WELCOME TO CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC.
MARCH 2021 NEWSLETTER
www.ctoforme.org
President’s Message – Carl Gierke Some of you might agree that things seem to be looking up. We’ve put a difficult year behind us and more people are receiving Covid vaccinations, we just made it through a long cold snap, we’ve been basking in temperatures above freezing and spring isn’t far away. Many health professionals are predicting that a good share of the population will be vaccinated by late summer, so there is hope. The CTO board will be evaluating the public health status along with our ability to hold events safely to see when we can hold events again. Meanwhile, we’re going to try and remain optimistic and schedule some events. Tentatively scheduled events are listed in the calendar at the end of this newsletter. These are subject to cancellation based on the status of the Covid pandemic, but we want you to be aware of them so you can plan accordingly. Details will be presented in future newsletters. Regarding the new CTO property and clubhouse in Angelica – a recent meeting of the project team, which includes Steve and Kristi Nooyen, architects and designers from Keller Structures, as well as CTO representatives, discussed design options and made several upgrades. These changes will be presented to the board at our meeting on March 18th. It’s looking like the plans might be finalized this spring and we can look forward to construction beginning sometime this summer. After that we’ll move on to plans for fishing piers and managing the property. Again, we thank the Nooyens for their donations and dedication to CTO, as well as the fine folks at Keller for their help. Although the Angelica property will be the focus of several CTO activities and events, there will obviously be many days when we will not be using the facility. As mentioned before, the Nooyens have asked, and we’ve agreed, that we promote the use of the building and property for other organizations, events and meetings so it becomes a well-used, important part of the community. Opening our doors and welcoming others will not only provide opportunities to people outside of CTO, but will also demonstrate what CTO does and what we’re all about - helping others and giving back! Suggestions for other uses for the property and facility have included kids fishing days, fishing and hunting seminars, and boating or hunting safety meetings, but the possibilities are many. If you belong to another group or organization that may want to use the property, or know someone that might, please contact a board member and share your ideas. Well, hopefully we can get together soon and celebrate warmer weather, seeing old friends and putting a pandemic behind us, while looking forward to fishing and feeding mosquitoes again. Until then - stay healthy, better days are coming!
NEWSLETTER - David Paul The Challenge the Outdoors Newsletter is published at the beginning of January, March, May, July, September and November. If you know of a member that is not receiving the newsletter, please contact David Paul at 920-740-2775 or dcp7576@gmail.com.
SHAWANO LAKE FISHING – Carl Gierke We are tentatively scheduling our annual outing on Shawano Lake for Saturday, June 5th. The event is held at the park in Cecil and no fishing license is required, as this is the DNR’s free fishing weekend. Boats and bait are provided, but most people prefer to bring their own fishing equipment (CTO does have some equipment available). You will need to reserve a spot by calling (920-986-3272) or emailing (cgierke1@outlook.com) Carl Gierke by Wednesday, June 2nd, so we know how many people to expect. We’ll start at 8am and usually fish until about 11am when lunch is served. After lunch, you can go out and fish again, if you’d like. Again, this is event is subject to change. We’ll let you know in the May newsletter how things look.
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. No matter how many tags you obtain, you will only be able to harvest one bearded turkey. The spring turkey hunt for May 2021 signup 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.
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
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION- Please pass on the attached membership application on the last page to a friend who might like to be a volunteer or someone who is physically challenged and is looking for outdoor activities to participate in. Please see links for the form.