ConnectedJuly/August 2010 Published for the members of

“We Keep You Connected” growing2010 Annual Meeting: for the future

Also inside: Rainsville Lions Club more than 40 years of community service Fred Johnson answers your questions about FTCtv Fiber: Infrastructure of the future

Among the many great articles in Other goals of the plan, such as pro- this issue of Connected is one that focuses viding broadband to critical centers of the on the nuts and bolts of our new service, community, are things we’ve been doing FTCtv. In that article we answer some of for years. We will keep it up for as long as the more common questions regarding this you continue to support us and govern- service. We are very glad we’ve reached ment doesn’t get in the way. is a member-owned corporation a point where the highest quality digital While on the subject of our network dedicated to providing communica- television available is now part of our improvements, I want to address the issue tions technology to the people of portfolio of services. We certainly hope of how long it will take us to serve every- northeast Alabama. The company you’ll take a look at it and realize the value one. Some members have expressed con- has over 16,000 access lines, mak- FTC can bring you when you look to us cern over when TV services will be avail- ing it the state’s largest telecom- as your single source for all your commu- able in their communities. We hear and munications cooperative. nication needs. By the way, while you’re understand those concerns. We certainly Board of Trustees doing that, remember that when you buy wish it was possible to extend this service Randy Wright, President from us you are, after all, buying from to the entire region at once, but that is Flat Rock Exchange yourself. just not practical. In fact, we are indeed As proud as we are of our digital fortunate that we had the expertise, timing Gary Smith, Vice President television service, it’s actually just one of and financial resources to get to 72% of Fyffe Exchange the services delivered over our new optical you within the first 36 months. We have no Danny R. Richey, Secretary fiber-based broadband network. We are intention of forgetting the remaining 28%. Geraldine Exchange now exactly halfway through an initial Projects of this size take time and a lot Lynn Welden, Treasurer 3-year work plan to make optical fiber of money. We have prioritized the areas we Bryant Exchange available to approximately 72% of our first served based upon a complex system membership. The Federal Communica- of judgment that begins with a ‘quality of Robert B. Burkhalter tions Commission just unveiled a national service analysis.’ Any area of our territory Pisgah Exchange plan for broadband expansion that set a that has a basic quality of service issue is Greg Griffith nationwide goal of a broadband network cared for first. We realize no one likes to Henagar Exchange capable of delivering 100 Megabits per wait for the latest and greatest technology, Randy Tumlin second of data to 100 million households but please be patient. We will get to you as Rainsville Exchange within a certain time period. However, in soon as possible. Remember, we have to a move that has raised serious concerns all do this at a pace we can sustain and afford across our nation, the Commission sug- or else we couldn’t do it at all — and we Connected gested that Rural America was in current are thrilled to be able to reach 72% of you Vol. 14, No. 4 July/August 2010 is a bimonthly magazine need of systems that would deliver only 4 in 36 months. published by Farmers Telecom- Megabits per second (Mbps). That’s right; The changes we saw in the first 50 munications Cooperative, © 2010. 4 Mbps for Rural America versus 100 years of the modern telephone industry It is distributed without charge to Mbps for the cities of the nation. You could came at a snail’s pace compared to the all member/owners of the Coop- probably guess what we think about that. rapid changes of today. But our members erative. Send address If for no other reason than such a limita- can rest assured that FTC’s Board and em- corrections to: tion would veritably kill our ability to at- ployees will navigate the changing rules of Farmers Telecommunications tract or retain industry, FTC will do all that our government to the best of our ability, Cooperative, Inc. is within its power to help our nation’s while using the best technology to deliver P.O. Box 217 leaders move in a more appropriate and the advanced services you demand. This 144 McCurdy Ave. N. responsible direction. has long been the tradition of this coopera- Rainsville, Alabama 35986 Interestingly enough, FTC believes tive, and I suspect it shall remain so for the Telephone: (256) 638-2144 it has room to talk. Our fiber network is next 50 years and beyond.n www.farmerstel.com capable of delivering 100 Mbps to our Produced for FTC by: customers in Jackson and DeKalb counties WordSouth Public Relations, Inc. today. And it is the only technology likely www.wordsouth.com to ever do so at an affordable price. We greatly respect the wisdom and effort of On the Cover: the FCC, but we do not need any agency Make plans to attend the of the U. S. Government to tell us that we Fred Johnson is General Manager Annual Meeting of your Farmers should be supporting the quality of life in of Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative our communities. We’ve been doing that Telecommunications on Saturday, August 7th. since we began the process in 1952 when Cooperative, Inc. no one else would. 2 Connected - July/August 2010 The future of television viewing

Digital IP Television is a whole new viewing experience. It delivers hundreds of channels to your home, with features to make your life more convenient. And because it comes to you over a World-Class Broadband Network, you’ll experience the most reliable signal available today. Choose the FTCtv Bundle that’s best for you! 30 day risk-Free • 100s of Channels trial! Triple Play Triple Play 1 enhanced 2 essenTial • High-Definition Channels DigiTal Television DigiTal Television • DVR Expanded Basic (over 170 channels*) Expanded Basic (over 170 channels*) • Premium Movie Channels UnliMiTeD UnliMiTeD naTionWiDe Calling naTionWiDe Calling • Music Channels (local & long Distance) (local & long Distance) • One-Bill Convenience voice Mail Basic, plus voice Mail Basic, plus UnliMiTeD Calling Features UnliMiTeD Calling Features •Affordable Packages High-speed High-speed Broadband internet Broadband internet with speeds up to 10MB** with speeds up to 6MB** Free Standard InStallatIon with a two-year agreement! $ .95 $ .95 (Up to 3 TVs) 159 Per Month 139 Per Month call FTc at 256-638-2144 to see if FTctv is available in your area Restrictions on Use of FTC’s Unlimited Long Distance Service FTC’s Unlimited Long Distance Service is available to Residential customers only and is provided subject to FTC’s Standard Terms and Conditions and FTC’s Price List (subject to any advertised discount).* These can be found at www.farmerstel.com . Unlimited Long Distance Service, whether purchased alone or as part of an FTC Bundle, is for typical domestic voice use only. It does not include 900 calls, 800 services, Calling card calls, International calls, Directory Assistance, Operator Assistance, multi-line conference calls, chat services, or data services – standard rates apply for these services. All long distance calling areas are limited to the 48 continental United States plus Alaska, Hawaii, and select U.S. Territories. Long distance is not intended for use to connect to Internet service providers, data providers, or information services. Commercial facsimile, auto-redialing, resale, telemarketing, and general business use are strictly prohibited. While FTC does not apply arbitrary limits on typical long distance usage per month, should FTC determine, in its sole discretion, that usage is not consistent with typical Residential voice usage patterns and is abusive of the Service, FTC reserves the right, after giving notice of its intent, to immediately suspend, restrict or terminate the long distance service, or to bill future excessive usage charges at the per minute rate included in the FTC Price List, without further notice. FTC reserves the right to block permanent Call Forwarding in connection with the use of Unlimited Long Distance Service. Customers must subscribe to FTC Long Distance. All rates are subject to change. FTC reserves the right to eliminate its Unlimited Long Distance Service offering or any FTC Bundle that includes Unlimited Long Distance Service at any time upon appropriate notice to all customers subscribing to the Service or Bundle, consistent with then existing Alabama law and the rules and regulations of the Alabama Public Service Commission. Additional requirements and restrictions may apply. Quoted rates do not include applicable taxes and fees. *Number approximate. Actual lineup will vary. ** Speeds are approximate, not guaranteed. Some areas not yet capable of receiving this service. Connected - July/August 2010 3 2010 Annual Meeting

“We Keep You Connected” saturday, august 7, 2010 DeKalb County schools Coliseum (Highway 35 East in Rainsville)

growing for the future

• Registration begins at 9 a.m. Free FTC Stainless Steel Water Bottles • Business Meeting begins at 11 a.m. for the first 1,500 members registered! • Election for the Board of Trustees: Grand Prize: 1996 C/1500 Chevrolet (Fyffe and Rainsville Exchanges) Extended Cab Pickup Other Prizes include HD LCD TV, iPod, digital cameras and more!

4 Connected - July/August 2010 Come See the Digital Difference! Digital Television will be on display at FTC’s annual Meeting

When you join your fellow members at the FTC annual watching one. You can also pause and rewind live Tv, Meeting, be sure to stop by the display for our new Digital and record hours of your favorite programming. Television offering — FTCtv! it’s a whole new way to • Unlike satellite, FTCtv subscribers rarely experience experience television. FTCtv delivers hundreds of channels to weather interference. your home, and because it comes to you over a World-Class • Competitively priced packages and standard Broadband network, you will experience the most reliable professional installation with no hidden fees. and a signal available. 30-day risk-free trial! • Find out about great promotional offerings starting in What is the Digital Television Difference? august for new and existing customers. • a rich digital picture delivered over a World-Class • Plus, coming soon: local Programming! Broadband network. • access to hundreds of channels, including high- so, be sure to stop by our display at the FTC annual definition channels and premium channels. Meeting to learn more about FTCtv and the Digital • FTCtv DvR allows you to record two shows while Difference.

Annual Meeting Entertainment:

Karen Peck & N e w R i v e r The multi-Grammy nominated performers Karen Peck and New River will be featured this year at our annual meeting. Well known in the world of Southern Gospel Music, Karen Peck has received 11 Favorite Soprano Fan Awards from The Singing News Magazine, the leading source for what is new and popular in Southern Gospel Music. Based out of Gainesville, Georgia, New River has produced numerous hits, with five songs reaching the top of the Southern Gospel charts in the last two years, in- cluding “Four Days Late” and “Whispered Prayers.”

Connected - July/August 2010 5 Compassion takes Karen Smothers Beyond Prison Doors

By Tina Thurmond Three years ago, Karen Smothers was an ordinary wife and mother with a thousand-megawatt smile and a job as a licensed physical therapist assistant. Today, she is still all of that, as well as an international missionary, business owner, and CEO of a thriving ministry. It all started the day she laid down her own aspirations for the future in order to help a group of women she had never met. t was August of 2005 when she and these women about her husband Kenny spent the morn- Jesus. I hurt for them ing in the Birmingham-Jefferson and I wanted to help Civic Center at a conference held them.” by well-known televangelist and author Smothers sat in IJoyce Meyer. Smothers enjoyed watch- the car, as her husband ing Meyer on Christian television, and drove, and realized that would not be Karen Smothers proudly displays part of the trip to see her had been a gift from easy. She had no idea how to get inside Deana Wigley’s hand-made children’s collection. Kenny. the walls of the local jail, much less those The message that day concerned of a prison. the plight of women in prison. Meyer’s She says she knew that if God really though I was raised in church, I always ministry regularly visits prisons and dis- meant for her to do prison ministry, He felt like I had to work harder and harder tributes care packages to female inmates, would make a way. So she silently spoke to be a ‘good Christian.’ But nothing ever so she often speaks about them in her the three words which would drastically helped.” sermons. change her life: “God, open doors.” Smothers was already a wife and Despite the capacity crowd in the There was no bolt of lightning from mother when she was finally set free. She 17,000-seat arena, Smothers says she al- the sky, no booming voice from the says her road to freedom began when most believed Meyer’s call to bring hope clouds, nor even a single chill-bump on she saw a video series by Meyer called and help to women behind bars was her arm. But somehow Smothers knew Battlefield of the Mind. It contained numer- aimed directly at her. her prayer had been heard, so she dried ous biblical passages which talked about As she closed out the meeting, Meyer her tears, settled back in her seat and how a person’s life is influenced by what asked any women in the building who waited. they think. had ever been helped by prison ministry It would be a long wait. For Smothers, the passages were a to stand up. “Women stood up all over life-changing revelation. “I was thirty- that building,” says Smothers, “and I Battlefield of the mind eight years old,” she says, “when I was could hardly believe it. I had no idea Although she had never even been delivered instantly from that negative there could have been so many in that close to a jail cell, Smothers believes God mind set and all of the negative feel- one place.” chose her because she identified with the ings that I would never be good enough, Looking at the hundreds of women feelings of being imprisoned and hope- I would never be right enough, even standing across the auditorium, Smoth- less. She had grown up in a loving home though I tried. Once I was shown that I ers realized that what she felt in her heart with two Christian parents, but for some didn’t have to do it all, I wanted to tell was more than sympathy, it was a call to unknown reason, Smothers had battled others that same thing. prison ministry, a call she believed was depression and thoughts of worthless- “I felt connected to people in jail be- coming from God. ness for most of her life. cause even though they were behind bars “On the way home, I was crying,” “I felt like I was trapped in a prison and I had never been behind bars, it was she says, “and I was thinking that I of my own mind,” says Smothers. “For a way of thinking,” Smothers says. wanted to go into the prisons and tell years I felt less than good enough. Even “That defeated lifestyle that led them 6 Connected - July/August 2010 to think there was no hope, a lot of times met,” says Clark, “and I related to her. I When it opens, Project Zoe will makes people turn to other things look- couldn’t wait to talk to her from week to be a re-entry into society program for ing for something that can so easily be week. I was in jail for two months, and I selected applicants who will live there found in Jesus Christ. got saved and baptized while I was there. with a supervisory ‘house mother’. For “It was just something that I wanted If it weren’t for meeting Karen I wouldn’t three months, each woman will receive to share with them, that no matter how be who I am now. I would never have counseling, as well as classes on practical bad you may feel about yourself, that given God a chance.” matters such as how to balance a check- is just how you feel, it is not based on Each time Smothers visited the jail, book, or how to buy groceries. They will truth,” she says. “Just like me.” she gave her cell phone number to the be required to adhere to strict rules, take She believed that although the female inmates. “I would tell them to call random drug tests and attend spiritual imprisoned women might not be able to me if they needed anything,” she says. training. After completing the program, get out, they could still be free, if only in It was not long until her phone began the women will be better equipped to their hearts and minds. to ring. “They never asked me for any- start life anew. thing except someone to listen to them,” “We have until the end of 2010 to A chance meeting she says. open the doors,” Smothers says. “Be- When Smothers returned from Bir- “Many of them get disowned by cause of the non-profit status, we had to mingham that day, she called the local their families when they get put in jail, give the government a date of when we county jail. She was told that the jail did or kicked out of their homes. They can’t would have the home ready.” not have any openings for ministry. find a job, and they don’t have any Smothers says finding the perfect For the next year she continued to money. Because they have nowhere to go, house has not been easy. Twice, she has pray for God to open doors. they usually end up back in jail again,” been turned down because of zoning “I would pray and say ‘God, in my she says. heart I want to do this, or that,’” she says, Smothers began to pray about open- “and one day God showed me that I ing a home where hurting women could should start a ministry and call it ‘In My go to get a fresh start. Heart Ministries’ (IMHM).” She knew that would take money, so, It was not until two years after the in addition to her job as a home-health Birmingham conference that Smothers nurse, she began selling purses and jew- finally started to see the pieces of the elry which she purchased wholesale and puzzle come together. sold for retail. In just a few short months, “I went to Deana Wigley’s office at Smothers had saved $20,000. White Realty in Rainsville with a card When Clark got out of jail and for her daughter, Ashley,” Smothers says. called her needing a job, Smothers did “While Deana and I were talking, she not have to think long about what to do. told me that the lady who did ministry “I was praying for someone to hire at the county jail had stepped down, and her,” says Smothers, “so I opened the she asked me would I ever consider do- store and hired her myself. She does an Trisha Clark found a new life, as well ing that sort of thing.” amazing job.” as a close friend when Karen Smothers “I told her that it is one of the hardest “My life has done nothing but move came to the DeKalb County Jail. things you will ever do,” says Wigley, forward since then,” says Clark. “I even “but also one of the most rewarding got married and I’m really involved at things. I told her to go home and pray my church.” laws. “I’m not worried,” she says. “I about it first, and she did.” The store, ‘Karen’s Korn’r, is now know God will send us the right place.” Wigley says she helped get Smothers’ a thriving business in Fort Payne, and In the meantime, Smothers says clearance at the jail, and the next week along with monetary donations, provides another door has opened for her that is when Deana Wigley walked through the all of the funds for IMHM (now a certi- beyond anything she ever imagined. She jailhouse doors, so did Karen Smothers. fied non-profit organization). The board was invited by Hand of Hope Ministry “There were about thirty women of directors, which includes Wigley, which is run by Joyce Meyer’s son, Da- there that day,” says Smothers. “There determines how funds will be used based vid, to go on a missionary trip to Nicara- was an instant connection and I couldn’t on applications and need. gua. While there, she met the wife of Dan wait to talk to them. I told them that God So far, the fund has provided things Salas, a prison missionary affiliated with loved them, no matter what they had such as rent, a used car, Christmas gifts Meyer. done, it didn’t matter to Him.” for children of jailed parents, and even Salas has invited her to share her money to re-build a woman’s teeth and story in some prisons in Costa Rica later A friend in need mouth after she was assaulted in a do- this year. She is also making plans to Over the next few months, Smoth- mestic dispute. go to India, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka to ers visited the jail every Sunday. During IMHM is now moving forward with spread her message of hope. one visit, she met Trisha Clark, a young the house they call Project Zoe. “Only God knows what’s in store,” woman from Fort Payne. “Zoe means ‘new life,’” says Smoth- she says. “I’m ready to walk through any “Karen was unlike anyone I had ever ers. “And that is what we want to offer.” door He opens.”n ConnectedConnected -- July/August 2010 7 Changing lives, one community at a time Rainsville Lions Club By: Joseph M. Morgan

ith approximately 1.3 mil- Local resident Wendell Elliott is the only are many individuals in the community lion members and more charter member who remains active with who also take part in Lions Club func- than 45,000 active clubs in the club. tions, but are unable to regularly attend 205 countries, Lions Clubs Elliott says that while he has seen a meetings. International is the world’s largest ser- lot of changes with the club in the past “We have a lot folks who help us Wvice club organization. four decades, the focus of the Rainsville a great deal but cannot attend every Founded in 1917, the Lions Clubs Lions Club has never changed. meeting,” Baker says. “People are busy. organization is best known to many for “The size of our club has risen and Between kids and work and school and its fight to eradicate blindness and for fallen over the years,” Elliott says. “But going to soccer games and baseball the handmade brooms the group sells to we share the same dedication to helping games, and other family duties, it’s hard raise money for the blind for a lot of people to make it and visually impaired. But to all the meetings. We are the Lions do much more. fortunate to have several Clubs from all over the former members and others world also work together in in the community who are an effort to meet the human- always nice enough to help itarian needs of millions. us with fundraisers and Lions tackle global other projects.” problems such as blindness Baker says that around and hearing loss and re- 10 or 12 years ago, the club spond to major catastrophes was not doing as well finan- such as earthquakes and cially as it is today. floods. Lions Club Interna- “This was a couple of tional is known for caring years before we held the ma- for the environment, feeding jor fundraisers that we hold the hungry and aiding se- today,” Baker says. “Things niors and the disabled. had gotten bad enough that The organization also some of our members were helps Lions serve their local handling glasses requests communities by partnering for people in the community with them to build schools, Leaders in the Community - Lions Club members Larry Traylor, Lester with money out of their own health clinics and vocational Black, Melvin Dawson and Wendell Elliott look over plans for the Northeast pockets.” training centers for the dis- Alabama Agri-Business Center. The board of directors of the center is comprised About the same time, the abled. of many Rainsville Lions Club Members. Lions Club decided to begin Lions empower the dis- a new program to help local abled to lead more indepen- school children in need. dent, productive and fulfilling lives. the community that we did when our “As we started doing more in the The organization continues to serve club was founded.” community, more money started com- people in greatest need, both in its local In keeping with Lions Clubs Interna- ing in to us from the community,” Baker and global communities. tional’s longstanding tradition to work says. “I think that once the good Lord By bettering one community at a with the visually impaired, the Rainsville sees you’re doing right, he gives you the time, all across the globe, Lions Club Lions Club’s primary area of service is opportunity to do more right. And the International makes an impact on the providing access to eye examinations, Lions Club was doing what was right.” entire world. corrective surgeries, eyeglasses and The club began the “Clothes for The Rainsville Lions Club has been transportation assistance to and from Kids” program at Plainview School. The a part of that impact for more than 40 eyecare professionals for local residents members established a contact at the years. The club has served the people in need of assistance. school to meet with every teacher and of Rainsville and many surrounding The Rainsville Lions Club has 17 “ac- create a list of students in each classroom communities since it was founded in tive” members. Carey Baker, a member of who might need help buying clothing or 1967, with around 40 charter members. the club for the past 15 years, says there other necessary items. 8 Connected - July/August 2010 A couple of years later, the Lions tough financial times. The rodeo is a very added Fyffe school children to the costly event to pull off and without a lot Northeast Alabama program. The Lions have added an- of financial support we run the risk of other school every two years since. The losing money. Also, we were afraid that Agri-Business Center program now helps children from six attendence might be down because peo- to open in September DeKalb County elementary schools, ple simply do not have as much money including Plainview, Fyffe, Sylvania, right now to spend on entertainment.” Henagar, Geraldine and Ider. The club has not made any concrete Each year, the Rainsville Lions Club plans, but hopes to host a rodeo in the purchases new shoes, coats, underwear, near future when the Northeast Alabama shirts, pants and any other clothing items Agri-Business Center is completed. the children might need. In 2009 alone, “There have been a lot of folks in the the club purchased more than $6,600 community to tell us that they miss the worth of clothing for area children. rodeo,” Lions Club President Gary Don Cooper Hosiery in Fort Payne supplies a Kirk says. “We plan to host one as soon dozen pair of socks for each child. as we can, and feel like holding it at the The club raises a majority of the new Agri-Business Center would be a funds for these important projects great way to get the community support through two very popular local fundrais- we need to make it successful. It would www.nealagricenter.com ers — an annual rodeo and a pancake certainly be a nice way to bring it back.” After years of hard work from several breakfast. The Rainsville Lions club also con- community leaders, the Northeast Ala- The rodeo entertains fans from all tributes to training facilities for seeing- bama Agri-Business Center is set to open over North Alabama with bull-riding, eye dogs, and to state, national and inter- in September. bronco-riding, steer wrestling and calf- national Lions Club Sight Centers for the The center will be a multipurpose roping. Another popular rodeo event is visually impaired. The group sponsors facility used for agriculture, entertain- a children’s calf chase. The lucky winner Rainsville-area Boy Scout and Cub Scout ment and community events, and will takes a $20 bill tied to the calf’s tail. Troops. serve the City of Rainsville, DeKalb Although the attendance has varied Other service projects have included County, the seven surrounding counties, in the past depending on weather condi- sending local children to the Southeast- and eventually the tri-state area of Ala- tions, the event usually pulls in around ern Diabetes Camp, sponsoring Lions bama, Georgia and Tennessee. 1,000 to 2,000 people. After costs, the re- Clubs all-star baseball teams, sending Located in Rainsville at 1571 McCurdy maining money goes to the club to fund children to band camp and sponsor- Avenue North, the facility is being con- its many community service projects. ing Boys State attendees. Last April, the structed on 43.5 acres and includes a The club has not held a rodeo in the Rainsville Lions Club helped sponsor a 71,300-square-foot, climate-controlled past couple of years due to the struggling new chapter at Northeast Alabama Com- arena with seating for 3,800 people. The economy. munity College. arena will also be equipped with confer- “Our local businesses have always Baker says the impact of the club is ence rooms and offices, and will house a been very generous,” says Rainsville due to its leadership through the years 200-stall barn and warm-up area. Lions Club Treasurer-Secretary Melvin and a strong core of generous, active Also on-site will be an RV park with 69 Dawson. “But, some of our corporate members. “Everyone has a part and recreational hook-ups, and a two-acre sponsors haven’t been able to help us as knows their part,” he says. “It’s not about lake and walking track. much the last couple of years due to the pride or humility. It’s about getting it The Northeast Alabama Agri-Business done. Every- Center Board of Directors hired Mike body has a Sweat to serve as executive director job, and they for the center. Sweat has more than 20 just go out years experience as events manager at and do it — Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center and end of story. Pelham Civic Complex. That’s how Sweat’s hiring comes as the ag center this Lions nears completion. The board of directors Club stays hope to have construction of the facility successful, completed sometime in August and for through coop- it to be fully operational by early Sep- eration among tember. The first event is scheduled for the members Sept. 24. and hard For more information about the Agri- 40 years of serviCe - Wendell Elliott, the only charter member of the Lions work.”n Center you may call 256-638-1650. Club who is still an active member, receives his 40 year pin. He is shown with (L to R) Larry Traylor, Carey Baker, Melvin Dawson, Elliott, Jim White, H M Everett and Lester Black. Connected - July/August 2010 9 A community pitches in to help local author welcome you to Dean’s Chapel By Jared Dovers

long served as a pillar of the Dean’s Cha- “There are no stores in our commu- pel community. The church was instru- nity anymore,” says Moore. Yet, many of mental in making her project a reality. the things that make the Dean’s Chapel “It occurred to me that once the community special can still be found. people there had passed on, the history “Happy Home Baptist Church is of our community would be lost with still going strong,” says Moore, “and the them — and somebody needed to tell the Community Club still meets — but it’s story,” says Moore. mostly older couples. Young couples are But she did not do it alone. After she interested in doing other things, but if decided to write the book, “everyone you asked them where they were from he community of Dean’s Chapel, started to help me, asking if I knew this they would still say Dean’s Chapel.” a settlement of a few hundred or that tidbit of history, or sending me Alongside stories of the various fami- people just west of Henagar, has pictures of things I couldn’t find other- lies, businesses, and events that define a rich history dating back to the wise,” says Moore. Dean’s Chapel, Moore’s book includes Civil War. For the past two years, recov- She was not surprised that people hundreds of photographs. These range Tering and binding that history has been were so happy to help preserve the from an 1887 drawing of the Dean family the personal mission of Dean’s Chapel memory of their community. For years to schoolyard picnics and tacky dress-up native Theresa Moore. the residents of Dean’s Chapel have been parties at the Community Club. Starting in 2008, Moore would pitching in to keep the remaining build- “I spent many, many hours at night leave her work and drive to the Jackson ings of its earlier days from falling into on the computer repairing old photos,” County courthouse or Heritage Center on decay like so many others in the area. says Moore. “Many of the pictures were a quest for information about her home- “If you don’t take care of these old very old, and in poor shape. I had my sis- town and its past. The result is her newly buildings they’ll rot, or get vandalized,” ter, Sharon Luck, who was working with published work Welcome to Dean’s Chapel: says Moore. “That doesn’t happen here. The Weekly Post at the time, show me how A History of the Dean’s Chapel Community. Dean’s Chapel has taken a lot of pride in to use software to fix the photographs.” When asked why she spent hundreds preserving its history and community.” Despite the tremendous amount of of hours foraging through land deeds, A major source of information for work, Moore was able to complete her marriage certificates and old photo- the book was the Dean’s Chapel Com- goal. The first run of Welcome to Dean’s graphs, Moore has a single, definitive munity Club, founded in the 1960s as an Chapel was 150 copies, and most have answer: “I wanted to leave something initiative by the Auburn extension office been sold already. Moore says she is behind for my grandchildren, and for all and Liberty National Life Insurance to making preparations for a second print- the young people of our community,” she improve rural life. ing due to the demand. says, “so they can be proud of their fami- “There was a notebook kept every Many of the places and people that lies and where they’ve come from.” year of ‘community improvements,’ and fill Moore’s book may be gone, but the A sense of community is personal people would record everything from spirit of community that has long sus- for Moore, whose family has long called their family buying a new refrigerator tained Dean’s Chapel is still very much Dean’s Chapel home. The book itself is to what crops the farmers were growing alive. Through the efforts of Moore, dedicated to her grandfather, Mannis that year,” says Moore. along with her family and neighbors, Herman Moore. As a book about rural Alabama life future generations will better understand n “My grandfather ran our town’s cot- in 19th and 20th century, Moore’s book the history that is uniquely theirs. ton gin, before all of the gins in this area focuses on the families, churches and closed and moved to growing potatoes,” commerce that made up the small com- she says. “So then he ran a saw mill and munity. It takes readers from its begin- If you would like to purchase gristmill.” nings with Civil War homesteaders, to a copy of Welcome To Dean’s Moore says she was struck with the the closing of the Dean’s Chapel School idea of creating the book during an an- and various businesses as people were Chapel, please contact Theresa nual Christmas dinner at Happy Home increasingly attracted to the conven- Moore at 256-657-4636. Baptist Church, a congregation that has iences that larger towns had to offer. 10 Connected - July/August 2010 FTC general Manager Fred Johnson answers your questions about FTC’s new digital television offering

WhaT is FTCtv? can achieve added value when they bundle their TV, Internet, FTCtv is advanced digital television. It provides each customer and phone services together. Bundle customers experience the with a crystal-clear picture, choice programming, and access to advantages of: High Definition (HD) service, Digital Video Recorder (DVR), • The convenience of one bill – one bill for TV, Internet, and and Premium services including local programming. phone services • Economic savings – reduced prices when all services are hoW Does FTCtv Work? combined on one bill Our service uses the thoroughly modern Internet Protocol (IP) • Local customer service – FTC is here to serve you - any day, transmission standard. This does not mean, however, that you any time you need us are getting your TV through the Public Internet. Quite the op- • Community investment – We give back to our communities posite is true. FTCtv is delivered through dedicated high capac- – more of your dollars stay at home ity broadband circuits from our wire center to your home or • Patronage Capital – FTC is a member-owned coopera- business. You do not share that circuit with anyone else. FTCtv tive, so any dollar spent with FTC is an investment in your transmits broadcasts in both standard definition and high defi- company (and part of that investment may be returned to nition. Each TV in the home must be hooked up to a set-top box you in the future) in order to receive the signal. When Can i subsCribe To FTCtv? These high capacity broadband connections allow us to offer FTCtv is generally deployed over Fiber Optic Technology you broadband Internet and phone service bundles in extreme- (fiber). An FTC customer is normally eligible to receive FTCtv ly attractive packages known as a “triple play.” when a fiber drop is connected to their home. Fiber is capable of providing much greater bandwidth than traditional copper hoW many TVs Can i ConneCT To FTCtv? wires. This additional bandwidth is required for advanced ser- Our standard professional installation includes up to three TVs vices, such as FTCtv and FTC High Speed Broadband Internet at no additional charge. Each TV can be tuned to different chan- (bandwidth is a measurement of how much data is traveling nels at the same time. We can connect more or fewer TVs at the over the network). customer’s request. Why Can i noT subsCribe To FTCtv ToDay? Why shoulD i sWiTCh To FTCtv? As stated above, your home must be connected by a fiber drop. Anyone switching to FTCtv will experience several advantages: In the future, copper wires of a certain length may allow some • Rich picture quality that is 100% digital – choice program- TV service, but presently we cannot always guarantee the qual- ming – HD and DVR access ity of this service — as a result we will not sell it unless we can. • FTCtv DVR access allows you to record two shows FTC is currently in the middle of a three-year work plan de- while watching one*. You can also pause and rewind ploying new fiber all across our service territory to ensure that live T V, a nd r ecord h ours o f y our f avorite p rogramming each customer is capable of receiving the services they desire. *Available beginning in August At the end of this three-year project our fiber will be available • Access to Premium programs such as HBO®, Cinemax®, to approximately 72% of our members. This is a significant Starz®, Encore®, SHOWTIME®, and even FLIX® achievement for an organization of this size. • Unlike satellite, FTCtv experiences very limited to no weather interference hoW Can i FinD ouTWhen i am eligible To • FTCtv is offered with a 30-day risk free trial subsCribe To FTCtv? • Simple up-front packages with no hidden fees Customers can be on the lookout for notices from FTC as they • Standard professional installation become eligible to receive FTCtv and other advanced services. • Competitively priced Also, any of our Customer Service Representatives are ready • Extensive local programming (beginning in 3rd Quarter of to review each account individually. Customers can feel free to 2010) available nowhere else call us anytime to get a best estimate of when the services will be available to them. We can be reached at 256-638-2144, or 611 In addition to the technological advantages, any FTC subscriber from any FTC landline phone. Connected - July/August 2010 11 Career enrichment Day Many thanks to the following presenters FTC and NACC partner for the seventh year to Gordon Gossett, Gant, Croft and Associates give DeKalb and Jackson County high school Sherry Whitten, NACC Sam Phillips, Phillips Engineering seniors face time with local professionals Judith Lea, NACC Angela Smith, Cornerstone Christian Academy John T. Davis, Edward Jones High school seniors from DeKalb speakers, covering such fields as teach- Brent Satterfield, NACC and Jackson County filled the campus of ing, pharmacy, law, marketing, health Jeff Rains, DeKalb Regional Medical Center Northeast Alabama Community College administration, and more. Darcy Craven, DeKalb Regional Medical Center (NACC) on May 12th for Career Enrich- “When making a career choice, there Jonathan Whitcomb, Information Engineer ment Day. Farmers Telecommunications is no better way to get the information JD Davidson, The Times-Journal Cooperative (FTC) and NACC partnered you need than to talk with the people Russ Balvin, Vulcraft-Nucor for the 7th year to host this event. who are currently working in the fields Kenny Brown, Vulcraft-Nucor “We feel this day gives students an that interest you,” Johnson says. Steve Cowart, Vulcraft-Nucor opportunity to benefit from first-hand “We appreciate our presenters for Adam Moore, Siemens Energy exposure to career options,” says Fred generously giving of their time,” says Amber Harrington, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals Johnson, FTC General Manager. Stu- Johnson. “And we are especially thankful Connie Cochran, Maxim Athletics dents have three sessions from which to NACC for partnering with us to host Tony Newsome, FTC to choose, all offering a wide variety of this event.”n Ashley Stanford, Town Creek Productions Fred Johnson, FTC Pat Allen, Pilgrims Pride Grace Smith, Alabama Farmers Cooperative Lee Buffington, Turf Tamers, Inc. College and Career Curtis Parker, Federal Bureau of Investigation Planning Center Capt. Tera Powell, United States Army Richard Williams, Broadway Baptist Church Making the right career choice isn’t Dr. Cindy Jones, NACC Mark Webb, NACC always easy. Sherry Whitten, Justin Garmany, Rainsville Drugs Director of College and Career Ricky Harcrow, DeKalb County Commission Planning Center at NACC, can Deana Wigley, White Realty help students determine which Pam Gann, DeKalb County Board of Education Neal Thrash, Fyffe High School path they want to pursue. Dan Owen, Alabama Aviation College Tests are given which reveal Scott Kirk, First Southern State Bank likes and dislikes, work ethic, Sam Wilson, Sam Construction Thomas Whitten, DeKalb Youth Service Center aptitude and interest. Those Dr. John Anderson results help students choose Sharon Totten, NACC a career path and the college Jeremy Taylor, DeKalb and Cherokee District Attorney courses they will take. Whitten led Nathaniel Ledbetter, Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative Jennifer McCurdy, WordSouth Public Relations three sessions on career planning Dr. Anthony Sims, Henagar Family Medicine during Career Enrichment Day. Dr. Martin Habel, Vision Plus Mindi Meadows, TheraSport Adrian Casey, DeKalb County Health Department

12 Connected - July/August 2010 And the award goes to... farmerstel.com

Farmers Telecommunications powerful online tools combined with a online version of Connected magazine Cooperative recently earned national simple, user-friendly design that intui- takes readers to all stories from the cur- recognition from the National Telecom- tively guides visitors through the site. rent issue. A powerful search function munications Cooperative Association Members can pay their FTC bill allows readers to search by keyword (NTCA) for its website www.farmer- online through a simple link, and check through more than 10 years of Con- stel.com. FTC was hon- nected issues. ored with a TeleChoice The website was also Award for Best Website in designed to give users its division, beating out easy access to current entries from telecommuni- events and entertainment, cations companies across with links to ESPN, ABC the nation. News Now, Soapnetic and “We are so honored to Disney Connection. have received this award,” FTC continues to says Brandi Lyles, Market- improve the site. Recently, ing Director for FTC. ‘Tech Talk’ and ‘Con- This is the first year nected Life’ links were that a category for Web added. These local video design has been included programs provide helpful in the awards program, tips and human interest which is held annually stories. at the NTCA marketing After receiving the conference. award, Lyles thanked FTC is focused on those who had helped maintaining communica- make the website such a tion with its customers. “It success. is our goal to present a website that is their FTC webmail. They will also find “We want to thank Julie May of appealing, easy to use, and beneficial information about rates, services of- Anything Creative, who is our website for our members,” says Lyles. “Our fered, and how to contact FTC staff. designer, and Michele Smith, of Word- website was designed with them in Farmerstel.com features an online South Public Relations, who assists us mind, and this award shows that.” telephone directory where visitors with graphic design elements for the Farmerstel.com offers members can search listings. A direct link to the website,” says Lyles.n FTC sponsors local students in FRS Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

Students from rural regions across America gathered in the nation's capital this summer to learn about the legislative process and the telecommunications industry. Anna Graham and Dusty Trotman, both from Plainview High School, represent- ed the Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative service area at the Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) annual Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. FTC sponsored the local students on the five-day educational trip. Students were awarded this trip by winning a speaking contest held by FTC in March. The chaper- ones were FTC employee and father of Dusty, Shane Trotman and his wife Tammy. The FRS Youth Tour provides students from rural areas a first-hand look at the tele- communications industry, while educating them on the functions of government. In addition to visiting with elected officials and industry leaders, students toured several famous historical sites. These included the U.S. Capitol, the Smithsonian Institution, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The Youth Tour is also a cultural experience for students, allowing them time to spend with their peers from other parts of the country. "Youth Tour is an excellent program that gives our young leaders a broader sense of the important role of companies like FTC in rural America," says Brandi Lyles, FTC Marketing Director.n Connected - July/August 2010 13 Mule Days

Upcoming September 6 • Ider Town Park Events $2 admission at gate (6 and under free). The entire family is sure to enjoy this event featuring gospel and bluegrass music, antique cars, an engine and tractor show, crafts, lots of food and games. Don’t miss the main event, a horse and mule team pull. Call 256-657-4184 for more information.

DeKalb County Junior Miss UFO Days Pageant Fyffe Town Park August 28 Tom Bevill Lyceum • August 14 Support the high school senior girls from your area as Come enjoy a truly Unforgettable Family Outing! This they compete for the title of DeKalb County Junior unique festival includes arts and crafts, children’s Miss. Competitors will display their poise, athleticism games, antique tractors and Civil War re-enactors. and talent as they contend for scholarships, prizes, A ride in a flying saucer won’t be possible, but there and a chance to compete at the state level. will be several colorful hot air balloons available. Call 256-623-2222 for more information. World’s Longest

r s e y a l d a

August 5 - 8 August 28 • Music starts at 1 p.m. Gadsden, AL to West Unity, OH NACC hosts this annual event at the Tom Bevill Ly- During this fun-filled summer weekend, Lookout ceum. Festival headliners Steep Canyon Rangers will Mountain Parkway in DeKalb County will be lined perform along with Bent Creek, Valley Road, Kelli with hundreds of yard sales with thousands of deals. Johnson, Foggy Hollow, Walker Street Opry and Blue- Named one of the top ten events in Alabama by Gov. grass Boulevard. For even more fun, come Friday for Bob Riley, these two days of bargain hunting are fun a jam session featuring Bent Creek and Foggy Hol- for all thrifty shoppers. Search through countless low. Motor homes are welcome. Call 256-638-4418, unique items and turn one man’s clutter into your ext. 248 for tickets and more information. find of the day.

14 Connected - July/August 2010 Bejan Taheri is King of the Kitchen Sand Mountain our family of ten,” he says. “And soon, I all taken was doing all of the cooking myself on the an interest Kitchens weekends. I learned to cook 15 different in cooking. dishes with rice.” “An- At the age of 18, Taheri traveled to drew can give the United States to further his educa- me a run for my tion. While studying at Gadsden State to money,” says Taheri become a civil engineer, he utilized his with a smile. “And, Matthew... Well, he is natural culinary abilities and took a job as in training.” a cook at the Gadsden State Country Club, “Elizabeth is like the Vanna White of and later at Lake Guntersville. While the kitchen,” says Donna. “She is a great working, a waitress caught his eye. “He assistant, and did very well on her own at Daughter, Elizabeth, helps Bejan Taheri of used to make my customers extravagant the Sand Mountain Bake-Off earlier this Rainsville prepare a meal. desserts so I would get better tips,” laughs year,” adds Taheri. his wife of 30 years, Donna. When he isn’t busy in the kitchen Three decades later, Taheri is still or working as a project manager for the In the Taheri household, family, food cooking up great food, both Persian and DeKalb and Jackson County Department and fun reign supreme. And, the kitchen American. “And, I’m still reaping the of Transportation, Taheri enjoys fishing is where all of these come together. Bejan benefits,” Donna jokes. “Bejan is magi- and playing ping pong. He also serves on Taheri, of Rainsville, with his talent for cal in the kitchen. We have had so many the Rainsville City Council. cooking, sense of humor and love for his guests over the years, and they have all This month, Taheri shares a variety family, is not only the man of his house, raved about his cooking. He is naturally of recipes. “Everyone loves his almond but the king of his kitchen. talented.” brittle recipe,” says his daughter Eliza- Originally from Shiraz, Iran, Taheri Taheri is glad to have some assistance beth. Taheri encourages readers to try began cooking Persian food when he was in the kitchen. His three children, Andrew, his Persian dishes for a new and exciting only 14. “I helped my mother cook for 26, Matthew, 23, and Elizabeth, 18, have meal.

Chelow Kabab family also enjoys sour cream or yogurt In a heavy 2-quart non-stick saucepan, 2 onions, grated with this dish. heat oil for 1 minute over high heat. 2 eggs, beaten Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Turn 1 tsp. salt Chelow (Persian-style rice) heat to low, add honey and almonds. ½ tsp. pepper 3 cups basmati or long grain rice As mixture comes to a boil, stir rapidly. ½ tsp. garlic powder 3 Tbsp. salt When mixture begins to stiffen, remove 1 tsp. turmeric Cooking oil from heat. Drop bite-sized portions onto 1 ½ lbs. ground chuck cookie sheet. Cool and enjoy! whole Roma tomatoes Wash rice twice and soak in salted warm onions, cut into quarters water for 3-4 hours. Drain. Pour water in Kooftes (Meat Balls) a large non-stick pan until half-full and ¾ lb. ground chuck BARBECUE-GRILL METHOD: Mix first bring to a boil. Add rice and 3 table- 3 eggs, beaten seven ingredients together until well- spoons of salt; continue boiling for 8 to ½ cup flour blended. Press meat around long, thick 10 minutes over high heat. Stir water 1 onion, grated metal skewers and shape evenly. Thread occasionally, being careful not to break 2 large potatoes, microwave and mash whole tomatoes and onions on another rice grains. Test a grain by biting in half. 1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes skewer. Barbecue each side for about Pour rice into a colander and wash with ½ tsp. salt five minutes, turning frequently. slightly warm water. Pour a few spoon- ½ tsp. turmeric fuls of cooking oil into the pan and add ¼ tsp. pepper OVEN-METHOD: Preheat oven to 325º. rice. Pour a few more spoonfuls of oil ¼ tsp. garlic powder Shape kabab into long, thin portions on over rice. Cover pan and cook over low aluminum foil and grill at high tem- heat for half an hour. If cooking time Mix all ingredients except tomatoes perature in the oven. Kabab should be is increased, a delicious crispy layer of until well blended. Form meat mixture placed near the source of heat. Turn a rice (called ta-dig) will form at the bot- into 1-inch size balls (may need a bit few times. Cook for 30 minutes. Turn tom of the pan. more flour to help the balls hold their oven to broil for the last 3 to 4 minutes shape). Brown the meatballs in olive oil for desired brownness. Serve kabob over Bejan’s Persian Almond Brittle on medium heat. Carefully place the hot rice (chelow) or on Middle-Eastern ¼ cup vegetable oil meatballs in a medium saucepan; add bread. If serving with rice, some sumac 1 cup sugar tomatoes. Cover and simmer on low for may be sprinkled on top. If kabab was 1 Tbsp. honey 10 minutes. Serve with pita bread toast, made in an oven, the juice from the ka- 5 oz. slivered almonds fresh onions, radishes, herbs, yogurt or bab can be poured on rice or bread. Our pickles. Connected - July/August 2010 15 P.O.“We Box Keep 217• You Connected” 144 McCurdy Ave. N. Rainsville, Alabama 35986

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