InterBel happenings
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: FRONT PORCH DEWEY BURGER & FISH CO.
BOARD SPOTLIGHT: PRESIDENT MIKE HEDGES TECH TIPS: COMMON REASONS FOR WEAK WI-FI
PC: Roberto Caucino
What’s Inside
InterBel Happenings has been carefully crafted to bring you the information you need and the stories you want to read. We will keep you in the loop with news and updates from our cooperative, celebrate the businesses and individuals doing good work in our community.
A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER FRONT PORCH DEWEY BURGER & FISH CO.
One year ago, in September 2020, InterBel embarked on a mission to equip the entire town of Eureka and our surrounding communities with fiber.
He has seen our team grow, our service territory expand, and our technology advance in once unimaginable ways. 03 04
Jim Monroe’s Eureka “Bubba” Burger—featuring spicy Cajun sausage, jumbo shrimp, chipotle sauce, and cheddar cheese atop a hand-pressed patty—was voted the best burger in the nation on the Ultimate Hometown Grill Off.
A Message from the General Manager
by JASON MOOTHART
One year ago, in September 2020, InterBel embarked on a mission to equip the entire town of Eureka and our surrounding communities with fiber.
I am proud to announce that we have reached an important milestone in this project. Our Olney build is completed and conditional upon regulatory and permitting requirements. We are also nearing the completion of the West Kootenai, which marks the end of our rural fiber buildouts!
The total buildout consisted of 60 miles of transport and 10 miles in our CLEC. This new fiber network will provide our members with broadband capabilities that are equal to or exceed the services found anywhere in the country, let alone the services currently found in rural Montana.
The InterBel that Mike now helps lead is a far cry from the cooperative of his childhood.
TECH TIPS
Wireless internet is one of the most significant and time-saving technological advancements of our time. It allows us to build a network without all the hassle of running cable. However, these networks are highly dependent on signal strength, and there’s nothing worse than a weak Wi-Fi signal.
In this second edition of InterBel Happenings, we are highlighting the stories of four individuals who have impacted, and been impacted by, our cooperative over the years. On page 08, you will meet our board president Mike Hedges, whose history with InterBel goes back almost six decades; on page 10, we have featured Paul Torres, an InterBel technician who is following in his family’s footsteps with the Eureka Volunteer Fire Department; and on page 04, you will learn more about our neighbors and proud InterBel members Jim and Andi Monroe, owners of Front Porch Dewey Burger & Fish Co.
People like Mike, Paul, and the Monroes are the reason we do what we do. We believe in making our region the place that we want to live, work, and play. It is important for us to improve InterBel’s offerings beyond Eureka’s city limits, providing our members the technology they need to communicate now and into the future.
As your local connected cooperative, it is our responsibility to keep you informed, entertained, and connected. Our door is always open; please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Jason Moothart
Jason Moothart General Manager, InterBel
Front Porch Dewey Burger & Fish Co. BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
A burger put Front Porch on the map, and the service keeps customers coming back.
In 2009, Eureka, Montana made national news for one unexpected (and delicious) reason: a hamburger.
Jim Monroe’s Eureka “Bubba” Burger— featuring spicy Cajun sausage, jumbo shrimp, chipotle sauce, and cheddar cheese atop a hand-pressed patty—was voted the best burger in the nation on the Ultimate
Hometown Grill Off, sponsored by the television show “Live! with Regis and Kelly.”
That burger, concocted from leftovers thrown together after a long day, became a permanent fixture on the menu at Front Porch Dewey Burger & Fish Co. which Jim owns and operates with his wife, Andi. It has had foodies from across the country flocking to the little town of Eureka for more than a decade; it also caught the attention of a few very important people all the way in Washington, D.C.
In 2017, eight years after the “Bubba” Burger first made headlines, Jim and Andi
And diners agree. The Huckleberry Burger has since become one of Front Porch’s most popular menu items, even tying in the Whitefish Burger Battle for People’s Choice.
More Than the Menu
All of the positive press is unsurprising for the locals who have enjoyed dining at Front Porch over the years. With Jim’s long culinary history and Andi’s years in customer service, they’ve created an environment that keeps
as they eat. Luckily, the Monroes don’t have to look far for highspeed, reliable Internet; InterBel’s headquarters is right across Dewey Avenue from their front door.
“Every single InterBel employee we interact with is always friendly, professional, and actually cares about the quality of service received,” Andi said. “Our Internet service has been terrific. 80 percent of our customers are using some type of Internet during their stay in our establishment. Everything has been running smoothly with no interruptions in service for our customers or restaurant food ordering.”
“In these times, anywhere we can ease pressure on the staff we have is a true blessing.”
-Andi Monroe Owner of Front Porch Dewey Burger & Fish Co.
received an unexpected phone call with a request to serve their famous burger at a reception following the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree.
The Monroes made the trek to D.C. that December to serve their award-winning burger to a crowd of more than 300. They also offered attendees a more recent addition to the menu: the Montana Huckleberry Burger, topped with cheddar cheese, jalapenos, huckleberry jam, bacon, and a scoop of huckleberry ice cream.
“As crazy as the burger sounds, it is surprisingly delicious,” Andi said.
customers coming back. They go above and beyond to ensure that every item on their menu is of the highest quality: using fresh ingredients, hand-pressing their burger patties, even baking their own rolls and buns from scratch.
And these days, running a successful restaurant is about so much more than the food. Jim and Andi know that today’s customers, whether they come from down the street or across the country, expect to be able to access the Internet
In addition to offering Wi-Fi for every customer who walks in their doors, with fiber from InterBel, Front Porch is able to stream simultaneously on four televisions throughout the restaurant. They also utilize a tableside ordering system, allowing customers to order and pay on an iPad and experience reduced wait time.
With a Voice Over Internet Phone (VoIP) system, customers can call in and have most of their questions
Paul Torres EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Many young adults who grow up in small towns can’t wait to leave; but Paul Torres, a fourth-generation Eurekan, couldn’t imagine being anywhere but here.
“Once you’re born and raised in the mountains, you can’t go anywhere else,” Paul said. “It’s just home. This is where all my family is and wouldn’t change it. I’ve been around the United States, seen a lot of places, but would never want to leave here.”
Paul lives in Eureka with his wife, Chelsea, and their two young girls, Morgan and Gracie. He spent several years working in construction before joining InterBel as a technician. Today, he helps connect the community he’s always called home to the Internet, each other, and the world.
Paul is currently part of the team working toward equipping all Eureka homes and businesses with 100 percent fiber optic Internet, but Paul believes that the most rewarding work happens away from the job site.
“InterBel is very community-oriented, from
it’s what wanted to do, too,” Paul said.
Paul has served the fire department for the past five years. He has responded to everything from lightning strikes to car accidents, and witnessed increasingly devastating wildfire seasons. Despite the hazards of the job, Paul has never doubted his commitment to the department.
“A lot of people run from the fire and here we are heading into it,” Paul said.
“It can be a thankless thing when it’s three o’clock in the morning and it’s 20 below outside, but we’re out there. Somebody’s gotta do it.”
has loaned a bucket truck to the fire department. And when duty calls, Paul knows that he is free to go where he is needed.
“InterBel is very community-oriented, from hanging Christmas lights to helping out with events, whether it be baseball games or 4-H or even the fair and the rodeo”
-Paul Torres InterBel Employee
From the moment he joined the fire department, Paul has had the full support of his team at InterBel. The two organizations frequently work hand in hand; the fire department has washed the apron at the InterBel warehouse, and InterBel
“InterBel’s told me, if there’s a fire and it’s in the middle of the working day and you have an opportunity where you can respond, do it,” Paul said.
We are grateful for Paul’s service to the Eureka Volunteer Fire Department, his commitment to InterBel’s cooperative values, and his love for our community. To his credit, Paul has plenty to be grateful for, too.
“I’m grateful just to be able to be fortunate enough to live in Eureka, Montana and raise my family here. And I’m fortunate to have this great job,” Paul said. “I thank my lucky stars every day that I get to get up and come to work here because it’s a great place to work. It really is.”
hanging Christmas lights to helping out with events, whether it be baseball games or 4-H or even the fair and the rodeo,” Paul said. “We 100 percent have the back of the community.”
For Paul, caring for the community goes beyond hanging Christmas lights or handing out hot dogs at sporting events. He goes so far as to put his life on the line for his hometown.
Paul is one of the brave volunteers who give their time and energy to the Eureka Volunteer Fire Department. It runs in the family; his grandfather served for 50 years, and his father has been a member for another 50.
“It’s what everybody in my family did, and
Tech Tips
Common Reasons for Weak Wi-Fi
It’s finally here: the job interview you’ve been waiting your whole life for! Of course, it has to be a virtual interview, but you don’t mind. You’ve done your research, practiced your responses, and put on your best suit. You turn on your computer, open up Zoom… ...and then you notice your Wi-Fi is down.
Wireless internet is one of the most significant and time-saving technological advancements of our time. It allows us to build a network without all the hassle of running cable. However, these networks are highly dependent on signal strength, and there’s nothing worse than a weak Wi-Fi signal.
Today, we are going to identify the most common culprits for weak Wi-Fi and show you how to solve them. If you are more of a visual learner, watch our latest
Tech Tip video to follow along with tech expert Riley as he identifies and solves the most common Wi-Fi strength issues.
Why Your Wi-Fi May Be Weak.
There are countless reasons your Wi-Fi signal may be weaker than usual, but chances are, your problem is coming from one of these three sources:
01
The device you are using is too far from your router. The farther you are, the weaker the signal. To solve this problem, either move to a room closer to your router or purchase a wireless range extender.
signal. If you would like to keep your router out of sight but keep your signal strong, we recommend placing it on top of something like a bookshelf.
02 03
If distance doesn’t seem to be the issue, other objects may be getting in the way. While you may be inclined to “hide” your router, objects like walls, cabinets, and mirrors can disrupt your
If neither of those solutions improve your Wi-Fi signal, ask yourself: When was the last time I gave my Wi-Fi system a break? Restarting your router is one of the simplest troubleshooting steps you can take to fix an internet connection that isn’t working properly.
Hopefully, one of these solutions will resolve your Wi-Fi connectivity issues and you will be crushing your job interview in no time. If you try all three and find that your connection is still weak, please give us a call to speak directly with one of our tech experts.
That’s it for this edition of Tech Tips! Check back soon for another tip to make your technology work for you.
Your Friendly Neighbor Tech Experts, Katie and Riley
TOTAL WI-FI
Did you know that many Internet-related problems come from the lack of a quality wireless connection in your home? Congestion, interference and bandwidth availability issues due to dated wireless equipment are some of the key factors that can cause your internet to run poorly.
InterBel has the solution to help you overcome these obstacles! With InterBel Total Wi-Fi, we will come and evaluate your specific conditions by heat-mapping your home. Then we will provide the solution for your individual requirement.
This could be as simple as moving your modem or router to a more ideal position in the home, providing an extender to boost signals to weak areas of your home, or in very tough conditions we can provide you with a mesh wireless network to cover your entire home.
In order to correct these issues, all Total Wi-Fi customers will receive, at minimum, a Dual Band Wireless AC modem or router. These devices will come with an extended warranty, giving you peace of mind the equipment will be covered for the life of the product.
