November 2024

		As November arrives in Vermont, the colorful foliage has given way to "stick season," that quiet time between the blaze of autumn and the snow-covered landscape of winter. While the trees may be bare, it's a season of preparation and anticipation, with temperatures dropping and holiday gatherings just around the corner. At this time of year, we're reminded of the importance of staying connected—whether it's planning your Thanksgiving with loved ones or settling in for cozy evenings as the days grow shorter. Our crews are still hard at work, braving the changing weather to expand our fiber optic network and convert more of our customers to the high-speed, reliable service they need. This work is essential in ensuring you have a seamless internet experience, no matter how remote the season or how many devices your family has online. We're grateful for your continued trust in us, and as we look ahead to Thanksgiving, we want to extend our thanks for being part of our community. Here's to a safe, connected, and joyful November! Sincerely, Eric Haskin President and CEO Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Bolton Valley Ski Resort We've got another great prize from a local business to raffle off. This month, we are raffling off a $50.00 gift certificate to Bolton Valley Ski Resort. The snow guns are warming up, and the snow dances to Ullr, the Norse god of snow and skiing, have begun. All in hopes of an amazing ski season ahead! To be entered into the raffle, simply click the link below and leave your name and contact information. The drawing will take place on November 15th. Click here to enter for your chance to win! Beware of Phishing Scams: Protecting Your Account In recent times, cybercriminals have become more sophisticated in their attempts to deceive unsuspecting victims. One common tactic these malicious actors employ is phishing scams, where they impersonate trusted entities to steal personal information. We'd like to warn our customers about a new phishing attempt that has come to our attention. Some customers reported receiving an email that claimed to be from the "Gmavt Team." The message asserts that if the user does not confirm their email for the "new privacy security upgrade," their email account will be closed. While this may sound alarming, it is essential to be vigilant. How to Identify the Phishing Attempt: Check the Sender's Address: Verify the email address. In this case, the sender's address is likely to be suspicious and not from an official WCVT/GMA domain. Grammar and Spelling: Phishing emails often contain grammatical errors or awkward language. In the example provided, there is an unusual phrase, "account will be closed before these terms become effective." Urgent and Threatening Language: Scammers often use threatening language to induce panic, as seen in the message's warning about account closure. Hover Over Links: Before clicking on any links within the email, hover your mouse over them to see where they lead. In a phishing email, the link address may not match the official website. Protecting Yourself: Do Not Click on Suspicious Links: If you receive an email that appears suspicious, do not click on any links within the message. Verify the Sender: Contact us through official channels to verify the legitimacy of the email you received. Remember that legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information, such as passwords or account details, through unsolicited emails. If in doubt, contact us. Your online security is of utmost importance to us. Stay vigilant; together, we can help protect your account from phishing scams and other cyber threats. Come Join Our Team - We Are Hiring! When you become part of the Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom family, you are joining a 120-year-old organization that values its employees and recognizes the important contribution each one makes to our company's success. Our progressive benefits and compensation package reflects the appreciation we have for our employees and rewards them for their commitment and dedication to our company. Managing a family-friendly atmosphere in a fast-paced industry can present challenges, but we keep a careful eye on workplace satisfaction and quality, as we do on product and customer service quality. We are looking for people who share our passion for excellence and are willing to grow with us in the future. We are an EOE (Equal Opportunity Employer). Current Job Openings: Telecommunications Service Technician Customer Service and Internet Support Associate For more information, click here. Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom has approximately 70 employees serving our more than 16,000 customers in Vermont. WCVT offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit package. Medical, Dental, Vision Flexible Spending Account (Medical and Dependent Care) 401K Retirement Plan With Employer Matching Contribution Life Insurance Short and Long Term Disability Paid Time Off Paid Holidays 16 hours of Paid Community Service College Tuition Reimbursement Health and Wellness Programs

		WCVT Employees Build Planter Boxes for Local Seniors A team of WCVT employees recently volunteered to build planter boxes for the residents of Kelly's Field in Hinesburg. The volunteers constructed the wooden boxes and filled them with soil. Despite the snow in the forecast, the planters will be ready for residents to use in the spring. WCVT gives each employee 16 hours of community service time yearly to be used on local projects. If your organization is looking for help, contact Lorraine Keener at 802-496-8379 or lkeener@corp.wcvt.com for more details. Robinson Elementary School Partners with WCVT to Secure $4,800 Grant for Smart Board Technology for Students and Starksboro Community Robinson Elementary School has been awarded a $4,800 grant from the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS). The grant is made possible through a partnership between Robinson Elementary School and Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. This grant will fund new smart board technology. "Internet-based resources have really broadened my students' perspectives," said Kerry Lake, a 3rd grade teacher at Robinson Elementary. "For example, we connected with peers in Hawaii using the video app FlipGrid. We have also met with authors, math experts, and even Kenyan scientist Richard Turere, who invented Lion Lights as a child. The smart board technology will enable us to bring more meaningful, efficient, and interactive learning opportunities through national and international video conferencing for our students." The Foundation For Rural Service awards grants to rural communities served by NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association members, of which Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom is a member. These grants are designed to provide support to a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. The required matching funds contribution was provided by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. "FRS is proud to support these projects throughout the country to promote health, safety, education and growth in rural communities," said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker. "This year we awarded the largest number of grants and greatest total in FRS history. $169,470.00 was awarded to 36 grant recipients. Thank you to the NTCA members who partnered with FRS to fund these projects." For more information on FRS and community development grants, please contact Lorraine Keener at (802) 496-8379 or lkeener@corp.wcvt.com.

		Waitsfield Elementary Ski & Skate Sale – Saturday, November 9 – Waitsfield Elementary The 45th annual Waitsfield Elementary Ski & Skate Sale is back on Saturday, November 9th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This beloved community event will offer unbeatable deals on new and used ski and skate equipment, clothing, and accessories, with proceeds benefiting the Waitsfield Elementary PTA. Shoppers can expect a wide variety of new and used gear from trusted regional and local vendors, as well as pre-loved consignment gear looking for a new home! Anyone is welcome to sell new and used soft and hard goods in good condition (skis, boards, boots, skates, jackets, base layers, outerwear, etc.), but all consignment items must be pre-registered online. Purchase an early shop ticket for exclusive access 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. for first dibs on the best deals. To buy an early shop ticket and learn more, visit: WES Annual Ski & Sale. Mount Abe Craft Fair - Saturday, November 16th - Bristol Head to the Mount Abe Craft Fair for some pre-holiday shopping! There will be over 100+ vendors as well as a silent auction, bake sale and lunch. Proceeds support the school's celebration of the seniors as they approach graduation. Craft Fair takes place on Saturday, November 16th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Mount Abraham Union High School (220 Airport Drive) in Bristol. For more information, visit: www.mountabecraftfair.org. Holley Jolly – Saturday, November 30th – Bristol The Holley Jolly Holiday Market transforms Holley Hall in Bristol, Vermont, into a vibrant hub of artisanal talent on November 30th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Showcasing a curated selection of high-end handmade goods, the market features an array of talented vendors from Addison County and beyond. The inviting atmosphere, filled with festive cheer, makes the Holley Jolly a must-visit destination for those seeking to embrace the holiday spirit in style. Make a day of it, and visit all that Bristol has to offer, downtown shops and eateries are just steps away. For more information, visit: Holley Jolly Holiday Market.

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