WELCOME TO CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC.
JANUARY 2021 NEWSLETTER
www.ctoforme.org
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke I hope you all had a great Christmas, have recovered from your New Year’s celebrations, and by now you’ve probably started on your 2021 resolutions. It seems like 2020 was a year most of us are willing to put in the rear-view mirror and are happy to move on to bigger and better things. One encouraging note is that in talking with many of you, a lot of people missed our events and are really looking forward to getting out again to enjoy the outdoors, our events and see each other again. With a COVID vaccine on the horizon and our new CTO property and clubhouse in the works, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about 2021 and beyond. The project team held its first meeting in November and discussed a basic design for the building. We’ll be meeting again in mid-January to share ideas and then discuss them with the CTO board. One of the concerns that surfaced is that even though Steve Nooyen is graciously donating the cost of much of the project, there are many amenities we’ve discussed that will have additional cost. One funding option was to solicit donations from area businesses, especially larger businesses, possibly in exchange for advertising at the new facility. Therefore, we could use your help. If you work for a business or would be willing to talk with a business that might donate toward our project, please consider asking for a donation or contact any board member so we could do so. It’s hard to believe we’ve basically had to write off more than a year of events so far. Some tough decisions had to be made along the way, but the health and safety of our members had to come first. With the pandemic still hanging on, we’ve already decided to cancel our Christmas Party in February and our Sporting Clays Shoot/Fundraiser, typically held in April, has tentatively been rescheduled to July 31st. Although the pandemic may be winding down by April, there are many things to do in preparation (sell tickets, place posters, collect raffle prizes, etc.) and the board felt it would be irresponsible to ask people to do those things over the next few months. As for now all events are still on hold, but as we move toward spring we’ll evaluate where the pandemic stands and whether we can hold some events when and if warmer weather returns. We’ll update you in the March newsletter. Meanwhile, enjoy the beautiful winter weather headed our way and we look forward to getting together again soon. I sincerely hope 2021 is a safe, happy and healthy year for you all!
DONATION – Many thanks to Sally Van Straten and her family, from Shiocton, for donating hunting clothing and equipment to CTO. We’ll be distributing the items to CTO members at a future event.
BEAR HUNT – Carl Gierke One of the greatest things about being involved in CTO is seeing that there are many generous, unselfish people out there willing to help others. An example of that evolved over the past few months. In July, Joe Kalmon of Wisconsin Black Bear Guide Service in Mellen offered a bear hunt to a disabled CTO member in 2021 and possibly annually thereafter. In keeping with the Christmas spirit, Andrew Atnip and his parents Anne and Bob, have decided to donate their preference points to a disabled hunter for a hunt with Joe in 2022. Andrew harvested a bear in a hunt sponsored by CTO a couple years ago and wanted to repay the favor – a very admirable gift coming from a young guy! A big thank you to both the Atnip family and Joe Kalmon for your thoughtfulness and generosity!
NEWSLETTER - David Paul The Challenge the Outdoors Newsletter is published at the beginning of January, March, May, July, September and November. Members can choose to receive it via email, which is preferred, or regular mail. If you know of a member that is not receiving the newsletter, please contact David Paul at 920-740-2775 or dcp7576@gmail.com.
SPRING TURKEY HUNT – Tom Narmore This coming May of 2021, 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 21st through May 23rd. 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 is December 10th, 2020. If you forget to apply by that deadline, you can also purchase a tag over the counter sometime near the end of March 2021. 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 spring turkey hunt for May 2021 sign-up will begin January 15th, 2021 and go until March 15th, 2021. No exceptions. Your cooperation is needed for better planning with our mentors and landowners. Please note that sign-up for 2021 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 throughout the event.
To sign up, please contact Tom Narmore @ (920)410-4436 or email him @ narmore1988@yahoo.com. Please keep in mind that depending on the current state of the pandemic that this event may not happen or there may be some changes.
FOR SALE- Jazzy electric wheelchair, very good shape. Price is $450, but if a CTO member buys it, Gary will offer it for $400. Gary can send you pictures as well as answer any of your questions. Call Gary Vanden Heuvel at 920-205-2758.
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 (except awards), you must be a member for at least one year. See the website for further additional information and application forms. Otherwise, please contact the event 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 our 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 have an entry for consideration in the awards program, please contact CTO’s awards coordinator, Deb Pheifer at 715-412-4162 or email at deb57ncliff55@gmail.com. Time frame to submit an entry for an award is from July 1, 2020 thru June 30, 2021.
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 www.bookmom53@gmail.com