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BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP1Bowling is more than just a pastime in Wishek; it’s a cherished tradition. Lucky Lanes bowling alley is where generations of bowlers have gathered for nearly 50 years to roll strikes and spares. Yet through the years, not one bowler has bowled a perfect game… until now.Wishek native and Town & Country Bottle Shop owner Curt Brandner was bowling as he usually does on Monday league night when he bowled the lanes’ first 300 game! To recognize his accomplishment, BEK Communications Cooperative awarded him $300.“Bowling a perfect game is a big accomplishment,” says Bill Becker, BEK Board of Directors. “Curt’s perfect game represents the spirit of excellence and dedication that we value at BEK.” Becker had the idea of recognizing perfect games at both the Wishek and Napoleon bowling alleys about five years ago. Since then, four bowlers in Napoleon have bowled perfect games, along with Brandner. “Our members support us all year,” says Becker. This is just one small way that we can support them back.”For Brandner, BEK’s recognition represents the heart of the cooperative. “BEK never forgets about the small towns and how they began. I really appreciate that.”BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE MAY 2024MEET THE CANDIDATESMeet the Members Running for BEK Board of Directors.PAGE 3CALLING THE SHOTSBEK TV Congratulates Play-by-Play Award Winners.PAGE 5TOASTING 125 YEARS OF HISTORYTwo Towns Gear Up for Summer Celebrations.PAGE 6888.475.2361bek.coopWishek Bowler Strikes PerfectionBEK Recognizes Small-Town AccomplishmentsLucky Lanes - Wishek, ND

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP2As we near closer to our Annual Meeting, it’s a great moment to reflect on what truly defines us as a cooperative and what binds us together. At the very core of our existence lies the seventh principle of cooperatives: Care for Community. It’s a principle that resonates deeply with the essence of who we are at BEK.From our humble beginnings, the spirit of members-serving-members has been our driving force. Seventy-two years ago, when nobody else was willing to provide essential telephone services to our rural areas, we didn’t wait for someone to step in; we took matters into our own hands and built something remarkable. That spirit, that determination to serve our community, has been our guiding light through the years.To keep that light glowing, it takes a team. As part of that team, your right to vote and actively participating in the operation of our cooperative is not just a privilege, it’s a duty we owe to ourselves and our community. Your voice matters, and it shapes the direction we take.The Annual Meeting isn’t just a gathering; it’s a celebration of our shared history, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the triumphs we’ve achieved. As we welcome new members from District V into our fold, let’s embrace them with open arms and show them what it truly means to be part of BEK.At BEK, everything we do, every product and service we oer, is geared towards empowering our members to succeed. Because when our members win, we all win. Together, we’re stronger, more resilient, and capable of achieving remarkable things.So, I urge each and every one of you to join us at the Annual Meeting, to cast your vote for the directors who will steer our cooperative into the future. Your participation is not just a formality; it’s a demonstration of your commitment to our community and our collective success.Our journey is far from over, but with your unwavering support, I have no doubt that the best is yet to come.DERRICK BULAWA Chief Executive Ocer Community: Embracing Our Cooperative RootsAnnual Meeting Unites Members, Shapes FutureFROM THE CEOThe BEK Beacon is a bimonthly 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 IVSecretary/Treasurer William (Bill) BeckerWishekGerald BurlackWishekMAY 20242023 ANNUAL REPORTCONNECTIONSHOMETOWN ROOTS, CREATING CONNECTIONS.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP3Growing up on a farm in Dickey County, Jim Haussler remembers his father’s strong commitment to cooperatives. His Dad served on several cooperative boards-electric, telephone, elevator, and oil. He sees running for District V West Director as a natural extension of his upbringing and looks forward to being a part of BEK’s membership-driven mission and its cutting-edge technology.Jim’s career was spent in education as a teacher/coach, along with stints as an assistant principal, activities director and superintendent of Bismarck Public Schools. Today, he is the Manager of the MDU Resources Community Bowl on the campus of BSC. Jim and his wife, Julie, live in rural Burleigh County and have five children and five grandchildren. In his spare time, Jim enjoys family, gardening, pheasant hunting, and rural life.Charlie Dunbar Baldwin, NDDistrict V West Bismarck, MandanCharlie Dunbar brings nearly two decades of experience in Information Technology to his candidacy for Director of District V West. Currently serving as Chief Information Ocer at Innovative Energy Alliance Cooperative, comprised of four electric cooperatives, Charlie has a strong background in cooperative work. His career has instilled in him a deep interest in the operations of BEK, especially with the expansion of BEK Fiber into Morton and Oliver counties, bringing broadband to rural areas, where it’s needed most.Originally from Dickinson, Charlie resides with his wife, Lynette, on a hobby farm in rural Baldwin. They have two grown children. In his spare time, Charlie assumes the role of a ranch hand alongside his wife, tending to cows and chickens on their property. He also enjoys learning to play guitar and restoring classic cars.Jim Haussler Bismarck, NDDistrict V West Bismarck, MandanDISTRICT V WESTEdwin Everson HannafordDistrict V East Valley City, Hannaford, Tower City, Fingal, Alice, NomeBrett Stroh (Incumbent) Tappen, NDDistrict II Pettibone, Robinson, Steele, Tappen, TuttleBrett Stroh is the current Chairman of the BEK Communications Cooperative Board of Directors. Brett has served on the Board for 24 years, 12 of them as Chairman. He says he’s proud to be serving District II and has enjoyed being a part of all the changes that BEK has experienced through the years.Brett has worked as an electrician for Shipley Electric since 1997. He and his wife, Kris, live on their Tappen farm in Kidder County and have two adult children and two grandchildren. Together, Brett and Kris enjoy their involvement in their community and church. Edwin (Ed) Everson was born and raised in Hannaford and is running for the BEK Board of Directors because of his profound respect for BEK Communications Cooperative. Ed is proud to have been the first resident in the Hannaford area to receive BEK’s Fiber internet.Ed’s career included working in construction and as a manager with the Miller Elevator Company, from where he retired. Ed currently serves as Hannaford City Auditor and donates his time to running the books at the Stri-King Lanes bowling alley in Hannaford.Ed and his wife, Cindy, have been married 49 years. Together, they have six children and nine grandchildren. Ed and Cindy spend much of their time traveling to their grandchildren’s activities and events.DISTRICT IIDISTRICT V EASTMeet the Candidates for Board of Directors

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP4Call Before You DigAs spring arrives and people gear up for outdoor projects, there’s a crucial step that they should remember: Call 811 before digging! This is the time of season when many people begin projects on their properties that require digging, like planting trees, building fences, and installing underground sprinklers. Below the ground, there are important lines buried, like BEK fiber and other utilities. Calling 811 helps mark these underground lines with paint or flags, keeping you safe from accidentally hitting one of them during your project.Hitting a buried line can have serious consequences, from injuries to service disruptions and expensive repairs. So, before starting your spring projects, take a moment to call 811 or visit www.call811.com to keep yourself and your property safe.Know what’s below.Call 811 or 1.800.795.0555 at least 48 hours before you dig.North Dakota One-Call - Cable LocationBefore thewhoops...Anderson Darin 845-5837 Valley CityAnderson Scott J 749-2177 Tower CityHatzenbuhler John 663-9150 MandanKid Charlie 754-4190 KintyreQuill Gordon 663-2110 MandanRohrick Daryl 254-4245 LintonSorch Travis 734-2262 WiltonThundering Saints 490-3321 Valley CityNEW PHONE LISTINGSNAME PHONE CITY REFER-A-FRIENDSCANQRCODEYou can earn $100 every time you refer a friend to sign up for one or more of our services. A $100 credit will show up on your bill the month after your friend activates their service.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP5BEK TV Brings Home Three Eric Sevareid AwardsBEK TV is pleased to announce the outstanding recognition earned by three of its sportscasters at the recent Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association’s Eric Sevareid Awards ceremony in Minneapolis! Honored for their outstanding contributions to Sports Play-by-Play in a small market are: • Chris Brintle – 1st Place • Dan Doherty – Award of Merit • Brett Loftis – Award of MeritBrintle, Doherty, and Loftis have distinguished themselves among the industry’s finest, reflecting their unwavering commitment to delivering high-caliber sports coverage. BEK TV takes great pride in their achievements, underscoring our dedication to upholding standards of excellence in broadcasting. Congratulations!The Eric Sevareid Awards are named for the North Dakota-born and University of Minnesota-educated journalist best known for his work as a correspondent for CBS Radio and Television. Each year, the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association presents awards to the best work done by broadcast news operations and journalists working in small, medium, and large markets in a six-state region on radio, television, and online.BEK TV has become the largest television broadcaster of high school and collegiate athletics in the region, broadcasting more than 400 live events each year. The BEK sports team has received recognition from all over the country for its achievements, including more than 30 Eric Sevareid awards, along with awards from the North Dakota High School Coaches Association and rural civic organizations.Chris Brintle - 1st PlaceWinner 2 Years Back-to-BackDan Doherty - Award of MeritBrett Loftis - Award of Merit

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP6Join us this summer as the towns of Linton and Wilton celebrate their 125th anniversaries with multi-day quasiquicentennial festivities! BEK will be at each of the town’s parade activities. Come and join the fun! Linton was named after George W. Lynn, who settled in Emmons County in 1885. He was a farmer, lawyer, and publisher of the Emmons County Free Press.Linton’s 125th Celebration July 3-7 | Parades on July 4th and 5thOther Events Include: kuchen eating contest, free pool day, magic show, golf tournament, derby show, drone showMore Information: https://www.lintonnd125.com/Wilton was named by General W.D. Washburn after the town of Wilton in his native state of Maine. With only three or four buildings and a half dozen residents at its start, the community has eventually grown into a thriving town of commercial properties and more than 800 residents.Wilton Celebration July 12-14 | Parade on July 13thOther Events Include: pop-up museum, street dance, community meal, tractor show, ax throwing, duck races, opening of time capsuleMore Information: https://myevent.com/wilton125Fun Facts About the Year 1899 • William McKinley was President • Frederick Bartlett Fancher became North Dakota’s Governor • Spanish-American War Peace Treaty was ratified • The oldest living person is born (died at age 117 in 2016) • First American is killed by a motor vehicle • Voting machines are approved for federal elections by Congress • The Great Blizzard of 1899 struck southern states, freezing Florida’s citrus industryCheers to 125 Years!Towns In BEK Service Area Unite in CelebrationBroadway, Linton, ND, 1915“Soo” Depot, Wilton, ND, 1913

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP7Barbecue BeansSUBMITTED BY: MARY BETH SCHUMACHER FROM NAPOLEON, NDINGREDIENTS:1 lb. hamburger1 onion1 c. sugar1 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce2 tbsp. brown sugar2 tbsp. vinegar2 cans pork and beanssalt & pepperSubmit a recipe to Dakota Table. If we publish your recipe, we will mail you some kitchen goodies!DIRECTIONS:1. Chop onions and set aside.2. Brown hamburger, and drain the grease.3. Add onions, and sauté until browned.4. In a seperate bowl, combine sugar, Worchestershire sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and salt and pepper. Pour mixture over hamburger. 5. Add both cans of pork and beans, and blend together.6. Transfer to a baking dish, and bake at 350˚ for 35 minutes. Submit your favorite recipe to Dakota Table by mailing it to: PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482 or email bekcomm@bektel.coopRecipes will be randomly drawn for a chance to be published in the Beacon.Participates only have the opportunity to win once.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP82024 ANNUAL MEETINGCONNECTIONSHOMETOWN ROOTS, CREATING CONNECTIONS.2024 ANNUAL MEETINGAdvanced Notice ofRegistration & Beef Supper | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pmTHURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024 | KIDDER COUNTY SCHOOLEnter through the northeast entrance of Kidder County SchoolBEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting | 7:00 pmMeeting is conducted in the Kidder County School gymnasiumThe 2024 BEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting is taking place on June 13th this year. BEK has entrusted Survey and Ballot Systems with the task of managing our election process. If you requested a mail-in or electronic ballot because you are not able to vote in person (Request deadline was May 3, 2023), you will receive the mail-in or electronic ballot around May 14. Please be sure to do the following: ☑ Sign your Mail-In Ballot. ☑ Return Mail-In Ballot in the provided postage-paid envelope. ☑ Survey & Ballot System must receive your ballot by June 11th to be counted.Mail-In Ballot must be mailed using the included return envelope; they cannot be delivered in person or left in the drop box. If you did not request a mail-in ballot, please know that to vote, you must do so in person at the Annual Meeting.For more information on this year’s new Annual Meeting voting procedures, please visit bek.coop/coop/annualmeeting.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP9Allison BrynBarnes County North High SchoolTy MehlhoWing High SchoolGracyn HolzerLinton High SchoolStran ResslerMandan High SchoolMalachi HuberStrasburg High SchoolRiley RichterLinton High SchoolAbigial HulmLinton High SchoolEsther SteinkeHope-Page High SchoolAlexander TernesLegacy High SchoolGrace KeeneyHazelton-Mot-Braddock High School2024 Scholarship WinnersBEK Communications received a total of 36 scholarship applications from high school Seniors throughout BEK’s service area. Congratulations to our ten $500 scholarship winners!Congratulations to this year’s scholarship winners! We are immensely proud of your achievements and wish you all the best as you embark on the next chapter of your academic journey.Weekdaysat 7:00 AMbektv.plus2024 ANNUAL MEETINGCONNECTIONSHOMETOWN ROOTS, CREATING CONNECTIONS.2024 ANNUAL MEETINGAdvanced Notice ofRegistration & Beef Supper | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pmTHURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024 | KIDDER COUNTY SCHOOLEnter through the northeast entrance of Kidder County SchoolBEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting | 7:00 pmMeeting is conducted in the Kidder County School gymnasium

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP10The SmartBiz wayto protect your smallbusiness onlineCommunity Partnership Program (CPP)2024 Spring Grant RecipientsBEK Communications is proud of the strong foundation it established, more than 70 years ago, to serve its member-owners. Community is what BEK is all about, so it just makes sense to support and give back to the groups and organizations that make our service areas strong.Congratulations to this year’s recipients! • Abused Adult Resource Center • Central Dakota Children’s Choir • City of Wishek • City of Napoleon • Kidder County Council on Aging • Linton Park Board • SM-St. Raphael • Tuttle Senior Center • Wishek Elementary School • Zeeland Community HallThe BEK Board of Directors developed the CPP to provide support and meet the current and future needs of our communities. Grants are awarded twice a year, in the Spring and Fall. To learn more, or to apply, visit bek.coop/coop/cpp.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP11LIVE & ON-DEMANDStart Watching Now!Search for BEK TV+ in your favorite app store, whether it’s the iOS, Apple TV, Google Play, Android, Roku or FireTV. Start streaming now for only $9.99/month!Introducing BEK TV+Live and On-DemandBEK TV proudly presents BEK TV+, your all-in-one streaming app for LIVE and on-demand sports, news, and commentary.Watch Anytime, Anywhere!Enjoy the best in regional Sports and News anywhere with BEK TV+! Watch the buzzer beater time and time again on your TV or mobile device with on-demand.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE200 East Broadway, PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482ECRWSS LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER1How many candidates are running for Director in District 5-East?2What 2 towns are celebrating 125 years this summer?3TRIVIA ENTRYENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 13, 2024Name: ______________________________________________________________________Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________Town: _______________________________________________________________________Clip and send to BEK at:PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482 You also can email answers to bekcomm@bektel.coop We will be drawing for twenty $5.00 credits to be applied to the winners’ bill.CONGRATS! TO OUR BEACON MARCH WINNERSBEACON TRIVIAPolly Becker | LintonAllison Martindale | BismarckRodney Feist | ZeelandSusan Lofthus | WiltonCarolyn Maresh | Valley CityGertrude Loibl | FingalElaine Jochim | WishekKelsey Roehrich | WiltonCaroline Maw | TappenKathy Fallgatter | SteeleMary Ann Gefroh | LintonJanet Brown | Valley CityKent Lettenmaier | SanbornWalter Klein | ZeelandAlice Deho | BinfordWilma Wiest | WishekCurt Nieuwsma | StrasburgJerry Doan | McKenzieDennis Nieswaag | PettiboneFaye Graalum | Valley CityWhat is the name of the bowling alley in Wishek?