Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Dec. 13

Hey, kids. The word is out: Santa Claus is coming to town.

Dorchester's "Morning with Santa" is set for this Saturday, December 13, from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Dorchester's American Legion Hall. The event is being organizaed by Dorchester's Parent Teacher Organization.

There will be several activities and crafts -- overseen by the FBLA and the sponsored in part by Dorchester's United Methodist church.

Breakfast will be provided by Dorchester Community Foundation Fund. There's no charge for this special event; free-will donations are accepted. On the menu will be biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast, pancakes, fruit, and drinks.
  
The Legion will be serving adult drinks while the kids are crafting and sharing their wish list to Santa. 

This is an annual tradition in Dorchester. Even years ago -- when the event was sponsored by DACA (before a lawsuit brought an end to the organization) -- "Morning With Santa" has been a favorite. 

 

This Christmas celebration promises to be a very special one. Come out and support Dorchester!

 

Dorchester's Nancy Slepicka Passes; Services Wednesday

A funeral service for Nancy Slepicka will be Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Dorchester United Methodist Church in Dorchester. A graveside service will be  Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Milligan. Pastor Cameron Miller will preside over the services. A public visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan.

Memorials are suggested to the Dorchester Rescue Squad.

Nancy was born August 15, 1946 in Friend to Ernest “Curly” and Rose (Suda) Kotas, the oldest of two children. She passed away peacefully at home in Dorchester on Dec. 5, 2025 at the age of 79 years, 3 months, and 21 days.

Nancy attended Milligan Public Schools and graduated in 1964. While in school, she played the saxophone in the band, volleyball in a skirt, softball and numerous other activities along with her close friends Bev, Diane, and Sandy. They remained lifelong friends. Nancy met Alan Slepicka when he borrowed her saxophone to play in a dance band and over time their love blossomed and they were united in marriage on September 19, 1964. Alan and Nancy were blessed with 4 children: Dean, Craig, Tiffany, and Heather.

After Alan’s Army service in Ft. Gordon, Ga., the couple returned to Nebraska where they made their home in Dorchester starting in 1965. Nancy made a great partner with Alan and the Slepicka Bros. excavating business. She enjoyed gardening and canning/freezing the summer’s rewards for later meals. She was also quite the cook and baker with something always ready to share on the counter. Nancy always seemed to be good with numbers as she was employed over the years with Hansen tax preparation services in Dorchester and Allen Insurance Agency, City Bank, and Union Bank in Crete, NE.

Nancy enjoyed attending all her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events and was always proud of the efforts of all. She also was involved with many local clubs that included Jolly Doers, Extension Club, Methodist Women of Faith and volunteered at H.A.T.S. in Friend. She also enjoyed traveling with Alan to the many locations around the country that their children moved to and many bus trips to new and interesting places.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Rose Kotas.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Alan Slepicka, Dorchester; her children Dean Slepicka (Christy), Milford, Craig Slepicka (Lisa), Seward, Tiffany Wegele (Brian), Auburn, Kan., Heather Slepicka Lawrence, Kan.; eight grandchildren: Parker Slepicka, Brady Slepicka (Madi), Landis Miles (Landen), Max Slepicka, Wade Slepicka, Charles Wegele, Lydia Wegele, Heath Wegele and great grand baby Miles on the way; Brother Daniel Kotas (Bev), Milligan, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends.

Nancy will be remembered for kindness, generosity and her love of friends and family. Her love will endure with all who knew her.

New Season Of DHS Basketball Tips Off Thursday

Ever since the girls' state championship game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena last March, Dorchester has been abuzz with anticipation for the 2025-26 basketball season.

On Thursday, Dec. 4, both the DHS girls and boys teams will tip off what promises to be an electric season. Deshler comes will come to town for a 6 p.m. girls contest, while the boys' game will start at 7:30. Both games will be at the Dorchester gym.

Girls Seek to Build on Last Year's Success 

The Lady Longhorns, still riding a wave of momentum from last season's historic run, have their eyes on the prize this season.

In 2024-25, DHS delivered a 24-3 record, storming through districts and the playoffs and reaching the Class D-2 state championship game. It was the best tournament run in school history -- for either girls or boys in any sport -- and a moment that put Dorchester girls basketball on the map.

Head coach Brandon Bruha, who was named Nebraska's high school girls basketball coach of the year earlier this year, returns alongside assistant coach Brent Zoubek. Their blend of strategic coaching and strong community support have helped the Lady Longhorns establish their own brand of basketball.

Despite the loss of three key players due to graduation, expectations are high once again this season, especially with the off-season development of younger players who saw significant playing time last winter. 

Boys Ready to Re-Establish DHS' Winning Tradition

The 2024–25 season was a tough slog for the DHS boys, who sported a 1–21 record. But as deep talent begins to emerge, this season represents a pivotal reset. 

One DHS fan in his 70s told the Times: "This year's team has a chance to turn what used to be losses into wins and rebuild pride in the DHS boys basketball brand."

Under the coaching leadership of Corey Bird, there’s optimism that a renewed focus on fundamentals, teamwork, and mental toughness will allow the program to leap forward. (And DHS' head coach knows something about leaping.)

See the girls basketball schedule.

Check out the boys basketball schedule.

Then go put on your best orange-and-black attire for yet another season of DHS basketball!

Two Memorable Dorchester Properties Gone

Dorchester looks noticeably different this week after the removal of a pair of well-known local structures. 

Demolition crews have removed most of the former former Ford dealership and garage at the corner of 8th Street and Washington Avenue (Main Street). Currently owned by LJ Barley of Barley Specialties, the building had been used for storage since business operations ceased in the mid-1970s following the retirement of Henry Sehnert. 

The structure sustained major roof damage during last August's severe windstorm. According to credible reports emailed to the Times, Barley intends to build on the site.

Not all residents we have spoken with are optimistic. Some have raised concerns about what may replace the former Ford garage. Multiple residents noted that the last property Barley purchased and tore down — the lot just south of the city park — has since been used for storing scrap metal and inoperable vehicles, blighting the community. However, Barley's new building to the north of the current demolition project has added considerable value to Main Street by bringing two new businesses to town.

"This site is extremely important considering its prominence along Dorchester’s main business corridor," said one resident who emailed the Times. 

Meanwhile, another landmark disappeared as Dorchester’s historic "Sears home,"  located at 201 Washington Ave. for the past century, was lifted from its foundation and transported out of town on Thursday, Nov. 26. Built around 1925 as a Sears and Roebuck mail order kit, was transported out of town Thursday, Nov. 26. The house, which was a Times' Home Improvement Award winner in 2023, was a rare surviving example of its kind in the area. It has reportedly been moved near the West Blue Church northeast of Dorchester, where it is expected to be preserved.

With these two departures, Dorchester loses both a significant piece of its Main Street commercial past and a bit of its residential architectural heritage. In a town where familiar landmarks help anchor community identity, residents will be watching closely to see what fills the newly open spaces — and how village leaders and property owners choose to balance preservation, progress, and property stewardship in the months ahead.

Happy Thanksgiving From The Times

Several years ago, the Times received an e-mail that we felt compelled to share with all of our readers. Today, it is reprinted here with the permission of the author. 

From the staff of the Dorchester Times, a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

*****

Sweet home Dorchester! Oh sweet Nebraska! On this Thanksgiving we have so many things to be grateful for.

You never really know how amazing something or someplace or someone is until you no longer have it or them in your daily life.  I lived away from here for several years and during that time I reminded myself almost daily of the things and the people I missed.

On this Thanksgiving, I will once again take time to give thanks for those things that make life worth living. They are:

1.) The bountiful fall harvest.

2.) My small town and the feeling of community that we're all in this together.

3.) A peaceful main street I can walk with no fear of violence.

4.) Mom-and-pop businesses and no big box stores.

5.) Our Dorchester school and the wonderful students and teachers.

6.) Small town chatter, even the gossip.

7.) Farmers, hunters, people of commerce, and our community elders (the producers and providers).

8.) Not being honked at in your car or truck when you're at the one and only red light.

9.) The smells of home, including a wood burning stove or fireplace and the crisp Midwest air this time of year.

10.) Pumpkin pie, homemade jelly and all the great local baking.

This is a good start. Oh yes, I am also thankful for my great-grandparents who came to Dorchester to start their families. It is because of them that Dorchester is my home.

Sincerely,

Name Withheld

Mother, Wife and Farmer

Looking Back: Dorchester's Racing Pioneers

Several years ago, a loyal Times' reader emailed us with this: "A recent visitor at the Saline County Museum, seeking information on memories of childhood visits with his Dorchester relatives, asked about the famous Dorchester race car from the 1930s."

The car, as he remembered it, was built and raced by Henry "Heinie" Sehnert, Dorchester's longtime Ford dealer, garage owner, and mechanic. 

Te retired race car "hung from the rafters of Sehnert's Garage at 8th and Washington for many years." This particular Times reader, "History Buff," along with the visitor at the Saline County Museum wanted to know the rest of the story.

Where was the car raced? 

Was it a winner? 

Does anyone have a photo? 

What became of the car?  

Pictured in this story is Heinie Sehnert and his race car. Today, in 2022, the car is showcased in the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, sponsored by Speedway Motors. 

Sehnert's S7 Race Car was built in 1927 in Sehnert's South Side Garage -- which today is known as the yellow building on main street just north of the car wash. The S-7 had Ford Model T frame rails with a Frontenac overhead valve conversion on a Ford Model T engine, all re-engineered and built by Heinie.

Pictured above is Heinie at his South Side Garage, which operated from 1925 until late 1930, when Sehnert purchased the building at the corner of 8th and Washington Avenue to expand his Ford dealership. (The South Side Garage building would later house Floyd Beck's John Deere dealership, a roller skate rink, and Wanek's furniture warehouse.) Sehnert's dealership and garage were in operation until 1974, when Sehnert retired, according to the Dorchester Centennial history book.

The car itself was actually raced by a young man named Chris Petersen. Petersen would eventually go on to make a sizable fortune at his father's Petersen Manufacturing facility in Dewitt, where the Vise-Grip was produced and patented. Petersen drove the S7 car in a successful racing career at several area tracks. 

Both the engine and the body of the car are reunited at the museum of American Speed. This was a true barn find, according to the museum's social media accounts.  

The curators of the Speed Museum decided to not restore the S7, but to leave it in its natural state. 

For the record, the Saline County Museum visitor who inquired about the car was Wayne Panter of Lubbock, Texas. His Dorchester relatives were John Panter (Dorchester's first real estate agent in 1884-1885); Dr. S. G. Panter (Dorchester's medical doctor from 1909-1933); and Dr. R.G. Panter (Dorchester's pharmacist from 1888-1911).

Dorchester Foundation's Windsor Loin, Hamburger Feed, Nov. 15

It's a highlight of Dorchester's end-of-harvest season.

The Dorchester Community Foundation will host its Windsor loin and hamburger feed Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Dorchester American Legion Hall and Community Building. 

The feed will take place from 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Most will choose to dine in, but take-out will be available by calling (402) 641-7050 or (402) 641-0564.

Those who have been to the Foundation dinners know these are some of the best small-town foodie events anywhere in the Midwest. Best of all, the goodies are served in a friendly, welcoming environment.

Diners can choose a healthy-sized Windsor loin or an Angus burger/cheeseburger. Sides include scalloped potatoes, pork and beans, coleslaw, roll and drink.

This is a free-will offering, so give what you can. Proceeds will go to improvement projects in Dorchester.

Come out, get a great meal, meet up with friends, and support Dorchester.