Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.
JULY 2018 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke
Hi everyone! I hope your summer is going well and you’re staying cool as we head into the depths of summer. I also hope you had a chance to get out and enjoy some of the activities that CTO had to offer in the past few months. If you’ve been attending events, we hope you’ve enjoyed them and if you’ve volunteered at events, many thanks for your help. We couldn’t do it without all the wonderful financial and volunteer help we get from so many people and we deeply appreciate it. If you get a chance, please give a big thanks to the event coordinators that put in their time and effort to make these activities happen. The events (and coordinators) we’ve had just since the last newsletter include the Turkey Hunt (Tom Narmore), Shawano Lake fishing (Pat Nieuwenhuis, Bill Mayville), Chasing Rainbows (Cliff Pheifer), Lake Michigan fishing (Keith Hartjes) and the Menominee Park event in Oshkosh (Tammy Kritz). Thanks to all of them for their great work!
One of our most important events is coming up on July 21st – our annual Membership and Awards Banquet. This is a great opportunity to have a little fun and a great meal, meet other folks in CTO, and maybe even swap a tale or two about some of the hunting and fishing you’ve done lately. It’s also an opportunity for us to say thanks to all those who have helped make our events happen over the past year. Maybe most importantly, it’s also a chance for you to vote for people you’d like to see elected to CTO’s Board of Directors. These are the folks that coordinate events, help with fundraising and financial issues, handle paperwork and in general, shape the future of CTO. If you’d like to be on the Board of Directors, please send me a resume by July 10th. We hope you can join us and have a voice in your organization. To throw in a little fun that night, we also give out awards for many of the hunting and fishing categories we have. Hope to see you there.
SHAWANO LAKE FISHING - Carl Gierke - CTO hosted its annual fishing event on Shawano Lake on Saturday, June 2nd during Wisconsin’s free fishing weekend (no license required). A tent was set up the night before in case of inclement weather, but the weather was pretty nice. Thanks to Keith Pennings from Navarino for again donating the use of a tent! About 36 people attended the event and in addition to the CTO pontoon boat, boats were provided by Mike Shulze, Jerry and Pat Rogalski, Randy (Chouse) Hartlaben, Doug Hoppe and Gary VandenHeuvel. We thank them all for their generosity!
Fishing kicked off about 9am and continued to about 11:30 when we took a break for lunch. The food crew (Karen and Bill Baehr, Tammy Kritz, Deb Pheifer and others) did another fantastic job of feeding everyone and we thank them and everyone who brought food. After lunch and a few fish stories (some of which may have even been true), several fishermen and women headed back out for an afternoon of fishing, which concluded about 3:30. Fishing was a little tough, but a few nice fish were caught including a 13-inch perch caught by the old master Bob Lathrop. After everyone returned, fish were cleaned by our expert fish-cleaners for the anglers to take home.
Shawano Lake is always a fun event and everybody that pitched in did a great job! Remember that the CTO pontoon boat is available for use by its members throughout the summer. Give Gary Thyes a call if you’re interested in reserving the boat for some fishing or cruising the lake.
PRIZE REQUEST FOR THE BANQUET- Barb Kaun If you are interested in donating an item for the bucket raffle at the Banquet, please call Barb Kaun at 920-720-9689. All donations will be much appreciated.
MEMBERSHIP EXPIRED? - You are responsible for making sure your membership is up to date. Everyone received a copy of the new Membership Policy in the mail with the invitation to the CTO Annual banquet. If you have a Life Membership you never have to renew.
SENIOR SAFARIS AT NAVARINO NATURE CENTER – Carl Gierke- Navarino Nature Center located at W5646 Lindsten Road, north of Navarino, is offering wagon-ride tours of the wildlife area, which last about 1-2 hours and are handicapped-accessible. NNC leases a 40-acre portion of land within the 15,000 acre Navarino Wildlife Area and the NNC property includes a picnic area and shelter and an all-season, handicapped-accessible education building. CTO is organizing a trip for members on October 17th (see below), but public tours are available on August 15th at a cost of $10 per person. CTO will cover the cost of your trip if you submit a receipt to the CTO office. Check out NNC’s website (www.navarino.org) to get more information and reserve a spot if you’re interested, or give them a call (715-758-6999).
NAVARINO NATURE CENTER SENIOR SAFARI TROLLEY TOUR RIDE -Tammy Kritz
· Date- Wednesday, October 17, 2018
· Time- 11AM for Sub sandwiches, chips, cookies and water. Then Trolley ride after to see the beautiful Fall Colors of Navarino
· Place- Navarino Nature Center, W5646 Lindsten Road Shiocton, WI. 54170
· PLEASE RSVP BY Oct. 12, 2018, (715) 758-6999, Let them know that you are with the CTO group and would like to sign up for this event.
WISCONSINSIBS FAMILY REUNION- On Sunday, July 29th the Wisconsinsibs will celebrate their 20th year of existence by hosting the U.W. Badger Marching Band at Washington Park in Neenah located at 631 W Winneconne Ave. Wisconsinsibs is an organization that helps support Sisters and Brothers of People with Disabilities. If you would like more information on this event, you may contact Stephany Beck at 920-968-1742 or e mail at sxbeck16@smumn.edu
DON’T THROW THOSE PILL BOTTLES AWAY- Did you know we collect used pill bottles? Pat Nieuwenhuis has been collecting them and he has them sent to countries in Africa so that they can be reused. The bottles are more expensive than the medicine and there is a huge need for them. Please don’t call him, just bring them to any CTO event.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAM- On July 25th from 10AM to noon you can learn about the Lifelong Learning Program offered at UW Green Bay. You will get an overview of what type of classes are offered for adults. You may also visit their website at www.uwgb.edu/lli to learn more. For additional information please call 920-465-2356 or email lli@uwgb.edu
PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED EQUIPMENT NEEDED AND LOANED The Larsen- Winchester Lions Club is in need of new or used medical equipment and is accepting any donations. They are looking for commodes, grab bars, walkers, eyeglasses and cases, wheelchairs and cushions, shower chairs, lifts, hearing aids and batteries, hospital beds, vinyl encased mattresses, personal hygiene items such as Depends and much more. The club has loaned out thousands of items to over 2000 people this past year at no cost. If you have items to donate or if you need items, please call 920-427-3244 for more information.
NEW MEMBERS- Please welcome these new members to CTO. Brian and Julie Wieland, Ray Carowan and James Learman.
FALL PHEASANT HUNT- Jim Adamovich The hunt will take place Sunday, November 4th starting at 8 AM at J&H Game Farm, W5810 J&H Road, just West of Navarino off of HWY 156. We have been coordinating birds in the field, dogs and handlers, machine operator, back-up shooters, cleaners and baggers, great food and just 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 Game Farm for you to use. Shotgun shells, (12 gauge and 20 gauge), have been donated by John Kempen. You 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. Food is being made by J & H, which is always delicious. Don’t forget to sign up by October 31st if you are going to be part of this hunt. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Adamovich E-mail: jimrita0208@yahoo.com or 920-722-2090.
OCTOBER SPECIAL DISABLED DEER HUNT- Pat Nieuwenhuis This year’s hunt will begin on Saturday, October 6th and ends on Sunday, October 14th. Sign up for the deer hunt starts on July 1st and ends on August 31st. If you miss the sign up, you will not be allowed to hunt. Please contact Pat Nieuwenhuis to sign up for the hunt at 920-687-8707.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP AND AWARDS BANQUET Our banquet will be held Saturday, July 21st at Romy’s in Black Creek. We will elect new board members before the banquet, recognize donors and give out our yearly awards. This is a great opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with members. You should have received a mailing in the past week. If you have questions you may contact Karen Baehr at 920-766-9218 or Deb Pheifer at 715-412-1707. If you have prizes to donate for the bucket raffles, contact Barb Kaun (920-720-9689). Any donations are greatly appreciated.
NIGHT AT THE RACES- Jim Adamovich The races will be held on August 16th at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna on (Highway 55 and KK). Time trials are at 5:45 PM and the races begin at 6:45. Each person is allowed one sandwich, fries and a drink. Tickets are available by calling Jim Adamovich at 920-722-2090 or email at jimrita0208@yahoo.com Please remember to call for reservation by August 15th.
WORKERS NEEDED FOR 50/50 RAFFLE AUGUST 9TH We are in need of volunteers to sell 50/50 raffle tickets at the races in Kaukauna on Thursday August 9th. Volunteers will be walking the grandstands, pit crew and areas surrounding the grandstand to sell tickets. Half of the profits from this raffle will be donated to CTO. Anyone interested in working this event should contact Jim Adamovich.
CTO ANNUAL ‘‘SHOOT TILL YOU DROP’’ – Jim Adamovich Come join us for our annual fall” Shoot till You Drop” on Tuesday, September 25th from 8 until 4. J&H Game Farm will be hosting the event and they are located at W5810 J&H Road, just West of Navarino off of HWY 156. CTO picks up the cost of the clay birds and the ammunition for this daylong event. Volunteers that help the disabled shooters will be able to also shoot as much as they want. You can choose from the traditional sporting clays course, wobble flurry, skeet, and 5- stand events. Food will be made by J & H. Pre-sign up is encouraged, but I want to remind everyone that it is your responsibility to sign in at the shoot as well for each round and type of shoot you do and the amount of shells you use. Please put this on your calendar. Don’t forget to sign up by September 20th by E-Mailing Jim Adamovich at jimrita0208@yahoo.com or call at 920-722-2090. Hope to see you there.
YOUTH AND LADIES DAY SEPTEMBER 8TH J&H will be hosting its Annual Youth & Ladies Day of Outdoor Instruction on Saturday, September 8th. Registration will be from 9AM – 3PM and activities will run until 4PM. This is a free event for all ladies and all kids up to age 18. Activities will include shotgun, 22 and BB gun shooting stations, archery, fly casting, and the trout fishing will again be sponsored by Challenge the Outdoors. There will be displays by the DNR, Al Meier’s Taxidermy and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Ladies Group. Food is also furnished along with a door prize for each participant. For more information about the activities or if you wish to make any donations, please contact Diane at J&H at 715-758-8134 or e-mail at jhclub@tds.net. CTO is always looking for helpers at the Trout Pond. If you would like to help the youth and ladies catch fish or join those who clean the trout after they are caught, please contact Carl Gierke at 920- 986-3272 or cgierke1@outlook.com. Helping out and watching the smiles on the faces of kids catching fish is a lot of fun- you won’t be disappointed.
CTO PONTOON BOAT - Challenge the Outdoors is again keeping its pontoon boat on Shawano Lake at the park docks in Cecil (southeast corner of the lake). The boat is available to any CTO member to use through mid-September. All you need to do is call Gary Thyes (715-584-7700) to reserve the boat for a half or full day. You’ll need to bring your own fishing equipment. If you’ve never used the pontoon boat, you’ll need to take a short orientation course from Gary.
CHASING RAINBOWS – Cliff Pheifer On Saturday, Aug 25, Chasing Rainbows will be held at Wilderness Springs Trout Farm, which can be reached by going west of New London on HWY 54 and then turn right on Madden Rd. No fishing license is required and there is no size limit on trout, with a two fish limit. Fishing will start at 9:30 AM. Please bring your fishing poles, secret lures, and dish to pass for lunch. Cane poles, bait, cleaning, packaging on ice will be provided. To sign up for this event contact Cliff Pheifer at (715) 412 1707 or e-mail at: cliffp.cto@gmail.com.
WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS BASEBALL GAME - AUGUST 18TH On Saturday, August 18th we will meet outside of Fox Cities Stadium, 2400 N. Casaloma Dr. in Appleton by 11 AM for our annual Timber Rattlers game. This event is open to all members and tickets and lunch are courtesy of CTO, however the $5 parking fee is your responsibility. Guests are welcome, but will be responsible for buying their own tickets. This year we will be sitting on the west side of the field, which is a switch from the past few years. Admission includes your game ticket and an all-you-can-eat lunch, along with two beverages. Lunch will be served at 11:30 and will last until game time at 1:00. Please reserve your tickets ASAP, but no later than August 1st by contacting Carl Gierke (920-986-3272 or cgierke1@outlook.com).
CTO END OF SUMMER OUTING AT OUTAGAMIE CONSERVATION CLUB, SEPT.15 The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 15th and will start at 10 AM. No end time is set because the very accommodating folks at OCC are willing to be flexible with us. We will have trap shooting with CTO picking up the cost of a round or two for those taking part. If you do not have a shotgun, OCC has a few that will be available to borrow. You are welcome to bring your own shells, or you can purchase 12 or 20 gauge shells there for $7 a box. CTO will pick up the cost of one box of shells purchased at OCC for use at the outing, and/ or we may have our own shells to give out. We hope some of our members who have wanted to try trap shooting take advantage of this great opportunity, as there will be plenty of time and instruction if needed. If you would like to show-off some of your adaptive shooting equipment and /or give instructions to a new shooter, that would be awesome.
The pistol range will also be available. You are responsible for bringing your own pistol and ammunition. Targets will be supplied, but you may bring your own if you wish. Archery shooting will be available and OCC has a crossbow or two to loan out and we will have at least one of our crossbows available as well. There will be fishing at the stocked pond that will be catch and release only, unless the fish is deep hooked and won’t survive. Bring your favorite rod and tackle. We will provide live bait and you may bring your own as well. We hope to have a fly-fisher or two to demonstrate fly fishing for anyone interested in learning a new skill. The pond is stocked with trout, pan fish and largemouth bass. The terrain is very flat around the pond and the entire OCC grounds, so getting around will be fairly easy, but you may want to bring a power scooter as the activities are spread out.
As for food, CTO will be providing the main meat dish and all those attending are asked to please bring a dish to pass. There is a clubhouse for serving the meal in and an open bar to purchase beverages. CTO will be providing water only. We will also have some cards available for anyone interested. OCC is a great place to enjoy many different activities and it gives our members a chance to learn a new skill or two. You can check out their website to see what’s going on here: http://www.wiocc.com
CTO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER 2018 Each year Challenge the Outdoors; Inc. offers a $500 scholarship to a physically-challenged high school senior that will be entering college and majoring in a field that will help physically- challenged persons. This year’s winner, Alyssa Brugger, is a graduate from Wrightstown High School and will be attending St. Norbert College.
DANIEL MC FAUL SR. SCHOLARSHIP 2018 This $500 scholarship is being presented by Tammy Kritz and her family in honor of their father. This year’s winner, Kaide Pope, is a graduate from Kimberly High School and will be attending college in Des Moines, IA for Kinesiology (Pre-Chiropractic Emphasis). This scholarship and the CTO Memorial Scholarship will be presented at the CTO Membership and Awards Banquet on July 21st.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS HIGHLIGHTS APRIL & MAY – Tammy Kritz
· New Policy was Created for Memberships: Two months after their expiration date, the member will be sent a letter or email reminding them to please pay their dues. Two months after the reminder letter, they would get a letter or email stating their membership has expired.
· Wisconsin Wildlife Federation will be using CTO’s same ad in the calendar from last year.
· CTO trailers were damaged when Carl’s building collapsed from the Winter Storm Elinor of 29” of snow. The little white trailer and hunting trailer were damaged and the hunting lift not quite as bad. Insurance company has been contacted.
· Darlene Forster donated $1,100. Memorial for Paul Forster.
· Teleconference/Bluetooth System will be used to assist Board Members that are ill and unable to attend meetings. An access code will be shared with other Board members and a smart phone of one of the members will be used at the meeting to access the other member at their home.
· Publicity/Speaking engagements – Carl spoke to the Traumatic Brain Injury group at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton about Volunteerism and spoke to a Blind group in Green Bay, thus recruiting new members
MENOMINEE PARK & ZOO FAMILY EVENT- Tammy Kritz The family fishing and pot luck event was held on Saturday, June 16 in Oshkosh. Twenty-seven people enjoyed the beautiful shores of Lake Winnebago. Two boats were provided with volunteer captains and many people went through the free 8-acre zoo which houses about 50 animals. We had a fabulous Pot-Luck buffet so no one left the day hungry. Thank you to All the volunteers who made this event possible!
TURKEY HUNT RECAP-Tommy Narmore On May 18th-20th, CTO partnered with the Clintonville Chapter of Shadows on the Wolf to mentor our disabled turkey hunters. Our mentors set hunters in good areas and called to lure the turkeys in, with the hope of getting a chance to shoot a tom turkey. They even cleaned the turkeys so they were ready to take home. This year’s hunters included Keith Pamperin, Laurie Dubord, Randy and Darwin Swille, Stephen Blount Sr., Tom Narmore, Hurtis Geohagon, Clayton Gofford, John Kempen, and Keith Hartjes. This year’s hunt was off to a great start with 5 Tom Turkeys being shot on Friday afternoon and evening. On Saturday morning, Darwin Swille was lucky enough to get a turkey, a Jake. Surprisingly, everyone who hunted saw a lot of hens this year. The toms were not as active as previous years. Weather wise we had just a little bit of everything - hot, a little chilly in the morning, windy, and even a little sprinkle of rain. Friday night after the hunt we were served a nice chicken dinner. Saturday afternoon we got to sit down with our members and have a nice lunch/dinner of scalloped potatoes and ham, put on by our great food committee and volunteers. I would like to speak on behalf of all participants of this year’s hunt and thank Shadows on the Wolf for putting on a great hunt for us. It’s always a great time. We also would like to thank all of the volunteers and the food committee for making sure we all had plenty to eat for the weekend. Next year’s turkey hunt will be May 17th-19th, 2019. Sign up will begin March 1, 2019. Stay tuned for further details.
CHASING RAINBOWS TROUT FISHING, JUNE 9th 2018- Cliff & Deb Pheiffer
This was the best weather ever for Chasing Rainbows June trout fishing. There were 38 people fishing and 6 volunteers. Kathy Foster and her helper, River, cleaned 102 pounds of trout, with fish coming in so fast it was a race to get all the fish cleaned and packed on ice. Kathy then had to match all the fish cleaned to the person who caught them, great job! There were 74 fish caught with the longest fish being 18 inches, which was caught by Shannon Nighbor. The 2nd biggest fish was caught was by Troy Schultz at 17 ½ inches.
The picnic lunch was very tasty as always and a big thank you to Tammy McFaul Kritz for the most beautiful and delicious chocolate cake ever- it earned its name, Death by Chocolate! Big thanks to Karen Baehr for coordinating the picnic lunch, no one ever goes away hungry! Also, a big thank you to Mike and Kathy Foster, (Wilderness Springs) for donating the cleaning and packaging of the fish, as well as the cooking committee and everyone who brought dishes to pass. Special thanks to Collin Kempen and Angela Rhodes for pitching in. A good time was had by all!
GREEN BAY BLIZZARD GAME -Steve Harvey and Sharon LeFevre
After the first game was cancelled due to the snowstorm of the century, we were able to reschedule another game. Members had a good game to watch as the Blizzard won 47 to 25. Fun was had by all and everyone enjoyed great food. We would like to thank CTO for supporting this great event and we hope to do it again next year.
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