other things with their child’s artwork on it,” Lutjemeyer said. “That would be a great gift for grandparents.” 

Whenever you place an order with Artsonia, 20% of the order is donated back to the school arts program. Not only are you receiving a high-quality keepsake with your child’s artwork, but you are also helping the art teacher purchase additional art supplies and other needs for their arts program, according to the Artsonia website.

The Dorchester student’s artwork can be found here. 

McCool Junction Sets Standard For Smaller Schools

"We are one big family."

That's the secret behind a thriving Class D school in McCool Junction, according to a new report by 10/11 News. 

The story offers key insight to how the rural school in York County is beating the odds.  In a time of shrinking student bodies in Nebraska's rural towns, the McCool Mustangs are growing in enrollment and school spirit.

This story could have very well been shot in Dorchester, another school that is thriving due in large part to our new facilities approved by the district voters five years ago. 

But we would ask the students, teachers and administrators to watch the 10/11 story and emulate the philosphy used in McCool: "We are family."

When going to school, representing your school, teaching students and ensuring the success of your school becomes more than just a job -- more than just routine -- that's when you know you're on track for long-term success.

You can view the 10/11 News story by clicking here.

Weber, Koll Re-Elected; Bors, Havlat, Zoubek Get Another Term

 

More than a week has passed since Election Day, and we had hoped to report the official results from Dorchester's Village Board and Dorchester School Board races much sooner.  However, the Saline County Election Commissioner has still not posted the official vote counts. 

That said, we can safely report that Brandon Koll and Lyle Weber have both easily won re-election to the village board. 

And Lindsey Zoubek, Mark Bors and Brad Havlat all won their bids to serve another term on the school board. 

We appreciate these volunteers and their willingness to serve.  We understand they have a mostly thankless job, but our town and school could not function without their public service.

Here are the unofficial returns from last week:

Dorchester Village Board Member

Vote for 2

Brandon A. Koll............142

Lyle Weber.................120

WRITE-IN....................63

Dorchester School Board Dist. #44

Vote for 3

Lindsey Zoubek............346

Mark Bors...................371

Brad Havlat.................335

WRITE-IN....................14

Vets Day Ceremony At DPS This Monday, Nov. 12

Come honor our area soldiers, saliors, Marines and airmen -- past and present -- this Nov. 12.

Veterans Day is Sunday, but on Monday, Nov. 12, the bank and post office will be closed due to the official government observance of the holiday. 

Area residents are invited to salute America's veterans at a ceremony at the Dorchester Public School.  There, attendees will hear a presentation from the Dorchester American Legion Post No. 264 and see a slide presentation by Iraqi/Afghanistan veteran Rio Beranek. 

The event begins at 10 a.m. on Monday.

At the very least, make sure you personally thank the veterans you know on this special day. Pay him (or her) a visit, give him a call, or send a card or email. Really celebrate the true meaning of this holiday.

Dorchester's Ottmann Wins SCC Board Spot

The Lincoln Journal Star today reports on Dorchester's Steve Ottmann and his Tuesday election to Southeast Community College’s Board of Governors. 

Ottmann beat incumbent Jim Garver by just 226 votes.

According to the newspaper, "Ottmann has been the faculty representative to the board for more than five years and decided to seek the board’s at-large seat."

"He said SCC is facing a number of challenges, including finding a replacement for President Jack Huck, who has said he plans to retire soon. The college also needs to win reaccreditation.

"Ottmann said he expects the thousands of students he’s taught in the 34 years he’s worked for the college may have tipped the scales in his favor, as well as the red T-shirt he often wore announcing his candidacy."

The Times congratulates Steve Ottmann for his victory and his willingness to be a public office holder.

How Dorchester Voted In The Presidential, Senate Races

It's the day after Election Day.  Half of America is happy; the other half is depressed.  America's brand of democracy is constantly creating winners and losers in the political process. 

Barack Obama is your president again for the next four years, but Nebraska and Dorchester area voters didn't want him re-elected.  Mitt Romney was favored 61-38 percent in Nebraska.  In the Dorchester precinct, Romney beat Obama 56 percent to 42 percent.

In the race for U.S. Senate, Deb Fischer beat Bob Kerrey rather handily.  In Nebraska, Fischer won 58-42 percent, a wider than many in the media had expected.  In the Dorchester precinct, Fischer won 53-47 percent -- nearly exactly what the Dorchester Times survey showed a couple of days prior to the actual vote.  (Our Times poll showed voters favoring Fischer 53-46.)

It's Voting Time

Finally, Election Day 2012 is here. That means it is time for you -- the voter -- to decide who will lead our community, our school, our state and our country into the future.

Best of all, it means you won't hear or see any campaign advertising for a long while.

Here is our last-minute summary of the 2012 election as it impacts Dorchester and the rest of Nebraska.

National Election: We asked Dorchester area residents which issues mattered to them as they consider which presidential candidate they will vote for.  Here is what our sampling revealed.

Economy/Jobs -- 59%
U.S. Debt -- 56%
Tax Burden -- 29%
Energy Development -- 21%
Education -- 21%
National Security -- 16%
Social Issues -- 8%

U.S. Senate Race:  Following a poll conducted by the Dorchester Times, it appears Deb Fischer holds a clear lead among Dorchester-area voters in the race for U.S. Senate.  Our survey of readers showed Deb Fischer winning among area voters, 53% to 46% over Bob Kerrey.

Dorchester School Board:  For the three open positions on the Dorchester Public School Board of Education, the Times is endorsing: Mark Bors, Brad Havlat and Lindsey Zoubek.

Dorchester Village Board:  For the two open spots on the Dorchester Village Board, the Times is endorsing: Brandon Koll and Lyle Weber.

Be sure to vote tomorrow. Make your voice heard.
 

Dorchester's Spooky Spots

For years -- beginning back in 2007 -- the Times has showcased reports from other websites that claim Dorchester is home to haunted places.  We have always been skeptical, but since Halloween is here, here is an update on the latest reports about Dorchester's spooky spots.

Dorchester School Boiler Room:  Without a doubt, we can confirm that the boiler room of the 1927 Dorchester School building is no longer haunted, if it ever was.  The old school building was razed in mid-2008 to make room for the current DPS campus.  But when it existed, there were reports that in the late 1920s, a child "locked himself in the boiler room and died." According to several websites, school janitors in the modern era sometimes heard yells coming from the boiler room during the night -- and "when they went down into the boiler room, they didn't find anyone."

Gilbert's Graveyard:  The most famous of the Dorchester areas "haunted places," Gilbert's Graveyard continues to draw attention from inside and outside Saline County.  One of the latest reports on the old cemetery comes from a website called  "Hauntings," which features a "pre-haunt interview with the locals" in Dorchester.  The site recounts some of the history behind Gilbert's Graveyard and its namesake, using historical accounts published by the Dorchester Times and the 1981 Dorchester Centennial book.  As Hauntings reports, "a number of strange events have been reported here. Among them, strange noises and the movement of tombstones. ... Sadly, this location has been host to vandalism and disrespect for the dead. If you plan to visit this location, think on how you would want your remains and the stone markers of your final resting place treated."

The Hauntings website also features firsthand accounts from those who have visited the cemetery.  One visitor, named Chris, wrote: "The first trip we had made (to Gilbert's Graveyard) I ended up in tears; just the feeling of being there was enough to make you sick. We started to drive through the graveyard, and someone pointed at a tree that was knocked down over a grave, and when I looked over there I saw a black fog coming up from the grave, we decided to leave. As we left the graveyard, we looked over to the graveyard and about 9-plus flashing lights came up from the graveyard and seemed to follow us.  I was the driver and I looked in my rear view mirror to be horrified to see a older lady staring at me in the mirror, then scream and then i began to cry uncontrollably. I stepped on that gas and swore I would never return.  But consequently we did, and the second time it was more calmer then the first, not much happened except for hearing footsteps in the distant, and the feeling of you being followed closely."

Former "Squeaky Bridge":  According to GhostsOfAmerica.com, the site of the former ''squeaky bridge'' over Turkey Creek, south of Dorchester, is "extremely haunted" (County Rd. 1500 between county roads G and H). "According to legend several men were hanged on the bridge, which was closed and removed in the mid-1990s. However the ghosts still appear on a routine basis. They are transparent figures hanging by a noose right where the bridge once stood. Some have said the hanged men will occasionally look up and stare at observers."

Second Floor Above the Village Office:  According to GhostsOfAmerica.com, "there have been many reports of figures or shapes moving around in the second floor of the village office building."  The website claims to have a picture of the ghostly figure taken with a cell phone in 2009.

List Of Properties Facing Nov. 4 Cleanup Deadline

Our Oct. 18 story on how to handle negligent property owners created quite an stir, due mostly to the accompanying pictures of homes whose owners have received cleanup notices from the Dorchester Village Board. 

We removed the photos within 24 hours of the story's posting based on a collective decision by the Times staff.  But we believe this issue is critical to the future of Dorchester and  it deserves our readers' attention.  Also, we strongly support the actions of the Village Board and believe the actions are serving as a model for other smaller communities to follow.

Next week will be an important one in the process of Dorchester's property cleanup.  The Village Board voted Oct. 1 to declare several properties in town as nuisances, giving owners a month to improve their properties to meet the community standards.  The deadline for this action is Nov. 4.  

Next Monday, Nov. 5, the board will meet again and determine what actions to take to address those properties that have not been cleaned up adequately.

Because we believe the entire community should be involved in this process -- and that the town's quality of life is at stake -- we have decided to publish the list of properties that have received a cleanup notice and are required to meet the Nov. 4 deadline.  (Why are we doing this? See our June 2007 editorial, "Want Cleaner Neighbors? Try Peer Pressure.")

Please note that this information is already public and was included in the Village Board minutes.

PROPERTIES DECLARED PUBLIC NUISANCES BY THE VILLAGE BOARD:

1012 Jefferson

1008 Jefferson

1002 Jefferson

1009 Franklin

306 West 10th

1009 Jefferson

1009 Stephens

604 West 9th

913 Stephens

912 Stephens

208 West 9th

803 Washington

813 Franklin

809 Jefferson

600 West 9th

605 West 9th

703 Stephens - Lot 5

712 Stephens

713 Jefferson

705 Washington N 1/2