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BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVEDECEMBER 2024 DIGITAL ISSUESINCE 1952LOCAL GAMES TO NATIONAL FAMENoah Reed’s Journey from BEK to ESPNPAGE 3MURDER LIVETransforming Podcast Magic to Visual ThrillsPAGE 5LEMMON UNLEASHEDA Journey Through Time and CulturePAGE 4888.475.2361bek.coopAt BEK, we’re more than just a cooperative; we’re a family. As part of that family, you’re a big part of what makes this season so special! We’re excited to invite you to join in on the festivities at our Christmas Open Houses! Bismarck Oce923 E Interstate Ave December 4th and 5th 10:00 am – 3:00 pmEnjoy Cider, Sweet Treats & Door PrizesValley City Oce220 4th St. NE December 4th and 5th 10:00 am – 3:00 pmEnjoy Cider, Sweet Treats & Door PrizesSteele Oce200 Broadway Ave E December 18 1:00 pm – 3:00 pmSteele Betterment Open House and Poker RunWe’re looking forward to seeing you and celebrating all the things that make our communities so wonderful.Happy Holidays from all of us at BEK! Celebrate the Season at BEK’s Christmas Open Houses Where Holiday Cheer Awaits You!
If you like what you read in this monthly Beacon publication, we encourage you to subscribe today to receive future editions electronically. Beginning in the new year, the Beacon will become an all-digital publication. This means you’ll enjoy all the news, updates, and stories you love, conveniently delivered straight to your email inbox.Stay connected with BEK and your community by subscribing at www.bek.coop/coop/beacon.Stay informed, stay connected, and stay digital with the Beacon!Baby, it’s cold outside… but your TV screen will be hot all winter! Get ready for an exciting lineup of live winter sports on BEK TV! This season, we’re proud to bring you the best in local and regional athletics, featuring a fantastic mix of rural and metro high school basketball, hockey, and wrestling. But that’s not all—our coverage also includes thrilling college matchups that you won’t want to miss.Whether you’re cheering on your hometown heroes or catching the rising stars of the future, BEK TV is your home for live competitive sports action. Check out the schedule here: www.bek.tv/schedule#/.Stay tuned and bundle up for another unforgettable season of winter sports!The BEK Beacon is a monthly newsletter published by BEK Communications, © 2024. 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 72 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 IVSec./Treas. William (Bill) BeckerWishekDISTRICT V EASTEdwin (Ed) EversonHannafordDISTRICT V WESTCharlie DunbarBaldwinDECEMBER 2024Reminder: Beacon Goes Digital in New YearSubscribe Today!Winter Sports Are Back on BEK TVCatch All the Live Action!CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS
The BEK Marketing team participated in the 2024 ND Telco Marketing Conference held in Dickinson, ND, from November 5-7. This year’s theme, “Growing Together, Cultivating Success,” emphasized collaboration and growth among marketing professionals from telephone cooperatives across North Dakota. The event featured opportunities for attendees to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and gain insights from speakers, including Carissa Swenson, Executive Director of the Broadband Association of North Dakota (BAND). One of the conference’s key highlights was the Idea Sharing session, where each cooperative presented standout projects they had worked on throughout the year, fostering inspiration and innovation among peers.For most aspiring sports broadcasters, making it to the big leagues is a distant dream. But Noah Reed isn’t like most broadcasters. Today, he credits his time at BEK for launching his career all the way to ESPN.Noah was a 22-year old college graduate from Indiana when he arrived in Bismarck. He recalls only having announced a total of four televised games at that point. By the end of his first week at BEK, he had called more than double that! Jumping right into the deep end, Noah quickly amassed invaluable experience, calling upwards of 75 to 100 games a year, which forced him to make mistakes and improve. Whether it was high school, collegiate, or even semi-professional sports, BEK provided him a unique environment for growth. “The broadcaster and person I was at the start compared to the end of my time at BEK was completely dierent,” he says. BEK’s commitment to hands-on learning allowed Noah to develop his skills in real time. In his time at BEK, he was able to call a range of sports at every level, including the 2021 Indoor Football League Game of the Week, which ultimately helped put him on ESPN’s radar.But for Noah, his time at BEK wasn’t just about the games; it was about the people. “I told myself I’d only be in Bismack for two years, but those two years turned into five, and the main reason was the people I got to work with and spend time with.” From seasoned professionals who shared their expertise, to peers who oered camaraderie and constructive feedback, Noah found a network of support that helped him thrive. He fondly remembers colleagues like Jordan Hassler, who gave him his first shot, and Zac Honer, who became not just a trusted coworker but also a lifelong friend and traveling companion in his current ESPN role.Noah says his time at BEK laid the foundation for a career at the pinnacle of sports broadcasting, a journey he describes with deep gratitude. As he continues to live his dream with ESPN, he hasn’t forgotten his roots. “I still keep in touch with the people I worked with at BEK, some of them pretty much daily,” he says. Noah’s success is both an inspiration and a reminder of what’s possible with passion and perseverance. And for BEK TV, seeing one of their own make it to the big leagues is a proud moment, and proof that their mission of nurturing talent truly makes an impact.Marketing Team Goes to Telco Marketing EventFrom BEK TV to the Big LeaguesNoah Reed’s Journey to ESPN Stardom
In the latest episode of My Hometown on BEK TV, viewers are treated to a captivating exploration of Lemmon, South Dakota. Host Patti Armstrong delves into the town’s rich history and vibrant culture, highlighting local landmarks like the Grand River Museum and the sculptures of renowned artist John Lopez.The episode not only revisits Lemmon’s historical significance but also showcases its thriving community life through events such as the Thunder Hawk Wide Open bike race. This feature provides a thorough look at what makes Lemmon a unique and charming place in South Dakota.If you missed the live airing, no worries! You can watch the episode, and all past episodes, on-demand through the BEK TV+ app. Just visit www.bektv.plus/series/myhometown to watch anytime on-demand.We know that community is the heart of everything we do at BEK. For more than 70 years, we’ve been dedicated to connecting our members, not just with state-of-the-art communication services, but also with each other. That’s why we’re proud to bring community announcements directly to all our members, keeping everyone informed and engaged with events that make our towns and neighborhoods great. Have an event you’d like to share? Submit it to our online calendar at bek.coop/coop/community-calendar, and we’ll feature it on our social media pages. Together, let’s celebrate and support community events!A Hidden Gem on My HometownVisit Lemmon, SDBuilding Connected CommunitiesSubmit a Community Calendar EventCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSParental Controls Made for Modern Families.Manage all your home's Wi-Fi devices—game systems, smart TVs, phones, tablets, and more—with customizable parental controls. Set individual screen time limits, filter content, track usage, and even schedule bedtime or pause devices with the touch of a button.SET THE RULESTHEMWE’LL ENFORCE
In a captivating evening at Belle Mehus Auditorium in Bismarck, known aectionately as The Belle, BEK TV once again brought the chilling allure of Midwest Murder: True Crime Stories to life before a live audience. This marks the second time that the show has been recorded in front of a live audience, providing an engaging experience for true crime enthusiasts. Hosts Dawn Palumbo and Jonah Lantto delved into yet another harrowing tale of crime that disrupted the peace of a seemingly tranquil Midwest community. Their compelling storytelling and insightful analysis underscore why Midwest Murder has risen to become a top 200 trending podcast worldwide. The transition from audio-only podcast to a visual show on BEK TV+ has allowed the series to expand its reach and impact, bringing these critical stories to a broader audience.Don’t miss this episode, titled The Hitman and the Hairdresser in an upcoming episode of Midwest Murder on BEK TV or on the BEK TV+ app.Midwest Murder LiveA Night of True Crime at The BelleCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSCRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS • CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSSbek.tvSUNDAYS AT 9:00PM CTTrue Cri me Storie s of the M idwe st
The 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© 2024