BROADBAND:
HELPING YOU CONNECT TELEPHONE COMPANY
CONNECTION SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
HOMETOWN CONNECTION Bankston Motor Homes provides convenience
CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE Safety for ATC customers and employees
LONG-DISTANCE BONDS
Broadband makes connections across the miles
INDUSTRY NEWS
Rural Connections By SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association
Broadband matters now more than ever
R
ural broadband providers are supporting two critical bills making their way through Congress. One would secure present efforts to keep you connected, while the other provides support for future broadband expansion. The Keeping Critical Connections Act was introduced earlier this year by U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. This bill would appropriate $2 billion to help smaller broadband companies who worked with struggling customers during the pandemic and who did not disconnect those who couldn’t pay. As the health crisis and economic shutdown disrupted millions of lives, internet providers across the country took the Pledge to Keep Americans Connected by waiving late fees, opening community Wi-Fi hot spots, and not terminating service to customers because of their inability to pay their bills. For all this good work, however, our members have seen uncollectibles rise. NTCA members have on average some $80,000 in accumulated nonpayments by customers since the pandemic hit. These are significant amounts, as these broadband providers are often small companies with fewer than 30 employees. Keeping Critical Connections will help them continue serving their communities. In terms of long-term deployment, NTCA also supports the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program Act of 2020, introduced by U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. This bill would set aside a portion of the proceeds from FCC spectrum auctions to fund rural broadband deployment. These bills will help broadband providers like yours continue their work to ensure every American has access to the communications services necessary in today’s world.
2 | September/October 2020
Listen in!
P
odcast listenership continues to grow as Americans increasingly turn to the audio format for news, entertainment and learning. “Podcasts now reach over 100 million Americans every month,” said Tom Webster, senior vice president of Edison Research, whose Infinite Dial research reveals that 37% of Americans listen to podcasts every month. That’s an increase from 32% just one year ago. That number has climbed steadily as more content becomes available to appeal to a wide range of interests. Two new podcasts have been released this year that address a topic of growing importance: rural broadband. Heading into 2020, rural broadband had become a major point of focus in the U.S., with an increasing number of state and federal programs aimed at solving the lack of broadband access in parts of rural America. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted businesses, schools and health care delivery, the need for nationwide broadband access was amplified. In February, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association launched its “Smart Rural Communities” podcast. The show takes a look at rural broadband providers who are bringing advanced digital infrastructure to small towns and regions through powerful fiber networks. These broadband networks are jumpstarting economic growth, igniting educational opportunities and improving health care in some of A podcast from America’s most remote areas. “Rural Broadband Today” launched in June. This podcast tells the stories of those working to bring broadband internet access within reach of every citizen. The interview-style show presents conversations with elected officials, industry experts and business leaders at the forefront of America’s efforts to solve the rural broadband challenge. It’s produced by WordSouth — A Content Marketing Company. Both podcasts can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or by visiting www.ntca.org/smart and www.ruralbroadbandtoday.com.
Can you see me now?
Three options for effective videoconferencing
1 ClickMeeting
Videoconferencing technologies empower remote work
I
f you’ve found yourself logging on for more video meetings at work lately, you’re not alone. According to the 2019 Impact of Video Conferencing Report by Lifesize, 48% of business professionals say their use of videoconferencing at work has increased compared to two years ago. And that study was before a global pandemic drove even more companies to work remotely. Videoconferencing isn’t without limitations, but businesses and workers are finding it an essential tool for empowering remote work.
FLEXIBILITY With videoconferencing, employees and contractors can work from home while still collaborating with their teams and attending important meetings. The flexibility enables individuals in rural communities to not only have more control over their work-life balance but also “telecommute” to urban companies for better opportunities. Companies also benefit from the ability to recruit talent from anywhere. Business owners have the freedom to set up shop in rural communities, for example, then employ or partner with experts from around the world.
CONNECTION Video teleconferencing not only empowers remote productivity but also helps workers overcome some of its challenges. According to Buffer’s 2019 State of Remote Work Study, 19% of remote workers cite loneliness as their biggest struggle when working remotely. Video calls can help. Compared to telephone conferences, video calls make it easier to form connections. The experience more closely reflects face-to-face
encounters. For example, participants can see facial expressions and body language to better identify how others are responding to their ideas as they collaborate on projects.
SAVINGS When teams work over videoconferencing platforms, everyone involved saves time and money. Cutting a commute across town — or in some cases, the globe — benefits people’s schedules, companies’ bottom lines and even the environment. Plus, the work itself can be more efficient online. In the Lifesize study, 89% of respondents agreed that videoconferencing reduces the time it takes to complete projects or tasks. People may be more likely to enter an online meeting with an agenda and honor the scheduled start and end times. Plus, they can avoid the interruptions common to in-office meetings.
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES Despite its many benefits, videoconferencing isn’t without challenges. Not all tech tools are secure, so companies must research available options carefully to protect their employees and data. Team leaders must make an effort to coordinate meetings ahead of time to ensure everyone is online and available. And if any employees lack access to fast, reliable internet, technical difficulties can bring meetings to a frustrating halt. Despite their drawbacks, videoconferencing platforms are here to stay. In the Buffer survey, 99% of respondents agreed they’d like to work remotely at least some of the time for the rest of their careers. Thanks to the increasingly widespread use of videoconferencing technology, they just might.
For interactive meetings and webinars, try ClickMeeting. Presenters can share their screen, run live Q&A sessions to engage the audience and collect valuable attendee data using polls. With an automated follow-up feature, this platform makes it easy to keep the momentum going after a webinar ends.
2 Microsoft Teams
For a platform that scales with ease, check out Microsoft Teams. Users can schedule video meetings with a single person or run large webinars and meetings of up to 10,000 participants. A long list of features and functionalities makes it a top choice for many businesses.
3 Google Meet
For fans of the Google Suite, Google Meet is a convenient choice that smoothly integrates with other applications like Google Calendar and Gmail. Participants can easily join in from their web browser or dial in to listen from anywhere. This platform has big-business capabilities without the big-business price tag, making it a great option for growing companies.
September/October 2020 | 3
FROM THE CEO
Bringing people together when we have to be apart
T
he founders of our company knew technology could help them keep in touch with others near and far. For decades, technology has helped them create and maintain these essential human connections.
Because of the telephone lines we strung across our part of Alabama and Tennessee, parents could talk with children and grandchildren who had moved away. With that technology, sons and daughters serving their country at military bases from coast to coast had a lifeline back home. If bad weather rolled through, we could call and check on friends and family, and if trouble did strike we could reach help by calling first responders. Building our phone network connected the people of our communities like never before. TREVOR Today, I think those company founders would be amazed at the BONNSTETTER ways we use the technology highlighted in this issue to stay conChief Executive Officer nected. Thanks to the broadband network Ardmore Telephone Company provides, we upload photos of our gardens, craft projects or baking creations to share with friends and families within our community or around the country. We share videos of first steps, birthdays and graduations through social media platforms. Streaming video has allowed us to virtually attend classes or church. Video calls allow us to catch up with friends and families, hold meetings for work or participate in virtual Sunday school. Even when we use cellular networks to make video calls, it’s often the fiber optic backbone we’ve built that connects the cell towers. The pandemic has significantly sped up our willingness to adopt such technology. I’ve seen experts suggest that in the last three to five months, Americans have used virtual meetings, video chat and applications at levels we weren’t projected to reach for another three to five years. This increased demand for bandwidth calls for fiber expansion to meet your needs. With the recent notice that Ardmore Telephone has received a $20.3 million USDA loan, we are gearing up to answer the call. Fiber expansion has already begun and will continue over the next few years in the New Market, Elkmont, Ardmore, McBurg and Minor Hill exchanges. Perhaps you’ve embraced new technology during this unusual year. Even if it’s not virtual meetings, many members have, for the first time, tried paying bills over the web or online shopping. I appreciate your patience and willingness to learn these new skills. I know I’m ready for things to get back to normal, but I’m proud to see the difference our company makes in keeping our community connected — no matter how you choose to do that today or in the future.
4 | September/October 2020
CONNECTION SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
VOL. 8, NO. 5
The Ardmore Connection is a bimonthly newsletter published by Ardmore Telephone Company, © 2020. It is distributed without charge to all customers of the company.
is a hometown service provider delivering advanced telecommunications technology to the people of Giles and Lincoln counties in Tennessee and Limestone and Madison counties in Alabama. The company is managed by Telecom Management Services and owned by Synergy Technology Partners.
Ardmore Telephone Company P.O. Box 549 Ardmore, TN 38449 Telephone: 256-423-2131 or 800-830-9946 www.ardmore.net Ardmore Office: 30190 Ardmore Ave. Ardmore, AL 35739 Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Produced for Ardmore Telephone by:
On the Cover: Harrison Bankston relies on his grandsons Colin Baerlin, left, and Chase Baerlin to operate several Bankston Motor Homes locations. See story Page 12.
ATC NEWS
Pay your bill in your PJs!
End the hassle of leaving home to pay your monthly bill! Ardmore Telephone Company makes it easy to pay your bill from the comfort of your home! With SmartHub, you get: • Safe and secure payment options • 24/7 account access via phone, tablet or desktop • Important account notifications
TELEPHONE COMPANY
www.ardmore.net | 800-830-9946
Holiday closing!
Be on the lookout!
ATC will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, for Labor Day. However, customers can access 24-hour technical support by calling 888-878-4354.
The 2020-2021 Ardmore Telephone Company phone directory will be mailed in September. Be on the lookout for your copy!
Ardmore Telephone Company
September/October 2020 | 5
GET ORGANIZED It’s easy and fulfilling … really
W
alk into a well-organized home, and you experience a sense of freedom. Freedom from clutter, freedom from chaos and freedom from the claustrophobia that comes from a house in disarray. People become frustrated when they can’t find the things they need, says Liz Jenkins, a certified professional organizer and owner of A Fresh Space in Nashville. “The visual distractions make it hard to be productive because everywhere you look, there is something that needs to be done,” she says. “People who have disorganized homes are often very frazzled people because nothing ever seems to go smoothly for them, and that’s caused by the chaos around them that prevents them from functioning properly.” The key to organization requires letting go of what is not used, loved or functional, says Houston-based Ellen Delap. She is past president of the National Association of Productivity
Creating a well-organized space means letting go of items that are not used often.
6 | September/October 2020
and Organizing and a certified professional organizer at professional-organizer.com. “Work with a partner, and donate those items to a cause that is important to you,” she says. “True editing means that you have decided that you have ‘enough’ and you only need to keep what is essential. This is for all types of organizing in your home, whether it is your kids’ clothes or toys, your kitchen, your garage, or your closet. Think of decluttering as peeling the layers of an onion. Go layer by layer until you have what is needed and precious.” There are several areas around the house that are considered clutter “hot spots,” according to Delap. The garage: This is one of the biggest hot spots, because it’s often the dumping ground for things people don’t know what to do with, as well as the last spot anyone gets organized. Garages are commonly not where we park the car. That is where large items are placed before a final decision is made. Those items sit in the garage over a period of time. When garage-cleaning day arrives, make sure you have plenty of heavy-duty trash bags, basic cleaning supplies, empty boxes for collecting items for donation and plastic containers in varying sizes to categorize and store tools and other items. This type of edit may create space so that you can actually park your car. The kitchen and pantry: This is a challenging area that’s the hub of your home. Get organized by creating zones to help you get meals and snacks easily prepared, such as a coffee zone and areas for keeping knives, cutting boards and bowls together. Create a baking zone with your whisks and other utensils in one drawer. Near your stove, store pots and pans. Pantry organizing starts with editing and decluttering. Empty it all out. Then group items as grocery stores do, in categories like breakfast, snacks, beverages, baking and condiments. Place frequently used items at eye level for adults for easy access. For your kids, use open baskets with food at their level to help them independently access snacks. An organized kitchen and pantry make it a joy to prepare meals together. Master closets: People don’t go through their clothes often enough, so things tend to pile on top of each other. Your closet is where you create the start of a great day. Begin with letting go of clothes that are too big or uncomfortable or clothes you would not want to be seen wearing. This is more easily done with a “clutter buddy” who helps you decide if that’s your best look, what you love or even what fits properly.
Edit out what you have seldom worn, and arrange your clothes in categories that work for you. Some of us prefer color to organize our clothes, while some of us prefer to organize outfits. You know what works best for you. If you have multiple closets, cull down to one closet for each season, or have two closets — one for dressy clothes and one for daily wear. The laundry room: It’s easy for things to pile up in a laundry room, such as clean clothes forgotten on a folding table. It’s important to establish a laundry routine that sets up days of the week for completing a load, meaning that you get it from the dryer back to the closet in one day. If you stick to it, you’ll find your life goes much more smoothly, with no last-minute searching for that matching blue sock. The home office: This is the room in the house that often becomes a dumping ground for all things. Create a command center where you can triage incoming paper into categories: to do, to pay and to file. Next, organize your files by context, such as home, auto, financial and personal. Finally, create an archive section for papers you need to keep. This section could include taxes, legal documents and those papers you want to keep longer than one year. Move papers throughout your process so that there is a flow. Remember your goal when you’re kneedeep in decluttering your life: to restore the rooms in your home to their original use and intended function.
Looking for someone to help? Consider hiring a professional like you would a personal trainer or other service provider to make your home a haven and place to relax. The NAPO website — www.napo.net — has a directory that helps you find a local professional who can help with organizing, decluttering and even productivity.
FIVE EASY ORGANIZING TIPS
Professional home organizer Liz Jenkins often finds that clients who are disorganized lead “frazzled” lives. “Nothing ever seems to go smoothly for them because of the chaos around them that prevents them from functioning properly,” she says. Here are some tips for organizing your living space and, thereby, your life. 1. Create “homes” for groups of items that belong together, ideally in the spaces where you use them. 2. Use containers to corral groups of items on shelves or in drawers. 3. Label everything! 4. Reduce what you bring into the house. The less you have, the less you have to store. 5. Dedicate time every day to getting and staying organized. Even five minutes tossing unwanted items away every day will make a huge impact in the long run.
A neat pantry can simplify meal prep and reduce stress.
Group like items into well-marked containers. Every room can benefit from thoughtful organization. Finding and maintaining tools in a utility area can become much easier.
September/October 2020 | 7
Job hunting in the modern age
From submitting your resume to interviewing, it’s an online world
T
Story by BRIAN LAZENBY
echnology has changed the way we look for a job. Even the first round of interviewing is often held online through videoconferencing.
JOB SEARCH RESUME
It is a new experience for today’s job hunters, so here is a guide to help you find and land that dream job.
JOB BOARDS These days, most job opportunities are found through online sources, such as job boards, where employers post openings and describe the position, job duties and type of candidate they are seeking. Some of the most popular job boards include Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder and Glassdoor. These sites will allow you to post your resume for employers to review. They also let you search for openings based on location, career field or keyword. While they may have some differences, most job boards have the same basic features. They allow you to search for jobs you may qualify for, and they often let you apply directly from their site. Others may link you to the employer’s site to submit your resume and fill out an application.
RESUME Your resume is your calling card. It is the first thing a 8 | September/October 2020
potential employer will see when determining if you are a good candidate for the opening. A resume should be simple and easy to read. It should be concise and only contain relevant information. It should summarize your accomplishments and highlight relevant skills. Here are some tips to help you create a winning resume. Keywords — Look for keywords in a job posting that describe what the employer is looking for, and use those words in your resume. Font — Always use a basic, clean font like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 points. Information — Keep your resume as brief as possible,
without leaving out key information. Only include relevant information that highlights your qualifications for the position. Design — Make sure your resume is clear and easy to read, with defined sections and appropriate margins.
SOCIAL MEDIA Networking is the new king of modern job hunting. That’s why some social media sites like LinkedIn have become go-to sources for employers and job seekers alike. According to The Muse, an online source for job seekers, 92% of employers are using social media to fill their ranks. LinkedIn is probably the most popular social media site for job hunters. It is an excellent source to find job
postings as well as to network with others within your field. But LinkedIn isn’t the only social media site companies are using. According to The Muse, 93% of employers use LinkedIn to find candidates. About 66% use Facebook, and 54% use Twitter. The Muse also warns candidates to review and clean up their social media sites, because the majority of employers review a candidate’s social media posts for questionable content. Remember, it is a two-way street. Just like employers are evaluating you to determine if you are a good fit for their team, you should be evaluating whether the job would be a good fit for you.
Ardmore Telephone Company
Prepared for a pandemic ATC keeping customers connected and employees safe Story by LISA SAVAGE | Photography by RACHEL BRISTER
T
he importance of the internet became more evident as the COVID19 pandemic forced people to stay home. Online learning, livestreaming church services, working remotely, streaming movies and virtual visits with family and friends became a way of life. Through these dramatic changes, Ardmore Telephone Company remained focused on providing customers and the community essential services to keep them connected at work and at home. “We had a high demand for more bandwidth,” says Karen Furman, ATC’s chief operating officer. The key to providing ATC’s broadband service meant keeping employees working, but it was important to do so safely. “Our main priority was taking care of our customers and making sure that we were able to do so safely for our employees,” Furman says.
SAFETY FIRST ATC put safety measures in place at all locations and immediately closed the lobby after the World Health Organization deemed COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11. The company froze time-off requests for employees so the Ardmore Telephone Company
staff could focus on keeping service at a high level. Some employees worked from home, and technicians responded to calls from home instead of going to the office first. Personal protective equipment like goggles, shields, masks, gloves and coveralls for technicians working in the field helped keep ATC employees and their customers safe. “We were proactive in getting the PPE needed for our employees working directly with our customers,” Furman says. “We never stopped installations or repairs that were so vital for our members during this time.” Employees who were required to go to the ATC office used social distancing measures and stayed on campus during lunch to limit their exposure to the public. ATC reopened drive-thru service in May, giving customers a safer option for taking care of business at the office. For those who need to go inside, clear acrylic panels create a safe distance between employees and customers. “We’re trying to do everything we can to keep everybody safe,” Furman says. ATC also pledged not to terminate service and waived
Sue Hicks sanitizes the counter in the lobby at Ardmore Telephone Company. Eric Mitchell checks the fiber optic network at Ardmore Telephone Company.
late fees through July 31 for residential and small-business customers unable to pay their bills due to coronavirus disruptions. The crisis highlighted the disadvantages facing those without adequate internet access. “ATC is dedicated to providing our customers and communities with essential services to keep us connected, engaged and on track, both at work and at home,” says Trevor Bonnstetter, ATC’s CEO. “The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of just how vital, strong and reliable broadband service is in times of global crisis, and we at ATC are proud to be entrusted with the responsibility of providing these invaluable connections.”
Total internet usage surged by between
50% and 70%
during the pandemic, and streaming jumped by at least 12%. Source: Forbes Inc.
September/October 2020 | 9
BROADBAND:
HELPING YOU CONNECT
Far from home Broadband connects families across the globe
F
Story by KALEIGH COX
or Joshua and Kate Baker of Minnesota, welcoming their first child in 2019 was a time of joyful celebration and anticipation. Joshua Baker’s parents, however, weren’t close enough to celebrate in person, as they still live in his hometown over 1,000 miles away in New York. Fortunately, the Bakers had broadband internet, so when they found out they would be parents, they turned to FaceTime to share their news. “With FaceTime, you get to see their emotion,” Kate Baker says. “They were very excited!” The Bakers are not alone. With the arrival of fast, reliable broadband, people aren’t just connecting to the internet. They’re connecting to one another. When families find themselves spread across the globe, the ability to connect instantly is a particularly special gift.
10 | September/October 2020
When their son, Micah, was born, the Bakers continued to use online apps and tools to keep his grandparents involved in his life. Planning a trip to meet in person would take significant time, money and coordinated effort. But the internet makes it easy to spontaneously pop on and connect anytime, just as two families living in the same town might do. The Bakers also invited his parents to join Cluster, a social media app that enables users to share photos, videos and other updates with a small, private group of family and friends.
Joshua and Kate Baker use broadband to keep in touch with distant family.
Joshua Baker’s mom, Faith Baker, was delighted. “We love to be as connected as we can,” she says. “I can struggle with the separation and feel that we miss so much. I appreciate how they’ve found ways to overcome that.”
Even 10-month-old Micah seems to appreciate the technology. “He recognizes his grandparents and understands who they are,” Kate Baker says. She says being a new mom is busy, but staying connected online is worth the time and effort. “We’ll send pictures and keep communicating that way. It makes his grandparents feel included,” she says.
STAYING CONNECTED For Jess and Sarah Curry in Texas, broadband wasn’t available in their early days of starting a family. As a military family navigating deployments, it was hard to stay connected. Jess Curry has left on deployment nine times over the past 20 years, and during those times, he would have to wait in line for an opportunity to check his email every few days. Even when videoconferencing technology became available, the inability to use it at home complicated things. “We’d get all dressed up and drive to post to do a scheduled 15-minute video call,” Sarah Curry says. “There was so much pressure, and it seemed the kids would inevitably be melting down during the call. I would drive away feeling like I was supposed to be grateful, but I was miserable knowing my kids had cried through the call — and that seeing their dad for just a few minutes would only make them cry more.” Thanks to advances in technology and a stronger internet connection, the most recent deployment was nothing like those early years. “He has Wi-Fi in his room and office, so we can talk on FaceTime every few days,” Sarah Curry says. “In between calls, the kids love using Marco Polo to record and send video messages
for their dad to watch and reply to when he can. Before, it was hard for the kids to be put on the spot and think of all the things they needed to say to him. Now, they can send what they want to say when they think about it. Especially for my teenagers — that’s been really helpful.” With the steady communication, each kid’s relationship with their dad feels more natural and ongoing, even during deployment. He’s more present for the little moments, like when their 15-yearold daughter’s dance class tried to teach a parent to dance. “We called up Dad and used the screen on the computer,” says Sarah Curry. “She taught him this dance, and they did it together on a split screen. He was in his uniform doing plies and other ballet moves. He’s going to do what it takes to connect with his daughter, even if it means he has to pirouette in his room.”
OPEN COMMUNICATION In many families, the internet allows children to connect with people they may never have met otherwise. When Linda Martin of North Carolina adopted her son Max in 2008, people around her discouraged her from pursuing an open adoption. “We wanted him to be able to ask questions and learn about his family history, but we had a lot of pushback,” Martin says. “People said that birth parents move on and lose interest.” Thankfully, that hasn’t happened, she
says, and connecting online has helped. When Max was an infant, Martin shared photos and updates over email. As he grew, he began to pursue his own relationship with his birth mom, starting with phone calls with Martin present. Now, at 11 years old, Max likes using online apps to stay connected. “We text a lot, and we use Instagram’s video call feature to talk face to face. I tell her everything, and I like to hear what’s going on in her life, too,” Max says. He shares pictures of his cat, gives updates when he loses a tooth and even made an excited video call when he landed the role of the Nutcracker in his ballet company’s production. He also gets to learn about his birth mom’s life. “She told me she went to Coachella the day after she found out she was pregnant with me,” he says. “So, technically, I can say I’ve been to Coachella.” While Martin acknowledges that an open adoption isn’t right for everyone, she’s thankful for the ways her son has been able to know his birth mom. They met in person for his birthday last year, and the foundation of connecting online helped Max overcome any hesitations and enjoy the meeting. “It was really fun!” he says. They hope to meet again when he turns 13, but in the meantime, he’s thankful for opportunities to share his life with her online. “We talk a lot now, and I get to tell her everything,” Max says.
When Jess Curry was on deployment with the U.S. Army, broadband helped his family stay in touch.
After adopting Max, left, Linda Martin of North Carolina used broadband to help him stay in touch with his birth mother.
September/October 2020 | 11
Happy camper Bankston Motor Homes at home in Ardmore Story by BRIAN LAZENBY | Photography by RACHEL BRISTER
Harrison Bankston, left, and his grandsons Colin Baerlin and Chase Baerlin.
H
arrison Bankston, who began his career as a mechanical engineer, soon took a different route. Working with a partner, he operated a business that rented televisions for $1 a day. After Bankston heard a co-worker describe a plan to rent a motor home for a family camping trip, he and his partner borrowed $8,500 in 1970 to buy the first motor home they would rent. Business took off. Although he and his business partner went their separate ways, they remain close friends. Now, 50 years later, much has changed. Bankston Motor Homes, which started with one location in Huntsville, has six locations in Alabama and Tennessee, including a 125,000-square-foot facility at 32205 Bankston Road in Ardmore, Tennessee.
12 | September/October 2020
Ardmore Telephone Company
Bankston Motor Homes still rents RVs, but RV sales are the bread and butter. The Ardmore facility, which opened around 2014, moved into the former Clayton Mobile Homes location. It includes an ample lot and showroom, as well as a full-service repair center. “We do a lot of repair work there,” Bankston says. “If we have a real problem with a unit or if a customer damages a unit, it goes there because we have the facilities to work on it.”
BOOSTING BUSINESS WITH BROADBAND During the early years, most of the business came from print advertising and word of mouth. But fast internet, like the service the company gets from Ardmore Telephone Company, is now a necessity. It changed the landscape and enabled Bankston Motor Homes to attract customers from all over the country. Although all Bankston Motor Homes locations are in Alabama and Tennessee, Bankston says he has sold recreational vehicles to people from New York, Colorado, Texas, California and more. “That’s not unusual. It all comes through the internet,” he says. Bankston says employees keep the company website updated with new pictures and information about inventory. Broadband internet is essential to order parts, manage inventory and coordinate with other store locations. “It’s amazing,” he says. “Just about everybody now starts their search on the internet.” The internet helped boost sales for Bankston and opened up new avenues to connect with customers, including through the company’s Facebook page. As with any business, there have been challenges. “It’s been up and down all around with the economy,” Bankston says, pointing out the 2008 economic crash as an example. Business has gradually improved since then, but business activity during the COVID-19 pandemic has been interesting, Bankston says. There was concern the country was shutting down, and business would drop off. Instead, there has been an increase in sales. Bankston attributes the recent boom to Ardmore Telephone Company
people opting to practice social distancing in nature and to customers having cabin fever from the quarantine. “People are cooped up, and they want to get out,” he says. “We are backed up approximately three weeks for delivery.”
SECRETS OF SUCCESS In 1972, Bob Tiffin, founder of Tiffin Motorhomes, reached out to Bankston about selling his motor homes, and Bankston Motor Homes became Tiffin Motorhomes’ first dealer. Through the years, Bankston and Tiffin have remained friends and have collaborated on design and features for various recreational vehicles, including some of Tiffin’s bestselling models. New motor homes can be a big investment. They can range in price from about $60,000 to more than $500,000. Bankston Motor Homes has the highest sales in every category among RV dealers in Alabama, including motor homes, travel trailers and fifth wheels. Bankston believes his success is due in no small part to how he treats customers and how he runs his business. “This is a family-owned business, and we try to treat everyone like family,” he says. Being a family business means there are several family members involved. Bankston’s wife, Kim, serves as a consultant in a variety of areas. Oldest grandson, Chase Baerlin is vice president and in charge of most day-to-day operations. Another
grandson, Colin Baerlin, monitors the internet, logistics and a variety of other duties. Six grandchildren are involved with the business. Kim Bankston says being a family business with roots in the community is an advantage. “RVing promotes strong families through the camping experience,” she says. “Our salespeople build relationships with their customers by helping them select the right equipment for the type of camping they want to do. Customers also appreciate the family atmosphere.” As Bankston Motor Homes celebrates its 50th anniversary, Bankston thinks back to how life might have been different if he had stayed in mechanical engineering. He says he has no regrets. “I could have retired 15 years ago, but I wouldn’t have had as much fun,” he says. Bankston Motor Homes offers 75 brands of motor homes from 15 different manufacturers. For more information about Bankston Motor Homes, visit bankstonmotorhomes.com. September/October 2020 | 13
SOUTHERN KITCHENS
Apples
in abundance
A Tennessee sustainable orchard offers many choices
A
pple season around the South turns mountaintops and hillsides into beautiful shades of reds, greens and golds. Through the years, winds have swept across the Cumberland Plateau and deposited minerals into the land, creating topsoil perfect for growing fruits of all kinds — apples, specifically, at Wheeler’s Orchard atop Tennessee’s Fredonia Mountain. It was 1974 when Wade Wheeler and his wife, Ann, left their home in Chattanooga, traveled north to Dunlap, Tennessee, and then on up Fredonia Mountain to settle with their children. Their land was perfect for farming — 50 acres in a gorge where cooler air protects plants from the scorching heat of summer and warm air from the valley guards tender vegetation in early spring. “Dad talked to some old-timers who told him that the man who once owned the property grew the best fruits on the mountain,” says his daughter, and the farm’s manager, Jane Wheeler Mauldin. In 1978, the Wheelers planted their first apple trees — familiar old varieties like Granny Smith, Gala, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. Fifteen years later, a second planting of newer varieties — Braeburn, Mutsu and Fujis — resulted in 10 acres of apple trees.
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Jane Wheeler Mauldin manages Wheeler’s Orchard in Tennessee.
The Wheelers also lease land near Fall Creek Falls along the Cumberland Plateau where they grow Pink Lady and Arkansas Black apples, as well as a couple of heirloom varieties, Black Twig and Limber Twig. Wheeler’s Orchard, one of the only sustainable orchards in the Southeast, grows 22 varieties of apples, and a third planting is scheduled. The orchard will soon bring some of the latest apples to market, including Harvey Cumberland and Ginger Gold. Braeburn, though, is Mauldin’s favorite. “They’re an amazing apple for cider, to
cook with and to eat,” she says. “I like to pick them a little early — before they’re fully ripe — so they have a little bit more tang to them.” Every apple variety has a slightly different flavor. Some are better for eating, while others are best suited for baking. But some, such as Braeburn, pull double duty. These also include Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Mutsu and Pink Lady. Visit the orchard and pick your own apples, or buy them prepicked in the orchard’s apple shop where shelves hold everything apple — fruit fresh from the orchard, homemade cider, apple butter, apple jelly and more. There are also local crafts, teas, soaps and honey here. And jelly made from the orchard’s grapes is a favorite each autumn. Bring a picnic, spread out a blanket, and enjoy the cool mountain breeze.
FOOD EDITOR ANNE P. BRALY IS A NATIVE OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.
OLD-FASHIONED APPLE CRISP 6 medium Braeburn or other crisp cooking apple, peeled and chopped 2 tablespoons sugar 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 cup light brown sugar 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced into small cubes Pinch of kosher salt Heat oven to 350 F. Butter an 8x8” baking dish. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, add apples, sugar, 3/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon and lemon juice. Stir to combine, then transfer to the prepared baking dish. In a separate mixing bowl, add brown sugar, oats, flour, remaining cinnamon, salt and diced cold butter. Use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter into the oat mixture until it resembles pea-sized crumbs. Spread this topping over the apples in the baking dish and gently pat to even it out. Bake 40-50 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE This applesauce is delicious with oatmeal for breakfast or as a side to roasted pork for dinner. 3 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and quartered 3 Fuji apples, peeled, cored and quartered 1 cup unfiltered apple juice 2 tablespoons cognac or brandy (or for a nonalcoholic substitution, apricot juice) 2 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon In a large saucepan, combine the apples and remaining ingredients. Bring to a soft boil and continue cooking until the
apples are soft, 20-30 minutes. Using a hand blender or potato masher, blend to desired consistency. Serve warm immediately or chill for later use. Note: For a sweeter applesauce, add 2 tablespoons sugar. And you can use whatever apples are available, although combining two different varieties provides a richer flavor.
FRIED APPLES This is an easy go-to dessert. The Wheeler family especially enjoys it around the holidays. 3 tablespoons butter 10 tart apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup water or apple cider Melt butter in a skillet, then add the remaining ingredients. Simmer over medium heat, covered, until the apples are tender. Remove the lid from the pan and continue to cook until the liquid has reduced to a thick syrup, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Delicious over vanilla ice cream.
If you go Where: Wheeler’s Orchard 956 Wheeler Road Dunlap, Tennessee When: The farm is open through December. Information: wheelersorchard.com September/October 2020 | 15
Presort STD US Postage PAID Permit #21 Freeport OH
P.O. Box 549 • Ardmore, TN 38449
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