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BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP1BEK TV has once again solidified its standing as a pillar of the local broadcasting community by clinching its third consecutive recognition as “Best Local TV Station”. This accolade is particularly significant because it’s voted on by the people, but it also underscores the station’s unwavering commitment to community-driven broadcasting. Since its inception in 2006, BEK TV has paved the way as the region’s premier broadcaster, notably covering hundreds of live high school and collegiate athletic events each year. Then in late 2020, BEK began producing a series of news and opinion shows. To date, BEK TV continues to be the top producer in the region of both sports and news programming, and it only continues to grow.Last year, the network made a significant stride in expanding its reach by acquiring KNGF, a station based in Eastern North Dakota. BEK TV now broadcasts its diverse programming 24/7, reaching eager viewers not just in North Dakota but also in Western Minnesota. Notably, this makes BEK TV the sole North Dakota-owned station boasting comprehensive statewide coverage.Continued on page 2...BEK TV Chosen Best of the Best for Third Consecutive YearLeading the Charge in Local Broadcasting ExcellenceBEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE OCTOBER 2023ONLINE EDITIONWE ARE COOP STRONG!Become a member today. PAGE 4HASSLEFREE HIATUSPut your services on hold while you’re away.PAGE 4DAKOTA TABLEFROSTED BANANA BARSIt doesn’t get better than banana bars with cream cheese frosting! PAGE 5888.475.2361bek.coopbek.tv2023
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP2The past year also saw BEK TV double down on its news programming. To begin with, the network produced two extensive series. The first was called “China Conquest: Inside Job” and consisted of more than 30 special reports. This series delved deep into the grassroots movement opposing the potential establishment of a Chinese-owned plant near the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Then in May, the station began a series called “Capturing America’s Heartland: CO2 Pipeline”. It illuminates the issues surrounding a proposed CO2 pipeline near Bismarck. Through its rigorous coverage, BEK TV ensured that community members had a platform to voice their concerns and were well-informed about the developments of both projects. The network also brought viewers a new program called “Legislature Today”. The show provided daily recaps from the 68th North Dakota Legislative Session, including bill drafts, voting results, and policies set into action. Then, BEK TV unveiled “BEK News Now”, hourly news, weather, and sports reports designed to keep viewers updated on recent events.BEK TV continues to add new content to its growing list of programs and sports events during the week. “Dakota Cowboy” added a segment to the show that features a weekly Student Rodeo Athlete of the Week. Likewise, a promising partnership with the North Dakota Rodeo Association allowed BEK TV to telecast professional rodeos across the state for the first time. And the Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks professional baseball games further enrich BEK TV’s sports roster. BEK’s weekly lineup continues to oer more locally produced content than any other television station in the region, with multiple new programs and sports coming this Fall.The station’s excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. BEK TV recently added three more Eric Sevareid Awards to its trophy cabinet. There are many reasons why BEK TV is set apart from the rest of local television. For one, BEK is a member-owned Cooperative, always cognizant of what the people require and want. That’s why BEK TV is committed to delivering unfiltered, community-centric content; it’s what the people have asked for. Also, BEK TV is its own network, so it doesn’t operate within the constraints of a corporate-focused company. BEK’s focus on reflecting the culture and values of North Dakota resonates with viewers, evident from its growing ratings. At a time when many corporate-owned stations are seeing a dip in viewership, BEK TV is not only holding its ground, it’s soaring high.The BEK Beacon is a bimonthly newsletter published by BEK Communications, © 2023. It is distributed without charge to all customers.BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVEwas founded in 1952 as a local telecommunications cooperative serving Burleigh, Emmons and Kidder Counties. Since then, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art infrastructure, developed new products and services, and expanded to also serve Morton, Oliver, McLean, Logan, McIntosh, Barnes, Griggs, Cass, and Steele counties. BEK has changed quite a bit in 71 years, but we’re still a small-town cooperative at heart. This institution is an equal opportunity employer.BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE 888-475-2361P.O. Box 230 200 East BroadwaySteele, ND 58482220 4th Street NortheastValley City, ND 58072923 East Interstate AvenueBismarck, ND 58503BOARD OF DIRECTORSDISTRICT IShane MorrisReganSanford WilliamsWingDISTRICT IIBob SubartRobinsonPresident Brett StrohTappenDISTRICT IIIVice President Kevin BernhardtLintonHolly WillHazeltonDISTRICT IVSecretary/Treasurer William (Bill) BeckerWishekGerald BurlackWishekOCTOBER 2023BEK TV Chosen Best of the Best for Third Consecutive Year cont...
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP3You still have time! The application deadline for The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) grant expires October 30. BEK has received $3,000 from RDFC for community-owned entities, non-profits, and community-based projects. For more information or to apply, visit bek.coop and click on Resources in the upper right-hand corner.RDFC Grant Applications Due October 30Save up to $30 a month on broadband service.Find out if you’re eligible by visiting GetInternet.gov
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP4BEK Extends Warm Invite to New Members as It Recognizes Co-Op MonthOctober brings with it more than the colors of fall; it also is National Co-Op Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating BEK Cooperative’s and its member-owners’ commitment to strengthening the local communities we serve.This October also marks an excellent occasion to extend a warm invitation to existing customers of our newly established District 5, to join our cooperative community. Cooperative members have equal voting rights regardless of their level of engagement with the cooperative’s services. They elect representatives to the Board of Directors to advocate for them and guide cooperative decisions. Members also benefit through the allocation of capital credits proportion to their usage of the cooperative’s qualifying services.District 5 consists of two regions: District 5-East, which includes Valley City and neighboring BEK-served communities, and District 5-West, including the cities of Bismarck, Mandan, and surrounding BEK-served areas. If you reside within District 5 and subscribe to qualifying BEK services, we warmly invite you to become a member today!We’ve made it easy for you to become a BEK Communications Cooperative Member! Scan the QR code below with your phone camera to access the Cooperative Membership Form or visit forms.bek.coop/membership.Fill out the form and submit it. Once submitted, visit a BEK oce to receive a complimentary “COOP STRONG” t-shirt as a thank you! For more information, visit bek.coop or call 701-475-2361.Pause Your Services While You “Snow Bird”Imagine you are going on a long vacation to a place where you won’t need your phone, internet, or TV. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could tell these services to take a break too? BEK oers a neat feature called “On Vacation” that lets you do just that!For just a one-time fee of $25, you can tell your phone, internet, or TV service to go “On Vacation” for up to a year. This means you won’t get any bills and the services will stop until you come back from your vacation and want them back on. And the cool part? You don’t have to worry about any tricky contract stu or pay extra fees to start them again. It’s like pressing the pause button on your TV remote!It’s a smart way for families to save money, especially if they are going to be away from home for a while. It’s like telling your digital services, “See you soon!” without any worries, while you go have fun or spend time with family.It’s a simple, smart, and worry-free way to manage these services without digging too deep into your pockets!Contact one of our friendly representatives for more information.
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP5Frosted Banana BarsSUBMITTED BY: MARY ANN WINKLER FROM VALLEY CITYINGREDIENTS:1 c. butter, softened1½ c. sugar2 eggs1 c. (8 oz.) sour cream1 tsp. vanilla extract2 c. all-purpose flour1 tsp. baking soda1/4 tsp. salt2 medium ripe bananas (mashed, about 1 cup)FROSTING:1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese½ c. butter, softened2 tsp. vanilla extract4 c. confectioners sugarDIRECTIONS:1. ln a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla.2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.3. Stir in bananas. Spread into greased 10½”x15”baking pan.4. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.5. Combine all frosting ingredients together. 6. Cool and frost. Store in the refrigerator. Yields 3-4 dozenSubmit your favorite recipe to Dakota Table by mailing it to: PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482 or email marketing@bektel.comRecipes will be randomly drawn for a chance to be published in the Beacon.Submit a recipe to Dakota Table. If we publish your recipe, we will mail you some kitchen goodies!
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP6BEK TV Presents: Culture Crossroads, Exploring Faith and Freedom Two Past Favorites Return – Celebrate EntrepreneursIn its continued eorts to bring new programming to its airwaves, BEK TV welcomes a new show, “Culture Crossroads,” hosted by Andrew Southwick. With a past steeped in religious guidance as a pastor, Southwick transitions into the world of broadcasting, carrying along his deep-rooted faith and acute insights. “Culture Crossroads” premieres at a time when the confluence of faith, politics, and pop culture is more apparent than ever. The show explores the links from a principled, faith-based, conservative stance, shedding light on the traditional values that often find themselves at odds or in agreement with modern cultural and political currents. Southwick brings to the table a balanced, yet passionate, perspective, all through the lens of faith.Tune into “Culture Crossroads” Sundays at 6:00pm on BEK TV to explore the intertwining paths of faith and freedom as they weave through the fabric of modern politics and pop culture.Meanwhile… BEK TV is happy to announce that it is bringing back a couple past features that viewers have been asking for.Made LocalThis month, Lori Hinz brings us a half-hour feature series called “Made Local” airing on Sundays at 5:30 pm CT. “Made Local” highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of communities throughout the state and beyond. Lori takes us to these communities to meet the people behind a variety of small and large businesses to what they produce, how they began, and what keeps them thriving.My Hometown - Holiday ShowcaseAs part of “Ladies of Another View”, BEK TV brings back “My Hometown – Holiday Showcase.” This special holiday version of the beloved “My Hometown” series features the retailers of our area and what they have to oer as the gift-giving season approaches. “Holiday Showcase” will air during the “Ladies of Another View” show beginning in October up to Christmas. A one-hour special featuring all the businesses will air in November and December.Watch for the release of these two programs!
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP7The digital BEK Beacon is a bimonthly publication distributed electronically and free of charge to all BEK customers. This digital publication is a supplement to the bimonthly printed BEK Beacon that is distributed by mail. This publication is only available online. Published by BEK Communications Cooperative© 2023