Challenge The Outdoors, Inc

 Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.

MAY 2017 NEWSLETTER

www.ctoforme.org

President’s Message – Carl Gierke

Another Sporting Clay Shoot / Fundraiser is behind us and a big “Thank You” goes out to everyone who helped pull off the April 1st event at J&H Game Farm. So many people were involved with planning, collecting raffle prizes, advertising, selling raffle tickets, setting up, working on the day of the shoot, and distributing prizes that it’s hard to thank everyone, but you know who you are and your help is so greatly appreciated. I do want to send a special thanks however to everyone at J&H and to the CTO Fundraiser Committee members (Rita and Jim Adamovich, Karen Baehr, and Tammy Kritz) for all their hard work. I’d also like to thank our friends from DaVita for helping out. This event takes a lot of planning and coordination and it can’t be done without their help and the help of all those who pitched in.

We had 412 shooters that shot one round and an additional 48 rounds were shot that day. The food was fantastic, as usual, and we were blessed with great weather. There didn’t seem to be any major problems, but if you saw something that was a concern or have a suggestion for improving next year, please let us know. We’re always trying to make the event better and it’s not too early to start thinking about next year.

Many, many area businesses and individuals generously donated food and refreshments for the fundraiser, in addition to dozens of items that were used as raffle prizes. It’s great to see such tremendous community support for CTO and we thank all those who donated and help make the event a success. Please remember to patronize those who donated and give them a big “Thank You” the next time you see them or stop in their business. Thanks again everyone for a job well done!

Speaking of Fundraisers – several CTO members recently manned a booth at the Green Bay Outdoor Show in Shopko Hall to advertise CTO, our Sporting Clay Fundraiser, and to sell raffle tickets for the shoot. Thanks to Keith Pamperin for arranging the booth and to all those who helped work the show and sell tickets.

Several other CTO members also helped at a recent Whitetails Unlimited banquet at Romy’s near Black Creek. As a thank you for CTO’s help, Gary VandenHeuvel and Whitetails make a donation to CTO. Just wanted to relay a little story from that night - CTO member Doug Thiele, who was selling tickets for one of the many gun raffles, was approached by a boy that was admiring one of the guns at Doug’s station. The boy’s father apparently hadn’t purchased tickets for that particular gun, so Doug reached into his own pocket and generously bought a ticket for him. You guessed it – the boy won the gun and was still smiling uncontrollably when last seen leaving the building. Thanks Doug for your kindness and for representing what CTO is all about – giving back!

Fishing Opportunities – Carl Gierke:

Welcome to warmer weather and a chance to get outside a little more and do some fishing. Just want to remind you of some fishing opportunities you might want to take advantage of this summer.

Shawano Lake Fishing – June 3rd 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) and by filling out and signing the waiver/application, so we know how many people to expect. The application is in this newsletter, see page 4. 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.

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 from roughly May 1-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 also need to take a short orientation course from Gary.

Shadows on the Wolf – SOTW has constructed several Handicapped-Accessible fishing piers in Outagamie County and one in Shawano County. These include Mac’s Landing (north of Hortonville), Barker Park (south of Shiocton), Koepke Park (north of Shiocton), Village of Shiocton Municipal Building, Bamboo Bend Park (west of Shiocton), Co. Hwy S Boat Landing (west of Stephensville), and Sturgeon Park (City of Shawano). You can check them out and get directions on SOTW’s website (www.shadowson thewolf.org) if you’re interested.

Spring Turkey Hunt - Tom Narmore

In May of 2017, 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 19th through May 21st.

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 Friday evening. 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 not harvested a turkey. Make sure you obtain a tag for Zone 3 period E if you would like to participate in the hunt. Please contact Tom Narmore by email narmore1988@yahoo.com or call at (920) 410-4436. (Please leave a message).

Chasing Rainbows – Cliff Pheifer:

On Saturday, June 10 and Saturday Aug 19, 2017, Chasing Rainbows will be held at Wilderness Springs Trout Farm, located west of New London on HWY 54, then take a 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, at Wilderness Springs Trout Farm. 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.

Spring Pheasant Hunt Results- Jim Adamovich:

Fifteen hunters and 19 helpers participated in the Spring hunt and each hunter received two birds to take home. Joan and Diane made a great meal for all to enjoy. A special thanks to John Krumrei, Matt Ernst, Tony Gehr and friends for helping out. Bob and Jane Day provided an ATV and golf cart and Dan Kritz and Carl Gierke provided dogs for the event.

Shells were provided by John Kempen. All of your contributions were appreciated. The next pheasant hunt will be October 26th, 2017 at J&H Game Farm. See you there!

Timber Rattlers vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball Game- Peter Lathrop:

Sunday August 6 we will meet outside of Fox Cities Stadium by 11AM, 2400 N. Casaloma Dr. Appleton. This event is open to all members and tickets are courtesy of CTO. Guests are welcome, but will be responsible for buying their own tickets. Tickets cost $21.50 for adults/$17.50 for children 10 & under. The $5 parking fee is your responsibility. The game seems a long time away, but I know some people like planning their summer vacations months in advance.

We will be eating in the 1st base picnic pavilion this year. The Rattler’s staff will setup tables that are accessible for people in wheelchairs or scooters. Admission includes game ticket and an all-you-can-eat picnic (i.e., Brats, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Pasta Salad, Dessert, etc.) along with two beverages. The picnic will be served at 11:30 AM and will last until game time at 1:00 PM. The picnic will happen rain or shine. On Sundays, the Timber Rattler players wear Brewers-themed jerseys and sign autographs after the game.

The deadline to reserve your ticket(s) is July 22nd, so reserve your ticket(s) ASAP or you may miss out on a fun event! To reserve a ticket(s) contact Peter Lathrop or Carl Gierke. Peter: (920) 982-4288 or e-mail plcaravan@yahoo.com; Carl:(920) 986-3272 or cgierke1@outlook.com

October Special Disabled Deer Hunt—Pat Nieuwenhuis:

This year’s hunt will begin on October 7th and ends on October 15th. Sign up for the deer hunt starts on July 1 and ends on August 31st. Please watch for your next CTO Newsletter for the upcoming information and the exact times. If you have any other questions, please contact Pat Nieuwenhuis at 920-687-8707.

Annual Membership & Awards Banquet- Rita Adamovich:

Our banquet will be held Saturday, July 22nd at Romy’s in Black Creek. We will elect new board members before the banquet. We will recognize donors and also give out our yearly awards. This is a great opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with the old members. You will be receiving more information at a later date and if you have questions you may contact Karen Baehr at 920-766-9218 or Rita Adamovich at 920-722-2090 or E mail Jimrita0208@yahoo.com

Wheelchair Whitetails- Steve Nooyen:

CTO member Steve Nooyen and his wife Kristi, have started a new program Wheelchair Whitetails which will offer 2-day guided deer hunts to wheelchair bound hunters at no cost. The crossbow hunts will occur on their 512-acre private property located 90 minutes north of Green bay in Florence County, WI. All equipment, meals and accommodations will be provided for selected hunters and a companion. For more information or to apply for a hunt this fall , please check out the new website: www.wheelchairwhitetails.org

CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS INC.

****Fishery Registration Application****

Name: _________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________City: _______________________

State: _______________ Zip: _______________ Phone: _______________________

Wheel Chair User? Yes______ No_______

In case of an emergency call, Name: _______________________ Phone: ____________

Address: _______________________ City: _________________ State: _____ Zip_____

Medical or Special Needs:

________________________________________________________________________

Name of helper (if a helper is attending):

_______________________________________Phone: __________________________

Address of helper: ___________________________ City: _______________ State: _____

Guest: (If Helper/Guest desire to accompany participant on the boat, is it:

Necessary_____________ or: Would like to____________

*Available space on boats will determine whether helper/guest will be able to accompany Participants. *

Mail Registration Application to: Patrick Nieuwenhuis Due May 29 2017

1012 Carol Lyn Drive

Little Chute, WI 54140

Entry or Release of all claim: In consideration of the acceptance of my entry in the

“CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC. Fishery event, I release CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS INC. and all volunteers who are connected with this event, from any liability

or claims of injury to body property or illness that I sustain during my participation in this event, I

understand that this applies to myself, my personal helper, heirs and assigns. I represent that I am

capable of participation and acknowledge that this release is being relied upon by the above

organization in permitting me to participate. I also grant full permission to any or all foregoing to

use any photographs, recordings, or any other of this event for any legitimate purpose.

SIGNATURE: ______________________________________ DATE: __________

Bear Hunting Opportunity- Tom Narmore:

I am a member of Empowered Dream Hunts Inc. We are connecting with USSA (United Special Sportsman Alliance) to provide a chance for some disabled sportspersons who would be interested in a bear hunting opportunity. Qualified candidates must be disabled and have a class A, B, or C disabled hunting permit. If interested, please go to empowereddreamhuntsinc.org. and complete a Go On A Dream Hunt Application and mail it back by June 1st to Joe Ramsey at 526 Sandy Lane, Mosinee, WI 54455. You do not need to have a bear tag. If selected, you will have a one-time online chance for a transferred bear harvest tag. The amount of tags able to be transferred depends on how many people will be selected. The more that apply the better. As a disabled sportsperson, you can only have one bear tag transferred to you in a lifetime. Then you have to send in every year to earn your points. If selected, they ask that you bring 1-4 helpers. Accommodations will be provided. If anyone needs any further information or has any other questions, please call myself, Tom Narmore @ 920-410-4436, (Please leave a message if I do not answer.) Or call Joe Ramsey@ 920-290-2108. Joe and Laurie Ramsey,715-693-3322, joeandlaurieramsey@gmail.com, Founders of Empowered Dream Hunts Inc. and Ramsey's International School of Wrestling

Board of Directors Positions - Carl Gierke

CTO is seeking individuals to serve on its Board of Directors. Anyone interested must submit a short resume giving a description of their work history and experience and why they would like to be considered for the position to Carl Gierke by June 30th. This will enable applicants resumes to be published in the next newsletter and to be evaluated and voted on by members at the annual meeting in July. Terms are for one, two, or three years. Directors are asked to attend monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month and contribute their ideas and assistance to help CTO provide recreational opportunities to disabled individuals. It’s a great chance to use all those skills you’ve acquired over the years, meet some new people, and help make a difference. Hope you can join us!

List of Upcoming Board of Director Meetings - Judy Paluch:

All meetings begin @ 6PM and fall on the third Tuesday of each month. Here is the list of upcoming meetings:

May 16, -Muehl Library at 436 N. Main Street, Seymour, WI

June 20, July 18, August 15- Options for Independent Living at 555 Country Club Road, Green Bay.