December 2025 • Volume 31, Issue 4 A quarterly newsletter from your friends at KMTelecom Where technology comes with a human touch KMTelecom 18 Second Avenue NW Kasson, MN 55944-1491 507-634-2511 Local call for KMTelecom customers in Kasson, Mantorville, Rock Dell and Dodge Center Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm For help with service problems during non-business hours, please call 507-634-2505. 24/7 Internet Help Desk Kasson, Mantorville Area 507-634-2575 Rock Dell Area 507-634-2575 (FREE call) Dodge Center Area 507-633-2575 Visit Us Online www.kmtel.com Stay Up to Date Follow KMTelecom on Facebook and Instagram @kmtelecomwhippet Cornerstone Group © 2025 Business Office Closed Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 Christmas Eve Thursday, December 25th, 2025 Christmas Day Thursday, January 1st, 2026 New Year’s Day Celebrate the Season Join us at the KMTelecom office for cookies, refreshments, and good cheer! We’ll be welcoming customers on the first three Tuesdays in December— December 2nd, 9th, and 16th—from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s our small way of thanking you for continuing to be part of our KMTelecom family. Santa’s a busy guy, whether it’s the holiday season or beyond. So, it should come as no surprise that he loves to ride in the fast lane. Want to follow Santa’s lead? Say ho, ho, no to slow internet and upgrade now. We offer high-speed internet plans with speeds up to 2 Gig! Choose yours and cruise through online activities without any buffering to dampen holiday cheer. CALL 507-634-2511 AND SAY SANTA SENT YOU Service availability and internet speed will depend on location. Certain restrictions apply. Contact us for details. Santa’s revvEdUp abOut FASTER INTERNET HO, HO, GO FOR A SPEED UPGRADE
Grab a Pen and Paper on December 26th December 26th is National ThankYou Note Day, an annual reminder of the time-honored tradition of thanking people in writing for their gifts and generosity. While there’s no official known reason as to why this day was created, we can assume it’s because of the many gifts exchanged on December 25th. Granted, in our technology-driven lives, writing a thank-you note on paper has become a bit of a lost art. Yet the few minutes it takes to do so will undoubtedly be appreciated by the recipient. People enjoy getting personalized messages in the mail, and a note in your handwriting carries a tactile expression of thanks that verbal communication, texts, and emails often lack. If you’re not in the habit of writing thank-you notes, here’s all you have to do: Acknowledge the specific gift, share how much you’ll enjoy using it, and close with a heartfelt “thanks.” Speaking of thanks, KMTelecom thanks you for your loyal support of our company! The Wi-Fi network name (or Service Set Identifier, SSID, in more technical terms), identifies the network and appears when users are looking to connect to a network nearby. Examples of default SSIDs include things like dlink-34E0, TP-Link_4BC6, and Linksys00042. You may want to consider changing your Wi-Fi network’s name to something more customized, however. A unique name makes it harder for strangers to find and connect to your home’s network, deters hackers by concealing the manufacturer of your router, improves network management, and helps distinguish between multiple networks (like 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands). A unique name also enables you to reflect your personality and perhaps generate some smiles. There are people who have turned funny Wi-Fi network names into an art form, using puns and jokes to get a chuckle out of anyone nearby—especially those looking for free Wi-Fi. Want some tips? Think about what your neighbors or visitors will find amusing and keep the name short and memorable. Don’t include personal information, such as your name or address. Here’s a list of funny Wi-Fi network names for inspiration as you brainstorm ideas: • No More Mr Wi-Fi • I Pronounce You Man and Wi-Fi • Wi Oh Wi • Wi-Fi Fo Fum • New England Clam Router • I’m with the Bandwidth • I’m Feeling a Connection • Return of the Wi-Fi • Routers of the Lost Ark • Lord of the Pings • Very Slow Wi-Fi • No, This Is Not Yours • Stop Being a Mooch • Click Here for Viruses • FBI Surveillance Van • Hey, Get Your Own Wi-Fi • Girls Gone Wireless • Drop It Like It’s Hotspot • Wi-Fi Miss American Pie • Bill Wi the Science Fi Another way to spark ideas is to look at the Wi-Fi network names used by your neighbors as well as the names you see while traveling and searching for a Wi-Fi network. Have fun with it! We offer Managed Wi-Fi to provide assistance with all kinds of Wi-Fi tasks including changing your network name and password. To learn more, call 507-634-2511. Have Fun With Your Wi-Fi Network’s Name
$25 Cornerstone Group © 2025 Win a $25 Credit on Your KMTelecom Bill Fill out this form, clip it, and return it with your next bill by March 31, 2026 for a chance to win a $25 credit to your account. One winner per newsletter will be selected. Name: _________________________ Phone #: _______________________ To qualify for the drawing, please answer the question below. (The answer can be found in this issue.) The KMTelecom office is closed for which December holidays? _____________________________ Congratulations to our September 2025 winners, Hannah & Oliver Regal, Stewartville, MN. Big Things Are Coming in 2026 Over the years, our communities have grown, technology has evolved, and the way we stay connected has transformed. What hasn’t changed is KMTelecom’s commitment to delivering reliable service and the personal support you can count on. As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, we’re entering an exciting new chapter —one that continues our legacy as a local, family-owned provider and looks toward the future of connection. We can’t share all the details just yet, but we think you’ll like what’s ahead. Stay tuned! When you think of a “gamer,” you probably don’t think of a senior citizen. However, Entertainment Software Association (ESA) data from 2025 indicates there are 57 million Americans over 50 who game—a cohort that represents 28% of the approximately 205 million total U.S. gamers. Nearly half of Americans in their 60s and 70s play some form of PC, mobile, or console video game every week, as do 36% of people in their 80s. In addition to being a fun form of entertainment, gaming offers seniors other important benefits including these: Better Emotional Well-being Research shows that gaming reduces stress and increases life satisfaction. For seniors, video games provide enjoyable challenges and social connections that can lift spirits and create a sense of community. Improved Physical Performance Games that require physical interaction—like the VR game Beat Saber, Nintendo Switch Sports, and other motion-controlled titles—can help seniors improve balance, coordination, and reflexes. This is due to the quick decision-making and action required to play. Some seniors have even reported faster walking speeds as a result of playing video games. Enhanced Cognitive Ability A study published by the National Institute on Aging found that video games can significantly improve memory function in older adults experiencing age-related cognitive decline. The research showed that video games provide novel environments that stimulate the hippocampus, the brain region critical for memory. For seniors who may be homebound, these virtual environments offer an engaging way to keep their brains active and healthy. Playing video games exercises a gamer’s memory, especially short-term memory. Playing even occasionally can help seniors remember things like names, addresses, phone numbers, dates, and times better than they do without video game stimulation. They also force players to switch quickly between different tasks, which can lead to increased mental flexibility and multi-tasking ability. If you’re planning to level up your gaming, you may need to upgrade your internet service. Visit www.kmtel.com to learn more. It’s Game on for Seniors
Cornerstone Group © 2025 How ChatGPT Can Help With the Holidays The holiday season is often hectic due to all the extra activities involved. Fortunately, ChatGPT can make things easier. Just think of ChatGPT—available at chatgpt.com—as your virtual elf. Need gift ideas? Tell ChatGPT about the person you’re shopping for and your budget, and it will suggest thoughtful gift options. Hosting dinner? Get delicious holiday recipes just seconds after entering your prompt, including ideas to accommodate dietary restrictions. Searching for a playlist? ChatGPT can generate playlists based on your preferences, mood, desired genre, and even the specific activities you’ll be doing (such as decorating the tree or baking cookies). Want to make things extra magical? Let the kids chat with “Santa” himself. ChatGPT can role-play and keep the Christmas spirit alive. Interested in custom holiday cards? Ask ChatGPT to design one with prompts like “make an image of a reindeer and gingerbread man having fun sledding through a winter wonderland.” Have fun and let ChatGPT reduce stress and add cheer to the weeks ahead. We know many of you already volunteer in the community and are enjoying these experiences. However, if you aren’t currently volunteering, the benefits below may encourage you to start sharing your time and talents. 1. Provides a sense of purpose. Volunteering offers opportunities to become part of something greater than yourself. For instance, if you’re retired, unexpectedly unemployed, or have lost a loved one, helping others can give your life new meaning and keep you mentally stimulated. 2. Helps you meet new people. Volunteering is a great way to build friendships with people who have common interests as well as strengthen existing connections with friends, family, or coworkers. As a volunteer, you’ll typically interact with people from diverse backgrounds, which also allows you to learn other perspectives. 3. Improves self-esteem. When you do something you feel is worthwhile and valuable for your community, it gives you a sense of accomplishment that may help you feel more fulfilled about your life and proud of your achievements. 4. Brings fun into your life. Many people use volunteering as a way to pursue their hobbies while making a difference. For example, if you’re interested in the outdoors, you might volunteer at your community garden or help out at a children’s summer camp. Volunteering for organizations or causes may provide you with a renewed sense of creativity and motivation that can carry over into your personal and professional life. 5. Helps you be happier. It feels good to contribute to projects that mean something to you, and these good feelings can help lessen the effects of stress, anger, or anxiety. What’s more, building bonds with fellow volunteers can help counteract any social isolation, and volunteer opportunities that involve physical labor can keep you active. KMTelecom is deeply committed to giving back in our community, and our employees often volunteer. Follow us on Facebook to learn more. 5 Big Benefits of Volunteering
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTMzNDE=