SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
CONNECTION WWII soldier named Grand Marshal
BITCOIN MINING IN MCKEE FARM GETAWAYS
INDUSTRY NEWS
A bridge to the future Rural Connections By SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association
Faster broadband benefits rural America
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s the chief executive officer of NTCA– The Rural Broadband Association, I am proud to represent 850 small, independent broadband providers who are offering some of the highest possible broadband speeds to some of the most remote parts of the country. Thanks to NTCA members, many rural Americans have higher internet speeds than I have where I live just outside Washington, D.C. We currently have a once-in-a-generation opportunity through billions of dollars of funding recently made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other federal programs to bridge the digital divide and bring broadband to those who still lack it. As broadband is deployed thanks to this funding, we must ensure that recipients are using it to provide the best possible services. Recently, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel initiated a process to redefine what it means to have broadband-speed internet, raising the standard. This move continues us down the path needed to give rural residents the internet service they not only need but also deserve as they connect to vital resources like telemedicine, online education, employment opportunities and much more. A new, more realistic, standard provides a range of benefits, including clarifying the true needs of rural areas and the funding required to serve them. We have long advocated that, as a nation, we need to aim higher and do better when it comes to setting broadband objectives. We applaud Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s efforts. We look forward to continuing to work with the FCC and other agencies to bridge the digital divide.
2 | September/October 2022
Your communications provider is your link to vital resources
The digital world increasingly weaves its way into our lives, replacing formerly physical resources, tasks and tools. Consider restaurants, for example. For some, scanning a QR code with your phone to view the options online has replaced physical menus. Rapid expansion of digital resources was a trend before the pandemic, but it’s only accelerated in the years since. In an article this year for Wired — “The Digital Divide Is Coming for You” — Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business for The Fletcher School at Tufts University in Massachusetts, described having broadband and mobile internet as table stakes. Without those services, you don’t exist digitally, he says. Your rural internet service provider is committed to bridging the digital divide between you and vital resources like these:
BANKING
STREAMING TV
HEALTH CARE RECORDS
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
EVENT TICKETS
WEATHER ALERTS
WEATHER ALERT
GAMING
HOME SALES AND PURCHASES
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
What’s the password? How to build — and remember — strong passwords
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t’s difficult to do anything online without piling up a few passwords. Using the same one for multiple sites can leave your private information vulnerable to cyberattacks, and devising strong passwords full of random letters and symbols can make them impossible to remember. A good password doesn’t have to be unintelligible, but it does need to be random enough to avoid any clear patterns. Here are a few helpful tips for building passwords that will keep your online accounts secure without forcing you to hit the “Forgot my password” link every time you want to log in. At least 12 characters — the longer your password, the more difficult it will be to crack. In general, you should create passwords with a minimum of 12 to 14 characters. But more is always better. Change it up — using a mix of different characters like numbers, symbols, capital and lowercase letters makes your passwords stronger. Avoid full words — using your favorite team’s name as a password
doesn’t cut it anymore. In fact, you should avoid using any full words you might find in the dictionary. That goes for any common phrases, too. Diceware — one exception to the above rule is the Diceware method. By stringing truly random words together, you can build a secure passphrase that is easier to remember than a jumble of letters and numbers. To help with this process, search for the Diceware Password Generator. It can randomly select between two and eight words to build your passphrase. Avoid obvious substitutions — “Password” doesn’t become stronger if you change it to “P@ssword.” Avoid substituting obvious symbols for letters. If it has occurred to you, it has probably occurred to a hacker. Go to the manager — if you’re having trouble keeping track of all your logins, a password manager can help. Programs like Dashlane, LastPass and Keeper manage your passwords across numerous sites and devices, making it easier to avoid repeats. All you need to remember is one strong password, and you’re set.
Tired of passwords? Apple may have the answer At its Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this year, Apple demonstrated a new “passkeys” feature that may spell the end for passwords. Rather than inputting a password for every site you visit, passkeys would use a biometric sign-in like the Touch ID or Face ID that currently exists on iPhones and iPads. Websites and apps on non-Apple devices would provide a QR code that sends authentication to the user’s phone or tablet. Just a month earlier, Apple joined with Google and Microsoft to support the development of new passwordless logins on both mobile and desktop devices. So, even if passkeys don’t crack the code, you may not need to juggle passwords for much longer.
September/October 2022 | 3
FROM THE CEO
The power of a cooperative Your voice guides our mission
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hen it comes to a for-profit business, some would say a company is what it sells. The nature of the product defines the culture, the business’s interactions with customers and how it spreads its message. For instance, a manufacturer with a production plant creating physical goods is fundamentally different than a local real estate agency or medical facility. The day-to-day realities of the many job roles and policies needed to make that product possible can shape how a business operates, how consumers view it and even how employees view themselves. For PRTC, there’s no doubt about our products or the expertise needed to make them possible. Since 2014, we’ve operated a 100% fiber communications network rivaling those found elsewhere in Kentucky or much of the nation. In fact, most metropolitan areas can’t keep pace. We’re truly a modern communications hub using fast internet KEITH GABBARD service to link you to the information you need. Our systems Chief Executive Officer include the latest innovations to create the best experience for you. Now, telephone services are only a single part of that product mix — one component of the complex, powerful and reliable infrastructure we’ve created to link our community to all the resources now at our fingertips. Streaming television and music. Telemedicine and online learning. Movies and social media. These are all modern necessities, and we make it possible for you to connect to them. Our technical experts have the skills to maintain and support the latest systems. We train our staff to not only anticipate the questions you may have about your services, but also to have the knowledge to provide clear answers. At a very basic level, the services we provide do define PRTC — at least in part. You see, we’re more than simply a communications company. We are also part of a national community of organizations responsible for bringing services to areas larger companies would not serve. Unlike businesses that put profit or stock values above all else, cooperatives proudly go a different direction. We are member-owned — yes, you own a part of this company — and we put your needs and the needs of the communities we serve first. Does that mean we’re not worried about income? Of course not. We’re vigilant stewards of the cooperative’s finances. In a world of escalating costs and ever-changing technology, that’s no small task. As a cooperative, though, we’re also governed by you through a board of directors elected by you. Other communications companies can’t say the same, particularly the large national providers. We are part of the community, devoted to making life here better for everyone. In fact, that’s a central principle of every cooperative — concern for the community. We support local organizations and businesses through donations, scholarships and more. The members of our team live here, shop here and enjoy our rural way of life just as you do. Also, as we continue to expand the reach of our services, we’re committed to building an all-fiber network with industry-leading performance. Together we’ve created PRTC, and we couldn’t be more proud to serve you, our friends, our family, our neighbors and our cooperative members. Thank you.
CONNECTION SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
The PRTC Connection is published by Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative, ©2022. It is distributed without charge to all members of the cooperative.
is your member-owned cooperative serving Jackson and Owsley counties in East Kentucky. The cooperative is dedicated to using technology to keep its members connected through high-speed broadband internet, digital and HD television, wireless 4G phone service, local and long-distance calling and beyond.
Send address corrections to: Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative P.O. Box 159 McKee, KY 40447 606-287-7101 • 606-593-5000 www.prtcnet.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kendall Norris President Wendell Gabbard Vice President James Gary Cornett Secretary Nelson Bobrowski Treasurer Donald Barrett Armel Davidson Pat Henderson
Produced for PRTC by:
On the Cover:
Edsel Welch, a 98-year-old WWII vet, will serve as Jackson County Fair and Homecoming’s Grand Marshal. See story Page 12. Photo by Melissa Gaines
4 | September/October 2022
VOL. 10, NO. 5
PRTC NEWS
2022 PRTC Directory & Calendar Photo Contest
Visit prtcnet.org for rules and entry form. Deadline to enter is Oct. 1.
WAY TO GO, CHAMPS! PRTC congratulates Jackson County‘s 10 and under All-Star girls softball team for winning the 2022 State Little League Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament championship on July 13. Coaches Chris Estridge, Marlon Coffey and Gregg Stewart led the players to victory. Here are the names and jersey numbers of the championship players: 7 Hannah Gabbard
13 Sofia Martinez
8 Tilly Truett
27 Josie Scalf
10 Hadley Stewart
31 Kylee Martin
11 Marley Coffey
33 Karley Turner
12 Jasey Estridge
88 Harper Bowling
Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative
September/October 2022 | 5
TRAVEL
GETTING AWAY to the farm
A few days in a pastoral setting can do wonders for the heart and mind
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he South’s diversity of rolling pastures, mountain vistas, natural springs and lakes makes it an appealing getaway. But why book a hotel stay when you can wake up to the call of a rooster and go to bed with the hoot of an owl? Farm stays are one of the best ways to absorb nature, eat homegrown food and learn about rural life. Farmers are welcoming guests by turning their barns and unused dwellings into overnight accommodations for a vacation you’re likely to remember for years to come. And who knows? Maybe you’ll realize farm living is the life for you. It’s a win-win for guests and farmers. These stays give guests a few days off the beaten path, and they allow landowners to bring in income while educating the public about working the land. “It’s a way for farmers to show the inner workings of their farms, what it takes to grow food for their tables, who we are and the stories we
th Farm
Fai Photo courtesy of By
hold. Also, it’s nice to welcome city dwellers to our farm to bridge a growing urban-rural divide and offer them our countrysides for relaxation, calm, play and connection,” says Scottie Jones, a farmer and founder of the U.S. Farm Stay Association. And for small farmers, it’s a way to make much-needed money for new equipment and for upkeep and repairs of old farm equipment. The extra funds also help with costs like insurance, retirement savings and college funds. “In the last decade, the concept of hosting guests on one’s farm has risen to the surface, especially as booking sites such as Airbnb and VRBO have made the daunting task of taking reservations much more easy to handle,” Scottie says. So, if you’re considering something different for your vacation this year, here are some Southern farms opening their gates to overnight guests.
Devoted to feeding the hungry, By Faith Farm creates opportunities for visitors to pitch in and help. 6 | September/October 2022
Photo courtesy of Lori Birkhead
Story by ANNE BRALY
ding Photo courtesy of Kokovoko Bree
Farm
Photo courtesy of Lori Birk hea
d
Left: Visitors to By Faith Farm enjoy an interactive experience.
REVIVAL HILL FARM Cullman, Alabama Milk cows, pick herbs from the garden, gather eggs from the henhouse or just sit back and enjoy life at Revival Hill Farm. The farm stay has one bedroom and a roomy living area with couch, television chairs and kitchenette. It’s attached to the farm store/milking parlor with a private outdoor entrance and access to farm animals, garden, fire pit, pond, pasture and woodlands with numerous trails for hiking. If you need more space, Revival Hill also has a house you can rent. This three-bedroom, two-bath accommodation is located across the street and has a full kitchen, laundry room, open-concept living area and beautiful covered back porch. The farm is a stone’s throw from Smith Lake Park, so tow your boat. There’s plenty of boat parking at the farm. Nightly rate: $172 Reservations: Airbnb
spend a day touring the city and then come back to the country to unwind. Nightly rate: $95 Reservations: Airbnb
Above: The carriage house at Kokovoko Breeding Farm can sleep five — perfect for families or friends traveling together.
BY FAITH FARM Joelton, Tennessee This farm works a little differently than some others. With a mission to grow healthy food for those in need, 100% of your nightly rate will go toward feeding the hungry in surrounding communities. It’s a farm stay with a purpose. Stay in a 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath modern loft apartment with kitchen and living room above a red barn. Wander the fields, hike the trails or sit beside a pond and reflect on your peaceful surroundings just 15 miles outside the busyness of Nashville. Pick vegetables from the donation gardens or help harvest food for By Faith Farm’s food bank collections. Nightly rate: $275 Reservations: Airbnb or byfaithfarm.com
STONEWOOD FARM Ridgefield, South Carolina Enjoy life at a slower pace at this farm with its menagerie of goats, chickens, horses, dogs and friendly felines. The farm offers overnights, glamping-style, in a 14-by-20-foot tent on a raised platform with an outdoor dining area set up for roasting s’mores at night or for drinking your coffee in the morning. The tent sleeps six and comes complete with lanterns, heaters, snacks, a coffee maker and a television with a large selection of movies. The farm is located in the South Carolina Lowcountry, not too far from Charleston and Hilton Head, so you can
Middle: At By Faith Farm in Joelton, Tennessee, the goal is to grow healthy food for those in need, and money raised from visitors helps feed the hungry.
KOKOVOKO BREEDING FARM Corinth, Kentucky Pop a tent out in the open fields or make reservations for the carriage house. Either way, you’ll spend time in the beautiful outdoors of Central Kentucky’s horse country. Swedish Gotland ponies and Lincoln Longwool sheep graze over 150 acres of Kentucky rolling hills and forest. It’s unspoiled. It’s organic. It’s totally natural. Bring your binoculars — the bird-watching is great. Or sign up for a fiber workshop. And helping out with the farm chores is always appreciated.
The carriage house can sleep five, so bring the family — but leave your electronics at home. They won’t work here. This is a chance to immerse your family in a totally different way of life. Stroll down the country roads, look for wildlife, play in the creek, baa at the sheep and visit the ponies — they always love a good brushing. Nightly rate: $50-$200 Reservations: farmstayus.com
THE SHAGGY GOAT Waleska, Georgia Pet the goats, feed the chickens, learn about beekeeping, try your hand at gardening or hike or bike the nearby mountain trails. Or just spend the day lolling in your hammock. It’s up to you. Your time is your own at The Shaggy Goat, a farm in the beauty of the Southern Appalachians of North Georgia. Overnight accommodations are in a one-bedroom cottage on the property with views of the working farm, so join in and learn a thing or two. There’s a pool just a few yards from the cottage — don’t forget your bathing suits. On warm days, take your pillow outside and nap on the sleeping porch. Bring your own food, but don’t be surprised to find the makings for s’mores in the evening or fresh-from-thefarm eggs and honey for breakfast. Nightly rate: $226 Reservations: Airbnb September/October 2022 | 7
PRTC goes to Washington Gabbard and Stidham advocate for rural connections
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eoples Rural Telephone Cooperative leaders met in April with Sen. Mitch McConnell and other lawmakers to gather support for a bill that would ensure rural Americans continue to have access to internet and phone services. While attending the NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association’s legislative conference in Washington, D.C., PRTC CEO and General Manager Keith Gabbard and PRTC Operations Manager Michael Stidham visited McConnell and the staff of Rep. Hal Rogers to discuss the Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act. The act would help reform the contribution system for the Universal Service Fund, the 1930s-era program that started as a way to make sure everyone in the U.S. had access to phone lines. USF especially helped rural areas, where it’s more expensive to build infrastructure. The USF program has since expanded to include money for broadband services. But funding for the USF program still mostly comes from fees on landline telephone subscriptions, which is why the contribution system needs to be reformed, Stidham says. “As those subscriptions dwindle, so does the fund for USF,” he says. “It means less money is available, which hurts rural Americans the most.” The bipartisan Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act would reform the USF contribution system within one year by expanding the contribution base. Gabbard says PRTC representatives will continue to talk to lawmakers about the Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act and its importance to the people of Eastern Kentucky. “We need to make sure they know about all the issues that surround rural broadband and how it can affect us,” Gabbard says. “It has a direct impact on all of us.”
PRTC CEO Keith Gabbard, right, visited lawmakers in April, including Sen. Mitch McConnell, to advocate for a bill that would keep rural communities connected.
REFORMING BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY ACT EXPLAINED The bipartisan bills S. 3236 and H.R. 6314 would direct the Federal Communications Commission to: Reform the Universal Service Fund contribution system within one year by expanding the contribution Consider during the reform process: • The relative fairness of the proposed reforms to consumers and businesses • The impact of the USF contribution reforms on seniors Sen. McConnell, left, and Michael Stidham, PRTC operations manager. 8 | September/October 2022
Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative
Hometown hero Story by JEN CALHOUN
County’s oldest living veteran to be honored
FORWARD MARCH At 92, Mae is still the keeper of her family’s stories. She remembers that Edsel got back from his service in early January 1946. A little more than a month later, the couple married. “I was 16 and a half,” she says. When Edsel left the extraordinary circumstances he found himself in as a teenager, he set out to build an ordinary life. He worked in the coal mines for a while before taking a job in Lexington. Then he was able to move back to Jackson County and make a career out of working Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative
Photos by Melissa Gaines
E
dsel Welch wasn’t much more than a teenager when he returned to his home in Jackson County after serving in World War II. He was in China and Myanmar — called Burma back then. He traveled with mules through the rainforest, and he helped build a bridge that was strategically important to the Allied forces. That’s about as much information as he shared with his family, says Mae Welch, his wife of 76 years. Edsel has never liked to talk about his service, and it’s no different now that he’s 98 years old. “He’s said a few things about being over there,” she says. “But he’s never wanted to talk about the fighting.” In September, Jackson County will honor Edsel for his service and sacrifices with the title of grand marshal of the 2022 Jackson County Fair and Homecoming. “He’s the county’s oldest living war veteran,” says Brian Murray, the fair board’s president. “We always want to give this title to people who have lived a life of servitude. It’ll be the first time we’ve directly honored a member of the military in this way, and we want to thank Mr. Welch for all he’s done.”
Clockwise from top: Edsel Welch displays a portrait of himself during WWII. Edsel holds his WWII Victory Medal. Mae and Edsel Welch celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary in February.
for Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative. Over the years, the couple welcomed nine children and lost one. “We have grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” Mae says. Edsel has slowed down quite a bit now that he’s nearing the century mark, Mae says. Some days are better than others for him. But in recent years, he’s shown up for various veterans events, including the 2021 funeral ceremony for Pfc. Burton McQueen. McQueen was a Jackson County soldier who was killed in action in France during WWII. After nearly 80 years, his remains were returned home. Mae says this honor from his home county will make Edsel proud. “I think he’ll like it quite a bit,” she says.
HH H Jackson County Fair The 2022 Jackson County Fair and Homecoming takes place Labor Day weekend in McKee. Musical acts will include That Arena Rock Show, Leave Those Kids Alone, County-Wide, Laurel River Line, Grayson Jenkins and more. Visit the fair’s Facebook page for a full listing of musical acts, events and the latest information.
September/October 2022 | 9
Find your wavelength Podcasts let you tune in to your passions
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odcasts have seen an explosion in popularity in recent years, thanks to their variety and the connections hosts forge with their listeners. If you’ve never listened to a podcast before, you can think of them like prerecorded radio shows on your favorite topics. But, because listeners can download podcasts to a phone or computer and play them at any time, audiences can go as deep or as light as they want on a given topic. Podcasts also don’t require the full attention video does, meaning you can drive to work, answer emails or cook dinner — all while continuing to enjoy your favorite programming. In the early days of podcasting, following your favorite show meant navigating a technological obstacle course of downloads and synced devices. Today, the process is as easy as downloading an app. Apps like Apple Podcasts and Stitcher make it easy to search thousands of the latest podcasts and subscribe to your
10 | September/October 2022
favorites for free. If you have the Spotify app, you’re already set. Just go to the Search tab and choose “Podcasts & Shows” to start adding new discoveries to your list. Not sure where to start? Here are a few of our favorites to get you going:
“The Big Picture” — Struggling to keep up with the latest movie releases? Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins run down all the movies you need to see while also discussing old favorites and interviewing the people behind them twice a week.
“Criminal” — One of the first true crime hits, even before “Serial” hit the scene, “Criminal” tells the “stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.” Going beyond tales of murder, it takes a critical look at the impact of crime on its victims and perpetrators.
“Lore” — Truth is scarier than fiction in this documentary podcast series that explores the dark corners of history. Gather around the audio campfire to listen in on true historical tales, legends and folklore biweekly.
“This American Life” — “This American Life” has been on the air since 1995, so there are plenty of stories to catch up on. Described as little movies for radio, each episode is also a little different. But they all tell the true, entertaining and often surprising stories of the people and events shaping our American lives.
“Sound Opinions” — Chicago music critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot know everyone’s a critic. Each week, they get together to discuss music’s greats, talk shop with artists and share their opinions on the latest releases on this independent radio show and podcast.
While the Twitch website and app are still the most popular, other platforms have sprouted up as well. YouTube
Youtube’s gaming section, youtube.com/gaming, has functions similar to Twitch, and it’s gaining popularity with amateur streamers because its optimized search engine makes it easier for a beginner’s content to get noticed.
The newest spectator sport Streaming platforms like Twitch let gamers build massive followings
G
amers have thriving online communities, including platforms like Twitch, that give millions of fans from around the world a place to share their knowledge and experience, while also providing countless hours of entertainment.
feature an interactive chat where viewers can talk with the streamer and other viewers. These connections with like-minded people and interesting personalities keep people interested and coming back for more.
WHY WATCH INSTEAD OF PLAY?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF STREAMING YOUR GAMING?
Staying up to date with the latest and greatest video games can be expensive and time consuming. Sometimes game descriptions and reviews aren’t enough — it’s better to see a game in action. Avid gamers can check out a Twitch stream to see if a game is right for them, gain insight into a game’s features, and find updates and creative fixes to problems. Many people subscribe to Twitch channels just for the entertainment value. It’s also a way to engage with others in the gaming community. Live broadcasts
There are many incentives for live-streamers. The revenue potential can be sky high — some streamers have built careers, earning millions and striking deals with game publishers to get exclusive early access to the newest games. The higher a streaming channel’s subscriber count, the more opportunities the streamer has for exclusive marketing partnerships. Viewers can also donate to the channel during the broadcast. The biggest Twitch streamers get most of their income from paid subscription fees.
The audience is shared with YouTube, so the potential pool of viewers is vastly greater than on Twitch. For streamers, YouTube has greater potential for earnings from advertisements.
Facebook Gaming
Facebook Gaming is growing as existing Facebook users check out the video gaming hub that can be easily accessed through the main social media site or FB.gg. There’s also a Facebook Gaming app enthusiasts can download to discover content, connect with other gamers and casually play mobile games. Like the other popular streaming platforms, Facebook allows users easy access to uploads from their favorite streamers. But, like its main site, Facebook Gaming users can join groups and like topics to tailor their timelines to their specific interests.
September/October 2022 | 11
DIGGING NEW GOLD for the
McKee store focuses on crypto mining, sales and service Story by JEN CALHOUN
B
rant Isaacs spent years hauling new cars around the country. Before that, he worked with HVAC systems. But now that he’s retired, Brant is focusing on a career in mining — crypto mining. He co-owns and operates UMine, a McKee-based brick-and-mortar store that sells, repairs, services and hosts crypto mining machines. The machines are known as ASICs, which stands for application-specific integrated circuit. They look like metal boxes with fans, and inside, they hold the computing power of hundreds of laptops. But you can’t send an email with them, and you can’t play a game. These boxes do one thing and one thing only — they mine for cryptocurrency.
UNDERSTANDING CRYPTO If it sounds confusing, that’s because it is, says Brant, president of UMine. “If you asked 10 people what bitcoin is, you might have one of them who can give you the right answer,” he says of the digital currency that got its start in 2008. The simplest explanation is that cryptocurrencies are a form of money that circulate from person to person without the need for a central monetary authority like banks or the government. People can buy them, sell them, trade them and purchase things with them. Each transaction goes into a digital ledger or database known as a blockchain, and it’s then tracked anonymously. Bitcoin is the most popular, the most valuable and the most well known of the cryptocurrencies. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different kinds of cryptocurrencies of varying values. In 2010, a bitcoin user bought two Papa John’s pizzas for 10,000 bitcoins. On June 30, 2022, a single bitcoin was valued at $18,895.90. Brant says it took years for him to fully understand digital currency. “I was trading bitcoin for a long time, and I thought I understood how it all worked,” he says. “But in reality, I didn’t. One day, I made some money. It was enough that it kind of freaked me out, and I thought, ‘How did it do that?’ I couldn’t make any sense of it. That’s when I found the rabbit hole of mining.” Brant Isaacs opened UMine in McKee. The shop sells, services and hosts machines for mining bitcoin. 12 | September/October 2022
MODERN-DAY MINING The computer process known as mining generates cryptocurrencies, and that’s where UMine comes in. At UMine, Brant and his staff mine bitcoin Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative
A UMine technician works on one of the machines.
Photos by Melissa Gaines
on an ever-growing number of ASIC machines that run day and night. While the ASICs are running, they’re competing with other machines all over the world to solve mathematical puzzles. The first one to solve each puzzle wins a coin, but there’s a limit to the number of coins the system releases in a day. UMine not only sells ASIC machines and parts, but it also services them. In addition, the 30,000-square-foot former sewing factory in McKee can host machines for customers all over the world. Because bitcoin mining uses a great deal of electricity, not everybody wants to keep ASIC machines in their homes. The machines also blow out 100-degree heat, and they can easily stop working if a miner isn’t sure how to handle them, says Brant, whose early experience in HVAC has come in handy in his new line of work. The need for services like UMine’s are great, because the demand for bitcoin is great, he says. Bitcoin is limited to 21 million. That’s it — 21 million ever. Every four years, the rewards for bitcoin miners for processing transactions are cut in half, and the last bitcoin is expected to be mined in the year 2140.
The staff at UMine are ready to serve. Front row, from left: Brant Isaacs, president; and Morgan Clark, chief operating officer. Back row, from left: Jeff Daly, construction manager; B.J. Nunn, maintenance; Dillon Bingham, IT repair tech; Richard Long, chief of technology; and Kali Schluter, operations. Not pictured, Shawn Marshall, vice president; and Elbert Foley, chief financial officer. Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative
That’s why Brant sees it as a long-term investment. “Bitcoin may never become a daily currency in my lifetime,” he says. “I don’t see it replacing the dollar. It’s more of a store of value like silver or gold. The general rule is that if you buy bitcoin and hold it for nine-plus months, you are 90% likely to make a profit. If you buy it and then sell it before nine months, you’re 90% likely to have a loss.”
KENTUCKY PROUD UMine is only the second brick-and-mortar sales, service and hosting facility of its kind in the country, Brant says. The other is in Arizona. His business partner and vice president of UMine, Shawn Marshall, lives in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and helps manage operations from there. The friends met virtually through a network of crypto enthusiasts and formed a fast friendship and business relationship. In the coming months, the business partners hope to get more operations up and running. They like Kentucky for its favorable crypto mining laws, and they prefer to stay in the PRTC service area. Fiber broadband is crucial because it’s reliable, Brant says. “We’ve gotten this down to a science,” he says. “We can start out with a full field of grass and walk away and there’s a mine running. The crypto mining world is a pretty small one, and there’s not many people who can do what we do. We’re both self-taught. When you’re self-taught, you tend to know it from the ground up because that’s how you learned it.”
21ST CENTURY MINING UMine is a one-stop shop for all things bitcoin. Located at 165 McCammon Ridge Road in McKee, the store hosts, sells and services ASIC machines for mining cryptocurrency. For more information on its sales and services, visit uminellc.com or email info@uminellc.com. You can also call 866-646-2797 and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
September/October 2022 | 13
SOUTHERN KITCHENS
It’s time to go
low and slow
Cooking ribs at a low temperature for a long time tenderizes the meat and adds delightful flavor.
T
he aroma of smoke wafting through the air as meat slowly cooks goes hand in hand with a lazy summer afternoon. Smoking is not the same as grilling. There’s a science to it that scares off some cooks, but break it down step by step, and you can become quite adept at making tender briskets and fall-off-thebone ribs. Smoking, more commonly known as barbecuing, takes time and patience. Defined simply, the technique takes a tough piece of meat and cooks it slowly over indirect heat for extended periods — often 12 to 16 hours and sometimes even more — while the smoke flavors the meat and gives it its mouthwatering flavor and texture. Any expert will tell you that the key to the best barbecue — that kind that wins competitions — is cooking it low and slow. Cooking over high heat tends to dry the meat out very quickly. Any moisture within the meat is essentially blasted out, leaving it tough, dry and difficult to chew. Smoking meat slowly at a low temperature, on the other hand, keeps the moisture from evaporating too quickly, allowing you to achieve the perfect combination of tenderness and juiciness. Here are two recipes that are good for beginners. The 3-2-1 rib recipe is one many home smokers use. This method is easy and generally foolproof, creating ribs that are so tender you can pull the meat off the bone with your fingers. And pork butt is basically a no-brainer. Just rub it down with your favorite blend of seasonings or use the recipe that follows. Place it on the smoker and within just a few hours, you’ll have tender pork perfect for sandwiches. Add a side of beans and some potato salad, and you’ll have the makings of a beautiful, tasty summer dinner.
FOOD EDITOR ANNE P. BRALY IS A NATIVE OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. Photography by MARK GILLILAND | Food Styling by RHONDA GILLILAND
14 | September/October 2022
3-2-1 RIBS METHOD 1 rack of ribs Your favorite rub Your favorite barbecue sauce STEP THREE: Liberally coat the ribs with rub and allow them to “marinate” while you bring the smoker to 225 F. Place the ribs in the smoker, and add whatever wood chunks you want — cherry or hickory are popular. Smoke the ribs for 3 hours, maintaining the 225 F temperature. If you are smoking thinner back ribs, you may want to smoke them for just 2 hours. Any longer, and you may find the ribs dry out too much. STEP TWO: The second stage is when the
meat tenderizes. Remove the ribs from the smoker and wrap them tightly in foil. This steams the meat and the result is tender, juicy ribs. Just before closing each rack of ribs in the foil, put a little bit of beer or apple juice in with the ribs. This helps the steaming process. Put the ribs, wrapped in foil, back in the smoker for 2 hours at 225 degrees. STEP ONE: This final stage is when you sauce the ribs. Use your favorite barbecue sauce to liberally coat the ribs on both sides before placing them back in the smoker for a final hour. The result should be a rack of ribs you’ll never forget.
SMOKED BUTT Smoked pork butt is a good one for beginners. The meat is not expensive, and the result is a mouthful of summer. 1 (7-8 pound) bone-in pork butt Olive oil Water Dry rub: 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed 2 tablespoons black pepper, coarsely ground 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon dried minced onions 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Spritz: 1/4 cup apple juice 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar Prepare the smoker: Fill the hopper of your smoker with wood pellets, applewood, hickory, pecan or cherry. Start the smoker on the smoke setting for 5 to 10 minutes. Increase heat to 250 F.
Fill a small baking dish with water and set aside. Prepare the pork butt: Place all dry rub ingredients in a small bowl and stir with a fork to combine. Place pork butt on a baking sheet and rub the entire butt with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasonings over it and rub them in, covering every bit of the butt. Place the baking dish filled with water on the grate on one side of the smoker. Fill a small spray bottle with the apple juice and apple cider vinegar and set aside. Place pork shoulder on the grate and close the lid. Keep the smoker temperature around 250 to 275 F while smoking during these first several hours. Smoke for approximately 4 hours, spritzing with the spray bottle every hour. Check the internal temperature of the pork using a meat thermometer. By this time, the pork should be at least 145 F. Completely spritz the pork one last time and carefully wrap it in aluminum foil. Place pork back into the smoker and lower temperature to 225 F. Smoke pork about
A perfectly cooked pork butt is a great start to a summer sandwich.
another 4 hours, but do not spritz during this stage of cooking. Check the internal temperature of the pork shoulder using a meat thermometer. You're looking for your pork shoulder to be about 200 F. Anywhere from 195 to 205 F is a good range. Remove pork from the smoker and let rest for at least 20 minutes but up to 2 hours. Shred or chop as desired. September/October 2022 | 15
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