Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.
JANUARY 2020 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke It’s hard to say good-bye to another year. We had a lot of fun in 2019 at a lot of events and we got to welcome many new members, volunteers and donors. A big thank you to all the people involved in making these events successful and for their dedication, generosity and willingness to participate and to help others. Certainly, one of the best things about CTO is getting to know people that are determined to not let their disabilities stand in their way and the many kind, big-hearted people that are there to lend a helping hand when needed. The downside of that is when these people pass away, it’s difficult to deal with. We lost several wonderful members this past year and I won’t mention names for fear of leaving someone out, but we’ll miss them all for their unique personalities and contributions. When there is a void in the organization, someone invariably steps up to fill it, add their own ideas and touch to it, and make CTO a little better and stronger. This whole evolution of new people and ideas is how we’ve grown from a small group of forward-thinking individuals in 1998 with a concept and a deer hunt to where we are now with a calendar full of events. If you’d like to contribute your ideas and energy to helping CTO members, growing the organization, and getting outdoors and meeting new people, please talk to a member or director to see how you can get involved. Looking ahead to 2020, we’ll hopefully see you at the Holiday Party on February 15th. Note that the party has changed location this year and will be in Green Bay at Willow Creek Lanes, 2020 Verlin Road, Bellevue, Wisconsin. Also, plans are already being made for our sporting clay shoot–fundraiser, which will be held April 4th at J&H game farm. As you probably know, this event funds most of our events throughout the year. April seems like a long way off, but being early in the month, the fundraiser is only about three months away and it sneaks up on us fast. If you’d like to collect raffle prizes and donations, sell tickets, volunteer at the fundraiser, or help in any way, please let us know. Please send any prizes to Barb Kaun so they can be inventoried for the event, or notify her of larger items not easily transported. We’ll be distributing raffle tickets for you to sell at the Christmas party, but you should be able to get them in early February by contacting a director. Here’s hoping that 2020 is a happy and healthy year for you, your family and your friends and that you’re able to get out and enjoy Wisconsin’s outdoor opportunities and some of the many events that CTO has to offer. We hope to see you soon!
SPORTING CLAY SHOOT / FUNDRAISER – APRIL 4TH - Carl Gierke Mark your calendar for CTO’s 22nd annual fundraiser, which will be held April 4th at J&H Game Farm near Navarino. This is a great opportunity for you to pitch in and help fund the events you take part in throughout the year. There are many ways you can help. You can collect donations for raffle prizes, sell raffle tickets, spread the word among your friends and family to come out and shoot, hang up posters in your favorite hang-out or watering hole, or help the day of the event. We’ll have raffle tickets available for distribution at the Holiday Party on February 15th, for those of you attending that event. The Fundraiser Committee consists of Barb and Fred Kaun, Deb Pheifer, Jim Adamovich, Steve Harvey, Sharon LeFevre, Chris Sava, Bill and Karen Baehr and myself. Thanks to all of them for their hard work and contributions. The event involves a lot of planning and contacting people, but it’s always a lot of fun, too. If you’d like to participate in any way, please contact anyone on the committee and let us know how you’d like to help.
UW-GREEN BAY LADY PHOENIX BASKETBALL – Keith Pamperin Challenge the Outdoors members are invited to attend a UWGB Lady Phoenix basketball game on Sunday, January 19th at 1pm at the University Kress Events Center located at 2358 Leon Bond Drive on the campus of UWGB. The university is graciously providing 20 complimentary tickets. The Lady Phoenix have played exciting basketball, having won 10 consecutive Horizon League conference championships. Tickets are limited to two per family on a first-come, first-served basis. If all the tickets are not reserved by Sunday, January 11th, the remaining tickets will be available to CTO member families that need more than two. Parking including disabled parking is available free in the Kress Center lot, north of the Kress Events Center. Arrive early to get nearby parking. Directions and campus maps are available at uwgb.edu. Tickets will be distributed by Keith inside the north entrance to the Kress Center beginning at 12:15 the day of the game. Reserve your tickets by emailing Keith Pamperin at kjpamperin@aol.com
GREEN BAY GAMBLERS HOCKEY GAME – Steve Harvey/Sharon LeFevre CTO is sponsoring an evening of Gamblers Hockey on Friday, January 31st at the Resch Center in Green Bay. The game begins at 7pm and it is free T-shirt night, so get there early to claim yours. CTO will cover the cost of the tickets and provide a $10 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 contact the chair to make arrangements for their ticket. This is a fun event and a chance to see some great hockey. We have 26 tickets, so if you’re interested, please call Steve Harvey (920-494-3143) or Sharon LeFevre (920-615-2356) by January 24th to reserve a spot.
WHITETAILS UNLIMITED BANQUET FEB 8th – Carl Gierke On Saturday, February 8th the Black Creek / Seymour Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited will be holding its banquet at Romy’s Nitingale south of Black Creek. Once again, CTO director Gary VandenHeuvel is the coordinator for the event and he and WU are graciously donating a portion of the proceeds for the evening to CTO. Gary has asked CTO to provide about a dozen volunteers for the evening to help with raffles, ticket sales, etc. The event starts with social hour at 5:30 and dinner is at 7:00, so volunteers would need to be there by about 4:45 to help set up. Admission and dinner are included for volunteers. You can also help spread the word about the event to your hunting buddies – tickets are $45 or $25 for juniors (15 & under) and there are a lot of guns and nice prizes included in raffles. It’s a fun event with good food, so if you’d be willing to help out that evening, please contact Carl Gierke at 920-986-3272 or cgierke1@outlook.com. If you or someone you know would like tickets, contact Gary VandenHeuvel at 920-205-2758 or glvanden15@hotmail.com.
HOLIDAY PARTY 2020 – Deb Pheifer This February 15th CTO will host its Holiday Party at Willow Creek Lanes at 2020 Verlin Road in Bellevue. (Please note that this is a change in location from the last few years). The festivities will commence at 11AM and run until 4PM. Lunch will be served at noon with bowling starting at 1 PM and continuing until 4 PM. When making your reservation with Steve or Deb, you will be asked if you prefer pizza or chicken tenders. CTO will also provide cheese and veggie trays, fruit trays, cake and soda. You are welcome to bring your own shoes and bowling ball. You will need to call or text Steve Harvey at 920-494-3143 or Deb Pheifer at 715- 412-4162 by January 10th to reserve your spot.
Note that something new will be added this year - donations of many items such as hunting clothes, adaptive equipment and wheelchairs were made in memory of Peter Provenzale and Steve Huse by their families. In keeping with the holiday spirit, party attendees will have the opportunity to look through these items and throw their name in a hat to be eligible to take them home free of charge. In addition to the many items donated to CTO in memory of Peter Provenzale by his wife Nona and family, they have donated a PRIDE 4-wheeled power scooter, which is in excellent condition. A drawing will be held for this scooter and the winner will be announced at the holiday party. The winner will be chosen based on several factors, primarily greatest need. Therefore, we ask that if you already have a power scooter that you not apply and give someone that doesn't have one a better chance at winning. To be considered for the drawing, please contact Gary VandenHeuvel at 920-205-2758.
CTO BOOTH AT HUNT EXPO – Carl Gierke CTO will again have a booth at the Hunt Expo in Green Bay on February 21st (3-9pm), 22nd (9am-7pm) and 23rd (10am-4pm). This year’s event will be held at the KI Convention Center due to Shopko Hall being torn down. This is a great opportunity to get the word out about what CTO does, meet potential members and volunteers, and sell some tickets for our upcoming sporting clay shoot/fundraiser. If you’d like to help staff the booth for a few hours on any of those days, please contact me at 920-986-3272 or cgierke1@outlook.com
SPRING PHEASANT HUNT AT J&H GAME FARM – Jim Adamovich This event, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2020 starting at 8AM has become a very popular event. Some of the things we will be coordinating include ordering pheasants, dogs and handlers, machine operators, back-up shooters, cleaners and baggers. In addition, expect great food made by J&H and a chance to get acquainted with other CTO members and listen to plenty of their stories. Each disabled hunter will be allowed two pheasants. If you don’t have your own gun, there will be guns available at J & H Game Farm for your use. You should wear orange-colored clothing and have proper eye protection. Each hunter is welcome to bring family members or a friend to assist them, but pheasants are provided only for disabled CTO members. Don’t forget to sign up by March 1st, 2020 if you are going to be part of this hunt. Contact information is: Jim Adamovich E-mail: adamovich0208@yahoo.com or call Jim at 920-722-2090.
GREEN BAY BLIZZARD GAME – Steve Harvey/Sharon LeFevre CTO is sponsoring an afternoon of Green Bay Blizzard Football on Sunday, March 22 at the Resch Center in Green Bay. The game is at 3pm, so please arrive by 2:30 and meet in the lobby to receive your ticket. CTO will cover the ticket and a $10 food card for each person. Participants need to cover their parking costs. Latecomers will need to contact the chair to make arrangements for their ticket. This is a fun event and a great chance to see indoor football. We have 20 tickets available, so if you’re interested, please call Steve Harvey (920-494-3143) or Sharon LeFevre (920-615-2356) by March 14 to reserve a spot.
SPRING TURKEY HUNT – Tom Narmore This coming May of 2020, Challenge the Outdoors is teaming up with Shadows on the Wolf for a spring turkey hunt for our disabled members. We are able to take approximately ten hunters and the hunt will be from May 15th through May 17th. Lodging for the hunt will be provided at the Christus Memorial Camp located just outside of Clintonville. Food will also be provided throughout the hunt; however, we will be doing a potluck dinner on Saturday afternoon. The main course will be provided by Challenge the Outdoors (further food details to come). Since we are limited on the number of participants we can accept, we will be giving preference to those who have never turkey hunted and to those who have never harvested a turkey. Deadline to send in for your turkey tag was December 10th 2019, but if you forget to apply by that deadline, you can also purchase a tag over the counter sometime near the end of March 2020. When applying for or purchasing your turkey tag, please make sure you obtain one tag for zone 3, period E (5th period.) No matter how many tags you obtain, you will only be able to harvest one bearded turkey. The sign-up for the spring 2020 turkey hunt will begin January 15th and go until March 15th, 2020 (no exceptions). Your cooperation is needed for better planning with our mentors and landowners. Please note that sign-up for 2020 is a little earlier than normal and that, per CTO rules, if you sign up for this event and don't show up without contacting me with a reasonable excuse, you may not be able to attend the following year. Also, please let me know if you think you might need help with any personal care issues, as it may be your responsibility to bring your own assistant, depending on the issue(s). There will be plenty of room and food for your assistant to stay with you the whole event. To sign up, please contact Tom Narmore @ (920)410-4436 or email him @ narmore1988@yahoo.com.
LAKE MICHIGAN SALMON FISHING – Keith Hartjes New this year will be the addition of one more boat, which translates to four more people able to participate, for a total of 24 CTO members. The event will take place June 1, 2020 weather permitting. We will meet at 3am Monday morning, departure is at 3:30am sharp and we’ll return about noon. Departure will take place from the Algoma City Harbor - 60 Steele St. Algoma WI 54202. Lake Michigan trout stamp is required. Contact Keith Hartjes 920-540-3416 after March 1, 2020. Priority will be given to new members or members that haven’t gone for a few yrs.
ARCHERY DEER HUNT- Keith Hartjes This event will be held September 18 – 20, 2020. This event is very popular so those members that haven’t previously attended will be given priority. Overnight accommodations will be at Christus Church Camp N11605 Boy Scout Ln. Clintonville WI 54929. Main meal will be provided by myself and CTO. Blinds will be set, mentors will be provided for tracking, transportation etc. One deer per person. Archery license is required. Contact Keith Hartjes 920-540-3416 after June 1, 2020.
TUESDAY SHOOTS AT J&H GAME FARM – Carl Gierke You may have noticed the monthly Tuesday Shoots on the CTO calendar. These sporting clay shoots are held the second Tuesday of every month and are open to all CTO members. All you need to do is show up (Pre-registration is not necessary) and tell Diane, or someone at the desk at J&H, that you are with CTO and CTO will take care of the cost of your shooting and shells. Shooting is held rain or shine and there are no rain dates. We encourage you to show up about 10AM to shoot with other CTO folks and share your knowledge of shooting, provide help to anyone that may need it and maybe have a little competitive fun. Hope to see you out there!
CTO ONGOING PROGRAMS - CTO has several programs designed to supplement the cost of outdoor activities and encourage disabled members to get out and have some fun. To be eligible for these programs, you must be a member for at least one year (except awards). See the website for further additional information and application forms. Otherwise, please contact the chairperson if you have questions. These include:
1) Shooting Policy – Designed to encourage participation in shooting sports, allows up to $50.00 per year toward membership in sporting/gun club(s). Original receipts must be submitted for reimbursement. Contact – Jim Adamovich
2) Adaptive Equipment – Supplements the cost of disability-related equipment necessary for a disabled member to take part in a hunting or fishing activity. Original receipts must be submitted for reimbursement, which is half the cost of the item up to a maximum of $100 annually. Contact – Pat Nieuwenhuis.
3) Field Grants – Supplements the cost of guided or otherwise expensive hunting or fishing trips up to a maximum of $200 per year, with a maximum of three in a lifetime. Applications should be submitted two months before the event and receipts for reimbursement are required. Contact – Pat Nieuwenhuis
4) Awards Program - Each year at its annual banquet in July, CTO awards prizes for the biggest deer, turkey and fish of different species that are harvested at, or outside of, CTO events. These and other awards hopefully encourage members to get out and hunt and fish whenever they have a chance. If you’d like to register an animal for consideration in the awards program, please contact CTO’s awards coordinator, Deb Pheifer at 715-412-4162 or email at deb57ncliff55@gmail.com. The awards will be given out at the 2020 Annual Banquet on July 19th. Time frame to submit an entry for an award is from July 1, 2019 thru June 30, 2020.
NEW MEMBERS- Please welcome the following new members to CTO - Jeff and Angela Stolz and Mike Hetzel.
TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION-
Sharon LeFevre
*CTO’s Website address: www.ctoforme.org
*Facebook is: CTO - Challenge The Outdoors (this is a public group). Please note that you need to access this Facebook group page through Facebook and search for our name.
*Facebook group page for CTO is https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengetheoutdoors/
If you have questions regarding any of the above, you can contact Sharon at 920-615-2356 or
SAVE THE DATE, APRIL 4TH
CTO SPORTING CLAY FUNDRAISER
J & H GAME FARM, NAVARINO