WELCOME TO CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC.
SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER
www.ctoforme.org
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke
There’s little doubt that COVID has changed many lives in this world over the past six months or so. It’s amazing that something that was basically unheard of when this year started has impacted daily life in so many ways. As you know, with the pandemic in mind and the safety of our members and volunteers our major concern, the CTO board decided to cancel events for this year. With the number of cases staying high statewide and nationally, it seems it was the right decision. I sincerely hope the pandemic has had little or no impact on you, your family and friends.
While it seemed that 2020 would be a year of little change or activity within CTO, that all changed in a hurry and in a big way at our July board meeting when Steve Nooyen, of Home Instead Senior Care and a long-time supporter of CTO, made an incredibly generous offer to our organization. Steve proposed donating to CTO a 13-acre parcel of land containing a 7-acre pond near the town of Angelica (about 15 minutes northwest of Green Bay off highway 29). He’s proposed calling the pond Peter’s Pond, in honor of Peter Lathrop and his father Bob, who both gave so much to CTO and loved to fish. The pond would eventually have the shoreline improved, provided with fishing piers and stocked with fish for anxious anglers. By now you’re probably thinking Wow! – but wait, there’s more! He has also offered to pay for the construction of a building on the property for us to use as a clubhouse and headquarters. In addition to CTO members, the facility and property could also be used as a community center for events such as kids fishing days, hunter safety training, or fishing seminars – a great way to partner with the local community! Amazing opportunity, right? – wait there’s more. Steve has also offered to pay for the taxes, utilities, and property insurance through 2030. The timetable for all this is currently - land donation (2020), construction of building (2021), pond/shoreline improvements and fishing pier construction (2022–2023) and additional property improvements (2024-?). Total cost of the project is approximately $500,000!!
After Steve’s presentation that night, the CTO board voted to accept the proposal and put the wheels in motion to transfer ownership of the property. A Project Team currently consisting of Steve Nooyen, Steve’s wife Kristi, three businessmen from the Green Bay area and CTO representatives James Nooyen, Keith Pamperin, Mark Baehr, and myself has been created to oversee the project. We’ll be updating you on the progress of the project and look forward to your input in the future.
We can’t thank the Nooyens enough for their generosity and considering CTO for this incredible opportunity. In addition to the project proposal just mentioned, they have provided CTO with office space at their Green Bay location as well as valuable assistance and advice. Steve has made sizeable donations to CTO in the past and has offered many disabled hunters, including many CTO members, a chance to hunt at his Wheelchair Whitetails property in northern Wisconsin. James has also been an outstanding contributor to CTO and has done a wonderful job as CTO’s Treasurer over the past few years.
Obviously, this will change the face of CTO for a long time to come and could make it one of the largest organizations of its kind in the nation. It will create the potential to recruit many additional volunteers and sponsors and provide additional outdoor and other recreational activities to many more disabled individuals. We thank everyone who has helped get us to this point and look forward to going on to a new level of growth and service to our members. Until next time - Stay Healthy!!
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – Carl Gierke Up until this year, CTO has elected directors at its annual meeting and awards banquet. Because that event was canceled this year, an election was held by mail (regular mail and email). The results of that election are that Jim Adamovich, Keith Pamperin, Gary Vanden Heuvel and Fred Kaun were re-elected to the board of directors and Sharon LeFevre was elected as a new director. Congratulations Sharon! However, at our August meeting, Fred Kaun chose to step down as a director, but will continue his excellent job of providing writing, recordkeeping and other services to CTO. Karen Baehr has also decided to step down from her director position after many dedicated years of service to CTO and its board. Karen will continue to assist CTO with various activities when she can, as well. We thank all of them for their contributions and willingness to continue their good work. Thanks also to the election committee consisting of Deb Pheifer, Randy Swille, Steve Harvey and Sharon LeFevre, with help from David Paul and Fred Kaun, for conducting the election.
At our August meeting, an election was also held by the Board of Directors to determine the organization’s Executive Committee. Three members of the committee will remain in place; Barb Kaun (Secretary), James Nooyen (Treasurer) and Carl Gierke (President). Jim Adamovich has chosen to step down as Vice President and Randy Swille was elected to fill that position. We thank Jim for his many contributions and years of service as President and Vice President and his willingness to stay on the board. Congratulations to Randy as the newest member of the Executive Committee and thanks to Barb Kaun and James Nooyen for staying on to continue their excellent work.
CTO’s board members are listed in each newsletter. If you have concerns, suggestions or questions, please contact one or more of them so your issue can be discussed at a monthly meeting. If you’d prefer, you can attend any meeting to voice any concerns or simply learn what our meetings are about. You might find you have something to contribute to the organization. We’re always looking for new people to join the board to get new energy and fresh ideas! If you choose to attend, note that our meetings for the remainder of 2020 are being held at the Appleton American Legion at 5pm on the third Wednesday of each month (see the event schedule for 2020 in this newsletter). Thanks to all board members for their great work!
DEER HUNT- David Paul As mentioned earlier, all CTO events were canceled for this year. However, it was asked at a recent board meeting whether deer gun hunters could hunt on land previously signed in for the hunt. After discussing concerns about hunter safety, COVID-19, and the possible conflicts/confusion with landowners who have already been told the hunt is canceled, it was decided to cancel all aspects of the deer gun hunt.
DONATION OF HOME-MADE MASKS – Carl Gierke CTO was contacted by West DePere high school seniors Kate Kliment and Jazmine Scott, who have been making facemasks and have offered some to CTO members. These masks are cloth and are washable, reusable and even fashionable. We thank Kate and Jazmine for their excellent work and for thinking of others that might benefit from their skills. There is a limited number, but if you’re interested, please let me know. 920-986-3272 or cgierke1@outlook.com
NEWSLETTER-DAVID PAUL The Challenge the Outdoors Newsletter is published at the beginning of January, March, May, July, September and November. Members can choose to receive it via email, which is preferred, or regular mail. If you know of a member that is not receiving the newsletter, please contact David Paul at 920-740-2775 or dcp7576@gmail.com.
FOR SALE- Jazzy electric wheelchair, very good shape. Price is $450 but if a CTO member buys it Gary will offer it for
$400. Gary can send you pictures as well as answer any of your questions. Call Gary Vanden Heuvel at 920-205-2758.
NEW MEMBERS – Please welcome the following members to CTO: Joe Kalman from Mellen and Emma Borntreger from Bonduel.
CTO PONTOON BOAT – David Paul 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 until September 20th. Call David Paul, (920-740-2775) 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 Dave. The continued use of the pontoon boat will depend on members using the boat safely and making sure they consider COVID-19 in all operating decisions. This means that in order to practice social distancing, no more than four people should be on the boat at any time unless all participants reside in the same household. We also encourage you to use the boat with family or other members you typically associate with, to limit the possibility of disease transmission.
Please do not use the boat if you or anyone in your group are feeling ill. We encourage you to wear masks when in close quarters with anyone, although they are not required.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS- Sharon LeFevre CTO awarded $500 scholarships this year to Mia Haberl and Keanna Erikson who will be attending UW Green Bay. Applicants completed an application that was then forwarded to the college for students working with the disabilities office. CTO received four applications and there was a drawing for the two winners. CTO will decide on the college and direction we will take next year for our scholarships.
LETTER OF GRATITUDE - Cassandra Peters Dear CTO, I was the recipient of the 2015 scholarship from CTO. As my academic career comes to a close and I enter the workforce, I find myself reflecting on the many people in my life that supported me through this journey. I know that without the support of so many I would not be where I am today, and that includes your organization. Since 2015, I have completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at UW- Madison (2018), studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, worked as a project assistant in Alzheimer’s research and completed my Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology at UW- Madison (2020). Most recently I accepted a position with Adaptive Rehab where I will be practicing as part of the therapy team at Shawano Health Services. I am thrilled to be back in the area and cannot wait to begin using my education to serve. Thank you for all you do for our community and what you have done for me.
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’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.
Check calendar on website @ www.ctoforme.org for other events. Click on the date for more information about events in the newsletter.
Carl Gierke 920-986-3272