BLC March April 2013

The Ben Lomand

Connection March/April 2013

Gigabytes of gospel

Broadband helps churches reach people

Safety sages

Security tips from experts

WINNING Cornbread

Recipe from National Festival

Technology News

your

smart home

The animated television series "The Jetsons" gave us a glimpse into what life might be like in a high-tech future. While we’re not living in space with robot maids, we do have the technology to control and automate many home functions. A Wi-Fi network, powered by a broadband Internet connection, can put the power to control your home at your fingertips. Here are a few devices to help make that happen:

Dropcam

Use Dropcam to remotely monitor the kids, the pets, a workspace and more. Connect it to your Wi-Fi network, then place the Dropcam anywhere in your home or business. Smartphone apps let you monitor the camera’s 720p HD image, or you can log into your account from a computer. Features include digital zoom, infrared technology for night viewing and two-way audio.

Price: $149 Website: www.dropcam.com

Belkin WeMo Switch

Plug a WeMo Switch into a standard electrical outlet, connect it to your Wi-Fi network and you can control whatever you plug into the WeMo Switch. Use it for lamps, fans, curling irons, coffee makers, stereos and more. The WeMo smartphone app lets you turn your connected device on and off from any location.

Price: $49 Website: www.belkin.com/us/wemo

Nest Thermostat

Nest learns your patterns and schedules, and adjusts your home’s heating and cooling system to fit your lifestyle. And because it connects to your home Wi-Fi network, you can control it from anywhere using the iOS app. According to the company website, “Nest can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20%.”

Price: $249 Website: www.nest.com

That’s my web Whatever your interest or hobby, there are countless websites with tips and information you may enjoy. Here’s a look at a few of them.

(We don’t support or control the content of these sites, so we’re not responsible for what you may or may not find there.)

Food www.thekitchn.com This site features more information than you’ll ever be able to digest.

Recipes, product reviews, advice, how-tos… you’ll find it all here.

Cars www.jalopnik.com Jalopnik is obsessed with the cult of cars. Secret cars, concept cars, flying cars, vintage cars, tricked-out cars… you get the picture.

Rural Living www.thepioneerwoman.com How can one woman do so much?

Sections include cooking, home and garden, homeschooling, entertainment and confessions.

LIFX

Technology www.arstechnica.com This site “specializes in original news and reviews, analysis of technology trends” and includes advice on a wide range of technology topics.

See Page 7 for tips on creating a broadband-centric home.

News www.theblaze.com The goal of this news, information and opinion site is “to post, report and analyze stories of interest on a wide range of topics from politics and culture to faith and family.”

And coming soon…

This is the light bulb Thomas Edison never even dreamed about. The LIFX bulb connects to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to remotely turn it on and off, adjust brightness and change colors. Control individual bulbs, rooms or your entire house. Available early to mid-2013.

Website: www.lifx.com

2 | March/April 2013

P R O T E C T Y O U R T E L E C O M M U N I C AT I O N S S Y S T E M

Step outside and look up. You may see a valuable system of poles and wires — a system that delivers important telecommunications services to you and your neighbors. Telephone. Internet. And in some cases, even Digital TV. Damage to this network can interrupt critical services to dozens or even hundreds of families in your neighborhood and beyond.

We are asking for your help in protecting this valuable investment.

Please “Look Up!” before doing any of the following:

Planting Trees

For a distance of 15 feet in any direction of utility lines, only plant shrubs or trees with a mature height of less than 20 feet. Taller trees can grow into lines, which can create service problems, or their limbs could fall across lines during storms.

Also remember to

Call Before You Dig

Burning Brush

When burning brush, make sure you pile it far away from utility lines. The temperature of burning wood can easily reach over 1,000º F — and that is hot enough to melt telecommunications equipment.

Shooting

When you lift that gun, make sure utility lines are not in your line of sight. When a utility line is broken, it has to be spliced back together — a time-consuming and expensive task.

Spread the word. Look up.

Protect your valuable telecommunications system.

March/April 2013 | 3

From the CEO

Speaking with one voice in D.C. Almost every day in our nation’s capital, discussions are held that lead to decisions, which in turn lead to new laws and regulations. The effects ripple out from Washington, D.C., often making a real impact on lives right here in our service area.

A good example is the work being done by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to restructure the telecommunications industry. The decisions this regulatory body is making are changing the very foundations of how companies like Ben Lomand Connect receive our revenue. There is good reason to fear that these decisions will drive up costs for subscribers in rural areas while limiting the services to which you have access.

For these reasons, it has never been more important for cooperative and independent telecommunications companies to speak with one voice. These changes threaten to impact millions of individuals and businesses across America, and Washington needs to hear your concerns.

The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, or NTCA, is the group through which Ben Lomand Connect and hundreds of other telcos like us make your voice heard at the national level. NTCA has a staff of professionals who keep a close watch on regulatory and congressional activity. They also engage with officials, educate them on our concerns, file briefs and court cases, and in general make sure that cooperative and independent telcos have a voice in the legislative and regulatory processes.

One of the most important NTCA functions will take place toward the end of April when the organization hosts its annual Legislative and Policy Conference. NTCA members from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C., to meet with elected officials and regulators. We will ask questions, provide information and speak with one voice as we share our concerns on your behalf.

In the previous issue of this magazine, I discussed the importance of building partnerships and how this regional publication is a great example of those efforts. The NTCA Legislative and Policy Conference is an even broader joint effort, allowing us to make sure the FCC and members of Congress know who you are. We are all fighting these problems, and it’s our job as your telecommunications provider to present your concerns to those making these decisions.

Dealing with the federal government can at times be frustrating, to say the least. In the past couple of years in particular, the decisions and mixed signals coming out of Washington have left many people feeling like ours is a lost cause. But we will never give up the fight. We must keep a seat at the table if we hope to have an impact on the laws and regulations affecting the telecommunications industry. And we will do so with a unified voice, working together through NTCA to make sure officials understand that their desire to restructure our industry should not compromise the good work that has already been done to connect people and communities across rural America. 

Trevor Bonnstetter Chief Executive Officer 4 | March/April 2013

is a member-owned corporation dedicated to delivering advanced telecommunications technology to the people of Middle Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland, including all of Grundy, Warren and White counties, and portions of Coffee, DeKalb, Marion, Bedford, Franklin, Van Buren and Rutherford counties.

Board of Directors Bobby A. Thompson, President, Grundy County Donald Hollingsworth, Vice President, Van Buren County Dr. Ray Troop, Secretary/Treasurer, Warren County Janey Ruth Price, White County Roger W. Bynum, Coffee County Bill Hickey, White and DeKalb Counties Robert W. (Bob) Jones, Warren County Joe C. Roper, Coffee, Bedford, Rutherford and Franklin Counties Gerald L. Sitz, Grundy and Marion Counties Trevor Bonnstetter, CEO The Ben Lomand

Vol. 1, NO. 2 March/April 2013

Connection is a bimonthly newsletter published by Ben Lomand Connect, © 2013. It is distributed without charge to all member/owners of the cooperative.

Ben Lomand Connect 311 N. Chancery St. P.O. Box 670 McMinnville, TN 37111 Telephone: 931-668-4131 or 800-974-7779 www.benlomandconnect.com Produced for Ben Lomand Connect by: www.WordSouth.com On the Cover:

Pastor Jerry Pullum says many visitors find Bear Cove Baptist Church through the Internet.

See story, Page 12.

Don't miss the Annual Meeting

on March 23*

The Ben Lomand Connect Annual Meeting will take place on March 23 at the McMinnville Civic Center on Garfield Street.

The meeting will cover important cooperative business, but will also include face painting, inflatable games and live entertainment.

We hope to see you there! *The date listed in the last issue of the magazine was incorrect.



Directory reminder

If you need to make any changes to your directory listing, please contact customer service by June 30 to have it updated in the upcoming directory.

Video on Demand New Release Schedule For a small rental fee, Ben Lomand Connect’s Video-On-Demand service gives you access to new movies right in your living room. Some titles (shown with a *) are available as many as eight weeks before they come to Netflix or Redbox. Dates and titles are subject to change.

Feb. 26 • The Master March 2 • The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 March 5 • Wreck-It Ralph • The Intouchables

Children 14 and younger can participate in Telcom Insurance Group’s art competition. The theme for this year’s competition is “Compassion for Animals” and prizes of up to $100 will be awarded by age group.

Deadline for submissions: April 20 Mail submissions on an 8-1/2" x 11" sheet of paper to: Telcom Insurance Group • Attn: Spring Art Contest 6301 Ivy Lane, Suite 506 • Greenbelt, MD 20770 For official rules and entry form contact Tina Wynter at 301-220-3206 or TMW@TelcomInsGrp.com.

FUEL TV will add adrenaline to BLTV This spring, Ben Lomand Connect will add a new heart-pounding, jaw-dropping sports and entertainment option for our members.

FUEL TV — the only network built around adrenaline sports such as mixed martial arts, motocross, surfing and snowboarding — is coming soon to our Family Tier.

FUEL TV, launched by FOX Sports in 2003, is available in more than 36 million homes. The Family Tier is available for $6.95 per month.

Ben Lomand Connect

March 12

• Life of Pi* March 22 • Les Misérables* March 26 • Lincoln • This is 40* • Killing Them Softly

Website Compass offers slick, new format As a Ben Lomand member, you have access to Website Compass, the number-one Internet magazine. Recently, the magazine has switched to a slick new format with flippable pages.

To access the magazine, visit benlomandconnect.com and look for the Website Compass link.

While you're there, check out the Ben Lomand Connection online!

March/April 2013 | 5

Safety Focus

Are you distracted?

Teen’s story highlights dangers of texting behind the wheel

By Stephen V. Smith, Editor

I

t was the middle of May 2009, and Ashley Umscheid had just finished her freshman year at Kansas State University. As the 19-year-old drove down a long, straight stretch of four-lane Kansas highway, she carried on a text message conversation with her sister.

Ashley typed “K” to acknowledge a comment from her sister. In the seconds surrounding that one-letter message, the left tires of her small pickup truck dropped off the left shoulder. Reentering the highway, her vehicle began to flip, ejecting Ashley and strewing her belongings – including her cell phone – along the roadway. She died three days later from her injuries.

While Ashley’s life was cut so tragically short, her story lives on to warn other students of the dangers of texting while driving. “Distracted: The True Story of Ashley Umscheid” is a DVD produced by Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (FTC) in Rainsville, Ala. It uses interviews with Ashley’s family and friends, along with former high school classmates and a coach, to reveal a young woman ready to begin an exciting new phase of her life.

“We knew it was important for students to see Ashley the way her family and friends saw her,” says Fred Johnson, executive vice president and general manager of FTC. “We wanted them to identify with her and remember her every time they got behind the wheel.”

Once complete, Johnson licensed the video to the Foundation for Rural Service, a non-profit group that works with independent telecommunications companies to offer youth-based programs and educa-

6 | March/April 2013

tional materials. FRS sent copies of the DVD to more than 1,000 phone companies and associated firms throughout the U.S. for them to present in their communities and schools.

The message, however, went well beyond the telecommunications industry. “We have reached a new audience with this DVD,” says Elizabeth Crocker, executive director of FRS. “We had police officers in Kansas calling us, and a Rotary Club in Texas.” Even U.S. Department of Transportation officials have contacted FRS for copies of the DVD. While interest continues to spread outside the industry, Crocker says the independent telecommunications companies have done a great job in sharing Ashley’s story in schools, through community groups and on their local television channels. “These providers are there, living with the folks they serve in the community,” Crocker says. “This is where they chose to live and work, and it’s important to them that their communities are safe and have access to learning opportunities.”

Among those Ashley Umscheid left behind was her uncle, Terry Force. He is board president of his local phone company, Blue Valley Tele-Communications in Kansas, and was recently elected co-president of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA). “It is a blessing to see Ashley’s story touch so many lives across the country,” Force says. “This DVD delivers a strong message for young drivers, and we believe it has helped many other families avoid the tragedy that changed our family forever.”

Watch It If you are interested in showing “Distracted” in your school or community group, contact your local telecommunications company. See Page 4 for contact information.

Learn more FRS awards dozens of scholarships to rural students each year. It also sponsors a youth tour where students across the nation visit Washington, D.C., to learn about rural issues and how government works. Learn more about FRS at their website: www.frs.org/about-frs.

Wi-Fi

The key to a broadbandcentric home Having a broadband connection in your home opens the door to fast downloads, streaming video and the other benefits of high-speed Internet. But there is much more to broadband than simply browsing the Web.

T

o help understand this concept, think about broadband in terms of electricity. When electricity first came to the rural regions, residents were excited to light up their evenings with a single light bulb hanging from a cord in the middle of the room. They eventually learned that electricity could bring even more conveniences into their lives when the technology was applied to appliances and gadgets for the kitchen, the living room and the farm.

The same holds true for broadband. A fast Internet connection can open a world of opportunities when extended beyond your computer. And Wi-Fi is the key to expanding those capabilities.

What is WI-FI?

Wi-Fi is short for Wireless Fidelity, a set of technical standards that enable devices to transmit and receive information without wires connecting them. It may sound complicated, but the results are empowering. By setting up a wireless network in your home, you can change the way your family enjoys entertainment, makes a living, stays connected and controls the functions of your home.

The Router

The heart of your Wi-Fi network is the router. In the early days of home Internet access, a phone line plugged into a modem

while a second line connected the modem to a single computer. Now the line from your telecommunications company can deliver broadband access to a router, creating a wireless network that can connect any number of devices.

Wireless Network Setup

Some telecommunications companies lease or sell wireless routers to their Internet customers, while others ask customers to purchase a router of their choice from a technology vendor. Either way, setup is simple when following the manufacturer’s instructions. Contact your telecommunications company if you need help with this phase.

Once your wireless network is established, begin by connecting a laptop or a smartphone. Most devices have easyto-find network settings where you will identify and select your new network then enter your router’s password. It really is that simple.

Other Devices

Your laptop and smartphone are just the beginning. There are many devices on the market today that can use your broadband connection over a wireless network to bring greater convenience to your life.

These include: • Tablets and e-readers: Read books, watch videos, browse websites and more.

• Gaming systems: Play video games with and against other enthusiasts from around the world.

• Video players: With devices such as a Blu-ray player, Roku or Apple TV, watch streaming video on your television from paid video services, including Apple’s iTunes, Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime.

• Smart TVs: Skip the extra devices and watch streaming video through your television’s built-in ability to connect to paid video streaming services.

• Surveillance systems: Monitor the activity and security of your home with a simple single-camera setup or a complex system of surveillance equipment.

Coming Soon

There are several household appliances already on the market that take advantage of your broadband Internet connection.

These include washing machines that can be controlled remotely and refrigerators that recommend recipes based on the ingredients in them. As prices come down and features improve, it will become more practical for homeowners to connect and control almost every major function of their home. Create a wireless network in your home now, then add devices and appliances as it becomes affordable and practical to make their features available to your family.  March/April 2013 | 7

Ben Lomand bills get a new look New system will be able to take recurring credit card payments

W

hen you opened your last bill, you probably noticed something different. All Ben Lomand Connect bills have a new look for 2013.

Ben Lomand has changed billing services, which has altered the appearance of the paper bill and the login website for online billing. “It’s just going to be a different look and a different layout,” says Chris Centracchio, Ben Lomand’s information systems manager. “None of the wording has changed. None of the due dates have changed. Members are just going to notice the information is arranged differently.”

There are two main reasons for the change. The first is that the new system allows more flexibility for Ben Lomand to change prices for things like special

5

promotions. The old platform was very restrictive in many aspects. “This platform gives us a lot more freedom,” Centracchio says. “It opens up future possibilities.”

The change should not affect existing automatic bank drafts, but Centracchio says if subscribers notice anything different regarding when the bill is deducted from their account, they should call our customer service department.

withdrawn from the credit or debit account each month. “We’re happy we will soon be able to give our members this new payment option,” Centracchio says.

Payments are still accepted in person, over the phone, through bank draft and through the mail. Members interested in online billing should follow the "My Account" link at the top of benlomandconnect.com and log in to the bill pay site with their Ben Lomand email account.

Overall, the new system looks a little different, but the changes will be worth it.

“I think it’s pretty straightforward,” Centracchio says. “This was an opportunity for us to serve our members better and to make our billing department more efficient. It’s a great example of a winwin.” 

Online changes

The new system will also improve Ben Lomand’s ability to handle recurring credit and debit card payments, which will launch later this year. Once the feature is activated, members can enter their card information to have their phone, television and Internet service bills automatically

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1. Previous balance due

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Ben Lomand Connect bills have a different look than in the past. The change is part of a switch to a new billing system that will allow more flexibility in changing monthly bills for promotions.

8 | March/April 2013

Ben Lomand Connect

Putting up your guard

Alarm adds level of security, and experts say that may be all it takes

N

o house is burglar-proof. Luckily, experts say taking just a few measures such as installing a home security system from Ben Lomand is enough to keep intruders away.

“People are looking for easy targets,” says Sparta Police Chief Jeff Guth. “If there’s an alarm system up or indications that a system is up, a lot of times they will bypass that house.”

Research supports the chief’s point.

In 2009, researchers at Rutgers University released a 300-page study on the effectiveness of alarm systems and found that having an installed alarm system makes a home less attractive to wouldbe intruders. In addition, the study concluded that higher numbers of alarm systems decrease the number of burglaries in an area.

“Neighborhoods in which burglar alarms were densely installed have fewer incidents of residential burglaries than the neighborhoods with fewer burglar alarms,” the study noted.

Some of the information in the Rutgers study was based on a 1994 study published by Northeastern University. In that study, researchers interviewed convicted burglars and found that most of them “wanted to avoid alarms altogether and, upon encountering such devices abandoned all thought of attacking the dwelling.”

In general, Guth says, thieves are looking for easy opportunities to grab some valuables and get out undetected. The more obstacles a homeowner adds — be it a dog, motion lights or a security system — the more likely a burglar is to pass. “An alarm system basically is another tool and another layer of security,” Guth says. “Make them work for it. If they’re going to steal from you, make them work for it.”

Ben Lomand's security systems coordinator, Tim Sharpe, says Ben Lomand Connect

the alarm systems are popular not just because of the intruder alerts, but for fire alarm and carbon monoxide detection. Overall, most of the members he talks to feel at ease because they have the security system. “They just want the peace of mind that they’ve got their security on,” he says. “If anything goes on at night, it will make noise and wake them up.”

Unfortunately, Sharpe says he’s heard many people became victims while putting off getting the service. “We have plenty of cases where they’ve already had a break-in,” he says. “They’ve waited too late.”

To speak with a Ben Lomand Secure Connect representative, call 1-800-974-7779. 

Ben Lomand's new touch screen terminals offer industry-standard security.

March/April 2013 | 9

N at i o n a l S e v e r e W e at h e r P r e p a r e d n e ss W e e k i s M a r c h 3 - 9

Ready, Set, Survive Be part of the “Weather-Ready Nation”

By Tony Laiolo

“E

verybody talks about the weather,” goes the old joke, “but nobody does anything about it.” That may have been true in Mark Twain’s time, but these days people are doing quite a bit about the weather, and with good reason — preparing for violent storms can be the difference between life and death.

Our part of the world attracts tornadoes, including some real movers and shakers. According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, EF-5 storms (winds over 200 mph) were until recently a rarity for us, with only nine on record from 1954 through 2010. Then, in April 2011 alone, four of the giants ravaged the Southeast, accounting for more than a third of the 338 tornadorelated deaths that month.

What can you do? Become what NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) calls a “Force of Nature” — taking actions that give yourself, your family and your community a better chance to survive the moment and ride out the aftermath.

The calm voice before the storm

Lisa Spencer, chief meteorologist at Nashville’s WSMV-4, is a big booster Lisa Spencer of storm readiness. She doesn’t just see weather, she sees its effects on people.

“The thing we kept hearing at disaster scenes,” she says, “was ‘I just didn’t know what to do.’ We wanted to address that.”

Spencer and the station’s weather team created “Surviving the Storm,” a free, fun community outreach road show that teaches the “what, why and how” of severe thunderstorms. Using dramatic video, experiments, games and prizes, the team instructs and inspires, one group at a time.

“People do seem to be taking serious weather more seriously, and more and more are preparing for it,” says Spencer, “although some still tend to think ‘it can’t happen to me,’ which of course it can.” 

A week of preparation

Any time is a good time to get ready, but March 3-9, 2013 — NOAA’s National Severe Weather Preparedness Week — is all about helping us become a “Weather-Ready Nation.” With the height of the tornado season near at hand, it’s the perfect time to focus the country’s attention on storm safety and help save lives this very year. It is a time to…

• Know your risk — Learn the alerts and emergency plans for your community. Know the difference between a “watch” and a “warning,” and how to respond to each.

• Make a plan — Decide where you’ll take shelter. Consider your family’s specific medical and assistance needs. Network with neighbors, friends and co-workers.

• Build a kit — Assemble enough water, non-perishable food, medicine and supplies to last at least 72 hours.

• Buy a NOAA Weather Radio — Equip yourself with a life-saver that activates automatically (even with the audio off) when receiving an alarm tone from the National Weather Service.

• Be an example — Once you’ve taken action, share your story with family, with friends and over social media.

10 | March/April 2013

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Your telco is prepared for the threat of bad weather

By Stephen V. Smith, Editor

W

hen severe weather strikes, citizens depend on their telephones, the Internet and television to stay informed and connected.

However, the network of your local telecommunications company, who provides many of these services, is often the victim of storm damage as well.

Knowing their services are critical to public health and safety, telcos across the country dedicate a great deal of time and resources toward preparing for the storms.

“One of our biggest concerns during severe weather is the loss of power,” explains Jason Dandridge, CEO of Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative (Walterboro, S.C.). Being near the Eastern seaboard, the cooperative faces the threat of losing electricity for days when hurricanes hit.

“Almost all of our lines are buried, so we don’t catch the effects of downed poles, Dandridge says. “But we have to keep our remote sites powered.” This requires a good supply of generators, a schedule of employees ready to operate them and enough fuel on hand to keep them running for several days if necessary.

“Portable and fixed generators are critical in the event of a power outage,” adds Jim Cook, general manager of New Hope Telephone Cooperative (New Hope, Ala.).

“Lining up commitments from fuel and service providers in advance can be the difference in being able to keep our network up and running for just a few hours to days and weeks without power.”

geographical issues

In contrast to the flat lands of Palmetto, the service area of Highland Telephone Cooperative (Sunbright, Tenn.) is rocky and hilly. The cooperative’s lines and equipment are therefore almost entirely above ground, attached to poles. “During the winters we can have heavy snows that will take our lines down,” says Mark Pat-

terson, Highland’s general manager. “We have to keep extra materials on hand for our crews to do rebuilds.”

While tornadoes are uncommon there, one did pass through Highland’s service area some eight years ago. Patterson says crews had the materials in place to splice many of the lines where they lay on the ground. “We were able to restore telephone service within a day or so, even in areas where the power companies had not set new poles yet,” he says.

Part of New Hope’s service area is low and surrounded by mountains, making it susceptible to flooding. “Depending on the type of disaster, low-lying buildings may need to be protected from water intrusion,” Cook says.

Phone and Internet lines brought down by a tornado

Phone and Internet lines destroyed by an ice storm

People are key

Regardless of what disasters may come, the employees of your local telecommunications company are the key to protecting the network and restoring your phone, Internet and TV service quickly and safely in the event of an interruption.

“Everyone knows their role when the bad weather comes in,” Dandridge says.

“From operating the generators to dealing with electronic issues, every employee knows their role in our response.”

“Training is important,” adds Patterson.” We make sure our people have the training they need to do the job quickly and safely when severe weather hits.”

“Our employees are our greatest asset, and their safety is our number one priority,” says Cook. “Having a communications plan established so that we can quickly confirm their safety and determine their ability to respond to the recovery efforts is essential.”

From hurricanes to floods to tornadoes and beyond, telcos across the region are prepared to restore critical services in the face of damaging weather. 

Network equipment threatened by flood waters

Are you prepared?

Just like your telecommunications provider, every family should be ready in case of a disaster. Prepare a basic emergency supply kit that includes such items as: • Water • Non-perishable food • NOAA weather radio • Flashlight • Extra batteries • First aid kit • Whistle (to signal for help) • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities • Manual can opener • Cell phone with chargers For more details, visit:

www.ready.gov/build-a-kit March/April 2013 | 11

By Andy Johns

F

Pastor Jerry Pullum at Bear Cove Baptist Church in Sparta says pastors use broadband to research sermons and even find visual aids that can be shown during the service on Sunday.

High-Tech Hallelujahs Area churches use high-speed connection to spread the word

12 | March/April 2013

or years the only tablets in church were the stone slabs inscribed with the Ten Commandments, but that is quickly changing.

Instead of paper Bibles and religious research books, many church members are now turning to iPads, Kindles and laptops to read scripture and even review church hymns.

“You’re looking out there and seeing the glow from the screens on people’s faces,” says Jim Fox, youth minister at First Baptist Church of Sparta. “That’s where people’s Bibles are now.”

Around Middle Tennessee, churches and churchgoers are using broadband connections like those provided by Ben Lomand Connect to dig deeper within their own faith and spread the word to others.

“I think churches are catching on to technology,” Fox explains.

The results of a recent study back him up. The Barna Group, a research organization focused on spiritual development, concluded in an April 2012 study that 62 percent of Protestant churches have an Internet presence and 26 percent are using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Worldwide Worship Web

Jerry Pullum, pastor at Bear Cove Baptist Church, says the biggest benefit of broadband for his church is for guests to be able to find the congregation through its website and Facebook. This is helpful, he says, both for people who are new to the area or for those looking for a place to worship as they travel through the region.

“We do have visitors who have found our church online,” he says.

Pullum knows what that’s like because if he and his family are traveling on a Sunday, they usually find a church to attend in that area on the Web. But in addition to telling people where to be on Sunday morning, Bear Cove’s site is a resource for members all week long. Volunteers at the church post audio of past sermons, a PDF of the latest church bulletin and the monthly church calendar.

Ben Lomand Connect

Jim Fox, the youth minister at First Baptist Church of Sparta, connects to the sanctuary's Wi-Fi network with his iPad. More and more, worshippers are using Bible apps to read in service.

Ben Lomand Connect

The youth group has also used broadband to video chat with missionaries during lessons, or to chat with parents while away at camp.

But Fox says broadband isn’t just useful in reaching youth. FBC Sparta also uses email to reach people of all ages. At community events, the church collects email addresses from participants and now sends information to about 850 of those families.

The sanctuary is also equipped with Wi-Fi and an AppleTV to project scripture passages and bullet points to a screen on stage. Use of that kind of technology is also growing. The Barna study noted that more than 65 percent of Protestant churches now regularly use large screen projections during their services compared to 39 percent in 2000.

Helping churches work

Theodora Yuhas has been a church secretary for years in Illinois, before moving to Bear Cove in Sparta. When she first started working, she used a manual typewriter. “We didn’t have computers or a copier,” she says. “Now, without the computer, I’d be lost.”

Yuhas uses the Web to correspond with

➜

The sermons also go out as podcasts on iTunes so anyone can download them to MP3 players, tablets or smartphones. That way, they can listen to the message while they are jogging, driving, doing yard work or wherever they have a moment to listen.

“We had people who visited from Florida on vacation that download the sermons now,” he says.

In his role as pastor, Pullum uses the Web to research sermons, see what other churches are doing and stay on top of church-related news that often gets lost in the mainstream media.

Like with any group of people, some pastors are more tech-savvy than others.

Pullum says most young pastors have embraced Internet-based technology in their churches, but some longtime pulpit veterans are getting in on the action. “I know pastors 20 years older than me who use it regularly,” he says.

At First Baptist of Sparta, Fox is one of those young ministers fully embracing technology. He frequently uses his iPad and an AppleTV to show slides during the youth Bible study, which makes it easy to show photos and video clips. “It’s really effective with them,” he says.

members about church events and order material for lessons. “I’m constantly sending and receiving emails,” she says.

The selection that online retailers offer is one of the big reasons Yuhas buys Bible study material over the Internet. Just before Christmas, she placed an order for 25 Bibles that were designed to fit a study the congregation was doing.

Convenience is also a factor, especially in rural areas. “Just about everything I order, I order online,” Yuhas says. “That makes it easier. I used to have to go to the supply store and run all over the place.”

Ben Lomand CEO Trevor Bonnstetter says he’s happy to see area congregations taking advantage of the high-speed connections.

“Strong churches mean strong communities,” he says. “As a local cooperative, we’re committed to more than just providing phone, Internet and television.

We want to improve the quality of life for our members and active, robust churches certainly help accomplish that.” 

62%

of Protestant churches have an Internet presence

26% use social media

Source: The Barna Group March/April 2013 | 13

Southern Kitchens It's more than just a side dish I was born and raised in the South and have always considered myself a good Southern cook, save one thing: before judging the National Cornbread Cook-Off and seeing the amazing things that could be done with cornbread, it was never on my table.

As a cook-off judge though, I’ve witnessed and tasted it prepared in many ways and one thing always stays the same: the cornbread is served as an entrée, not just a piece slathered with butter. One of my favorites was made with shrimp and cream. While it may sound a little strange, it worked and won first place some years ago.

In the midst of all the goingson at the National Cornbread Festival, there’s a gathering of cooks committed to wearing the cornbread crown. No small feat, as each cook/finalist has been chosen from thousands of entries by cornbread mix company Martha White, which sponsors the cook-off along with Lodge Manufacturing, maker of cast iron cookware.

This year’s festival is lining up to be a great one. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Anne P. Braly Food Editor Email Anne Braly at apbraly@gmail.com.

14 | March/April 2013

America's best cornbread

C

ornbread is a favorite in Melanie McCoy’s home.

And for good reason: McCoy is an expert at it. So good, in fact, she took first-place honors in last year’s National Cornbread Cook-Off, held annually in the small town of South Pittsburg, Tenn.

At the age of 52, McCoy looks back on her childhood days of cooking as inspiration for her win. “I was an adventurous eater, and that’s what you have to be in order to be a good cook.”

McCoy’s win came after three previous attempts at being crowned cornbread queen, one of the first three garnering a secondplace win in 2000 for her Shrimp Creole Cornbread. For her 2012 attempt, she decided to add a twist to her favorite shrimp cakes, NATIONAL WINNER— Melanie McCoy of Knoxville, Tenn. (center) won the 2012 National Cornbread Festival cookusing cornmeal rather than bread crumbs and serving it with a dol- off. Pictured on left is Bob Kellermann, chairman and CEO of event co-sponsor Lodge Manufacturing. On right lop of her tried-and-true mango salsa. “So many of my recipes are is Linda Carmen, spokesperson for event co-sponsor Martha White. twists on old favorites,” she says.

Her “a-little-of-this-and-a-littleof-that” method won her top honors, a new stove and $5,000.

McCoy is a native of Michigan, where cornbread is not a staple as it is in many kitchens of the South. But a Southern grandmother introduced it to her as a child. Since then, she’s found that it goes well beyond a simple bread with dinner. “It’s gone mainstream,” she says, adding that all the new mixes make it a versatile product that can go from side dish to main dish with the addition of a few key ingredients.

“It’s really quite amazing,” she says.

As a veteran of the National Cornbread Cook-Off, McCoy has seen the competition grow from an event of homespun flavor to one of a more serious, intense nature. “Contestants come from all around the country now,” she says. “It’s a fun time. It’s just amazing to me to see South Pittsburg grow from a few thousand to more than 50,000 on the weekend of the festival. It’s all a community effort. I call South Pittsburg ‘the little town that could.’”

And it does. Every year. 

If you go...

This year’s festival will be held the weekend of April 27-28. The cook-off will be held on Saturday, April 27, on the town square. For more information, visit www.nationalcornbread.com.

Cornbread: An award-winning treat This winning recipe from the 2012 National Cornbread Festival was created by Melanie McCoy of Knoxville, Tenn. “The judges all worked diligently to select a winner,” says Bob Kellermann, chairman and CEO of event co-sponsor Lodge Manufacturing.

Sweet Cornbread Shrimp Cakes with Mango Salsa Cornbread: 1 (7-ounce) package Martha White Sweet Yellow Cornbread and Muffin Mix 1/2 cup milk 1 egg, beaten Mango Salsa: 3 cups peeled and chopped mango (2 to 3 mangoes) 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion Juice of 1 large lime Pinch salt 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, seeded and finely chopped 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Shrimp Cakes: 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup finely chopped celery 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion 1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined and coarsely chopped 3 teaspoons seafood seasoning 2 large eggs, beaten 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/3 cup chopped cilantro Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste Butter for cooking shrimp cakes Lemon wedges and parsley for garnish

Bake cornbread mix according to package directions, using milk and 1 egg. Cool and crumble.

Stir together salsa ingredients.

Allow to sit for 30 minutes.

Serve or refrigerate until serving time.

Heat butter over medium heat in 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Cook celery and 1⁄2 cup chopped red onion until tender, 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer celery and onion to large bowl. Stir in shrimp, seafood seasoning, 2 eggs, mayonnaise, cilantro, salt and pepper. Stir in crumbled cornbread until well

blended. Using about 1⁄3 cup, form mixture into 12 shrimp cakes about 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.

Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat. Cook shrimp cakes until lightly browned and shrimp turn pink, about 4 minutes on each side. Cook remaining shrimp cakes, adding additional butter as needed. Place cakes on a serving platter.

Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley. Serve with Mango Salsa.

March/April 2013 | 15

P.O. Box 670 McMinnville, TN 37111