vol. 2 of 6 inside.qxp - Pioneer Telephone Cooperative

PIONEER TELEPHONE
ANNUAL MEETING
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007
See ad page 3
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Vol. 2 of 6, 2007
Pioneer Tele-Topics
Page 1
General Manager’s Report
Richard Ruhl
PIONEER TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE, INC.
I would like to extend a personal
invitation to each of you to join us
at Pioneer's 54th Annual
Membership Meeting on Tuesday,
May 1st, at 1:30 p.m., to be held in
the Exhibit Building, located at the
Kingfisher County Fairgrounds. The
Annual Meeting affords all of us a
wonderful opportunity to get
acquainted with each other and it's
the perfect place to hear the latest
informative reports about your
Cooperative, such as the latest
financial information; the past
year's accomplishments; and,
future plans for the Cooperative,
which is owned by those it serves.
Between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30
p.m., musical entertainment will be
provided at the Exhibit Building by
Taking Chances Bluegrass Band.
The Business Session will be
called to order at 1:30 p.m. The
National Anthem will be sung by
Mary Nell Brueggen of Okarche,
Oklahoma and a Special
Centennial Presentation will be
given by Blake Wade, Executive
Director of the Oklahoma
Centennial Commission. We are
delighted their schedules will permit them to join us this year.
All members attending will
receive several nice registration
gifts. They will also have the opportunity to win numerous cash
prizes, door prizes and three
Grand Prizes.
I look forward to seeing you at
the 54th Annual Meeting of your
HEADQUARTERS: KINGFISHER, OK
Cooperative on Tuesday, May 1st.
We sincerely hope you will be able
to attend.
Applications are now available
for Pioneer Telephone
Cooperative's College and
Technology Scholarship
Program(s). The deadline for submitting an application is July 1,
2007. The applications and
requirements for the scholarship
programs can be found in this
issue of the Tele-Topics or on our
website at www.ptci.com.
The Scholarship Committee will
consider all qualified Junior/Senior
College Level University majors,
with priority consideration given to
majors in the areas of mathematics, science, computer science and
foreign language. The College
Scholarships awarded shall cover
$1,000 per semester to be used for
tuition and/or books, for a maximum of $2,000 per year.
See General Manager’s Report - page 2
PIONEER TELE-TOPICS (ISSN 1096-5653) is owned by and published bi-monthly for the benefit of the approximately
50,000 member-families of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
EDITORIAL & CIRCULATION — Contact…Brenda Smith, Editor-Coordinator
Mailing Address…Tele-Topics, PO Box 539, Kingfisher, OK 73750
• Call…(405) 375-0116
• Fax…(405) 699-3053
• E-mail…[email protected]
Loyd Benson • Principal Executive Officer
Richard Ruhl • General Manager
Jim Eaton • V.P. of Finance & Subsidiary Operations
Pete Peterman • V.P. of Operations
Jeff Martin • V.P. of Sales & Marketing
– B o a r d o f Tr u s t e e s –
President - Loyd Benson, Frederick
Leroy Lage, Watonga
Vice President - Mike Dobrinski, Okeene
Ralph J. Choate, Hennessey
Secretary - Linda Dich Randall, Omega
Dennis Mueggenborg, Kingfisher
Treasurer - Dave Krittenbrink, Okarche
Greg Heath, Canton
Asst. Sec./Treas. - Gail Parker, Thomas
David Shepard, Helena
D.W. Leathers, Crescent
Mary Petty, Newcastle
Gary Green, Blanchard
CAPITAL CREDIT ALLOCATIONS INFORMATION
To obtain your Capital Credit balance,
please send the membership name, town
and phone numbers involved to:
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Attn: Capital Credit Department
PO Box 539 • Kingfisher OK 73750
or…Call Toll Free: 1-800-650-6116
Periodical Postage paid at Kingfisher,
OK 73750 and other additional entry
offices.
Member subscription rate: $2.96/year
Non-Member subscription rate: $6/year
POSTMASTER - Send address changes to:
Pioneer Tele-Topics
PO Box 539
Kingfisher OK 73750
Page 2
General Manager’s Report. . .
The Technology Center
Scholarship(s) awarded shall cover
the cost of tuition and fees for up
to $500 per semester or $1,000
per year per applicant.
Please send your completed
application by the July 1, 2007
deadline to:
Scholarship Committee
Attention: Richard Ruhl
Pioneer Telephone
Cooperative, Inc.
P. O. Box 539
Kingfisher, OK 73750
Pioneer Telephone has 26 local
business offices throughout its
service territory and plans are in
place to remodel each one to a
new design/layout and retail space
over the next 4- to 5-year period,
completing a few each year until all
offices have been remodeled. A
Grand Re-Opening was recently
held at Pond Creek on Thursday,
March 29th. Customers were invited to see the first newly-remodeled
Retail Business Office. A ribboncutting ceremony was held at
10:30 a.m., cookies and punch
were served for customers
throughout the day and an enterto-win contest was held for all who
attended. Similar celebrations will
be held at each newly remodeled
location so all customers will have
a chance to see the new retail
space near you. We extend a special “Thank You” to those who took
the time out of their busy schedule
to attend the Pond Creek Grand
Re-Opening on March 29th.
I am also proud to report on the
status of the Strategic Rural
Alliance (SRA), and the 3-year
wireless build-out project between
the Cellular Network Partnership
d/b/a Pioneer Cellular and
Sprint/Nextel. The sixth phase of
the project was turned-up for wireless customer use in February,
Pioneer Tele-Topics
2007, and the seventh and final
phase will be turned-up for customer use in mid-April, 2007. Now
that the SRA Project is essentially
complete, with the addition of more
than 170 new cellular transmission
sites, Pioneer Cellular is providing
superior quality wireless services
to an additional 25 counties in
western Oklahoma and 11 counties in southern Kansas.
We are also excited to
announce the deployment of 3Generation Data, or EVDO Rev. A.,
in 2007. EVDO Rev. A. will provide
Pioneer Cellular Internet customers access to broadband
Internet speeds from their EVDOequipped laptop or compatible Rev
A. wireless phone.
In a continuing effort to enhance
weather service to the people of
southwest and central Oklahoma,
the NOAA National Weather
Service recently announced a new
Weather Radio transmitter in
Chickasha, Oklahoma. A ribboncutting ceremony was held April
4th at the National Weather Center
in Norman, Oklahoma to commemorate this event.
Pioneer Telephone provided the
facilities for the new transmitter
and antenna system in Grady
County, which will provide a clearer, more reliable signal to broadcast critical warnings of dangerous
weather and other weather information 24 hours a day to residents
in seven Oklahoma Counties:
Caddo, Canadian, Comanche,
Garvin, Grady, McClain and
Stevens.
The National Weather Service is
deeply appreciative for the generosity of Pioneer in helping them
enhance their Weather Radio
Network.
Speaking about the weather, it's
that time of year again, and
Pioneer Telephone is excited about
the recent change made to our
Maintenance Program. In February,
2007, Pioneer began offering one
maintenance program, Total Care,
which covers standard cords, coaxial cables, standard phone
instruments, jacks, High-Speed
Internet and Wireless High-Speed
Internet modems, DTV modems,
set-top-boxes and remotes, as well
as all inside wiring for video, (DTV
and Legacy), Internet and telephone. The program will also cover
service charges related to the
maintenance of DTV, High-Speed
Internet and/or telephone inside
wiring.
Total Care WILL NOT cover
routers, switches, hubs or other
computer peripherals, pyramids or
additional cables purchased by the
customer. It will also not cover any
(residential) customer-owned
equipment or such devices as TV
sets, computers, FAX machines,
video game systems or the wires
that connect these devices together, nor will it cover the replacement
of batteries.
The monthly charge for Total
Care is $2.95 per telephone line
per month. If you have not subscribed to Total Care and you call
Pioneer for a repair, you will be
charged for the repairs on a time
and material basis. For more information on our Maintenance
Programs, please contact your
local Pioneer Business Office or
Customer Care at 1-800-528-6449.
Once again, I would like to
remind everyone to attend your
Cooperative's 54th Annual
Membership Meeting in Kingfisher
on Tuesday, May 1st at 1:30 p.m. I
look forward to seeing you there!
Richard Ruhl
Pioneer Tele-Topics
Page 3
PIONEER TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE
JOIN US FOR OUR
54
Registration
Gifts for
Each Member
Attending!
th
ANNUAL
MEETING
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Registration Begins at 10:00 A.M.
Meeting at 1:30 P.M.
Kingfisher County Exhibit Building
Kingfisher County Fairgrounds
Located on 13th St. on the west edge of Kingfisher
PRIZES
CENTENNIAL PRESENTATION — Blake Wade, Executive Director
Oklahoma Centennial Commission
Kingfisher
Kountry Kooker
46-Inch Sony LCD
Flat Panel TV
HEAR INFORMATIVE REPORTS ABOUT YOUR COOPERATIVE
•R
•P
•F
EPORT ON THE
RESIDENT’S
Dell Dimension
Desktop Computer
with 20-Inch Flat
Panel Monitor
$1,300 in
Cash Prizes
2007 DISTRICT MEETINGS
REPORT
INANCIAL AND
AND
MANAGER’S REPORT
OPERATIONS REPORT
S.E.E. Interpreter for
the Hearing Impaired
Handicap Parking
Available
11:30 A.M. -1:15 P.M.
Musical Entertainment
Provided By:
TAKING CHANCES
BLUEGRASS BAND
Kingfisher, Crescent
and Enid Areas
Must be
Registered
and Present
to Win
www.ptci.com
National Anthem by:
Mary Nell Brueggen
Okarche, OK
HIGH-TECH COMES HOME
Page 4
Pioneer Tele-Topics
PIONEER COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., has announced applications are available for the
2007-2008 Scholarship(s). The scholarship(s) awarded will provide $1,000 per semester for
tuition and/or books for a maximum of $2,000 per year.
R E Q U I R E M E N T S F O R C O N S I D E R AT I O N
1. The son, daughter or legal dependent of a subscriber of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall be eligible
for consideration of one of up to twelve College Scholarship(s) to be awarded each year.
2. The son, daughter or legal dependent of an Employee of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall only be
eligible for consideration of the Scholarship awarded by the Thirteenth District-At-Large of the Cooperative per year.
3. If an applicant is an education major, that particular applicant must have been admitted to a teacher education program.
4. All applicants must be approaching either a JUNIOR OR SENIOR LEVEL OF COLLEGE study at the time
the scholarship is funded.
Note: If no College Scholarship Application is received from any particular Board District for that year, then the
stipend for that College Scholarship for that particular Board District will lapse for that year.
Note: Dependents or children of any Employee of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall only be eligible for
consideration of the scholarship awarded from the Thirteenth District-At-Large of the Cooperative each year.
Note: Any scholarship granted shall be evaluated at least annually. School standards must be maintained to
continue funding of the scholarship.
Note: The Board of Trustees of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., reserves full discretion with regard to the
granting or renewal of any scholarship.
ITEMS TO BE SUBMITTED
1. College and High School transcripts.
2. ACT or SAT scores.
3. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from a past school (secondary or college) administrator, instructor, or professor
who is familiar with your character and academic performance.
4. Teacher education acceptance letter if the applicant is an Education Major.
5. A brief statement written by the applicant relating how this scholarship would benefit you and why you have
chosen your current field of study.
6. Applicant must complete the College Scholarship Application Form.
7. Applicant must attach a studio-quality (color) picture of themselves to the Scholarship Application Form.
8. List of present scholarships and grants.
The scholarship committee will consider all Junior/Senior COLLEGE level university majors, with priority given to majors in
math, science, computer science and foreign language.
D E A D L I N E F O R S U B M I T T I N G A P P L I C AT I O N I S J U LY 1 , 2 0 0 7
MAIL APPLICATION TO:
Scholarship Committee / Attn: Richard Ruhl
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
P.O. Box 539
Kingfisher, OK 73750
(405) 375-0145
Monday - Friday
Equal Opportunity Employer
Pioneer Tele-Topics
Page 5
P I O N E E R C O L L E G E S C H O L A R S H I P A P P L I C AT I O N 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8
NAME:
AGE:
ADDRESS:
TELE. NO: (
SEX:
CITY:
)
PARENT’S TELE. NO.
OR NO. WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED
HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED:
SAT/ACT SCORE:
PRESENT COLLEGE:
MAJOR:
LEVEL OF COLLEGE: JUNIOR
OR
ZIP:
(
)
COLLEGE GPA:
SENIOR
ITEMS TO BE SUBMITTED
1. College and High School transcripts.
2. ACT or SAT scores.
3. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from a past school (secondary or college) administrator, instructor, or professor who is familiar
with your character and academic performance.
4. Teacher education acceptance letter if the applicant is an Education Major.
5. A brief statement written by the applicant relating how this scholarship would benefit you and why you have chosen your current field of study.
6. Applicant must complete the College Scholarship Application Form.
7. Applicant must attach a studio-quality (color) picture of themselves to the Scholarship Application Form.
8. List of present scholarships and grants.
U N D E R LY I N G P U R P O S E
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., desires to expand its current scholarship program to include qualified applicants of all JUNIOR
OR SENIOR COLLEGE LEVEL University majors, with priority consideration given to education majors in the areas of mathematics, science,
computer science and foreign language.
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., proposes to award one College Scholarship per Board District per year, up to 13 College
Scholarships per year, to qualified applicants, with the understanding the program can be expanded or curtailed by the Board of Trustees
of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., at any time.
R E Q U I R E M E N T S F O R C O N S I D E R AT I O N
1. The son, daughter or legal dependent of a subscriber of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall be eligible for consideration of
one of up to twelve College Scholarship(s) to be awarded each year.
2. The son, daughter or legal dependent of an Employee of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall only be eligible for consideration
of the Scholarship awarded by the Thirteenth District-At-Large of the Cooperative per year.
3. If an applicant is an education major, that particular applicant must have been admitted to a teacher education program.
4. All applicants must be approaching either a Junior or Senior level of college study at the time the scholarship is funded.
Note: If no College Scholarship Application is received from any particular Board District for that year, then the stipend for that College
Scholarship for that particular Board District will lapse for that year.
Note: Dependents or children of any Employee of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall only be eligible for consideration of the scholarship
awarded from the Thirteenth District-At-Large of the Cooperative each year.
Note: Any scholarship granted shall be evaluated at least annually. School standards must be maintained to continue funding of the scholarship.
Note: The Board of Trustees of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., reserves full discretion with regard to the granting or renewal of
any scholarship.
SCOPE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship(s) shall cover $1,000 per semester to be utilized for tuition and/or books for a maximum of $2,000 per year for up to four semesters.
S T AT E M E N T O F N O N D I S C R I M I N AT I O N
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., is subject to policies which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, or handicap shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected
to discrimination under any of this organization's programs or activities.
The person responsible for coordinating this organization's nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Harold Logsdon, General
Counsel. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination, may obtain further
information or file a written complaint with this organization. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination.
Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent possible.
D E A D L I N E F O R S U B M I T T I N G A P P L I C AT I O N I S J U LY 1 , 2 0 0 7
MAIL APPLICATION TO:
(405) 375-0145
Monday - Friday
S C H O L A R S H I P C O M M I T T E E / AT T N : R I C H A R D R U H L
P I O N E E R T E L E P H O N E C O O P E R AT I V E , I N C .
P.O. B O X 539
K I N G F I S H E R , OK 73750
Equal Opportunity Employer
Page 6
Pioneer Tele-Topics
P I O N E E R T E C H N O L O G Y C E N T E R S C H O L A R S H I P A P P L I C AT I O N
NAME:
AGE:
ADDRESS:
TELE. NO: (
CITY:
)
SEX:
ZIP:
PARENT’S TELE. NO. or NO. WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED: (
HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED:
)
SAT/ACT SCORE:
ITEMS TO BE SUBMITTED
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
High school transcript, if available.
ACT or SAT Scores, if available.
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from a secondary school or a current instructor that is familiar with your character and academic performance.
A brief statement written by the applicant relating how this scholarship would benefit you and why you have chosen your current field of study.
Complete the TECHNOLOGY CENTER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM.
Applicant must attach a studio-quality (color) picture of themselves to the scholarship application form.
List of current scholarships and grants.
U N D E R LY I N G P U R P O S E
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., desires to expand its current scholarship program to include Technology Center(s) within the
Pioneer Telephone Service Area.
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., proposes to award one Technology Center Scholarship per Board District per year to qualified
applicants, for a total of up to 13 Technology Center Scholarships per year.
This program can be expanded or curtailed by the Board of Trustees of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., at any time.
SCOPE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship(s) shall cover the cost of tuition and fees for up to $500 per semester or $1,000 per year per applicant.
R E Q U I R E M E N T S F O R C O N S I D E R AT I O N
1. The son, daughter or legal dependent of a subscriber of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall be eligible for consideration of
one (1) of up to twelve Technology Center Scholarship(s) awarded each year.
2. The son, daughter or legal dependent of an Employee or of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall only be eligible for consideration
of the Scholarship awarded by the Thirteenth District-At-Large of the Cooperative per year.
Note: If no Technology Center Application is received from any particular Board District for that year, then the stipend for that Technology
Center Scholarship for that particular Board District will lapse for that year.
Note: Dependents or children of any Employee of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., shall only be eligible for consideration of the
scholarship awarded from the Thirteenth District-At-Large of the Cooperative per year.
Note: Any scholarship granted shall be evaluated at least annually. School standards must be maintained to continue funding of the scholarship.
Note: The Board of Trustees of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., reserves full discretion with regard to the granting or renewal of any scholarship.
S TAT E M E N T O F N O N D I S C R I M I N AT I O N
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., is subject to policies which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race,
color, national origin, age, or handicap shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise
be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization's programs or activities.
The person responsible for coordinating this organization's nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Harold Logsdon, General Counsel.
Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination, may obtain further
information or file a written complaint with this organization. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination.
Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent possible.
D E A D L I N E F O R S U B M I T T I N G A P P L I C AT I O N I S J U LY 1 , 2 0 0 7
MAIL APPLICATION TO:
(405) 375-0145
Monday - Friday
S C H O L A R S H I P C O M M I T T E E / AT T N : R I C H A R D R U H L
P I O N E E R T E L E P H O N E C O O P E R AT I V E , I N C .
P.O. B O X 539
K I N G F I S H E R , OK 73750
Equal
Opportunity
Employer
Pioneer Tele-Topics
DID YOU KNOW?
Page 7
CALLER ID OFFER EXTENDED
DID YOU KNOW Oklahomans Love Caller ID?
Due to the overwhelming response to Pioneer Telephone’s offer of FREE activation
for Caller ID Name and Number (a savings of $15.00!) we have extended the offer!
That’s right! You can sign up today for the most popular calling feature, Caller ID
Name & Number for only $6.95 per month. PLUS, you may also purchase a GE Big
Button Caller ID phone for only $10.00 (regularly priced at $34.95).
NO COMMITMENT is required, and if you already enjoy the benefits of Caller ID, you
too may purchase a GE Big Button phone for only $10.00!
Call 611 from your local phone or 1-888-PTC-COOP to sign up or for more details.
Taking Chances Bluegrass Band Will Perform At
Pioneer Telephone’s 54th Annual Meeting
Taking Chances is a bluegrass
band from the Kingfisher, Enid and
Crescent area. We play all over the
state at different Bluegrass Club
shows, churches, fairs, festivals, radio
shows and other various events. We
currently have a CD for sale and are in
the process of recording our second
CD. We also host a monthly dinner and
show in Crescent at the First Baptist
Church called “Chicken and Pickin’,”
which consists of a homemade dinner
and a music show with a variety of
bands and singers.
Pictured above from left to right: Wayne Graham-guitar, Chelsea Pontious-fiddle,
guitar and lead vocals, Lorri Pontious-bass, Marvin Holt-banjo
Members of the group include
Wayne Graham from Crescent who
plays guitar. He’s employed by Duke
Energy Field Services. Marvin Holt,
Enid, plays banjo. He’s retired from
ONG. Chelsea Pontious from
Kingfisher plays guitar and fiddle and
is also the lead singer. She is a junior
at Kingfisher High School. Lorri
Pontious from Kingfisher plays bass.
She’s employed by Gina’s Hair
Techniques as a cosmetologist.
Page 8
Pioneer Tele-Topics
Pioneer Tele-Topics
Question: When is
the Pioneer Telephone
Annual Meeting?
Answer:
Pioneer Telephone’s
54th Annual Meeting will be held
Tuesday May 1st, 2007. Complete
details for the Annual Meeting can
be found on page 3 of this issue of
Tele-Topics.
PIONEER TELEPHONE THANKS
CUSTOMERS FOR POSITIVE
RESULTS IN RECENT SURVEY
Pioneer would like to thank customers
for their participation and feedback in a
recent customer research survey. Results
of the survey identified areas of Pioneer’s
strengths and also showed areas with
opportunity for improvement. “We are
extremely pleased with the 91% satisfaction level rating we received, but realize
there is still room for improvement,” stated
Jeff Martin, Vice-President of Sales and
Marketing. Customers were asked to rate
services and features of Pioneer’s lines of
business, including Telephone Service,
Cellular, Digital Television, High-Speed
Internet and Security.
Customer comments include:
• I like the fact that Pioneer is always
seeking better ways to serve us!
• Pioneer does a good job for us and
we appreciate them giving back to the
community like they do for the schools.
• We live in the country and I am
amazed at all of the services we are
offered. Pioneer has the best people
and customer service. They are all
always friendly and helpful.
• Security service and monitoring is
great!
“We think it is important to survey customers and be able to improve using the
feedback they provide,” said Martin. “We
have found surveys are a vital tool in
developing our corporate strategy and providing superior customer service. We
appreciate our customers responding with
honest feedback and feel these comments
are vital for the strength and growth of
their Cooperative.”
Pivot Group, LLC, an independent
research company, performed survey
administration and results tabulation.
Page 9
ADD PIONEER’S
TOTAL CARE
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
Total Care is more than a
maintenance program!
Total Care offers protection against potentially costly repair
charges relating to your Pioneer services, including:
• Telephone Service
• DTV Service
• High-Speed Internet Service
ALL FOR ONLY
$2.95 per month
Sign up now and get:
• FREE ACTIVATION!
Save $15.00
PLUS,
• A FREE RAIN GAUGE!
SIGN UP FOR A
CHANCE TO WIN A
RAINY DAY
PRIZE BASKET
Including a Midland Weather Radio!
No purchase necessary to enter drawing. A total of 26 prize baskets will be
awarded May 4th, one winner per each
local Pioneer office.
For more details on Total Care
visit www.ptci.com
To sign up, stop by your local Pioneer office,
call 611 or 1-888-PTC-COOP
Offer good through June 30, 2007. Customers who have or add Total Care are eligible to receive a free
rain gauge. Limit one rain gauge per customer while supplies last. Must be 18 years old to enter prize
basket drawing.
The Total Care Maintenance Program will not cover routers, switches, hubs or other computer peripherals, pyramids or additional cables purchased by the customer. It will also not cover any customerowned equipment or such devices as TV sets, computers, FAX
machines, video game systems or the wires that connect these
devices together, nor will it cover the replacement of batteries.
Other restrictions apply.
HIGH-TECH
COMES HOME
www.ptci.com
Page 10
Pioneer Tele-Topics
You Make The Call:
National DO NOT CALL Registry
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and
unfair business practices in the marketplace. The FTC manages the National Do Not Call Registry,
which gives consumers a choice about getting telemarketing calls at home.
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER:
You may register online at DONOTCALL.GOV or by phone, toll-free, by calling 1-888-382-1222,
from the number you wish to register. Registration is free. Cellular phone numbers may also be
registered by either method.
If you register by phone, you must call from the number you want to register. If you register online,
you must provide an email address for confirmation. You will have to open an email and click on a link
in it within 72 hours for your online registration to be complete. The only identifying information that will
be kept in the registry will be the phone number you register. You can expect fewer calls within three
months of the date you sign up for the registry.
The National Do Not Call Registry will not stop all telemarketing calls. Some types of calls are
exempt. Political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors and the business of insurance to the
extent that state law regulates it, are permitted to call you.
Any organization with which you have an established business relationship can call you for up to 18
months after your last purchase, payment or delivery - even if your name is on the Do Not Call
Registry. However, if you ask a company not to call you, it must honor your request regardless of an
established business relationship.
PLEASE PRINT
Name:
Complete the entry form (all fields must be completed), clip out and mail to Pioneer Tele-Topics, PO Box 539, Kingfisher, OK 73750
✄
✄
✄
PLEASE PRINT
Your Pioneer Telephone #:
1. If you choose to register your phone number on the DO NOT
CALL LIST by phone, you must call from the phone number
you want to register.
a) True
b) False
3. You may register online at DONOTCALL.GOV
a) True
b) False
4. If you register online, you must provide an email address for
confirmation. You will have to open an email and click on a link
in it within____hours for your online registration to be complete.
a) 72
b) 2
c) 27
d) Not necessary
5. The National Do Not Call Registry will stop all telemarketing
calls.
a) True
b) False
✄
✄
2. Registration is: ___. (choose one)
a) $5.00
b) $10.00
c) Free
d) $5.00 each month
City & Zip
✄
✄
Street Address
IF WE DRAW YOUR ENTRY AND YOUR ANSWERS ARE CORRECT, YOU WIN $25! ELIGIBILITY: Correctly answer all the questions. You must be a
current member/subscriber of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc., 18 years of age or older. One entry per household. No photocopies. Employees of Pioneer
or its subsidiaries, and their immediate household members are not eligible to enter. Winners will be contacted by letter and announced in the next issue of
Tele-Topics. Clip along dotted line and mail to: Pioneer Tele-Topics, PO Box 539, Kingfisher, OK 73750. Entries must be received by May 18, 2007
✄
✄
✄
Pioneer Tele-Topics
District #1 winner was Barbara
Snell of Buffalo. District #1 includes
the exchanges of Okeene, Quinlan,
Mooreland, Freedom, Buffalo, May,
Longdale, Fort Supply and Selman.
District #2 winner was Viola
Vaughn of Fargo. District #2
includes Canton, Chester, Seiling,
Mutual, Sharon, Harmon, Fargo, Gage,
Shattuck and Arnett.
District #3 winner was Sheila
Jordan of Frederick. District #3
includes Frederick, Manitou, Grandfield,
Davidson, Chattanooga and Tipton.
District #4 winner was Karen
Dennis of Hollis. District #4 includes
Thomas, Fay, Putnam, Custer City,
Carter, Sentinel, Hollis, Gould and
Oakwood.
Page 11
District #5 winner was Don
Butler of Blanchard. District #5
includes Blanchard, Dibble, Bradley and
Loco.
District #9 winner was Karyn
Green of Crescent. District #9
includes Crescent, Orlando, Marshall,
Douglas, Covington and Garber.
District #6 winner was Bobbie
Lovett of Hastings. District #6
includes Okarche, Apache, Temple,
Comanche and Hastings.
District #10 winner was Karma
Wolf of Kingfisher. District #10
includes Kingfisher and Dover.
District #7 winner was Tonya
Simmons of Lahoma. District #7
includes Hennessey, Ames,
Drummond, Lahoma, Loyal, Ringwood
and Meno.
District #8 winner was Joyce A.
Waggoner of Nash. District #8
includes Deer Creek, Lamont, Pond
Creek, Wakita, Hunter, Nash, Hopeton,
Cleo Springs, Aline, Waynoka, Helena,
Dacoma and Carmen.
District #11 winner was Doris
Poplin of Watonga. District #11
includes Watonga, Geary and Calumet.
District #12 winner was Linda
Roberts of Newcastle. District #12
includes Newcastle.
District At Large winner was
Jeff Schuelke of Wakita. This
district includes all districts.
Approximately 459 entries were
received.
Three Selected To Attend Boys State
Newcastle Juniors To Attend Boys State
Jacob Fuller, Aaron Rogers and Cole Anderson
have been selected to represent Blanchard at
American Legion Boys State. All three are juniors
at Blanchard High School and will attend Boys
State this year at Northeastern State A&M at
Miami, OK. Boys State is held from May 26
through June 2.
Pictured above front row, left to right: Jacob
Fuller, Aaron Rogers and Cole Anderson. Back
row: Glen Castle, Blanchard High School
Principal; Darin Foster, Pioneer Telephone Local
Manager, Blanchard office; Kenneth Lamb, Post
#261 Adjutant and Finance Officer; James
Rogers, Post #261 Sgt. At Arms and Donald
Bowser, Blanchard Lions Club.
American Legion Post 261 wishes to thank WalMart SuperCenter, C. Hubert Gragg and Pioneer
Telephone for sponsoring these high school juniors
to attend Boys State. Boys State will be May 26June 2 to be held at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
College, Miami, Oklahoma.
Pictured above front row, left to right: Bob Hedrick,
Commander Post 261; C. Hubert Gragg, sponsor;
John Melton, Wal-Mart SuperCenter Manager; Mary
Petty, Pioneer Telephone Trustee. Back row: Kenneth
Lamb, Adjutant Post 261; Austin Saunders, delegate
to Boys State; Brody Ward, delegate; Jimmy
Inskeep, alternate and Joe Cox, Newcastle High
School Principal. Not pictured is Garrett Romesburg,
delegate.
Page 12
Pioneer Tele-Topics
Pioneer Telephone Office Has Grand Re-Opening...
Pioneer Telephone recently held a ribbon cutting to commemorate the grand re-opening of its newly remodeled business office in
Pond Creek. The new office provides a more customer-friendly
environment as a reflection of Pioneer’s commitment to providing
great customer service. Customers are encouraged to drop by and
see their newly remodeled office.
Pictured left to right: Partner, General Manager Richard Ruhl, J.D. Boyer, President of
First State Bank Pnd Crk, Bill Loyall, Manager, Pioneer Telephone, Lisa McKinnis,
Customer Service Rep, Pnd Crk Ofc, Pnd Crk Mayor Louis Jardot, Debbie Schultz,
Customer Service Rep, Pnd Crk Ofc, Kent Prickett, Manager, Coop Pnd Crk, Darryl
Kimmell, Local Manager, Pnd Crk, Randy Czapansky, Combo Tech, Pnd Crk Ofc, Mark
Scates, VP of First State Bank Pnd Crk, Scott Stewart, Combo Tech, Pnd Crk Ofc,
Trustee David Shepard, PEO Loyd Benson, City Superintendent Pnd Crk Art Curl.
Crescent Medical Clinic Participates in “Partner Care” Program
Pioneer presents the Center of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics,
Crescent, with some 8” plush replica dolls of Pioneer’s mascot
“Partner.” The “Partner Care” program assists medical staff in the
care and treatment of pediatric patients.
Pictured left to right: Partner, Cindy Gore-Public Relations Director, Dub LeathersPioneer Trustee, Lori Pollard-Pioneer CSR, Dr. Lee Rittenhouse, M.D., Pam Farris and
Lorrie Descher from the Center of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
Winners of the prize basket drawings
for the Pond Creek Grand Re-opening
event. Pictured top, Clayton Garner; pictured bottom, Emma Gibson.
Pioneer Telephone
2007 Calling for Cans Food Drive
Spring Basket winners
Apache-Rose Beavers
Blanchard-Garlen Brown
Canton-Melinda Reed
Comanche-Donald Looney
Crescent-Myrtle Cook
Drummond-Clifford Buckminster,
Lahoma
Frederick-Ann Caldwell
Garber-Viola Gregg, Covington
Geary-Marcia Beasley
Helena-Lael Cronin
Hennessey-Vonda Vincent, Dover
Hollis-Jana Edwards
Kingfisher-Agnes Emmerich, Okarche
Mooreland-Syvilla Fields
Newcastle-Marion Sephus, Blanchard
Okeene-Lynda Greb
Pond Creek-Helga Hardin
Seiling-Donna Shuck, Chester
Sentinel-Jodia Housley
Shattuck-Blake Suther, Arnett
Thomas-Betty Hale
Woodward Cellular-Norma Jones, Vici
Watonga-Vern Hood
Enid Cellular (Randolph office)Terri Leeper, Alva
Enid Cellular (Garriott office)Fernetta Smith, Ringwood
Pioneer Tele-Topics
Page 13
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - FIFTY & MORE
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE A.
HUBBARD, KINGFISHER, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary April 7. They have 2 children,
6 grandchildren and 19 greatgrandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. DAREWARD
LONG, KINGFISHER, celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary
March 29. They have 3 sons, 6
grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. HOWARD
AITKEN, BUFFALO, celebrated
their 60th wedding anniversary
March 15. They have 3 children, 9
grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. J.M. COPE,
FREDERICK, celebrated their
60th wedding anniversary March
22. They have 3 children (1
deceased), 6 grandchildren and 2
great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. ROY JUDD,
WAYNOKA, celebrated their 60th
wedding anniversary March 23.
They have 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. DONALD
MCCLUNG, OKEENE, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary
March 31. They have 3 children, 10
grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. HENRY
PEACH, HENNESSEY, celebrated their 60th wedding anniver-
sary April 2. They have 3 children,
7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
MR. AND MRS. BUD
ROBINSON, CANTON, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary March 1. They have 3 children
and 7 grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. CHARLEY
NICHOLS, BLANCHARD, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary April 8. They have 5 children
(1 deceased), 7 grandchildren (2
deceased) and 9 great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. EARNEST
PETERMAN, THOMAS, celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary March 8. They have 2 children
and one grandchild.
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES
PERKEY, DIBBLE, celebrated
their 55th wedding anniversary
March 4. They have 3 children, 4
grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT
EHRLICH, GAGE, will celebrate
their 50th wedding anniversary
April 28.
MR. AND MRS. AL
KREIMAN, WAKITA, celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary
February 10. They have 3 children,
9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
MR. AND MRS. EMMETT
PATTON, KINGFISHER, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary April 3. They have 3 children,
8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. DON
PHILLIPS, MOORELAND, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary March 12. They have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. KENNETH
SADE, CRESCENT, celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary
February 1.
MR. AND MRS. WAYNE
CARTER, OKEENE, celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary
February 6. They have 3 children
and 8 grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. DWAYNE
SHOWALTER, GARBER, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary February 17. They have 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 7 greatgrandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. JOE CROW,
HOLLIS, celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary December 20,
2006. They have 3 children, 6
grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
MR. AND MRS. STEPHEN
WOOD, WATONGA, celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary
March 24. They have 4 children, 10
grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
BUSINESS & RESIDENTIAL
RELAY OKLAHOMA
• Repairs • Customer Service • New Service
TDD/TTY RELAY SERVICE
Telecommunications Relay Service
From your exchange dial 611 or call toll free
1-888-PTC-COOP (782-2667)
For assistance in calling between persons with a
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and hearing
persons...Dial 711
Page 14
Pioneer Tele-Topics
BLANCHARD, OK
BLANCHARD, OK
MAY DAZE
9th Annual Pepperfest
May 17th-19th
June 16, 9:00-4:00
Located at: 1820 N. Council
Car Show, Music, Arts, Crafts and a
children’s activity area.
FREE ADMISSION
Contact: 405-485-3567
New Location: Hwy 62 & 10th (by Sonic)
Live Entertainment, Carnival Rides,
Crafters, Vendors and Garage Sales!
Event Contact: Tammy Huddleston
405-485-8787
GARBER, OK
Annual Garber Lions
Club Chicken Noodle Dinner
April 29, 11:30-1:30
Garber High School Cafeteria
Adults-$6.00
Children under 3-$3.00
Tickets available from any
Garber Lions Club
Member
CLEO SPRINGS, OK
BUFFALO, OK
Buffalo Wing Festival
& Cinco De Mayo
Saturday May 5th
Location: Fairgrounds
Contact: Buffalo Chamber of
Commerce at 580-735-6177
PURCELL, OK
NEWCASTLE, OK
Tri-City Community Health Fair
The Heart of Oklahoma Eastern
Star Chapters and Oklahoma
Medical Research Foundation
Saturday, April 21 9:00-1:00
First Baptist Church, Newcastle
1650 North Main
405-387-4366
Annual Town-Wide Yard Sale
CUSTER CITY, OK
May 12, 8:00-2:00
Contact: Erma 580-438-2385
Or Dolores 580-438-2348 or 438-2221
Oklahoma Centennial Celebration
CLEO SPRINGS, OK
Volunteer Fire Dept.
Annual Hamburger Fry same day
“Then and Now”
Saturday, May 26
Festivities begin at 11:00am
Arts, Crafts, Food and Entertainment!
Contact: Janet Sehi, Chairman
580-593-2331
Present the 7th Annual
STAR RIDE
June 9
Registration 7:00am
Event starts at 8:00am
8, 25, 53 and 68-mile routes!
All proceeds go to MS Research
For more info: www.starride.info
Pioneer Tele-Topics
KINGFISHER, OK
2007 Playday Schedule
TERRITORIAL WAGON TRAIN
Kingfisher Round-Up Club
KINGFISHER, OK
April 27
7pm
Barrels, Poles, 2 Flag
May 18
May 25
7pm
7pm
Barrels, Poles, Pylon
Barrels, Poles, 1 Flag
June 8
June 22
7pm
7pm
Barrels, Poles, Spur
Barrels, Poles, Potato
July 6
July 20
7pm
7pm
Barrels, Poles, Bowtie
Barrels, Poles, 2 Flag
August 3
August 17
7pm
7pm
Barrels, Poles, Pylon
Barrels, Poles, 1 Flag
September 3
September 16
September 30
2pm
2pm
2pm
Barrels, Poles, Spur
Barrels, Poles, Bowtie
Barrels, Poles, 2 Flag
Age groups:
5 and under
6 to 9
10 to 13
14 to 18
Adult
Page 15
Age thru 18: $10.00 for all events
Adults: $10.00 for all events
(Adult exhibitions are EXTRA)
Limited concessions will be available
Cancellations and Information:
405-375-3636, 405-375-6414, 405-375-5522
A Territorial Wagon Train will
arrive in Kingfisher on Friday, April
27, and will camp at the Kingfisher
County Fairgrounds through May
2. While here, it will ride out each
day at 8:30 a.m. and return around
3:30 p.m., having lunch on the trail.
Saturday, April 28, the wagon trail
will parade through town beginning
at the north end of Main Street
proceeding south to Will Rogers.
Horseback riders are encouraged
to join the parade behind the wagons. The public is invited to visit
the encampment at the fairgrounds
after it has returned from the trail
ride each day. While here, the
wagon train plans to drive by
schools and nursing homes.
Please join us in making their stay
in Kingfisher a great experience!
Oklahoma Free Wheel Association
will be in Kingfisher June 12 & 13
Kingfisher Centennial TRCA Open
Rodeo takes place May 11 & 12
For more events and info:
www.kingfisher.org
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Mike and Cindy Gore of
Kingfisher recently traveled
with a group to Istanbul,
Turkey. Mike and Cindy are
both Pioneer Telephone
employees.
Pictured Left: Cindy Gore
and guide Behlul holding
the latest issue of Tele-Topics.
Picture was taken in front of the
Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
Page 16
Pioneer Tele-Topics
Bakin’
Bits
EGG AND BACON CASSEROLE
12 eggs
1 qt. milk
4 c. seasoned croutons
8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 T. minced dried onion flakes
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 lb. bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
Beat eggs lightly. Add milk, croutons, cheese, onion
flakes and dry mustard. Stir well and refrigerate 8 hours or
overnight. Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Stir egg mixture and pour into
pan. Bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven and stir.
Sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Bake 25 minutes longer. Cut
into squares. Serves 12.
Add chicken; cook 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
Turn chicken, and cook 6 minutes or until chicken is
done. Stir in vinegar, honey, and basil; cook 1 minute.
Makes 4 servings.
DEEP-DISH PIZZA CASSEROLE
1 lb. ground round
1 (15 oz.) can chunky Italian-style tomato
sauce
Cooking spray
1 (10 oz.) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
1 1/2 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 425°. Cook meat in a nonstick skillet
over medium-high heat until browned, stirring until it
crumbles. Drain, if necessary, and return to skillet. Add
tomato sauce and cook until heated. While meat cooks,
coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Unroll
pizza crust dough, and press into bottom and halfway up
sides of baking dish. Top bottom of pizza crust with meat
mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 12 minutes. Top
with cheese and bake 5 minutes or until crust is browned
and cheese melts. Cool 5 minutes before serving. Makes
6 servings.
SPINACH, CHICKEN, AND WILD RICE SOUP
CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER PIE
3/4 c. Grape-Nuts, divided
2 c. chocolate low-fat ice cream, slightly
softened
1 (2.1 oz.) package sugar-free chocolate
instant pudding mix
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1 c. frozen fat-free whipping topping, thawed
Sprinkle 1/2 cup cereal evenly in bottom of an 8-inch
round cake pan. Combine remaining 1/4 cup cereal, ice
cream, pudding mix and peanut butter in a bowl. Fold in 1
cup whipped topping. Spoon mixture into prepared pan;
cover and freeze 2 hours or until firm. Let stand at room
temperature 15 minutes before serving. Makes 8 servings.
PAN-GLAZED CHICKEN WITH BASIL
4 (4 oz.) skinless, boneless chicken breast
halves
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
2 T. balsamic vinegar
1 T. honey
2 T. chopped fresh or 2 tsp. dried basil
Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
3 c. water
1 (14 oz.) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 (10-3/4 oz.) can reduced-fat and reducedsodium condensed cream of chicken soup
2/3 c. uncooked wild rice, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
3 c. chopped cooked chicken or turkey (about
1 pound)
2 c. shredded fresh spinach
In a 3-1/2 or 4 quart slow cooker, combine the water,
broth, cream of chicken soup, uncooked wild rice, thyme
and pepper. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to
8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4 hours. To
serve, stir in chicken and spinach. Makes 6 servings.
CROCKPOT ONION MEATBALLS
3 lbs. frozen cooked meatballs
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
3 cloves garlic, minced
10 oz. jar beef gravy
3 T. water
1/8 tsp. pepper
Combine all ingredients in 4-6 quart crockpot and stir
to combine. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 4-5
hours until thoroughly heated. Makes 10 servings.
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FOR ADDRESS CORRECTIONS OR TO RECEIVE A COPY OF TELE-TOPICS
Pioneer Tele-Topics is located in Kingfisher. If long distance from your area, call toll free — 1-888-782-2667
and ask for extension 0116 (Brenda Smith). If Kingfisher is not a long distance call, please call (405) 375-0116.
The fax number for Tele-Topics is (405) 699-3053. You may also notify Brenda by e-mailing [email protected].