Bemidji Vocalmotive
The Bemidji Vocalmotive Show Choir is celebrating its 15th year. Director Kevin Chase (left) accepts a donation check from PBT District 9 Director, Tim Hins (right).

Lakeport First Responders
District 5 Director Randy Frisk (left) presents a donation to Dwight Powell (right), President of the Lakeport Area First Responders. The money will help with equipment and radio purchases.

GRACE House
Paul Bunyan Telephone presented it's annual donation to GRACE House in April. GRACE House is the first and only homeless shelter in Itasca County for individuals and families. To date, GRACE House has provided more than 7,400 beds to the 490 guests served. GRACE House is currently raising funds to purchase a permanent facility. Pictured Left to Right: Scott Stein, GRACE House Development Director; and Derek Rolle, PBT Marketing Representative.

More 2010 donations will be added as they are given out.

• 2009 Donations
• 2008 Donations
• 2007 Donations

2010 Youth Tour Winner
Paul Bunyan Telephone selected Ida Brooks as the winner of the cooperative’s 2010 Youth Tour Essay Contest. She will attend the 2009 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. from June 5-9.

More 2010 scholarships will be added as they given out.

• 2009 Scholarships
• 2008 Scholarships
• 2007 Scholarships

Annual Meeting & Cooperative Celebration Held May 26th

A record crowd of over 7,500 attended the Paul Bunyan Telephone Annual Cooperative Celebration on Wednesday, May 26 at the Paul Bunyan Telephone Headquarters in Bemidji, making the event another great success!

• Photos from the Annual Meeting & Cooperative Celebration

The 54th Annual Business Meeting of Paul Bunyan Telephone Cooperative was held prior to the Open House at 3:30 p.m. The meeting included reports for the 2009 fiscal year.

The Cooperative Celebration was open to the public and featured a free walleye dinner prepared by the Bemidji Fire Department Fish Fry Crew and Green Mill, 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, and special guests from PBS including Sid the Science Kid and Buddy from Dinosaur Train. The Bemidji High School’s Vocalmotive provided the musical entertainment.

Special thanks to the over 135 employees of Paul Bunyan Telephone who made the event possible and run as smooth as possible! We would also like to thank the Bemidji Fire Department, Green Mill & Hampton Inn, The Party Store, Lakeland Public Television, Minnesota State Patrol, Vocalmotive, Paul Bunyan Transit, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Headwater’s Science Center, Bob’s Econo Pump, Bemidji Police Department, Bemidji Citizen’s Patrol, USTA, Boy Scouts, and Raphael’s Bakery for all their help.

We look forward to the 2011 Cooperative Celebration!

• More photos from the Annual Meeting & Cooperative Celebration

2010 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce’s Community Fishing Opener BBQ With PBTV GUEST, Elmo

The weather was ideal and over 500 kids along with many parents came to meet PBS’s Elmo at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce’s Community Fishing Opener BBQ on May 14th thanks to Paul Bunyan Telephone. Along with the chance to meet Elmo, there was music, an area guides casting contest, food vendors, and more. 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 Telephone.

Walkaround Cookie Monster a Big Hit in Deer River!

Over 350 kids turned out at the Deer River Wild Rice Festival for the chance to meet PBS’s Walkaround Cookie Monster and pick up a gift from Paul Bunyan Telephone. It was the 62nd year the Deer River Lion’s Club has put on the event and it is the world’s largest Wild Rice Festival. Thanks to all who stopped by!

More Great Events in 2010

2010 Twins Caravan in Laporte
Twins pitcher, Jesse Crain (left) and DH/Outfielder, Jason Kubel (right) answer questions at the Twins Caravan Laporte appearance.

2010 Twins Caravan in Grand Rapids
TC Bear poses with a two happy kids at the Grand Rapids Twins Caravan.

More 2010 events will be added as they happen.

• 2009 Events
• 2008 Events
• 2007 Events