2025 Fall Red River Connect

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS

CONNECT FEATURED STORY:

THE RIVER PHILOSOPHY

VALLEY LAKE BOYS HOME CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IMPACT

COMPANY NEWS

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PASSWORD SECURITY

PAGES 4-5

COMMON CENTS

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NEW RED RIVER CONNECT APP

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PAGES 6-7

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS - VOLUME 10 - ISSUE 3 - FALL 2025

RED RIVER

COMPANY NEWS Anniversaries and New Hires.

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CONTENTS / NEWS

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RETHINKING PASSWORD SECURITY Keep your information safe.

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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

COMMON CENTS

NEW RED RIVER WI-FI APP

PROJECT UPDATES

Valley Lake Boys Home celebrates 50 years.

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Q2 & Q3 Common Cents Awards.

Upgrade your Wi-Fi experience with Red River Connect.

Get connected before the snow flies.

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A LETTER FROM

THE GENERAL MANAGER Fall has arrived in the Red River Valley, bringing crisp mornings, colorful leaves, and the sight of farmers hard at work in the fields. This season is always a reminder of how much our communities depend on one another, and we wish all of our local farm families a safe and productive harvest.

For us at Red River Communications, fall also signals the close of another busy construction season. Our crews have spent the past months building and expanding our fiber network, working through heat, wind, and rain to bring fast, reliable connections to even more homes and businesses.

It’s been a season of significant progress, and I thank everyone who welcomed us into their homes, businesses, and farms to install our services. Your patience and cooperation make this work possible, and we are grateful.

Most of all, we’re excited to welcome

so many new customers to the Red River family. Whether you’re joining us for fiber internet, Digital TV, or local phone service, we’re proud to be your local provider and neighbor. Our mission has always been about more than just great technology—it’s about connecting people and strengthening communities.

TOM STEINOLFSON

CEO/ GENERAL MANAGER

As we look ahead, know that our commitment to you doesn’t end when construction wraps up for the year. Our team is here, season after season, ready to support you with the dependable service and local care you deserve.

“Our mission

As I celebrate five years with the Cooperative, I want to thank you for trusting Red River Communications— we’re glad to be connected with you.

it’s about

Sincerely,

strengthening

Tom Steinolfson CEO/ General Manager

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has always been about more than technology— connecting people and communities.”

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COMPANY NEWS WELCOME BACK! We are excited to welcome back OSP Technician Joe Hass!

Joe Hass

Joe worked for Red River Communications for 15 years, first on the construction crew and then as an outside plant technician, before leaving for a couple of years to

EMPLOYEE

MILESTONES Recently, three dedicated Red River employees celebrated milestone anniversaries. Thank you, guys, for all that you do!

AUSTIN HERMUNSLIE - 20 YEARS (Network Engineer)

explore new opportunities. “I am very excited to be back at Red River, working with customers to provide them with the best experience possible,” Joe said.

MATT KRUIZE - 15 YEARS

We are thrilled to have you back, too, Joe!

NEW HIRES We are excited to welcome two new members to the Red River Communications team!

Mike Miranowski joins us as an Outside Plant Technician, where he will work in the field to ensure our customers enjoy reliable, high-speed connections.

Mike Miranowski Also joining our team is Katelyn Welle, who has stepped into the position of Part-Time Marketing Specialist. Katelyn will concentrate on creating content for our print and digital platforms and has already contributed articles to this newsletter.

(Lead Outside Plant Tech)

AARON OLSON - 20 YEARS (CO Engineer)

BOARD OF DIRECTOR MILESTONES This past quarter, two members of the Red River Board of Directors celebrated significant milestones.

Together, they have contributed 20 years of dedicated service to the Cooperative.

Thank you, Harlan and Jan, for your steady leadership throughout the years.

JAN SCHMIT - 5 YEARS

(Lidgerwood/Wyndmere - District 9)

Katelyn Welle

Please join us in welcoming Mike and Katelyn!

HARLAN DEIKE - 15 YEARS (Great Bend - District 4)

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RED RIVER

PASSWORD

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THINK LONG, STAY STRONG: RETHINKING PASSWORD SECURITY

By: Katelyn Welle & Austin Hermunslie

We all know the struggle—too many passwords to remember, and most of them feel impossible to create or keep track of.

But staying secure online doesn’t have to be complicated.

As cyber threats evolve, so must our defenses – and that begins with rethinking how we approach our passwords.

WHY PASSWORD LENGTH MATTERS When it comes to passwords, longer is better. A 16-character password is far stronger than a shorter, more complex one.

Why? Because hackers don’t guess based on what “looks hard,” they try every possible combination until they succeed.

MORE CHARACTERS = MORE COMBINATIONS = MORE PROTECTION One recommendation from Austin Hermunslie, Network Engineer, Cyber Security Officer at Red River Communications, is “Aim for passwords at least 16 characters long,” said Hermunslie.

“While 12 used to be considered secure, modern threats demand more.”

Instead of a random jumble of characters 4

SECURITY

CONNECT

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2025

you’ll forget, try a passphrase. Think full sentences or random but memorable word combinations, like BananaLaptopSkyline2025!. Add uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, when possible, to increase the “search space” for attackers.

MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (MFA): THE ULTIMATE RECOMMENDATION Even with strong passwords, your accounts are still vulnerable without Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Enabling two-factor or multi-factor authentication can stop 99% of cyberattacks, according to Microsoft.

Bonus tip: Try password padding—adding a string of simple characters (like “.....!!”) to the end of an easy-to-remember password. It’s a simple trick that makes a big difference.

MAKE SECURITY A HABIT, NOT A HASSLE

PASSWORD MANAGERS: YOUR DIGITAL SHIELD

As your trusted telecommunications provider, we’re committed to helping you stay safe online. With just a few small changes to your password habits, you can protect your accounts—and your peace of mind.

Tools like LastPass and Keeper help you: • Create unique, randomized passwords for every account • Avoid reusing passwords (a major vulnerability)

For more infomation and learning reasources, check out our blog on our website at: www.redrivercomm.com/newsroom

• Securely store and autofill credentials

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO CRACK YOUR PASSWORDS? The time it takes for a criminal to crack a password can vary greatly, from just seconds to thousands of years. This depends on the password’s length, complexity, and randomness. A hacker using powerful hardware can test billions of password combinations every second. Review the chart below to see how your current passwords measure up.

Lowercase Letters Only

At Least 1 Uppercase Letter

At Least 1 Uppercase Letter + Number

At Least 1 Uppercase Letter + Number + Symbol

Instantly

Instantly

-

-

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

-

3

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

4

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

5

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

6

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

Instantly

7

Instantly

Instantly

1 Minute

6 Minutes

Instantly

22 Minutes

1 Hour

8 Hours

2 Minutes

19 Hours

8 Hours

3 Weeks

1 Hours

1 Month

7 Months

5 Years

1 Day

5 Years

41 Years

400 Years

3 Weeks

300 Years

2,000 Years

34,000 Years

1

NUMBER OF CHARACTERS

2

8 9 10 11 12

SOURCE: SECURITY.COM

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RED RIVER

FEATURE STORY

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THE RIVER PHILOSOPHY

GUIDING YOUNG LIVES FOR 50 YEARS AT THE VALLEY LAKE BOYS HOME. By: Kari Kleingartner & Katelyn Welle

For 50 years, Valley Lake Boys Home (VLBH) has provided a safe and structured environment for boys ages 12-18 who face behavioral challenges. Located in the peaceful rural setting of Breckenridge, Minnesota, VLBH offers a 24-hour supervised residential program focusing on individualized behavior management, education, chemical dependency treatment services, and life skills development.

Caring for River allows the boys to look beyond themselves, fostering empathy and responsibility in meaningful ways.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF IMPACT Since 1975, Valley Lake Boys Home has grown and evolved while remaining steadfast in its mission.

From its early days as a small, structured home to today’s comprehensive program serving up to 14 boys, VLBH has expanded services to include

With a caring staff that brings decades of combined expertise, the mission has always been clear: to help boys grow into responsible, confident young men prepared to re-enter their communities with strength and hope.

THE RIVER PHILOSOPHY At any given time, up to 14 residents call Valley Lake Boys Home their temporary home. Each boy receives educational support and counseling in a nurturing environment where responsibility, selfesteem, and respect are integral to daily routines.

A unique aspect of the program is the RIVER philosophy—Respect, Integrity, Virtue, Empathy, and Responsibility. These values guide everything from personal growth to community living. A special embodiment of this philosophy is River, the home’s beloved dog, who serves as a loyal companion, calming influence, and cheerful motivator.

Showcased by Joanna Etzler, Executive Director (R), and Karla Little, Assistant Director (L), each resident selects a handmade quilt upon arrival at VLBH, which they are allowed to keep when they leave the facility.

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wireless service until fiber could be installed.

In 2023, Red River Communications received a Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband Grant to bring fiber internet to the rural area of Breckenridge. This not only improved the connection for the facility but also solidified an already excellent working relationship. “The team was amazing, fast, and so friendly to work with,” said Executive Director Joanna Etzler. “Now, with fiber, we rarely, if ever, experience issues.”

Meet River, Valley Lake’s resident dog. He provides companionship, teaches boys empathy through care, and serves as a calming presence in stressful situations.

Breckenridge High School graduation gown worn by the many residents who graduate.

LOOKING AHEAD As Valley Lake Boys Home looks to the next 50 years, its mission remains steady: to provide a safe, structured environment where boys can learn, grow, and thrive. While programs and technology will continue to evolve, the core values of RIVER will always guide the way.

modern therapeutic approaches, technologybased learning, and long-term mentorship. Many alumni fondly remember their time at VLBH. One former resident shared, “My time at Valley Lake Boys Home was a blessing and taught me lessons that have positively impacted my adult life. The relationships I formed with the staff are still intact to this day, and I will be forever grateful.”

At Red River Communications, we are proud to support organizations like VLBH with the reliable broadband they need to make a lasting impact.

CONNECTED WITH FIBER BROADBAND

To learn more about how fiber can make a difference for your business or organization, please call our office at 701-553-8309 or go to redrivercomm.com/business.

As programs evolved, so did the need for a reliable internet connection. While the residents themselves do not have direct access to the internet, needs such as virtural education, telehealth, virtural court hearings, staff use for case management, now all rely on VLBH’s broadband connection. Before the pandemic, slow speeds and dropped connections made remote learning nearly impossible. Red River Communications stepped in, even stringing equipment through trees to provide temporary

As a non-profit organization, Valley Lake Boys Home relies on the generous support of donors.

Learn more about ways you can help make a difference at: www.valleylakeboyshome.org/donate 13850 200th Ave, Breckenridge, MN 56520

Valley Lake Boys Home - Main Building 7

RED RIVER

COMMON CENTS

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ROUND UP FOR CHANGE

IT’S COMMON CENTS! Common Cents provides grants to non-profits that share our belief that everyone deserves a healthy and fulfilling life.

Mantador Fire Department

Received $1,500 from Common Cents for fire hoses.

Pictured: David Foertsch (left) and Dan Glynn (right) from the Mantador Fire Dept.

Since its founding in 2008, Common Cents has awarded $260,428.50 to local non-profits, community organizations, and several individuals.

Common Cents is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors that meets quarterly to review applications and allocate grants.

The funding for Common Cents comes from our wonderful customers at Red River Communications, who choose to round up their bills to the next dollar. These tax-deductible contributions average about $0.40 per month per customer. For less than $5 a year, hundreds of Red River Communications customers unite to make a significant impact in our communities.

Not sure if you are contributing to Common Cents?

Give us a call and we will find out for you!

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Valley Lake Boy’ Home

Received $1,500 from Common Cents for lawn and garden equipment.

Pictured: (Left) Common Cents director Nancy Grotluschen, Joanne Etzler and Karla Littke from Valley Lake Boys Home.

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Mantador City Park

Received $1,000 from Common Cents for park improvements.

Pictured: Common Cents director Arnel Onchuck presents a $1,000 check to Mantador City Park members Dan Lugert and Brian Zajac.

Abercrombie Fire District

Received $1,500 from Common Cents for new helmets.

Pictured: Michael Miranowski accepts a $1,500 check from director Lesley Hulne.

Lidgerwood Public Library

Received $500 from Common Cents for the library reading program.

Pictured: Common Cents director Darby Harles (left) presents award to Jessica Heley.

SEND Community Theater

Received $382 from Common Cents for new lights.

Pictured: Linda Jones and Dave Morken, both from SEND.

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RED RIVER

RED RIVER CONNECT

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MORE CONTROL, BETTER CONNECTION MEET THE ALL-NEW RED RIVER CONNECT WI-FI APP. SMARTER, SIMPLER, AND MORE SECURE THAN EVER.

The Red River Connect Wi-Fi app has gotten a facelift.

With an all new main dashboard, you can now quickly swipe to find the features and functions you need for assigning priority devices, setting screen time limits, and ensuring your home connection is fast and secure.

FEATURE-PACKED TO MAXIMIZE YOUR WI-FI! • Easy Setup: Simple installation means you’re in control in seconds • Scrollable Carousel: Swipe to your favorite features right from the dashboard.

• myPrioritiesIQ Modes: “Gaming,” “Work,” or “Entertainment” optimize your connection.

• Real-Time Insights and Alerts Carousel: Wi-Fi status, alerts, and performance stats keep you in the know.

• People Profiles and Device Recognition: Personalize profiles and spot strangers on your network in a snap.

• Everything You Loved, But Better: Guest networks, WPS setup, outdoor Wi-Fi, run speed tests, WiFi sharing and security tools are even easier to use.

Download the FREE Red River Connect Wi-Fi App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store today to enjoy effortless Wi-Fi control that is simple, secure, and more reliable than ever.

Learn More: redrivercomm.com/red-river-connect 10

Download the Red River Connect App and call us to activate Ultimate FiberFAST TM Wi-Fi today!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2025

CONNECT

Fall 2025 Volume 10, Issue 3 The Red River Communications CONNECT newsletter is published quarterly and distributed free of charge to our members and customers in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Harlan Deike President District 4 - Great Bend

WINTER IS COMING! As we wrap up our fiber expansion projects, we’re excited to have already connected hundreds of new customers this fall.

If you know anyone who hasn’t signed up yet, please encourage them to contact us before the snow arrives.

Learn More at: redrivercomm.com/fiber-projects

Lifeline

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Lifeline is a federal assistance program funded by the Universal Service Fund that provides a discount on telephone and broadband services for qualified low-income customers. To apply for Lifeline, visit lifelinesupport.org

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Rhonda Erbes Vice-President District 3 - Colfax Gary Boutiette Secretary/Treasurer District 5 - Kent Tim Viland District 1 - Abercrombie Wayne Schindler District 2 - Barnesville Joe Pikarski District 6 - Mooreton Jerry Janssen District 7 - Rollag 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.

Contributors include: Kari Kleingartner, Tom Steinolfson, Katelyn Welle, Austin Hermunslie and 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)

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