FRED will host a cruise along the St. Lawrence River on July 15th in conjunction with the OPASTCO convention in Quebec. Due to the nature of this event, tickets need to be reserved in advance to guarantee your seat on the boat. If you have not reserved your ticket, please do so today by visiting www.fred.org, click on "FRED Events". Don't wait until the convention or the day of the event to buy your tickets, which may not be available.

Information About Handicap Accessibility on the Cruise

Handicap accessible cabs will be available free-of- charge the night of the event to persons with disabilities but they need to be reserved in advance. Speak with Melissa Korzuch or Stephanie Patton at the OPASTCO registration desk to sign up for this transportation. Please be aware that while the boat is handicap accessible, there is no elevator to transport passengers to all three levels. Dining areas, bars and restroom facilities will be available on the main deck where passengers board and disembark. Additionally, there are three steps that passengers need to make as they disembark, so only non- motorized wheelchairs are permitted on the ship. The cruise ship staff is available to assist in moving the wheelchairs off the boat. Anyone needing special assistance during this event should contact Melissa or Stephanie.

Questions? Please e-mail Melissa Korzuch, FRED Director, at mak@opastco.org

Please remember to inform your local schools about FRED's Technology Grants. These grants are sponsored by RTFC and can range in any amount from $1,000 to $10,000. The deadline for 2008 is September 13th.

Any public K-12 school located within the service area of an OPASTCO telephone company may apply. If you are a school looking to apply, please contact your local telephone company to find out if they are an OPASTCO member.

Pigeon Telephone Company President, Edwin Eichler presents Kelsey Dean along with her parents Dierck & Corky Dean a 2008 FRED Scholarship.

Kelsey Dean is a senior at Caro High School was selected to receive a $1,000 academic scholarship by the Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED). Along with a strong academic records and extensive involvement in extra-curricular activities, Kelsey demonstrated a strong desire to return to a rural area in the United States after completing her studies. Kelsey will be using this scholarship to begin her education at Michigan State University to pursue a Degree in Veterinary Medicine.

If you would like to see your FRED award recipient featured in one of our publications, please send an electronic photo of your scholarship recipient or grant project to FRED's Program Coordinator at fred@opastco.org

Summer is the perfect time to start clean up projects and identify those areas of your town that can use a face lift. The Ethyl Grant program provides matching grants to OPASTCO member telephone companies that are involved with projects aimed at bettering their communities. Projects that will be considered include sprucing up downtown, eliminating an eyesore, constructing a playground, updating a community center and more. The grants range from $500 - $2,500. An estimated $10,000 in funding is available in 2008. Applications are being accepted year-round and reviewed every few months. Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference in your town!

Special thanks goes out to Bennet & Bennet, PLLC and Nortel Networks for sponsoring this program.

July 13 - 16, 2008 - OPASTCO Convention in Quebec City
July 15, 2008 - FRED Cruise in Quebec City
September 13, 2008 - Tech Grants deadline
December 8, 2008 - Leadership Through Learning Program deadline