Dates to RemembeR

BEK bill payments are due on the 20th of each month.

➤ August 16Wilton Country Cook-off

➤ September 3Labor Day

(BEK Office Closed for Holiday)

➤September 9Grandparent’s Day

➤ September 102013 Calendar Photo

Contest Deadline

➤ September 11Patriot Day

V O L U M E 2 | J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 2

The $500 Punt, Pass and Kick Contest Returns! This awesome football contest has a winner at every game and you can sit on the sidelines and watch, or you can join our winner’s circle; it’s your choice!Get in the game this fall with BEK Communications and your area businesses and schools for a unique contest where the contestant and/or the hosting school or athletic club score $500 every time! That’s $3000 to be given away this season and here’s how it works:

• One contestant will be drawn at each location for a chance to win $500 during this half-time event. • The contestant drawn will choose to punt, pass or kick through the goal post from the 5 yard line for $50, the 10 yard line for $100 and then the 25 yard line for $250. • The contestant will choose when to use his/her punt, pass and kick options but will need to use all three methods to complete the contest. • If the contestant is successful at all three methods, he/she will get a $100 bonus! Total possible winnings will be $500. • The amount NOT won, of the $500 available winnings, will be donated to the school or athletic club hosting the game. Each contestant is guaranteed $25 for participating plus a consolation prize(s).

Are you 18 or older? Then you are eligible to enter the contest. Not interested in a chance to win $500? Register for door prizes and cheer on the lucky contestant.

What’s for the kids? Children are invited to the sponsor booth to sign up for cool prizes too.

PUNTPASSK ICK

YOUKICK!WINNING

Please join the following sponsoring businesses at a game near you. Support your team and your school for an evening of fun and excitement!

DATE TAILGATELOCATION CONTESTSPONSORSAug 24 New Salem @ Kidder County (Steele) Advanced Physical Therapy, BEK, Coffee Cup Fuel Stop, 1st Choice Truck & Trailer Repair, Northland Financial and Steele Ozone & Kidder County PressAug 31 Napoleon @ Strasburg/Zeeland BEK, Emmons County Record, Northern Plains Co-op, Strasburg State Bank, Strasburg Insurance Agency and Zeeland Oil CompanySept 7 Strasburg/Zeeland @ South Border(Wishek) BEK, Emmons County Record, Jim Weber Ford, Sayler Implement, Security State Bank, The Wishek Star and Wishek ManufacturingSept 14 South Border @ Napoleon BEK, Central Dakota Frontier Cooperative, Green Iron Equipment, South Central Grain, Stock Growers Bank and Napoleon HomesteadSept 21 New Salem @ Wilton/Wing BEK, First State Bank of Wilton, Robi’s Repair Inc., Wilton Farmers Elevator, Wilton Farmers Union Oil and WRT (West River Telecom)Sept 28 Kidder County @ Linton/HMB BEK, BNC Bank, Central Dakota Frontier Cooperative, Emmons County Record, Sayler Implement and Voller Ag Inc.

Additional Directories Available at Local Businesses

What in the World is that?

The 2012-2013 edition of the BEK/West River Missouri Slope Telephone Directory was mailed to BEK customers in June.

QR codes. You’ve seen them, right? They are in news prints, magazines, on cereal boxes, brochures, etc. Have you ignored them because you weren’t quite sure what they are? You are not alone; but here’s the scoop…

The BEK directory includes listings from BEK Communications and West River Telecommunications based out of Hazen, N.D., as well as Bismarck listings, giving BEK customers the advantage of additional listings.

Please look at your listing in the new phone book. If you find any errors, please report them to BEK as soon as possible. While every effort is made to improve each issue and to eliminate all errors in the BEK/West River Missouri Slope Telephone Directory, BEK Communications and the publishers of the directory do not assume any liability because of errors and omissions that may occur in the telephone directory.

If you did not receive the new directory or need extra copies, additional directories are available at the following locations:

Bismarck – BEK Business Solutions - 723 Memorial Highway – First Community Credit Union - 425 N. 5th St. or 3201 Weiss AveBraddock – Hager’s BarDawson – Dawson CafeHague – Hague StoreHazelton – Bank of HazeltonKintyre – Titan MachineryLehr – Security State Bank (M-W-F mornings)Linton – BNC National BankNapoleon – Stock Growers BankPettibone – T & V GroceryRegan – Regan Farmers Union ElevatorRobinson – First Security Bank – West (open mornings)Steele – BEK Communications HeadquartersSterling – Cenex Tops Truck StopStrasburg – Strasburg State BankTappen – Tappen Farm SupplyTuttle – Tuttle Community StoreWilton – City of Wilton (Auditor’s Office) and First State Bank of WiltonWing – Chat & Chew CafeWishek – Security State Bank

Zeeland – McIntosh County Bank

A QR code (Quick Response Code) is a two-dimensional bar code, also known as a matrix code, which can include text, links or other information that can be scanned and read by smartphones. This means that you can scan a code using the camera or bar code scanner on your mobile device and be sent directly to a specific web page, contact information or even generate a coupon for yourself.The code is a shortcut to a website that may contain product information, reviews or maps. It is used on advertisements, billboards, web pages, product labels and even business cards.To take advantage of these QR codes, you first need to download an application to recognize them. If you do not find this application in your “store/market” on your phone; contact your cell phone provider for instructions on how to download this application.Try these QR codes:

2

3

Here to Serve YouNew products, new services, new career opportunities. Meet our newest employees, here to help meet our goals of continuing to deliver and assist with the most advanced communications services available.

Join us in welcoming Bill, Scott, Dan, Tim and Mike to BEK Communications.

Bill Cutshall Scott Backman Dan Dvorak Tim Davenport Mike Uhler

BillCutshall-The opportunity of being on the ground floor of a new product and working for a cooperative is what enticed Bill Cutshall to accept the position of BEK Spyder Talk Team Lead.

Bill came on board on April 24th to help launch and implement our BEK Spyder Talk product. This exciting new product is a web powered, business phone service being introduced and sold to small businesses.

In his lead position, Bill is responsible for managing the BEK Spyder Talk sales reps and helping them succeed in their current sales roles.

Bill has a background in Business Communications and comes from Rochester, Minn. He likes to hang out with his family – his wife Suzanne, son Connor and daughter Alayna. They enjoy family activities such as golfing, biking, bowling and watching movies.

ScottBackman-Scott Backman comes from a family of achievers with varying career fields in engineering, special education, nursing, computer and spatial analysis which probably explains the diversity of his own interests.

As a Network Support Technician, diversity is second nature in the IT world. Scott joined the BEK staff on May 1st and there was a team of employees anxiously awaiting his start date. Who wouldn’t want the help he is qualified to give? Scott is first level support for employees, offering hardware and software support. He acts as first point of contact for customer service reps, outside field staff and IT helpdesk. Plus he provisions cutovers for new connects.

Scott, why did you choose BEK? Answer: I was intrigued to join a progressive telecommunications company that was offering fiber to the home and interested in expanding their market and products.

Scott is originally from Bismarck and he attended the University of North Dakota where he earned a Bachelor of General Studies with Minors in Physics, Mathematics and Space Studies. He is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and he not only enjoys technology and aviation; his pastimes include photography, space, golf and remodeling.

DanDvorak-Dan Dvorak joined the BEK Spyder Talk team on May 18th as VoIP Engineer. He is responsible for provisioning, troubleshooting and the maintenance of new installs. He also performs site surveys and Wide Area Network (WAN) assessments on new customer turn-ups as well as doing the provisioning and installing of Edgemarc routers and Polycom phones.

What?!? Not to worry. If you do not understand the technical jargon; that’s ok. That’s why we have people like Dan whose title indicates he is a Voice over Internet Protocol specialist who handles communications (voice) over the Internet. His work involves the technologies, methodologies and transmission techniques involved in the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet. Whew!

Dan is happy to assist in providing the exact solution for the customer’s needs. He likes working for a company where he knows there is a unique service, like BEK Spyder Talk, that can provide the mobility services that no other company can provide.

Dan is from Minnetonka, Minn. and he received training at the U.S. Air force Technical School in Wichita Falls, Texas and the U.S. Air Force Non-Commission Officer Academy in Montgomery, Alabama. He has also received the following honors: • Air Force Commendation Medal • Three Air Force Achievement Medals • Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez, Maintenance Supervisor of the Year

Also adjusting to his new career and house hunting in Bismarck, are his wife of 16 years, Kristen, and his 12 year old son, Radek. Dan is very skilled but he also has some fun and interesting hobbies that have nothing to do with computers and such, like playing the electric guitar, building furniture and metalworking. Then there’s rock crawling in his Jeep and restoration of a 1949 Willys Wagon.

TimDavenport-A new sales executive was hired on May 21st to help Bill Cutshall’s team promote and sell BEK Spyder Talk. His name is Tim Davenport. Tim’s career history is sales and he has lived in Bismarck most of his life. His knowledge of the Bismarck-Mandan and BEK Coop territory gives him a keen insight for the needs of small businesses in and around the area and it enables him to fulfill his responsibilities for sales coverage of the BEK Spyder Talk product.

Tim is excited to be a part of this new technology being introduced into the area and the opportunity to reconnect with local business leaders. He has been following the technological leadership of BEK for the last few years and he wanted to be a part of it.

Tim is a Bismarck native and his educational background shows that he has taken advantage of the higher learning opportunities available at our North Dakota colleges/universities. He attended Bismarck State College, the University of North Dakota and the University of Mary.

Tim shares five grandchildren with his wife Cindy; three live in Bismarck, one in Minneapolis and one in Washington, D.C. Children love music so it’s lucky for Tim’s grandchildren that he has the gift of song to share. He is proud to not only be a member of the Bismarck Mandan Civic Chorus, but serves the role of president, and he is the music minister for McCabe United Methodist Church. His sport interests include volleyball and riding bicycle.

MikeUhler-Soon BEK Sports will begin the Fall sports season and there is a lot of preparation that goes in to kicking off a new season including the sales of advertising. Mike Uhler joined the BEK Sales Department as a Sales Executive on May 29th and he is assisting in selling ads for BEK Sports. But that is just one area of sales in which he is involved.

Earlier this year, BEK introduced a new service called BEK Spyder WebWatch which is a cool surveillance service. Mike is contacting residents and businesses to introduce them to this web powered surveillance, which is basically cameras that give you the ability to remotely keep an eye on your business or personal property.

Thirdly, Mike is responsible for taking care of business customers’ communications needs in the cooperative territory and also the new Rural Bismarck exchange (RBx) customers for their phone, Internet and TV services.

It sounds like his plate is full and that is exactly how he likes it. He enjoys the variety and the challenge of selling. He says every day is different and you just never know what to expect. His attraction to this new position is our new products and the positive direction of company.

Mike is originally from Dickinson but has made Bismarck his home for several years. He attended Dickinson State University earning a degree in Business Administration.

Family activities keep Mike busy on the home front with his wife Karen and sons, Christopher, Casey and Jackson. With three boys actively involved in sports and music, Mike says his hobbies include following and supporting their activities. When time allows, he enjoys computers, reading, exercising and a round of golf. He is Parish Council chairperson at Corpus Christi Church, a volunteer for the American Heart Association and a volunteer for Bismarck Youth Baseball.

HAZELTON-TEMVIKStramer Douglas W ........................................... 782-4527

KINTYRE-BRADDOCKKinyon Frank & Marlene ................................. 332-6507

LINTONNewell Steve ......................................................... 254-5772Ohlhauser Brett & Sarah ................................. 254-5725

MCKENZIE-MENOKENPfaff Jesse & Ardyth ........................................... 673-1034Risty Michael & Emily ...................................... 673-3508Smith JD & Gen .................................................... 673-3572

NAPOLEONCentral Dakota Frontier Coop Agronomy Center.....754-2370Hansen Andra………………………......................754-2114Martin Rebekah & Lucas……………...............754-2037

ROBINSONChurchwell James & Catherine ..................... 392-5550

RURALBISMARCKAltair Corp ............................................................. 222-3454Bassler Rod ........................................................... 223-2324Bismarck Adventist Edu Station .................. 425-0658Cremers Mick & Carly....................................... 255-0442Dukart Allan & Mary ......................................... 258-5481Fuchs Brian ........................................................... 255-2282Haggen Lance ....................................................... 258-4421Jangula Francis & Lavonne ............................. 557-7846Johnson Ryan L & Heidi ................................... 557-7855Murray Jim & Sandra ........................................ 425-0659Nichols-Johnson Heidi ..................................... 557-7855Riskedahl Burton ............................................... 223-0723Stoltman Debra ................................................... 258-4421Todd Jeff & Charlene ......................................... 258-5500Vetter Valery & Judy .......................................... 258-3743

STEELEBluem Jerad .......................................................... 475-4424Bullinger Shaun .................................................. 475-4442Dockter Alfred & Pearlene ............................. 475-4403Hintz Zach & Michelle ...................................... 475-4425Nelson Conrad ..................................................... 475-4420

STERLING-DRISCOLL-MOFFITJason Howell......................................................... 387-4213

STRASBURG-HAGUELeier Bridget ........................................................ 336-7948Ohlhauser Devin ................................................. 336-7949Vander Vorst Harley & Marion ..................... 336-7931

TAPPEN-DAWSONCRYSTALSPRINGS-LAKEISABELCountess Kurtis ................................................... 327-2203Evans Norman ..................................................... 327-2205Fanta Neil............................................................... 327-2202Hoffman Clayton & Janice ............................... 327-2275Horner Nathan & Lindsey .............................. 327-2247Moss Thomas & Dolores ................................. 327-2250Neustel Roxy ........................................................ 327-2292Stroh Shawn ......................................................... 327-8183Wollschlaeger Ken ............................................. 327-8148

WILTONAarhus Contracting & Improvement ......... 734-3000Hefty Seed Company ......................................... 734-5866Lorentzen Hollis ................................................. 734-6269Oswald Chad ......................................................... 734-2222Schilla Kay & Elaine ........................................... 734-6296

WING-ARENAMcPeak Clay.......................................................... 943-2524McPeak Todd ........................................................ 943-2823Quale Olaf .............................................................. 943-2414

WISHEKEckman Scott ....................................................... 452-4604Jochim Rebecca ................................................... 452-4645Klein Jean ............................................................... 452-4622Schmaltz LeRoy & Jean .................................... 452-4601Turner Perry & Debra ...................................... 452-4648Vender Carl & Roberta ..................................... 452-4600

ZEELANDMissouri Valley Ag Inc ...................................... 423-5322

New Listings

All across North Dakota and BEK territory there are many interesting landmarks and buildings. Do you ever see a vehicle parked along the shoulder of the road with the driver standing just a few feet away snapping some pictures and you look to see what caught their eye?

Check your archives or grab your camera for some new shots - we are ready to see what you’ve got for our next calendar! The 2013 BEK calendar theme is Landmarks/Buildings from around the BEK area. We would like to showcase the beauty of our area with a great sampling of landmarks/buildings. There are churches, barns, historic sites, bridges, courthouses and other neat structures that just beg to be displayed.

Winners will receive a prize and have their entries featured in the calendar.Please send landmarks/buildings photos only.*

The deadline for this photo contest is September 10, 2012. High resolution pictures may be emailed to bekcomm@bektel.com and photographs can be mailed to:

BEK Communications Attn: Calendar Photo Contest PO Box 230 Steele, N.D. 58482

Include your contact information but do not write on the back of your photo. (BEK reserves the right to determine the quality of submitted photos.)

*This contest is limited to the 2013 Landmarks/Buildings calendar.

There are people who take their camera with them wherever they go and they capture some great photos. If you are one of those people, please enter your photos in our 2013 calendar photo contest.

Calendar Photo Contest

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Marketing/PR Coordinator Yvonne Heaton (left) & Marketing Supervisor Jen Raab accept NTCA Telechoice Award.

BEK Communications’ BEK Spyder website (www.bekspyder.com) won the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association’s (NTCA) 2012 Telechoice Award in the Website category. NTCA’s Telechoice Awards honor and recognize excellence in independent telco public relations and marketing.

NtCa teleChoiCe awaRD

5 www.beksports.comwww.beksports.com

Channels28,29 & 30

Also getin the GAME at:

Live on: Network Central WestAug 21 Napoleon @ Sargent Central (Forman)

Aug 24 Milnor-North Sargent @ Lisbon

Aug 25 Southern McLean @ Garrison-Max

Aug 31 Linton-HMB @ Oakes

Sept 7 Strasburg-Zeeland @ South Border (Wishek)

Sept 14 South Border @ Napoleon

Sept 21 Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn @ Harvey-Wells County

Sept 28 Kidder County @ Linton-HMB

Sept 29 Grand Forks Central @ Devils Lake - 3:00 p.m.

Oct 5 LaMoure-Litchville/Marion @ Sargent Central (Forman)

Oct 12 Edgeley-Kulm @ Ellendale

Oct 16 Carrington @ Rugby

Regular season football games start at 7:00 p.m. unless noted.

Aug 28 Napoleon @ Ellendale

Aug 30 Harvey-Wells County @ Rugby

Sept 4 New Salem-Almont @ Kidder County (Steele)

Sept 6 Kidder County @ Napoleon

Sept 11 Oakes @ LaMoure

Sept 13 Linton-HMB @ Kidder County (Steele)

Sept 18 Litchville-Marion-Montpelier @ Pingree-Buchanan-Kensal

Sept 20 Lisbon @ Sargent Central (Forman)

Sept 25 Midkota @ Carrington

Sept 27 South Border @ Linton-HMB

Oct 2 North Sargent @ Milnor

Oct 4 Strasburg-Zeeland @ South Border (Ashley)

Oct 8 Dakota Prairie @ New Rockford-Sheyenne

Oct 9 Edgeley-Kulm @ Central Prairie (Gackle)

Oct 11 Underwood @ Wilton-Wing

Oct 15 Edgeley-Kulm @ Kidder County (Steele)

Oct 22 Barnes County North @ New Rockford-Sheyenne

Oct 23 Fargo Shanley @ Devils Lake - 7:00 p.m.

Regular season volleyball games start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.

Volleyball

Don’t forget to check out our website!

Don’t forget to check out our website!

FootballAug 21 Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood @ Kenmare-Bowbells-Burke Central

Aug 24 Grafton @ Park River

Aug 25 Surrey @ Towner-Granville-Upham (Minot State) - 3:00 p.m.

Aug 25 Langdon @ Turtle Mountain-Belcourt (Minot State) - 6:00 p.m.

Aug 31 Des Lacs-Burlington @ Watford City

Sept 7 Stanley @ Velva

Sept 14 Bottineau @ Rugby

Sept 21 Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn @ Harvey-Wells County

Sept 21 Divide County @ Parshall

Sept 28 Williams County @ New Town

Oct 5 North Border @ Cavalier

Oct 12 Midway-Minto @ North Prairie (Rolla)

Regular season football games start at 7:00 p.m. unless noted.

Aug 28 Kenmare @ Ray - 7:00 p.m.

Aug 30 Killdeer @ Watford City

Sept 4 Dunseith @ Rolette-Wolford

Sept 6 Burke County-Bowbells @ Stanley

Sept 10 Kenmare @ Tioga - 7:00 p.m.

Sept 11 Lakota-Adams-Edmore @ Midway

Sept 13 Park River-Fordville-Lankin @ Cavalier

Sept 18 Langdon @ North Border (Walhalla)

Sept 20 Stanley @ Divide County (Crosby) - 7:00 p.m.

Sept 25 Des Lacs-Burlington @ Kenmare

Sept 27 L&C-Berthold @ Des Lacs-Burlington

Oct 1 Trinity Christian @ Watford City

Oct 2 New Town @ Parshall

Oct 4 St. John @ Rolla

Oct 8 Cavalier @ Valley-Edinburg

Oct 9 Powers Lake @ Garrison-Max

Oct 11 L&C-Berthold @ Stanley

Oct 15 Garrison-Max @ Wilton-Wing

Oct 16 Strasburg-Zeeland @ Napoleon

Oct 22 Bottineau @ Langdon

Regular season volleyball games start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.

Volleyball

FootballAug 21 Napoleon @ Sargent Central (Forman)

Aug 24 Grafton @ Park River

Aug 25 Surrey @ Towner-Granville-Upham (Minot State) - 3:00 p.m.

Aug 25 Langdon @ Turtle Mountain-Belcourt (Minot State) - 6:00 p.m.

Aug 31 Linton-HMB @ Oakes

Sept 7 Stanley @ Velva

Sept 14 Bottineau @ Rugby

Sept 21 Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn @ Harvey-Wells County

Sept 28 Kidder County @ Linton-HMB

Sept 29 Grand Forks Central @ Devils Lake - 3:00 p.m.

Oct 5 North Border @ Cavalier

Oct 12 Edgeley-Kulm @ Ellendale

Oct 16 Carrington @ Rugby

Regular season football games start at 7:00 p.m. unless noted.

Aug 28 Kenmare @ Ray - 7:00 p.m.

Aug 30 Killdeer @ Watford City

Sept 4 New Salem-Almont @ Kidder County (Steele)

Sept 6 Kidder County @ Napoleon

Sept 10 Kenmare @ Tioga - 7:00 p.m.

Sept 11 Oakes @ LaMoure

Sept 13 Park River-Fordville-Lankin @ Cavalier

Sept 18 Langdon @ North Border (Walhalla)

Sept 20 Lisbon @ Sargent Central (Forman)

Sept 25 Midkota @ Carrington

Sept 27 South Border @ Linton-HMB

Oct 1 Trinity Christian @ Watford City

Oct 2 North Sargent @ Milnor

Oct 4 St. John @ Rolla

Oct 8 Dakota Prairie @ New Rockford-Sheyenne

Oct 9 Powers Lake @ Garrison-Max

Oct 11 L&C-Berthold @ Stanley

Oct 15 Edgeley-Kulm @ Kidder County (Steele)

Oct 22 Bottineau @ Langdon

Oct 23 Fargo Shanley @ Devils Lake - 7:00 p.m.

Regular season volleyball games start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.

Volleyball

Football

• Sports Schedules • Team Standings• Video Clips • Weekly Commentary• Purchase DVD’s • Purchase BEK Sports Gear

www.facebook.com/beksports

www.twitter.com/beksports

www.youtube.com/beksportsnetwork

Location of games are highlighted in BOLD. Shedules subject to change and blackouts. Post season schedule to be announced. BEK Sports not available in all areas.

200 East Broadway • PO Box 230 Steele, North Dakota 58482

BEK Beacon

Published by BEK Communications200 East Broadway • PO Box 230

Steele, North Dakota 58482

P (701) 475-2361 • F (701) 475-2100

www.bektel.com

1. The BEK Sports fall schedule kicks off with a Central ____________________ game on August 21st. 2. The theme for the 2013 BEK calendar photo contest is ________________________________________.

3. True or False: (circle answer) You must be 21 to be a contestant in the Punt, Pass and Kick contests to be held this fall.

Entries must be received by September 2, 2012.

Name _______________________________________________________

PhoneNo. __________________________________________________

Clip and send to the BEK office with your phone payment. You can also email to bekcomm@bektel.com. We will be drawing for five $5.00 credits to be applied to the winners’ phone bill.

Trivia Questions

PRSRTD STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 256BISMARCK, ND

TM

Watch it LIVE Thursdays & Fridays on

Emmett Hegwood, Driscoll, N.D.

Shirley Ann Rohrbach, Wishek, N.D.

Ralph Baker, Driscoll, N.D.

Verna M. Johnson, Wilton, N.D.

Fred Binkowski, Linton, N.D.

May/June Trivia Winners: