COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: An Idea For Main Street

The Times received the following letter from reader Laura Sysel regarding her business idea to help redevelop Dorchester's main street.
  
Today, we share it with the community and all who care about Dorchester's future:

Dear Dorchester Times:

I have considered contacting the Times before with my idea, but now that I noticed the story about the price reduction of the building that housed Ben's Iron Grill, I felt even more compelled to submit my idea.  I have considered the option of Ben’s building along with several others in town. What is holding me back is that I have an option on a house to move to my property in the country and financing.

I would be open to investors or a partner for an in-town property.  I have had a business idea for quite some time and would love it if you could promote it and see if there would be any interest in such a business among potential investors who want to get it off the ground.  

I was originally looking to have the business out in the country on my property, but with my desire to work with the youth of Dorchester, I feel it would be better suited to in town. With Dorchester Public School no longer offering a Home Economics program (or Family Consumer Science as they call it now), I would really like to gear the business to the youth of town to fill some of the void in our financial education.  I would welcome adults as well who want to learn new skills.  I have been wavering back and forth on location for this business.  Community support would make a huge difference.

Here is my multi-faceted business concept:

1.) The first would be rental based.  I would have cake pans and supplies as well as wedding/prom/party decorations.  Other things could also be added to the rental part.

2.) Teach cake decorating classes, as well as home canning and cooking.  I would be open to other individuals wanting to teach a skill like some of those offered through SCC.

3.) Have custom embroidery and sewing items for sale, as well as teaching anyone wanting to learn.

4.) Provide alteration services.

5.)  We would have handmade baby gifts, school based gifts, etc. for sale.  Other crafters in the area could sell their items, as well.

6.)  I would like to have an area for scrapbooking and supplies.  Also a space for classes and group meetings.

I have already talked to the bank about a loan. I have many of the supplies on hand already so there wouldn't be much more to attain.  I am currently working on writing the business plan so I may proceed with the loan application.

You are welcome to post any of this on the blog or contact me for more information.  Our youth really need other things to do then roam the streets and such.

Laura Sysel
(402) 580-8533
Laura.sysel@gmail.com

Swampland: 15 Inches In 15 Days -- Nearly 30 Inches Over 45 Days

For many in our area, the rains of the past 45 days have been inconvenient.  For others, they've been messy.  

And for many, they've been costly -- from flooded or washed out fields, to damaged homes and other properties.

Still no relief in sight, either.

UPDATED: As of 8 a.m. this morning, Dorchester had recorded 4" in town since 9 p.m. last night.  

Today's forecast calls for a chance of rain until 8 p.m. tonight.  Click here for the latest forecast and radar images, as well as warnings.

How much rain have we had lately? 

Depends on whose gauge you're checking -- but the Times' gauges show Dorchester has received 15 inches over the past 15 days.  

Enough to designate the area an official swamp.

Since May 1, Dorchester has seen approximately 29 inches.

Sign Up Now For Dorchester Times Breaking News

The Dorchester Times wants to do a better job of keeping our readers informed.  

If you'd like to receive occasional notices or breaking news from the Dorchester Times, send us an e-mail at our new address: dorchester.times@yahoo.com

Dating back to our founding in April 2007, we have sent occasional e-mail alerts to readers notifying them of the latest headlines at the Dorchester Times.

However, our e-mail contact list has become sadly outdated -- and Gmail now prohibits mass e-mails.

So by sending us an e-mail at dorchester.times@yahoo.com, you'll be sure to get on our notification list.  (We promise to limit updates to once every 10 days or so, once they begin again.)

Keep connected to Dorchester by reading the Dorchester Times.

Flag Retirement Ceremony Will Be Sunday Evening

Flag Day arrives this Sunday.

To mark this special day, the Dorchester American Legion, Post 264, will hold its annual Saline County flag retirement ceremony Sunday evening, June 14. 

The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., with a covered dish dinner following the services. 

All area residents are welcome and encouraged to attend this very patriotic event.

Plan on coming early and bring your unserviceable American flags.  

Hundreds of flags are expected to be retired.

For more information, call Larry Kaspar at (402) 946-6711 or Rich Kasl (402) 946-7651.

Torrential: Wet Weather Continues

We wish we could report better news regarding our weather, but the record rain continues.

Dorchester recorded 4.5 inches between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. this morning.  The Lincoln Airport recorded 3.02."

More rain is possible between 2 and 11 p.m. today.  See the forecast for our area here.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the Big Blue River near Crete was a foot above its 21-foot flood stage at about 1 a.m. Thursday, the weather service said.  Minor to moderate flooding was predicted.  The river was expected to rise to about 25 feet by early Friday morning.  Moderate flooding from the Big Blue river near Barneston also was predicted by the weather service. Lincoln Creek near Seward also was rising.

Saline County Emergency Management coordinator B. J. Fictum says drivers are urged to stay away from water-covered roads for their safety.

"The road guys are starting to run out of barricades," Fictum said. "That's not a good thing."

Officials were watching the west fork of the Big Blue River closely and the main channel of the river, he said. A gauge at Crete showed the Big Blue River at 23 feet Thursday morning, which is about 2 feet above its flood stage.

Turkey Creek is also coming up, Fictum said, and will remain high through the weekend as water moves downstream from Fillmore County.

Former Joe's Place Owner Dwayne Schmale Passes At 78

Dwayne J. Schmale, 78, formerly of Dorchester, passed away in Friend on Saturday, June 6, 2015. He was born on December 5, 1936 in Beatrice to Emil amd Mary (Otto) Schmale. Dwayne and his wife, Sharon, were the former owners and operators of Joes Place in Dorchester.

In 1984, Dwayne purchased the bar from his father-in-law, Joe Ladman, who passed away in 2009. Dwayne and Sharon continued to work there for another two decades.

Sharon passed away Feb. 23 of this year at the age of 74.

Schmale also served on the Dorchester Village Board.  In 2008, he was selected as chairman of the board.

Dwayne's survivors include his son, Jeff (Nicki) Schmale of Crete; step-sons, Tim (Judy) Barker of Lincoln, Tom Barker and his son, Eli, of Loveland, Colo.; step-daughter, Pam Barker of Lincoln; grandsons, Joseph (Beth) Peterson and family of Omaha, Stephen (Jill) Brindley and family of Phoenix; sister, Loretta (Robert) Powell of Beatrice; nephews, Tim Schmale of Florida, Alan Murdock of Beatrice, Doug Murdock of Marysville, Kan.; niece, Kim Hackbarth of Beatrice; one great niece and several great nephews. Dwayne is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Schmale; parents and brother, Richard Schmale.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, June 10, at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.  Burial will be at Dorchester Cemetery. Visitation is be 5-8 p.m. tonight at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Memorials are suggested to the Dorchester Legion.

Grants Available Help Repair Housing For Low Income Residents

Nebraska USDA Rural Development announces that USDA is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents. The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grant program.

USDA provides grants to qualified organizations so they can help rural homeowners and rental housing owners make needed repairs and improvements to their housing infrastructure. Grants can be used for a variety of needs, such as repairs to resolve health or safety issues or for energy-efficiency improvements to reduce utility costs.

Eligible applicants for Housing Preservation Grants (HPG) include town or county governments, public agencies, and non-profit and faith-based organizations. USDA does not provide funding directly to homeowners under this program. 

Pre-applications are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 6, 2015. Visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/housing-preservation-grants/ne for pre-applications.

For HPG information in Nebraska, contact Multi Family Housing Specialist Sharon Kluck at 402-437-5035 or Sharon.kluck@ne.usda.gov.

Hromek-Kerby Wedding Held Saturday In Dorchester

Wedding bells were ringing in south Dorchester yesterday.

And fortunately, the rain held off.

Bill and Teri Hromek, formerly of Dorchester, recently announced the June 6 wedding of their son Jordan, a 2003 DHS alum, and his bride Amanda Kerby.

The two were married June 6 at the family home in Dorchester, now the residence of Chad and Jessica Tuttle.

A reception was held at Tabor Hall.

Congrats to the newlyweds!

Pray For No More Rain: Storms Expected Today Through Sunday

Turkey Creek near Dorchester (Photo by Amanda Nohavec)

Pray for no more rain.

The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting that with more rain on the way Saturday night, residents and landowners along the West Fork of the Big Blue River in southern York and northern Fillmore counties were preparing for the worst flooding in 50 years.

The crest of the West Fork of the Big Blue River was expected to reach the town of McCool Junction on Saturday evening.  To the west, near Stockham in Hamilton County, landowners reported water on the West Fork of the Big Blue was the highest they'd seen in 80 years.

Our surrounding area has seen as much as 7 inches of rain since Wednesday.  In Dorchester, we've received around 6" since mid-week.  This is on top of a record-setting May, where parts of Saline County saw better than 14" over 31 days.

Elsewhere, U.S. 136 remains closed in west Beatrice due to flooding along the Big Blue River. The Big Blue in Beatrice was nearly 7 feet above its 18.0-foot flood stage on Saturday morning.

Flood warnings were up for the Big Blue from Crete to Barneston, the West Fork of the Big Blue to Dorchester, the Little Blue at Fairbury, the Big Nemaha at Falls City, Turkey Creek at Wilber and the Missouri at Rulo.

The chance of rain returns Saturday afternoon and evening, with severe weather possible. Large hail and damaging winds are the main threat, with the areas of Columbus, Norfolk and South Sioux City in the target area for severe weather.

In Dorchester, there's a 30-50% chance of rain or thunderstorms after 2 p.m., with rain 80-90% likely Saturday evening into Sunday morning.

Random Thoughts: Village Employee, Semi's, And Business District

Some random thoughts from the Dorchester Times...

• VILLAGE EMPLOYEE'S RESIGNATION:  We've received more than one e-mail from readers who are concerned by the loss of John Bruha, the village's maintenance technician.  Bruha appeared to us to be an ambitious, competent, responsive and hard-working staff member who always put the taxpayer interests first. We're not privy to the behind-the-scenes information, but we think the town board -- which lost a member of its own this week due to a resignation -- should attempt to get Bruha back on staff, whatever it takes.  

• SEMI'S ON MAIN STREET: We are beyond grateful that the Farmers Cooperative is in Dorchester.  It's a major employer and the pulse of Dorchester's business community.  But do we really need fully loaded semi-trucks rolling through town on Dorchester's main street? We've seen it all too often. There are multiple ways to get to the elevator without using Dorchester's main street, which is already showing serious signs of wear.  One study shows that a fully loaded 18-wheeler causes road damage that is equivalent to 9,600 cars. Semi drivers should have enough common sense to use the highways and crushed rock streets.  If they don't, a village ordinance is in order.

• BUSINESS DISTRICT: Maybe its due to the construction on main street, but we can't help but notice that our village's business district is looking rough.  There's no way to soften our assessment.  The old East Side Tavern/Last Call/Ben's Iron Grill building is still for sale.  The old Sehnert Garage continues to show its wear.  The former telephone building/Guggenmos Insurance Co./Snip 'N Curl beauty salon continues to deteriorate.  And much of the west side of main street is in disrepair.  Let's be sure to support those downtown businesses that maintain their properties and are making a commitment to Dorchester -- including City Slickers Bar and Grill, Donna's Hair Creations, Tyser Repair and Auto Sales, Barley Specialties, and First State Bank.

Flood Warnings In Effect

Severe weather is in the forecast for Dorchester and the surrounding area, as flood warnings have been issued for Saline County.  Here's the official alert from the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR...
SALINE COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA...
JEFFERSON COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA...

* UNTIL NOON CDT

* AT 855 AM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED FLOODING OF
ROADS...SMALL STREAMS AND LOW WATER CROSSINGS ACROSS MUCH OF
SALINE AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES. HEAVY RAIN FROM OVERNIGHT AND EARLY
MORNING THUNDERSTORMS HAD PRODUCED WIDESPREAD 2 TO 3 INCH RAIN
AMOUNTS IN THE FLOOD WARNING AREA...WITH SOME REPORTS OF OVER 5
INCHES OF RAIN.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...
CRETE...FAIRBURY...WILBER...FRIEND...DORCHESTER...DE WITT...
PLYMOUTH...DILLER...WESTERN...DAYKIN...ENDICOTT...JANSEN...
TOBIAS...SWANTON...REYNOLDS...HARBINE...CAMP JEFFERSON...CRYSTAL
SPRINGS CAMPGROUND...WILLARD MEYER RECREATION AREA AND CUB CREEK
RECREATIONAL AREA.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING STREAMS AND DRAINAGES...BRUSH CREEK...
SILVER CREEK...LITTLE BLUE RIVER TRIBUTARY...TURKEY CREEK
TRIBUTARY...NORTH FORK SWAN CREEK TRIBUTARY...ELM CREEK...BIG SANDY
CREEK...ROSE CREEK TRIBUTARY...BIG BLUE RIVER TRIBUTARY...BRAWNER
CREEK...BUCKLEY CREEK...LITTLE BLUR RIVER TRIBUTARY...LITTLE SANDY
CREEK TRIBUTARY...ROCK CREEK...LITTLE BLUE RIVER...BIG INDIAN CREEK
TRIBUTARY...ROSE CREEK...NORTH FORK SWAN CREEK...OLIVE BRANCH...SOUTH
FORK JOHNSON CREEK...CUB CREEK TRIBUTARY...SPRING CREEK...COON
CREEK...SOUTH FORK SWAN CREEK...SWAN CREEK TRIBUTARY...WHISKY RUN...
DRY CREEK...WALNUT CREEK...DRY BRANCH AND LITTLE SANDY CREEK.

Stay tuned to the Dorchester Times for weather updates.  

Check here for warnings.  

Check here for the radar.  

And check here for the hourly forecast.

Developing...

Job Openings: Farmers Cooperative Now Hiring

Need a job?

Dorchester-based Farmers Cooperative is hiring.

One of Nebraska's largest ag cooperatives, Farmers Cooperative currently has two open positions in Dorchester, according to the company's human resources department. 

Farmers Cooperative has over 40 locations across southeast Nebraska and Kansas.  

Benefits include but are not limited to health care, retirement, paid vacation, clothing allowance, personal time off and an annual discretionary bonus plan.

One position at Farmers Cooperative's Dorchester headquarters is a full-time opening for a custom applicator. An applicator's license is required.

The other opening in Dorchester is a part-time job as a courier.

All applications should be sent to Jeff Adams in Dorchester by e-mailing Jadams@farmersco-operative.com

See other openings for Farmers Cooperative by clicking here.  

Report: Alumni Golf Tourney Boasts More Than 125 Participants

 DHS alums sported the school colors.

On Saturday, May 30, the second annual Dorchester High School Alumni Golf Tournament was held at Friend Country Club.  

According to a report e-mailed to the Dorchester Times, more than 125 alumni took part in this event.

Proceeds from the tourney will be going to the DHS athletic department, we are told.

The event was a four-man scramble tournament with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

There were several pin prizes, including the shortest drive. (One source tells us this less-than-prestigious prize was won by Matt Carroll.)

Morning golfers had to face stiff north winds and temperatures that hovered between 45 and 50 degrees.  Afternoon golfers saw plenty of sun and mild conditions.

We've asked more than a dozen who were involved in the tournament which team won the tournament.  

All reports indicated the tourney champ was last year's championship squad comprised of John Weber (1988), Vaughn Drake (1984), Lonny Drake (1991) and Joel Weber (1991).  

No official word just yet.

Developing...

REMINDER: June 1 Is Deadline To Report Items For Dorchester Legion Auction

In an effort to keep the Dorchester American Legion, Post 264 functioning and located at its current location on main street, Legion members have decided to hold the first annual Dorchester American Legion Outdoor Sportsman Consignment Auction.

The auction will be held Saturday, July 4, 2015 on Dorchester's main street and at the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department, according to an e-mail sent to us.  

For free advertising, have your consignments listed by June 1 by calling Tom Cerny, Post 264 commander, at (402) 381-8049 or thomas.cerny00@gmail.com -- or contact the other volunteers listed on the sale bill or contact Novak Auction Service at (402) 641-7213 to give them the information directly.

See the official sale bill for the auction by clicking here.  Novak Auction Service is donating their services for this worthwhile cause, we are told.

According to our information, the auction is intended for hunters, gun collectors, campers, hikers, fishers, outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, and others.

Anyone interested in selling his/her guns, rifles, hunting gear, tents, ammo, archery, fishing equipment, ATVs, campers, boats or other outdoor sporting goods will be able to sell their items at this auction, which will be part of Dorchester's Independence Day celebration, we are told. 

The seller of each item will keep almost all of the profit from the auction, but the Legion will be given a small percentage of the winning bid to help fund its activities and clubhouse.  

13" Of Rain Fell On Parts Of Saline County This Month

The news wires are reporting that Lincoln is about to set a new record for rainfall during the month of May.

Showers this past weekend pushed Lincoln's rainfall total for the month to 10.68 inches. The city's record rainfall for May is 10.72 inches in 1903.

Here in Saline County, we've set some wet-weather records of our own. Here are the rainfall totals Saline County from May 1 through today, May 26.

• Wilber (4.1 west of town) ........... 12.72"
• Western (1.2 SE) ...................... 12.24"
• Tobias (4.7 SSW ) ...................... 12.05"
• Swanton (1.3 SSW) .................... 12.04"
• Western (4.4 NNE) .................... 11.66"
• Tobias (1.8 E) .......................... 11.42"
• DeWitt (0.3 WNW) ..................... 10.82"
• Milford (5.9 SSE) .......................  9.16"
• Dorchester (2.1 NW) ................... 8.69"
• Friend (3.4 E) ........................... 7.18"

And there's more wet weather in sight, with rain predicted for Dorchester on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Memorial Day Services Monday, 10 A.M. And 11 A.M.

Do not forget the reason behind the holiday.

Many of us are welcoming the unofficial start of the summer season this weekend.  Some of us choose to hit the lakes, camp, play ball, grill, or just relax with friends and family.  

But we should all take a significant amount of time tomorrow to  pay homage to the true meaning of this holiday weekend.

The Dorchester American Legion's Veterans Memorial program is a tradition in our area that we are proud to honor. It is a heartfelt tribute to our military heroes -- past and present -- so many of whom sacrificed their lives for freedom and to protect our country.
 
The Dorchester Legion's ceremonies will be held Monday morning, May 26 -- 10 a.m. at the Dorchester Cemetery, followed by an 11 a.m. service at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. 

Ceremonies will be conducted by Dorchester Legion Post 264. Lunch follows services at Dorchester Legion Hall.

Why not attend and show your appreciation for the sacrifices that have secured your freedoms and quality of life as an American?