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BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP1BEK TV is seeking nominations for the Bismarck Tribune’s Best of the Best contest, and we need your help!From May 30 to June 15, please visit bismarcktribune.com/contests/best-of-the-best/ and nominate BEK TV for “Best Local TV Station”. You’ll find the ocial nomination selection under the “Sports and Entertainment” category.The top five nominations will move on to the voting phase of the contest, which begins July 11th. Winners will be published in the Tribune’s special Best of the Best publication on September 23.BEK TV has been nominated for the past two years and has won the top spot for “Best Local TV Station” both times. With your help, we’re hoping to take the title for a third consecutive year! BEK TV is home to BEK Sports, the region’s largest producer of sports and news programming. BEK Sports broadcasts more than 500 live events each year, and BEK News is the state’s largest producer of news, opinion, and entertainment programming.Nominate BEK TV for Best of the BestNomination Stage: May 30-June 15BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE JUNE 2023ONLINE EDITIONGRANTING UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIESBEK announces latest grant recipients.PAGE 3CAPTURING AMERICA’S HEARTLANDExploring the CO2 PipelinePAGE 4DAKOTA TABLEBANANA CAKEBanana cake with homemade caramel frosting! PAGE 5888.475.2361bek.coopNominate Us!Best Local TV Station2023bek.tv
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP2Warmer months often bring opportunities for travel to small towns. Luckily, many small cities within our service area have much to oer during summer months, including live rodeos, festivals and celebrations, and plenty of outdoor recreation. Plus, these small communities have some of the best locally-owned shops and restaurants in the state! They provide an opportunity for family togetherness and relaxation.When you visit a small-town, you’re playing a part in helping that town remain a rich part of North Dakota. Tourism to small cities has many benefits:• Generates employment and income within the town• Creates a market and appreciation for local products and services• Provides incentives to preserve the history and culture of a townPlus, small town vacations are easy to plan! You can visit them at your own pace without fighting crowds or trac, and they don’t require as much pre-scheduling.BEK believes small towns are the backbone of North Dakota. That’s why we also travel to many small and rural communities in our service area. We encourage you to do the same this summer! For ideas on which small towns to visit, check out BEK TV’s My Hometown series, where we tell unique stories and explore the rich history of the little towns that make up the heart of North Dakota. To learn how these communities were founded, and meet the people who live there, visit bek.news/myhometown.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 IIISecretary/Treasurer Kevin BernhardtLintonHolly WillHazeltonDISTRICT IVVice President William (Bill) BeckerWishekGerald BurlackWishekJUNE 2023Summer Tourism Can Be Lifeblood to Small, Rural Towns Join the Ladies of Another View as they discover the unique stories and explore the rich history of rural North Dakota communities.Watch on BEK TV or Online at bek.newsbek.newsKNDB CH-26BISMARCK • DICKINSONKNDM CH-24MINOT • WILLISTONKNGF CH-27FARGO • GRAND FORKS
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP3Only as Strong as Our Communities 2023 Grant RecipientsCommunity is the heart of the mission of BEK Communications Cooperative. Each year through the BEK Community Partnership Program, grants are awarded to various nonprofit community organizations and groups in the BEK serving area. The BEK Board of Directors select grant recipients twice a year in April and October. There are many community-owned businesses, facilities, and nonprofit organizations in the small communities we serve.Congratulations to the following grant recipients selected in April:• Page Park Board• Steele Police Department• Robinson Fire Department• Wilton Pioneer Activity Center• Lehr Fire Department• Linton Senior Citizens Club• City of Wishek/Wishek Civic Center• Wishek Park Board• Wishek Elementary School• Wishek Public School• Church of St. HildegardThe next application deadline is September 29. Consider applying for a BEK grant online at bek.coop/coop/cpp. Applicants must be a tax-exempt nonprofit community organization or group within the BEK Communications Cooperative serving area, within a BEK fiber-served area, or receiving at least one BEK service through BEK Fiber. BEK also takes an active role in community outreach and economic development projects, sponsors community events, awards scholarships to college-bound students, and delivers free services to local government.One of the recent grant recipients through the BEK Community Partnership Program says the gift is helping to keep their doors open. Beryl Hood is President of the Linton Senior Citizens Club and says the grant means more to the community than anyone could imagine. The club’s roof is leaking and in need of being replaced. Hood says the grant dollars will be used to make necessary repairs to keep the facility operational. The Linton Senior Citizens Club provides a variety of services to senior residents in Emmons County, including weekly meals, social activities, and fundraising events. It also delivers about 40 meals to seniors each day.Linton Senior Club Continues to Operate Thanks to BEK GrantL to R: Sec/Treas Kevin Bernhardt - BEK Director of District III; Duane Baer - Treasurer; Beryl Hood, President; Elsie Holzer and Judy Van Beek, Members at Large; Becky Thatcher-Keller, Grant WriterL to R: Wendlin Rohrich, Chief of Steele Police Department and President Brett Stroh, BEK Director of District II.
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP4BEK has been the area’s leader in connecting people since it began as a telecommunication cooperative in 1952. Through the years, technology has advanced greatly, and the need to find new ways of connecting people has increased. Throughout the years, BEK Care Solutions has provided solutions to medical and residential facilities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Montana. About a year ago, the manufacturer of the solution Nurse Call liked the service BEK provided to its customers and asked if BEK Care Solutions would become the exclusive provider of the product in the state of Minnesota! BEK is now serving the state and has upcoming projects scheduled in Minneapolis for next year.BEK Care Solutions is an important part of our product line, and a vital way that we can be helping communities. With this technology, hospitals and care facilities are improving patient care and clinical communication. BEK believes that better technology means excellent care.For product inquires contact Darin at 701-255-2032. BEK TV has begun broadcasting a series of reports exploring a proposed high-pressure carbon dioxide pipeline that would be built in close proximity to residential North Dakota. The pipeline has been the topic of controversy among residents and rural landowners. It would transport CO2 captured from ethanol plants in five Midwest states to an endpoint north and west of the Bismarck-Mandan area, in Oliver and Mercer counties. Capturing America’s Heartland: CO2 Pipeline invites experts on all sides of the issue to weigh in on a variety of concerns and benefits regarding building an unusually large pipeline so close to residents and property owners. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing domestic oil production, to significant technical, regulatory, and health and safety challenges, the series explores how the proposed route could aect the Heartland of America.Watch all past and current reports online at https://www.bek.news/capturingamericasheartland.BEK Cares - All the Way to MinnesotaBEK TV Presents: Capturing America’s Heartland: CO2 Pipeline
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP5Banana CakeSUBMITTED BY: MARLYS ENZMINGER FROM TAPPEN, NDINGREDIENTS:2 ¼ c. flour1 ¼ c. sugar2 ½ tsp. baking powder½ tsp. baking soda½ tsp. salt½ c. shortening⅔ c. milk2 eggs3-4 bananas (2-2½ c.)1 tsp. vanillaCaramel Frosting1 c. sugar1 c. brown sugar½ c. cream½ c. margarine or butterDIRECTIONS:1. Preheat the oven to 350°.2. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 3. In a larger bowl, combine shortening, milk, eggs, bananas and vanilla until completely mixed. 4. Begin to stir in dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients a little at a time until completely mixed.5. Pour into a greased 9”x13” baking pan and bake for 30-40 minutes.6. For the frosting, combine the sugar, brown sugar, cream and butter in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 2 minutes (Do not overcook).7. Allow the frosting to cool slightly before spreading it over the cake. Submit your favorite recipe to Dakota Table by mailing it to: PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482 or email bekcomm@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.COOP6Annual Meeting - June 8, 2023 Your Attendance is RequestedJoin us for the 71st BEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting on June 8 in Steele!As a shareholder in a cooperative business, your attendance, voice, and vote are important to the well-being of the business. The annual meeting allows members to:• Learn how the cooperative is performing.• Learn what the cooperative is investing in. • Vote for the people you want to make decisions on your behalf.• Vote on the issues that directly aect your services.The BEK Board of Directors asks all members to attend the annual meeting and vote in person. Our members are the most important part of BEK Communications Cooperative, and cooperatives survive through member engagement. Your participation plays an integral role in how we operate.Attending in person makes you eligible to win one of five door prizes:• (1) $1,000 Prize• (3) $500 Prizes• (1) 6 Months Free BEK Lightband InternetThe 2023 Annual Meeting will take place Thursday, June 8th at the Steele High School Gymnasium. Registration and beef supper will be served from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the gymnasium, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 pm. For your convenience, free childcare will be provided.2023 ANNUAL MEETINGinnovatingtogetherJUNE 8, 2023KIDDER COUNTY SCHOOLIf you are unable to attend but would still like to participate, please consider joining us on TV or online:BEK EPIC IPTV:• Channel 26 West ND• Channel 27 East NDDirecTV:• Channel 26 West ND• Channel 27 East NDDish Network:• Channel 24 West ND• Channel 27 East NDOver-the-Air:• Channel 26.1 Southwest ND• Channel 24.1 Northwest ND• Channel 27.1 East NDMidco:• Channel 609 West ND• Channel 605 East NDOnline• Facebook• bek.tv
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP7Marketing ConferenceTwo BEK employees attended the 2023 Marketing + Sales Conference in Austin, TX, April 30 – May 3, hosted by NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association. BEK Communications Cooperative is a member of NTCA, which provides continuing education opportunities throughout the year. At the annual Marketing + Sales Conference, members were exposed to the newest opportunities, trends, and tools in the industry. The conference is unique because it is tailored exclusively to community-based providers and is designed to help professionals communicate with their direct market. Plus, it’s a great networking opportunity and a chance to share ideas and successes amongst peers across the country.2023 ANNUAL MEETINGinnovatingtogetherJUNE 8, 2023KIDDER COUNTY SCHOOLBefore thewhoops...Call 811 or 1.800.795.0555 at least 48 hours before you dig.North Dakota One-Call - Cable Locationbek.newsBEK News is a unique local platform for shows that feature Real People delivering Real News, thoughts and opinions. We give a voice to respected North Dakota personalities who are thought leaders. Mon-Fri 6:30 am Mon-Thur 2:30 pmMon-Fri 9:00 am Fri 2:00 pmMon 2:30 pm Tue-Fri 2:30 pmMon-Fri 4:00 pm Sun 7:00 pmMon-Fri 9:00 pm Mon-Fri 7:00 pm
BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP8The 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