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Evelyn E. Novak, 93, of Seward, formerly Dorchester, passed away Nov. 12, 2013. She was born on Nov. 27, 1919 to George and Alice Kortman. She was a retired teacher and food service manager at Dorchester Public School.
Evelyn married Adolph J. Novak on April 25, 1943. They resided on their farm northwest of Dorchester for 65 years.
Evelyn was extremely active in many community and area organizations and enjoyed cooking, collecting vases, quilting, gardening, dancing, and helping others.
She is survived by her children and spouses: Darryl and Barb Novak, Deane and Susan Novak, Marla Jean Ritter; nine grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at United Church of Christ, First Congregational, Crete. Memorials in care of the family. Condolences may be left at www.kunclfh.com.
The results are in from a new Dorchester Times survey regarding life in our community.
We wanted to know why you live here -- or would live here if you could. Moreover, we wanted your thoughts on how we can make life even better in Dorchester.
Lots of you responded. Here is what you said:
QUESTION 1
More than two-thirds of you (67%) said you live in Dorchester, or would like to, because this is where your family resides or you grew up here. (We think this large number reinforces the need to impress upon our area youth that we want them to always feel welcome in Dorchester and that we're looking for ways to keep them here, even after they go away for higher education or training.) Another 28% of you cited Dorchester's community life or quality school as the reason you live here or would like to.
QUESTION 2
Regarding how you would make Dorchester an even better place to live -- if given only one option -- our readers were more split. However, about 60% of you said you think paving at least parts of Dorchester would greatly enhance quality of life here. Another large block (31%) would like to see more local business here to improve the Dorchester experience. Nearly 15% said more investment in new housing and home renovation would help.
One reader offered his/her own suggestion: "Plant thousands of flowering trees, or alternatively, sugar maples for beautiful fall foliage so that people would go out of their way to check out Dorchester."
The survey was taken over the period of Nov. 9-13.
In late September, we reported that Dorchester High School's Art I class had begun work on a new mural located in the newest building of the Saline County Museum.
Today, we receive word that the DHS art students are nearly finished. There is still some minor detailing to be done, and that work will be completed when the museum reopens in the spring.
The mural dedication will be held April 27 at the museum. The public is invited.
DHS art instructor Stacy Lutjemeyer said, "This was a great learning experience for the students. They were able to go out to the public to work on some artwork. They experienced working large scale and learned some detail techniques of painting landscapes. I hope everyone will come to see the mural in the spring!"
Art I students pictured include: Bryce Rockenbach, Derek Pohl, Agustine Perez, Lydia Wells, Laura Davidsen, Taylor Vavra, and Justin Schwisow. These students started the mural with the sketching, layout, and base painting. After it progressed, students Kacey Zoubek and Eliseo Ruiz began helping with the mural adding details and finishing touches.
Earlier this week, the DHS volleyball team's season came to an end after the squad fell to Meridian in the District 2, Class D-2 Sub-District tournament. The Lady Longhorns finished their season with a 5-21 record, which was disappointing for the team, despite having one of the youngest team's in its class.
DHS Coach Ty Peteranetz told the Friend Sentinel that the Longhorns played the best they had since the Crossroads Conference tournament. “We had had some problems with playing as a team in the matches since CRC, and I was very proud of the way we came together,” he said. “We had more than one run where we played great volleyball, and there were certain plays that exemplified the fight and finish that I was hoping to instill in the girls this season.”
The Sentinel notes that young players like Jacee Weber, Kacey Zoubek and Avery Behrens helped lead the team during the season.
Peteranetz made the following comments regarding the season: "I am so unbelievably proud of this group of young women. In times when they could have given up, they didn't. They welcomed freshmen as contributors and welcomed a new coach with open minds and open arms. Every player contributed in practice, in matches, and off the court. I am thrilled, THRILLED, with the growth they showed this year.
“We had a good measuring stick as we played many teams more than once, and were able to show those teams how much we can improve with hard work. It was a blessing to work with this group of athletes, and I look forward to even greater things in the future.”
As the Times reported earlier, participation for DHS volleyball this season was at its highest level in three decades.
Mr. Peteranetz is a self-described "transplanted, Colorado-born Husker fan," who moved to Omaha in 2011 after 30 years in Colorado to be the assistant volleyball coach at the College of St. Mary. He missed teaching terribly, so he resigned his position with CSM to be an educator and coach at DHS. He teaches Dorchester's fourth grade.
The Norris Public Power District, which serves the Village of Dorchester and rural Saline Couty, is warning customers of a phone scam spreading across the country in an attempt to defraud customers of electric utilities.
Norris says some of its customers have reported receiving phone calls from an unknown source, claiming to represent the utility and then trying to defraud them.
Residents across Nebraska said the callers threatened customers with disconnecting electric service to their homes or businesses if they didn’t make payments immediately.
The scam artist instructs them to send money via prepaid card or online payment service like PayPal so the company will not shut the power off. Sometimes customers are asked for credit card numbers.
Norris Public Power District does not contact customers to ask for credit card numbers as a company policy. Norris customers who receive such calls should not attempt to make any payment and contact Norris at 1-800-858-4707 to report the request. Customers are also encouraged to contact local law enforcement if they receive a call demanding payment.
Dorchester's young volleyball team is working overtime in its preparation for sub-district play.
And for good reason. All teams now begin a new season. It's win or go home.
The Class D-2, Sub-District 2 tournament will be held at Wilber-Clatonia High School on Monday.
Dorchester (5-20), which is the fifth-seeded team in the sub-district tourney, will take on fourth seed Meridian (11-13) at 5:30 p.m.
Later on Monday night, the third seed Hampton (16-11) will face second seed Diller-Odell (16-12) at 6:30 p.m.
Then, the Meridian-Dorchester winner will face top seed Exeter-Milligan (20-8) at 7:30 p.m.
The sub-district final will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in Wilber.
