RTC Networks 2022 Winter Newsletter

RTC NETWORKS COMMUNICATOR

24 Main Street North, PO Box 68, Parshall, ND 58770 www.myRTCNetworks.com, info@myRTCNetworks.com

Customer Service: 0811 (within RTC exchanges) or 701.862.3115

Repair Service: 0611 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.822.3311

24/7 Help Desk: 0211 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.497.2151

Headquarters: 24 Main St N Parshall, ND 58770

New Town Office: 202 College Drive New Town, ND 58763

Stanley Office: 215 Main St S, Stanley, ND 58784

Watford City Office: 701 14th St SW Watford City, ND 58854

Business Office: 0811 (Toll-free within RTC Exchanges) 701.862.3115 Fax: 701.862.3008

Email: info@myRTCNetworks.com

Publication Contact: Shannon Stafslien, Marketing Manager

CEO/General Manager: Shane D. Hart

Directors & Officers:

Jeanette Hoff, President

Wayne Skarda, Vice President

Jennifer Sorenson, Secretary/Treasurer

Jared Eagle, Director

Terry Wilber, Director

Amy Ones, Director

Barbara Steinmetz, Director

John McElwain, Director

Alicia Brenna, Attorney

RTC Networks is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Copyright© 2022 by RTC (Reservation Telephone Cooperative) and Tellwell.

GENERAL MANAGER A MESSAGE FROM OUR

everything to RTC Networks; you can read updates from a few of ours starting on page three of this newsletter.

We started the year strong with the purchase of Midstate Telephone LLC and Midstate Communications, Inc. We now proudly provide service to Stanley, Medora, Beach, Golva, and the surrounding areas. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete the integration of Midstate into RTC Networks!

Fast-forward a few months to July, when we received notification that RTC Networks was awarded a grant on the RUS Reconnect 3 application through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This grant will allow us to build out the underserved areas that border our service territory, which we hope to complete in the next two years.

RTC Networks has proudly served our communities in 2022 and we will continue to support you in 2023. As you are out preparing for the holidays, I encourage everyone to support your communities by shopping locally. When you shop locally you are not only supporting your local businesses, but you are also contributing to a thriving community. Community is

The holiday season brings joy, excitement, and lots of delicious food, but for some, it can also bring financial stress. RTC Networks wants to help alleviate this stress so you can focus on celebrating the holidays with your loved ones. If you or someone you know is struggling to afford broadband service, there are assistance programs available. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline Programs can help eligible people pay for broadband internet and telephone services. The ACP provides up to $30 per month toward internet services, and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on Tribal lands. Visit our website for more information and direct links to the ACP and Lifeline applications.

The myRTCnet app can also help relieve some of the holiday stress. You can create a guest network to share with visitors AND turn it off on all devices when it’s time to eat, all from one app. You can read about a few other ways that RTC Networks' myRTCnet app makes life easier on page eight.

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Shane Hart, CEO/GM

As 2022 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the growth that RTC Networks has experienced over the past 12 months.

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES MERRY & BRIGHT

As an active member of the communities we serve, RTC Networks is highlighting how local chambers are preparing for the cold by bringing their communities together.

It’s time to put away the bikes and the boats and make room for the snowblowers, for winter has officially arrived in RTC Networks territory. As fall wanes and temperatures drop, we find ourselves drawn to warmth wherever we can find it: in a mug of hot cocoa, under a handstitched quilt, around a roaring fire.

The outdoor air may sting, but in tight-knit communities like ours, the warmth of friends and family is never hard to find. We reached out to our local Chambers to see what they have in store for the final weeks of 2022.

Here are just a few of the ways our communities are warming hearts and bringing people together as 2022 draws to a close. None of these events would have been possible if not for the wonderful volunteers and community members who put them together. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make our communities home!

Kenmare, ND

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Kenmare, ND hosted a Turkey Bingo evening, where Brenna Stoklund and family raised funds for her Team America trip. We hope you have a safe and successful trip, Brenna!

If turkey wasn’t someone’s pot of joy, the Chili Cook-Off was also held back in October. Hopefully the judges didn’t have their taste buds burned off as they tested every chili to determine a winner!

Last but not least, Kenmare had its Goose Fest. As the Snow Goose Capital of North Dakota, Kenmare made sure to give a warm ND welcome to the hunters who joined them for the eight-day festival.

New Town, ND

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New Town lit up the cold winter Main Street with their annual parade of lights. Floats drove slowly by, entertaining children and adults alike.

Early December saw New Town’s Annual Walk-a-Bout New Town, where citizens could explore the local businesses – and sample a few treats along the way.

If walking from business to business in early December in North Dakota proved too cold, patrons could head to the New Town Civic Center for the annual craft fair, featuring local artisans, crafters, and bakers.

Watford City, ND

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Out west in Watford City, local 4-H'ers provided soup and sandwiches for the competitors at Turkey Bingo. For those who wanted a side of culture with their turkey, the Watford City Area Concert Series presented a concert with pianist David Osborne. When Osborne isn’t playing at the Bellagio in Las Vegas or performing for presidents, he’s touring around the world, introducing audiences to music from Chopin to Joplin and beyond.

For those who need a little more crafting in their lives, Miss Morgan held another Hanging Pumpkin Sip n’ Paint. Folks were eager to grab a glass of vino and a paintbrush to create a piece of wall art they can use year after year.

Emmet

Douglas

Arnegard

Ross

Squaw Gap

Mandaree

Parshall

Plaza Roseglen

Makoti

Ryder

New Town

Keene

Alexander Watford City

Stanley Garrison

Beach Medora

Garrison, ND

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Folks in Garrison were able to get hooked on the fish at the Garrison Fire Department Fish Fry back in November. Not only was there walleye aplenty, but guests were even served garlic toast, corn, and parsley potatoes. Yum!

Halloween saw a variety of events in Garrison, ranging from hiking to trick-o’-treating. Folks who love the good ol’ outdoors were able to partake in an evening hike at Fort Stevenson State Park. If the trails at night were too spooky for younger kiddos, they could trick-o’-treat with a variety of events ranging from Medow’s Assisted Living to the Annual Community Trunk or Treat at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

As the official Christmas capital of North Dakota, Garrison sees its Dickens Village Festival geared up for as many patrons as it can handle. The festival hosts so many events ranging from a staged one-act version of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” to feasts to a quilt show. There’s even a chance to ride the famous Queen Elizabus - a bright red and yellow 1960s English double decker bus. There’s even a London style telephone booth to complete the old-world metropolitan look. Finally, hop aboard one of the carriage rides and be carried away in a flurry of hooves and bells!

Stanley, ND

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Stanley had a busy day in late November, kicking off with the Indoor Craft Show. Patrons could warm up from the cold with homemade soups, sandwiches, and baked goodies provided by Mountrail Eagles 4-H Club.

Immediately following the Indoor Craft Show came the Parade of Lights, the official start of the holiday season in Stanley.

Beach, ND

Back in October, Beach hosted another successful Business After Hours event. Speakers Andrea Bowman and Matthew Ellerkamp spoke on remote work benefits and small business starts and succession, respectively.

The annual Tree Lighting in Gazebo Park kicked off the first week of December in Beach, providing a break from all that holiday planning and present wrapping. The Golden Valley County Fair Community Christmas Party followed on December 9th, complete with vendors, a chili and wreath contest, and much more!

Parshall, ND

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Parshall’s city app launched in mid-October. Now locals can easily access the community calendar, list sales, and add job listings. We’re excited to see the community embracing technology in such a way!

Parshall also had its Community Fall Vendor Showcase in November. The showcase took place at the local high school and baked goodies were available from local churches.

Before the snow fell, Parshall was able to celebrate its annual Harvestfest. Events and attractions included a car show, bouncy house, and a rock wall.

Medora, ND

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Medora held their Annual Hunters’ Feed on November 5th. Drawing in hunters and their families, the Hunters Feed offered up a warm meal and good company to help prepare for the day ahead. The next morning, the hunters headed off. That same day, family members who prefer to hunt their prey with credit cards stayed in town to participate in Medora’s Sip n’ Shop.

A popular vacation destination any time of year, Medora recently made national news with Yahoo.com’s “6 Coziest Small Towns in the US.” No one was surprised, of course. We’re happy to hear about Medora’s latest recognition and excited to see the new faces that may come round now that the word is out.

Last but not least, the 26th annual Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas celebration kicked off the first December weekend. The celebration featured a wreath-placing ceremony at the Historic Medora Cemetery to honor our veterans, a dance with live music by Sawdust, and the ever-popular “Outhouse Races” with contestants competing for the famed Golden Plunger.

While RTC Networks connects our communities to the internet, our chambers are working hard to connect you to one another. We are proud to uplift the many people who make these places home. Consider following them on Facebook to learn about exciting events and updates in your neighboring communities!

Max

RTC NETWORKS TECH TIPS HOME (WI-FI) FOR THE HOLIDAYS

There’s no place like home for the holidays, but hosting friends and family in your home also requires plenty of preparation. There are cookies to be baked, stockings to be hung, and gifts to be wrapped. And then there’s the question of your wi-fi: will it be able to handle the sudden increase in traffic? Here are five tips to get your wi-fi ready for the holidays:

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. The most important factor in ensuring the strength of your home wi-fi signal is the location of your router. Your router should be placed in a central location so that devices in every corner of your home can reach it. And make sure it’s out in the open;

objects like appliances, walls, and cabinets can interfere with or block your wi-fi signal, causing slow speeds.

RESTART

YOUR

ROUTER. Just like humans, routers need a little break from time to time in order to keep working at top speeds. Restarting is one of the simplest troubleshooting steps you can take to fix an internet connection that isn't working properly.

IDENTIFY ACTIVITIES THAT USE THE MOST DATA

. Downloading large files, streaming video, and sharing files can take up a lot of bandwidth and slow down your wi-fi. If your network is running slowly, make sure you don’t have any programs running that use lots of data.

KEEP YOUR NETWORK SECURE. Make sure your network is protected by a strong password,

and only share that password with the people you want to grant access to your wi-fi. This will keep any unwanted guests from connecting and crowding your network, which can really slow things down.

GIVE YOUR WI-FI A BOOST

. If there are areas in your home—like, say, a guest room in the basement—where you know your signal is weak, consider purchasing a wi-fi extender. These devices connect to your router and help transmit its signals to the farthest corners of your home without requiring you to purchase an additional router.

While we can’t guarantee that your Christmas cookies will come out of the oven perfectly, with these five tips, we can ensure that your wi-fi is ready when your guests arrive.

GET THE SPEED YOU NEED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Tis the season for giving! Whether it's new techy gifts, or devices that come with your holiday guests, make sure you have the speeds you need for all the new devices in your home this holiday season. Visit myrtcnetworks.com/internet/ to upgrade today!

3.

GET WEB THREAT ALERTS IN REAL TIME.

With ProtectIQ network security, you can browse with confidence. You’ll be notified in the app when threats are detected and learn how to take the correct action.

5.

PRIORITIZE WHAT MATTERS MOST.

Choose which devices and activities get the most of your bandwidth with My Priorities in ExperienceIQ. Now you’re in control.

Shea Westgard CSR I

Maggi Johnson CSR I

Ryan Thompson Combination Tech Coordinator

Jason Bauer Data Network Tech III

Derek Woods Data Network Tech I

Dexter Two Crow Utility Tech

Ciara Mercado Accounting Specialist I

Customer Service: 0811 (within RTC exchanges) or 701.862.3115 Repair Service: 0611 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.822.3311 24/7 Help Desk: 0211 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.497.2151 Headquarters: 24 Main St N • Parshall, ND 58770 New Town Office: 202 College Drive • New Town, ND 58763 Stanley Office: 215 S Main St • Stanley, ND 58784 Watford City Office: 701 14th St SW • Watford City, ND 58854

WARM HANDS & WARM HEARTS

RTC Networks is collecting new and gently used hats, mittens and gloves for children in need for the 15th annual Warm Hands and Warm Hearts project.

Donated items will be distributed to the elementary schools in our service area when the weather is coldest and the need is greatest. Please help us keep the children warm this winter by dropping off your items at any of the following locations through

READERS

Contest

Congratulations to these Summer 2022 Communicator Readers’ Contest winners. They will receive a $20 credit on their RTC Networks bill.

NAME PHONE 1. When is the last day to donate to Warm Hands & Warm Hearts?

2. What is the most important factor to ensure the a quality Wi-Fi signal?

Lorraine Forsman Ryder Exchange

Harold Lindsey Garrison Exchange

Douglas Meek Beach Exchange

Keith & Marlene Olson Arnegard Exchange

Donna Rauser Watford City Exchange