CONFIRMED: Water Park/Splash Pad Planned For Dorchester

Apparently the news is true. 

Earlier this year, the Times reported that one of our staffers had caught wind of possible plans for a water park for downtown Dorchester. 

Through e-mail communication, this blog has confirmed there have indeed been detailed discussions and plans to pursue such a project, which would be located in Dorchester's City Park.  This would certainly be an entertainment boon for area children and families if the project becomes reality.  

We are told the Village Board has officially given the project its blessing, and that a large private fundraising effort will need to be undertaken by the Dorchester Community Foundation through donations.

Sources tell the Dorchester Times that plans call for a large splash pad-type facility. 

According to several websites we saw, a splash pad has little standing water. Therefore there is no need for lifeguards. Typically there are ground nozzles that spray water upwards out of the splash pad. Typically, there are also many other water features such as a rainbow (semicircular pipe shower) or a tree shower. 

Some splash pads feature movable nozzles similar to those found on fire trucks to allow users to spray others.  The showers and ground nozzles are often controlled by a hand activated-motion sensor, to run for limited time. These splash pads are often surfaced in textured non-slip concrete or in crumb rubber.

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Our Prediction For First Hard Frost Is Still On Track

Way back on Sept. 22, this blog predicted that the first hard, killing frost wouldn't hit Saline County until Nov. 10, 11, or 12.  

We hate to brag, but it appears we're going to be right.  In fact, some long-range forecasts don't have a killing frost (below 30 or 29 degrees) until Nov. 19 or later!

The prolonged heat and humidity wave that has hit Saline County -- and much of the rest of southeast Nebraska -- throughout the autumn has been a bit surprising. And it has the insects, snakes and rodents -- as well as vegetation -- loving it.

If our prediction holds true, it will set a record for the latest first frost ever recorded in our area.  

The current record for latest first frost for our area is Nov. 7, 1956, as some of our readers might recall.  (Note: The first frost record for Omaha is even later, occurring on Nov. 13, 1915.)

As a point of reference, the average first frost date for our area is Oct. 12.

The Winners: Dorchester's Best Halloween Decorations

October has come and gone, just like that. Luckily, the pleasantly warm weather has made this month one to remember. 

Take a stroll through our town of Dorchester, vibrant with its colors, and you will find some creative autumn decorations and Halloween displays.  

In fact, several residents have commented at the number and quality of this year's autumn and Halloween season displays in town.

Since today is Halloween, we are naming the best decorated homes inside Dorchester's village limits. 

They are:

• First Place: 812 Washington Ave. (Main Street)
• Second Place: 813 Stephens St.
• Third Place: 505 W. 9th St.

• Honorable Mention: 207 E 9th St.
• Honorable Mention: 810 Sumner St.
• Honorable Mention: 1102 Stephens St.

Our favorite Halloween display is actually two miles north of town on Highway 6.  If you have not yet seen this fantastic display, including the items on the roof, you definitely should on this Halloween night.

To all our readers, Happy Halloween.

SPORTS ROUNDUP: Longhorn Volleyball Team Heads To Districts

DHS Volleyball Will Begin District Play Monday: It's win-or-go-home time in high school sports.The Dorchester volleyball team (13-15) has completed its regular season and now heads to district play against some stout competition.  Tomorrow (Monday, Oct. 31), DHS will compete at the D2-1 district competition at Freeman High School in Adams, squaring off against Falls City Sacred Heart (20-10) at 6:15 p.m.  Also in the D2-1 district tournament is Exeter-Milligan (23-4), which is considered the favorite to win by the sportswriters at the Lincoln and Omaha newspapers.  Tuesday's district final will be at 7 p.m.

Student Passes Now Available For DHS Basketball: It's an idea whose time has come. This year, Dorchester Schools will be offering K-12 students the opportunity to purchase student passes for admission into all the home basketball games. The cost of a pass is $25 per student. There are ten nights in which DPS will host home basketball games, so this would be a $15 savings. DPS administrators are experimenting with the pass this season and may in the future offer adult or family passes for athletic seasons. Passes may be purchased in the office.  

NEWS ROUNDUP: FBLA To Host Holiday Vendor Event At School Gyms, Nov. 27

Here is what's trending right now in the village:

Dorchester FBLA Hosting Holiday Vendor Gathering, Nov. 27: Dorchester's Future Business Leaders of America chapter will be hosting a Holiday Vendor Extravaganza in the high school gyms on Nov. 27, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The event is intended to raise money for Longhorn students who attend the National FBLA Conference. If you know of vendors, craft booths, or businesses that would like to advertise for the holiday season, please have them contact the school at 402-946-2781. The word is there are already 30 vendors for this huge event.  To purchase a booth space for your business, organization or craft, e-mail Mrs. Lewis at klewis@dorchesterschool.org.

Dorchester Business Directory Now Online: Need a list of Dorchester businesses and their contact information? It's all available now by clicking here.  The list is part of the Village of Dorchester's official site.  Support Dorchester's small businesses today.

Dorchester FBLA And EPAC Halloween Party Is This Saturday:  The Dorchester High School FBLA and Dorchester's Elementary Parents Advisory Committee (EPAC) is planing a Halloween party for this Saturday, Oct. 29, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Hayrack rides, a haunted hallway and games and snacks are just some of the fun awaiting those who are brave enough to attend.  For questions or to volunteer, contact Amanda Cerny or the school at (402) 946-2781.  EPAC is overseen by parents and the school to help DPS teachers and students with classroom supplies, while also advancing the academic pursuits of Dorchester's elementary students. 

Dorchester Establishments To Hold Halloween Parties This Saturday:  This Saturday may be a crazy, scary one on main street Dorchester.  City Slickers (formerly known as Joe's Place) will have a Halloween party "filled with plenty of food, fun and, of course, drinks. Costume contest with cash prizes, as well as drawings for City Slickers gift certificates and giveaways all night. The band 300 Proof will be rockin' the house."  Also on Saturday evening, another Halloween party will be taking place across the street -- at Dorchester's newest establishment, Big T's BBQ Pit Stop.  We're told there will be food and drink specials all day, along with a costume contest and games starting at 9 p.m. with raffle drawings throughout the night.

DHS Volleyball: Longhorns Enter Final Stretch Of 2016 Volleyball Season

It all comes down to this.

Dorchester's volleyball squad is now in its final chapter of the 2016 season, with the last games of the regular season taking place this week.

Next week, sub-districts begin.

The Lady Longhorns, which are currently 12-14, will host Tri-County on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in the season's last game at the DHS gymnasium.

DHS will then wrap up the regular season Friday, Oct. 28, at Nebraska Lutheran in Waco.

The Lady Longhorns are under fourth-year head coach Ty Peteranetz and are led by a group of six seniors.

Fans are rooting for the Orange and Black Attack.

DORCHESTER VOLLEYBALL 2016
Record 13-15

09/01/16 Palmyra -- LOST
09/01/16 Weeping Water -- WON
09/06/16 Parkview Christian --WON
09/06/16 College View Academy -- WON
09/08/16 Giltner -- WON
09/08/16 Hampton -- LOST
09/15/16 @ Friend -- LOST
09/17-09/17 BDS Tournament -- WON, LOST
09/20/16 Osceola -- LOST
09/22/16 Shelby/Rising City -- LOST
09/22/16 High Plains Community -- WON
09/24/16 Omaha Christian Academy -- WON

09/24/16 Nebraska Lutheran -- LOST
09/24/16 Parkview Christian -- WON
09/27/16 Sterling -- WON
09/29/16 Meridian -- LOST
09/29/16 Diller-Odell -- LOST
10/06/16 Cross County -- LOST
10/06/16 Exeter-Milligan -- LOST
10/11/16 McCool Junction -- WON
10/11/16 BDS  -- LOST
10/15 Nebraska Lutheran -- LOST (Crossroads Conference Tournament)
10/19 Giltner -- LOST (CRC Tournament) 
10/20/16 East Butler -- WON (Homecoming)
10/25/16 Tri County -- WON
10/28/16 @ Nebraska Lutheran -- LOST

Little Tavern Band Is Headlining Oct. 23 Polka Dance At Dorchester Legion

Are you ready for polka? It's that time again.

Back by popular demand, the Dorchester American Legion this coming Sunday, Oct. 23, will once again host a polka dance at the Legion Hall.

The Little Tavern Band will be putting on quite the show, according to information received by the Times.  

Sunday's event will kick off at 3 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. (or later if the rowdies demand it). Come dance to your favorite polka, waltz or fox trot; or just sit and listen to the Little Tavern Band.

Only a $5 cover charge and the Dorchester Legion kitchen will be open. 

Chicken baskets will be served, so plan to have dinner at the Legion.

Free-will donations will be accepted. Proceeds will go to the Dorchester American Legion.

We're also told another polka party is set for Saturday, Nov. 12, at City Slickers Bar and Grill.  That's when Angie Kriz and the Polka Toons will be in town from 5-9 p.m.

And here's a little trivia: Polka originated as a Czech peasant dance. Historic folklore has it that a peasant girl named Anna Slezak invented the steps one day for her own amusement.  The word “pulka” is derived from the Czech phrase for “half-step,” which refers to the dance pattern of lightly stepping from one foot to the other.

DPS Receives Memorial From Margaret Rasmussen Family

Dean and Dale Rasmussen, both proud graduates of Dorchester, recently presented an $800 check to the Dorchester Public School Board of Education.  

The money was given in memory of their mother, Margaret Rasmussen, who was a fourth grade teacher at Dorchester for more than three decades.  

The money will go towards purchasing books for the classroom and library.  The books will be especially geared toward Nebraska history, which Margaret was so fond of teaching.  

Many area parents and grandparents were students of Mrs. Rasmussen and will remember the Nebraska history classes she taught.  With this gift, their children and grandchildren will experience the love of reading about the pioneers who built our great state. 

Rasmussen, who celebrated her 100th birthday in August 2015 at an open house in Dorchester, passed away in August, one day short of her 101st birthday.  

Her first year with Dorchester Schools was 1961.  She retired in May 1993, closing the books on a 52-year teaching career.

Homecoming Pep Rally Is 6 P.M. Tonight At City Park

It's homecoming week at Dorchester Public School, and orange and black pride is running strong!

Tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 19, there will be a homecoming pep rally and hamburger feed.  The rally will help prepare the DHS volleyball team for its contest Thursday evening, when the Lady Longhorns take on East Butler at the DHS gym. 

Tonight's pep rally and dinner begin at 6:30 p.m. at the City Park.

All Dorchester residents and district patrons are encouraged to attend.

DHS Booster Club members are asked to bring two dozen individually wrapped desserts to the park by 6:15.  

Lead volunteers will be at the park around 5:15 p.m. to set up, for those interested in helping. 

Go Big D!

Gold Fever Struck Our Area In October 1895

"Is there gold in them thar plains?"

Around 121 years ago this month, believe it or not, there was a gold rush in the Dorchester area. 

The Oct. 7, 1895 edition of The New York Times reported: "A raging gold fever has settled down on this section of country over a startling discovery" of gold just north of Dorchester and south of Milford on the Blue River.

Back then, it was a discovery that caught the attention of gold prospectors from as far away as Denver.

According to The Times, the primary source of speculation was a Blue River area gravel pit a few miles Milford, which was said to be "rich in gold dust." 

The gravel pit had been used by Burlington Railway in the construction and upgrade of its rail system.

The New York Times noted that there was "great excitement in the vicinity of the reputed find" and that speculation was active. 

See The New York Times' 1895 article by clicking here.

Feel like looking for gold in Nebraska?

Gold in Nebraska comes from two primary sources, according to the experts. To the west, rivers draining rich gold ground in Colorado and Wyoming enter the state, carrying small amounts of very fine gold particles. To the east, receding glaciers that once covered much of the Midwest deposited small amounts of gold, which included a small part of Nebraska in the far eastern edge of the state. Gold has reportedly been found in the Little and Big Nemaha Rivers, and could likely be found in many of the tributaries as well. The Blue River (including the fork just north of Dorchester) and Missouri Rivers  are also worth trying, the experts say.

If panning for gold or searching sandbars on a river isn't your thing, maybe search these sites in Nebraska for hidden gold treasures. Be sure to pay special attention to old outhouses!

NEWS ROUNDUP: Homecoming Week At DHS; Halloween Parties Set For Oct. 29

Here is what's trending in Dorchester right now...

DHS Celebrates Homecoming Week: This week, Oct. 17-21, is homecoming week at Dorchester High School.  This means this is the traditional Spirit Week, complete with dress-up days and themes for students.  Spirit week will consisted of: Decades Days (Oldies Day); Tourist/Safari Day; Animation Day; Olympic Day; and Orange and Black or Throwback.  On Thursday evening, Oct. 20, the DHS volleyball team will take on East Butler at the DHS gym.  On Friday, there will be an elementary excellence rally, also at the DHS gym.

Dorchester FBLA And EPAC Halloween Party Is Oct. 29:  The Dorchester High School FBLA and Dorchester's Elementary Parents Advisory Committee (EPAC) is planing a Halloween party for Saturday, Oct. 29, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Hayrack rides, a haunted hallway and games and snacks are just some of the fun awaiting those who are brave enough to attend.  For questions or to volunteer, contact Amanda Cerny or the school at (402) 946-2781.  EPAC is overseen by parents and the school to help DPS teachers and students with classroom supplies, while also advancing the academic pursuits of Dorchester's elementary students. 

Dorchester Establishments To Hold Halloween Parties Oct. 29: A couple Saturdays from now might be a crazy, scary one on Main Street Dorchester.  City Slickers (formerly known as Joe's Place) has announced its Halloween Party will be Oct. 29.  The owners of City Slickers are promising a night "filled with plenty of food, fun and, of course, drinks! Costume contest with cash prizes, as well as drawings for City Slickers gift certificates and giveaways all night. The band 300 Proof will be rockin' the house!"  Also on Oct. 29, another Halloween party will be taking place across the street -- at Dorchester's newest establishment, Big T's BBQ Pit Stop.  We're told there will be food and drink specials all day, along with a costume contest and games starting at 9 p.m. with raffle drawings throughout the night.

Huskers.com Spotlights Inspiring Story Of Saline County's Tanner Zlab

Wilber's Tanner Zlab (far right) with Sam Foltz and Sam Hahn. 

"To anyone who’s ever thought of quitting, whether in sports, music, drama, careers or even relationships, please know and understand the Tanner Zlab story."

That's a line from a story at Huskers.com spotlighting Tanner Zlab, a 2012 graduate of Wilber-Clatonia High School, where he was a standout in Class C2 football.

There are several lessons to be gleaned from Zlab's journey to becoming a Nebraska Cornhusker football player.

We were so impressed by this guy's determination we wanted to share it with the readers of the Dorchester Times.  

Be forewarned: Zlab's story is inspiring -- from losing his dad to cancer at age 6; to being rejected multiple times as a NU walk-on; to his transfer from Doane College to SCC-Beatrice; to his friendship with NU players Sam Foltz and Sam Hahn (of DeWitt); to his ability to fly small airplanes at a young age; to his eventual reward of earning a spot on the NU roster under Coach Riley after four attempts and going into his senior year of college. 

“It says a lot about him as a person, his character,” said Kenny Wilhite, a former NU player and current recruiter for the Huskers. “Some kids would just say, ‘OK, I’m not good enough.’ He always thought he was good enough to have some role on this team. He was persistent about it. The kid has a heart of a lion. I admire the kid. That’s why I always pushed to get him on the roster."

Wilhite went on to say that Zlab "exemplifies what Nebraska high school kids are. They’re tough, they’re hard-nosed, they’re hard-working. Most of them are from farm communities and they farm growing up. It instills hard work in them from day one.”

By the way, Zlab is no slouch in the classroom, either. He holds a 3.762 GPA and will graduate in December with a double major in agronomy, and fisheries and wildlife.

From his goal setting, to his work ethic, to his willingness to pay his dues, Tanner Zlab is the kind of guy the world needs more of. We hope he will stick around Saline County after graduation to ensure our corner of the world remains the special place it is.

See the full story here.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Halloween Parties Set For Oct. 29

Dorchester Establishments To Hold Halloween Parties Oct. 29: A couple Saturdays from now might be a crazy, scary one on Main Street Dorchester.  City Slickers (formerly known as Joe's Place) has announced its Halloween Party will be Oct. 29.  The owners of City Slickers are promising a night "filled with plenty of food, fun and, of course, drinks! Costume contest with cash prizes, as well as drawings for City Slickers gift certificates and giveaways all night. The band 300 Proof will be rockin' the house!"  Also on Oct. 29, another Halloween party will be taking place across the street -- at Dorchester's newest establishment, Big T's BBQ Pit Stop.  We're told there will be food and drink specials all day, along with a costume contest and games starting at 9 p.m. with raffle drawings throughout the night.

Roll-Off Dumpster Available For Dorchester Residents This Saturday: The Village of Dorchester has ordered a roll-off dumpster for the dump site for this Saturday, Oct. 15.  No hazardous items such as wet paint or chemicals. Acceptable items are wood, mattresses, furniture, carpet, etc. Ben's Iron Salvage will provide a trailer for wet cell batteries and any appliances. If you're cleaning up your property -- or just getting rid of clutter -- take advantage of this free service. And tell your neighbors, too.

Who Gets State Aid In Saline County?: Roughly $13.5 million in state aid funding went to Saline County last fiscal year, according to the state Revenue Department.  Of that amount, nearly $10 million went to Saline County school districts.  Among school districts, Crete took in nearly $9 million in state aid dollars.  Wilber-Clatonia School was second with more than $560,000; Friend School was third with $231,710, and Dorchester School was fourth at $193,482.  Among city governments, Crete received nearly $1.2 million in state aid, followed by Wilber at $318,017; Friend at $170,376; DeWitt at $98,378; and Dorchester at $75,550.  Western, Tobias and Swanton received around $105,000 combined.  The Saline County government received $1.6 million in state aid.

Just Listed: Country Acreage SW Of Dorchester

The Dorchester area and school district have a lot going for them -- especially if you prefer living in a safe, friendly and affordable community that has much potential for the future.  Among the features is a new K-12 school with some of the state's best educators. 

Moreover, Dorchester Public School has no debt and one of the lowest school tax levy in the county -- and one of the lower property rates in southeast Nebraska.

However, one challenge facing Dorchester is available housing.  We often hear from many readers who say they would like to move to the Dorchester area, if only homes were available.

Today, we are showcasing the latest Dorchester area home available right now.

If you're ready to call the Dorchester area home, we encourage you to take a look and make an offer.  Make Dorchester your home and enjoy a great small-town way of life.

988 County Road I: Built in 2016! A slice of heaven on over six acres. Located approximately 35 miles from Lincoln, this partially fenced and tree-lined multi-acre parcel is what we all have wanted! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath area ranch home is nearly brand new and sits on a 4' deep crawl space with a concrete floor all built/installed in 2016! There are numerous outbuildings that line the property, including a brand new 36'x36' Cleary building/garage with 12'x12' roll-up door and 5 thick cement floor along with many other utility/storage buildings.  Click here for more details.

OUR OPINION: DHS Student Athletes Learn Life Lessons

This blog has been going strong for nearly 10 years, and over those years we have been occasionally criticized, both publicly and privately.  (You should see some of the comments we've blocked.)  

We've also seen of a multitude of comments directed at individuals and organizations who are working hard, trying to do good in our area community.  (For those of you living outside of Dorchester, you know this happens everywhere else, too, and always has.)

Whether you are a public servant, business owner, volunteer, employee, student, teacher, school official, parent, or neighbor, it is safe to say you've been criticized more than once for just doing your job and trying to improve a situation.

It's not fair, but it's life.  It's part of the human experience.  Always has been.

This week, the Dorchester Times (on its FaceBook account) was criticized (softly, mind you) for a poorly worded headline to our story summarizing the DHS volleyball season up to this point.  

We know the athletes of DHS work hard, and that their hard work is why they've racked up 10 wins already this season -- but the headline implied that a winning record was now in doubt.  (We've changed the headline on the blog.)

The reason we admire DHS students who go out for athletics is because they learn life's lessons early.  They learn at a young age how to endure pressure, competition, scrutiny, fatigue and even ridicule on rare occasion.  

But rewards also come with all that -- from self-confidence, to leadership, to the appreciation of teamwork and training.  These kids will be better adults for their experience.

Most importantly, they are learning that their efforts matter more than the words of the carping critics, some of whom never had the guts themselves to do what the student athletes are doing.

For those students, we leave this quote:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

- Theodore Roosevelt, April 1910

DHS' Jacee Weber Named KLKN/Runza's Student Athlete Of The Month

Big news from the Dorchester sports arena.

Congratulations are in order for DHS senior Jacee Weber.  She has been selected as the KLKN-TV Channel 8 and Runza student athlete of the month. (UPDATE: Click here to see Jacee's special segment on Channel 8.)

That's right -- one of Dorchester's own gets recognized by a Lincoln news outlet.

Jacee's interview will air on Channel 8 today, October 11, during the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. sports segments.

Jacee is three-sport standout at DHS, as well as an accomplished scholar who has earned high grades in the classroom.

The news channel writes: "Balancing school work, athletics and a personal life can be a difficult challenge for high school students.  Some students do this so well that Runza and Channel 8 KLKN-TV feel that these students should be recognized.

"Each month, Channel 8 Eyewitness News Sports Director, Jon Wofford, will highlight the Runza Channel 8 Eyewitness News High School Student Athlete of the Month.   Look back here each month to see the report streamed on KLKNTV.com.  Each honored student athlete will also receive a $500 scholarship for college."

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