Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.
MARCH 2020 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke We’ve all heard about “giving back” and how good it can feel to be on the giving and receiving end of generosity. It’s something that is a big part of CTO and I’ve seen countless examples of it over the years and was reminded of it several times over the past few months. Sure, our organization is about providing our members with hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities, but it’s much more than that. It’s also about simply offering a helping hand to each other when needed. Here are a few examples.
Unfortunately, we had some wonderful members pass away over the past few months, but CTO families created an opportunity to “give back” out of a tragic situation. Mike Quasius enjoyed several years of deer hunting with his friend Dave Paul and shot a deer last fall during our October gun deer hunt. Mike’s family and friends generously donated a sizeable memorial fund to CTO after Mike’s passing last fall, helping to ensure that other hunters will enjoy the same tradition that Mike did for a long time.
Peter Provenzale and his family enjoyed many Chasing Rainbows fishing events over the years. After Peter passed away, his family donated many of his personal items and adaptive equipment, including wheelchairs and an almost new four-wheeled scooter to CTO. They asked that we donate these items to CTO members, which we did at the annual Holiday Party on February 15th. The Provenzale’s generosity made many people very happy and they were so happy to hear that the items went to appreciative individuals that could use them.
Similarly, the family of Brett Huse of New London donated much of his hunting clothing after he passed away last year. Although Brett was not a member, his family heard about CTO and its mission and decided that CTO members would be the perfect recipients of these items and they were also distributed during the Holiday Party.
Lastly, we received a call a few months ago from a gentleman in Kaukauna named Rob Jaeckels. Rob is not a CTO member, but also heard about the many good thing’s CTO does and decided to donate a very nice Bounder wheelchair to us. Even though he could have sold this “high-tech” chair, he felt the right thing to do was to donate it back to someone because the chair was donated to him and he thought CTO was the right organization for the job. We’ll be “recycling” the chair and donating it to a needy member.
Many thanks to all the individuals and families mentioned for their generosity and thoughtfulness. Your willingness to help others is what CTO is all about and your donations will be helping people for a long time. Thanks for reminding us of the power of “giving back” and how it can have such a positive impact on people’s lives!!
SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT / FUNDRAISER –Carl Gierke CTO’s 22nd annual fundraiser will again be held at J&H Game Farm west of Navarino on April 4th. This is a great opportunity for you to pitch in to help CTO grow and fund the events you take part in throughout the year. There are many ways you can help. You can sell raffle tickets, collect donations for raffle prizes, put up posters in businesses to advertise the event, spread the word among your friends to come out and shoot, or help with some of the many tasks the day of the event. If you’d like, copy the poster you were mailed and hang some up in your favorite businesses, shooting clubs, or pass them along to anyone you know that likes to shoot. Tickets were distributed at the Holiday Party on February 15th, but if you missed out on that and would like to get some, please contact one of the Fundraiser Committee members and we’ll get you some. The Fundraiser Committee consists of Jim Adamovich, Barb and Fred Kaun, Deb Pheifer, Chris Savka, Sharon LeFevre, Steve Harvey, and myself. I’d like to thank them for all their hard work involved in the planning and preparation of this event. If you’d like to help, please contact someone on the committee and let them know what you’d like to help with. Your support and assistance helps fund our cause and you might even have a little fun in the process. Although this is our 21st fundraiser, we’re always looking for ways to make it better, so let us know if you have any ideas.
UWGB LADY PHOENIX BASKET BALL GAME RECAP- Keith Pamperin On a busy Sunday afternoon, the same day prior to the Green Bay Packer NFC Playoff Game, sixteen CTO members and friends enjoyed a UWGB Lady Phoenix Basketball win over the University of Illinois - Chicago Flames at UWGB, Kress Events Center. Interesting that the UWGB Phoenix Flash is “ a mystical mascot that rises from the ashes” and The UIC “ Flames are named for the Great Chicago Fire” No wonder Green Bay won. We enjoyed complimentary tickets courtesy of UWGB Athletics! We made it home in time to cheer on the NFC Champion Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game! Who would think a 14 & 3 season would feel bad?
SPRING PHEASANT HUNT AT J&H GAME FARM – Jim Adamovich This event, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2020 starts at 8AM. 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.
ARCHERY SHOOT- Brian Hess CTO will host a 3D Archery/Crossbow Target and Sighting Shoot on Saturday, April 18th from 10AM-3 PM at R& B Archery Range located at W5251 Pleasant Road, Black Creek WI. Please come and sight your archery equipment in or just come to practice and mingle with other members. There will be all sorts of 3D targets to shoot at from different ranges with various animal targets. We will have a small course set up to shoot at for a chance to win gift cards so bring your best shot. Pizza and a beverage will be provided and if you would like to bring a dish to pass that would be great. If you would like to try a crossbow but don’t have one, just give me a call and I can bring an extra one. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please call Brian – 920-680-7954.
SPRING TURKEY HUNT – Tom Narmore This May, 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, but if you forget to apply by that deadline, you can also purchase a tag over the counter sometime near the end of March. 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 this year’s turkey hunt will begin January 15th and go until March 15th (no exceptions). Please note 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 This year we’ll be adding one more boat, which translates to four more people able to participate, or a total of 24 CTO members. The event will take place Monday, 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 years.
SHAWANO LAKE FISHING – Carl Gierke Saturday, June 6th is CTO’s annual fishing outing on Shawano Lake. The event is held at the park in Cecil and no fishing license is needed as this is the DNR’s free fishing weekend. Boats and bait are provided, but you will need to bring your own fishing equipment (CTO does have some equipment available). You will need to reserve a spot by calling Pat Nieuwenhuis (920-687-8707) by Wednesday June 3rd, so we know how many people to expect. We’ll start at 8:00 AM and usually fish until about 11:00 AM when lunch will be served. After lunch, you can go out and fish again if you’d like. Hope to see you there!
CHASING RAINBOWS TROUT FISHING AND POT LUCK – Randy Swille Saturday, June 13th and Saturday Aug 22nd, Chasing Rainbows will again be held at Wilderness Springs Trout Farm west of New London. No fishing license is required and there is no size limit on trout. There is a two fish limit for each disabled member and or member/helper. Members can purchase extra fish at a cost of $7 a pound. Fishing will start at 9:00 AM with lunch to follow. 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, please contact Randy Swille at least five days prior to the event at (920) 373-8081 or email randyswille@yahoo.com
ARCHERY DEER HUNT - Keith Hartjes This event will be held September 18–20, 2020. This event is very popular so 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.
HOLIDAY PARTY RECAP – Carl Gierke This year’s annual Holiday Party was held on Saturday, February 15th at Willow Creek Lanes in Green Bay. This was our first year at Willow Creek and attendees enjoyed pizza and chicken strips, desserts and several dishes donated by CTO members. In addition, there were door prizes and many items were given away that were donated to CTO by generous donors and members in memory of loved ones. After lunch and the distribution of prizes, many people took advantage of the free bowling provided by CTO. Thanks to everyone that provided food, prizes, help and stories (some were even true) and to the Holiday Party committee consisting of Deb Pheifer, Sharon LeFevre and Steve Harvey. It was a great time!!
TUESDAY SHOOTS AT J&H GAME FARM 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. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Adamovich. 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 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’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. Time frame to submit an entry for an award is from July 1, 2019 thru June 30, 2020.
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
DNR WEBSITE FOR THE DISABLED SPORTSPERSON- Barb Kaun As we enter 2020, you may find this website helpful so that you are prepared for fishing and hunting opportunities by reviewing the DNR's requirements for permits and licenses at https://dnr.wi.gov/permits/disabled.html
NEW MEMBERS- Please welcome the following new members to CTO: James and Donna Hoelzel, Carol Erickson, Goodman Conservation Club
SAVE THE DATE - APRIL 4TH
CTO SPORTING CLAY FUNDRAISER
J & H GAME FARM - NAVARINO