RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS
CONNECT FEATURED STORY:
GIVE BIG, GET GIG! 2023 HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE PAGE 6-7
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
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TECH GIFT GUIDE
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2024 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS - VOLUME 8 - ISSUE 4 - HOLIDAY 2023
RED RIVER
CONTENTS / NEWS
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COMPANY NEWS
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
2023 TECH GIFT GUIDE
GIVE BIG, GET GIG!
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2024
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Company news and Annual Meeting notice.
Learn 4 essential steps to prep your Wi-Fi network.
Check out the hottest tech gift for the 2023 Holidays.
Boost your speed and help those in need.
Applications open for the RRC Scholarship.
Four community organizations receive grants.
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A LETTER FROM
THE GENERAL MANAGER As we say goodbye to 2023, it’s nice to reflect on our journey - a year that brought its fair share of challenges and triumphs. Despite the hurdles, the unwavering spirit of our cooperative has shone through. Several challenges have marked our year. Securing grants, essential for our growth, takes much time and effort. Permitting delays in project construction have tested our patience. At the same time, unpredictable weather conditions and regulatory hurdles have added layers of complexity. Despite these challenges, we’ve achieved significant successes. Our relentless pursuit of grants has paid off, securing financing to allow us to build in some of our region’s most underserved communities. We’ve successfully upgraded our network, introduced new services, and welcomed new customers in our build areas. Also, we added some great new employees to expand our already excellent team.
In the coming year, we’ll stay committed to our cooperative values, install enhanced network infrastructure, and provide multi-gig speeds within our cooperative areas. Our team will complete many ongoing projects, and new services and broadband packages will enhance user experiences. Additionally, we’ll launch a new website in Q1 of 2024 to give you an easy way to learn more about our services and tools to maintain your account.
TOM STEINOLFSON
CEO/ GENERAL MANAGER “In the spirit of
In the spirit of progress and growth, we express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our loyal customers, for your unwavering support throughout the year. As we begin the journey toward 2024, we want you to know that our dedication to your satisfaction remains the cornerstone of our work here at Red River Communications. Here’s to a promising and prosperous 2024. Thank you for being a part of the Red River family.
progress and
- Tom Steinolfson, CEO/GM
year.”
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growth, we express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our loyal customers, for your unwavering support throughout the
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | HOLIDAY 2023
CONNECT
UPSTREAM @ RED RIVER
COMPANY NEWS ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE: Mark your calendars for the Red River Rural Telephone Association (DBA Red River Communications)
72 ND ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 4TH, 2024 New Location! Richland 44 High School Gym - 101 Main Ave, Colfax, ND Join us for a great meal, demonstrations, short business meeting, and door prizes. All members and their families are welcome. No RSVP needed.
Natalie Caulkins Customer Experience Specialist
NEW HIRE We are thrilled to announce that Natalie Caulkins has joined our Customer Experience Specialist team. Natalie brings with her multiple years of customer service experience and has proven to be a fantastic addition to our team. Welcome, Natalie!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS Anyone interested in being nominated for the Red River Rural Telephone Association (dba Red River Communications) Board of Directors can collect signatures on a petition & submit their completed form by Feb. 27, 2024. Three districts are up for election, with the following incumbent directors seeking re-election:
District 1 - Abercrombie - Tim Viland District 4 - Great Bend - Harlan Deike
Tom Steinolfson, CEO, presents Donna Thiel with her 30-year plaque.
District 7 - Rollag - Jerry Janssen
CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES:
• Be a member of the exchange they would represent. • Currently 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 AT 701-553-8309 TO OBTAIN A PETITION OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. 3
ANNIVERSARY This fall, we celebrated a huge milestone with Donna Thiel, our Executive Assistant. Donna has been with Red River Communications for 30 years, and we are grateful for all her hard work and loyalty to the Cooperative. Congratulations, Donna!
RED RIVER
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
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HOME
FOR THE HOLIDAYS PREPARING YOUR WI-FI FOR GUESTS. The holiday season is fast approaching and with it comes the joy of hosting friends and family in your home. However, more guests mean more pressure on your home Wi-Fi network. To ensure a seamless online experience, take these four essential steps to prep your Wi-Fi network.
UPGRADE YOUR ROUTER: Start by assessing your current router. If it’s outdated or unable to support multiple devices, it’s time for an upgrade. A modern router - like our Calix Gigapire U6, included with our FiberFAST Wi-Fi - can handle whatever you throw at it during the holidays.
POSITION YOUR ROUTER STRATEGICALLY: The placement of your router can significantly affect its performance. Position it centrally in your home, not in a closet or behind obstacles.
SET UP A GUEST NETWORK: To keep your primary network secure and minimize any impact on your bandwidth, create a separate guest network with our Red River Connect App.
UPGRADE TO ULTIMATE FIBERFAST WI-FI: With our Ultimate FiberFAST Wi-Fi, you have complete control over your home network. You can turn your Wi-Fi on and off, set time limits, change your Wi-Fi password for security, and more. Plus, we protect your entire network from viruses and threats, and new devices connect to your network. These proactive steps allow you to enjoy the holidays without worrying about Wi-Fi-related frustrations. Give us a call today at 701-553-8309 for more information. 4
ULTIMATE FiberFASTTM WI-FI - Only $14.95/ mo. Download the Red River Connect App and call us to upgrade to FiberFAST Ultimate WI-FI for only $14.95 / per month!
TECH GIFT GUIDE
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | HOLIDAY 2023
CONNECT
2023 TECH THE HALLS
The holiday season is one of the most wonderful (and overwhelming) times of the year. Shopping for the tech lover in your life doesn’t have to be hard. Even if technology and gadgets aren’t your thing, we scoured the internet to find the perfect gift for the techie in your life.
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CHECK OUT THESE TECH GIFTS:
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1. ROKU STREAMBAR: 2-in-1 entertainment with Roku 4K streaming and premium sound. $129.99, Best Buy. 2. PETCUBE BITES 2 LITE: WiFi-enabled pet camera with video, treat dispenser & two-way audio. $99, Amazon. 3. SHARK MATRIX PLUS: 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop with a self-emptying base. Priceless clean floors! $620, SharkClean.com.
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4. PURA SMART FRAGRANCE DIFFUSER: Customize your personal space with your preferred fragrances. $49.99, Pura.com. 5. BLAVOR SOLAR CHARGER: Solar power bank for tech & nature lovers. $29.95, Amazon. 6. HATCH RESTORE 1 SMART ALARM CLOCK: Wake up feeling refreshed with guided rest exercises, background sounds & relaxing wake-up sounds. $129.99, Hatch.co.
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7. BACKBONE ONE MOBILE GAMING CONTROLLER: Turn your iPhone into a gaming console. $99, Playbackbone.com.
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COOL STEM TOYS FOR KIDS: 8. LITE⸱BRITE TOUCH: Modern version of the classic toy with 100 light-up buttons. $29.99, Target. 9. SNAP CIRCUITS - LIGHT KIT: Build a light show with fiber optics! $99.99, Amazon. All names, likenesses, and logos are copyright their respective owners.
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RED RIVER
GIVE BIG - GET GIG
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GIVE BIG, GET GIG!
Bring three or more non-perishable food items and we’ll give you a free speed increase to a GIG for the next month! The holidays, while merry and bright, can also put a financial strain on families struggling to make ends meet. Red River Communications invites you to participate in this year’s holiday food drive. During November & December, if you bring in three or more items of non-perishable food to our Abercrombie or Wahpeton office locations, we will give you a FREE speed increase to a GIG for the next month. That’s right; we will increase your speed to 1,000 Mbps for an entire month if you donate just three items or more to one of our offices. Let’s ensure everyone has food on the table this holiday season.
*This promotion is for Residential service only. Account holder must bring three or more nonperishable food items to our offices between Nov. 1 - Dec. 15 to qualify for speed increase, and will continue to be charged for currently subscribed speed tier. GIG speed increase runs for thirty-one (31) days after speed increase takes effect. Your speed will be adjusted back to your current service plan upon the completion of the promotion. Should you wish to stay GIG level, please call our office to upgrade your service plan.
Participating customers that are currently subscribed to GIG service will receive a gift in lieu of an upgrade.
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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | HOLIDAY 2023
CONNECT
1. DROP OFF YOUR DONATIONS AT: 510 Broadway, Abercrombie, ND 7925 180th Ave SE, Wahpeton, ND Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Wahpeton closed Noon - 1pm)
2. CHECK IN AT THE FRONT DESK: To guarantee you receive your speed upgrade, check in at the front desk with your account information.*
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ALL DONATIONS WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE RICHLAND-WILKIN EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY
RED RIVER
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2024 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS
SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM
Red River Communications is pleased to offer scholarships to high school seniors pursuing higher education in vocational fields and general studies. The Red River Communications College Scholarship Program aims to support and recognize students within our service territory who have achieved academic excellence by providing financial assistance to further their education. Beginning on December 1st, eligible students can apply for one of twelve $1,000 scholarships. Consider taking some time during this holiday season to assist a high school student graduating in the spring of 2024 with filling out a Red River scholarship application. It’s a gift that will have a lasting impact on their lives.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: DECEMBER 1, 2023 APPLICATIONS DUE: MARCH 15, 2024
SCHOLARSHIP CATAGORIES: • • • •
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIP AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIP
Learn More and Apply @ redrivercomm.com/scholarships 8
COMMUNITY GRANTS
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | HOLIDAY 2023
COBANK GRANTS
CONNECT
Harlan Deike, RRRTA Board President, presents a $1,500 CoBank grant to the Richland/Wilkin Food Pantry.
Red River is proud to partner with CoBank in its Sharing Success matching grant program. CoBank established “Sharing Success” in 2012. Since then, its customers have contributed tens of millions 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.
Harlan Deike, RRRTA Board President, presents a $2,000 CoBank grant to the Friends of the Leach Public Library.
This fall, three awards were presented to deserving organizations in Richland County. • SEND Community Theater – $864 for wireless microphones • Richland-Wilkin Food Pantry – $1,500 for interior & exterior building signage • Friends of Leach Public Library – $2,000 to digitize & archive area newspapers
RDFC GRANT
Red River Communications is a member of the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC). As a result, communities in our service area were eligible to apply for a grant of up to $3,000 for community-based projects. This year, a $3,000 grant was awarded to the Red River Sportsmen’s Club to improve the Mooreton Joe Pikarski Trap Range.
Jan Schmit, RRRTA Director, presents a $864 CoBank grant to the SEND Community Theater.
COMMON CENTS
Common Cents, a non-profit entity operated separately from Red River Communications, is funded by you, our customers, when you round up your bill to the next dollar. The Common Cents Board awards funds to local non-profit and community organizations and offers emergency & medical assistance for local individuals.
THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED FUNDS IN Q3: Marketplace for Kids: $500 for Wahpeton Education Day Bagg Bonanza Farm: $250 for their Pumpkin Patch event Fairmount Park Board: $1,500 for playground equipment Dakota Estates: $1,500 for a handicap-accessible patio door
LEARN MORE OR APPLY FOR A GRANT
redrivercomm.com/about/common-cents Applications Due Quarterly: March 1, June 1, Sept. 1, Dec. 1
Jan Schmit, RRRTA Director, presents a $3,000 RDFC Grant check to Greg Gerou from the Red River Sportsman’s Club 9
RED RIVER
BATTERY BACKUP NOTICE
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BACKUP POWER NOTICE BACKUP POWER FOR VOICE TELEPHONE SERVICES DURING POWER OUTAGES
Your voice telephone service is provided using stateof-the-art fiber optics, which requires backup battery power to continue functioning during a power outage.
REPLACEMENT OPTIONS
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 $3/ month for non-cooperative customers.
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.
WHAT YOUR BATTERY CAN (AND CAN’T) DO FOR YOU
If you have any questions, contact us at 701-553-8309 or support@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. A traditional corded phone must be used at this time. Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, customers with fiber-based 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.
EXPECTED BACKUP POWER DURATION 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.
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 other equipment typically will not run on a residential voice telephone backup battery.
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.
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RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | HOLIDAY 2023
NOTICE: LATE FEES START JAN. 1ST In an effort to collect payments in a more timely manner, Red River Communications is implementing a $10 late fee effective January 1, 2024. Monthly bill payments are due the 25th of the month and the late fee will apply to any current charges of $10 or more that are unpaid after that date. Delinquent notices will be sent the 9th day of the second month and unpaid accounts will be disconnected on the 15th day of the second month. Customers may sign up for automatic payments from their bank or debit/credit card account. See our website or contact our office for payment options.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SMART HUB AND AUTO-PAYMENTS GO TO: REDRIVERCOMM.COM/PAPERLESS
CONNECT
Holiday 2023 Volume 8, Issue 4 The Red River Communications CONNECT newsletter is published quarterly for our members. It is distributed freeof-charge to our members and customers in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Harlan Deike President District 4 - Great Bend Rhonda Erbes Vice-President District 3 - Colfax
NEED HELP PAYING YOUR BILL? THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM (ACP) assists low-income households by issuing credits on their broadband internet bill. To learn if you qualify for the $30.00/mo. credit, go to: affordableconnectivity.gov
Gary Boutiette Secretary/Treasurer District 5 - Kent
LIFELINE is a federal assistance program which provides a discount towards telephone and broadband service for qualified lowincome customers. The program offers a credit of $5.25/mo. for telephone and $9.25/mo. for broadband. Learn more at: www.lifelinesupport.org
Wayne Schindler District 2 - Barnesville
Tim Viland District 1 - Abercrombie
Jerry Janssen District 7 - Rollag
DIRECTORY UPDATES NAME
Sherry Church Bob Wallace Orchards, LLC Fringe Salon 3 Border Sports Network Marlys Sagvold Rose Anne Hulne Richland Title Susan Spiedel Wahpeton Police Dept. Audrey Kurowski RC Sales & Repair James & Mona O’Meara Woods & Irons Ironwood On Main
Joe Pikarski District 6 - Mooreton
NUMBER
RESID/BUS
CITY
(218) 479-5634 (701) 242-7030 (701) 642-3271 (701) 672-1133 (701) 439-2588 (218) 557-8858 (701) 642-2500 (218) 643-1911 (701) 642-7722 (701) 642-6922 (218) 643-9344 (218) 643-8636 (701) 672-1134 (701) 242-7767
Residence Business Business Business Residence Residence Business Residence Business Residence Business Residence Business Business
Tintah Hankinson Wahpeton Wahpeton McLeod Wolverton Wahpeton Breckenridge Wahpeton Wahpeton Breckenridge Breckenridge Wahpeton Hankinson
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Ron German District 8 - Fairmount/Hankinson Jan Schmit District 9 - Lidgerwood/ Wyndmere Red River Communications 510 Broadway | PO Box 136 Abercrombie, ND 58001 7925 180th Ave SE Wahpeton, ND 58075 Questions? Service issues? Call 866-553-8309 RED RIVER CONNECT is produced by the Red River Communications Team. Contributing writers include: Kari Kleingartner, Tom Steinolfson & Donna Thiel. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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PO Box 136 | 510 Broadway Abercrombie, ND 58001
LOCATIONS & OFFICE HOURS
510 Broadway, Abercrombie 7925 180th Ave SE, Wahpeton Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Wahpeton closed Noon - 1pm)
Your FiberFASTTM Internet Provider
HELP DESK
BILL PAY
Need assistance? We’re here 24/7 to help you! 866-553-8309
No added fees! Online or by phone. 855-386-9905 redrivercomm.com
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