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 Office103 Lincoln St. • Rush Center, KS 67575

800.432.7965 • 785.372.4236Hours: 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

ConnectionConnectionConnectionConnectionDecember 2020 | Vol. 25, No. 12December 2020 | Vol. 25, No. 12

Follow Us Follow Us on Social Mediaon Social Media

Within the next couple of weeks, our cooperative members will receive a 2021 GBT directory in the mail. This year features a locomotive in Ellis County compliments of Laurie Josefiak. Once again this year’s directory has a peel-off magnet on the back of the book with GBT’s contact information, so be sure to look for that and put it on your fridge for a quick reference to contact us. There are also a random number of “SPECIAL” message books that you should be on the lookout for! If you are one of the lucky ones to receive these books, make sure to follow the directions on what you should do next. GBT also offers an online directory lookup on our website at www.gbta.net.

2021 Directories2021 DirectoriesWe are so excited to finally introduce the GBT Jr. Board of 2020-2021! This year, our Junior Board process might look a little different, but we are still so thrilled to make this amazing opportunity happen for these students!

GBT 2020-2021 Junior BoardGBT 2020-2021 Junior Board

Abbi B

ahr - Otis-B

ison

Janate’ Kerr - N

ess City

LaCrosse

Madison P

olson

Western P

lains

Dylan R

eed

Clay S

haw - E

llis

Jenna Strickler

Kinley M

ongeau

Paw

nee Heights

St John

$- $2.00 $4.00 $6.00 $8.00

$10.00 $12.00 $14.00 $16.00 $18.00 $20.00

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

$1.82 $2.02 $2.22 $3.87 $4.22

$5.55

$8.15 $9.15

$10.89

$14.98 $16.78

$18.53

Retransmission Rates

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Retransmission Rates on the RiseRetransmission Rates on the RiseAre you frustrated by rising cable prices? You’re not the only one. We understand these are challenging times, and GBT’s goals are to keep costs as low as possible for you and keep the programs you enjoy on the air. In the following chart, you can see over the past 11 years, your “FREE OFF AIR” retransmission programming fee has risen nearly 1,000%!

In last month’s newsletter you were informed about the “Retransmission Consent” negotiations with the “local” off-air television stations. Since then, Nexstar Media Group, Inc., the largest television station owner in the country, has broken off negotiations with our cooperative buying group, NCTC. This means GBT is now forced to negotiate with them directly or risk losing their NBC signal to you, our subscribers. The proposal we have from them is demanding a ridiculously high increase of over 53% from our current rate to the 2021 rate, and then an additional 12% each year through 2023. This is just one example of how these media companies are forcing your cable to increase every year.

We have made a counter proposal and will do our very best to negotiate an agreement that is equitable so we can continue to provide KSNC to you. If we are unable to reach a fair price, we may be forced by Nexstar to shut off the channel. In the event that this would become a possibility, we will show you how to keep viewing your NBC programming from another source.

While it is too early to know how this, and our other negotiations, will turn out, GBT wants to make clear that we are focused on ensuring our customers can continue to watch local news, enjoy family night in front of the TV, and cheer on your favorite sports teams. We know that the current pandemic has impacted family finances for many members of our community, and we will actively fight any increases.

We know you have many choices for TV and video viewing, and we share your desire for the lowest price for quality TV programming. We will continue to keep you informed about these negotiations over the next few weeks.

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Thin Mints (Copycat) Thin Mints (Copycat)

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, Editor Kyle Bahr, Editor Kara Jecha, EditorKara Jecha, Editor

Addison Flax, Graphic DesignAddison Flax, Graphic Design

Ingredients: 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened1 cup sugar1 large egg, room temperature2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract1 1/2 cups flour3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon saltChocolate Coating:14 ounces semi-sweet chocolate disks, coarsely chopped1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions: In your stand mixer cream the butter for 1 minute on medium speed until light and fluffy.Add in the sugar and beat for 1 minute until the color lightens a little.Add in egg, vanilla and peppermint extract until fully combined.Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl then add it to the stand mixer on low speed until just combined.Roll the dough to a 1/4” thickness between two pieces of parchment paper then transfer to a large baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour.When you are ready to bake the cookies preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.Using a 1 1/2” cookie cutter, cut out 36 circles (you will have to re-roll the dough 1 time to get remaining cookies).Bake for 7-9 minutes until they no longer glisten but are still soft.Cool completely before making your coating.

Chocolate Coating:Add the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl and cook in 30 second increments, stirring after each 30 seconds until completely smooth.Stir in the peppermint extract and dip each cooled cookie into the chocolate.Using a fork, tap it very gently on the side of the bowl to ensure the chocolate layer isn’t too thick, then place the chocolate dipped cookie on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.Using excess chocolate on your fork sweep the fork back and forth quickly over the cookies to add a patten on top of the cookies then let them sit at room temperature or in a refrigerator until the chocolate hardens.

Turkey HuntingJan Eckels - Ness City

November’s Newsletter had a total of 21 black Turkeys! Jan 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 Ornaments. 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 Ornaments, and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $10 bill credit on your next GBT bill!

GBT HuntingGBT Hunting

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New ChannelsNew Channels

StreamIT CH 189

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