NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester Housing Survey; Village Clerk to Retire

Dorchester Housing Survey Now Underway: Dorchester's planning commission and the Village of Dorchester are sponsoring the 2021 Dorchester Housing Needs Assessment Study. This survey, along with other public participation techniques, are being used to collect citizen input and thoughts on housing within Dorchester village limits. Dorchester residents only: Take the time to fill out this survey and provide the community with much needed input. (Keep in mind Dorchester has conducted these housing surveys and listening campaigns in the past. To really make your voice heard, residents should attend board meetings.)

Village Clerk to Retire: Longtime Dorchester Village Clerk and Treasurer Gloria Riley has announced she will retire later this summer, according to an email received by the Times. The Times staff thanks Gloria for a job well done and we wish her the best in retirement!

Special Village Board Meeting Tomorrow Night: Tomorrow, June 15, the Dorchester village board will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Building. Public sources say the meeting will be focused on approval of Jen Kasl, currently the village's deputy clerk, being considered to replace Gloria Rilely, who will retire in the coming weeks. 

The Train Came Through Here 150 Years Ago: This July 4 will be a special kind of anniversary in Dorchester -- for we will be celebrating more than just the birthday of our nation's founding. It was on July 4, 1871 that the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, completed to Lincoln from Plattsmouth the previous summer, pushed west to Dorchester. So on this Fourth of July, take a second to look down those railroad tracks and think about life a century and a half ago. Dorchester has survived in good times and bad -- and for that, we can be proud.

Longtime DPS Educator Larry Gish Passes At 81

Longtime Dorchester Public School educator, coach and Dorchester resident Larry Dean Gish, 81, passed away on June 6, 2021.  

He was born on Nov. 30, 1939 in Beatrice to Ray and Mildred (Lewis) Gish. 

He attended school in Blue Springs and Wymore on the way to graduating from Fairmont High School in 1958. After graduation, Larry spent a few years working various jobs and enjoying life, then served two years in the U.S. Army, which inspired him to consider his future. That led him to attend Nebraska Wesleyan, and then the University of Nebraska, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970 and his master’s degree in 1973. 

He decided that teaching and coaching would be his vocation. He met his future wife, Beverly Jiskra, while she was working towards her own Master’s Degree in Lincoln. They married in 1967, and while continuing their degree programs, spent three years living in and heading the Home Management Laboratory. Through their time in the Lab, they lived with and oversaw approximately 100 different undergraduates studying Home Economics. 

Larry began his own professional teaching career in Lewiston, Neb. He then taught disadvantaged students at the Beatrice State Developmental Center for four years. He always said he learned a lot about life from those students. Larry then landed in his long-term teaching home: Dorchester Public School. There, at different times, he taught physical education, health, and driver’s ed, while variously coaching track, basketball, football and baseball. 

Larry and Bev also remained long-term, dedicated members of Dorchester United Methodist Church. 

Preceding Larry to final rest: parents Ray and Mildred Gish; brother Jim Gish; sisters LaVeta Miller and Jolene Allen; brothers-in-law Harry Miller, Carl Allen and Richard Jiskra; sister-in-law Marcy Gish. Larry is survived by his wife Beverly; sister-in-law Betty; sons Lenny, Ricky and Jay; daughters-in-law Sharon and Sheri; and grandchildren William, Benjamin, Carter, Creighton and Berkleigh. 

Memorials have been designated to the Dorchester United Methodist Church, Dorchester Education Association, Table Grace Ministries, and the Team Jack Foundation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Dorchester United Methodist Church.

Dorchester Basketball, Volleyball Camps For Kids

Attention, all Dorchester athletes going into grades 3-8:

Two important camps will soon be held in Dorchester to help you improve your basketball and volleyball skills.

The Summer Longhorn Basketball Camps will be held at the Dorchester School for boys and girls. The camps are free and will be held next week (June 14-15 from 10 a.m. to noon), and then a month later (July 12-13, 10 a.m. to noon). Coach Ray and Coach Bruha will run the camps. Summertime is the perfect time to practice build new basketball skills. 

Meanwhile, the Longhorn Volleyball Fundamental Camp will be held July 6-7, from 9 a.m. to noon. This camp is for girls entering grades 3-8. Here you will learn all the keys to being a great volleyball player, or brush up on the skills you already have. To register, please contact Bethany Theis at (bethany.theis@dorchesterschool.org) soon -- preferably by June 9.

Call Dorchester Public School at (402) 946-2781 for more details.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Generous Donations To DHS Alumni Association

Donations Sent to DHS Alumni Association: The Times has learned that several Dorchester High School alumni have made generous donations to support the DHS Alumni Association and/or the DHS Alumni Scholarship Fund. Among those donating are the following Longhorns: Bernard Belka (Class of '41), Ray Krivohlavek ('41), Bob Kasl ('47), Lester Bruns ('48), Dr. David West ('53), Gerald Boden ('55), Marcia Boden ('56), Maxine Kubert Filipi ('56), Emmy Nejdl Boden ('61), Esther Korinek Johnson ('61), Rich Rardin ('70), Brent Stehlik ('74), Chris Pribyl Haake ('79), Mark and Judy Bors ('80 and '81), Neileen Filipi Nelson ('81), Bonnie Stehlik Wagner ('81), Charity Bolton Ebert ('82), and Sheldon Bruha ('86).

Sidewalk Scuttlebutt: According to an email sent to the Times, Dorchester village leaders are studying a plan that could require all town residents to install (and pay for) sidewalks on their property. The well-placed source tells the Times that a Lincoln-based consultant is recommending the action. Now we cannot confirm the accuracy of the report, but considering our source, we presume it has some merit. If true, the Times -- and most of our readers -- would wholeheartedly object to such a plan. We can list 100 actions that take priority over new sidewalks in Dorchester -- from construction of new housing, clean-up of existing homes, paving/repaving of streets, and renovation of Main Street. If village leaders want a place for people to walk, why not collaborate with the school on a track for students and the general public? (If you'd like to learn more about the sidewalk discussion, the next village board meeting is Monday, June 7, at 7 p.m. at the Dorchester Community Building. To present to the board, you must notify village hall at least 24 hours in advance, according to village board information.)

Kohout Organ Is Now Housed in Saline Co. Museum: A unique relic of music history has found its way to the Saline County Historical Society. Relatives of Adolph and longtime Dorchester School teacher Doris Kohout recently donated the Kohouts' pump organ to the Saline County Museum. The organ can be viewed in the museum's main building on Sundays, 2-5 p.m. Admission is free, although donations are accepted.

Dorchester Feedyard Spotlighted in Story on Beef Supply Bottleneck: Dorchester's Weber Feedyard is profiled in a story by KETV (Omaha's Channel 7) regarding the shortage of beef supplies, which was exacerbated by the cyberattack on JBS, the top beef producer in the U.S. "There are plenty of finished cattle, plenty of cattle supply to feed this demand that we've grown. The problem is getting them harvested," Weber said.

DHS Alumni Golf Tourney Set For June 5

Proud Dorchester High School alumni will soon gather for the eighth annual DHS Alumni Golf Tournament. 

Some will be great golfers; others will be OK duffers.

And others will be just try to survive on the course.

The tourney is set for Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the Friend Country Club. (Many alumni have commented that they wish school officials would coordinate the alumni banquet and golf tourney on the same weekend. We're just putting those comments in print.)

Four-person teams are asked to register as soon as possible.

Captains of each four-man team should contact Dorchester Schools Athletic Director Brent Zoubek at: bzoubek@dorchesterschool.org or (402) 946-2781.  

Cost is $60 per player (includes cart and pin prizes) for 18 holes; $240 per foursome.  Checks should be made payable to Dorchester Public School. Price includes 18 holes of golf.

DHS alumni golf tournament t-shirts are an extra $15 for all players.

Check-in starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.  

Shotgun starts at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There will be pin prizes.

More details are here.

Players must be DHS alumni. (Sorry, Phil.)  

Home For Sale: 1009 Fulton Ave.

Dorchester's real estate market is red hot as more people -- especially young families -- are seeking the safety, sanity, affordability, and quality of life in a village of fewer than 1,000 people. Most homes here are sold within a week to 10 days. It's true.

Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A new K-12 school with some of the state's better educators and the lowest school tax levy in the county. 

• SAFE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With a new water system and sewer system, and a surplus at Village Hall.

• LOWER COSTS: Affordable cost of living with lower property taxes compared to surrounding school districts.

• KEY BUSINESS: Headquarters for one of the state's largest agri-businesses (Farmers Cooperative), and situated on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.

• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to employers in Crete, Milford, Friend and Seward. Just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 10 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a rural small town.

Today we showcase the latest Dorchester home available.

1009 Fulton Ave.: Well-cared for house! This lovely home is located on a huge lot, in Dorchester, for an easy commute to Lincoln. Has three bedrooms, two baths, two-stall garage, underground sprinklers and a full basement with partial finish. Roof gutters and siding was done in 2014 and appliances are included. Learn more or call 826-0376.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester Memorial Day Services, Polka Dance, New Church Facebook Page

Here are the latest updates from the village and surrounding area:

Dorchester's Memorial Day Services Set: Dorchester American Legion Post 264 will pay tribute to America's fallen warriors this Memorial Day (Monday, May 31) with a 10 a.m. ceremony at Dorchester Cemetery and an 11 a.m. ceremony at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Lunch will follow at noon at the Dorchester Legion Hall. Nick Wiles will be the guest speaker. That's according to the organization's Facebook page.

Big Polka Dance Set for June 20: Dorchester will the the site of June's biggest polka dance. Eastside Bar and Grill will host Brad Husak, Sunday, June 20, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

New Social Media for Dorchester UMC: The Dorchester United Methodist Church has a new Facebook page. The UMC Dorchester page replaces the old account.

Splash Pad Now Open: For those who weren't aware, Dorchester's water park (located in the City Park) is now operational for the season. Have fun and stay cool.

Report: Dorchester Housing 64% More Affordable Than U.S. Average

U.S. housing costs are soaring! (Thanks to Joe Biden and the inflation enablers in Congress.) 

Fortunately, if you live in Dorchester, you're in a much more affordable area than many others in America.

We want to remind Dorchester residents of our community's best-kept secret: it's cost-of-living advantage.  

Most readers know already that we have it pretty good in Dorchester. Now it has been confirmed by Sperling's Best Places, a national website that provides data on thousands of metro areas, cities and neighborhoods.  

We used Sperling's cost-of-living index to see how Dorchester stacks up. Keep in mind that Sperling's indices are based on a U.S. average of 100.  An amount below 100 means Dorchester is cheaper than the U.S. average. A cost-of-living score above 100 means Dorchester is more expensive.  

Below are the results:

Here's what the analysis tells us:

• Housing (almost always a family's biggest expense) is a whopping 64% cheaper in Dorchester than the U.S. average.  This include mortgage, rent and property tax.  

• Utilities are about 8% less than the U.S. average in Dorchester.

Other key findings from our research elsewhere on the Web:

• Dorchester holds a cost-of-living advantage over Crete, Friend, Wilber, Milford, and other nearby communities.

• A site called AreaVibes.com gives Dorchester an A+ for its public school.

• AreaVibes also says Dorchester's median home price is $92,200, compared to the statewide median price of $137,300 and the U.S. median price of $184,700.
  

DHS Alumni Banquet Set For May 29

It's that special time of year when Dorchester alumni -- young and old and in-between -- gather to catch up with classmates and recall the good ol' days.

The 2021 Dorchester Alumni Banquet is set for Saturday, May 29. 

Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the banquet will start at 6 p.m.

Classes ending in "0" and "1" will be honored (since last year's banquet was cancelled due to the Wuhan Virus and COVID-19 outbreak). 

On the menu for this year's banquet is pulled pork. Entertainment will be trivia.

A special tribute will be paid to the classes of 2000 and 2001.

Tickets are $20 per person. 

For questions on the banquet, contact Linda (Kahle) Woolsey at linda.woolsey@dorchesterschool.org or call 402-946-2781.

House For Sale: 509 W 11th St.

 

Dorchester's real estate market is red hot as more people -- especially young families -- are seeking the safety, sanity, affordability, and quality of life in a village of fewer than 1,000 people. Most homes here are sold within a week to 10 days. It's true.

Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A new K-12 school with some of the state's better educators and the lowest school tax levy in the county. 

• SAFE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With a new water system and sewer system, and a surplus at Village Hall.

• LOWER COSTS: Affordable cost of living with lower property taxes compared to surrounding school districts.

• KEY BUSINESS: Headquarters for one of the state's largest agri-businesses (Farmers Cooperative), and situated on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.

• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to employers in Crete, Milford, Friend and Seward. Just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 10 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a rural small town.

Today we showcase the latest Dorchester home available.

509 W 11th St.: A great opportunity to live a quiet town life. Cute bungalow with three full-size bedrooms on the main floor. House is sitting in a huge corner lot with tons of space. Partially finished basement with an opportunity to make it your own. Walking distance to the school; come and see it... this house is just for you! Learn more or call 402-826-0101.

Git 'R Done: It's Clean-Up Week In Dorchester

It's Community Clean-Up Week in Dorchester. 

That's right. All this week, roll-offs will be available free of charge at the city dump site (for Dorchester residents only) accepting old furniture, TVs, carpet, mattresses, metal, appliances, batteries, and wood without nails (no pallets).

The dump will be open Monday, May 17 through Friday, May May 21 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., as well as on Saturday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Under no circumstances will the dump accept the following: wet paint, tires, or garbage. Don't even try to bring them -- you will be turned away immediately. The attendant on duty has the authority to reject any item.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Kohl Tyser, Jacee Zoubek Are State Bound

Zoubek, Tyser Are State Bound: Two Longhorns are headed to the Nebraska High School Track Meet in Omaha, set for Wednesday, May 19, and Thursday, May 20. Kohl Tyser will represent DHS in the 400 meter, after running the sprint in 53.37 last week at the district competition in Falls City. Jacee Zoubek will represent DHS in the 100 meter. Good luck to these outstanding DHS student athletes!

News Channel Nebraska Spotlights Deputy Warning: News Channel Nebraska has broadcast its feature story on Saline County Sheriff’s deputy Jen Warning, Dorchester's school resource officer who is battling breast cancer at 33 years old. The story notes that Warning is nearly finished with her eight-treatment regimen. Along the way, she has received strong support from the Crete and Dorchester communities -- including a fundraiser held earlier this spring at City Slickers in Dorchester. Watch the story.

Paul Bachman Earns Law Degree From UNL: Among the more than 3,500 UNL graduates receiving their degrees earlier this month was Dorchester's Paul Kurtis Bachman, who earned his JD with distinction from the University of Nebraska's College of Law.

Class Of 2021 Graduates From DHS

Add another class of fine Longhorns to the rolls of DHS alumni.

Earlier today, May 8, Dorchester High School held its graduation ceremonies for 15 Longhorn seniors.

Here are the members of DHS' Class of 2021 and their post-graduation plans:

Luisa Bonilla: Esthetics at the College of Hair Design, Lincoln.

Collyn Brummett: Computer Information Tech at SCC, Lincoln. 

Carolyn Ellis: Nursing at SCC, Beatrice.

Makenzie Goddard: Dentistry at Central Community College, Hastings.

Mackenzie Jirsa: Education at Wayne State College.

Megan Kotas: Diversified agriculture at Northeast Community College, Norfolk.

Danni McKnight: Mass communications at Midland University, Fremont.

Holli Nigh: Education at UNL.

Alli Novak: Pre-chiropractic medicine at Chadron State College.

Jose Real Cruz: Education, Peru State College.

Alexandria Show: English, Peru State College.

Elizabeth Shephard: SCC, Milford.

Kohl Tyser: SCC.

Abigail Zoubek: Midland University, Fremont.

Jacee Zoubek: Pre-pharmacy/education, Doane.

Our heartiest of congratulations to these Longhorns in the Class of 2021! Your community is proud of you. Work hard, get skills, don't accumulate debt, and contribute much to society!

Survey Shows Opportunity For Dorchester To Retain Its Young People

Forty, thirty, twenty, even ten years ago, small-town kids dreamed of escaping to the big city, where they dreamed of making it big.

But 2020 seems to have changed all that. 

Frequent images of crumbling societal systems, social unrest, violence, burning buildings -- even in nearby Lincoln -- have many of us, including young people, doubting the quality of life in our cities. (That's before factoring in the taxes and exorbitant cost of living.)

Recently, high school students in Nebraska's smaller communities were surveyed by the Nebraska Community Foundation. More than three-quarters (77%) of the students said they’d prefer to live in small or medium-sized town. (And the majority said a small town was best.)

That is an staggering high percentage of students who have no desire to try the big city. A nearly 180-degree turn from two decades ago.

Why the change of heart? Safety, family, good schools, and community involvement were all factors for these students. 

It's important to keep in mind that many of these young Nebraskans -- those who possess real vocational skills (think "shop class"), as well as high-tech skills -- will be able work from anywhere, especially after the changes brought by the pandemic.

The Nebraska Community Foundation says many high school students just need to be introduced to the opportunities around them.

This survey is yet another sign of the opportunity for communities like Dorchester to retain and attract young people.

We hope Dorchester residents -- including school and town leaders -- do their part to encourage our young people to plan to make Dorchester their home as adults. 

YOU TELL US: Where Do You Do Business In Dorchester?

Dorchester is lucky to have its share of great businesses. Some have been here for decades, while others are still somewhat new on the scene. Some have storefronts on main street, while several others operate elsewhere in town.

The Dorchester Times doesn't offer advertising space like traditional newspapers, but here's your chance to tout your favorite Dorchester-area business.

In the comments section of this post, business owners and customers are encouraged to let readers know about specials or new offerings -- or just tell us of why we should do business with Dorchester firms.

Readers will enjoy reading comments from the past. What has changed? What has not?

Those of you who patronize Dorchester area businesses, tell us which are your favorites and why others should give them a try.

It comes as a surprise to some, but many services and products are available right here in Dorchester or the surrounding countryside. It is important to keep our dollars close to home to ensure our community businesses not only survive, but grow.

The best way to do that is by spreading the word about our community's top-notch businesses.  

So go ahead, tell us where we should be spending our dollars?

Looking Back: Dorchester's Great Paving Debate Of 1979

Nothing generates as much hardened controversy in Dorchester as the question of whether to pave the streets. Years ago, the staff of the Dorchester Times discovered that firsthand. 

In 2007, one reader told us that he lived through the last "paving push" and saw it nearly tear apart the town. He added: "I hope before you drag this issue through the mud that you have done your homework. You seem to be a big pusher of improvement, but not once have I heard how to pay for it. ... It might pay for you to personally do some homework on costs before you push things. ... Learn from history."

With a challenge like that, the Times uncovered news articles from the summer of 1979, when the Lincoln Star covered Dorchester's great paving debate. Today, we are republishing one of those articles below. (The other is available here.)

The passage of time has a strange way of shedding light on matters, making it easier for new generations to see things more clearly and allowing them to chose the best way forward. What was decided more than four decades ago may not be right for today or the future. Therefore, it's worth sharing these articles, especially with those too young to remember. 

Now, let's revisit 1979 and the discussion that embroiled our community...

Lincoln Journal - July 3, 1979

Paving is Hot Topic in Dorchester

DORCHESTER – What, in a town of 630 on a warm summer’s evening, does it take to get 120 people to a village board meeting? Paving.

That was about the only thing decided here Monday night as folks got together to discuss the only topic in town hotter than the temperature inside the community center.

With the group apparently split about 2-to-1 against paving, emotions soared during the two-hour session. Yet, almost like a family spat, nobody was called anything worse than his first name – which happened repeatedly.

Technically the session was called for the routine creation of three districts involving only four blocks of paving. But most of the argument centered on the “gap paving” that Mayor Bill Moser says they board probably will order in later.

The mayor says even the gap total probably will not exceed four or five blocks, but opponents fear it will eventually checkerboard most of the town. They contend numerous older people as well as young home owners will lose their properties if the paved segments are put in.

“I lived on a farm and walked in both dirt and manure and it didn’t hurt me,” said Belva Johnson, cafe owner and outspoken opponent of the $21-per-front-foot paving. “If it wasn’t for dirt, how many farmers could have come to town and retired?”

That was one of several comments drawing applause. But so did a remark by proponent and retired farmer Hans Weber that “dirt streets don’t bring people into town.” Paving is “good for the town,” he continued. "Name me one little town around here that doesn’t have paving.”

Several others echoed Weber’s sentiments, saying it should be within their rights to have paving if desired. Approximately 30 to 40 persons stood up when asked how many persons present favor surfacing.

Two young wives, Cindy Meyers and Sally Danekas, said their families would not have moved to Dorchester had they known paving – which would be the town’s first since the 1930s – would be contemplated.

This brought a retort from businessman Dick Sehnert who asked, “Where exactly would you have moved? There’s paving in Friend and Wilber and Crete, too...”

Attorney Merritt James of Lincoln, representing the Walton Construction Co., which has the paving contract, said the firm had been “unfairly chastised” by published remarks critical of the firm’s work. Both Mrs. Johnson and Sidy Bruha said they had received requests by letter but refused to change their opinion.

“The company feels that never in 40 years of doing business has it been so unfairly attacked,” continued James. He insisted that the complaints actually derived from job specifications to which the contractor is complying.

The board unanimously approved two of the three small districts, both created by at least the 60 percent of affected property owners required by law. Because of a legal description error, the third district will have to be re-advertised.