The Communicator

Shane Hart CEO/General Manager

THE Communicator

24 Main Street North, PO Box 68, Parshall, ND 58770

www.RTC.coop, RTC@restel.com, www.facebook.com/RTC.coop

Customer Service: 0811 (within RTC exchanges) or 888.862.3115

Repair Service: 0611 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.822.3311 24/7 Help Desk: 0211 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.497.2151

Headquarters: 24 Main St N • Parshall, ND 58770

New Town Office: 202 College Drive • New Town, ND 58763 Watford City Office: 701 14th St SW • Watford City, ND 58854

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

701.862.3115

Fax: 701.862.3008

Email: rtc@restel.com

Publication Contact: Shannon Stafslien, Marketing Manager

CEO/General Manager: Shane D. Hart

Directors & Officers:

Jeanette Hoff, President

Jared Eagle, Vice President

Jennifer Sorenson, Secretary/Treasurer

Wayne Skarda, Director

Terry Wilber, Director

Amy Ones, Director

Barbara Steinmetz, Director

Tim Krebsbach, Director

Alicia Brenna, Attorney RTC is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Copyright© 2020 by RTC (Reservation Telephone Cooperative) and Tellwell. A MESSAGE FROM OUR

General Manager

“At RTC, keeping our community connected has been our top priority during this time of uncertainty. The investment we have made in our fiber-based network, offering speeds up to 1 gigabit, has proved to be extremely valuable for all of us as we rely more heavily on the Internet than ever before to work, learn, and communicate.

of the co-op, by-law changes were noted, and director election results were announced. I would like to say “Congratulations” to our newly elected directors: Jennifer Sorenson (District 1B), Terry Wilber (District 2B), and Amy Ones (District 3). Thank you to all of our members who took the time to participate in our cooperative’s Annual Meeting!

Amidst all of the chaos, we have a bit of exciting news to share: RTC has launched our new streaming app, myRTCtv! We are very excited

We want to assure you, RTC’s member owners, that your connection to your neighbors and the world is important to us. We may not know what the future holds, but one thing is certain: RTC will continue to support you as we always have.

Like just about everything else in our lives, this year’s Annual Meeting looked a bit different. RTC’s Annual Meeting aired online at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2020. If you missed the meeting, you can view the recording on the meeting webpage: rtc.coop/ annualmeeting2020. During the meeting, reports were given regarding the financial standing

At RTC, keeping our community conncected has been our top priority during this time of uncertainty “ “ Shane Hart

to offer you television the way you want it. You will notice that we still offer the same great channels and service you have come to expect, but now with the flexibility to watch in any room, on any of your internet-enabled devices. I have enjoyed my own experience with myRTCtv, and I think you will too. Visit our website for more information or call RTC’s member service department today to sign up.

Thank you for your continued trust and support of RTC during these uncertain times.

Shane Hart, CEO

For better security and a faster browsing experience, make sure your browser is up-to-date

We’ve all been there. You open up your web browser to answer emails or check Facebook, but before you can begin, a pop-up appears—a notification that there is a newer version of your browser available. Maybe you are in a rush, or maybe you just can’t be bothered right now, so you click “Remind Me Tomorrow.”

Tomorrow comes, and you ignore the notification again. And again. And again.

Keeping up with browser updates may feel like a chore, but when you run an outdated version of your web browser, you are not getting the most out of your browsing experience. Even worse, you may be opening yourself up to security risks that could seriously harm your computer.

Here are just a few reasons why you should always select “Update Now” on those annoying pop-ups:

Safer Scrolling

Out-of-date web browsers can contain security vulnerabilities. Running a compromised browser puts your computer at risk of being accessed by hackers who could record and share your data—from emails to bank details and all sorts of other sensitive information.

If your computer is compromised, you also risk being used as a middleman in larger hacking schemes. Without you even knowing, criminals can use your computer to send out thousands of spam emails every day.

Website Compatibility

Now more than ever, many web designers are taking advantage of features like

HTML5 video and audio and advanced CSS styling. These technologies make for a more streamlined and visually stunning website, but they also have a downside: they are often only supported by newer browsers.

As businesses utilize these new technologies, your out-of-date browser may not be able to load and display parts of their websites. In other words, if you don’t use the latest version of your web browser, you’ll miss out on the best features the internet has to offer.

Quick Tip: Staying on top of browser updates will only do so much if you are not using the right browser to begin with. While everybody has their own browser preferences, we recommend Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Internet Explorer is not compatible with many new websites—like rtc.coop!

Better, Faster, Stronger

Finally, an updated browser makes for a faster browsing experience. With every web page that you open, you are asking your browser to perform a number of different tasks. One of those tasks is downloading component files, which include images and programming scripts. Outdated browsers perform these tasks much slower than new browsers, which can affect your browsing experience and cause your browser to crash.

It’s been said that your browser is your “window to the web.” So think about regularly updating your web browser like washing your windows: it may feel like a chore in the moment, but when you’re finished, you can enjoy a much better view.

Farmers Union Oil of Garrison

As one of two station stores left in Garrison, Farmers Union Oil relies on services from RTC to better serve their community

Paul Schlichting recalls a time when there were seven service stations in the town of Garrison, North Dakota. Today, there are only two.

On the town’s Main Street, where three stations once stood, there are now none.

“I think with all of the regulations, the updates the state requires you to do, it has become too expensive for a lot of mom-and-pop shops to stay open,” Schlichting said. “We have made the commitment to be here for our community, for our patrons.”

It was just another way of giving back to our community, giving back to our patrons. “ “

Schlichting is the General Manager of Farmers Union Oil of Garrison, one of the two remaining service stations in Garrison. Farmers Union Oil of Garrison was founded in 1930, when a group of local residents went door-to-door soliciting funds to open a station store. In the 90 years since, that little station has grown to be a pillar of the Garrison community, with services expanding to include tire sales, auto repairs, and bulk fuel delivery.

And while other small stations around the region have been

forced to close, Farmers Union Oil of Garrison is stronger than ever.

“Last year was the first time in our coop’s history that we went over a million gallons of propane,” Schlichting said. “So that was pretty big for us!”

For Schlichting, Farmers Union Oil of Garrison’s success can be attributed to four factors: his employees, support from the community, a desire to continuously grow and improve, and the reliable services they receive from RTC

“Garrison is a unique community. We all support each other very well. We know that we have the support of the citizens of Garrison, plus the surrounding rural communities,” Schlichting said. “And there’s no other service like Reservation Telephone offers.”

Giving Back to the Community

Schlichting has been with Farmers Union

Oil of Garrison for over 30 years, starting in the shop in 1984 and moving up to General Manager in 1996. In that time, he has seen the station undergo several smaller remodeling projects—replacing pumps, adding a community room—but never a complete renovation.

When we have any troubles, we make one phone call and they are here within an hour—usually less. “ “

and doubled the number of fuel pumps from three to six—all to create a better experience for their customers.

Last year, he decided it was time for a change.

“We just wrapped up a major renovation here in May 2020,” Schlichting said. “It was just another way of giving back to our community, giving back to our patrons.”

Farmers Union Oil of Garrison invested over $750,000 to make improvements to the convenience store, including demolishing the unused upstairs space, lifting the ceilings to 14 feet, building a new cashiers’ counter, replacing all lighting and ceiling tile, and installing new furnace and air conditioning units.

GENERAL MANAGER OF FARMERS UNION OIL OF GARRISON

Paul Schlichting

But the improvements are not limited to the inside of the store.

Farmers Union Oil of Garrison has added a brandnew touchless car wash, expanded the canopy and equipped it with Halo Image lighting for increased safety,

“We can see it paying off already with the number of people coming into the station,” Schlichting said. “Folks would come to get gas but see that there were six people waiting in line, and they’d say, ‘I’m not going to wait.’ Now we can have twelve people filling at one time.”

An Added Layer of Security

While the appearance of Farmers Union Oil of Garrison has changed drastically, one thing remains the same: the quality of service the station receives from RTC.

“The service is probably the best you can get in Garrison,” Schlichting said. “When we have any troubles, we make one phone call and they are here within an hour—usually less.”

For as long as Schlichting can remember, Farmers Union Oil of Garrison has received internet, telephone, and television services from RTC. This spring, the station added additional cameras to their security system, including cameras in both the convenience store and the new car wash.

With this new system, Schlichting can access footage from all of the station’s cameras right on his mobile device.

“I can look on my phone, whether I am at

home or out of town and I want to see what things are looking like at the station,” Schlichting said. “I can see whether it’s snowing or if it’s raining, or I can see how busy it is. It’s an added layer of security.”

The additional cameras provide peace of mind for Schlichting, his employees, and his customers. And if any of the cameras go down, he knows exactly who to call.

“I know a gentleman, he’s got cameras from another company. And if the camera goes down, it’s like, ‘Good luck,’” Schlichting said. “I don’t have that problem with RTC. If there’s a problem, they are here to fix it.”

Co-ops Supporting Co-ops

As two local cooperatives, RTC and Farmers Union Oil of Garrison have a unique relationship. They live in the same community, work in the same community, and have many of the same customers. But most importantly, they have the same dedication to providing the best possible services for those customers.

Just as Schlichting and his team continue to update their station to improve their customers’ experience, RTC continues to offer new products and services to meet customers’ ever-growing technology needs.

“There is something about a co-op supporting another co-op. They are always changing, they are always getting better,” Schlichting said. “I always tell RTC, ‘If there’s anything new and better that you guys are offering, bring it here. Let’s make everything as fast as it can be.’ They do a good job of bringing new stuff to us and offering us better service, faster service, that helps our customers.”

RTC is proud to support local businesses like Farmers Union Oil of Garrison. To discover how RTC can help you better serve your customers, visit RTC.coop or call 701-862-3115 today.

HOW BROADBAND PROVIDERS ARE KEEPING NORTH DAKOTA CONNECTED DURING COVID-19

Teachers using video conferencing to educate their students. Companies closing doors, their employees relying on home Internet to perform their jobs. Healthcare providers utilizing telehealth to care for their patients. All of us depending on broadband to stay in touch with our loved ones.

COVID-19 has changed the way we work, learn, and live—not just for a few months, but for the foreseeable future. And when it became clear that the pandemic would not spare our state, the 18 member organizations that compose the Broadband Association of North Dakota (BAND) knew that they had a responsibility: to keep customers connected. RTC is one the 18 BAND members.

This March, more than 700 service providers across the country, including many of our

own, signed the Federal Communication Commission’s “Keep Americans Connected” pledge. They agreed to not terminate service to any residential or small business customers through May because of their inability to pay their bills, and to waive any late fees that they may incur because of economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rural broadband providers have stepped up in incredible ways to ensure that their customers have the connectivity they need to serve their communities and adapt to this new normal.

Bison Booties

Bison Booties was born out of what Erica Hager calls a “happy accident.” In October 2010, the longtime hobby quilter was on her squirmy baby’s feet.

Simple. Smart. Innovative. TV.

Sign up for myRTCtv today and receive one FREE Amazon Fire TV Stick or a Kaon set-top box.

Introducing myRTCtv, a full-featured streaming television service delivered straight from RTC to your devices, including TVs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Gone are the days when watching television was an activity reserved for the living room or den. With myRTCtv, you can schedule or watch recorded content from any device, anywhere—just log in with your myRTCtv username and password!

Included FREE with myRTCtv is watchTVeverywhere. With your myRTCtv subscription, you can access full episodes, movies, and more from over 95 networks, including favorites like ESPN, HGTV, and Hallmark Channel.

NEW RTC Phone Listings

Alexander - 828

Sponheim, Dale & Tammy.............................(701) 828-3913

Sponheim, Scott & Katelyn...........................(701) 828-3400

Arnegard - 586

Willow Creek Electric LLC.............................(701) 586-3739

Garrison - 463

Krause’s Liquor..............................................(701) 463-2221

Wohlk, Evelyth................................................(701) 463-2031

Mandaree - 759

Moen, Phillip & Donna...................................(701) 759-3682

New Town - 627

Miller, A ..........................................................(701) 627-3493

Parshall - 862

Maxwell, Andy................................................(701) 862-3640

Spencer - 848 Anderson, Tyler & Stephany..........................(701) 848-2400

Watford City - 444

Edward Jones - Main.....................................(701) 444-4160

Edward Jones - Line 2...................................(701) 444-4161

Edward Jones - Line 3...................................(701) 444-4171

George, Karen & Douglas..............................(701) 444-2054 Watford City - 842

842-6470

842-3110

Happenings

TO THE Medora Musical

Teddy Roosevelt’s philosophy of “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” really hits home this year as we continue to navigate the uncertainties of 2020.

RTC’s continued partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation has once again allowed us to share the Medora Musical experience with our members. The seating may have looked a little different, but the atmosphere and message have remained the same.

Congratulations to all of our members who won tickets to see the Medora Musical. Thank you for sharing photos of your experience with us on Facebook--we are so happy to see that you were able to travel safely and enjoy this North Dakota summer tradition!

There are still a few chances to win tickets for shows this season. Watch our Facebook page for contest posts, enter via our website at RTC.coop/medora-musical-tickets or email us at medoratix@restel.com for a chance to win.

PRESENTATION Service Award

The following RTC employees and directors have been recognized for their number years of service to the cooperative as of the year ending in 2019.

1 Year

Joy Braaflat CSR I

Tyler Carter FIBER SPLICER

Aaron Schenfisch

UTILITY TECH

5 Years

Stephanie Hayden CSR II LEAD

Jeremy Zacher UTILITY TECH

10 Years

Gretchen Edwards HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER

Lori Johnson CSR II

Jessie Many Ribs FIBER SPLICER

Belden Moberg TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

Chad Talbott

DATA NETWORK TECH III COORDINATOR

James Vaagen

COMBINATION TECH

15 Years

Dave Uhlich

COMBINATION TECH COORDINATOR

RDFC Grant NEW Employee

The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) offers a grant up to $2,000 through RTC to distribute to a community-owned entity, nonprofit or other communitybased projects. This grant requires $4 of your funds to every $1 of RDFC funds.

Eligible projects:

• Community-owned businesses (such as a café, grocery store, or motel)

• Community facilities (such as an ambulance service, fire district, recreational facility, hospital/ clinic, or community center)

• Community-based projects that benefit rural areas (such as a school/youth project)

Deadline to apply is Friday, October 9, 2020. If you need more information or want to apply for this grant, contact Shannon Stafslien, RTC Marketing Manager, at shannons@rtc.email. Include RDFC Grant in the subject line.

20 Years

Monica Bangen CSR II

Terry Wilber DIRECTOR 25 Years

Ron Sanderson

CABLE LOCATOR

Keegan Swanson

TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

OFFICE Hours

Closed Labor Day - Monday, September 7

Lobby openings are limited.

Reach us during office hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm (starting 9/8)

24 Main Street North, PO Box 68, Parshall, ND 58770

www.RTC.coop, RTC@restel.com

www.facebook.com/RTC.coop

Customer Service: 0811 (within RTC exchanges) or 888.862.3115

Repair Service: 0611 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.822.3311

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

Headquarters: 24 Main St N • Parshall, ND 58770

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

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

READERS Contest

Congratulations to these Spring 2020 Communicator “Readers’ Contest” winners. They will receive a $10 credit on their RTC bill:

For your chance to be entered in the drawing to win a $10 credit on your bill, correctly answer the questions at the right and include with your RTC bill. Mail to RTC, PO Box 68, Parshall, ND, 58770. Or email the answers to RTCteam@restel.com

1.) How can you join the next generation of TV today?

2.) What is one way Farmers Union Oil of Garrison has increased their security using RTC?

3.) What internet browser is not compatible with the new RTC website?