DHS Basketball Teams Prepare For Rival Bulldogs

Dorchester's boys and girls basketball ball teams are busy preparing for Tuesday's match-up with next door rival Friend.

The Longhorns will host the Bulldogs on Tuesday, Jan. 14, with the girls tipping off at 6:15 p.m. and the boys at 8 p.m.  There will also be a JV girls contest beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The Longhorn boys basketball team has continued to improve over the last couple of weeks, as the squad now sports a 3-5 record.  The DHS boys fell to Sterling 60-41 on Dec. 30 and to Lincoln's College View 40-36 on Tuesday.  But DHS defeated St. Edward 69-47 on Jan. 4.

Longhorn boys Coach Adrian Allen told the Friend Sentinel -- which provides good coverage of the DHS team -- his team has been playing well at times, but still needs to improve, especially on defense.  Riley Zahourek continues to be a top scorer for DHS, which is also getting very solid play from standouts Corey Bird, Kevin Donohoe and Derek Pohl.

Meanwhile, the Friend Lady Bulldogs will have a tougher hurdle at Dorchester than they may have been counting on a month ago.  The surging Lady Longhorns are now 3-6, as the young DHS team has won two consecutive games, beating  St. Edward 37-30 on Jan. 4 and pounding College View 41-13 this week.

We expect a large crowd for this home contest next Tuesday.

Crowd Expected At Monday's DPS Board Meeting; Fate Of Ball Teams Lingers

DHS boys basketball team, 1956-57

The proposed merger of the Dorchester and Milford high school basketball teams is getting a second look.

A public meeting by the Dorcheter School Board has been set for this evening, Jan. 13, and it is expected the basketball merger will be revisited.  There is some speculation that a school board member will make a motion to reconsider action taken last month.  

The public is encouraged to attend the 7 p.m. meeting at the school.

In December, the Dorchester Public School Board voted to ask Milford Public Schools to consider permitting a two-year co-op arrangement for girls and boys basketball, similar to what has already been done for football and wrestling. DPS school board members said the vote was hurried due to pending schedules for the 2014-15 basketball season.

A howl of protest followed the move.  An online survey conducted by the Dorchester Times found that of 100 respondents, more than 90% said the school board should rescind its December vote because they want to keep the basketball teams in Dorchester.

A large number of parents and perhaps current DHS basketball players are expected to attend Monday's meeting.

And based on the conversation heard within the school district, it won't just be parents of DPS students who will be attending the school board meeting.

DHS girls basketball team, 1976-77

Several members of the community said there is much concern over the proposed merger among district taxpayers who do not have children, or whose children graduated years ago.  

One rural reader, who children graduated from DHS in the 1980s, e-mailed the Times to say many retirees or near-retirees "worry that busing students to Milford unnecessarily is a waste of precious tax dollars" and "at a time when property taxes are already too high."

She continued by writing, "Busing kids for sports has nothing to do with Nebraska's constitutional guarantee to provide an education.  It sounds like some have limousine tastes despite a Yugo budget. It's not just current parents who pay taxes."

With that, dear readers, we leave you with a quote from Oprah Winfrey:

"Try to take every conflict, every experience, and learn from it. Life is never dull."

Dorchester Times Records More Than 2,000 Hits In 24 Hours

We have reached a new milestone.

Today, January 12, the Dorchester Times recorded more than 2,000 hits (page views) in a 24-hour span ending at 6 p.m.  This would be a notable feat for most any blog, much less one that keeps up with the news and events in a small community of around 600 people. 

In April 2007, the Dorchester Times went online for the first time.  At the time, the people who created the website -- none of whom are still with the Times' staff -- said their mission was to fill the void of communication between the area's residents, while updating former Dorchester area residents who no longer reside here. 

Over nearly seven years (minus a little time off in 2011), the Times has published news stories, event notices, taken polls, addressed important community issues and -- most importantly -- encouraged area residents to start becoming more engaged in their town and the quality of life it provides.  

Since 2007, the Times has recorded more than 1 million page views. The site is averaging more than 18,335 hits a month as of today.

While new venues have emerged over the years, such as Facebook and Twitter, our readers have stayed with us.  And Dorchester is better as a result.

To our loyal readers and commentators, we say thank you.  Long live Dorchester.

We've Ordered More Dorchester Bumper Stickers!

(UPDATE:  Our second supply of Dorchester stickers is gone!)

You loved these Dorchester bumper stickers, so our local printer has made more!

On New Year's Day, the Times offered readers these newly designed Dorchester bumper stickers, as pictured here.  But within a couple of days, our supply had been exhausted.  

One of our readers -- "David the Bohunk" -- wrote:  "Received mine today. They're pretty cool. Wish my car looked as good as the bumper sticker."

We sent stickers to readers in Dorchester, Crete, Wilber, Friend, Lincoln, Adams, Omaha and 14 states other than Nebraska.  

If you missed an opportunity to get your free Dorchester sticker the first time around, here's a second chance.  No charge for shipping or the sticker.  In return, we only ask that you apply these fantastic stickers on your automobile or somewhere else where they can be seen by many.  

To get your free Dorchester bumper sticker, send your name and mailing address to:  Dorchester.Times@gmail.com.  In the subject line, please type "bumper sticker."  

This offer is good until our new supply runs out.

Nearby Silo Collapses, Spills 2M Bushels Of Corn

What a mess 2 million bushels of spilled corn can make.  That's what our neighbors west of here, in Fairmont, have discovered firsthand.

In case you haven't yet heard, a corner of a new grain silo in Fairmont collapsed Tuesday afternoon.

The Lincoln Journal Star covered the story.  They quote Fairmont Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief Jeff Neiman as saying: “Well, it’s quite a mess. There were guys pretty close to the structure and they heard it rumble and they peeled out of there as quick as they could.”

Nobody was injured in the collapse, according to media reports. 

The collapse happened just before 5 p.m. Tuesday evening. Neiman and another firefighter went to make sure nobody was buried.

The elevator, opened eight months ago, can store 2 million bushels of grain in eight 150-foot silos.

POLL RESULTS: 91% Want Basketball Teams To Stay In Dorchester

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, 100 readers had taken the Times lastest online survey.  And the results are clear cut.

Exactly 91% of respondents said they wanted to keep the basketball teams in Dorchester; the remaining 9% were split between combining basketball teams with Milford (4 votes) or combining basketball teams with another school (5 votes).  

In December, the Dorchester Public School Board, somewhat unexpectedly and in expedited fashion, voted to ask Milford Public Schools allow a two-year co-op arrangement for girls and boys basketball. 

Nearly 90% of readers (88.66%) said the school board should rescind its December vote to merge basketball teams. 

A couple of weeks ago, this blog offered our opinion, writing that merging both basketball teams with Milford (or any other school) is unnecessary and unwise.  And we cited several reasons the school board should reconsider its decision. (See our editorial by clicking here.)

While this poll is unscientific, we did ask that only readers residing in the Dorchester school district (District No. 44) and/or who pay property taxes in the school district participate in the survey.  The survey closed at 5 p.m.

Here is a summary of the results:

Dorchester's Robert Kliment Passes At 74

Dorchester's Robert Kliment, 74, passed away Jan. 1, 2014.  

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 4, at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. 

Interment was at the Dorchester Cemetery.  

No other details are available at this time.

Memorials may be sent in care of the family. Condolences may be left at www.kunclfh.com.

Help Requested For Dorchester Native And Her Family

A fire in David City, Neb. on Christmas Eve destroyed the home of Dorchester native (Schlamann) and her children, Mikayla and David.  Elizabeth is the daughter of Jerry and Nancy Schlamann of Dorchester.

Her home was completely destroyed, along with all of the family's contents. They have received help from the Red Cross and the Ministerial Association of David City. 

Currently, the family is living in a furnished home. However, donations of furniture, clothing and other household items would help them get back on their feet. 

If you would like to donate any items -- or financial help -- please send to Jerry/Nancy Schlamann, P.O. Box 61, 908 Washington, Dorchester, NE 68343.  A donation account has been set up at Union Bank and Trust Co., David City branch, if you choose to donate directly.

Superbowl Ad To Be Filmed In Our Area; Grammy-Winning Artist To Perform

The Friend Sentinel is reporting Pepsi is preparing to shoot a commercial in Milligan.  (UPDATE: See other media stories here. And read about the Lee Brice concert here.)

The spot will be aired during the XLVIII Super Bowl broadcast.

Filming crews are already in Milligan, which is 25 minutes west-southwest of Dorchester. They have set up Pepsi machines and banners in town. 

According to the story published in the Sentinel, Pepsi officials said the reason they're shooting the ad in Milligan is because the community is half-way between LA and New York City.  (Hey, we thought Dorchester claimed that geographical honor.)

There will be a live concert outside of Evening With Friends at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 4. There also may be something after the concert as well.  

It has not been confirmed who will be performing at the concert, but news reports say it is a Grammy-Award-winning artist or group.  We just hope they brought their cold-weather clothes.  The temperature is expect to drop to 15 degrees by 6:30 p.m. Saturday, with Sunday's high reaching a balmy 12 degrees.

Give To The Dorchester Community Foundation Today

Do you want to make Dorchester an even better place? 

If one of your new year's resolutions is to improve the lives of your neighbors, why not join the Dorchester Community Foundation?

The Foundation and its fund have already spurred several community improvements, such as the city park renovation and the new "Welcome to Dorchester" signs, which are currently being erected.

You don't need to reside in Dorchester or even nearby to be a member of the Foundation.  This is a wonderful opportunity for Dorchester natives and DHS alumni to give back to the community that gave them a great start in life.  

Why not ensure that today's young people in Dorchester get the same great start you did? 

For information on joining the Foundation, contact Carol Olson (Colson@farmersco-operative.com) or Dale Hayek (dhayek@farmersco-operative.com). 

Membership is open to all.  Dues are $20 annually or $250 lifetime. Make checks payable to: Dorchester Community Foundation Fund, c/o Peg Bergmeyer, 101 Washington, Dorchester, NE 68343.

Historic Dorchester Home Still For Sale

Every now and again, one of Dorchester's truly unique, standout homes becomes available for purchase. That is the case currently with the Fermin Rediger home, located at the northwest corner of W. 11th and Franklin Ave. 

This home has been a showcase house since it was built at the turn of last century.  Best of all, it has always been very well maintained and has no issues, unlike some other historic homes.  

This home has been on the market for more than six months.  Frankly, we're extremely surprised it hasn't yet been sold, especially considering this is an amazing home that would be worth more than $300,000 in Lincoln or Omaha.  Moreover, an owner could rent one of the floors and make the rent pay the mortgage.

The home has features you won't find with today's cookie-cutter, slapped-up-in-a-week modern houses.  A wrap-around main porch on the second story. Pillars.  A garden concrete pond. Huge front patio.  Flower beds.  Brick landscaping.  A large lot with lots of privacy.

Added bonuses are the three large bedrooms and additional bath. The home also has vinyl siding, some replacement windows, new roof, new furnace and main floor central air. The property also has a garage and two storage sheds. 

The last we heard, the home has a $95,000 price tag -- which is just plain ridiculous, in our opinion. That's a bargain for such a grand residence.

Click here for more details on this amazing home and its listing.

Get Your Free Dorchester Bumper Sticker From The Times

(UPDATE: Our supply of Dorchester bumper stickers has been exhausted.  We gave stickers away to readers in Dorchester, Crete, Wilber, Friend, Lincoln, Adams, Omaha and 14 states other than Nebraska.  Enjoy!)  It's 2014! Start the new year the right way by displaying your Dorchester pride.

The Dorchester Times is offering our loyal readers these newly designed Dorchester bumper stickers, as pictured here.  And they're absolutely free.  

In return, we only ask that you apply these fantastic stickers on your automobile or somewhere else where they can be seen by many.  

To get your free Dorchester bumper sticker, send your full name and mailing address to:  Dorchester.Times@gmail.com.  In the subject line, please type "bumper sticker."  

This offer is limited until supplies run out.

One sticker per household, please.  Allow one to two weeks for delivery.  Hurry! Offer ends January 7, 2014. 

Happy 2014, Dorchester!

The Dorchester Times wishes all our friends, neighbors and readers a Happy New Year! 

We wish you all the very best for 2014. 

Let's use the new year to focus on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.  

Moreover, let's work with our neighbors and neighboring communities to ensure a brighter tomorrow for Dorchester and all of Saline County.  Remember, we will always be most content when we concentrate foremost on the well-being of others.

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

Thieves Steal Religious Figures From Dorchester Christmas Display

It seems the Grinch made his rounds in Dorchester this holiday season. 

We've heard reports that at least one Dorchester home -- that of Peg Bergmeyer -- was targeted by thieves in recent days.  

According to the report, figures representing Mary and Baby Jesus were stolen from the outdoor display last weekend.  Other homes may have been hit, as well.

If you are know who is responsible for this act, or you can offer clues to assist authorities in catching them, please call the Saline County Sheriff's Department at (402) 821-2111.

If you have video surveillance at your residence, please review the footage for suspicious activity.

Also, be on the lookout in case the thieves dumped the stolen property.  If you do spot it, please return it to its rightful owner.

Thompson Mansion Restored, Home To New Business

Restoration is nearing completion on one of Dorchester's most historic homes.

Over the past several months, Dorchester residents have likely seen progress being made on the old estate of Dorchester pioneer W.J. Thompson.  

The 3,000 sq. ft. home, built in 1901, sits on the corner of 10th and Lincoln Ave. and is an intriguing piece of Nebraska's past as it was the site of Dorchester's famous Elmwood Pony Farm.  (For those of you who aren't familiar, see our story on this historic home here.)

In 2007, the Times named the structure one of our favorite old homes in Dorchester, calling it "a diamond in the rough" with the potential to "be a crown jewel for the entire region."  The house was on the market just a few years ago.  (See what it looked like back then by clicking here.)

Now it is not only renovated, it's home to a new business owned by Julie and Joe Holly.  No details have been sent to the Times, and there's no signage in place yet, but we're told the mansion will house a spa and other business services.

The work done to the exterior of this historic Victorian mansion is remarkable. Restoring a beauty such of this is no easy task and we applaud the Hollys for taking on the project.  And we encourage local residents to patronize the Holly's new business.
  

Comments Coming In Regarding Support For Keeping B-Ball Teams In Dorchester

With all due respect, it appears the Dorchester Board of Education got this one wrong. 

In the six year-plus history of this online publication, we have always supported the tough decisions of our locally elected officials.  We vocally supported the school board's decision to build a new school and raise the money to pay for it.  We fervently backed the village board's decision to move forward with a plan to clean up neglected properties.  And we gave the thumbs up to the school board when they opted to ask Milford Public Schools to allow Dorchester boys to join their football and wrestling teams.

These decisions were made only after months or years of discussion and study.  They were demonstrations of sound judgement.  They reflected what the vast majority of residents wanted.

This past week, the DPS board, somewhat unexpectedly and in expedited fashion, voted to ask Milford Public Schools allow a two-year co-op arrangement for girls and boys basketball.  

DHS is enduring a cycle in which there is a smaller-than-usual number of boys in grades 9-12.  While participant numbers will be tight in future years, merging both basketball teams with Milford (or any other school) is unnecessary and unwise.  This is not like the situation facing the football program, where DHS students would be without a team if an alternative wasn't offered.  

The Dorchester school board should reconsider its latest decision, for several reasons:

1.)  School is still about academics.  Most of us on the Times staff participated in DHS athletics during our school days.  We get it -- athletics provide student athletes valuable lessons and instill pride.  They provide a lifetime of memories, even if 99% of our children never play beyond the high school or tiny college stage.  That said, it's still just a game.  Busing students to Milford unnecessarily (or parents opting to drive 10 or more miles to take their kids to another school) is a tremendously silly drain of time and taxpayer resources.  Just plain silly! DHS athletes will find themselves with considerably less time and energy to study and focus on schoolwork -- you know, the reason kids go to school in the first place? To make something of themselves? To be productive members of our society? So that they can get meaningful jobs and earn a decent living?

2.) Sports are still about the kids.  Here's a reminder for some of you: It's not about the number of wins and losses; it's about ensuring the maximum number of Dorchester boys and girls who want to play, get to play.  Period.  If you have five DHS boys who want to play, you field a team.  If they don't win a game all season, that's life in a small town -- and the ebb and flow of small school sports.  Five years later, your team may be playing in the Pinnacle Arena for the state championship.  In the meantime, don't deprive Dorchester kids the opportunity to wear their school colors and to represent the town in which they've been raised.  Treat your kids as you would have wanted to be treated when you were their age.  And remember: Lifelong lessons are learned even when you don't win all the time.

3.)  DPS athletics are still about representing Dorchester.  Some of our DPS parents have their loyalties all confused -- saying they prefer Milford, or Friend, or Crete, or Wilber.  Well, we prefer Dorchester.  And we bet your kids do, too.  As we said above, if we can field a basketball team, we should field it here at Dorchester Public School.  We should do everything we can to ensure that Dorchester kids who want to play get to wear the orange and black.  Communities smaller than Dorchester have united when such issues have arisen; we should not let DHS athletics -- a source of pride for generations -- be a dividing point.  Moreover, instead of threatening to enroll our child in another school, we should be teaching him the meaning of loyalty -- to classmates, to school, to hometown.  We should be teaching our child to play for something bigger than herself.

Again, this blog urges the Dorchester Board of Education to reconsider its request for an expanded co-op agreement, which would forfeit at least two seasons of DHS boys and girls basketball.  

We see little harm in waiting a year to re-evaluate the situation.  But we see potential long-term damage if this decision is rushed -- and if Dorchester boys and girls are unnecessarily deprived of the opportunity to wear the orange and black.