Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.
January 2018 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke
Hello everyone and welcome to 2018! I hope that by the time you read this, you’ve recovered from the holidays and have managed to switch back to eating things other than Christmas cookies and pumpkin pie. It’s that time of the year when we are reminded of how important it is to give back – to put a smile on a kid’s face, to cook or share some food, or visit someone that might need a little cheering up. There are so many people involved in CTO that keep that Christmas spirit in their heart all year long and do what they can to make someone’s life a little better. It’s what this organization is all about and I just want to say Thank You to all those who give of themselves and do whatever they can.
I’m always afraid of thanking individuals because so many people do so much for CTO, but I would like to send out a big Thanks to Steve and James Nooyen at Home Instead Senior Care for providing CTO with office space in Green Bay and resources to function smoothly. Steve has also started a program called Wheelchair Whitetails, where he is providing deer hunting opportunities for disabled hunters at his property in Florence County. James has been a huge help providing computer and other assistance for us and has always done it with a smile on his face. We appreciate all you do for CTO and its members!
As we look back on 2017, we say our condolences to those who lost loved ones. CTO lost two very special people this past year – Peter Lathrop was an active member and former CTO secretary for years. He and his dad Bob always made our events more fun. On November 14th, we were saddened by the loss of our good friend Doug Thiele, who really enjoyed participating and helping out at events. Doug had recently become the CTO treasurer and was truly excited about helping the organization through his new position. We’ll deeply miss them both. Looking back on the past year, we also have a lot to be thankful for. We had a lot of opportunities to get together and fish, hunt, see old friends, make some new friends, and have some fun. Looking ahead, we have many of the same events planned for 2018 and even a new one or two. One new event that’s planned for June is a family picnic at Menominee Park in Oshkosh where members can fish, socialize, and take advantage of the zoo and other park amenities. Check out the event calendar in this newsletter and start planning for the upcoming year. We hope to see you at the Christmas Party on February 17th or sometime soon!
CTO IS LOOKING FOR A TREASURER – Carl Gierke
As I mentioned earlier, our good friend Doug Thiele passed away in November. Doug had recently taken on the position of CTO treasurer. Brian Hess has been helping with bookkeeping and treasurer duties since then and we thank Brian for all his help. However, we would like to find someone that could fill the treasurer position. This would require some knowledge of bookkeeping, banking, and the use of QuickBooks. If you know of anyone that might be interested, please give me a call (920-986-3272).
LAKE MICHIGAN FISHING – JUNE 11TH
CTO’s Lake Michigan fishing event has been tentatively scheduled for the early morning of June 11th out of Algoma. Charter boats are reserved for a half day of fishing. We just wanted to give everyone plenty of notice, as there is room for approximately 20 participants. In general, openings are available for disabled members only, as the charter captains and mates can provide any needed assistance. If you’re interested, please give Keith Hartjes a call (920-540-3416).
GREEN BAY GAMBLERS HOCKEY GAME – JANUARY 20TH
CTO is sponsoring an evening of Gamblers Hockey on Saturday, January 20th at the Resch Center in Green Bay. The game begins at 7pm and it is $2 night, which means sodas and Klement’s Jumbo Hot Dogs are only $2 each. CTO will cover the cost of the tickets and provide a $5.00 food card for each person. Participants will need to cover their parking cost and meet in the lobby by 6:40 to receive their tickets. Latecomers will need to ask for their CTO tickets at the Will-Call window.
This is a fun event and a chance to see some great hockey. We have a limited number of tickets, so if you’re interested, please call Steve Harvey (920-494-3143) or Sharon LeFevre (920-615-2356) by January 15th to reserve a spot. Steve has partnered with the Green Bay Renaissance Festival to also provide a donation for this event. Thanks Steve!
WHITEFISH ICE FISHING- FEBRUARY 25
We have an opportunity for disabled CTO members to go ice fishing for whitefish on Sunday February 25, 2018. JJ’s Guide Service out of Brussels, Wisconsin will provide all ice fishing gear as well as transportation to and from the heated ice shacks. Please contact Tom Narmore at 920-410-4436 any time between January 1, 2018 and January 31, 2018. If I do not answer, please leave me a message. Fishing will probably start between 8am-9am and we will meet JJ and his crew somewhere around the Sturgeon Bay Area. I will give everyone who signs up further details once I know how many people are going and where they are catching fish.
HOLIDAY PARTY- FEBRUARY 17TH
The Holiday Party is on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Clintonville Lanes and Banquet Hall, 250 County HWY I, Clintonville, WI 54929. CTO will provide the main course, water, coffee and a ticket for one soda. Every year we have a delicious meal thanks to everyone bringing their famous POTLUCK DISH to pass. The party starts at 11AM with a POTLUCK BUFFET at Noon.
We will be having a drawing for Door prizes and they will be awarded after lunch. Make sure you enter your name into our drawing box when you arrive, so your name is in for the Door prizes.
After lunch, CTO will provide free bowling with free rental shoes from 1-4PM. You may bring your own gear or use theirs. Bowling ramps will be available. If cards are your game, feel free to bring your cribbage boards, cards will be provided.
Posters and tickets for the April 7th Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser will also be available for pick up at the party.
In this season of celebration and giving and receiving, we ask for a donation of a canned good or other non- perishable food item. The donations will be given to a local food pantry. Thank You!
Please call or email RESERVATIONS, PHONE NUMBERS AND NUMBER OF PEOPLE ATTENDING TO: Tammy Kritz at 920-527-0696 or email dantam2006@sbcglobal.net
DINE OUT AND MAKE $$$ FOR CTO
Anyone dining at Perkins Restaurant located at 2975 W. College Ave in Appleton on Wednesday, January 10, from 5-8PM will have 10% of their bill donated to CTO. You don’t have to do anything except order your meal. Perkins will take care of the rest.
If you can’t make that date, we will have another opportunity to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings located at 4601 W. College Avenue, by the Mall in Appleton. They will also donate 10% back to CTO during the hours of 11AM through 11PM on Wednesday, February 28. You don’t need to be a member to have the donation applied to CTO. Tammy Kritz will be handing out tickets at Buffalo Wild Wings that you should present to the staff when placing your order. What an easy and satisfying way to give back to CTO!
WHITETAILS UNLIMITED BANQUET BENEFITS CTO- FERUARY 17TH
The Whitetails Unlimited Banquet being held at Romy’s Nitingale located at N3622 County HWY A, Black Creek, 54106 will be held on Saturday, February 17th starting at 4:30 PM. Some of the proceeds from this event will be given to CTO. We are in need of volunteers for this event and you may contact Gary Vanden Huevel at 920-205-2758 for more information. If you would like to attend this event, please go to whitetailsunlimited.com to purchase tickets, Tickets are $45 each and there are other ticket packages on the website as well.
NEWSLETTER INFORMATION- DAVID PAUL
This is my second year of being in charge of the newsletter for CTO. Please feel free to let me know of any issues that you or other members may be experiencing with the newsletter. One concern I have heard is that because we sometimes include a membership application in our newsletter, members get the impression that their membership is not up to date. This is not true, the reason for the membership application in our newsletter is for you to pass it along to someone you may know that would like to join CTO. I hope this clarifies any misconception. You may reach me at 920-740-2775. Thanks
HIGHTLIGHTS OF RECENT BOARD MEETINGS – TAMMY KRITZ
OCTOBER
1. Challenge The Outdoors would like to welcome Robin Wick as a new member.
2. Our annual deer hunt was a great success with 14 deer harvested. Thank you to everyone for all your team work and effort to make this happen.
3. The annual pheasant hunt was also a success with 18 hunters, 36 birds harvested. J & H made a wonderful lunch as always that 38 people enjoyed.
NOVEMBER
1. A Celebration of Life Service was held on November 20th, 2017 at The Essential Rock Church, Fond du Lac, Wi for Douglas L. Thiele, our Treasurer for Challenge The Outdoors, Inc.
2. The shooting policy has been revised by the shooting committee and will replace the present $150.00 shooting policy as of January 1, 2018. The shooting policy revision is to allow all disabled members the opportunity to shoot according to their abilities with a sporting gun club membership. The new shooting policy has been put into place to allow a disabled CTO member $50.00 a year maximum for sporting gun club memberships. To qualify for this, you must be a paid, disabled member for at least one year and be in good standing by volunteering whenever and wherever possible at events held by CTO. This policy encourages all disabled members to help the organization through volunteering.
3.Wheelchair Whitetails is a deer hunting event headed by the generosity of Steve Nooyen and is done for wheel chair individuals, although ambulatory persons can be put on a call list to fill in at the last minute. You can start getting your name on the list by the beginning of March, but not before then.
4. Mark Baehr took a small group out fishing on a pontoon rental on Otter Lake on the Waupaca Chain O’Lakes. There were some wonderful fish caught that day!
5. Tammy and Dan Kritz will be starting a Memorial Scholarship of $500.00 in her father’s name, Daniel Mc Faul Sr., starting in 2018.
DECEMBER
1. The Jean E. Chapman Scholarship for 2018 will be for the Seymour area only, per Harland Chapman’s request.
2. Brian Hess will stay on as book keeper at this time. A big thank you goes out to Brian for all his hard work through this transitional time!
3. Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. will be having a 10% of Your Bill Donation Promotion on Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 - From 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM. The event will be held at Buffalo Wild Wings located at 4601 College Ave Grand Chute, WI. (920)830-4169. All you have to do is mention to your server that you are there to support Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. and 10% of your bill will be donated to our organization. Tammy Kritz, our Secretary will be there all day so come on down!
4. The 20th Annual Sporting Clay Fundraiser will be on Saturday, April 7, 2018. 8:00-3:30 P.M. at J & H Game Farm Hwy 156 – 2 miles West of Navarino. Tickets and Posters can be picked up at the Holiday Party which is on Saturday, February 17, 2018. 11:00-4:00 P.M. at Clintonville Lanes & Banquet Hall (POTLUCK)
5. Volunteers are needed for the Whitetails Unlimited Banquet on February 17, 2018 at 4:30 P.M. at Romy’s Nitingale, County A, Black Creek, Wi. PLEASE Contact, Gary Vanden Heuvel (920)-205-2758 if you can help.
6. Steve Harvey (920)494-3143 will be putting together Gambler & Blizzard Game Events.