in the Community - 2012/2013
Our cooperative has a long history of giving back to the communities we serve through contributions of both time and money. From donating over $30,000 annually to educational scholarship for local students to sponsoring major events such as the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, we remain committed to improving the lives of those we serve and the communities we call home. Check the news & events section to see our most recent activity.
Below are some of our donations, scholarships, recognition and supported community events from 2013. You can also view our activities from past years in the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 in the Community sections.
Donations - 2013
Lakeport Area First Responders
The Lakeport Area First Responders provide an important service to residents living in a 234 square mile area surrounding Laporte. Paul Bunyan Communications is proud to help them serve the area through a recent donation. Pictured are First Responders Jessica Howg and Dwight Powell receiving a check from PBC Board Member Randy Frisk.
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office K-9 Program
Paul Bunyan Communications recently made a donation to the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office to acquire a new K-9 team after the retirement of three teams. These amazing animals help protect our homes and businesses on a daily basis, and we are happy to have them as part of the community. Pictured from left to right are Chief Deputy Ernie Beitel, PBC Board Member Jim Sutton, Deputy Tony Petrie, and Sergeant Jason Riggs.
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Deer River Hired Hands
Paul Bunyan Communications recently made a donation to Deer River Hired Hands, Inc a non-profit organization that provides recycling services throughout Itasca County and employs over 50 individuals with developmental disabilities. Recently Deer River Hire Hands faced the real possibility of having to shut down its 24/7 recycle drop box in the city of Deer River. Thanks to donations like that from Paul Bunyan Communications they will be able to purchase new equipment to keep the drop box service operational. Pictured left to right: Deer River Hired Hands Executive Director Kyle Erickson, Paul Bunyan Communications Board of Director Jim Tarbell, and Paul Bunyan Communications Account Executive John Weber
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Scholarships & Youth - 2013
 2013 Youth Tour Winner
Paul Bunyan Telephone selected Kyle Sagedahl as the winner of the cooperative’s 2013 Youth Tour Essay Contest. She will attend the 2012 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. from June 1-5.
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 2013 PBC NTCA FRS Scholarship Winner
Megan Wiens of Grand Rapids is the recipient of a $2,500 college scholarship from Paul Bunyan Communications and the NTCA Foundation for Rural Service
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Recognition - 2013
Grand Rapids Chamber Pillar of Community Award
Paul Bunyan Communications was awarded the Pillar of Community Award from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce at their annual meeting in April. Pictured is Grand Rapids Account Executive John Weber with the award.
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Events - 2013
 Paul Bunyan Communications Annual Meeting & Cooperative Celebration Held Wednesday, May 22
The weather cleared just in time for this year's Cooperative Celebration and attracted a crowd of over 5,300 making the event another great success!
The 57th Annual Business Meeting of Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative was held prior to the Open House at 3:30 p.m. The meeting included reports for the 2012 fiscal year and re-election of board director Gary Eklund, District 1 with 1,709 votes to challenger Jerry Schmischney's 539 votes and the election of Glenda Martin, District 6 with 1,566 votes. The capital credit distribution announced at the meeting will include paying out 75% of the unretired capital credits earned in 2000 and 20% of capital credits earned in 2012. The total return this year will be over $2.6 million and checks are expected to be mailed out in early September.
 The Cooperative Celebration was open to the public and featured a free walleye dinner prepared by the Bemidji Fire Department Fish Fry Crew and Lueken's Village Foods, door prizes, kids' activities like face painting, balloons, temporary tattoos, storytelling, animals and entertainment from the Headwaters Science Center, United States Tennis Association's Quickstart Tennis, Concordia Language Villages, and special guests from PBS Super Why and Wonder Red. The band The Agates provided the musical entertainment.
 Special thanks to the over 130 employees of Paul Bunyan Communications who made the event possible and run as smooth as possible! We would also like to thank the Bemidji Fire Department, Lueken's Village Foods, The Party Store, Lakeland Public Television, Minnesota State Patrol, Bemidji Police Department, Beltrami County Sheriff's Department, Paul Bunyan Transit, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Headwater's Science Center, Port Able John, Bemidji Citizen's Patrol, Bemidji Area Tennis Association, Boy Scouts, Concordia Language Villages, and Raphael's Bakery for all their help.
We look forward to the 2014 Cooperative Celebration!
 
 
 Minnesota Wild Road Tour Stopped in Grand Rapids & Bemidji on June 26
The Minnesota Wild Road Tour made stops in both Grand Rapids and Bemidji on Tuesday, June 26.
The Grand Rapids stop included Wild players Nate Prosser and Jason Zucker, along with Wild radio broadcasters Bob Kurtz and Tom Reid.
The Bemidji stop included Wild players Justin Falk, Chad Rau, Wild Alum Wes Walz, TV Play by Play announcer Anthony LaPanta, and studio host Kevin Falness.
PBTV is proud to be a sponsor of the event and help bring the Wild Road Tour to our communities.
 
 
Great turn out in Grand Rapids to see Curious George courtesy of Paul Bunyan Communications
It was a great turn out at Tall Timber Days in Grand Rapids on Saturday, August 4th to see PBS's Curious George. Many brought cameras to have their picture taken and who attended received a free Paul Bunyan Communications beach towel while supplies lasted. It was a memorable time for all and Paul Bunyan Communications was proud to be a part of the 31st Annual Tall Timber Days Celebration!
 
 
 
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 Good Crowd Turns out to Visit Cookie Monster in Grand Rapids May 10th
A good crowd turned out for the Annual Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce's Community Fishing Opener BBQ May 10. Hundreds of kids were there and had a chance to meet Sesame Workshop's Cookie Monster courtesy of Paul Bunyan Communications.
The annual Grand Rapids Fishing Opener BBQ is presented by the Area Business Committee (ABC) of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored in part by Paul Bunyan Communications.
 
 
 Hockey Day in Minnesota in Grand Rapids is a Big Success
The Grand Rapids Community proudly displayed its rich hockey tradition and history as host of Hockey Day Minnesota on Pokegama Lake on January 19. Thousands of spectators were on hand to see both the Grand Rapids Boys and Girls High School Hockey teams win their games on the outside rink. Fox Sports North broadcast three games giving the Grand Rapid community exposure throughout the state and region.
Hockey Day has become a Minnesota tradition as a celebration of our hockey community and the State of Hockey.
Paul Bunyan Communications is proud to have helped make the event possible in Grand Rapids.
 
 
 Twins Caravan Draws Good Crowds in Bemidji and Grand Rapids
The Minnesota Twins 53rd Annual Winter Caravan, sponsored in part by Paul Bunyan Television, stopped in Bemidji on January 21 and Grand Rapids on January 24.
An estimated 250 were in the crowd in Bemidji on a cold Monday night, while just over 170 attended the event in Grand Rapids on what was also a chilly evening.
 Guests at both events include Brian Duensing, Chris Parmalee, Tom Brunansky, and Dan Gladden. The crowd enjoyed dinner, program, and an autograph session.
Paul Bunyan Television was a sponsor of both stops in conjunction with Paul Bunyan Broadcasting in Bemidji and Lamke Broadcasting in Grand Rapids.
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