December E-Newsletter

We think you'll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience. As always, we appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Please send your thoughts, comments or questions to newsletter@gmavt.net.

The Green Mountain Access Team
Adam, Amanda, Eric, Kris, Phil, Richard, Seth and Scott

Company News

Thank You For Buying Local This Holiday Season

We are very fortunate to have a wonderful diversity of local businesses that include talented artisans, unique shops, specialty boutiques, retailers, and wonderful restaurants in our local communities. These businesses are owned and operated by your friends and neighbors and help make Vermont the special place we all hold dear to our hearts. Instead of driving to the big box stores or shopping online with an out-of-state merchant, please support the local economy by shopping locally.

All of us at Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and would like to thank you for choosing us as your provider and we look forward to continuing to serve you. Please don't hesitate to contact us at 800-496-3391 or support@gmavt.net if you have any questions.

Win a $50 Gift Certificate To Bolton Valley Resort

Each month, we raffle off a prize from a local business, so be sure to enter your name every month for your chance to win. This month we are raffling off a $50 gift certificate to Bolton Valley Resort. Congratulations to Lorrie Fundis of Bristol, last month's winner who won a gift certificate to Infinite Sports in Waitsfield. To be entered into the raffle, simply click the link below and leave your name and contact information. The drawing will take place on December 19th.

Click here to enter for your chance to win

You're Invited To Play The WCVT Pick-It Bowl Challenge

It's time for college football bowl games and WCVT invites you to join an exciting free contest for a chance to win great local prizes! Follow the bowl games with us by selecting the winners online, then track how your picks compare with other WCVT football fans. It’s easy to play - no football knowledge required!

• Easy to play
• No cost to participate
• Great local prizes
• Have fun playing against others in your local community

Prizes Include:

• 1st place - $150.00 to Kitchen Table Bistro, Richmond
• 2nd place - $100.00 to Tourterelle Restaurant, New Haven
• 3rd place - $75.00 to Bob Cat Cafe, Bristol
• 4th place - $50.00 to Hinesburgh Public House, Hinesburg
• 5th place - $40.00 to Home Plate Restaurant, Waitsfield
• 6th place - $25.00 Old Brick Store, Charlotte

WCVT Employees Support Thanksgiving Food Drive!

In the true spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom employees coordinated an annual food drive. Donations were collected at the company's annual Thanksgiving luncheon and distributed to a local food shelf in our service area. In addition, the WCVT Contributions Committee donated $500 to each of the local food shelves in our service area. Thanks to all of our employees for their generous donations during this holiday season and supporting a great cause.

WCVT Holiday Giving Tree Helps Hundreds Of Local Children

Each year Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom spreads holiday cheer through our giving tree. WCVT employee Tammy Field coordinates our annual gift drive and works directly with local schools and community organizations in our service area to help fulfill the needs of approximately 500 children each holiday season. Hundreds of gifts for all ages are donated by employees, customers and the Company's Contributions Committee. Our thanks to Tammy and everyone who is participating this year.

Being a local business means that our customers are also our neighbors and friends. At Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, we feel strongly that community involvement is not just a nice thing to do; it is the right thing to do. If you have a community service project in the making and are looking for help, contact Alan Jones at 496-8328 or via email ajones@wcvt.com to see if we can lend a hand.

Community Events

Candy Cane Hunt – Friday, December 2 - Bristol Town Green

Santa has hidden candy canes all around the park. Bring your flashlight and help us find them! You may even find a special candy cane with a prize winning ribbon! Friday, December 2nd, at 6:30pm. For more information, visit http://www.bristolrec.org.

WSBA Richmond Holiday Market - Saturday, December 3 - Richmond

The Western Slopes Business Association and the Town of Richmond will be hosting the 13th annual Richmond Holiday Market on Saturday, December 3, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This annual event has grown over the years and is offered in four locations, including the Richmond Free Library; the Richmond Congregational Church, the Richmond Town Hall, and at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. There’s something for everyone. For more information, visit http://www.westernslopesvt.org/arts/richmond-holiday-market/.

Country Holiday Fest – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 2 -4 - Mad River Valley

Country Christmas, the always-anticipated yearly celebration welcoming the holiday season to the Mad River Valley is now a Valley Arts event with a new name, a new image, new events and more fun for the entire family. Plans for the event are well under way. The weekend kicks off on Friday evening, December 2nd at Three Mountain Cafe’s “First Friday” reception and runs through Sunday afternoon.  Country Holiday Fest will lift you into the holiday spirit! For more information, visit http://valleyartsvt.com/event/country-holiday-fest/.

Songs Of The Season- Saturday, December 17 - Bristol

Celebrate the music of the season with your friends and neighbors in the tradition started long ago. There will be church choirs, a children's chorus, local musicians and more. The holiday concert begins at 7 pm and takes place at Holley Hall in Bristol. For more information, visit www.bristolrec.org.

Tutorial / FAQ

Stay Alert - Warnings PayPal Users

Some PayPal users are getting fraudulent emails claiming to be from PayPal and asking for highly personal information such as their Social Security number or mother's maiden name. If the unsuspecting victims enter their information, scammers use it to make purchases with their credit card or steal their identity.

Here's how this phishing scam works: First, you receive an email message claiming to be from PayPal, perhaps even including the PayPal logo. The email doesn't refer to you by name, but uses "Customer" or "Member." It tells you your account is frozen or deactivated, and that your verification is needed to reactivate it. The email includes a button for you to click to take you to the form to complete the process. When you click the button, you're taken to a page that looks like a legitimate PayPal page to login. When you do, the scammers capture your login information, and they capture more when you fill out the form.

To avoid being a victim, remember these tips:

~Beware of messages claiming to be from PayPal that don't come from the @paypal.com domain.

~Beware of messages that don't greet you by name.

~Beware of messages that seem "funny" in any way, such as a lot of typos.

~Never download attachments claiming to be from PayPal, as the real PayPal will never send you anything like this.

~Never click on links within emails you're not sure of.

~Never share personal information via email.

~If in doubt, contact PayPal directly through their website or contact information you already have.

Finally, to help PayPal identify scammers, contact them at spoof@paypal.com and let them know of anything "phishy."

Short Tutorial / FAQ - Why Are Facebook Text Posts Bigger?

Question: Lately when using Facebook, I've noticed that some status updates appear larger. Is it just me? What's going on?

Answer: It's not just you! While this feature hasn't been rolled out for everyone, some Facebook users are seeing larger typeface sizes in posts in their feed. The larger typeface is size 24, while the normal one is 14. The larger typeface appears to be used when text posts are 34 characters or fewer, and only when your post is just text (with no attachments like videos or articles). No one knows for sure why Facebook made this change, but experts have speculated it's to draw attention to more personal posts.

Sites of the Month

2016 Tax Tips

http://efile.com/tax-estimate-and-tax-planning-tips/
As the year draws to a close, you might be thinking about taxes you will owe for 2016. This page offers some great planning tips, such as estimating now what you'll owe in April, making charitable contributions to reduce your tax bill, and claiming all the deductions you're entitled to.

Chimney Maintenance

http://homeadvisor.com/r/fireplace-and-chimney-problems/#.WCHtESMrJhE
You may not think of your chimney as something that needs maintenance.
But those that aren't maintained can cause serious problems like carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and dangerous cracks. Check out this page to get the details and find out how to prevent issues with your chimney.

Tree-mendous Decorating Ideas

http://countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/tips/g1251/trim-christmas-trees-1208/
Visit this page to find a Christmas tree decorating style that matches your personality. Are you preppy? Modern? Outdoorsy? Whimsical?
Traditional? Find great ideas here for trees of any size, in any room of the house. Also, check out the options for DIY tree base supports and ornament designs.

Find A Great Movie

http://agoodmovietowatch.com
You know the scene: you settle in for movie night, only to realize you have no idea what to watch. Use this site to pick by Random, Best Films, or Latest Movies, and then by Netflix or All. You'll be amazed by how many great flicks you can find with just a few clicks!

More...

Two to View - A Couple Amazing Videos You Don't Want to Miss

Christmas Surprise Traffic Stops - Lowell, Michigan might be the best place in the world to get pulled over. Watch as police officers there make drivers' holiday dreams come true.

Danny MacAskill's Wee Day Out - Get ready to be amazed. In this video, Scottish trials cyclist Danny MacAskill uses the beautiful rural landscape around Edinburgh to perform never-seen-before tricks.

Go Pinterest-ing! - Cool Stuff to Pin on Your Pinterest Boards

Cute Finger Print Wrapping Paper

Fun And Yummy Christmas Treats

Modern DIY Holiday Decoration Ideas

You haven't started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started? To sign up, go to www.pinterest.com.

Free Featured Apps - These Three are Well Worth the Look

Torch LED Light - Not just any flashlight app, Torch LED Light includes great features like clap or phone flip activation, strobe, timer, and magnifying glass.

Cookie Jam - Love Candy Crush Saga, but looking for something new? With fun puzzle challenges, Cookie Jam might just be your next game addiction.

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner - Getting dinner on the table has never been easier. Try this app for recipes on the go, complete with photos, videos, ratings, and reviews.