Holiday 2021 Newsletter - Red River Communications

FEATURED STORY:

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New Scholarship Program Holiday Tech Gift Guide

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Digital TV: New Channels Are Here

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10-Digit Dialing in Minnesota

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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS - VOLUME 6 - ISSUE 4 - HOLIDAY 2021

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Red River Communications Holiday 2021

Tom Steinolfson - CEO

I love everything about the holiday season.

Maybe it is the extra time with family, the excellent food and the traditions. Or it could simply be that it is an opportunity to reflect on the year and look towards the future.

As I write this note, I have been with Red River Communication for 16 months. In that time, our cooperative has been through a lot. One of the most significant adventures is the start of our five-year project to install fiber-tothe-home in Wahpeton and Breckenridge. Also, we installed a new tower in Campbell, MN, and expanded services in rural Hawley & Barnesville, MN. REDRIVERCOMM.COM

Our staff looks a little different as we have gained employees and are preparing to say goodbye to others on the eve of their retirements Like many of you, we

A Letter From the CEO spent a good part of this year navigating the uncharted territories of life with COVID-19. Sure, we experienced challenges.

But we are thankful for the opportunity for rural broadband and the companies that provide the vital services, a time to shine. There is no time in recent history that our industry – rural broadband – has enjoyed this level of national attention.

Broadband is essential to our rural communities, from telehealth visits and online learning to working remotely and unwinding with a streaming movie.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a fiber-to-the-home broadband connection. Our local and national leaders know and support our efforts to bring fast and reliable broadband internet to all homes, no matter how rural or remote.

It has been said that feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present

and not giving it. So, to wrap up this note, I want to give a couple of thank yous.

Every day I get to work with a group of dedicated employees that tirelessly provide our customers with the highest level of service.

Often in the dead of night or through a raging snowstorm, their work keeps the southern Red River Valley growing and expanding.

To you, our customers, and members, none of this would be possible without your support and loyalty.

Thank you for choosing Red River Communications.

Whatever your plans for the new year, we wish you the best in reaching your goals, and we hope our services help provide you with a bright future.

- Tom Steinolfson

CEO, Red River Communications

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Pfeiff Joins Red river’s customer experience team Kristen Pfeiff joined Red River in October as part of our Customer Experience team.

Kristen Pfeiff

Krystal Laudert & Kathy Bolme

As Washburn, ND native, Kristen graduated from NDSCS with a degree in legal office administration and brings over 20 years of customer service and office administration experience to her new role at Red River.

Red River Communications Holiday 2021

WHAT’S UPSTREAM @ RED RIVER

It was Red River’s excellent service that inspired Kristen to apply for her new career. Plus, the short commute is an added bonus!

Currently, Kristen and her husband live on the family farm east of Colfax with their three boys and numerous animals.

She is a welcomed addition to the team!

Red River team sporting our new stocking hats.

happenings at Red River Communications

Over the summer we hosted multiple swimming pool

days, movie nights, and our hugely successful customer appreciation picnic!

Our dedicated team took part in community parades, letter signing events in Barnesville, cooked up a chili dog feed

at the Farmer’s Market in Hankinson, and braved the cold October weather to hand out candy at two Halloween events.

We love being a part of these events and our communities.

REDRIVERCOMM.COM

It is so great to be back into in-person events again. Red River was busy all summer and fall with events in our service areas.

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Red River Communications Holiday 2021

Cool Tech Gifts

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR CHEER AND HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING. HERE ARE SOME OF OUR TOP PICKS. #1: Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Device with Alexa Voice Remote Stream all of your favorite movies and shows at the sound of your voice with this Fire TV Stick.

Plus it pairs perfectly with Red River Digital TV. Available at Amazon. #2: Apple AirTag Apple AirTags help to keep track of and find items by connecting to the Find My app. Each tag can be set up with one tap and connect to an iPhone or iPad. Available at Amazon, Best Buy and Target.

#1 #2

#3

#4

#5

#3 UV Phone Sanitizer Box Our cellphones are covered with germs. In just three minutes the items placed inside the box will be clean and ready to use again. Available at Amazon. #4 Bose Frames Soprano Audio sunglasses are a fun way to keep the glaring sun out of your eyes and still have your music or podcasts playing. The Bose Frames Soprano can be made with or without prescription lenses.

Available at BOSE.com #5 Click and Grow Smart Garden For those who have a green thumb (or need one!), consider buying them this Click and Grow Smart Garden that allows three different herbs to grow at once with the help of an LED light.

Available at clickandgrow.com

REDRIVERCOMM.COM

HOLIDAY TECH TIP FOR MORE TECH TIPS THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM.

#6 All names, likenesses, and logos are copyright their respective owners.

#6 Ember Smart Mug 2 This sleek smart mug is perfect for people who are always reheating coffee. The Bluetooth-enabled mug connects to your smartphone where the Ember app lets you set the temperature. Available at ember.com or Target.

TECH TIP #1: If you are planning on adding web-enabled devices to your home this holiday, you may need more bandwidth!

If several people in your family receive new cell phones, tablets or smart devices, your holiday excitement could quickly turn to frustration if they can’t all download games or stream movies fast enough. It’s worth your time to discuss your Internet package with Red River before the holidays arrive and ensure all your devices perform as expected.

Give back with Impact COMMON CENTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A volunteer Board of Directors oversees the program and meets quarterly to review applications.

Elizabeth Thiele

It awards funds to local non-profit and community organizations and offers emergency & medical assistance for local individuals.

Common Cents is funded by our customers when they choose to round up their bills to the next dollar. These tax-deductible contributions average $0.40 per month.

Those interested can also make a one-time or recurring contribution above and beyond the round-up amount.

If you wish to contribute call 866-553-8309 or email support@redrivercomm.com.

$199,446.50

Benae Freeberg

Chairperson - Colfax Vice-Chairperson - Great Bend

Andrea Haugen

Secretary - Lidgerwood/Wyndmere

Lou Ann Lee Abercrombie

Red River Communications Holiday 2021

Common Cents is a non-profit community grant program operated separately from Red River Communications.

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Amy Bredman Barnesville

Lois Krautbauer

Fairmount/Hankinson

Terri Tschakert Kent

Carmen Marohl Mooreton

Julie Hansen

Donated since 2008 to causes in our Communities

Rollag

Red River is proud to partner with CoBank in its Sharing Success matching grant program.

Since Sharing Success was established in 2012, CoBank and its customers have contributed tens of millions of dollars to groups such as volunteer fire departments, local schools, and hunger relief programs. CoBank matches Red River donations to local communities or non-profit organizations.

For more information on our Grant Programs, redrivercomm.com/community.

REDRIVERCOMM.COM

Tom Steinolfson presents a CoBank $2,000 grant to Hawley Emergency Rescue Team

2021 was the first year Red River Communications participated in this program. In September, $2,000 was awarded to the Hawley Emergency Rescue Team for an automated CPR device.

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Red River Communications Holiday 2021

RED RIVER LAUNCHES NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM There are lots of scholarship opportunities out there, but it can be hard to know where to start looking. A lot of times, seniors looking to continue their education after high school are overwhelmed by the scholarship application process.

Red River Communications Board of Directors is pleased to announce our new Red River Communications Scholarship Program.

By bringing the entire scholarship process in-house, we now have the ability to streamline the application process and help more students achieve their higher education goals.

The Red River Scholarship Program will award twelve $1,000 scholarships to 2022 graduating seniors whose parent(s) or guardian(s) use telephone, television or Internet service from Red River Communications.

Take some time this holiday season to help your 2022 graduating senior fill out a Red River scholarship application.

It’s a gift that will last them a lifetime.

Applications OPEN: Dec. 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022 Apply today redrivercomm.com/scholarships REDRIVERCOMM.COM

“Education is the greatest opportunity to give an irrevocable gift to the next generation.” - Ernie Fletcher

General Cooperative Scholarship* (8 awarded) For all students regardless of program, degree, or training pursued.

*Parents/guardians must be cooperative members.

General Customer Scholarship

Available to students regardless of program, degree, or training pursued.

Agricultural Scholarship

For students planning to major in agriscience, animal science, agribusiness, agronomy, ag production, horticulture, and related programs.

Vocational Scholarship

Available to students pursuing a less-than four-year degree, usually obtaining specialized skills through advanced training.

Technical Scholarship

For students pursuing an education related to telecommunications such as computer science, information systems, network engineering, GIS mapping, telecom engineering, broadcast engineering, and related programs.

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Red River Communications Holiday 2021

Red River Communications

DIgital TV

Giving you more to cheer about!

SIGN UP FOR DIGITAL TV BEFORE DEC. 31ST & RECEIVE A FR E E FIRE TV STICK 4K*!

You asked and we listened! On November 22, we added the following channels, including ‘The Cowboy Channel,’ home of the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on December 2-11, to our current channel packages. For a complete list of our Digital TV packages and to view our channel listings, go to redrivercomm.com/digital-tv.

NEW CHANNELS WATCH THE WAY YOU WANT! BASIC PACKAGE 187 Circle TV (KVLYDT4)

Did you know Red River Communications offers two ways for you to enjoy our Digital TV service?

CHOICE PACKAGE (Includes Basic) 89 The Cowboy Channel Big10 Network Alternate Court TV Court TV Mystery Grit TV Bounce TV Laff TV Military History Independent Film Channel Hallmark Drama

OPTION 2: Set-top box & remote

View Red River Digital TV on a traditional set-top box and offers an option for a standard or “big button” remote.

Installation $25 for the first set-top box, $100 for each additional set-top box.

Learn more at redrivercomm.com/digital-tv *Terms and Conditions Apply. All names, likenesses, and logos are copyright of their respective owners.

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126 170 171 172 173 174 256 263 267

OPTION 1: Streaming

Watch Red River Digital TV on any TV in your home just by using a Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, or another compatible smart device! This service has no extra set-up costs, DIY set up, and supports up to 3 concurrent streams.

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Red River Communications Holiday 2021

Annual Meeting NOTICE You are invited to attend our in-person 70th Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 17, 2022!

A free meal will be served prior to the 7:00 pm business meeting.

We will have an evening of technology demonstrations and our entire staff will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about your service.

All members and their families are welcome to attend.

No RSVP is needed.

LOCATION Richland 44 Elementary School 106 Broadway Abercrombie, North Dakota

PARKING

Parking is available on the east side of the school as well the street immediately in front of the school building.

INTERESTED IN BEING A DIRECTOR OF THE CO-OP? Anyone interested in being nominated for the Red River Rural Telephone Association (dba Red River Communications) board can collect signatures on a petition & submit completed form by Feb. 16, 2022.

Three districts are up for election, with the following incumbent directors seeking re-election: District 3 – Colfax – Rhonda Erbes District 6 – Mooreton – Neil Klosterman District 8 – Fairmount/Hankinson – Ronald German

REDRIVERCOMM.COM

Criteria for nominees: • Be a member of the exchange they would represent • Lives in exchange they would represent & have lived there for at least 90 days in the last 12 months • Not a current or past employee • No financial conflict of interest in other ventures • Not convicted of a federal or state crime • Not closely related to a Board member or current employee • Be willing to attend monthly, state, and national meetings as required

Contact our business office to obtain a petition or additional information.

BACKUP POWER FOR VOICE TELEPHONE SERVICES DURING POWER OUTAGES Your voice telephone service is provided using state-of-the-art fiber optics, which requires backup battery power to continue functioning during a power outage.

To maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services and to avoid a disruption of home voice service during an outage, we provide a battery for the backup power for your home voice telephone service at the time of the initial installation at no additional cost for cooperative members and a $2/month for non-cooperative customers.

other equipment typically will not run on a residential voice telephone backup battery.

REPLACEMENT OPTIONS A backup battery was provided by Red River Communications during the initial fiber installation. The backup battery is the property of Red River Communications and may need to be replaced every five to seven years or when the battery is no longer functioning. It is not possible for a customer to test the battery.

This same battery is also provided to business customers, although it generally does not provide enough power to run multiple lines or a business telephone system.

We will provide and install at no cost to you a replacement backup battery upon appointment when it becomes known that the battery needs to be replaced. If you have any questions, please call 553-8309 or email support@redrivercomm.com.

WHAT YOUR BATTERY CAN (AND CAN’T) DO FOR YOU

EXPECTED BACKUP POWER DURATION

Our backup battery does not provide power to any services other than voice. Digital TV and Internet services will not function on the backup battery. Home security systems, medical monitoring devices and

Backup batteries are expected to last up to 8 hours on standby power. The existing backup battery should give you at least 6 hours of talk time. However, other factors may affect the battery, so this is not guaranteed.

If you need additional talk time, you may purchase a 24-hour extended life backup battery for $6/month, plus installation cost of $180.

Call our office at 701-553-8309 or email support@redrivercomm.com for details.

This information is provided in compliance with FCC Order 15-98.

REDRIVERCOMM.COM

The backup battery for your telephone service provided by Red River Communications allows you to continue using your home voice services during a power outage. Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, customers with fiberbased telephone service will not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to 911. The only way to maintain the ability to use your telephone is by using some form of backup power like the battery we provide.

Red River Communications Holiday 2021

BACKUP POWER NOTICE

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Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing

Red River Communications Holiday 2021

DON’T WAIT! 218 Dial 218 with every call, even local numbers.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted 988 as a new 3-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, starting July 16, 2022.

Minnesota Area Codes 218 and 952 Included In order for 988 to work in Minnesota area codes 218 and 952, 10-digit local dialing must first be implemented. All other area codes within Minnesota and North Dakota are not affected. They will continue dialing as they do now.

To complete all local calls, you will now need to dial area code + telephone number. This applies to all calls within your area code that are currently dialed with seven digits.

What other changes need to be made? In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit numbers. (Life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, fire or burglar alarm and security systems, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, voicemail services, call forwarding settings, etc.

Be sure to check your website, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) now and even after the 988 code is in effect.

For more information, please visit www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.

Annual TV Notice The FCC requires that as a video TV provider, Red River must notify customers annually of the following information: Digital TV is offered in the exchanges of Abercrombie, Colfax, Fairmount, Great Bend, Hankinson, Lidgerwood, Mooreton, Wyndmere, ND; rural Barnesville, Kent & Rollag, parts of Hawley & Campbell, MN.

REDRIVERCOMM.COM

Digital TV main packages effective January 1, 2022: Basic for $28.50/ month, Choice for $81.50/month and Premier for $91.50/month with HD channels included. Must subscribe to local phone service or FiberFAST Internet to receive Digital TV service which includes Restart TV and WatchTV Everywhere access. A $14.95 one-time fee

applies to downgrade your main TV package. Premium channels are also available to Red River’s TV subscribers as follows: STARZ $14.95/month, HBO $17.95/month, Showtime $14.95/month and Cinemax $14.95/month. Wholehome Cloud DVR is available in three quantities: Small (30 hours) at $7.95/month, Medium (150 hours) at $14.95/month, and Large (300 hours) at $20.95/month. A set top box or your own device is required for each TV. Lease of each set top box from Red River is $5.95/month or provide your own Roku, FireStick or AppleTV at no additional charge. Current pricing is at www.redrivercomm.com. Pricing does not include city franchise fees, local channel retransmission fee of $22.29, FCC fees or taxes.

Installation of the first leased set top box is $25 with $100 installation

for each additional box.

Instructions on how to use our Digital TV service and channel line-ups are available at www. redrivercomm.com.

Billing questions or complaints in regard to billing, signal quality, equipment issues, etc. can call 701-553-8309 or 1-866-553-8309 or email support@redrivercomm.com.

Information on the set top box, DVR and universal remotes is at www. redrivercomm.com. Replacement remotes may be purchased for $25 plus tax.

To protect our customer information, Red River follows federal Customer Proprietary Network Information rules before information is shared and/or account changes are made.

new Directory Coming soon

Holiday 2021 Volume 6, Issue 4 The Red River Communications newsletter is published quarterly for our members. It is distributed free-of-charge to our members in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

If you do not wish to receive a directory in the future, please contact our office.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Gauslow President District 1 - Abercrombie

You can also access directory listings from our website by visiting redrivercomm.com and clicking the E-Directory link in the top menu.

Red River Communications Holiday 2021

The 2022 telephone directory will be mailed in early January to those members who have phone service.

If you need an additional copy of the directory, please stop by our office in Abercrombie during normal business hours.

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Harlan Deike Vice-President District 4 - Great Bend

Directory Recycling Recycle your old phone book! You can drop off your old directories at the following locations: BARNESVILLE 205 Front St N Tuesday 12p - 8p Thursday 12p - 8p Saturday 8a -12p

HAWLEY 716 Front St Monday - Sunday 8a - 8p

ABERCROMBIE 510 Broadway Monday - Friday 7:30a - 4:30p

WAHPETON 522 Dakota Ave Tuesday & Thursday 7:30a to 4:00p

Gary Boutiette Secretary/Treasurer District 5 - Kent Wayne Schindler District 2 - Barnesville Rhonda Erbes District 3 - Colfax Neil Klosterman District 6 - Mooreton Jerry Janssen District 7 - Rollag Ronald German District 8 - Fairmount/Hankinson Jan Schmit District 9 - Lidgerwood/ Wyndmere

New listings Name

Number

Exchange

Bernice Tesch

701-242-7034

Hankinson

Mark Leinen

701-474-5551

Fairmount

Joshua Church

218-479-5445

Fairmount

Amanda Korynta

218-493-4577

Rural Barnesville

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Questions? Service issues?

Call 866-553-8309 Cover Photo: The holiday season is here... make sure you are ready with a FiberFAST TM connection.

Produced by the team at Red River Communications

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Red River Communications 510 Broadway PO Box 136 Abercrombie, ND 58001

PO Box 136 510 Broadway Abercrombie, ND 58001

Please join Red River Communications for our

Christmas OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, December 9, 2021

ENJOY Christmas treats & refreshments from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

510 Broadway, Abercrombie, ND

We are collecting for the Richland/Wilkin County Food Pantry!

Please consider donating a non-perishable food item and your name will be entered into a door prize drawing.

OFFICE HOURS

HELP DESK

BILL PAY

510 Broadway - Abercrombie, ND Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm

Need assistance?

We’re here 24/7 to help you!

No added fees!

Online or by phone.

522 Dakota Avenue - Wahpeton, ND Tuesday & Thursday 7:30am to 4:00pm

866-553-8309

Your FiberFASTTM Internet Provider

855-386-9905 redrivercomm.com redrivercomm.com