WELCOME TO CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC.
JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER
www.ctoforme.org
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke
As we move on to 2024, thank you to everyone who contributed to making 2023 another successful year filled with a variety of fun events. Our volunteers, event coordinators, donors, and board of directors all pitched in to provide our members with fishing, hunting and sporting events for the whole family. The upcoming year will be exciting, with a main focus on the construction of the fishing piers and trails at the Peter’s Pond project in Angelica. As some of you have seen as you drive by on Highway 29, construction of the piers and trails has already started and weather-permitting will continue into the winter. This second phase of the project was planned for this upcoming year, so everything is on schedule. The first phase – completion of the clubhouse was completed on schedule last year, however we need to restrict access to the building until the entire property is safe for use.
As we look back on 2023, it was again great to see old friends and make some new ones. Our gun deer hunt which was held in October had a record number of hunters and the hunt went smoothly, thanks to cooperation from our volunteers, mentors, landowners, hunters, and the oversight of Dave Paul and his helpers. We had great attendance at our other traditional events again this past year and most of the events and opportunities will be provided again this coming year. Dedicated CTO member Karen Koncak is also looking at offering a new fishing event in July at Lily Lake, which is located east of Green Bay. Watch your newsletter for more details as summer gets closer. We’ve also planned a new banquet/fundraiser for January 27th , which will be held at Stadium View in Green Bay. There are additional details in this newsletter, but if you’d like to attend or donate raffle prizes, please let us know.
Speaking of fundraisers, we’ve decided to list the fundraisers and other “non-event” activities in our newsletter calendar, in case you’d like to attend or volunteer. In the past, we left those out to avoid confusion. We hope this helps you stay informed of some of the things CTO is involved with.
The upcoming year should be an exciting one and as we grow, we’ll have plenty of volunteer opportunities and chances to participate in events. If you’d like to participate in any way, please let us know. Everyone has experience and talents to share and we’d love to help you share your special abilities with our members and others within CTO . Happy New Year to all of you and a belated Merry Christmas as well – I hope the holidays have been enjoyable for you and your families! Looking forward to seeing you in 2024!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
1ST ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BANQUET FOR CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS INC.- Sharon LeFevre
This will be held at Stadium View in Green Bay on Saturday, January 27, 2024. We need members to get items for the silent auction and prizes for the event so please contact Sharon LeFevre at 920-615-2356 or at bookmom53@gmail.com.
I have the form available for donations from businesses or if you have items you would like to donate. Please contact me if you need the form. There is also a poster at the end of this newsletter, in case you’d like to keep one on hand and/or post one in your favorite business. This is your club so please help in whatever way you can to make this a success. There are tables available to purchase for the event. If this is something you or your friends are interested in please send questions to me as well. Please note that the funds raised at this event will be used for all future needs of the organization including current events we put on yearly.
HOLIDAY PARTY- Sharon LeFevre
The Holiday Party is set for February 10, 2024 at Willow Creek Lanes, Green Bay. We will be starting at 11 am and end at 3 pm. We will have a choice of Pizza or Chicken Strips once again. Please call me by January 30, 2024 to reserve your spot at 920-615-2356.
SPRING PHEASANT HUNT- Carl Gierke
The hunt will take place Sunday, March 3rd from 8:30AM until about noon at J&H Game Farm, W5810 J&H Road, just West of Navarino. We have arranged for pheasants to be released, dogs and handlers, machine operators, back-up shooters, cleaners and baggers and great food. It’s always a great day to share stories and get to know other CTO members. Each disabled hunter will be allowed two pheasants. If you don’t have your own gun, there will be guns available at J&H for you to use. Shotgun shells, (12 gauge and 20 gauge) will be provided and you will need to wear orange. Each hunter is welcome to bring family members or a friend to assist them, but pheasants are put out only for the disabled CTO members. Lunch is courtesy of CTO and is made by the folks at J&H.
Please sign up by February 28th if you are interested in being part of this hunt (920-986-3272 or cgierke1@outlook.com)
GREEN BAY GAMBLER HOCKEY GAME- Sharon LeFevre
The Gambler Game date is set for March 16th, 2024 at the Resch Center with the game starting at 6:05 pm so you would need to arrive between 5 and 5:30 to get your tickets.
Please contact Sharon LeFevre at 920-615-2356 to reserve your ticket so we can get an accurate count of tickets needed for the day.
SPORTING CLAY SHOOT / FUNDRAISER – APRIL 13TH - Carl Gierke
Mark your calendar for CTO’s 26th annual Sporting Clays fundraiser, which will be held April 13th 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 and 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, for those of you attending that event. The Fundraiser Committee consists of Barb and Fred Kaun, Anne Atnip, Debi Delie, and myself. Deb Nighbor, Keith Pamperin, David Paul, and Karen & Bill Baehr serve in supporting roles. 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. 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.
GREEN BAY BLIZZARD FOOTBALL GAME – Sharon LeFevre The Blizzard Game date is April 26th, 2024 at the Resch Center with the game starting at 6:05 pm so you would need to be there between 5 and 5:30 to get your tickets. Please contact Sharon LeFevre at 920-615-2356 to reserve your ticket so we can get an accurate count of tickets needed.
SPRING TURKEY HUNT- Tom Narmore This coming May, CTO is again teaming up with Shadows on the Wolf for a spring turkey hunt for our disabled members. We are able to take ten hunters and the hunt will be May 17th-19th.
Lodging for the hunt will be provided at the Christus Memorial Church Camp located just outside of Clintonville. Food will be provided throughout the hunt; however, we will be doing a potluck dinner on Saturday afternoon. The main course will be provided by CTO (further food details to come). Since we are limited on the number of participants, we will be giving first preference to those who have never turkey hunted. Members who have never harvested a turkey will be getting second preference. You have the option of applying for a tag (Zone 3, Period E) before December 10th.
However, we recommend that you wait to make sure that you are selected for the hunt and then purchase a tag over the counter sometime towards the end of March 2024. Please keep in mind CTO guidelines for this event apply that if you sign up and don’t show up, or don’t contact me in a reasonable amount of time with a reasonable excuse, you will not be able to attend this event the following year. If you think you might need help with anything personal please bring your own helper who is welcome to stay and eat. If you wish to sign up for this event or have any questions, please contact Tom Narmore from January 15th to March 1st , 2024, but you must sign up by March 1st . My phone 920-410-4436, email narmore1988@yahoo.com.
CTO SUNDAY SPORTING CLAYS SHOOTS AT J&H GAME FARM - Randy Swille & Steve Harvey
Our Sunday Sporting Clay Shoots for 2024 will be occurring on the following dates and times - Sunday, May 19th, from 9:30 to 12:00 and Sunday, June 23rd from 9:30 to 12:00. These events include the shoot, shells, and lunch. Contact Randy Swille 920-373-8081 if you’re interested.
Shoot Of Your Choice will be held Sunday, August 4th., from 9:30 to 12:00.. This includes shoot, shells, and buffet meal. Contact Steve Harvey at 920-494-3143.
Remember CTO is willing to pay for up to four shoots. If you are a mentor and are helping our members, we encourage you to become a member as well. Our Thursday shoots will be scheduled soon by Roger Uramanski. 920-468-8872.
2024 LAKE MICHIGAN CHARTER FISHING - Randy Swille
CTO will be offering a Lake Michigan Charter Fishing out of Algoma, Wisconsin on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 26 th from 1:00pm to about 6:00pm. We will again be fishing with Captain Lee Haasch. This is open for 12 disabled members. Preference will be given to the two members that were on the waiting list last year and any members that did not go. I am also going to get two charters to Lake Winnebago this summer. These charters will be for three members per charter. Please call or email me if you would like to attend or have any questions. The cut off for making decisions for our fishing charters will be April 30th.
Randy Swille 920-373-8081 or randyswille@yahoo.com
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 – Randy Swille
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 – Randy Swille
3) Field Grants – Supplements the cost of 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 – Debi Delie
CTO BOARD MEETINGS - CTO’S Board of Directors meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5pm, currently alternating between Appleton (American Legion) and Green Bay (Home Instead). If you would like to take part and offer your ideas, help with events, or just find out how things work, you’re welcome to attend. If you have a question for a specific board member, please refer to the list below.