Announcing The 2015 Directory Cover Winner – Your SWTexas Telephone eNewsletter June 2015

Link to SWTexas Telephone

Two To View – A Couple Of Amazing Videos You Don’t Want To Miss

Cool Video 1 - Download Graphics to View Cool Video 2 - Download Graphics to View
Surf’s Up In Indonesia!
Complete with beautiful views, this amazing footage highlights professional surfers on the waves in Indonesia as they guide tourists and train the next generation.
Not Just Another Day At The Beach
Watch this prankster trick unsuspecting beach goers into thinking she’s disappeared. All she needs are a “faulty” umbrella and a trap door beneath her towel.

Announcing the 2015 Directory Cover Winner

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“Elf Owl” by Terry Hibbitts was picked as the winner of the Southwest Texas Telephone Company 2015 Directory Photo Contest. Mr. Hibbitts has been a customer of SWTTC since 2005 in the Camp Wood Exchange. A nicely framed copy of the directory cover was presented to Mr. Hibbitts by Gary Gilmer, President of SWTTC. Pictured left to right in the picture are Terry Hibbitts and Gary Gilmer.

Terry Hibbitts writes, “Elf Owls are the smallest owl in the United States (5½ inches). The eastern edge of their range occurs in the Nueces and Frio Canyons. I hear them calling near my home in April or May each year. A 300 mm telephoto lens and an external flash was used.”

We appreciate everyone who participates in our contest. The task of picking one from the many wonderful entries is most difficult. Keep your cameras handy for our next contest coming in October and November.

Rosa Cerda – Commercial Manager

To Know What’s Below, Call 811 Before You Dig!

Download Graphics to View Remember, there could be much more than roots and earthworms underground. Before you do any digging on your property for a home improvement or landscaping project, you need to call 811 first. This will allow buried wiring and other utility lines to be located before the project begins. By taking a minute to make this call, you could prevent days of disruption to services in your neighborhood.Southwest Texas Telephone Company thanks you for your cooperation in this community effort.


Free Featured Apps – These Three Are Well Worth A Look

The Weather Channel
Pocket
Yelp
The Weather Channel
Being unprepared for the weather can put a damper on your day. But, of course, there’s an app for that! Get high-quality forecasts and more.
Learn more…
Pocket
Found something online you don’t have time for now? Just put it in your “pocket” and view later from any device — no Internet connection needed.
Learn more…
Yelp
You already know how handy Yelp can be for sharing and reading reviews for restaurants and other businesses. Why not bring it with you wherever you go?
Learn more…


Scam Alert – Be Careful When Buying Or Selling On Craigslist

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Go Pinterest-ing! – Cool Stuff To Pin On Your Pinterest Boards

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Pin 2 Download Graphics to View
Pin 3 Download Graphics to View

Uplifting Grapefruit
Mint Body Scrub

Turn An Old Desk
Into A Cute Planter

Time For A Unique
Bicycle Rim Clock

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started? If so, click here.


Sites Of The Month – Great Sites To Check Out In June June

Map Your Summer Vacation
npca.org – Want to see something amazing this summer? Go to one of America’s national parks. From Yosemite to Yellowstone, and from the Great Smokies to the Grand Canyon, the U.S. boasts many breathtaking destinations. Use this handy map to find the best one to visit based on location, theme, category, or name.
Free + Recycling = Freecycle
freecycle.org – Have some stuff taking up too much space in your garage? Or are you looking for some new books to read? Either way, Freecycle could be great for you. It’s a worldwide network of people exchanging things for free. Each local group is moderated by volunteers. Membership is (of course) free.
Make Cool, Creamy Treats
allyou.com – With a carton of ice cream and the right recipe, it’s easy to create a cool dessert for summer entertaining on a hot day. You’ll find a delicious assortment of options here, including Tropical Sherbet Cake, Mexican “Fried” Ice Cream Truffles, and Ice Cream Sundae Pie.
Protect Your Skin From Harmful Rays
skincancer.org – Summer means sun, and sun means the potential for fun as well as damage. Skin cancer is a real threat, but there’s a lot you can do to prevent it. Check out this site for general recommendations as well as those for specific situations like going to the beach, driving, and golfing.


Short FAQ – What’s The Best Way To Handle An Internet Troll?

Ugly Troll Pic Question: I’m troubled by the mean comments I find on Twitter and elsewhere, including some that have been directed at me. What can I do?Answer: Sounds like you’ve discovered one of the downsides of online interaction: trolls. A troll is someone who uses offensive, inflammatory, or irrelevant messages to illicit emotional responses from others and throw the intended conversation off course. Trolls thrive on conflict, so one of the best ways to deal with them is to ignore them. However, if ignoring doesn’t work or isn’t an option, there are other steps you can take:

  • Don’t take it personally. A troll’s unkind words truly have nothing to do with you; they’re more of a reflection of that person’s own problems.
  • Try being nice. Some trolls are actually just people with strong opinions or who need a lot of attention. If you engage with them nicely (such as asking for clarification), they may respond in kind.
  • Use your settings. Many sites have options that allow you to control whose input you see and don’t see. Set yours to omit the troll’s posts from your view.
  • Kick them out. If the site has a moderator, ask that person to take appropriate steps to limit the troll’s access or kick them off the site altogether.
  • Set a good example. Trolls’ behavior can remind us that it’s easy to hurt other people online. Take extra care to ensure your own messages come across the way in which you intend.
We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you’d prefer not to receive these bulletins, click here.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards

Steve Evans
General Manager