Ten Acres For Sale South Of Dorchester

After two years of Federal Reserve printing and Congress approving handouts, the days of easy, cheap money are quickly coming to an end.

Now might be the time to look for some land as an investment or as a place to build your rural homestead.

Just south of Dorchester, on County Road 1300, you'll find a 10-plus acre plot with a spring-fed creek, mature trees and a great site for a potential pond. This would be a great location for your hideaway cabin and time to rejuvenate. 

There is a shallow well on the property and electricity is just across the road. There's also access to the property on the east side, and the west side is accessed via an easement from the gravel road south of the property.

For more details, click here.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Ready, Set, Go To Dorchester Garage Sales

Ready, Set, Go to Garage Sales: Dorchester Community Garage Sales Weekend is set for June 24 and 25. Call the Village office at (402) 946-3201 if you would like to be put on the list. Maps will be available this week (June 20-24).

Legion Bar and Grill Plans Big July 4 Event: On Monday, July 4, the Dorchester Sons of the American Legion will hold its annual BBQ from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This will be the first time this event will take place since the Dorchester American Legion Bar and Grill has been operating on a regular basis -- so turnout is expected to be strong. Also, the Junior Legion Auxiliary's ice social will take place from noon until 2 p.m. Bingo will starts at 2 p.m. and the bar will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy your Independence Day at the Legion Hall!

Woodworking Items for Sale: Evelyn Thalmann, owner of Hedgehog and Hubby's Antiques in Dorchester, tells the Times that there are many woodworking items for sell at the shop, including bags of screws, nails, hinges, knobs, mirrors, lid risers -- marked to sell cheap in time for the community garage sales. According to Evelyn, her late husband Ernie bought the items from Doug Torson when he sold hardware supplies next to the now-closed Dorchester grocery store.

Speaking of the Dorchester Grocery Store: Just before the pandemic broke, the Times was informed that a Crete businessman was exploring the possibility of bringing a grocery story to Dorchester. We realize the challenges of operating a grocery store, but think Dorchester leaders -- included elected officials and volunteers at the Foundation and Renew Dorchester -- should make this a priority.

Village Leaders Look at 'Accessory Structures': According to legal definitions, an accessory structure means a structure that is detached from and clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal use of or structure on a lot. For residential uses these include garages, garden and tool sheds, and playhouses. Seems simple, right? According to meeting minutes, the Dorchester village board is currently discussing accessory structures and how they are impacted by Village Ordinance No. 2022-04, which relates to such buildings in residential districts. Learn more by attending the next village board meeting in July.

Looking Back: Dorchester's July 4 Parade In 1908

Imagine the year is 1908.

Theodore Roosevelt is president. 

Oklahoma has just joined the union as our 46th state. 

The first around-the-world car race has started in New York City.

And it just happens to be Independence Day.  

If you were in Dorchester that particular year -- and you had a front row seat for the village's celebrated Fourth of July parade -- the scene would have looked like this. (Click the image above for a better view.)

The amazing image comes from a postcard we've stumbled across. The scene was captured by Dorchester's famous early photographer Russell Freidell.

The theme of Dorchester's 1908 Fourth of July Parade was "Comic Parade."

The Times encourages readers to share images from Dorchester's past with us. Simply send us scanned photos or postcards to dorchester.times@gmail.com.

FLASHBACK: On Day One, Biden Kills Jobs In Saline County Area

The following news article was published by this blog Jan. 22, 2021 -- less than 18 months ago. As the U.S. average price for gasoline exceeds $5, and diesel has eclipsed $6, we are republishing this editorial. It's a a reminder Joe Biden and the New Green Deal activists who pull the puppet strings -- like Jane Kleeb, leader of the Nebraska Democrat Party -- kicked off this energy-driven economic spiral. (A few days later, Fox Business reported from main street Dorchester.)

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This aerial photo, published by the AP and Omaha World-Herald, shows thousands of sections of pipes located just east of Dorchester -- pipes that were to be used for the already-started Keystone XL pipeline. They represent billions of dollars of private-sector investment, thousands of well-paying U.S. jobs, and America's recently achieved energy independence.

But construction on the Keystone XL oil pipeline has been halted as incoming U.S. President Joe Biden this week revoked the pipeline's permit.

The move is not only being criticized as unfair and possibly illegal, it's also expected to have significant and negative consequences for Saline County's area economy.

More than 1,000 jobs, the majority unionized, will be eliminated in the coming weeks as ongoing construction is shut down.

One county official we emailed said Saline County "will definitely feel a hit."

In the Dorchester area, economic losses will include lost construction jobs, along with a dramatic reduction in use of local services and businesses -- including restaurants, hotels, and retailers.

Property owners will also take a hit without the existence of a second Keystone pipeline. (See our analysis that showed the property tax relief delivered by the original Keystone pipeline.) 

The 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline was supposed to carry roughly 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast, passing through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Marty Durbin, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute, said Biden’s decision is not grounded in science and will put thousands of Americans out of work,

“The pipeline — the most studied infrastructure project in American history — is already under construction and has cleared countless legal and environmental hurdles,” Durbin said in a statement. “This is a politically motivated decision that is not grounded in science. It will harm consumers and put thousands of Americans in the building trades out of work.”

Developing...

NEWS ROUNDUP: Free Youth Basketball Camp, June 28-29

Dorchester Youth Basketball Camp is June 28-29: Kids, get ready to work on your b-ball skills! On June 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days, Dorchester Public Schools is hosting a youth basketball camp for all kids going into grades 1 through 8. There's no need to sign up -- and the camp will be free. Just show up the day of the camps and be ready to learn from the high school coaches and athletes. If you have any questions, you can contact Coach Brandon Bruha at brandon.bruha@dorchesterschool.org.

Multiple Forms Available on Village's Website: Want to start making you Dorchester utilities payment by having it automatically deducted from your checking or savings account? You can do it with this form. Need a hobbyist permit so you can keep your immobilized vehicle parked in town for up to 90 days? Use this form. Several forms for multiple activities -- from starting utility service to getting a zoning permit -- are available on the Village of Dorchester's site under "forms" at the menu atop the homepage.

Young Dorchester Angler Wins Prizes: A young Dorchester angler took two top prizes from the Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District and Swan 5 Advisory Council's 20th annual free family fishing day and youth fishing and casting derby, held late last month at the Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area near Tobias. In the ages 13-18 category, Keith Kemmerling reeled in the most fish, and he also won the casting contest. Impressive work, Keith!

Mackenzie Luzum Takes Top Honor in Nebraska Art Contest: In the world of art, Mackenzie Luzum received third place in a statewide contest of 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. She used prisma colors to create the image of a large-mouth bass on matte board. Check out Mackenzie's creation.

DHS Alum Makes Midland Dean's List: Abigail Zoubek, a 2021 DHS graduate, has made the dean's list at Midland University. She recently completed her freshman year, majoring in exercise science.

Time to Register for July 4 Stampede: On Monday, July 4, as part of the village's Independence Day celebration, Dorchester will host the annual Longhorn Stampede. Participants can choose from a 1-mile, 2-mile, or 5K fun run/walk. The event will start at 7:30 a.m. Register by June 15 to receive a T-shirt or tank top. 

Saluting Dorchester's Medal Of Honor Recipient

Very few towns in America can claim a Medal of Honor recipient. Dorchester is one of the handful of towns that can.

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for valor in action against an enemy force. It has been awarded fewer than 3,500 times.

On July 1, 1863, 20-year-old Sgt. Jefferson Coates found himself in the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Union soldier displayed heroism and "unsurpassed courage in battle, where he had both eyes shot out," according to a citation from the U.S. Government. After Sgt. Coates was removed from the battlefield by the comrades who had witnessed his heroic actions, doctors determined that an enemy ball had passed though both of his eye sockets.

Three years later, the Medal of Honor was awarded to Sgt. Coates. He was one of 64 Union soldiers to earn the nation's highest honor for his actions during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Sgt. Coates was born in Grant County, Wisconsin. He served in Company H, 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which was part of the Army of the Potomac’s famous "Iron Brigade."

Following the war, Coates moved west to Nebraska, despite his blindness. A homesteader, he settled southwest of Dorchester in rural Saline County. He died young on Jan. 27, 1880, at the age of 36, and was laid to rest in the Dorchester Cemetery.

According to a 1999 article by Dorchester's Jan Stehlik, Sgt. Coates was the first soldier buried in the Dorchester Cemetery. The Dorchester Star reported on May 5,1882, that "Mrs. Coates has had a fine monument in memory of her deceased husband erected".

When Dorchester's last "Old Soldier," Jeremiah Wilhelm, was buried 60 years later in 1942, the number of Civil War veterans resting in the town's cemetery had grown to 49.

Only 32 Medal of Honor recipients are buried in Nebraska. Dorchester is honored and privileged to serve as Sgt. Coates' final resting place. The next time you're at the cemetery, take a few minutes to honor one of America's most decorated heroes. And count your blessings that there are still defenders of freedom like Sgt. Coates.

Can You Identify This Dorchester Home From 113 Years Ago?

A while ago, we asked readers if they could identify one of Dorchester's more stately larger homes as it appeared in a photograph from 1910.

It only took about 30 minutes until the correct guess came in, as the winning reader recognized the home to be that of present-day owners Dean and Becky Pracheil.

Today, we go back a year earlier to 1909. 

The photograph above shows a line of homes on "Residence Street" -- which is not a name of any Dorchester streets today. (Even an 1885 plot map of Dorchester doesn't show a Residence Street.)

Click on the photo if you need a closer view.

Let us know if you know what home this is in the forefront of the photograph. 

Leave your guesses in the comments section below.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Farmers Co-Op Donates to New Bleachers Project

Farmers Co-op Makes Donation to Bleachers: Farmers Cooperative recently presented the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund with a donation of $3,750 to help pay for bleacher/shade structure project for the baseball field. Foundation members Peg Bermeyer and Judy Schweitzer accepted the donation from Dale Hayek.

New Weight Room Schedule at DPS: The Dorchester Public School weight room for student athletes' summer lifting has become too crowded due to demand, so DPS staff has modified weight room hours, at least for the month of June. Some afternoon hours may be added once detasseling starts. New hours are Monday-Thursday: girls 6:30-7:30 a.m.; boys 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Cerney, Perez Will Represent Dorchester at Boys' State: Fernando Perez and Jacob Cerny have been selected to represent Dorchester at Cornhusker Boys' State. Sponsored by the Nebraska American Legion, Boys' State gives young men a look at how local, state, and federal government works.

Turn In Your Old U.S. Flags at Legion Hall: Flag Day is June 14. For those who have old American flags they wish to retire, a bin has been set up on the Dorchester American Legion Bar. Turn them in soon!

DHS Girls' Basketball Golf Fundraiser is July 31: The DHS Girls' Basketball Golf Tournament is set for Sunday, July 31. Details here or call Coach Brandon Bruha at (402) 326-3858.

Free Stuff Up For Grabs Now

Maybe you need a roof rake.

Perhaps some furniture? Or shelves?

Maybe some mice-chasing, snake-killing kittens?

A circuit weight machine?

Workout machine? A diswasher? 

A computer monitor?

Maybe a piano? Or pallets?

All of these items and more are up for grabs in our area -- and they are all free.

The Times has scanned the "free" section of Craigslist just for our readers. Have a look by clicking here.

In this era of Washington, DC-induced inflation, and with many business leaders saying very hard times are coming, maybe free is the way to go, while it still lasts.

Just a legal disclaimer: The Dorchester Times is in no way affiliated with Craigslist or its users and assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the quality (or lack thereof) when it comes to the items listed or the people listing them. Remember, you typically get what you pay for.

Don't forget to check out what's for sale in the Dorchester area by clicking here.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Memorial Day Program Details

Memorial Day Program Details: The Dorchester American Legion's Memorial Day program is set. The Dorchester Cemetery program will begin at 10 a.m. and last roughly 30 minutes. The Pleasant Hill Cemetery program will start at 11 a.m. Following the Pleasant Hill ceremony, there the traditional covered dish luncheon will take place at the Dorchester Legion Hall.

Dorchester Foundation Receives Park Improvement Grant: The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund recently announced that it was awarded a $7,500 matching grant for new investment or improvements to the village's park facilities. According to the Foundation's social media, it will deposit $15,000 in the village government's park account shortly. We specifically addressed park benches and shade structures, picnic tables for the small shelter, and a shade structure for the playground equipment. Local youth will be involved in the design, the Foundation says.

Preparing for Next School Year: Now that school's out for the summer, it's time to start preparing for Dorchester's 2022-23 school year. If your child needs transportation to school beginning in August, call Superintendent Daryl Schrunk at 402.946.2781 or email daryl.schrunk@dorchesterschool.org. Also, there will be back-to-school immunization clinics every Tuesday and Thursday in July from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 830 E. 1st St., Suite 300 in Crete. (Call 402.826.3880 to make an appointment.)

Alumni Golf Tourney Is Almost Here: The ninth annual DHS Alumni Golf Tournament is almost here, set for Saturday, June 4, at the Friend Country Club. If you still have interest in participating, contact Dorchester Schools Athletic Director Brent Zoubek at bzoubek@dorchesterschool.org or (402) 946-2781. 

Texas School Shooting Serves as Tragic Reminder: Today's school massacre in Texas -- committed by another teenage nut job -- is a reminder that every school in America needs to have a single point of entry, as well as armed faculty. (If that requires more male presence in our schools, so be it.) Evil is spreading throughout the world. It cannot be eliminated, only countered. In addition to bringing back state-run mental institutions and renewing a very broken culture, the country must ensure all schools are taking proactive steps to guard against sicko copycats.

OUR VIEW: Dorchester Needs Goals To Secure A Brighter Future

Ask any self-help expert or "life coach" and they will tell you to set goals if you want improvement.

The same holds true for communities, big and small.

Our village is full of helpful, caring residents who donate their time and resources. From our volunteers, to our businesses, to our school employees, to our elected leaders -- we have it pretty good.

But are we on the same page about our future? 

Our main street needs TLC and a vision. Our housing situation hasn't improved in recent memory, especially with an aging population. Some neglected properties are only getting worse.  Our streets -- well, we won't go there in this post.

The bottom line: Dorchester needs some public goal-setting. If that is occurring somewhere -- maybe the town board or the school board or both -- it isn't being shared publicly. 

That said, it is not the job of our town board, county, state, or federal government to create a vision of what Dorchester should look like 5, 10, or 20 years from now. That job belongs to you -- the residents of Dorchester and its surrounding area. 

Dorchester has all the right building blocks in place: The community foundation and various other volunteer organizations and clubs. But these strengths must be aligned with a plan that will start moving Dorchester toward a brighter future.  

As a community, let's set a handful of goals with firm deadlines.

For example, community groups could ask area households to submit their improvement ideas for future projects, then select the most feasible ideas, then set a finish date so that funding and operations could be initiated. These goals would provide focus; allow us to measure progress; and give motivation.

Without a doubt, Dorchester could benefit from a healthy dose of goal-setting. But this will only work if the goals are those of the community at-large.

Home For Sale: 502 W 11th St.

Dorchester's real estate market is booming -- even as the days of easy, cheap money following two years of money printing and government handouts are coming to a close. 

More and more people -- especially young families -- want the safety, sanity, common sense, affordability, and quality of life offered in our close-knit village. On the rare occasion a Dorchester home is listed, most are sold within a week to 10 days. 

Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A new K-12 school with smaller class sizes and some of the state's best educators. 

• A SAFE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system, and a surplus of funding at Village Hall.

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

• KEY BUSINESS AND PRIME LOCATION: Headquarters for one of the nation'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 12 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a small, close-knit community.

Today we showcase the latest Dorchester home available.

502 W 11th St.: Take a look at the square footage in this nice ranch style home! Main floor offers 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, large living room, dining area, kitchen, laundry and a lovely sun room. The full basement has two more non-conforming bedrooms, 3/4 bath, family room and lots of storage space. This is located on the NW side of Dorchester and is all vinyl sided and has a two-stall attached garage. See the listing.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Longtime DPS Educator Announces Retirement

DHS Alum Elected to Statewide Leadership Spot: DHS graduate Mike Feeken (Class of 1996) was recently installed as the 2022-2023 president of the Nebraska Economic Developers Association. Feeken has worked in the economic development field for many years and is currently an executive with First Five Nebraska, an advocacy organization that urges support for early care and learning opportunities for Nebraska’s youngest children. 

DPS Educator Theresa Johnson Is Retiring: At the end of this school year, longtime Dorchester Public School educator Theresa Johnson is retiring after 36 years of teaching. Her friends and family are throwing a retirement party at the Dorchester Legion Hall on Saturday, June 4 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Everyone who has been impacted by Mrs. Johnson is invited to stop by and say "congratulations!" This is not a surprise party, we are told. Food and drinks will be provided. No gifts requested.

DHS Freshman Qualifies for State Track Meet: Baylor Behrens this week finished second in the 300M hurdles at district, finishing with a time of 51.74. Her impressive time means she qualified for the 2022 State Track and Field Championship next Friday and Saturday late next week at Omaha Burke. See the schedule of events.

DHS Students Keep Bringing Home Journalism Awards: Several DHS students recently placed in the Nebraska Press Women High School Communications Contest. Those bringing home awards included Madison Sherwood; Jacob Cerny; Ashton Rasplicka; Mitzu Real; Hailey Schweitzer; and Danni McKnight (who graduated last year).  

DPS Looking for Paraeducator: Dorchester Public School is looking for a paraeducator for the 2022-2023 school year. Click here for more information and how to apply.

Home For Sale: 703 Jefferson

Dorchester's real estate market is booming -- especially as the days of easy, cheap money following two years of money printing and government handouts are coming to a close. 

More and more people -- especially young families -- want the safety, sanity, common sense, affordability, and quality of life offered in our close-knit village. On the rare occasion a Dorchester home is listed, most are sold within a week to 10 days. 

Consider what Dorchester has to offer:

• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A new K-12 school with smaller class sizes and some of the state's best educators. 

• A SAFE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system, and a surplus of funding at Village Hall.

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

• KEY BUSINESS AND PRIME LOCATION: Headquarters for one of the nation'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 12 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a small, close-knit community.

Today we showcase the latest Dorchester home available.

703 Jefferson Ave.: For sale by owner. Two-story house with basement. Three bedrooms plus one non-conforming bedroom in basement. One bathroom on main floor and one bathroom in basement. Over-sized two-stall garage. New roof on house and garage in 2020. See the listing.

DHS Alumni Banquet Set For May 28

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

The 2022 Dorchester Alumni Banquet is set for Saturday, May 28. 

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

Classes ending in "2" will be honored.

On the menu for this year's banquet is roast beef. 

A special tribute will be paid to the class of 2002. Longtime DHS educator Terry Gautreaux will be the guest speaker.

Tickets are $20 per person. You should reserve your spot by May 20.

For questions on the banquet, contact Linda (Kahle) Woolsey at linda.woolsey@dorchesterschool.org or call Ross Havlat at 821-7702.

Click here for DPS' social media post and the reservation form.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Cruise Night Is Monday, May 2

Cruise Night This Monday: There will be a cruise night on Dorchester's main street (Washington Ave.) this Monday, May 2. Cruising begins at 5 p.m., according to organizers and continue through the evening until sundown. The Dorchester American Legion bar and grill will be serving drink specials. (Be sure to have designated drivers!)

Dorchester Baseball Schedule Released: The crack (or ding) of the bats will soon be heard once again at Nerud Field! Here is the 2022 Dorchester PeeWee and American League baseball schedule. The first game of the season will be in Friend on May 10.

Junior High Quiz Bowl Team Scores 4th Place Finish: Dorchester's Quiz Bowl Team A (Bailey Theis, Eva Elkins, Mishaela Church, and Thomas Ziemann) took home a fourth place trophy from the AMI Middle School Quiz Bowl April 27 at Seward Civic Center. The team missed third place by only five points.

DHS Journalists Shine at State Competition: The Nebraska School Activities Association State Journalism was held in Norfolk April 25. Several DHS students took home state journalism medalists, continuing Dorchester's longstanding tradition of being a bastion for developing journalism talent. DHS placed fifth overall in Class C. Longhorns who placed in this year's state journalism contest were: Gabby Theis (freshman): 1st in news/feature photography; Ashton Rasplicka (senior), 7th in photo illustration; Madison Sherwood (senior), 3rd in news/feature photography, 5th in yearbook theme copy writing; Tyler Sysel (senior), 7th in yearbook feature writing, 4th in yearbook theme copy writing; Jacob Cerny (junior), 6th in yearbook sports feature writing; Mitzu Real (sophomore): 8th in advertising, 4th in sports/action photography; Hailey Schweitzer (sophomore): 6th in photo illustration, 5th in yearbook layout, 3rd in yearbook sports feature writing, 3rd in yearbook theme copy writing;  Andrea Pavlish (freshman): 4th in newspaper feature writing. The team of Madison Sherwood, Tyler Sysel, and Hailey Schweitzer took 8th in Yearbook Theme Development. The DHS team is advised by Mrs. Sandy Severance.

DPS School Bus Drivers Wanted: Dorchester Public School is looking for bus drivers for the 2022-2023 school year. Contact the school for more details if you're interested in this part-time job.

Herbster Earns Times' Support: With former President Donald Trump visiting Nebraska today, five of the six Dorchester Times staff members are supporting Charles Herbster for governor. (The other staff member supports Jim Pillen.) Trump will speak in Greenwood today (Sunday, May 1) at 5 p.m.