Work Progressing On New Park Shelter

Those who have recently passed by the city park have noticed that much progress has been made on the new park shelter.

The roof is competed; there are sidewalks extending to the bathrooms, as well as to the existing sidewalks; there is a spot for the grills; and the storage area -- where electrical switches and serving tables will be kept -- is in place.

Picnic tables were assembled last weekend and placed in the shelter.

The new park shelter is a key improvement, and is one of the first projects initiated by the Dorchester Area Community Foundation (DACF) -- not to be confused with the Dorchester Area Community Association (DACA). Many area residents, former residents and DHS alumni have contributed to this project. The Foundation also received a $16,200 matching grant from the Nebraska Game and Parks.

The initial bid for the 30’x 40’ shelter was $39,000. The shelter features a concrete floor and gable roof, with lighting and electrical sockets. Donations are still needed for extras such as landscaping.

For those wishing to help with this important project or other improvements, send donations to DACF, P.O. Box 115, Dorchester, NE 68343. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible and can be specified for a specific fund or to the general fund.

To learn about donation options and benefits, contact DACF secretary Peg Bergmeyer at pegbergmeyer@yahoo.com or 946-2471.

Bergmeyer also reminds area resident to donate their aluminum cans by dropping them in the Cans-For-The-Park wagon, located near the park basketball court.

Move-Back-To-Dorchester Idea Generates Reader Comments

A few days ago, we published a post suggesting that now may be the time for a "Move-Back-To-Dorchester" campaign, in which town leaders would combine efforts to retain our current young people and recruit DHS alumni back to the area.

We are pleased that a lively discussion is taking place and believe the subject merits another look.

Reader "Mike" has offered his three-point plan for implementing a Move-Back-To-Dorchester campaign. The keys to such an effort, Mike writes, are ensuring that quality housing is available and convincing fellow citizens that the community is a "product that must be sold" to others -- including our young people.

Reader "CJ" noted that there is a new housing development underway in the northwest section of town. An anonymous reader commented that "September 12 should be the launch of the pavement project" to improve Dorchester's streets.

We appreciate the substantive comments being generated at this post, and we enourage all Times readers to leave their own thoughtful ideas.

Horns Take On S.E. Consolidated Tonight In Stella

Tonight's 7 p.m. game against Southeast Consolidated will mark the Longhorn’s first road game of the 2007 football season. This evening’s road trip to Stella –- located in Richardson County –- is approximately 90 minutes from Dorchester.

The Longhorns are expected to bounce back after last week’s heartbreaking 28-26 loss to Exeter-Milligan, whose roster boasted 40 players. The ‘Horns have a well-rounded, well-coached squad that plays superbly as a team, a fact that was appreciated by last Friday’s large Dorchester crowd at Nerud Field.

The gridiron MVP for last week goes to Jared Jensen. The Times is predicting a 35-14 Dorchester win over SE Consolidated, which lost by 10 points to Freeman last week.

In other DHS sports news, Dorchester's volleyball squad last night went 0-2 in its triangular at home. The Lady Longhorns were defeated by Giltner in two sets, 25-21, 25-12, and Hampton in three sets, 25-20, 25-11, 25-14. Hampton’s Lady Hawks went on to win the Dorchester Triangular.

The Lady Longhorns are 1-3 so far this year.

** UPDATE: 9/8/07, 9 a.m. **

Longhorn fans who made the drive down to Stella saw a dominating performance by DHS. The Longhorns overpowered SE Consolidated 22-0, elevating the Horns to 1-1 on the season.

More Details On Sept. 16 Church Auction

As reported previously, the Dorchester United Methodist Church’s 20th Annual Community Auction will be held September 16.

More information is now available regarding some of the items that will be on the auction block, including: Callaway "Big Bertha" golf clubs and bag; a two-day, two-night fishing trip for people; ready-to-grill Nebraska Beef from Weber's Feed Yard; an oak shelf with quilt bar; John Deere wall decor; southeast Nebraska cookbook collection; Mexican fiesta for six; and a duck and dumpling dinner.

The day's event also includes a BBQ and bake sale. The BBQ will begin at 11:30 a.m. For more information on donating auction items, contact Vicky Parks 946-4691 or Carol Olson 946-3531.

Cash donations of all amounts are being accepted. For information on cash donations, contact Bernice Weber at 946-4191.

Also, all the children are invited to bring a cake for the cake auction. For information on the cake auction, call Lindsay Zoubek at 946-2198. Finally, bring your surplus garden produce to the free-will country market.

DSIP To Hold Round Table Wednesday Night

On Wednesday, Sept. 5, members of the Dorchester School Improvement Project (DSIP) Committee will hold a round table discussion with the Dorchester Board of Education.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorchester Methodist Church and will likely be the last opportunity for voters to ask questions prior to the bond vote next week.

Last week's DSIP Bar-B-Que and presentation on the proposed school renovation drew more than 200 district voters. Many tours of the school were given, and approximately 140 district patrons attended the presentation in the school gym.

Times Readers Predict Voters Will OK School Renovation Plan

With only a week left before the vote on the Dorchester School renovation and expansion plan, a new Times poll of more than 100 readers finds that more than 70 percent predict the project will be approved by the school district's voters.

The Times poll asked: "Considering what you have heard from other residents, do you think the new school project will be approved by voters on Sept. 11?"

The overwhelming majority of readers -- 71.6 percent -- said the bonding authority for the project would be approved. However, a sizable 28.6 percent predicted the expansion project would be denied by District 44 voters.

The survey of 105 readers was conducted from Aug. 26 through Sept. 3. The polls will open bright and early (8 a.m.) next Tuesday, Sept. 11. For more background on the proposed renovation and expansion, see past Times' articles by clicking here.

Time For A Move-Back-To-Dorchester Campaign?

A couple of years ago, a new Web site went up called MoveBackToNebraska.com. This Web-based service aims to recruit out-of-state professionals and entrepreneurs who were raised and educated in Nebraska by informing them of job openings and entrepreneurial opportunities here in the Cornhusker State.

The goal of the site is "to bring sharp, talented and enthusiastic people back home," reversing brain drain -- the all-too-frequently occurring scenario in which young Nebraskans are educated in our state and then take their talents and revenue-producing potential outside the state lines.

The verdict is still out on MoveBackToNebraska.com. While we appreciate the pro-active thought and effort that went into the site, we think small communities can go one step further.

The fact is, for most people who wish to return to their home area, the thought of moving back to their hometown probably holds as much -- if not more -- appeal than just relocating within their home state's boundaries.

We see fertile ground for opportunity. Dorchester leaders -- perhaps a combination of school employees and city officials or DACA members -- may wish to consider establishing a new campaign to recruit DHS alumni back to the area by informing them of jobs as well as available real estate, including businesses and vacant buildings for sale. The Dorchester Public School holds the most complete database of alumni contact information. However, the Dorchester Times would be more than happy to assist in any widespread communication effort.

Dorchester, like all small Nebraska communities, must reach out to its sons and daughters who have moved away -- for whatever reasons -- to another city or state, but now have thoughts of returning to our community and the surrounding area. We need their talents. We want them to be part of Dorchester once again.

Considering the soaring cost of living in large urban areas, and the higher quality of life offered by our town, the time is right for a Move-Back-To-Dorchester campaign.

Of course, we also hope that Dorchester teachers and parents are already encouraging our grade school, junior high school, and high school students to consider returning to the Dorchester area after they further their education. These young people need to know that the future of our town depends on them.

We would like to know your thoughts on the idea of a Move-Back-To-Dorchester campaign. Readers are also encouraged to share their recruitment ideas.