It's an odd feeling when you learn a universally accepted “truth” to be false. Common misconceptions such as lightning never strikes twice or a coin toss has a 50/50 chance of landing on either side are things we grew up hearing and therefore assume to be true. If you're surprised by those two myths, wait until you hear about two words, present in our everyday language, that you've probably been using wrong for as long as you can remember.

Do you know what’s worse than spending hours on end searching Netflix for a movie night pick? Finding a good film only to be interrupted by slow Wi-Fi. We’ve all been there, there’s no denying a slow connection and endless loading times is one of the things we can all relate. They say nothing bonds people more than sharing a common enemy, *cough, cough* slow Wi-Fi. Well, we say eliminating an enemy bonds people even more, and since GVTC sees all of you in our surrounding community as family, we thought we’d share 5 ways to get rid of your biggest internet pet peeves. No “thanks” necessary!

"Dwarf cars" may sound like a car that Snow White's friends might drive, but they're really miniature versions of full-sized automobiles that are surprisingly roomy inside and can pack a punch on the track! They may be only waist-high, but they hold their own on both race tracks and traffic roads — just ask Ty Paxson.

Summer may be over, but fun times shouldn't be! With kids finally back in school and the weather under 100 degrees, we're ready to let our hair loose and enjoy the outdoors without sweating as if we're running a marathon. There's no better way to spend to the cooler days of fall than by gathering with our favorite people to listen to music or stuffing our faces with delicious finger foods at local festivals. – Turkey leg anyone?

Each year, our Annual Meeting never ceases to amaze us! Held at the New Braunfels Civic Convention Center, GVTC's Annual Meeting gave a round of applause to its new and returning members elected to the Board of Directors, recognized the 2019 President's Award recipient, and announced increases for both Capital Credits and Member Dividends for GVTC members.

There's an old saying about choosing your friends wisely, and also choosing friends that you can trust. It's crucial to pick those you will spend time with and come to depend on carefully, as you are more likely to avoid those living in a 'me-hole.' You know... the people in a hole full of "me, me and me," who drain your energy and leave you hanging when you need them most. While a big "duh" may have crossed your mind, it's surprising how many people and companies don't apply the same type of discernible thinking when considering which organizations to make donations to, partner with, or help carry out a good cause. At The GVTC Foundation, we take our mission of enhancing the quality of lives in those within our community very seriously and make sure to partner and support local non-profits and organizations that have the same mission as we do.

We'll bet next week's lunch money that you've heard about smart home security. What used to only be in model homes and the few early adopters who splurged is now a common feature in a lot of U.S. homes. So, what are the not-so-obvious perks of having a state-of-the-art system like GVTC's connectHome® that make us not only feel safe but also remind us that the future is now? 

Pool parties, week-long getaways, and all the watermelon you can eat. You know what time it is: summer! It's also the time of year where we must keep an extra eye on our children to ensure their safety and wellbeing, whether through giving the "don't talk to strangers" speech or implementing parental controls on their devices. As kids spend more time on internet-connected devices, it's extremely important that we set healthy boundaries. With family being at the core of GVTC, we came up with four ways you can take control of your home, so you can stop worrying about what shenanigans the kids are up to and trust they'll be safe while making summer memories.

Since 2011, The GVTC Foundation has awarded $203,000 in scholarships to local high school students and more than $3.3 million to charitable organizations throughout GVTC's service area since it started in 2006. And this year, there was a very exciting addition to scholarship opportunities!

We see acts of goodwill everywhere we go, however small or discrete they may be. Have you ever noticed the $1, $3, and $5 coupon donations displayed at the HEB checkout counters? Perhaps a hanging street banner for a "Back the Badge 5K Race" caught your eye one day as you drove into work. Whatever your contact may be with philanthropic efforts like these, there are many opportunities to make a difference in your community that you may not be aware of, and even more opportunities you can capitalize on. So, we're here to shine a light on a few notable ones in our area.