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BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP1Mother Nature is in full bloom, and so is BEK TV! As BEK continues to expand its news programming, it’s important to recognize the accomplishments the network has received along the way.BEK TV has launched a new television station in Eastern North Dakota. KNGF allows BEK to expand its broadcast programming to an uninterrupted, 24-hour day platform. BEK TV is now the only North Dakota-owned station with complete statewide coverage.BEK TV also has entered into an exclusive broadcast agreement for coverage of the 2023 North Dakota Rodeo Association (NDRA) schedule this summer. Live rodeo events are just one of three new family-friendly programming additions to BEK’s summer sports and entertainment lineup. BEK TV also will broadcast the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks professional baseball team this summer, along with dirt track racing. BEK TV has received three awards from the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Two awards recognized Chris Brintle and Jake Herman, BEK TV Sports Announcers, for their play-by-play commentating. The third award recognize the Ladies of Another View – My Hometown as a documentary piece.Spring Has Sprung! Things Are Growing on BEK TV!BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE MAY 2023FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICAHelping the next generation compete in the global workplace.PAGE 3TAKING AIM AT NATIONALSWilton Archery Team competes in Salt Lake City.PAGE 3DAKOTA TABLECHICKEN TORTILLA CHOWDER Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this Mexi-inspired soup!PAGE 7888.475.2361bek.coopBEK TV’s First Place Eric Sevareid Award for Sports Play-by-Play Small Market Television presented by the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP2DERRICK BULAWA Chief Executive Ocer Helping Students Achieve Academic DreamsFROM THE CEOBEK Communications Cooperative is proud of the strong foundation it established more than 70 years ago, to serve its member-owners. BEK is all about community, so it just makes sense that we should support and give back to the groups and individuals that make our service areas strong. Each year, we award grants and scholarships to nonprofit community organizations and hard-working students. Students are an important part of our communities because they also are the future. BEK has provided scholarships to college-bound students in our service area for more than 25 years.This year, BEK received 31 applications from high school seniors throughout the BEK service area. I am very happy and proud to present this year’s recipients. Congratulations, and may you always strive to do great things!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 70 years, but we’re still a small-town cooperative at heart.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 BurlackWishekMAY 2023Anna BendishMandan High SchoolStephanie HoarthValley City High SchoolEmily CurrenBismarck High SchoolPaige HulmLinton High SchoolTrenton ErbeleNapoleon High SchoolLandon KoenigMay-Port CG High SchoolCarly GovenValley City High SchoolJordyn ThorsonWilton High SchoolCharles HerrWishek High School

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP3Students with the Wilton Archery Team are headed to Salt Lake City to compete in the US Western National Tournament on April 28 and 29. The competition is put on by the National Archery In The Schools Program (NASP).Athletes will compete in both the Bullseye and 3D Targets categories. The Wilton team consists of students in grades 4 through 12. This year’s elementary athletes placed third in the state for Bullseye, the Middle School placed first in 3D, and several individual athletes were recognized as top 10 in the state in both categories. Students win prizes on the state and national level, and scholarships are given out the state level.The team’s season begins practicing in late November and competing towards the end of January. Archery meets take place at other small schools and prepare the athletes for the state tournament in Minot, where they compete for Nationals. Archery is a fast-growing sport in schools across the state and nation. Wilton’s team began 11 years ago and is able to accommodate athletes of all abilities. “Our sport is able to accommodate students with or without physical athletic skills, along with those who have physical or developmental challenges,” says one of the team’s three coaches, Emily Risty. “It’s so rewarding to see the older kids helping the younger kids in their skills, while the younger athletes remind the older ones to have fun while practicing and competing!”NASP aims at improving education performance among students, who learn focus, self-control, discipline, patience and life lessons to be successful in the classroom and in life. The program works closely with Game and Fish and the North Dakota Youth Archery Advisory Committee.For more information about the Wilton Archery Team, visit the Facebook page, Wilton Archery-NASP.FFA: The Future of AgricultureAthletes Traveling to National Competition Eye “Gold” TargetThe ocial name of the organization is the National FFA Organization. The letters “FFA” once stood for Future Farmers of America, but FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers. FFA members are future teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners, and more. Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.FFA continues to help the next generation rise to meet those challenges by helping its members develop their unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways. So today, we are still the Future Farmers of America, but we are the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Engineers, and Future Entrepreneurs of America, too. FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success.How to Join FFA:FFA is an integral part of agricultural education. To join FFA, you must be enrolled in an agriculture course at your school. Contact your school counselor or agriculture teacher to enroll in an agricultural education program and join FFA.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP4Annual Meeting Mail-In Ballot Reminder:New Annual Meeting Voting ProcedureCOMPLETE AND SIGN MAIL-IN BALLOTPOSTMARK PRE-PAID ENVELOPE BY MAY 30, 2023RETURN IN THE PROVIDED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPEThe 2023 BEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting is taking place on June 8th this year. If you requested a mail-in ballot because you are not able to vote in person (Request deadline was May 5, 2023), you will receive it in the mail after May 19. Please be sure to do the following:☑ Sign your Mail-In Ballot.☑ Return Mail-In Ballot in the provided postage-paid envelope.☑ Postmark the envelope no later than May 30, 2023.Mail-In Ballot must be mailed; they cannot be delivered in person or left in the drop box. If you did not request a mail-in ballot, please know that in order 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 log onto bek.coop/coop/annualmeeting.2023 ANNUAL MEETINGinnovatingtogetherJUNE 8, 2023KIDDER COUNTY SCHOOLAdvanced Notice ofRegistration & Beef Supper | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pmEnter at the entrance door of Kidder County SchoolBEK Communications Cooperative Annual Meeting | 7:00 pmMeeting is conducted in the Kidder County School gymnasiumInstructional Video Available OnlineLearn more about changes to the voting process, including mail-in ballots.Plus, what to expect at this year’s annual meeting. bek.news/programs/2023-04-03/ SCAN TOWATCH VIDEO

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP5Bettenhausen, Donald 452-4639 WishekGarnaas, Charles 254-4378 LintonJT Ranch 782-4293 LintonMasset Family 336-2457 StrasburgMcGregor, Myrna 490-3322 Valley CityNilles, Jon 845-1629 Valley CityPetro Serve USA #073 490-3188 Valley CityRaerty, Pat 273-6933 PettiboneNEW PHONE LISTINGSNAME PHONE CITY Call Before You DigLadies Move to 9:00 a.m. WeekdaysLadies of Another View on BEK TV is moving! You now can watch the program at 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, with a rerun at 4:30 p.m. on the same days.Ladies of Another View has come to be known as the unscripted and uncensored program that discusses topics and issues that viewers are talking about in their own homes. The program gives the hosts of the show the opportunity to provide a dierent view than what the mainstream media is providing.Don’t miss an episode, weekdays at 9:00 a.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. Watch on BEK TV or online at bek.news/ladiesofanotherview.Now that the ground is thawing, many property owners will begin work on Spring projects, like building a fence, installing a sprinkler system, or planting a tree.If you plan on digging into your property, remember to call 811 before you dig!There are many buried utilities, including BEK Fiber, buried beneath properties. By calling, you can request that the location of utilities beneath your property are marked with paint or a colored flag so that you don’t unintentionally dig into one of the lines.Hitting a buried line can cause serious injury or death. It also can disrupt utility services and cost money to repair. So, before putting a shovel in the ground, call 811 or log onto the national website at call811.com.bek.tvFARGO-MOORHEADREDHAWKSFARGO-MOORHEADREDHAWKSCATCH THEIN ACTION THIS SUMMER ONLY ON BEK TV!

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP6Non-Discrimination StatementBEK Communications Cooperative is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance eorts is Derrick Bulawa, Chief Executive Ocer of BEK Communications Cooperative. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or file a written complaint with this organization or write to USDA, Director, Oce of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue S. W., Washington, D. C. 20250-0703, or call (800) 787-8821 (voice) and select Option 2, or (202) 692-0107 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.National Do-Not-Call RegistryBEK Communications is pleased to provide this annual update to our members and customers, as an important service and as required by the Federal Communications Commission.The National Do-Not-Call Registry gives you a choice and a voice. You can choose whether or not you wish to receive telemarketing calls via your home and/or mobile phone(s).Once you register, commercial telemarketers are not permitted to call any residential or mobile number you list on the registry. The only exception is a business with whom you have an existing relationship as well as certain non-profit and political organizations.To register any residential telephone number, including wireless, on the National Do-Not-Call Registry, at no cost to you:• Calling from the number you wish to register, dial 1.888.382.1222• For TTY, and calling from the number you wish to register, dial 1.866.290.4236• Or, register online at www.donotcall.gov• Inclusion of your telephone number on the National Do-Not-Call Registry is eective thirty-one (31) days following registration.• If you receive an unwanted call after your number has been on the registry for 31 days or more, you may report this to the Federal Trade Commission using their online form at www.donotcall.gov/report.html#step1.You may remove your number from the list at any time.

BEK COMMUNICATIONS | BEK.COOP7Chicken Tortilla ChowderSUBMITTED BY: ANN MARIE MOCH FROM KINTYRE, NDINGREDIENTS:1 can chicken broth (14.5 oz)1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted (10.75 oz)1 can condensed cream of potato soup, undiluted (10.75 oz)1½ c. milk2 c. cooked chicken (cubed)1 can mexicorn (11 oz)1 jar sliced mushrooms (4½ oz)1 can chopped green chilies (4 oz)1/4 c. thinly sliced green onions4 flour tortillas (6-7 in) cut into 1/2 in strips1½ c. shredded cheddar cheeseDIRECTIONS:1. In a dutch oven or soup kettle, combine broth, soups and milk. 2. Add chicken, corn, mushrooms, chilies and onions. Mix well and bring to a boil. 3. Add tortilla strips.4. Reduce heat and allow to simmer uncovered for 6-8 minutes or until heated through.5. Stir in cheese until melted, and serve. (8 servings - 2½ quarts)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 COOPERATIVE200 East Broadway, PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482ECRWSS LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER123TRIVIA ENTRYENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 15, 2023Name: ______________________________________________________________________Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________Town: _______________________________________________________________________Clip and send to BEK at:PO Box 230, Steele, ND 58482 You also can email answers to bekcomm@bektel.com. We will be drawing for twenty $5.00 credits to be applied to the winners’ bill.CONGRATS! TO OUR BEACON MARCH WINNERSBEACON TRIVIAVangie Mueller | WishekLuella Jochim | LintonSherri Haak | HagueArlene Richter | WingBeverly Zins | McKenizeThelma Wall | TappenSharon Kurtz | AliceJuleen Johnson | SteeleKaren Lang | DawsonDella Richman | Valley CityRyan Wendel | Valley CityGeorge Kirick | WiltonAlciena Rutschke | ZeelandDarlene Trader | OrisakaJanice Baer | LintonMarlys Enzminger | TappenKurt Bodvig | TappenDaryl Schoepp | SteeleLaura Holzer | LintonRoger Thomsen | BaldwinHow many high school students received a BEK Scholarship this year?True or False? You must be enrolled in an agricultural course at your school to join FFA.What number should you call before digging into your property?