Our Lost River, Moorefield, and Wardensville offices will be closed on Friday, December 31, 2010, in honor of New Year’s Day.
Anyone requiring emergency telephone repair can call either 304-897-9913 in Lost River or 304-530-HELP (4357) in Moorefield. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Hardy Telecommunication’s Youth Advisory Board took an in-depth tour of Hardy’s Lost River headquarters during a meeting on December 22, and the group also discussed the dangers of texting while driving.
Hardy Project Manager Bobby Armistead explained the capabilities of the company’s central office switch, which essentially is the brains of Hardy’s operation. The central office switch is the mechanism that routes all calls to their appropriate location. Hardy currently is installing a new Metaswitch unit, which is software-based and will greatly enhance the calling features and other services that Hardy can offer.
Members of Hardy’s Youth Advisory Board (from left: JoBeth Delawder, Stephen Hott, Ashley Dove, Tyler Bradfield, Tressa Parker, and Garrett Keller) listen to Hardy Project Manager Bobby Armistead (far right) explain the battery back-up system Hardy uses to ensure continuous service.
With the Metaswitch, a person can have one telephone number but have that number connected to several phones, including a mobile, home, and business phone. A call would ring to each of those phones in whatever order the customer wishes, and then transfer to voice mail if the customer does not answer. The students were given a list of the new features that will be available with the new central office switch. All of the technology making the enhanced services possible is housed in the Metaswitch, which takes up a fraction of the space of Hardy’s existing switch, Bobby said.
Bobby then led the group to Hardy’s battery room, which houses the batteries used as back-up power in the event of an electrical power outage. The electricity needed to power Hardy’s machinery is somewhat like running your clothes dryer 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said. The equipment generates so much heat that air conditioners must run around the clock or else the batteries may overheat.
After the tour, the students watched a documentary short film titled “Distracted: The True Story of Ashley Umscheid”. Umscheid was a 19-year-old Kansas State University freshman who was killed in May 2009 when her vehicle crashed along a Kansas road. The investigation revealed that she had been sending text messages on her cell phone while driving. The Foundation for Rural Service released the film in an effort to warn teens about the dangers of distracted driving.
Board member JoBeth Delawder, a Moorefield High School freshman, said the film had a valuable lesson for young drivers.
The purpose of the Youth Board is to educate the students about Hardy Telecommunications and its operations as well as to get information from the students as to what uses of technology are most important to them. The group discusses different Hardy services, including telephone and Internet, with the goal of offering services that today’s youth most value. This year’s board is comprised of eight students, four each from East Hardy and Moorefield high schools, representing grades 9-12. Each student will serve a one-year term. The board meets four to five times throughout the school year.
Our Lost River, Moorefield, and Wardensville offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Anyone requiring emergency telephone repair can call either 304-897-9913 in Lost River or 304-530-HELP (4357) in Moorefield. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Our Lost River, Moorefield, and Wardensville offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 23 and 24, and Friday, December 31, 2010, in honor of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Anyone requiring emergency telephone repair can call either 304-897-9913 in Lost River or 304-530-HELP (4357) in Moorefield. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Hardy Telecommunications honored its own on Friday, November 19, with a special dinner to recognize employees and directors reaching service milestones with the company in 2010.
Eight employees and two members of the board of directors hit special service marks with Hardy. The company rewards employees for every five years of service. Also, two employees who announced their retirement from Hardy received special recognition.
(Left to right) Derek Barr, Dana Dyer, Becky Kimble, Denise Miller, Jeff Sites, Theresa Funk, Phil Rinker, and Matthew Crites
Matthew Crites was the most senior employee honored at the dinner. In 2010, Crites completed 30 years of service with Hardy Telecommunications. Hardy General Manager Scott Sherman said very few people could say that they had been with Hardy longer than Matthew.
Six employees hit the 10-year mark in 2010. Those were Becky Kimble, Dana Dyer, Denise Miller, Jeff Sites, Phil Rinker, and Theresa Funk. Derek Barr completed five years of service this year.
Board President Phyllis Cook became a 25-year director this year, and Jack Walters hit the 25-year milestone as the company’s corporate attorney. The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, of which Hardy Telecommunications is a member, distributes plaques to recognize directors with distinguished records of service to individual companies.
(Left to right) Felicita Bird and Butch McPherson; Jack Walters and Phyllis Cook
The service award dinner doubled as an event to honor Franklin “Butch” McPherson and Felicita Bird, who announced their retirements from Hardy. Felicita left the company earlier this year after nine years with Hardy Telecommunications, and Butch will retire in February with more than 11 years of service.
Jeff, Felicita’s and Butch’s immediate supervisor, praised both employees for their work ethic and positive attitude. Both Bird and McPherson share a strong love and commitment to their families, as evidenced by Butch’s joy at becoming a grandfather for the first time this year and Felicitia’s constant concern about her family’s well-being in her native country, the Dominican Republic.
“Both will be sorely missed,” Jeff said.
Hardy Telecommunications is again offering a local student a head start on higher education.
Hardy is sponsoring the national Foundation for Rural Service 2011 College Scholarship Program to graduating seniors at Moorefield and East Hardy high schools. The scholarship, open to applicants who receive local telecommunications service (either telephone or Internet) from Hardy, is worth $2,000, and Hardy Telecommunications will contribute an additional $500 to the amount, bringing the total one-time scholarship award to $2,500. Interested students can contact their guidance counselors at the two schools or download the application at the FRS website at www.frs.org. Students also can contact Hardy Marketing/Human Resource Director Derek Barr at 304-897-9911 for an application.
Completed applications must be sent to FRS postmarked no later than March 1, 2011, and must bear the signature of Hardy General Manager Scott Sherman, so students are asked to return their applications no later than February 11, 2011. Applications should be returned to the guidance counselors at Moorefield and East Hardy high schools or to Derek at one of Hardy’s offices in Moorefield or Lost River. Derek will ensure that all necessary Hardy signatures are obtained and mail all applications to the FRS.
“We’ve sponsored the FRS scholarship for several years, and we’re excited to again give a local student this scholarship opportunity,” Barr said. “Hardy Telecommunications has always been a strong supporter of our schools and our youth, and we are proud to support the Foundation for Rural Service in this effort.”
The FRS will award 30 scholarships nationwide – one per geographic region (10) of the NTCA membership and one to a student sponsored by an NTCA associate member company. The remaining 19 awards will be distributed proportionate to the number of applications received from each NTCA region. A qualified selection committee of current educators determined by the Foundation for Rural Service will select the winners; Hardy Telecommunications itself has no input in the selection process.
Applicants must be accepted by an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school; have at least a C grade point average; express an interest in returning to a rural community following graduation; and be sponsored by a contributor to, or supporter of, the Foundation for Rural Service.
The FRS was established in 1994 to promote, educate, and advocate rural telecommunications issues to the public in order to sustain and enhance the quality of life within communities throughout rural America.
Hardy Telecommunications is offering local students the opportunity of a lifetime by sponsoring a free trip to our nation’s capital.
One junior each from Moorefield and East Hardy high schools will be selected to attend the 2011 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 4-8, during which the students will meet peers from all over the United States. The trip includes sightseeing as well as educational sessions to teach today’s youth about the telecommunications industry. Hardy Telecommunications will pay all basic expenses, including travel.
Students and chaperones pose in front of the U.S. Capitol during the 2010 FRS Youth Tour. Photo courtesy of FRS.
The Youth Tour provides students from rural areas with a first-hand look at the telecommunications industry, and educates students about the legislative and governmental processes. Students will visit the U.S. Capitol Building and hear presentations from representatives of Capitol Hill and the Federal Communications Commission.
East Hardy High Seniors Jesse Cook and Ashley Dove participated in the 2010 Youth Tour. Jesse said the trip was something he’ll always remember.
“The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Youth Tour was an exciting, enjoyable, and educational experience. I was honored to be selected by Hardy Telecommunications to go on the tour,” he said. “I really enjoyed the four days I spent in Washington, D.C., from sightseeing to meeting new people to learning about rural telephone companies across the nation, much like Hardy Telecommunications.
Ashley echoed Jesse’s comments.
“Visiting Washington, D.C., for the FRS Youth Tour was an amazing experience. … I will never forget the memories that were made while I was there. … I would definitely recommend that juniors consider filling out the applications, for this is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
This year’s preliminary agenda includes visits to the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, Mount Vernon (home of George Washington), the Vietnam War Memorial, the Smithsonian Museums, the Korean War Memorial, the National Zoo, the National Cathedral, and Arlington National Cemetery. A night tour of Washington and special entertainment are also planned, including a dance the final night complete with professional DJ.
Because of the widespread interest in the tour from students around the country, Hardy can only sponsor one student from Moorefield High and one from East Hardy High. Applications for the tour may be picked up from the guidance counselors at both high schools or by contacting Derek Barr at Hardy’s Lost River Office, telephone 304-897-9911. To be eligible for the trip, students must be high school juniors of the 2012 graduating class and be either 16 or 17 years old at the time of the tour. Students must also receive service from either Hardy Telecommunications or HardyNet.
The deadline to return applications is February 11, 2010. Applications may be returned to either the high school guidance counselors or directly to Derek Barr, Marketing/Human Resource Director, Hardy Telecommunications, 2255 Kimseys Run Road, Lost River, WV 26810.
Three directors were re-elected to new three-year terms at Hardy Telecommunications’ Annual Meeting of Members on October 1.
Those directors re-elected were Gerald W. Smith of Baker, representing Lost River serving area 1; Arlie W. Funk of Rio, representing Lost River serving area 2; and Greg M. Zirk of Moorefield, representing Moorefield serving area 2. All three were unopposed in their bids for re-election.
Left to right: Gerald Smith, Arlie Funk, and Greg Zirk
The meeting was held at the East Hardy High School gymnasium. About 500 people attended the meeting and enjoyed a meal featuring barbecue pork, prepared and served by the East Hardy High Band Boosters and FFA. We sincerely appreciate their help in making our annual meeting a success. Thanks to all who attended!
Join HardyNet computer sales for the Chamber of Commerce’s Reindeer Rampage from October 16 through December 4!
For seven weeks, you will earn tickets for each amount over $15 spent at HardyNet for computer sales and computer-related accessories at our Moorefield and Wardensville locations. Customers will receive a set amount of tickets depending on how much money they spend each time they shop. The more dollars spent, the more tickets earned! Customers may also earn extra tickets for purchases made during specially designated times during the Rampage – HardyNet computer purchases during the month of October qualify for double tickets. There are no cards to sign and no requirements to visit any particular businesses.
The tickets will be entered into a drawing for free HardyNet computer merchandise and in the overall grand prize drawing on December 4 by the Hardy County Chamber of Commerce. Tickets from all Reindeer Rampage participating merchants will be gathered for the drawing for the grand prize: a three-day, two-night trip donated by WELD radio station. The winner will have a choice of several destinations, including Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; Washington, D.C.; or Philadelphia, Pa.
Other Hardy County businesses participating in the Reindeer Rampage are All Through the House, Anderson’s Corner, Antiques Etc., Hardman’s Hardware, House of Flowers/Gifts & Things, Judy’s Drug Store & Gift Shop, Lost River Artisans Cooperative, Lost River General Store, Miss Hayleigh’s, Star Mercantile, and The Paint Gallery.
The event begins Saturday, October 16, and concludes Saturday, December 4. Please keep in mind that HardyNet is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and our offices are closed on Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving. HardyNet sells computers at our Moorefield office at 121 South Main Street and our Wardensville office at 345 East Main Street, Suite A (the Sprint store). For more information, call us at 304-530-PC4U.
Hardy Telecommunications’ Youth Advisory Board began its fourth year on October 7 with an expanded group of eight students.
For the first time, the board has eight members instead of six. Hardy Marketing/Human Resource Director Derek Barr said the board is expanded this year due to last winter, when several meetings had to be cancelled because of snow.
“We brought back all of the students from last year and added one freshman each from Moorefield and East Hardy,” he said. “We felt that last year’s board would be shortchanged with the meetings being cancelled, so we invited everyone to return. This way they’ll get the full experience.”
Hardy’s 2010 Youth Advisory Board: (Front row, left to right): MHS Freshman JoBeth Delawder, MHS Junior Tori Burdette, MHS Senior Mary Mumford, EHHS Junior Tressa Parker; (Back row, left to right): EHHS Sophomore Tyler Bradfield, EHHS Freshman Stephen Hott, MHS Sophomore Garrett Keller. (Not pictured) EHHS Senior Ashley Dove
Derek said the board would return to six members next year.
The purpose of the Youth Board is to educate the students about Hardy Telecommunications and its operations as well as to get information from the students as to what uses of technology are most important to them. The group discusses different Hardy services, including telephone and Internet, with the goal of offering services that today’s youth most value.
JoBeth Delawder, a Moorefield High freshman new to the board, said she saw the Youth Board as a chance to find out more about the company.
“I thought it was a good opportunity to learn more about Hardy Telecommunications and how they serve our county,” she said.
The eight students on the board will serve one-year terms. The board has one student each from 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades from both high schools in the county.
Besides JoBeth, the other members of Hardy’s 2010-11 Youth Advisory Board are EHHS Senior Ashley Dove, EHHS Junior Tressa Parker, EHHS Sophomore Tyler Bradfield, EHHS Freshman Stephen Hott, MHS Senior Mary Mumford, MHS Junior Tori Burdette, and MHS Sophomore Garrett Keller.
At the first meeting, Derek described to the students how the wireless system and mobile phones rely on the landline telecommunications network in order to operate. By drawing a diagram, he explained that It’s quite common for a cellular telephone call to travel over wirelines built by companies like Hardy that do not offer their own cellular service. Hardy Telecommunications is an authorized retailer of Sprint wireless service but does not have its own mobile phone service.
“For cell phones to connect, the calls are routed over the landline system,” he said. He said Hardy provides fiber-optic cable connections to cell phone towers so that wireless calls can enter Hardy’s landline network as quickly as possible. That process is called backhaul.
“Without a company like Hardy Telecommunications providing backhaul for the cell towers, the wireless system would not function,” he said.
When a cellular call is made, the caller’s cell phone sends a signal to the nearest cell site, such as a tower. That cell site generally corresponds to a wireline carrier’s local loop. A mobile switching center (MSC) acts as the control center for the wireless call, routing the call to its intended destination and keeping track of all usage data. In some cases the MSC is located hundreds of miles away from the cell site and wirelines are used to connect the MSC and the cell site.
Derek also told the students about Hardy OneNet, the company’s fiber-to-the-home project that will provide fiber-optic connections directly to customers’ homes in Hardy County. Hardy Telecommunications received a $31.6 million grant/loan combination from the federal government to build the network, which will take two to three years to complete.
“By having a fiber connection directly to homes, we will be able to offer high-definition digital television with local channels and faster Internet speeds,” he said.
Fiber-optic technology has the capability to transmit far more information at much faster speeds than any other transmission method, including traditional copper cable and wireless, and the signal doesn’t degrade as it does with other connections.
“Hardy County will have one of the premiere telecommunications networks in the entire country,” Derek said.
In subsequent meetings, the board will learn more about Hardy’s operations, such as how the Internet works and how a telephone call can be connected anywhere in the world in just seconds.
