beaconbeaconV O L U M E 5 1 M AY 2 0 0 9

Dates toRemember

May 1May Bills MailedMay Day

May 10Mother’s Day

May 11 Disconnect Day

May 14 Country Cook-off in Strasburg

May 16Armed Forces Day

May 20Reminder Notices Mailed

May 21Country Cook-off in Wishek

May 25Memorial Day Observed

May 28Country Cook-off in Wilton

BEK Communications Office Closed for Holiday

Monday, May 25, 2009

The BEK Communications Cooperative 57th Annual Meeting will be held onJune 11, 2009 at the Kidder County High School auditorium in Steele, N.D.An official notice of the meeting will be mailed to the members at the end of May.

BEK members and their families will be invited to a delicious beef supper served by BEK employees. This is a great time for you to meet your directors, the BEK employees and visit with your cooperative partners during a friendly relaxed meal.

Following the meal, the Annual Meeting of the Cooperative will be held consisting of informative reports from the officers and CEO General Manager of BEK Communications Cooperative. There will be an election of directors, a review of operating reports for 2008 and past years, and door prizes will be drawn for members who are present.

Free child care is provided for preschool and school age children up to the third grade for parents attending the Annual Meeting.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 11, 2009.

2

Introducing BEK BusinessSolutions ENews

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION

The DTV Delay Act extends the completion of the DTV transition from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009.

Local off-air TV stations may cease broadcasting in analog and switch to digital signals either on February 17, 2009 or June 12, 2009, using the date they have notified the FCC that they have chosen.

Below is a list of the local off-air TV stations and their transition dates:* NBC – KFYR February 17, 2009* PBS – KBME February 17, 2009* ABC – KBMY June 12, 2009* FOX – KNDX June 12, 2009* CBS – KXMB June 12, 2009

‘Analog’ TV sets not connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service (in other words, TVs that use an antenna or rabbit ears for over-the-air TV) will need a digital converter box after February 17 to receive all local off-air TV stations. Most newer, ‘digital’ TV’s (LCD, plasma, or DLP) have the tuner needed to receive the digital signal, so a converter box will not be needed.

‘Analog only’ TVs connected to BEKTV service will continue to work after the transition and will not need a converter box. ‘Analog only’ TVs also should continue to work as before to receive low-power, Class A or translator TV stations and with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players and similar products.

The federal government is offering discount coupons for viewers who need to purchase converter boxes for analog TV sets. Currently, coupon requests are being taken, but put on a waiting list until more funding becomes available. More information about the DTV transition is available at www.DTV.gov or by contacting BEK at 1-888-475-2361. For discount coupons, visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). BEK is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide this notice to our customers every month until June 2009.

In recognition of their employees for driving 1,800,000 accident free miles this year and 8,356,828 miles to date without a chargeable accident, BEK Communications Cooperative has been presented with a Safe Driving Certificate for 2008 from the Apprenticeship Training and Safety Program.

BEK employees recognized for safe driving career miles in 50,000 increments:

BEK Communications is proud of

earning this Safe Driving Certificate

and commends its employees for

their efforts in safety.

Sa fe Dr iv ing

Certificates Awarded

BEK Business Solutions is excited to bring business customers important “ENews” focusing on the communications industry and the business world.

BEK Business Solutions’ ENewsis a quarterly newsletter. Business customers can expect to see articles pertaining to new technologies, BEK Business Solutions products and services, along with an interesting “Did You Know…” section that will explore various subjects and tips and tricks of the field.

Here’s a view of the 1st Quarter 2009 topics:

• Managed Services

Learn how to outsource various services in order to save money, time and your sanity!

• Any Time, Anywhere

The rapid adoption of the Internet and electronic commerce means that customers expect service at any time over any medium. How do you give customers what they want while remaining competitive and drive costs down?

• 5 Ways to Win the PC Security Battle

Even the smallest business is vulnerable to a PC or network security breach. Heather Clancy shares the good news of finding peace of mind by simply taking some preventative measures.

• Did You Know…

Tips on how to save on long distance costs.

Don’t miss this important quarterly business newsletter; it’s yours for the asking:

To sign up for your free ENews, contact BEK Business Solutions at 1-877-255-3420 or email sales@bekbusiness.com.

e

Derek Braun100,000 Miles

Bradley Heier200,000 Miles

Gene Zimmerman300,000 Miles

Jay Bertsch350,000 Miles

Shawn Harpole50,000 Miles

Dean Weiss350,000 Miles

Darin Graf50,000 Miles

Mike Mittleider100,000 Miles

Josh Hackman100,000 Miles

Rodney Stockert200,000 Miles

3

Capital Credit Allocation

BEK Communications Cooperative will be issuing checks in June to pay out capital credits earned by members in 1996. If you find your name listed below, we owe you money and we want you to claim it!

The Unclaimed Capital Credit list contains the names and last known addresses of past members who have not claimed their capital credits earned in 1996 or prior years. If your name is listed or you have address information for someone listed, please call the BEK office at 1-888-475-2361 or write BEK Communications Cooperative, PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482. We need to hear from the individuals on this list before a check will be issued.

The BEK Board of Directors is pleased to announce the allocation for 2008 Capital Credits.

BEK Communications Cooperative will be allocating $933,175 for 2008. BEK Cooperative members who had telephone service in 2008 will receive their “Patronage Capital Statements” during the month of May.

The Patronage Capital Statement highlights your previous balance, the new 2008 capital credit allocation and your current balance. The amount of business you did with BEK in 2008 is used to calculate your 2008 capital credit allocation.

The Capital Credits reported on your Patronage Capital Statement cannot be used as payment towards your telephone bill. At the present time, capital credits are paid during general refunds and by (one time) application when you reach

age 70 or to settle an estate. If you have any questions regarding your BEK Communications Cooperative Patronage Capital Statement or your capital credit account, please call us at 1-888-475-2361.

NAME LAST KNOWN ADDRESSAeschliman, Laverne – C/O Julie Braunberger ..... Mandan, NDAllery, Johnny & Wanda ....................................... Dunseith, NDAllery, Wanda ...................................................... Bismarck, NDAnderson, Carolyn M .......................................... Bismarck, NDAndrick, Douglas ...................................................Mc Neal, AZAppert, Fred & Dorothy ............................................ Linton, NDAshbach, Thomas ...........................................Maplewood, MNBailey, Steven J & Laura Jean..........................Jamestown, NDBauer, Arthur C ................................................... Bismarck, NDBauman, Bob .................................................. Inner Grove, MNBerg, Chad & Jill ................................................... Baldwin, NDBergquist, Fred .......................................................... Wing, NDBrase, Benjamin – C/O Phillip Brase ....................Waseca, MNBrown, Shannon .................................................. Hazelton, NDBubak, Rebecca J ..................................................... Stuart, IABurian Harvesting – C/O Kenneth Burian ...................Hays, KSCarrillo, Roxanne ................................................ Bismarck, NDClark, Duane G ............................................. Aransas Pass, TXCook, Ron & Pam ................................................. Mandan, NDCustodial Suppplies Inc ............................................ Fargo, NDDakota Café - C/O Chris Fischer ........................ Bismarck, NDDaugherty, Doris D............................................... Hazelton, NDDawson Garage – C/O Gary Bloom ...................... Dawson, NDDegraffenreid, Sharlene ...................................Russellville, MODoepke, Travis ............................................................ Max, NDDomonoske, Robert & Leann .................................. Wilton, NDDupre, Rolande ...................................................... Hebron, NDDusek, Bryan & Marla .............................................. Wilton, NDEhli, Ed & Pam D ...................................................... Evans, COEneboe, John ........................................................Rosholt, SDFarmland Industries – C/O Julie Hunsucker ...Kansas City, MOFeist, Ronald...................................................... McKenzie, NDForsythe, Kathleen & Robert...............................Strasburg, NDFowler, Michael ................................................... Bismarck, NDFrederick, Dwayne & Vivian ................................... Driscoll, NDGibson, Gail ........................................................ Bismarck, NDGilman, Randy J .................................................. Hazelton, NDGodejohn, Connie............................................... Bismarck, NDGonzalez, Gustavo Jr & Maria ................................. Steele, NDGoodall, Tirzah A P ................................................Parshall, NDGraczyk, Al E & Yvonne ......................................Strasburg, NDGreat River Energy C/O Steve Merriman ............. Elk River, MNGregoryk, Linda .................................................. Bismarck, NDGrubb, Terry & Andre .......................................... Bismarck, NDGurnee, Marty & Misty ................................. Rock Springs, WYHaak, Wade .............................................................Hague, NDHagen, Rodney B & Phyllis .........................E Grand Forks, MN

NAME LAST KNOWN ADDRESSHalverson, Mark D .................................................... Minot, NDHames, Lex......................................................... Bismarck, NDHammerschmidt, Mary Jo .................................. Bismarck, NDHanson, Randell ................................................... Mandan, NDHeier, Richard ................................................... Owatonna, MNHeithoff, Kenneth B, MD ................................ Miami Beach, FLHillyer, Walter &Tricia ................................................. Reno, NVHoffmann, Kary & Lorrine ..................................... Mandan, NDJangula, Melanie.............................................. West Fargo, NDJersey Pride – C/O Vaughn L Clark.........................Billings, MTJohnson, Jon ................................................. Grand Forks, NDJones, Blanch ...................................................Bakersfield, CAK M A V ................................................................. Mayville, NDKennemore, Jennifer (Jennifer Ruocco) ...... Virginia Beach, VAKilen, Jodee L ..................................................Jamestown, NDKopriva, Darrell ................................................... Grainfield, KSKroeg, Michael.................................................... Bismarck, NDKrumm, Stan & Jodi ..................................................Aztec, NMLammert, Tracy L .......................................Colorado Spgs, COLefort, Connie & Craig .......................................Little Falls, MNLind, William C - C/O John Lind ......................... Bismarck, NDLoock, Nick......................................................... New Ulm, MNMacraven, Kevin & Dawn ....................................Green Bay, WIMagnuson, Roy A & Martha C ............................ Bismarck, NDMayer, Danielle .......................................................Tappen, NDMcAllister, Steve & Cindy ................................. Barnesville, MNMcCarver James & Mary .................................... Hannover, NDMcCormick, Bob & Teresa ................................... Hazelton, NDMcCullom, Ben – C/O Leah Mische ................... Bismarck, NDMcKinney, Danny & Monika ..................................... Wilton, NDMeckle, Tony Sr & Donna......................................... Wilton, NDMercure, Jose & Mary Ellen ......................................Aztec, NMMiller Patrick & Jonnie .....................................Wimbledon, NDMiller, Sandra & Michael ....................................... Mandan, NDMinard, Michael & Billie ........................................Hastings, NEMorken, Richard A & Sandra K ............................ Glyndon, MNMullings, Carol .......................................................Sterling, NDMunter, David & Dawn ......................................Gulf Breeze, FLOlson, David – C/O Terry Voigt .............................. Robinson, NDOlson, Kathy & Richard M...................................Washburn NDOlson, Kevin ............................................................ Wilton, NDP2MC2 INC – C/O Daniel & Janet Wald .............. Bismarck, NDPaul, Steve & Joyce .......................................... Ellensburg, WAPeregoy, Vance ........................................................ Lovell, WYPeterson, Carolyn ..................................................... Fargo, NDPiatz, Felix ..........................................................Napoleon, NDPittencrieff Communications .................................. Abilene, TX

NAME LAST KNOWN ADDRESSPottenger, Keith .............................................Thermopolis, WYPotter, Marie ..........................................................Sterling, NDPrairie Home Improvements - C/O Debra Fettig.....Tappen, NDPudwill, Stacy .........................................................Herreid, SDReamann, Brian ..................................................Braddock, NDReimann, Roxanne .................................................. Wilton, NDReindl, Ty ....................................................... San Leandro, CARieke, Eddy .............................................................Vienna, SDRodriguez, Jorge R .................................................Mission, TXRohrich, Larry & Ann ................................................ Linton, NDRohrich, Scott & Joann ............................................ Steele, NDSanson, Vivian .................................................... New York, NYSandness, Jay ........................................................Pollock, SDSavenko, Elaine C/O Richard Savenko............... Bismarck, NDScherr, Anselm – C/O Tammy Senger.....................Lincoln, NDSchilling, Matt ........................................................ Sulphur, OKSchnitger, Kenneth .......................................Belle Fourche, SDSchuchard, Mary Beth .....................................Woodworth, NDSchumacher, Bonnita .......................................Spiritwood, NDScott, Paul R ....................................................... Bismarck, NDSheldon, Darren ...............................................Devils Lake, NDSmall, Erna Mrs .................................................... Baldwin, NDSmith, Martha Jean & Ron ..................................Pettibone, NDSorch, Bob............................................................... Wilton, NDSpring Lake Game Farm – C/O Diane Reuppel ....Bismarck, NDSteichen, Darry ................................................... Bismarck, NDTail Feathers Steakhouse – C/O Carleen Soderfelt ... Minot, NDTangen, Randy .......................................................... Moffit, NDTipler, Sheila & Jeff ............................................... Mandan, NDTraucht, Bruce ...................................................Livingston, MTUssery, Robert ................................................... McKenzie, NDVandenburg, Joyce .................................................. Linton, NDVillanueva, Alfredo ....................................Bermuda Dunes, CAWaagen, Carolyn .................................................. Mandan, NDWagendorf, Rhonda ................................................ Wilton, NDWald, Dennis & Mary ..........................................Strasburg, NDWalker, Vickie ................................................. Grand Forks, NDWalters, Harry & Mary ........................................ McKenzie, NDWatterud, Dorothy ................................................... Linton, NDWetch, Joe & Susan............................................Bismarck, NDWickens, Tom .................................................. Broadwater, NEWiedrich, Tammy .............................................Jamestown, ND Winslow, Charles ......................................................Edina, MN Winter, Juliet ...................................................... McKenzie, NDWoehl, Otto – C/O Desiree Woehl ........................Spokane, WA

Uncla imed Capital Credits

1-888-475-2361bekcomm@bektel.com

4

N E W M E M B E R S

Hazelton - TemvikPederson Gloria ................ 782-4379Schiermeister Antoinette ..... 782-6826

LintonAbel Charles & Lillian ........ 254-5838Beitelspacher Larry ........... 254-5804Catch’N Country ............... 254-5809Emmons County FloodServices ............................ 254-5827Harvest Restaurant & Grill ....254-5806Lauinger John J ................ 254-4810

NapoleonLogan County EconomicDevelopment .................... 754-2000Piatz Justin & Bridget ........ 754-2012

Pettibone - Lake Williams Stout James & Amy .......... 273-4260Tripp Brittany & Nicholas .... 273-4208

Steele Elim Homes Inc................. 475-2065

Strasburg - Hague Sandwick Lillian ................ 336-7717

Tappen - DawsonCrystal Springs - Lake IsabelSchmaltz Joshua ................. 327-8334

WiltonChase Charles & Debbie .... 734-6004

Wing - ArenaHarmon Cory .................... 943-2403Kuhn Shawn & Mellissa .... 943-2418Smith Jamie & Cody ......... 943-2468

WishekSchlenker Brad ................. 452-2018Vetter Tony A ..................... 452-2413Werner Herbert ................. 452-2022Wilen Mamie ..................... 452-2012

“Are you ready for some football?” ABC viewers began watching “Monday Night Football” in 1970 and the members of BEK Communications Cooperative made a great pass to amend the Articles of Incorporation to increase the borrowed limit of 5,000,000 to 10,000,000. What a TOUCHDOWN! This decision enabled BEK to move forward with plans to upgrade all 12 exchanges to 1‐party service.

Who are the people dressed in uniforms of brown jackets and pants, and gold shirts with a company insignia? You guessed it; the newly branded BEK employees of 1971! Even though eighteen year olds just got their right to vote, that doesn’t mean BEK employee Bill Kemnitz had a vote on the company uniform decision.

“Hey, Hey, Hey,” it’s “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” TV debut as BEK celebrates 20 years in 1972. How did we celebrate? We paid off our first million dollars in principal of REA loans, that’s how.

By June 1973, Hazelton, Sterling and McKenzie were converted to Direct Distance Dialing service and the BEK trucks had to roll on skyrocketing fuel costs when OPEC cut off U.S. shipments of oil.

Do you remember the headlines of 1974? Patty Hearst is kidnapped,

Richard M. Nixon resigns as President of the United States, Gerald Ford is sworn in as the 38th President of the United States and Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth’s Record of 714 career home runs. Do you also remember the two ministers of Wilton, N.D. who availed themselves of BEK’s facilities to deliver religious programming? Sure you do. They were Rev. John Bispala of Sunne Lutheran Church with his “Dial Devotions” and Fr. John Owens with his radio show “Padres’ Platters.” As Fr. Owens was spinning 45’s (by request) on his KFYR radio show for young people all over the country, the rest of the nation slowed down to a mandatory 55 mph speed limit to reduce gasoline consumption.

It doesn’t seem possible that at the same time we began watching the adventures of the Ingalls in their “Little House on the Prairie” the Fonze would also enter our TV lives and we would go through life singing...“Sunday, Monday, Happy Days. Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days. Thursday, Friday, Happy Days. Saturday, What a day, Groovin all week with you.” From “Happy Days” by Norman Gimbel

and Charles Fox

Way BEK When...“Get back, get back; get back to where you once belonged.”

From the Beatles’ “Let it Be” album (their last) released in 1970

In a recent order, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) changed the Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC) factor from 9.5% to 11.3% effective April 1, 2009.

This increase changes the FUSC charge from $.62 to $.73 for residential and single line businesses. For multi-line businesses this charge will increase from $.87 to $1.06. The FUSC percentage factor of 11.3% may also apply to Primary Interexchange Carrier (PIC) charges, T-1 charges and ISDN PRI charges. The purpose of this charge is to help keep rates affordable for all customers, regardless of where they live in the U.S. as well as to assist schools, libraries and rural healthcare providers obtain leading edge telecommunications services.

FCC Increases Federal Universal Service Charge

Way BEK When...

5

BEK Communications received a total of 46 scholarship applications from high school seniors throughout BEK’s service area. Congratulations to our nine $500 scholarship winners!

James Patrick CarrollSt. Mary’s Central High School

James is the recipient of a $500 Academic Scholarship. He plans to attend the University of Minnesota to earn a degree in Engineering. James is the son of Shane and Claudette Carroll ofMoffit, N.D.

Academic Scholarship Recipients

Alexis NicholsonHazelton-Moffit-Braddock High School

Alexis is the recipient of a $500 Academic Scholarship. She will attend the University of North Dakota to study Nursing. Alexis is the daughter of Bernard and Gale Nicholson of Moffit, N.D.

Ella R. HeinWing High School

Ella is the recipient of a $500 Broadcasting Scholarship. She will attend North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D. to earn a degree in Computer Science. Ella is the daughter of Ronald and Julie Hein of Wing, N.D.

Emily Lillian EicheleKidder County High School – Steele

Emily is the recipient of a $500 Academic Scholarship. She will attend Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. to study Music Education. She is the daughter of Curtis and Brenda Eichele of Driscoll, N.D.

Samantha FettigHazelton-Moffit-Braddock High School

Samantha is the recipient of a $500 Technical Scholarship. She plans to attain a degree in Dental Assistant or Hygiene from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. Samantha is the daughter of Tony and Arleen Fettig of Braddock, N.D.

Technical Scholarship Recipients

Tyler Joseph FettigNapoleon High School

Tyler is the recipient of a $500 Technical Scholarship. He will attend Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks, M.N. to major in Fire Technology. Tyler is the son of Steve and Sherry Fettig of Wishek, N.D.

Ashley BernhardtLinton High School

Ashley is the recipient of a $500 Technical Scholarship. She will attend Minnesota State Community and Technical College to earn a degree in Nursing. She is the daughter of Tom and Tamie Bernhardt of Linton, N.D.

Quinn D. BensonKidder County High School – Steele

Quinn is the recipient of a $500 Broadcasting Scholarship. He will attend North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D. to study Physical Therapy. Quinn is the son of David and Kathryn Benson of Steele, N.D.

Lisa Christine DewingWilton High School

Lisa is the recipient of a $500 Broadcasting Scholarship. She plans to attain a degree inPre-dental Hygiene at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. Lisa is the daughter of Carroll and Crystal Dewing of Wilton, N.D.

BEK Broadcasting Scholarship Recipients

2009 Scho larsh ip

Winners Announced

beaconPublished by BEK Communications

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

701-475-2361 • 1-888-475-2361 • www.bektel.com

6

PO Box 230 • 200 E BroadwaySteele, North Dakota 58482

PRESRT STDECRWSS

CAR-RT SORTU.S . POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 5STEELE , ND

POSTAL CUSTOMER

M arch Tr iv iaWinners :Kent Weiser, Hazelton; Lorrene Schiermeister, Linton; Marlys Strom, Steele;Patty Flegel, Hazelton and Ralph Fischer, Wing.

Board of DirectorsLeo Meier, President ................................ Hague ...........336-7258District III

Doug Kalianoff, Vice President ................ Steele ............475-2839District II

Sanford Williams, Secretary/Treasurer ....Wing ..............943-2474District I

William (Bill) Becker ................................. Wishek ..........452-2928District IV

Anton Braun............................................. Napoleon ......754-4440District IV

Richard Hausauer .................................... Wilton ............734-6116District I

Virgil Horner ............................................. Strasburg ......336-7208District III

Brett Stroh ............................................... Tappen ..........327-8201District II

Michael Wickenheiser .............................. Linton ............254-4949District III

Derrick Bulawa, CEO/General Manager, Manager Feedback ............................................. 701-475-1234 managerfeedback@bektel.com

Beacon Trivia QuestionsYou should contact BEK if your name is on the

____________________________________ capital credits list on page 3 of this newsletter.

What was the name of Fr. John Owens’ radio show in the 70’s? ________________________________________

BEK Communications will be closed Monday, May 25, 2009 for the ______________________________ holiday.

Entries must be received by June 8, 2009.

Name ____________________________________________________

Phone Number ____________________________________________

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.

Ray Kessler, Lehr;Andrew Schneider, Napoleon;Lyle Wohl, Linton;Jerome Fischer, Arenaand Beth Binkowski, Linton.