Virginia Krivohlavek Celebration of Life, Feb. 28

As previously reported, longtime Dorchester resident Virginia Krivohlavek passed at age 90 earlier this month. 

A celebration-of-life ceremony will be held Friday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Dorchester American Legion, Post 264. Supper will be served.

Below is Virginia's obituary.

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Virginia Maxine Krivohlavek was born on December 11, 1934, to Gladys (Culp) and Herbert McCormick in Fisher, Illinois. She grew up around Gibson City, Illinois and loved helping her dad at his roadside market, selling produce, Christmas trees and ceramics. She graduated from high school in 1953. When she moved to Nebraska several years later, her family settled in Waverly, and she raised SueAnn, Ruth and Keith while their father worked out of state. During this time, she worked for Pat Ash Inc. in his office and at Russell Stover’s candy company in Lincoln.

Virginia married Harold Krivohlavek, the love of her life, in 1968. She loved being a farmer’s wife, especially taking meals (and pie) out to the field. Virginia cherished the fact that Harold loved Sue, Ruth and Keith as his own. A couple of years into their marriage, they welcomed Karen into their family. Integrity, kindness and diligence were qualities they instilled in all their children and were very proud of them.

Virginia loved to look nice, having her hair done and nails painted, and she always greeted people with a smile. She had a love of flowers that went beyond her huge garden and her beautiful plant room. She loved canning and cooking, “spraying thistles” with Harold and fishing the farm ponds. She loved being outside and enjoyed taking daily walks around the section with her dog Hank. She enjoyed all kinds of crafts and had incredible artistic talent. She excelled at oil painting and loved to capture God’s creation on canvas.

After Harold and Virginia built their retirement home in Dorchester, they still spent a lot of time out on the farm, but their main interest was taking an active role in the lives of their grandchildren. Virginia loved laughing with them and was known for her great tickling, back scratching, birthday phone calls and overnights where she would make all their favorite foods. Many days were spent with grandkids making pies and kolaches, gardening, giving art lessons, sewing, making corsages and simply spending time with them in conversation.

Harold and Virginia loved traveling. Trips to Illinois and Texas to see family were common, and they went to Florida with Marsha several times when she was there for work. They never missed Harold’s army reunions. Often their travels included excursions to see grandchildren and attend their school events, but sometimes they just liked to “take a day off” and go for a drive.

Most of Virginia’s favorite memories included life with grandkids. When it came to kids, there was something special about her. All children from babies to teens seemed to be attracted to her, and she was affectionately known as “Grandma Kriv” even if they weren’t related. She was engaged in all of the grandkids’ interests from school sports, music, showing calves, art, theatre, powerlifting, rock climbing and even Legos.

Virginia knew the value of service to her community. She was a member of the Dorchester United Methodist Church and served for many years as the worship chairperson. She loved taking care of the flowers at church and decorating the fellowship hall for all the holidays and events. Following Harold’s passing, Virginia began attending Calvary Community Church in Lincoln with Karen and Scott’s family, making many new friends through the Grandpeople Ministry. Virginia was active in the Dorchester American Legion Auxiliary Unit #264, often helping with the Junior Auxiliary activities. Being a girl scout leader in both Waverly and Dorchester allowed her to love on other young people in the community by planning cookouts, going on hikes and organizing special events for the girls to participate in. She was very proud to donate her girl scout scrapbooks to the Saline County Museum. She loved using the talents God gave her and volunteered for many projects at church, school and with the auxiliary.

In 2016, Virginia and her beloved canine companion Chester “temporarily” moved in with Karen and Scott’s family in Lincoln. Although she often missed living in Dorchester, she was glad she didn’t have to live alone. Virginia enjoyed spending private time with God and always felt blessed with her wonderful husband and family, her good health and her many friends. People could sense that she found joy in the simplest of things, and she lived out the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Her acts of love that made people feel so important and special impacted many lives. She would want nothing more than to know that all those people knew God and spent their lives honoring Him. She joined Harold in heaven on January 15, 2025.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold Krivohlavek; daughter, Ruth Lee; son-in-law, Tom Shaw; brother, Maynard McCormick; half brothers and sisters, Cyrus McCormick, Rosemary and husband Jim Halton, Mary Ella Wagner, Ruby Smith, Hughie McCormick; brother-in-law, Raymond Krivohlavek; sister-in-law Maxine Krivohlavek.

Virginia is survived by her children, SueAnn Shaw of Oakdale, Keith Spanyers and Pam Carlin of Dorchester, Karen and Scott Wiles of Lincoln; grandchildren Traci (Bob) McGuan of Farwell, Tory Durre of Oakdale, Morgan (Ben) Roth of Milford, Erica (John) Gross of Waverly, Joshua (Molly) Lee of Pingtung, Taiwan, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Wiles of Dorchester, Jonathan (Chloe) Wiles of Lincoln, Allison Wiles of Lincoln, Zachary Wiles of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Tarryn (Ryan) Jonas, Aidan Shaw and Oaklyn McGuan, Jon Shaw, David, Samantha, Ruby and Dominic Durre, Ellee and Malia Roth, Boyd Gross, Azariah Lee, Noah Lee, Marie and Peter Wiles, Harper Wiles; great-great-grandchildren McKinley Shaw, Whitley and Hazeley Jonas; sister Marsha (Qadeer Baqi) McCormick of Joliet, IL; sisters-in-law, Nettie McCormick of Shelbyville, IL, Wanda McCormick of Niles, MI; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends too numerous to count and her Westie “baby” Chester.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Girls Now 12-0; Virginia Krivohlavek Passes

 

(Photo credit: Sharon Axline)

No. 4 Dorchester Girls Basketball Goes to 12-0: With two additional victories last week, the DHS girls varsity team is now tied for the best start in program history dating back to the mid-1970s. (Note: The 1974-75 DHS girls basketball team, in the program's debut season, went 12-1.) The DHS girls are one of only six girls teams in Nebraska, regardless of class size, to boast no losses with about two-thirds of the season completed. DHS is ranked No. 4 by News Channel Nebraska and No. 5 by the Omaha World-Herald. The Nebraska School Activities Association pegs the Lady Longhorns at No. 6 in Class D2 based on record and strength of schedule. DHS will host Class C2 powerhouse Cross County (12-2) Tuesday, Jan. 21, then travel to Shelby-Rising City (4-9) Thursday, Jan. 23 before traveling to York Jan. 25-31 for the CRC Tournament.       

Virginia Krivohlavek Passes at Age 90: Dorchester's Virginia Krivohlavek passed at age 90 on Jan. 15, 2025. While no obituary was available at our publishing deadline, we can report that a celebration-of-life ceremony and gathering will be held Friday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Dorchester American Legion Hall and community building. 

Farmers Cooperative's $5M Grain-Storage Investments: Dorchester-based Farmers Cooperative recently spent $5 million in upgrades to its upright storage resource to reduce labor associated with temporary ground piles. Investments were made at the co-op's Dorchester location as well as its facility in Frankfort, Kansas, according to this article.

Mumm Set to Become Next DPS Superintendent

Dorchester Public School has announced that Dr. Nick Mumm will become the next superintendent of the school district. 

This follows the approval of his contract this week by the Dorchester School Board. 

He will begin his duties at the start of the 2025-26 school year. 

Mumm will take over for the retiring Curtis Cogswell, has spent the last five years at Giltner Public School as superintendent. He is a native of south central Nebraska, growing up on a farm between Alexandria and Belvidere. 

Mumm graduated from Bruning-Davenport before attending UNK, where he earned his undergrad and masters. He earned his PhD from UNL. 

According to media reports, Mumm has worked at Elkhorn-St. Patrick’s School, where he was the director of academic services for seven years, and at Sandhills in Dunning as well as Superior. His first school administrator job came at Santee.

One interesting twist with this new hire is Mumm's staunch opposition to allowing Exeter-Milligan to add Friend to its cooperative as a member of the Crossroads Conference, which includes DPS. 

Mumm was quoted as saying: "Is it good for EMF (Exeter-Milligan-Friend) kids? Maybe. Why is that good for Giltner kids? Why (should we) have a school that’s very comparable in size to us now grow astronomically, because Friend is almost twice the size of Exeter-Milligan."

A Little Help From Our AI Friends

Artificial intelligence is rapidly dominating our everyday lives -- from our communications and entertainment, to our jobs, to our commerce. 

Instead of fighting the trend, we asked two popular AI platforms to help us come up with ideas to enhance Dorchester's quality of life.

Spoiler alert: Our AI friends didn't suggest anything earth shattering. However, for the benefit of our readers, we are sharing today the top 10 ideas generated by Open AI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.

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10 Steps Dorchester Can Take to Improve Quality of Life

By ChatGPT and Gemini, Dorchester Times Contributors

Dorchester, Nebraska — a small town with big heart and endless potential. Small communities thrive when residents come together to make positive changes. 

Here are 10 practical steps Dorchester residents can take to enhance our collective quality of life:

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1. Support Local Businesses

• Shop at local stores, dine at local eateries, and use local services.
• Create a “buy local” day to encourage community members to keep dollars circulating within the town.

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2. Enhance Public Spaces

• Organize community clean-up days for parks, sidewalks, and other shared spaces.
• Add benches, picnic tables, and flowerbeds to make areas more welcoming.

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3. Promote Community Events

• Host regular events like farmers' markets, outdoor movie nights, or seasonal festivals.
• Use social media and bulletin boards to spread the word about upcoming activities.

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4. Volunteer Your Time

• Join local organizations, such as the fire department, school committees, or church groups.
• Mentor young people or assist elderly neighbors with errands and chores.

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5. Foster Healthy Lifestyles

• Establish walking or biking groups to encourage regular physical activity.
• Partner with local gyms or fitness instructors to offer free or low-cost classes.

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6. Encourage Civic Engagement

• Attend town hall meetings and participate in local decision-making.
• Advocate for improvements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

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7. Support Local Schools

• Volunteer as a tutor, coach, or helper at school events.
• Fundraise for classroom resources, field trips, or extracurricular programs.

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8. Strengthen Neighborhood Connections

• Create a community Facebook group or email list to share news and updates.
• Start a neighborhood watch program to enhance safety and security.

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9. Focus on Sustainability

• Start a community garden or composting initiative.
• Promote recycling programs and educate residents on reducing waste.

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10. Celebrate Local History and Culture

• Host storytelling nights where longtime residents share the town’s history.
• Partner with local historians or artists to preserve and promote Dorchester’s unique heritage.

Here's How To Get Your Street Paved

Over the many years the Times has been online, we've consistently heard from Dorchester residents who support paving more of the town's streets.

Over the last several months, Dorchester's main street (Washington Ave.) has been resurfaced for the first time in three decades -- and the streets surrounding the city park and water park have been paved for the first time ever. Progress is being made.

We can confirm that the Dorchester village board is exploring bonding options for the paving of additional streets, working through Olsson, the village engineer. (It should be noted that Roger Miller, the chairman of the village board, is also the street officer.)

Today, we are running a refresher course on how Nebraska communities can get their streets paved -- so that the residents of our community better understand the process. It works like this:

• Section 17-510 of Nebraska law says a petition can be started by those who have property next to an unimproved street (meaning gravel or dirt). Note the key word: landowners -- not just residents. If the petition is signed by enough landowners -- representing at least 61% of the front footage of the property directly abutting the street proposed to be paved -- the governing body (the village board) by ordinance would be forced to create a paving district or districts, barring some loophole, such as no sewer or water hook-up on that street.
  
  
• The petition must be worded precisely to specify that paving of a certain street or streets is desired. A paving district -- or street improvement district -- could take one of many forms. The street improvement district could consist of one street on one block, or comprise the entire town, or anything in between. The smaller the paving district, the better chances of paving occurring.
  
  
• The process is simple, yet there are many moving parts, according to experts. For example, the village board would need to levy special assessments on the lots and parcels of land abutting on or adjacent to the paved street to finance the work. Special assessments for such projects could be paid over a 15-year period.

To see the section of state law that allows this petition process, click here.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Rib Eye Steak Sandwiches, Jan. 25

Rib Eye Steak Sandwiches, Jan. 25: Get ready for the Dorchester Sons of the American Legion rib eye steak sandwich meal. This event will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Legion Hall. Cost is $20 per person; it includes the rib eye sandwich, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, chips and pickle. Cash bar and pickle cards will also be available. Get there early.

Scheffert Celebration of Life is This Saturday: Tom Scheffert's celebration of life ceremony will be Saturday, Jan. 18, from noon until 3 p.m. Lunch will be served. Scheffert ("Big Tom") passed on Nov. 30 at age 70 following a 24-year battle with congestive heart failure.

DHS Girls Basketball Hits 9-0 Mark: They just keep winning. The Class D-2 No. 5-ranked Dorchester girls varsity basketball team is off to the program's best start since the 1976-77 season, when the Lady Longhorns went 12-4 and finished in the Class D top-10 rankings. On Jan. 6 and 9, Dorchester decimated Heartland Lutheran by a 37-18 tally, and Sterling by a score of 48-7. Next up is a road contest this Monday, Jan. 13, at Class C-2 Cedar Bluffs (5-7) followed by a home contest Jan. 16 against East Butler (4-7) and a Jan. 17 road game against Giltner (1-8). A big challenge awaits DHS on Jan. 21 when Class C-2 Cross County (11-1) visits Dorchester's big corral.

OUR VIEW: Clues To Community Survival

Community survival is on the minds of many small-town residents nowadays.

Several years ago in an editorial, we mentioned that Dorchester has been able to escape school consolidation and loss of population, both of which are crippling many small Plains' communities. But our community is not immune to the struggles facing small town America.

However, all six staff members of the Dorchester Times wholeheartedly believe there is an escape from the major urban areas, as Americans -- young and old alike -- look towards rural communities for safety, sanity, affordability, and the need to connect with neighbors who share their values.

This time in history presents a perfect opportunity for Dorchester residents to decide what they want their community to look like five, 10, or 20 years from now -- and beyond. 

VISIONS magazine -- published by the non-profit Heartland Center for Leadership Development -- several years ago ran a list of "20 clues to community survival." The list wasn't a recipe, nor did it represent the checklist for a perfect small town, according to the authors of the study from which the list was derived. However, we think the list serves as a useful tool for goal-setting in Dorchester.

CLUES TO COMMUNITY SURVIVAL

1.) Evidence of Community Pride. "Successful communities are often showplaces of care, attention, history and heritage," the study says. (This also includes loyalty among residents and school alumni.)

2.) Emphasis on Quality in Business & Community Life. 

3.) Willingness to Invest in the Future. "In addition to the brick-and-mortar investments, all decisions are made with an outlook on the future."

4.) Participatory Approach to Community Decision Making. ("Even the most powerful opinion leaders seem to work toward building consensus.")

5.) Cooperative Community Spirit. This speaks for itself.

6.) Realistic Appraisal of Future Opportunities. "Successful communities have learned how to build on strengths and minimize weaknesses."

7.) Awareness of Competitive Positioning. "Local loyalty is emphasized in successful small towns, but thriving communities know who their local competitors are and position themselves accordingly."

8.) Active Economic Development Program. "There is an organized, public/private approach to economic development."

9.) Knowledge of the Physical Environment. "Relative location and available natural resources underscore decision-making."

10.) Deliberate Transition of Power to a Younger Generation of Leaders. "People under 40 regularly hold key positions in civic and business affairs in strong communities."

11.) Celebration of Diversity in Leadership. "Young people and newcomers are elected officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurial developers."

12.) Strong Belief in and Support for Education.

13.) Problem-Solving Approach to Providing Health Care and Housing Older Residents.

14.) Strong Multi-Generational Family Orientation. "The definition of family is broad, and activities include younger as well as older generations."

15.) Strong Presence of Traditional Institutions are Integral to Community Life. "Churches, schools and service clubs are strong influences on community development and the social network."

16.) Sound and Well-Maintained Infrastructure. "Leaders work to maintain streets, Main Street buildings, water systems and sewage facilities."

17.) Careful Use of Fiscal Resources.

18.) Sophisticated Use of Technology Resources.

19.) Willingness to Seek Help from the Outside. "People seek outside help for community needs, and many compete for government grants and contracts for projects and services."

20.) Conviction That, in the Long Run, You Must Do It Yourself. "Thriving rural communities believe their destiny is in their own hands. Making their communities good places is a pro-active assignment, and they are willing to accept it."

NEWS ROUND-UP: Phil Weber Turns 90

Phil Weber Turns 90: The year 1935 was a memorable one. Amelia Earhart became
the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California, the first canned beer was sold, and the first parking meter was installed. Just as important, Dorchester's Phil Weber made his debut in this world. Phil turned 90 today, Jan. 4. Be sure to wish him happy 90th! 

DHS Girls Basketball Goes to 7-0: The Dorchester varsity girls basketball team has moved to 7-0 on the season after defeating Lewiston 56-15 at DHS on Jan. 2. The boys fell to Lewiston 41-74 the same evening. Due to winter weather, the basketball games scheduled for Saturday afternoon (Jan. 4) at Cedar Bluffs have been rescheduled to Monday, Jan. 13. On Monday, Jan. 6, both teams take on Heartland Lutheran at The Corral at DHS. 

Next Village Board Meeting is Jan. 13: The Village of Dorchester Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan, 13, at the Farmers Cooperative headquarters building. Use entrance door No. 2 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

Nebraska's Income Tax Burden Drops: Nebraska's tax climate is becoming more competitive in one key category. With the new year comes a lower top income tax rate of 5.20% for tax year 2025 -- down from 6.84% just two years earlier. This change is due to the passage of LB 754 in 2023, signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen. This rate impacts earnings exceeding $29,000 for single filers and $58,000 for married filers. Under the law, Nebraska's top income tax rate will fall to 3.99% by tax year 2027, meaning those making an income will get to keep more of the money they earn.

Looking Back: Threats of Violence Met Those Who Moved Methodist Church

Most of us from Saline County know about the messy conflict that occurred when Wilber residents traveled to Pleasant Hill in the mid-1870s to physically retrieve the courthouse following a countywide vote that made Wilber the new county seat. 

According to the story -- which has been told often over the generations -- it took roughly 160 wagon teams and 300 Wilber residents using force, including the threat of firearms, before the task could be completed.

But many are unaware of the conflict and threats of violence that occurred when the Methodist Church was moved to Dorchester from Pleasant Hill in 1880. 

According to "Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska," after Pleasant Hill was no longer the county seat, the Methodist Church Society dropped in numbers so rapidly that only a few dozen remained a short time after Wilber became the county seat. 

The pastor of the church organization, who resided in Dorchester, conceived the idea of securing the church building for his own community. 

Pleasant Hill, however, would not give it up.

An attorney was consulted. He told the Dorchester Methodists to go to Pleasant Hill, tear down the church, and bring it back to Dorchester. So a party was organized and traveled to Pleasant Hill with wagons to haul the lumber away. The Dorchester residents were met with threats of violence, but they kept on until the roof was torn off and nearly all of one side, as well. The floors were also torn up and some of the lumber loaded on the wagons. 

That's when an officer arrived and served an injunction on the Dorchester residents, who were ordered to leave Pleasant Hill at once. As the Dorchester wagons traveled north,the citizens of Pleasant Hill started to rebuild the church. 

Meanwhile, the district court was in session, but it sat hours away in Falls City. The attorney for the Dorchester parishioners hurried there -- by horse, of course. After securing a hearing, the injunction was dissolved and the court ruled in favor of the Dorchester Methodists. 

The attorney telegraphed the decision to Dorchester -- and the group immediately returned to Pleasant Hill, again tore down the church, moved it to Dorchester, and rebuilt it with an addition. 

The rest, as they say, is history.

Looking Back: Dorchester's Main Street -- East Side

Throughout the last several years, readers have sent the Dorchester Times photos and postcards of Dorchester's main street (Washington Avenue) as it appeared at the turn of last century. Almost all of these photos captured images of the west side of main street, where the majority of businesses have been housed over the past 150 years.

A while back, we received a real treat. The Times was emailed a postcard providing a rare look at the east side of main street from sometime around 1900.

The photos accompanying this story (click on them to get a better view) are of the Longanecker Building, destroyed by fire in 1973. 

The majority of Times readers don't recall the structure. The Longanecker Building, for the record, stood where the Tyser's Welding and Repair stands today.

During the era this photo was taken, Meacham Hardware occupied the northern-most, ground-level section of the Longanecker Building. Dr. Panter's offices occupied the second story directly above. C.W. Crain Insurance and Colson's Cafe were next door. 

Also in the building were Joy and Edward's Grocery, the telephone office, and a dentist's office.

This isn't the first time the Times has published rare photos of Dorchester's east side.

In 2015, we gave readers a look inside the store front window's of Meacham's.

In 2009, we offered readers a glimpse of a "traffic jam" in 1906. (By 1906, most of the trees had been removed, so we are dating today's photo a couple years earlier.)

Below are close-ups of the Longanecker Building from the photo shared with us today. 

In the first photo, notice the awning with Meacham Hardware Co. stitched on the front. Also notice the wooden structure immediately to the north. (Today, that is the Eastside Bar and Grill.)

In the second photo, notice the retail advertising on the south side of the building, as well as the ladder-like structures in front of main street's trees, used most likely as holding stations for horses. Electricity had obviously arrived in Dorchester, so this is post-1890s.

Finally, we've included a photo from the 1930s, that showed how the east side of main street had changed about 25 years later. Notice the trees had been removed. And the advertising was constantly being updated.

This Sunday: Tom And Jerry Gathering At DVFD Annex Building

For years, members of the Dorchester Volunteer Fire (and Rescue) Department have hosted a Tom and Jerry gathering on New Year's weekend. 

This special event will be held Sunday, Dec. 29, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the DVFD annex building at 517 Washington Ave. This will be a free event, and donations will be accepted. Snacks will also be served.

For those wondering, the Tom and Jerry -- a traditional Christmas time cocktail -- was devised by sportswriter Pierce Egan in the 1820s. The eggnog-brandy-rum drink is a reference in Egan's book "Life in London." 

To publicize the book, Egan introduced a variation of eggnog by adding ½ fl. oz. of brandy, calling it a "Tom and Jerry." The additional fortification helped popularize the drink. To try Tom and Jerry's at your home, here is our recipe:

TOM AND JERRY INGREDIENTS

Boiling water
1 tbsp Tom And Jerry Batter
1 oz Cognac
1 oz Dark rum
Whole milk, hot

Garnish: Nutmeg, clove and allspice
Glass: Coffee mug or Tom and Jerry cup

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Tom And Jerry Batter

INGREDIENTS:
12 Eggs, separated
1 tsp Cream of tartar
2 lb Sugar
2 oz Dark Jamaican-style rum
1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)

PREPARATION:
In a bowl, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until they form stiff peaks. In a separate bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar, rum and vanilla (if using). When the mixture is completely liquid, fold it into the whites.

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How to make the Tom and Jerry Cocktail

Rinse a small coffee mug (or, indeed, a white ceramic Tom and Jerry cup) with boiling water to warm it and discard the water. Add the batter, cognac and rum to the cup and fill with hot milk. Garnish with a mixture of two parts freshly grated nutmeg to one part each ground clove and ground all spice.

Merry Christmas, Dorchester!

Is there anything better than Christmas in a small town?

Here's our Christmas music for you and your family on this special day.

Merry Christmas to all. 

Be safe -- we want you reading the Times in 2025

NEWS ROUND-UP: Lady Longhorns Begin Season 6-0

DHS Girls Basketball Off to 6-0 Start: The calendar says it's still December, but the high school basketball season is one-third complete -- and the Dorchester girls varsity team is off to a 6-0 start. Under the guidance of Coach Brandon Bruha, the DHS girls have defeated Deshler, Meridian, High Plains Community, BDS, Harvard, and Osceola this month. The team is off until Jan. 2, when they will host Lewiston (1-3) and then travel to Cedar Bluffs (3-3) on Jan. 4. On Jan. 6, DHS will host Grand Island's Heartland Lutheran (1-4). 

DHS Boys Snag First Win of Season: The DHS boys basketball squad nabbed the season's first win on Dec. 17, beating Harvard 43-39. Under Coach Cory Bird, the Longhorns are now preparing for a fast and furious January. They will host Lewiston (1-3) and then travel to Cedar Bluffs (2-4) on Jan. 4. On Jan. 6, DHS will host Grand Island's Heartland Lutheran (0-4). 

Dorchester Spotlighted by National Tourism Website: The Travel, a national digital publication dedicated to inspiring travel, has named Dorchester as one of eight "surprising small towns in Nebraska worth a visit." The site named the community's Czech roots and community events as its strong points, as well as its water park and being the home of the Saline County Museum.

Garbage Collection Day is Now Friday: As a reminder, Dorchester trash pick-up day is now Friday. The village office is reminding residents that of Items that will not be picked up or allowed in trash containers. Those items include wet paint containers, motor oil, antifreeze, lead acid batteries, fluorescent bulbs, household hazardous waste, waste oil, tires, yard waste, major appliances, and ashes or any item that could cause a fire.

Long Overdue: Keystone XL Oil Pipeline (Or Something Like It)

In the first of many disastrous decisions, President Joe Biden killed the Keystone XL oil pipeline permit on his first day in office nearly four years ago. 

As a result, Americans -- and Nebraska workers -- have paid a heavy price in higher fuel prices and fewer private-sector jobs. Biden's politically motivated action has had significant consequences for Saline County's area economy.

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

The move was not only unfair to a company that had invested billions of dollars and followed the rules, more than 1,000 jobs -- the majority unionized -- were eliminated. 

Nebraska property owners also took a major hit without the existence of a second Keystone pipeline that would have helped relieve the tax burden. See the Dorchester Times' previous reporting on this matter.

With the election of former President Donald Trump, there's now wide speculation that the 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline -- which would carry roughly 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast -- could still become a reality.

As reported by national media, Chris Wright, Trump’s pick for energy secretary, has said restarting the pipeline was one of the most important things the government could do to boost energy supplies. But restarting the venture could be extremely difficult and costly, several media stories point out.

Three years ago, TC Energy, the Canadian-based sponsor of the Keystone XL Pipeline, said it was calling it quits. TC Energy recently spun off its pipelines business to a new company, South Bow, which hasn't indicated whether it will attempt to restart the Keystone XL, Fox Business reports.

Fox Business adds: Regardless of whether Keystone XL is ultimately restarted, there are likely to be more pipelines built crossing the Canada-U.S. border in the years ahead given the dynamics of the oil market.

"If you look around the globe, the supplies of diesel are relatively tight and the world needs more of it," said one oil executive. Pipelines like Keystone XL would allow Canadian oil to flow into the U.S. "in a more efficient, safe way" to alleviate the global supply shortage.

Developing...

Dorchester's Tom Scheffert Passes At 70

UPDATE: Tom Scheffert's celebration of life ceremony will be Jan. 18, noon until 3 p.m. Lunch will be served.

Thomas Leroy Scheffert ("Big Tom"), 70, left this world Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in his
home in Dorchester after a 24-year battle with congestive heart failure. He was telling his wife what to do right to the end.

He is survived by his loving wife and companion of 32 years, Patricia (Skutchan) Morfeld, his loving sister, Gayle (Scheffert) Beals, and her husband, Patrick of Lincoln, his niece Kimberly (Beals) Luzum, her children Chandler and Kaden Lukert and Emma Kasl, great-grand nieces Aleah and Emerson, nephew Ryan Beals and his wife Kara, and their son Charlie of Omaha, his aunts Jane Scheffert and Loretta Pape, as well as numerous cousins, his stepsons, Shon Morfeld and girlfriend Tonia Sutliff of Tempe, AZ, and Michael Morfeld and children of Chandler, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his father, Glen “Jack” Scheffert and his mother, Darlene (Rosekrans) Scheffert, his grandparents, several uncles, aunts and cousins.

Tom was born June 18, 1954 in Lincoln and lived by Centerville until his parents moved to the farm south of Dorchester in 1963. After graduation in 1972, he worked at the Crete Mills and the Dorchester Coop for many years and Peterson Vise-Grip in Dewitt for eight years. He owned and operated a salvage yard in Dorchester for four years. He owned and operated a semi for 20 years. In 2020, he had to retire to town as he could no longer maintain the farmyard due to his health.

He always said he loved the life he lived. He was a life-long farmer and enjoyed visiting with friends about farming and learning about farming in Arizona. For the last seven winters, Tom and Patricia snow-birded in Arizona, buying a place near Casa Grande, AZ.

Tom loved dirt track racing. He owned and drove stock cars and IMCA modifieds, starting in 1976 until after 2001. He made a multitude of friends over the years, both in racing and everywhere he went.

He will be greatly missed by everyone he touched in his life.

Tom’s ashes will be spread on the farm he loved. There will be no service but a celebration of life will be held at a later date in Dorchester.

Christmas Gatherings In Dorchester

Dorchester has Christmas spirit.

Christmas lights are on all over town, with more than a quarter of the village's homes having lights.

What's more, several Christmas gatherings are planned over the coming days and weeks.

Here's the lineup: 

- The first Christmas event will be Sunday night's (Dec. 1) Dorchester American Legion Family Christmas Party. Join friends and family for food, drinks, presentations from the Jr. Auxiliary, and even Santa. Doors open at 5 p.m. with food being served around 6 p.m.

 

- On Monday, Dec. 2, Dorchester High School will host its Christmas concert, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the school. This is always a seasonal favorite in the community.

 

- The Dorchester Elementary School Christmas concert will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at the school. Get there plenty early; this will draw a large crowd.

- On Saturday, Dec. 14, the traditional Morning With Santa will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Community Building and Legion Hall. A free-will donation breakfast will be hosted by the community foundation fund starting at 8:00 -- everyone of all ages is invited. Santa arrives at 8:30 a.m. This gathering will feature special events for the kids!

- The Saline County Historical Society will host a free old-fashioned holiday gathering on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Saline County Museum in Dorchester from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

- The Dorchester United Methodist Church's Christmas Eve service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome. (Children's program will be held during the regular service on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m.)