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PHONOTES Official Newsletter of Halstad Telephone Company Winter 2016

Three to RetireCEO’s Report

Also inside:Annual Meeting Recap

TV Pricing

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Some faces will be noticeably absent at Halstad Telephone Company in January. Kevin Richter and Tom and Kathy Maroney will be retiring at the end of December after 39, 41, and 38 years, respectively. That’s 118 years of experience with your cooperative! Operations Coordinator Kevin Richter came to work for HTC straight from his telephone training at technical school in Wadena. Through the years, Kevin has seen big changes in the telephone industry. When he started, there was one installer, two combination technicians, and the plant manager. Kevin literally started out in the trenches – burying

the once overhead wires used by HTC along with Tom Maroney. He’s learned the digital telephone switch technology employed by HTC, as well internet and digital cable TV. In his years with HTC, he has seen the evolution of telecommunications from the front lines.

Now, after almost 39 years with HTC, Kevin is ready to take it a little easier. “My options are really open. My wife Sheri and I plan to travel in the future, but she still has a few more years of work, until that time, I’ll probably do some snowmobiling!”

In 1979, Kathy Maroney started working at Halstad Telephone Company. As a senior in the School-to-Work program at then Halstad High School, Kathy soon realized that HTC was where she wanted

It’s hard to believe, but 41 years have come and gone. I have mentioned in the last articles that it was time to move on. This is my last chance to talk with all the great customers of Halstad Telephone Company (HTC) that have been a pleasure to work for and with over the years. Three of us are leaving at the end of the year – Myself with 41 years,

Kathy Maroney with 38 years, and Kevin Richter with 39 years. It will be hard not to come to work with the HTC family of employees. They truly have your best interests in mind in everything they do to provide and take care of your services. The changes that I have seen over the years were amazing and I am sure what is coming will be even more so. We leave your cooperative with regret, but want you to know that the company is in great hands to continue

to move forward as one of the most forward-leaning companies in Minnesota and, for that matter, the world. Mark Forseth will take the reigns as the new CEO and I don’t expect the company to miss a beat. I want to also put in a good word with warm regards to your HTC board of directors who are very involved with the whole operation. They have always been ready to go the extra mile to stay up with the industry and have made my job easy, as they understood where the company came from and where it is headed. As I have always said I came to Halstad in 1975 and figured it would be a career stop for a year or two but once you get here it is hard to leave. It has been a great place to be involved and raise a family. Kathy and I are planning on staying so I hope we get a chance to see you all in the future.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Tom W. Maroney, CEO

by: Tom Maroney

The Time has C me

Three to Retire

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The annual meeting of the members of Halstad Telephone Company was held in air-conditioned comfort at the Halstad Legion Recreation Center (LRC) on June 22, 2016. Members, customers, and employees enjoyed an evening of food, entertainment, and prizes.Those attending the annual meeting got the opportunity to learn about new technologies provided by HTC, complete with product demonstrations. Joe and Amanda Johnson of Hillsboro provided entertainment throughout the evening. The crowd enjoyed a great meal before the meeting provided by Jimmy Johns Subs.Employees were recognized for their service and dedication to the cooperative, including Tom and Kathy Maroney and Kevin Ricther who will be retiring at the end of 2016. President Steve Williams reported that Director Jeff Neil representing the Shelly exchange moved out of the area during the year and Evan Hellerud was appointed to replace him. . He also let everyone know that the board had named Mark Forseth as the CEO of HTC beginning in January 2017. Elroy Hedde of Nielsville and Kent Wavra of Bygland were all re-elected as representatives to the board of

directors and Evan Hellerud of Shelly was elected to the board. Congratulations to them!HTC gave away six 32-inch HD TVs to Wally Oien, Curt Orsland, Gene Thompson, Luverne Paulsrud, and Charlie Sylvester plus coffee mugs with a Starbucks gift card to MaryAnn Strand and Beatrice Swenson. Win Cash winners of $25 were Mike Anderson and Naomi Bjorke. Leon Thoreson and Alice McDonald each won $100. n

Winners at annual meeting were (l-r): Leon Thoreson, Gene Thompson, Wally Oien, Charles Sylvester, Beatrice Swenson, MaryAnn Strand, Alice McDonald, Naomi Bjorke, Luverne Paulsrud, and Curt Orsland.

Annual Meeting Recap

to be. Kathy has been with the cooperative for 38 years and will be retiring at the end of 2016.Throughout her career at HTC, Kathy has worked in all areas of customer service rising to the roll to customer service coordinator where she supervises all the billing within the cooperative. “I’ve truly been blessed working here. It has

been an absolute pleasure to serve the members of HTC. She and her husband Tom plan to do lots of traveling during retirement and they have a new grandbaby on the way. “It’s bitter sweet. I’m looking forward to being this next stage of life, but it’s hard to believe I won’t be coming to work every day. We have a new grandbaby due in a few months and it will be fun to spend time being grandma.”CEO Tom Maroney will also be retiring this year. Starting in 1975, Tom was in the central

office keeping calls connected throughout the cooperative. He was quickly promoted to plant manager and oversaw the upgrade of the switching system, burying overhead cables, bringing internet and cable TV to HTC members, and now cellular and smart home services – quite a checklist for his 41 years at HTC. “This is just a

great industry,” states Tom. “I’m going to miss the friends I’ve made over the years.”With retirement right in front of him, he and his wife Kathy plan to spend a lot of time at the lake and traveling, but plan to keep Halstad as their home base, “The Valley is just a great place to live,” says Tom. “Everyone cares here and takes care of each other.” Congratulations Kevin, Kathy, and Tom. Thank you for your service to the members of HTC and best of luck to you in the future! n

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BYLAND893-2101 Amy StorbakkenCLIMAX857-2015 Rachel Laferriere857-2121 Bailey SolheimFISHER891-3747 Jason & Amanda Abrahamson891-2224 Athena Threatt891-2223 Charles & Maryann Averill891-2203 Patrick & Ruby Baranski891-2169 Tyler & Karissa Beckman891-2160 Megan Beiswenger891-4847 Lannis Bergsgaard891-1439 Dacian Bienek891-1689 Janey Blokzyl891-2178 Michael Blow891-1823 Vincent Brekken891-2310 Dorothy Brule891-2840 Daniel Cailler891-2047 Bill Cassavant891-2172 Lenny Chappuis891-5640 Bonnie Christians891-6603 David Colborn891-2640 Shawn & Lisa Cormican891-3757 Paul Cwikla891-5777 Darrell & Ruth Cymbaluk891-7867 Troy & Mary Cymbaluk891-1333 Dan’s Flying Service Inc.891-2185 Kristi Delage891-2184 Kal & Lisa Desrosier891-5650 Linus & Catherine Desrosier891-1856 Donarski Brothers Inc.891-2171 Donarski Brothers Inc.891-2152 Gene & Cindy Donarski891-2181 Eugene Dufault891-5505 Kevin & Heather Dufault891-2182 Michael & Caroline Dufault891-2161 Eric Erdman891-5112 Scott & Kathy Erdmann891-2170 Adam Forness891-3630 Paula Gaber891-5525 Mike & Connie Gasper891-6318 Mike & Connie Gasper891-7620 Dan & Sara Geist891-2579 Kim Gillette891-3149 Michael Gregg891-5517 Debra Hanson891-5249 Duane & Karen Hanson891-2176 Duane & Tami Hennager891-2154 Joe & Peggy Henry891-6291 Gary & Lori Hoerner

891-1528 David & Ida Hoppe891-1975 Morris Hovelsrud891-2159 Phil & Vicki Huck891-2173 Kim Ihringer891-2153 Mandi Janek891-6552 Barbara Janssen891-2101 Clayton Johnson891-2179 Gary Knutson891-2174 Michelle Lacoursiere891-6286 Sharon Lanctot891-5431 Sheila Laporte891-2050 Melvin Larson891-2566 Craig Larson891-2168 Scott & Cheryl Manteufel891-2556 Mark Pester RP Farms Inc.891-7027 Mark Pester RP Farms Inc.891-1979 Adam Maruska891-2167 Andrea McDonald891-2156 Christine Meine891-1961 Josh Michaelson891-3321 Mike Muir891-5900 Willard Nephew891-1438 James & Shannon Noah891-1288 Darlene Normandin891-2158 Christine Olson891-3938 Fred Parnow891-2705 Carol Perreault891-2589 David & Bonnie Paul891-2167 Tiffaney Persson891-6308 Jennifer Peterson-Ross891-5178 John & Shawn Regan891-5608 Leroy & Shirley Reitmeier891-3950 Lloyd Reitmeier891-2297 Ken Robinson891-5115 Lee Rondorf891-2186 Lori Schlenker-Geffre891-6983 Ted Schraeder891-1963 Richie Simmons891-1085 Eric Stewart891-1499 Craig & Leah Stroot891-6708 David Sylvester891-7619 Gordon Terpstra891-4699 Jean Tester891-5555 Terry Tollefson891-4636 David Trousil891-6892 Alan Trudeau891-2175 Alan Twedell891-4551 Mitchell & Angelica Weasner891-3155 Jochum Wiersma891-2163 Lee Wilhelm

New Connections

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HALSTAD456-6628 George Aalgaard456-2424 Helen Berg456-2205 Samuel Borchert456-2270 Alica Boyd456-2521 Brock Carlson456-2535 David Delong456-2155 Daniel Fitzpatrick456-2300 Mildred Hall457-2050 Steve & Vicki Harris456-2176 Maggie Hermann456-2410 Florence Martine456-2250 Wilma Ness456-2103 Joseph Romero456-2233 Raymond & Gloria Romero456-2122 Donald Rude456-2210 Luke Waddell456-2277 Mary Ann WillNIELSVILLE946-2023 Jeff SpicerSHELLY886-6006 John Lowe886-6020 Larry Rude

HILLSBORO636-2233 Peter & Tracy Burdette636-4577 Brad Ebbinghausen636-5137 Herbert Fleischer636-5206 Hillsboro Campground, Inc.636-2040 Dana & Dawn Kaldor636-2244 Tom McInnes Jr.636-2057 Kimberley McRitchie636-2087 NDDOT636-9652 Gary Pedersen636-2041 Rahr Malting636-2042 Rahr Malting636-2046 Rahr Malting636-2199 Spruce Lane H.B.636-2200 Spruce Lane H.B.636-2133 Tot Spot Hillsboro636-2320 Traill County States Attorney636-2322 Traill County States Attorney636-2089 Matthew Williams

New Connections

Programming costs continue to rise and unfortunately as a result, the cable prices will also need to go up. Currently, the unbundled Basic Vision cable price is $69.95 and of that amount $61.41 goes towards programming costs. The remainder is what we use to maintain and upgrade the system. The pie chart below shows how we group the channels and what percentage they are of the programming costs.

Currently we are negotiating with one of our major sports channels and our buying group is negotiating with one of the major networks that controls several news and entertainment channels on our system. Those prices will undoubtedly increase. We are estimating that programming cost will increase to $67.60 in 2017.All this being said, starting January 1, 2017 the rates for unbundled Basic Vision cable will increase by $10 to $79.95 and the Broadcast Vision cable price will increase by $5 to $29.95. We have very little ability to drive or control ourprograming costs. What we can control is the ability tooffer you the best service we can! n

TV PRICING

Sports-28%

Entertainment19%Local-15%

Kids&Family9%

Lifestyle8%

ExtraFees7%

News7%Music4% Movies3%

Starting January 1, 2017Basic Vision $79.95

Broadcast Vision $29.95

Movies 3%Music 4%News 7%

Extra Fees 7%

Lifestyle 8%

Kids & Family 9%

Local 15%

Entertainment 19%

Sports 28%

Sports - 13 Channels

Entertainment - 26 Channels

Local - 21 Channels

Kids & Family - 20 Channels

Lifestyle - 25 Channels

Extra Fees

News - 13 Channels

Music - 57 Channels

Movies - 7 Channels

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Minnesota state law required all telephone books be recycled. HTC encourages all customers in both Minnesota and North Dakota to recycle their directories.You may drop off your May 2015 telephone directory at the following places:

• Dale’s Food Pride, Hillsboro• Olsen Hardware & Appliace, Hillsboro• Judy’s Café, Shelly • HTC Pay Station, Nielsville• Pete’s One Stop, Climax • Cenex C-store, Fisher• HTC Offices in Halstad & Hillsboro

Recycle Your Telephone Directory

Submit your entry to be one of two $25 winners. Also, all entries that we receive during the year (winners or not) will be eligible for two $100 cash prizes, to be drawn at the annual meeting in June 2016! (Must be present to win the $100.) Return this coupon by January 15, 2016, to be eligible for the drawing.

WIN CASHFROM HTC!

Congratulations to the $100 Winners:Leon Thoreson, Climax

Alice McDonald, HillsboroCongratulations to Last Issue’s

$25 Winners:Mike Anderson

Naomi Bjorke, Hillsboro

Name:_______________________________

Phone:_______________________________Fill in the blank in this sentence:

“It has been a great place to be ______ and raise

a___________.”(Answer can be found somewhere in this issue.)

When you dial 711 you reach the Telecommunications Relay Service. This free service provides assistance to anyone who is hard of hearing, deaf, or speech disabled through the use of specially trained communications assistants. 711 provides full telephone accessibility to everyone and is available 24 hours a day,

365 days a year.Calling around the world or next door has never been easier for you! Fore more information on how to use Telecommunications Relay Services, see pages two (2) and three (3) in your May 2016 Halstad Telephone Company Directory. n

Dial 7-1-1 when you need help using the telephone

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form found at www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to the USDA by mail at:U.S. Department of AgricultureDirector, Office of Adjudication1400 Independence Avenue SWWashington, DC 20250-9410

For more information on filing a complaint, you may contact the Office of Adjudication Customer Service Unit at (866) 632-9932 or (202) 401-0216 (TDD).

Statement of Nondiscrimination

Steve Williams – President ............................ FisherDuane Evenson – Vice President ..................ClimaxLori DeLong – Secretary/Treasurer ............. HalstadDan Christianson ....................................... HillsboroRon Gotteberg .............................................. HalstadElroyHedde ...............................................NielsvilleJeff Neil .......................................................... ShellyKent Wavra .................................................ByglandTom Maroney ................................................... CEO

EmployeesMark Forseth ............................Operations ManagerKeith Meyer .............. Business Systems TechnicianKathy Maroney ....... Customer Service CoordinatorPauleen Hinkley ...........................Customer ServiceTracy Holte ..................................Customer ServiceSheri Ketterl .................................Customer ServiceMelanie Nelson ............................Customer ServiceBrandon Mickelson ...Network Service CoordinatorChad Tice ....................Network Service TechnicianKevin Richter ..................... Operations CoordinatorRod Erickson ...........................................TechnicianJohn Hilley ..............................................TechnicianJake Quern ..............................................TechnicianAndy Shulstad .........................................TechnicianOle Van Den Einde ..................................TechnicianDave Weeding .........................................TechnicianTom Keeney ............................................. Custodian

Steve Williams – President ............................ FisherDuane Evenson – Vice President ..................ClimaxLori DeLong – Secretary/Treasurer ............. HalstadDan Christianson ....................................... HillsboroRon Gotteberg .............................................. HalstadElroy Hedde ..............................................NielsvilleEvan Hellerud ................................................ ShellyKent Wavra .................................................ByglandTom Maroney ................................................... CEO

Officers & Directors

We have a number of members who have checks waiting for them. Capital Credits are paid out to members for the services they have received from HTC. Capital Credits are one of the great perks of being a member of HTC, along with having a voice in the management of your cooperative.

Please go to halstadtel.com, and at the bottom of the page, click on HERE in the link: UNCASHED CAPITAL CREDIT CHECKS. Or scan this QR code:

Unclaimed Capital Credits

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days.

Put an end to annoying telemarketing calls! Visit www.donotcall.gov to register your phone today!

Annoyed by Telemarketing Calls?

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PO Box 55 • Halstad, MN 56548

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage Paid

Halstad, MNPermit #17

Halstad Office345 2nd Ave. W. • 218-456-2125

Hillsboro Office124 E. Caledonia Ave. • 701-636-2125

After-Hours Troubles: 800-300-1687Help Desk: 218-891-3006

or 888-891-3006

halstadtel.com • 800-457-2125

Christmas: HTC will close at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23 and will reopen on Tuesday, December 27.

New Year’s: HTC will be closed Monday, January 2, 2017.

Holiday Closing