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It’s So Easy to Enter Our Great Tech Contest!

If you haven’t shot your video for our Great Tech Video Contest, it’s about time! Now, we know that the idea of shooting a video might be nerve-wracking for some, but you might be surprised just how easy it can be! For instance, you might not think that you have a camera available to shoot …

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The Upfronts Have Arrived

It’s that time of year again.  When the networks announce what shows viewers will be saying goodbye to and which ones they’ll see again in the fall.  Plus you find out about brand new shows that will debut in the autumn. As always, some networks faired better than others.  For instance, NBC canceled a record …

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Graduation Portrait

Great Online Gifts for New Grads

Over the next few weeks, students will graduate high school and college throughout the state of Nebraska. It’s a time for celebration for many students and their parents.  Fortunately the grads of today make commemorating the event easier than ever.  Thanks to their constant sharing on social media, making a meaningful recording of their time …

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crofton

Grant Spotlight: Crofton Jr/Sr High School

  It’s time to spotlight our third 2013 grant winner.  Crofton Jr./Sr. High School won a $5,000 grant from Great Plains Communications to help purchase new equipment for the school’s iPad lab. The funds will be used to purchase eight iPads, heavy-duty cases to protect the devices, a MacBook Air and programs for the devices.  …

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German Settlement - Great Plains Communications

Grant Spotlight – German Settlement School

We’re highlighting another one of our wonderful grant winning schools today! German Settlement School received a nearly $5,000 grant from Great Plains Communications.  The school will use the money to purchase new equipment for the school’s iPad lab. The new equipment includes ten iPads minis, two iPads compatible projector devices, training for the school’s staff, and …

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It’s So Easy to Enter Our Great Tech Contest!The Upfronts Have ArrivedGreat Online Gifts for New GradsGrant Spotlight: Crofton Jr/Sr High SchoolGrant Spotlight – German Settlement School

May
21

It’s So Easy to Enter Our Great Tech Contest!

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If you haven’t shot your video for our Great Tech Video Contest, it’s about time!

Now, we know that the idea of shooting a video might be nerve-wracking for some, but you might be surprised just how easy it can be!

For instance, you might not think that you have a camera available to shoot your video featuring our favorite Great Plains Communications’ technician.  However, if you have any smart phone built in the last few years, you have a working video camera right at your fingertips (literally).  Many digital cameras can also take up to ten minutes of video, which is plenty of time to tell your story!

Others may be concerned about video editing.  Fear not!  If you aren’t a whiz with editing software, you don’t need it.  A direct-to-camera retelling of your story can be very compelling.

This video contest isn’t about your camera-work.  It’s about getting our customers to put the amazing stories that they share with us on tape.  From restoring Internet in the middle of a snow storm to making sure Cable service is installed before Husker Saturday, our techs care about customers and it shows in their service.

So, please, take a little time out of your day to share your story with us.  It only takes a few minutes and then you are entered to win one of our really great prizes.  They include a brand new HDTV, a digital camera, and a grand prize Samsung tablet!

To find the full rules and regulations for the contest, click here.

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May
16

The Upfronts Have Arrived

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It’s that time of year again.  When the networks announce what shows viewers will be saying goodbye to and which ones they’ll see again in the fall.  Plus you find out about brand new shows that will debut in the autumn.

As always, some networks faired better than others.  For instance, NBC canceled a record breaking number of shows with more than a dozen going off the air.  It’s a toss up at CBS, which is betting on comedies adding two news hours of sitcoms to their schedules.  To see a full list of the fall broadcast schedule, click here.

A few of the new shows that we are most excited about include:

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland airing on Thursday on ABC in Fall of 2013

Taking place in the same world as ABC’s current hit, Once Upon a Time, this show weaves a epic love story into the world of Alice in Wonderland.  Those who love the current shows eccentric take on the world of Disney’s version of fairy tales will likely fall in love with this retelling instantly.

Marvel: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airing Tuesday on ABC in Fall of 2013

If you were one of the millions of Americans who adored the Avengers (and Iron Man, and Thor, etc.), then this second offering from ABC is going to be your favorite action thriller of fall.  It follows Agent Phil Coulson taking on the missions that are threatening earth but don’t quite demand a big green Hulk.

Ironside airing on Wednesday on NBC in Fall of 2013

A remake of the 70′s cop drama, this show returns Blair Underwood to the small screen.  While NBC hasn’t had a lot of luck with new dramas, they do seem to make crime shows with a twist (Grimm)work.

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May
15

Great Online Gifts for New Grads

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Graduation PortraitOver the next few weeks, students will graduate high school and college throughout the state of Nebraska. It’s a time for celebration for many students and their parents.  Fortunately the grads of today make commemorating the event easier than ever.  Thanks to their constant sharing on social media, making a meaningful recording of their time in school is surprisingly simple.

Take Advantage of Facebook and Blurb: Blurb allows you to take any collection of Facebook photos and make it into a wonderful album.  The marriage of these two sites is perfect to commemorate senior year for a grad.   You will be able to add captions and adjust the layout to your preference and the book can be shipped to your home in a matter of days.

 

 
Create a Video Slideshow:  Animoto will let you take your photos and create a dynamic slideshow out of your digital pictures.  These videos are great to add to email announcements or display at a graduation party. Plus, since the video is downloadable, it is a great digital keepsake.

Invest in a premium LinkedIn account: New grads are likely current job seekers.  A premium LinkedIn account can help graduates find contacts, make connections to hiring managers, and search for jobs much more effectively. It may not have the emotional impact of a video montage, but when they land their dream job, it will be just as memorable.

We would like to congratulate all graduating seniors!  If you have a grad in your house, we invite you to say congrats in the comment section below!

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May
09

Grant Spotlight: Crofton Jr/Sr High School

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It’s time to spotlight our third 2013 grant winner.  Crofton Jr./Sr. High School won a $5,000 grant from Great Plains Communications to help purchase new equipment for the school’s iPad lab.

The funds will be used to purchase eight iPads, heavy-duty cases to protect the devices, a MacBook Air and programs for the devices.  The funds will also help cover more than 100 new applications for use in the classroom.

Crofton is another example of a school that is integrating mobile technologies into their curriculum.  Great Plains Communications has helped dozens of schools create wireless networks that allow students to use tablets, laptops, and video-learning as part of their studies.

 

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May
07

Grant Spotlight – German Settlement School

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We’re highlighting another one of our wonderful grant winning schools today!

German Settlement School received a nearly $5,000 grant from Great Plains Communications.  The school will use the money to purchase new equipment for the school’s iPad lab.

The new equipment includes ten iPads minis, two iPads compatible projector devices, training for the school’s staff, and programs for the devices.  The specialized training will help teachers to determine how to best use the iPads in their curriculum.   A special voucher for the Apple App Store will allow the school to purchase a myriad of new educational applications.

The use of iPads is growing in Nebraska and across the nation.  According to Apple, there are more than one million iPads in US schools. Over the last few years, we have helped nearly half a dozen schools create or expand iPad labs.  The projectors will allow the school to connect with other organizations and schools through video learning.

As always, when we feature a grant winner, we want to remind you that our grant program is an annual one.  If your school has a wonderful idea for next year, make sure to grab an application!

 

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May
02

Scam Alert!

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We have received a report of a phone scam being run in McCook, NE.  We would like to share with you the message received by the McCook Chamber of Commerce.  We urge everyone in our exchanges to be on alert for scams such as this and to make sure to protect themselves!

Click here for helpful tips

From the McCook Chamber of Commerce: A message from the McCook Police Department -

The McCook Police Department has been alerted to a fraud/scam being committed in the McCook area. Persons have reported receiving automated calls on their cellular telephones stating their debit cards had been deactivated and asking them to press 1 for an operator. When the persons press one the live operator/scammer answers and attempts to get people to give them their debit card account numbers. Once the debit card numbers are given to the operator/scammer they use the numbers immediately to drain all funds from the account.

Persons are reminded that banks do not conduct business in that manner over the telephone and you should never give debit card, credit card, or any personal information to callers on the telephone. Don’t let scammers/thieves make you a victim!

Isaac S. Brown
Chief of Police
McCook Police Department

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Apr
30

Our First Grant Spotlight of 2013!

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We are very proud to present our very first grant spotlight for 2013!

Arnold High School received a $5,000 grant from Great Plains Communications to help purchase new equipment for the school’s student-run business. If you weren’t aware, Arnold High School students completely manage the School House Graphic Products Company.

This wonderful program has been covered by NElovePS and has worked with Great Plains Communications to create our traveling parade float.  Other clients include the State of Nebraska and National American Miss Beauty Pageant.

The new funds will be used purchase a CNC router system. This new equipment will allow students to create more advanced products from creating custom iPad covers to residential front doors.  The school is seeking to raise $35,000 in total to purchase the CNC router system.

Arnold High School is just one of the many schools that we help each year.  Stay tuned to see the other four wonderful winners as we spotlight a new grant winner each week!  Don’t forget that we sponsor grants and scholarships annually, so if you have a great idea, you can apply for next year!

 

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Apr
25

The Great Tech Video Contest’s First Great Video!

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Have you seen our first video submission from our Great Tech Video Contest?  It was submitted by the Chadron office of Western Community Health Resources, which is a department of Chadron Community Hospital.  You may remember that Chadron featured one of our winners from our “do the BUNDLE” video contest, so the hospital is in great company!

While we’re not going to give away everything about the video (you have to watch!), we will let you know that this video is our early favorite featuring one of our favorite techs, Mike Reitcheck.   These creative folks are now in the running to win one of three fantastic prizes; a Samsung tablet, a brand new HDTV, or a GoPro Video Camera.  You can check out the prizes here.

Joining the contest is easy and fun!  Just take a video of your best story about how a Great Plains Communications technician went above and beyond for you. Then upload the video to YouTube and let us know.  Full rules and guidelines can be found on the Great Plains Communications Great Tech Contest Site.

You still have a month to enter, but don’t delay!  May 31st will sneak up on you faster than you might imagine.   Have any questions about the contest?  Let us know in the comments section below!

 

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Apr
23

Nebraska-Based Websites for Mothers’ Day

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We know, when it comes to buying gifts online, it’s easy to head over to Amazon and grab what you want.  However, you may not know about the wonderful online shopping that supports the Cornhusker state and offers extra-special items mom is sure to love!

Hayneedle: If you haven’t heard about hayneedle.com, now is the time to stop by the Internet’s 18th largest online shopping site, which is headquartered right here in Nebraska!  Hayneedle helps you find anything you could want for your perfect home and offers free shipping.  Plus they offer tons of fitness and lifestyle products that mom is sure to love.

The Village PieMaker: If your mom has a sweet tooth, then we say skip your normal Mother’s Day dessert and splurge on a treat from the Village PieMaker out of Eustis, Nebraska.  These pies, which can be shipped to your home, are one of the best desserts you will ever have.  We promise!

GROW Nebraska: If you are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind gift, then it’s time to shop GROW Nebraska.  This site provides an online store for many Nebraska Entrepreneurs and features gifts that you won’t find anywhere else such as unique jewelry, soaps, candles, gourmet food and much, much more.

Do you have a favorite place to shop for mom online?  We would love to hear about it in the comments section below!

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Apr
18

It’s time to meet Brandon!

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 Another week, another chance to meet one of our “Great Techs”.  This week we’re introducing  Brandon Thiele.  Brandon, like us here at Great Plains Communications, is Nebraskan born and bred who now serves the communities in and around St. Edward.  Brandon has worked for Great Plains Communications for 4 years.  He is an expert in Phone, Cable and Internet services.

You may have seen Brandon in your local paper.  He helped us deliver a Grant presentation to the local school (we’re lucky he is so photogenic!).

If you have a great story about Brandon or any of our techs, we encourage you to submit it to our Great Tech Video Contest!  All you have to do is tell us about a time a Great Plains Communications technician went above and beyond and you will be entered to win one of three great prizes.  A full explanation can be found, here.

 

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