The PRTC
Connection March/april 2013
Why wi-fi? Local businesses add value with wireless Internet
Broadband Bankers
1st Federal relies on fast access
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 PRTC receive its 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 PRTC 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.
Jason Dandridge is Chief Executive Officer for PRTC 4 | March/April 2013
is a member-owned cooperative providing a complete telecommunications solution (voice, Internet, digital TV and wireless phone) to the homes and businesses of Colleton County, South Carolina.
Board of Directors District 1 - Brian Ackerman District 2 - Cynthia “Cindy” Colson District 3 - Donald Wood District 4 - Joanne Herndon District 5 - Michael Crosby District 6 - Furman Hodges District 7 - Heath Griffith District 8 - Gloria Warren District 9 - Travis Avant District 10 - Lynn Tanner
The PRTC
Vol. 3, NO. 2 March/April 2013
Connection is a bimonthly newsletter published by Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative, © 2013. It is distributed without charge to all member/owners of the cooperative. Send address corrections to: Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative P.O. Drawer 1577 Walterboro, SC 29488 Telephone: 843-538-2020 www.prtc.coop Produced for PRTC by: www.WordSouth.com On the Cover: Catherine Freeman, owner of Downtown Books and Espresso, delivers coffee to customer Vicky Schrimpf. See story, Page 12.
Fiber project springs ahead
Video on Demand New Release Schedule For a small rental fee, PRTC’s Video on Demand service gives you access to new movies on your schedule. Some titles (designated with an *) are available as much as four weeks before Netflix or Redbox. Dates and titles subject to change. Feb. 26 • The Master March 2 • The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2
Engineering consultant David Bochette (left) supervises as contractors Landon Avant and Ricky Hammond place fiber along Academy Road. After years of planning and months of work, PRTC crews have begun cutting over members to the new, lightning-fast fiber network. Most members in Lodge, the first area to get connected, are already enjoying the advantages of fiber. Additionally, crews are connecting members in East Walterboro and Jacksonboro, with plans to complete work in those areas this summer. Elsewhere, work continues in the Academy Road, Lakeshore and Jefferies Highway areas of North Walterboro and the Cypress Pond Road area of Sniders Highway. Plans call for the work to be finished in those areas this fall.
March 5 • Wreck-It Ralph • The Intouchables March 12 • Life of Pi* March 22 • Les Misérables* March 26 • Lincoln • This is 40* • Killing Them Softly
Lights! Camera! Play ball! PRTC and Colleton County Parks and Recreation are putting the finishing touches on a project that will change the way people see sports in the Lowcountry. The county’s five new ballfields are connected to PRTC’s fiber network, which will allow live video coverage directly from the tournaments to the Web. Recreation director Chris Myers says he expects the streaming video will be very popular with the out-of-town families of the boys and girls playing in the tournaments. “It might be the only time they get to see them play,” he says. More than a dozen tournaments are already booked through November, and Myers expects the new technology will draw more to Colleton County. “I think it gives us an advantage,” he says. Look for more details on this project in our May/June issue. Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative
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
Banking on
broadband
Every morning, when loan specialists at 1st Federal Bank of South Carolina in Walterboro log on to see the latest mortgage rates, they do it through PRTC’s fiber network. And when a customer calls in to check a balance or ask about a transaction, the call also runs over PRTC’s fiber.
L
ABOVE: Linda Ritter (front) and Omar Kirkland check customer accounts through 1st Federal Bank's network. LEFT: Senior Customer Service Representative Donna Frazier (left) and Deputy Director of Customer Service Ramona Stein review transactions online at 1st Federal.
8 | March/April 2013
ike many other businesses in the Lowcountry, 1st Federal’s primary links to the outside world are provided by Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative. “I love the service,” says Wanda Bennett, chief operations officer for the bank. “The speed is so much faster. We don’t have to worry about the Internet going down.” PRTC provides a fiber line connecting 1st Federal’s two local branches, as well as the Internet connection for both. “There’s a lot of work done through the Internet,” Bennett says. Before PRTC’s broadband service was available at the bank, they received their service through a link to high-speed lines at the branch in St. George. The problem was, anytime it rained in St. George the Internet service crashed for the Walterboro branches due to a faulty connection. And in an industry so reliant on information technology, that meant lost productivity. “If our Internet goes down, a lot of people can’t work,” Bennett says. “We’re kind of at a standstill.” But since they have switched to PRTC, the connection has been dependable and the speeds superior. “It’s helped us using the Internet because the speeds are so much faster now,” Bennett says.
Computing Customers
The banking industry as a whole has benefited from the efforts of companies like PRTC to provide more residential broadband connections. Bennett says broadband has allowed more people to do banking online. Before broadband, tellers fielded many calls throughout the day from business owners and other account holders checking their balances. And while the staff at 1st Federal is still happy to help with balance information, people checking their accounts online has freed up employees to do other work. Bennett says she never would have imagined e-statements, online transfers and e-file options for taxes when she got into banking 38 years ago. “Technology-wise, when you look back, it’s unbelievable,” she says. “I don’t know how we survived without computers and the Internet.” Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative
Money meets megabits A high-speed Internet connection from PRTC allows you to manage your money like never before. Investment companies and banks like 1st Federal offer interactive sites allowing online statements, transfers and other tools. But just like your wallet or pocketbook, it's important to take steps to keep your online accounts safe. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Online Bank Tips
E-Filing Taxes Even the IRS is embracing broadband, with increasing numbers of people e-filing their returns. Taxpayers are jumping on board, and with good reason: electronicallyfiled tax returns have an error rate of less than 1 percent compared to 18 to 20 percent of paper-filed returns.
Number of taxpayers e-filing their taxes
Beware of copycat websites that use a name or Web address very similar to that of a real financial institution. Such sites trick visitors into entering personal information for what they think is their bank.
120,000
0
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
77 million
86.3 million
95.5 million
98.7 million
30,000
106.4 million
113 million
90,000
60,000
Confirm that the bank you are using is legitimate and that deposits are insured. The site should have an “About Us” page with a headquarters address and FDIC insurance information.
2007
Source: irs.gov
However, this time of year, when people are working on their tax returns, is prime time for scammers. While many of the bank tips listed on the right also apply to tax preparation, the IRS provides a few specific tips to be sure your information is safe. • Don’t use a public computer to e-file: Public computers may be infected with spyware programs that will capture your private information. • Don’t use a public network: Identity thieves use public networks to steal information. • Don’t fall for phishing schemes: Identity thieves often text, e-mail or even make telephone calls claiming to be with the IRS in order to solicit personal and protected information. Remember, the IRS will only contact you via the U.S. Postal Service. They will never contact you electronically or by phone. • Safeguard your tax information: After filing your tax return, store your tax information securely. The IRS can audit information as far back as seven years. Shred all information beyond that. • Consider using an authorized IRS e-file provider: If you opt not to e-file on your own, you can use the Authorized IRS e-file Provider Locator at http://www.irs.gov/ uac/Authorized-IRS-e-file-Providers-for-Individuals. Source: U.S. Internal Revenue Service Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative
Don’t trust a site just because it claims to be secure. Research the bank to ensure that they are legitimate. Be cautious when responding to special investment offers, especially through unsolicited email. Be wary of emails claiming to be from your bank, and avoid following links to websites in such messages. Even if the bank is legitimately emailing you, most notifications will also show up when you log into your account directly from your bank’s home page. Don’t invest in anything you are not absolutely sure about. Do your homework on the investment and the company to ensure they are legitimate. Be cautious when dealing with individuals or companies from outside of the United States. Sources: FDIC.gov, FBI.gov 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
Wi-Fi is a wise buy Local businesses see boost with wireless Internet
W
By Andy Johns
hen most businesses want to advertise their free Wi-Fi to potential customers, they will put a sign in the shop window. But for Ansley Phillips to reach her customers who are speeding down the freeway with a load of freight, it takes a different approach. She fires up the CB radio. “A lot of truckers are services-oriented,” says Phillips, general manager at the Circle C Travel Plaza on Augusta Highway. “They’re more likely to come back if they know they can handle their business while they’re here. Being able to offer Wi-Fi is a boon for business.” Circle C isn’t the only local business to see value in offering their customers a wireless connection to the Web. Other area hotels and restaurants have added Wi-Fi to their menus. “I would say it’s been popular,” says Catherine Freeman, owner of Downtown Books and Espresso in Walterboro. “It’s brought people in.”
Why Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi, short for wireless fidelity, allows computers and other electronic devices to connect to the Internet without having to be physically plugged in to the network. Though urban and suburban coffee shops have offered wireless Internet for years, more and more businesses — from tire shops to doctors — are offering customers a connection. The multimedia research firm In-Stat says hotspot numbers continue to increase, and they expect the worldwide number of hotspots to exceed one million this year. “Wi-Fi hotspots have become a service used to attract customers to other product offerings, rather than a stand-alone offering,” says Amy Cravens, a 12 | March/April 2013
The Wi-Fi at Debbie Lemacks' Rice Planters Inn reaches the pool so guests can browse while they lounge. senior analyst with In-Stat. “Whether the product is broadband, mobile service or a cup of coffee, Wi-Fi is being layered on top of core offerings as a competitive differentiator.” In-Stat’s statistics indicate laptop computers still make up the majority of Wi-Fi users, but smartphones and tablets are growing swiftly. Phillips says she has seen as many as four laptops at once connected at Circle C and there is frequently at least one computer using the connection. She has also noticed something about connected travelers. Many visitors rush through a meal in the restaurant before hitting the road, but those using Wi-Fi often stick around for dessert. “They have a tendency to sit and stay if they are online,” she says. “When you have someone who sits here longer they usually buy more.” At Freeman’s coffee shop, Brian Evans is living proof of that. Most mornings you can find Evans browsing the Web on his laptop at a table in the shop. “It’s a great atmosphere,” he says while catching up on the latest political news. “If you offer Wi-Fi, you bring in people who need to use the computer.” Freeman says Wi-Fi is an easy choice for her because it uses the same Internet connection she needs to run the business. Aside from the wireless router, Wi-Fi is an inexpensive way to offer an additional service to customers. “It costs nothing once you set it up,” she says. Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative
Operations Manager Rilee Crosby (top right) and General Manager Ansley Phillips use the Circle C Travel Plaza's sign along the interstate to market their Wi-Fi to travelers.
Hotspot Hotel
For people looking to stay somewhere longer than the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee, local hotels also offer wireless connections. Debbie Lemacks, general manager of the Rice Planters Inn in Walterboro, says Wi-Fi is important to her, because it's important to their customers. Potential guests often ask about Internet access when they call to place reservations. “It usually does come up in the conversation,” she explains. Strategically located near the interstate, the Rice Planters Inn has seen guests from as far away as Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. Much of the business comes from Florida, Ohio and New York. The fact that she is able to offer high-speed Wi-Fi through PRTC helps encourage those travelers to book a room. “This enables us to give the same service as the big chains,” Lemacks says. The hotel and other local businesses are lucky to have PRTC, Lemacks says, because many rural areas don’t have high-speed access. “That would hurt us,” she explains. And on the rare occasion that the hotelier has had an issue with her connection, she has been impressed by PRTC’s customer service. “We absolutely love the IT department at Palmetto,” she says. Freeman agrees. “Palmetto has given very good service,” she adds. “They’ve always given their best if I have a problem.” PRTC CEO Jason Dandridge says he’s happy to hear the good reviews and glad to see local businesses taking advantage of the cooperative's high-speed network. “For some businesses, offering Wi-Fi can be a valuable addition to their service,” he says. “It’s great to know that local business owners are taking advantage of this tool and we hope more will follow suit.” Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative
Catherine Freeman, owner of Downtown Books and Espresso in Walterboro, serves up coffee and Wi-Fi for the customers at her shop.
Want to know more? If you think offering Wi-Fi could help your business, contact the PRTC office at 843-538-2020. 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
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