A Monthly Newsletter for the GBT Communities and PatronsA Monthly Newsletter for the GBT Communities and Patrons

www.gbta.netHelp Desk: 800.432.7965

St. John OfficePO Box 86 • 602 N US Hwy 281

St. John, KS 67576620.377.5555 • 620.377.5556

Hours:11:00am - 5:00pm

Mon-Fri

Rush Center OfficeP.O. Box 229 • 103 Lincoln

Rush Center, KS 67575800.432.7965 • 785.372.4236

Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm | Mon-Fri

Ness City Office114 W. Main

Ness City, KS 67560800.966.5186 785.798.3100

Hours:8:00am - 5:00pm

Mon-Fri

Ellis Office101 W. 9th • Ellis, KS 67637

800.966.5183 • 785.726.3200Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm | Mon-Wed-Fri

Closed for lunch 12:30pm-1:30pm

Larned Office122 W. 5th

Larned, KS 67550800.432.7965 • 620.910.7676

Hours:8:30am - 11:30am &

Noon - 5:00pm Mon-Fri

ConnectionConnectionConnectionConnectionApril 2020 | Vol. 25, No. 4April 2020 | Vol. 25, No. 4

Follow Us Follow Us on Social Mediaon Social Media

GBT’s GBT’s Commitment to YouCommitment to You

Fear of the unknown can sometimes be way worse than the problems and obstacles we as individuals face every day. Currently, our area and

the world face many unknowns which can drive anxiety and stress. GBT has

taken steps to ensure we eliminate some of these fears by being committed to providing

your Communication Services. Yes, we have had to change our methods in how we provide and support our services, but we want to make sure there isn’t a doubt in our customers’ minds that we are still here ensuring you have quality access to our voice services, which provide 911 service and allow you to stay in contact with your loved ones; or our Internet & TV service, to help you receive news, stay connected, and work from home or do school work.

Following recommended guidelines from the CDC and Kansas Department of Health & Environment, our offices temporarily have no public access. However, we are still available to answer your questions or assist you in a multitude of ways.1.) Call 800.432.7965 for inquiries about services, report issues, or pay your bill over the phone. We will continue to offer a 24/7 Help Desk that is available at this number. 2.) Check out our website, www.gbta.net. We have endless information on there, including many options to change, upgrade, or check out available services. 3.) Utilize our Ebill and online account option to look up account information, pay your bill, or report troubles. https://estatement.gbta.net/estatement/Login?returnurl=%2Festatement%2F 4.) Utilize our drop boxes located at every GBT store to drop off documents or payments. 5.) Follow our Facebook page by searching for Golden Belt Telephone. We will post new information in real time. www.facebook.com/goldenbelttelephone/

Our commitment extends far past finding alternative ways for our customers to reach us and conduct business. GBT recognizes that many people might be turning to working from home, which is why we have offered to increase current customers’ Internet plans to faster speeds at no additional cost for 3 months. GBT has also been working diligently with all the school districts we serve to help assist as they work tirelessly to implement their continuous learning plans. We believe it is often in these challenging times when we see people’s best in accomplishing problems with ways never thought of before. It is why we choose to work and live in the area that we do, where we’ve become accustomed to rolling up our sleeves and helping our friends and neighbors during the toughest of times. Right now, helping out our friends and neighbors just looks a little different than what we are used to, but the people of Rural Kansas are strong, and that gives us hope during these unprecedented times.

BURDETT (620) Amiel Cody 525-6259

ELLIS (785) Monte Boydston 726-3845 Gigi’s Cafe 726-3000

GARFIELD (620) Brenda Froetschner 569-2219

LACROSSE (785) Eva Carson 514-5080

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LARNED (620) Pawnee County Clerk of District Court 285-6937 Pawnee County Appraiser 285-2915

MCCRACKEN (785) Bob Warfel 394-2357

OTIS (785) Erin Bowers 387-2281 Hayden Maier 387-2335

RUSH CENTER (785) Kevin Mathieu 372-4121

Directory Directory Updates Updates

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Refer a Friend and

Receive a $25 Bill Credit

For Both You & Your Friend!

Fill out this form & give it to your friend. When your friend signs up for GBT services we’ll give you AND

your friend a $25 bill credit.*Both customers must keep service for 6 months. Discount only applied to

residential customers subscribing to TV or Internet. Not valid with any other offers. Some exclusions may apply. Offer expires 12.31.20

Friend’s Name:

*

Friend’s Phone Number:

Your Name:

Your Phone Number:

RepresentativeLeonard Mastroni

SenatorMary Jo Taylor

RepresentativeTroy Waymaster

LegislativeCoffee Hour

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity for you to meet your State Legislators and ask any questions you may have.

April 23rd 10:00 AMRush Center GBT

103 Lincoln St.

Due to recomendations from the CDC, GBT made the decision to postpone the Annual Meeting of members that was scheduled for March 30th until further notice. Once a new date has been scheduled, members will be notified.

Annual Meeting PostponedAnnual Meeting Postponed

Currently this event is still scheduled but please be aware there is a chance it could be cancelled depending on the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Shamrock HuntingSt. Mary’s Church - Ellis

March’s Newsletter had a total of 12 black Shamrocks! St. Mary’s Church won a $10 bill credit from GBT just for playing!

Count this one too!

It’s time to count... throughout this issue of the Connection there are many Black Butterflies. Can you count them? When you find them all, e-mail us by the 10th of the month at marketing@gbtlive.com with the total number of Black Butterflies, and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $10 bill credit on your next GBT bill!

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Fleet Vehicles for SaleFleet Vehicles for SaleGBT will be selling 2 of our fleet vehicles in April by sealed bid. Any interested parties may go online to www.gbta.net for a bid sheet and instructions, or call us at 800-432-7965 to request one be emailed/mailed to you. The vehicles are available for inspection during office hours at the Rush Center office from April 1 - April 23. Bids are due no later than 3:00 pm April 23. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a special link has been added to our website to allow bid sheets to be completed and submitted online. Bids will also be accepted by mail or in GBT Office Dropboxes (be sure bid is in a sealed envelope marked “Vehicle Bid”). Vehicles must be paid for and removed from GBT premises no later than May 1, 2020. The vehicles are being sold as-is, where is, without warranty, expressed or implied. Pictures of both vehicles are available on our website, www.gbta.net.

•2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup - 1/2 ton, 4WD, Ext Cab 4-door, Gas and Topper, Standard Wide Shortbed, 96,000 + miles•2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 Pickup - 1/2 ton, 4WD, Ext Cab 4-door, Gas, Standard Wide Shortbed, 122,000+ miles

Scammers Target People During Time of CrisisScammers Target People During Time of CrisisUnfortunately, scammers and hackers increase their targets and find new ways that prey on the vulnerable during times of Crisis like the Covid-19 outbreak. We want to make sure you follow these tips and are diligent when coming across information or asked to give information over the phone, online, or at your door. • If you don’t recognize the phone number calling you, don’t answer. We anticipate robocalls to increase in volume. If you do

answer one of these calls; do not give any information and do not press any numbers. • Don’t click on links or download applications that you don’t know. Scammers know humans are curious by nature and will

click on links that say, “President Trump Tests Positive for CoronaVirus” or download this application to “Track Who Has Coronavirus in Your Area”. These are two fake headlines we just made up, but many would click on these links or download an application which could possibly be riddled with viruses or malware infecting your computer or device. These also might be delivered to you by form of email; do not open unknown emails or click on links within the email.

• Don’t open the door to unknown people. It is plausible that people will go around impersonating medical personnel or other health organizations. Only open the door to people you know and do not let unknown people in your home or provide them personal information, including your health or Medicare insurance information.

• Get your information from credible sources. If you are wanting to know more about the Covid-19 virus or what your area is supposed to do, visit credible sites like the state site where you can sign up for updates at https://govstatus.egov.com/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov.

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Loaded Cauliflower CasseroleLoaded Cauliflower Casserole

If you have questions or comments about If you have questions or comments about this newsletter or any of our services, this newsletter or any of our services,

please email us at marketing@gbtlive.complease email us at marketing@gbtlive.comKelly Baalmann, Editor Kelly Baalmann, Editor

Kyle Bahr, EditorKyle Bahr, Editor

If you have a favorite r e c i p e y o u w o u l d like to s h a r e to be featured in an upcoming newsletter, send it to marketing@gbtlive.com.

Ingredients:1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets4 oz cream cheese, softened2/3 cup sour cream1 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded6 strips bacon, cooked and chopped1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon black pepper1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a small casserole dish with non-stick spray.In a steamer inserted over boiling water, steam the cauliflower florets for 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. (You can also blanch the cauliflower in boiling water for 4-5 minutes.) Remove from heat, and drain if necessary to remove excess water.Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, stir together the sour cream and cream cheese, until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheese, chopped bacon, green onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and mix with the sauce.Pour the cauliflower mixture into the casserole dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese melts and the sauce is bubbly.