Challenge The Outdoors, Inc

 Challenge The Outdoors, Inc.

NOV, 2014

A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SERVING THE RECREATIONAL NEEDS AND DESIRES OF THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED SPORTSPERSON

Presidents Message---James Adamovich Its great looking back this year at some of the events and outings that we have had. CTO has been Blessed with another great year. We had a great wonderful fund raiser with the help of many supporters, volunteers, committee members, and members. If it wasn’t for the fund raiser we could not do all the events we do through out the year. So thank you for making it happen. We hope you have enjoyed some event with us in the last year and hope to see you at them next year. No matter if you volunteer at an event or in some other way helped CTO, everyone’s help is greatly appreciated. Because of health issue John Kempen has step down from the board as a director. We appreciate all that you have done and we are glad to hear you are willing to help when you can. Thank you very much John. The deer hunt was a success because of Pat Nieuwenhuis, Bill Mayille, Rod Barkhaus and all the extra vol-unteers. Hunting is how our organization started.

Would you like to receive info pertaining to the disabled sportsperson with social media? CTO has 2 social media options. The most used option is our CTOforME Yahoo Group. Members of this group can send or read a message by using e-mail. For example in the month of September there were e-mails sent about a curling clinic at the Green Bay Curling Club, CTO Shoot Until You Drop, paramobile demonstration, 2 different pheasant hunts in southern Wisconsin, and etc. To join the Yahoo group, send a blank e-mail to CTOforME-subscribe@yahoogroups.com We also have a Facebook page. Do a search for Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. and then click the Like button. If you have any questions send Peter an e-mail at plcaravan@yahoo.com or give him a phone call.

Challenge The Outdoors Inc. Early October Deer Hunt By: Pat Nieuwenhuis This year I would like to start this report out different from past years. After sitting in my blind I really have to start by thanking all of the land owners first for signing in their land. Because if it was not for the land Challenge The Outdoors Inc. would not even have a hunt. We all have to re-member that some of these land owners are hunters also and they plant food plots to bring the big deer in. Some land owners have been watching some of these big guys on their game cams since spring and are trying to bag these deer bow hunting and if they have not bagged the big boy by now they are letting us in on their land for 9 days with guns and we have a good chance of bagging the deer that the land owner has been hunting. Now that is what I call giving from your heart, so please thank your land owners. Next is the awesome kitchen staff that put out the best food a per-son could ask for. They make sure that no one leaves with an empty stomach. You can’t ask for anything more than have it starting with breakfast and it goes right up until lunch and that is not even counting the endless table of great desserts. Then to top it off they even send you off with a couple of sandwiches so you do not get hungry later in the woods hunting. So are hunting hats come off in thanks for all that the kitchen staff does for the hunters and all of the volunteers every year. You are a big part of the team. Now for all of the volunteers that help put together this hunt. It takes a lot of people and it starts in the beginning of May and it does not end until the last blind is out of the woods. This year was by far the best year ever for having volunteers. We had more than we needed and that was a first but that’s a good thing. Please keep coming as there will be a time that your help will be needed. Now for the part we have all been waiting for, the lucky hunt-ers: Mike Taylor, Mark Baehr, Bill Mayville, Robert Stockinger, Randy Graham and Scott Felzer. Congratulations to all of the lucky hunters, we also had a couple of hunters that had a miss but that’s the way things go. That’s why they call it hunting, and not shooting deer. The last thing I need to add is if anyone knows of a land owner that would like to sign their land into Challenge The Outdoors Inc. hunt, PLEASE call Bill Mayville at 715-758-8363 or Pat Nieuwenhuis at 920-687-8706. THANK YOU!! Take care, be safe, have fun and God Bless you all

END OF THE YEAR PHEASANT HUNT Sunday October 26, 2014 8:00 AM- ? J & H Game Farm This event has become a very popular event. We have coordinating birds in the field, dogs and handlers, machine operator, back-up shooters, cleaners and baggers, great food and just a great day to get to know other CTO members and listening to the stories. Each disabled hunter will be al-lowed two pheasant. If you have a favorite recipe and would like to share bring it along. If you don’t have your own gun, there will be guns available at J & H Game Farm for you to use. Shells have been donated by John Kempen, 12 gauge and 20 gauge. Each hunter is welcome to bring family members, or a friend to assist them, but only the disabled CTO member is allowed to shoot. Food is being made by J & H which is always delicious. Don’t forget to sign up by October 21th if you are going to be part of this hunt or if you have any questions. Contact information is: Jim Adamovich E-mail: jimrita0208@yahoo.com or 920-722-2090. If you signed up at the banquet, thank you and don’t forget the date is October 26, 8:00 till ? 4 Spring Turkey Hunt May 16-18, 2015 CTO and Shadows on The Wolf are planning a spring turkey hunt for May 16, 17 & 18 for its dis-abled members.. Lodging for the hunt will be at Christus Memorial Camp located a few miles from Clintonville. We will be accepting approximately 10 hunters and giving preference to 1st time hunters and to those who have not harvested a turkey. Please email Cliff Pheifer at CliffP.CTO@gmail.com if you would like to hunt.

Shoot Till You Drop Jim Adamovich We had great weather and the fish was wonderful thanks to Steve, Lee and Jeff. Thanks everyone who brought a dish to pass. We had twenty people that enjoyed a great day of Shoot till you Drop. They shot forty five rounds of sporting clays, eight of 5-stand and five of skeet. Heard a few sto-ries of why a shot was missed but in all it was a fun day. We would like to thank J&H for all the help for Challenge the Outdoors.

Races Jim Adamovich The races were held on August 23, 2014. We had 23 that came but not all stayed till the end. It was another wet night and it would rain and stop, they would dry off the track and race till the next rain. There were a few brave enough to stay till the end. The food was great and even with the weather it was great to see Bennet win the feature car race number 2. We hope next year we have better weather.

Fall Chasing Rainbows SATURDAY, September 20, 2014 Cliff Pheifer It looked like rain again this year, but the weather turned out great. Thirty three CTO members fished or helped others catch 81 pounds of trout. Shannon Nieghbor caught the largest Rainbow trout, a very nice 17-1/2 incher. CTO members sure know how to bake, we again had plenty of food for a feast. Karen and Rita put together a great sub-sandwich selection for the main course. Thanks to all the helpers that netted trout, unhooked fish, baited hooks, and helped whenever needed. Thanks to Wilderness Springs Trout Farm for cleaning and icing the trout for us to take home.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS AUGUST 19, 2014 The Director’s elected the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer for the year of 2014-2015. We have election or re-election of officers each year in August-- a month after the banquet. Jim Adamovich is our president, Harland Chapman is our Vice President, Jean Chapman is our Treasurer, and Peter Lathrop is our Secretary. Brian Hess is the Assistant Treasurer, and Judy Paluch is the Assistant Secretary. Committee Sheets were handed out to directors to go over the different events and told about the need to find people interested in organizing and helping with the different events. We will go over the sheets next meeting. One of our hunting committees is working on a future duck hunting event. They are checking out lands that are good duck hunting areas, and land owners that will allow our disabled hunters to hunt on their lands. The date has not been finalized for the hunt. SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 The Board of Director’s meetings are on Tuesday evenings now. We had a discussion about changing the night and time for meetings. Make sure if you want to attend one of our meetings, call our office at 920-593-6300 or e-mail our e-mail account at ctoforme@yahoo.com. There will be no more loaning out of blinds, because someone came and got a blind and then re-turned it by throwing it in Bill’s garage. We sent a personal thank you to John Mankovecky for his donation of $160.00. We very much appreciate his “winnings donation”, and Nathan & Nancy Vandehey sent the money to us for him. Thank you Nathan and Nancy for your help. The pontoon is winterized, and a new propeller will be attached before storing it. The broken pro-peller will then be fixed and used as a spare. Prepared by Judy Paluch and Peter Lathrop End of Summer Picnic at Camp Shioc Recap CTO’s 2nd End of Summer picnic at Camp Shioc was a very nice outing for the 25 members who participated. It was a very nice day with temps just a bit cooler than average with lots of sun. The fishing and catching were very good with many bluegill and lg. mouth bass being caught and re-leased and a few perch,black crappie and a walleye rounding out our catch. Big Bob (resident lunker lg. mouth bass) and his/her companion were seen but not hooked. Next time!! Several peo-ple took the canoes and kayaks out. No tippers everyone stayed up-right….this time. While we had thoughts of target shooting guns and bows no one was really interested in doing so so we did-n’t. The meal prepared by our cooks was delicious…never a doubt there that’s for sure and the dishes brought to pass were outstanding as well. Plenty of yummy treats of all sorts. The day ended with a campfire that helped take the autumn chill away. A few good stories were shared and some nice memories created as well. We THANK all those who volunteered their time and efforts to make this outing a success and hopefully we will do it again next year. Perhaps an earlier date and new location? We’ll see. If anyone has an idea of a different location that offers a nice location with great opportunities for our members please let us know. Thanks goes out to Camp Shioc for letting us rent their beautiful camp and facilties and to their great hosts and hospitality. They are very happy to see others enjoy the opportunities the camp provides.

CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS AWARDS PROGRAM from 7-1-2014 thru 6-30-2015 Procedures, Rules and Details: All the categories entrants must have been a CTO DISABLED member before submitting an entry. The definition of a disabled member should meet at least 1 of the following requirements: Have a Class A or C hunting permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Holding a DNR Cross Bow permit is not considered to be “disabled enough” for this awards program. Can only ambulate with the use of a wheelchair, walker or two canes or two crutches from a disability considered permanent. Is legally blind. Is missing a hand or arm regardless of using prosthesis. Is over the age of 70 years. Other individuals can become qualified on a case-by-case basis. Contact Awards Administrator. Award Categories (not all categories are listed): Please include the date of each activity when you submit an entry. Biggest Challenge Overcome Outside: One year, a CTO member overcame his quadriplegia to hunt tur-keys on his own. He set and reset his blind to get the best spot; he got in the blind and set up and after sev-eral exciting close calls was able to bag a turkey. Try and top that one to win. A person can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Past Winners include Mark Baehr 2007, Steve Lang 2008 & 2012, & James Luedke 2008. Award = $75 gift certificate to a Sporting Goods Store. Deep Doo-doo Award: For the CTO member who takes the biggest challenge in the outdoors while get-ting in a difficult situation. One winner was a wheelchair user who dropped a goose in a muddy cornfield and after his able bodied buddy could not find the goose, he crawled through the mud to find it himself. While the mud got washed off in a hot shower, the glow of the satisfaction of his achievement will last lots longer. So, get out there and expand your limits. A person can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Past Winners include Steve Lang 2007 & 2009, Roger Mateer 2011, Keith A. Pamperin 2014. Award = $75 gift certificate to a Sporting Goods Store. Longest fish, by the following species: (length in inches) No photograph required, but it would be nice. Great Lake/Green Bay Trout or Salmon, Inland Trout, Walleye, Musky, Northern, Perch, Small and Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, White Bass, Catfish, Whitefish, & Rough Fish(Bullhead, Carp, Dogfish, Sheepshead, ect.). There will be one winner for the longest rough fish of all of the rough fish species. Award = $25 gift certificate to a Sporting Goods Store for the longest fish in each species. Biggest Whitetail Buck: Number of Points longer than one inch x maximum inside spread in inches. No photograph required, but it would be nice. In case of ties or near ties, antlers will be re-examined in more detail by CTO Award Administrator. Award = $50 gift certificate to a Sporting Goods Store. Biggest Tom Turkey: Length in inches of spurs and beards. Also required is the weight of the turkey. No photograph required, but it would be nice. Award = $50 gift certificate to a Sporting Goods Store. Top overall Trap Shooter: Top 3 rounds times the distance for the year. Top score would be a score of 25 times the maximum yardage of 27 yards times 3 = 2,025. Award = $25 gift certificate to a Sporting Goods Store. Top overall Skeet Shooter: Top three rounds for the year. Top score would be a score of 25 times 3 = 75. Award = $25 gift certificate to a Sporting Goods Store. Top overall Sporting Clays Shooter: Top three rounds for the year not including the J&H Sport-ing Clay Fund Raiser. Top score would be a score of 50 times 3 = 150. Award = $25 gift certifi-cate to a Sporting Goods Store. Send entries to the award categories to Award Administrator Peter Lathrop, either at plcara-van@yahoo.com or E9649 Pine Tree Lane, New London, WI 54961. Phone 920-982-4288. Feel free to ask questions

Cost Sharing Program for Adaptive Equipment We know adaptive equipment can be a bit pricey so our hope, by creating this cost sharing program in December of 2004, was to help our physically challenged members offset that cost and encourage them to purchase their own equipment. Thus creating more independence for them. So far CTO has helped several members purchase adap-tive hunting equipment including crossbows and hand cranks, and an adapted gunstock. We are still waiting for the 1st adaptive fishing equipment request. For those unfamiliar with our cost sharing program here’s how it works. CTO will help our physically challenged members purchase adaptive hunting or fishing equipment by picking up to ½, but not to exceed $100.00, for the cost of the piece(s) of equipment 1 time per year. For example say Jane purchases a crank for her crossbow and it cost $150.00. CTO would reimburse Jane $75.00. To receive reimbursement for a piece of adaptive equipment you have purchased or to see if a piece of equipment you’re considering purchasing qualifies contact Jean or Harland Chapman. (920) 525-1123. *Note, keep your receipt and get a duplicate copy of the original because we will need a copy for our records. And if you re-turn the item please reimburse CTO. If you are looking for sources of adaptive equipment there are hundreds to choose from so shop around and check our website out for links to sellers and suppliers and as always please show patronage to the many businesses that have been so good to us over the years by giving them your and our busi-ness.

CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS--FIELD GRANT PROGRAM VOTED IN MAY 20, 2014 The Field Grant Program is designed to aid physically challenged members of Challenge the Outdoors, Inc. to ex-perience once-in-a-lifetime outdoor hunting or fishing events, not otherwise afford to attend that special event. Field grants stipulations are… Retroactive for those who already received grants from the beginning Physically challenged members only Maximum of ($200.00) Maximum of three (3) times in a life time Only one in a year, for fishing, hunting only membership dues must be paid up completely from first date joining; have to pay up missing years Be a member in good standing cannot apply for a grant unless you are a disabled member of Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. for one full calendar year must turn in receipts of the hunting or fishing trip before receiving the Field Grant Money; all receipts including hunting or fishing license or receipt from outfitter from out of state. Money will be paid after receipts are turned in and checked out at end of trip Money sent by mail and please write a short article on your adventure for our newsletter. A Field Grant will not be awarded to an individual for participation in another organization’s event if Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. already conducts a similar event. The Field Grant Committee and Board of Directors can con-sider an exception under special circumstances. Persons that have received funds under the Challenge The Out-doors, Inc. Field Grant Program are not eligible for another Field Grant to participate in the same type of event in the future. For example: A disabled member of Challenge The Outdoors is awarded a field grant to hunt Prong-horn in Wyoming. This member may not apply for another Field Grant to hunt Pronghorn in the future, and this means not in any other State or Country. We have white tail deer hunting here. To be eligible to receive funding through this program, you must apply and fill out an application at least two months before you plan on leaving. You must be a disabled Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. member for at least one calendar year before you can apply. We need your application given to the Board of Directors before or at our next meeting, and then it will be given to the Field Grant Committee to make its decision on the application. The application will be discussed at the next Board of Directors meeting. Meetings are once a month. No precedents are set by the prohibited use of the Field Grants for Badger Games, Bowling, Clay Pigeon shooting or any other non- allowable use that has happened in the past. Field Grant Applications are available by calling 1-920-593-6300 and leave a message. You will be called.

Specialty Adapted Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans Recently, CBS News has reported the number of disabled veterans’ post 9/11 has increased by 25 percent. Currently, some 2.9 million veterans are suffering from a service related disability. Aside from the obvious reasons why this number has increased is the influx of severe injuries IE ampu-tations and traumatic burns that military personnel in previous conflicts (Vietnam WWII) would not have survived. As the housing market continues to see growth among veterans (2014 1st quar-ter saw VA home loans account for 8.1 percent of all mortgages, up from 2 percent a decade ago), it is important for military members to be aware of what types of entitlements they are eligible for. An information gap seems to exist between younger and older veterans about what is out there and how it can help them. Beyond the monthly disability compensation, the property tax exemption widely available to disabled veterans and the VA home loan are specialty grants that can be used by disabled veterans to construct or adapt housing to fit the specific needs of a disabled occupant. The VA offers a multitude of benefits to veterans suffering from a service related disability. Spe-cifically in regards to the housing loan, these include special consideration for mortgages insured by the VA and waiving the VA home loan funding fee. Furthermore, in qualifying for the loan, an applicant can use their disability compensation to meet the income requirements. The mission statement of the Department of Veterans Affairs is “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise “to care for him who all have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan” by serv-ing and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans.” In carrying out this mission, the VA has made disability benefits a priority. The Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH) and the Special Housing Adaptation Grant (SHA) directly reflect this. According to the VA, the goal of the SAH Grant Program is to provide a barrier-free living environment that affords the veterans or service members with a level of independent living he or she may not normally enjoy. This pro-gram allows veterans to construct modified housing or to remodel a home to make it more suitable for their needs. The Specially Adapted Housing grant offers up to half of the cost of an adapted home. This equates to a maximum of $67,555. Similarly, the Special Housing Adaptation Grant is to be used for adapting a property for greater disability access or to purchase a disability specific home. This grant allows for veterans to use funding for the purpose of adapting a home owned by a family member of a disabled veteran, under the circumstance that they intend to make it their primary residence. The maximum allowable amount for the SHA Grant is $13,511. Knowing eligibility requirements and other relevant information is paramount. Disabled veterans who do not know about housing adaptations are potentially limited in living in the most habitable home possible. These heroic individuals dedicated themselves to selflessly preserving our country, the least this nation can do is offer them every possible resource in ensuring them the highest quality life post service. Please visit our website www.vahomeloancenters.org for more information.

Thrivent Choice Dollars® directions can help Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. Are you a member of Thrivent Financial who’s eligible to direct Choice Dollars®? Choice Dollars charitable grant funds can make a world of difference to our Challenge The Out-doors as we work together to serve the recreational needs and desires of the physically challenged sportsperson. By directing Choice Dollars, eligible Thrivent members recommend where they feel Thrivent should distribute a portion of its charitable grant funds. Directing Choice Dollars is easy. Simply go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more and find program terms and conditions. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.

FOR SALE: Disabled scooter for sale 2011 Scooter—Pride Victory—Bigger Model— She would like $300 for it. Please call: Mary Janz—DePere, WI 920-336-1124 FOR SALE: Hoveround four wheeled motorized wheelchair, just had tune up, batteries, new wheels and tires. Very good condition. Will run up to 8 hours on a full charge. Was $3,8000 New — $1,000 Firm Bobby Kawa—715-524-8749 .

REMINDER Please check for a date on the mailing label of this newsletter. This date indicates when your dues are to be paid. Just complete the form on the last page and return with your payment. Also—if you have a change of address and/or phone number please let us know. This will as-sure that you receive your newsletter on time.

ATTENTION CTO now has T-shirts in white, tan, ash grey, dark grey, blue and pink from size small to 2XL. Prices: T-Shirts Small $10.00 Medium $10.00 Large $10.00 X-Large $11.00 2XLarge $12.00 Hats are $10.00 (4 styles) and decals are $2.00. CTO also has jackets available for order. There are several styles starting $80.00 and up. We need to have a certain number of orders to have them made. If interest in style and price please contact Jim or Rita at number listed below. For more information contact Jim or Rita Adamovich at 920-722-2090.

NEW MEMBERS SEPT--OCT, 2014 ROGER BRICKO RANDY GRAHAM GLENN/SUZIE ZIEMER