CurrentsCurrents

BOARD OF TRUSTEES• Harry R. Barnes, Browning, 338.3440• Kirk R. Dige, Big Sky, 995.4769• Howard W. Goltz, Ennis/Harrison, 682.3085• Diane M. Gollehon, Choteau/Pendroy/Dupuyer/ Valier, 466-2703• Logan P. Good, Carter/Highwood/Great Falls, 761.2743 • Kyle J. Burgmaier, Brady/Conrad/Power/ East Conrad/Shelby, 463.2288• Kelly M. McInerney, Fairfield/Augusta/ Ft. Shaw/Helena, 467.3240• Mary E. Hill, Raynesford/Geyser/Neihart/Belt/ Stockett,738.4220• Tyler P. Cobb, Jr., Melrose/Sheridan/ Twin Bridges/Lima/Virginia City, 684.5600

Acknowledgment of contributors this issue: Don Serido, Callie Moss, Susan Wilson

SERVICE INFORMATION TELEPHONE, INTERNET, TV

AND LONG DISTANCE

Fairfield: 406.467.2535 or 800.796.4567Big Sky: 406.995.2600

Browning: 406.338.2535Conrad: 406.271.2535Shelby: 406.424.8535

Payments: P.O. Box 489, Fairfield, MT 59436-0489Correspondence: P.O. Box 429, Fairfield, MT 59436

Website: www.3rivers.netE-mail: 3rt@3rivers.net

On-line Billing: https://3rivers.smarthub.coop

facebook.com/3RComm

3 Ri v e R s Co m m u n i C at i o n s • no v e m b e R - De C e m b e R 2017

GivinG Back to the communities We serve

in this issue

Technology Classes

Fiber Corner Your Family & the Internet

Montana Relay Service

QVC Drawing

The Montana Relay Service (MTRS) is a communications service that links the deaf, hard of hearing and speech disabled to hearing people via the telephone. To use this service, call 1-866-735-2968 and a relay agent will assist you. All calls and information are confidential. This 24-hour service is provided at no cost to callers.

The Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP) administers the Montana Relay Service (MTRS). MTAP also provides amplified telephone equipment and TTY devices to people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled at no cost. MTAP suits the individual needs of all qualified Montana applicants. Call TTY 711 or 1-800-253-4091. For more information on how to receive an application for free, specialized, telephone equipment for the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech disabled visit www.montanarelay.mt.gov or contact:

MTAP, PO Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604 TTY/Voice 1-800-833-8503 TTY/Voice 1-406-444-1335

montana relay service and telecommunications access ProGram

As we approach the Holiday season we are all reminded of how thankful we are for the many good things in our lives.

When a group of children were asked what they were they were thankful for their responses varied from the heartfelt to the hilarious. Some of their answers were:“I’m thankful for mermaids.” – Allison, age 3“Bubble wrap.” –Jennifer, age 3“I’m thankful for the Veterans because they protected our Country so we could keep our freedom.”– Angelica, age 7“I am thankful to my mommy for letting me play iPad two times a day on the weekends.” —River, age 7“Rainbows.”—Hudson, age 4“I am thankful for food because I am always hungry.”—Harrison, age 5 “Sparkles!” --Samantha Ann, age 4

The 3 Rivers Board of Trustees and the employees would like to extend our thanks to you for your continued support. Because of you we in turn are able to give back to our local communities through donations, sponsorships, and grants. (...continued inside)

emPloyees With 15 years of service

Rene PeteRs

Connie anDeRson

Wayne huffman

As a thank you to all of our subscribers, we are throwing everyone’s name in a drawing for one of four $50 gift cards from the QVC shopping channel—just in time for the holidays!

If you’re a current subscriber to 3 Rivers local telephone, High Speed Internet or 3RTV Digital TV as of November 1, 2017, you’re automatically entered! No purchase or sign up necessary!

We’ll pick one name each week beginning Friday, November 17, and will announce the winner on Facebook (facebook.com/3RComm). A complete list of winners will be available after December 8, 2017.

Winning subscribers’ accounts must be up to date and in good standing to claim gift card. You must have a QVC customer number to redeem the gift card. If you don’t have a QVC number, you need to contact QVC at 800-345-1515 or go to QVC.com to get one. 3 Rivers cannot set up a QVC number for you.

Win a $50 Gift Card!

fibeR CoRneRThe Lima Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) project is basically complete, with nearly all customers cutover from 3 Rivers’ old copper facilities to the new fiber optics. Construction is in the final phase in rural Choteau, north and east of Fairfield and the Westfork area in Big Sky. We tentatively plan to begin cutovers to fiber in these areas in the spring of 2018.

Staking is taking place and construction bids will go out before the end of the year for the 2018 FTTH projects in Virginia City and rural Twin Bridges areas with tentative plans calling for construction to begin in in the spring of 2018.

Check this space each issue for more information and updates on 3 Rivers FTTH projects. You can also check out our FAQ in the Fiber-to-the-Home section on 3rivers.net.

Social Package• Unlimited 10 Mbps High Speed Internet PLUS Local Voice Service!

• Email, online surf and shop, download music, social media, share (small) photos

• High-quality experience for 1-2 users and up to 4 devices.

$84.45

New Internet Customers— Save $10/Month for One Year!

Streaming Package • Unlimited 20 Mbps High Speed Internet PLUS Local Voice Service!

• Stream video, upload/download large files, online gaming, video chat

• Connect up to 5 users and 8 Internet-enabled devices

$104.45

New Internet Customers— Save $15/Month for One Year!

Total Connect Package • Unlimited 30 Mbps High Speed Internet PLUS Local Voice Service!

• Simultaneously stream HD video, upload/download large files, intensive online gaming on multiple devices

• Connect up to 7 users and 12 Internet-enabled devices

$124.45New Internet Customers—

Save $20/Month for One Year!

Download speeds are shown. Upload speeds are best available up to 10 Mbps. Price does not include taxes and surcharges for local voice service. $45.00 activation fee required for new customers. $150 equipment price per router/modem or free with one-year commitment. Number of users/devices is estimated. Speeds are not guaranteed and vary by location. Actual speeds depend on a variety of factors. Not available in all areas. Subject to qualification by 3 Rivers.

does your internet fit your family?

Happy Holidays from 3 Rivers!

continued from front...GivinG Back to the communities We serve In 2017 we offered $20,000 in financial assistance through our Community Enhancement Grant program to local organizations to make improvements within their communities including:

• Belt Swimming Pool • Jackson’s Garden in Sheridan • Shonkin Community Club • Madison Byways in Ennis• Carousel Rest Area in Shelby • Field of Dreams in Virginia City• Bailey Building and Museum in Lima • Highwood Commercial Club

We were also able to support our 27 local schools through:

• Youth Technology Grant to Harrison School • Transportation Grants for field trips and extra-curricular activities• Donations for class events, items for raffles for fundraisers• Banner Scholarship program giving $10,000 annually to graduating seniors

We were proud to be able to offer sponsorships to the events that make our small towns tick like:

• Honor Your Life Blackfeet Youth Day• Choteau 4th of July Rodeo• I Heart Niehart Festival• Toole County Health Foundation Golf Tournament• Conrad Chamber National Night Out• Arts Council of Big Sky Summer Concert• Charging Home Stampede 4-H Fair• Little Belt Cowboys Rodeo

For more information about 3 Rivers’ ongoing community support opportunities go to www.3rivers.net and click on the Community tab.

Do you have an event you would like to include in the 3 Rivers Upcoming Events section?

Contact Callie at ext 4113 or email to calliem@3rivers.coop The event must be a community-sponsored event and be open to all community members. The information will be included in our online calendar on 3rivers.net and space permitting, we will run the name of your event, the date, time and location in this newsletter. The information will be included in our online calendar on 3rivers.net.

FREE Technology Classes offered by 3 Rivers

Nov 4 Simms Simms High School Nov 18 Conrad Conrad Senior Center To sign up email Susan at susanw@3rivers.coop or call 467-4133

Details for events on 3rivers.net online calendar.

uPComing events