Geneva Lakes Amazing Race Blog

Press Release

2008-07-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

News Release
An Amazing Race for Geneva Lakes area set for July 26

Photo Caption:
Team Geneva National is gearing up for the Geneva Lakes Amazing Race. Pictured left to right, Kevin Paluch, Todd Baior, Jen Myer, Rob Keefe

Walworth, WI, July 10, 2008: Competition will be fierce but the camaraderie just as intense at the third annual Geneva Lakes Amazing Race scheduled for Saturday July 26.

The Geneva Lakes Amazing Race is an action packed one-day adventure based on the hit TV show, “The Amazing Race.” Two person teams will participate in challenges and compete to find clues and solve puzzles and in the process help raise funds for two area charities, Inspiration Ministries and The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.

The race is entering its third year and has branched into two levels of competition. The Extreme Edition is more difficult and physically demanding while the Recreational Edition is designed for all ability levels. Both races will be highly competitive and extremely fun. Check out the race website for more details on how physically demanding this race will be and other race details. www.genevalakesamazingrace.com or contact Matt Mason at 262.745.4000.

The extreme edition will start at 8AM at Inspiration Ministries located at the intersection of Highway 67 and County F and end at the Fontana Lion's Club Lobster Boil/Steak Fry. The extreme race is expected to take all day and for some it will go into the evening hours. The recreational edition is shorter and will start at 9AM and will be less physically demanding but offer just as much fun and will end at Inspiration Fest on Inspiration Ministries’ campus.

The race is limited to 10 teams for the extreme edition and 10 teams for the recreational version. Right now the slots are almost full so if you want to participate time is running out.

Last year twelve people participated in the race and Rob and Sheila Keefe were the first place winners. Rob Keefe is one of this year’s co-chairs along with Sharon Clark, Matt Mason, and Tim Schnake. This year the goal is to have up to 40 people racing and dozens more volunteering to make this unique fundraiser a huge success. Each team raises a minimum of $600 or $1,000 depending on the race. The Fighting Faners, as they are calling themselves have already raised over $5,000! Jessica and Eric Fane are excited to be the front runners on the fundraising side which will provide them with a few advantages on race day.

In addition to the racer’s raising funds many local businesses are supporting the race. Sponsors include Caribou Coffee, EndGame Coaching, Ideal Impressions Photography, Grand Geneva, Gage Marine, Gordy’s Boats, Keefe Real Estate, McCullough’s, Target Corporation, Pot Belly’s, Wilmot Stage Stop and more.

While this year’s race specifics are kept highly confidential last year’s race is a matter of public record. During last year’s action packed day people bowled 300 points, shot archery targets, orienteered, completed science experiments, traversed a ropes course, climbed climbing walls, learned sign language and paddled tubes in a pond by hand, hit golf balls and more. That was a lot to accomplish in one morning!

But now the race has expanded and the competition will be even steeper this year. All the challenges will be new and different. The obstacles will be extremely fun and demanding. The recreational version will be similar to last year’s race in difficulty level while the extreme version will go to the next level in overall time and challenge.

Inspiration Ministries is a resident community for physically challenged adults. It is located on 155 acres near Lake Geneva outside the community of Walworth, Wisconsin. With a resident building, four resident apartment buildings, a resale and coffee shop, retreat center, camping sites and trails, swimming pool, workshop and about 50 caring staff members, residents enjoy a warm, home-like community where people with disabilities are encouraged and enabled to enjoy maximum fulfillment of their lives.

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance was founded in 1974 by four mothers coming together to provide fellowship, generate awareness, pursue more knowledge and provide hope to those that shared the common bond of tuberous sclerosis complex. These goals are still driving the organization today. The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance is dedicated to finding a cure for tuberous sclerosis while improving the lives of those affected.

Racer Email update

2008-07-21T09:46:00.001-07:00

On behalf of the co-chairs of the third annual Geneva Lakes Amazing Race I want to thank you for signing up for and participating in the race! We have an exciting day planned for you as well as great prizes and good friendly competition. Many of you have done an outstanding job raising funds. One team has already raised $5,000! I have attached a hand out with a few simple ideas and a plan for how you can raise more money and give your team a little advantage on the day of the race. In a real way the race has already begun because of the advantage you receive by raising more funds. Remember that only actual dollars raised by race day can count toward your total goal and not verbal commitments.

I have also updated the website with team names as well as photos of those I have images of. Visit www.genevalakesamazingrace.com. Please email me any team name changes as team photos if you have them and I will update the website! If you have not yet filled out the registration information please fill out asap and send it via email or you can fax it to775.587.5130. Here is the link to download that three page form.

You may call me at any time for questions to clarify or better understand how you can be prepared. Keep in mind that the actual race details are kept highly confidential. I don't even know the specifics of the race. Only two people know the master plan!

I am looking forward to meeting each of you at the starting line. My contact information is below. Please get in touch with me soon about those pictures. I will likely be emailing you again soon with more updates. For now here is a partial equipment list to begin working on collating:

Bike Helmet
(Let us know if you can't find one to borrow)
Swim Suit
Towels
Dry Clothes
Water proof baggies (think cell phone and water submersion)
Life Jacket (beg, borrow or ...)
Cell Phone
Safe Automobile
Money for food and etc.
Bottled water and snacks

2008-06-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

Inspiration Fest - July 26
A Fundraiser to Help Local People With Disabilities.

In two short years, Inspiration Fest has become the largest annual event at Inspiration Ministries. Last year more than 900 people flooded the IM campus to play games; check out the artisan and craft fair items, and dine on roast pork sandwiches and roasted corn on the cob.

On July 26, Inspiration Ministries will host its third festival to raise money for the Bread of Life Fund, which helps financially needy residents.

Part of the festivities will include the Geneva Lakes Amazing Race which will start at Inspiration Ministries located at Hwy 67 & Cty Rd F in Walworth, Wisconsin. On this one-day adventure around the scenic Geneva Lake area, up to twenty two-person teams of all competitive levels will compete to find clues, participate in challenges and solve puzzles to be the first to finish the race. This year the race has been expanded to include a four hour recreational level plus an eight hour extreme level.

Each team must raise a minimum level of funds to run the race. 100% of all donations go to the Inspiration Ministries Bread of Life Fund and the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, the lead organization for the funding of medical research related to TSC, a genetic disorder that causes tumors in various organs. Teams should sign up by the deadline of July 18. For more information about competing in the race or becoming a race sponsor, visit www.genevalakesamazingrace.com.

Also that day will be a Fine Arts & Craft Fair. The Fair will be represented by artists and crafters in a wide variety forms including Inspiration Ministries’ own “Jewels-N- More.” The Fine Arts & Craft Fair will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Set up for artists and crafters will begin at 8:00. Anyone interested in finding out more information about registration can call Jannette Harms at 262-275-6131.

As you stroll through the festival, you’ll be entertained by various musicians while your kids are amused with a variety of games and activities including a dunk tank, bean bag toss, ladder jack, pony rides and putt-putt golf.

Another special feature will be a Corn and Pig Roast. The Food Court will feature a Pork Plate Special (includes pork sandwich, corn on the cob, chocolate chip cookie), Kids Plate Special (includes hot dog, corn on the cob, cookie). Also being served will be ice cream, popcorn, water and soft drinks.

Inspiration Fest is a unique opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day while providing hope to people with disabilities. You are enthusiastically invited to join the residents of Inspiration Ministries, their families and your local community at Inspiration Fest 2008, July 26, 10-4pm.

Inspiration Ministries is celebrating its 60th year as a vibrant community of adults with disabilities engaged in living, working, leisure time and faith activities designed to provide a “complete living experience.” Offered are three different styles of living (assisted living apartments, community living rooms, and independent apartments), a sheltered workshop and other work opportunities, and a year-round retreat center that specializes in programs for people with disabilities, all on a 155-acre campus near Geneva Lake. Donations to the ministry are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

All about the after-party

2008-03-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

The extreme version of the Geneva Lakes Amazing Race will finish at the Fontana Lion's Club Lobster Boil/Steak Fry. The Lions have just released the following press release with more information about this event, which will be a lot of fun for the whole family:

The Big Foot Lion's club will host it's 25th annual lobster boil and steak:fry
on Saturday, July 26, 2008. This is the area’s most popular fund-raiser. I call
it the biggest social event in Fontana. People come to Fontana this weekend
just for the Lobster boil to see old friends and have a great time. The event
takes place in Fontana's Reid park right on the lakefront. This is a beautiful
place to have such an event. The park is in great shape this year with all
construction complete including new bathrooms. The event starts at noon on
Saturday with lunch fare being served (hamburgers and hot dogs, chips and
soda). This is a great place for family and friends to gather throughout the
day as we have live music all day with the band Most Wanted starting at
noon till 2:30, the Mr. Myers band playing from 3:00 till 6:00 and the Eddie
Butts band playing from 7:00 until II :30. We have a children's area set up
by Life of the Party with fun things for the kids. We have a beer tent serving
. Miller products and wine coolers. Serving time for dinner starts at 3 PM and
is served until 9 PM. We offer a drive through service at the park house
from 3 PM. until 8 PM. Last year we sold over 2000 dinners, which I think
is quite an accomplishment. Last year was a record year. we served over 400
dinners in the drive through. Advance tickets are available at Sentry in
Walworth, Chuck's Lake Shore Inn in Fontana, from any Big Foot Lion
member or call Andy Pearce at 262-215-5550. Ticket prices are $30.00 in
advance for lobster, $18.00 in advance for steak or can be purchased at the
door with prices $32.00 for lobster and $20.00 for steak. Our Chefs prepare
the 10 to 12 oz. lobster tails as needed in a large boiler and the 14 oz. Black
Angus Rib Eye steaks are grilled to perfection. With each dinner you will
get peas, boiled red potatoes, boiled onions, drawn butter, rolls and a desert.
With the park construction complete and a bigger site, I expect this year to
be the best ever. The "Lobster Boil" was started 24 years ago at the old Red
Eye restaurant in Linton. I think the first year we prepared around 150
dinners. As the event took offwe moved it to Walworth and later to Reid
park in Fontana. Located across from the Abbey and on the lakefront this is
the best place to have an event like this. This year we will also have on sale
our fourth annual "Big Raffle" tickets. The winners will be drawn the night
of theLobster Boil. Winners don't need to be present to win. This years prizes are
the best yet. First prize is $2,500.00, second prize is a trip for two to Las
Vegas ($1,500.00 value), third prize is a 42" Plasma TV, additional prizes
include a one night stay at the Herrington Inn and Spa, a one night stay at
the Kalahari in the Dells, Golffor four at Hawks View and a $250.00 gift
certificate at the Grand Geneva resort. The Big Foot Lion's club is a service
organization. Our local club serves Linn Township, Walworth and Fontana.
Our club has around 45 members. We are always looking for more
members. To join the Big Foot Lion's club contact any Lion member. The
Lobster boil takes a lot ofwork with set-up beginning at 7:30 AM on Friday
and clean up complete by noon on Sunday. Along with our members we rely
on our wives and friends to help us. Also everyone we donate money to
comes down to help us out. This event I would guess probably takes around
150 people to make it a success. 100% of the money raised at our
fund-raisers goes back to the public through our contributions. Some of our
recent contributions include Little Foot playground equipment at the Duck
Pond in Fontana, Playground equipment at Toynton park in Walworth, a
new pavilion across the Street from Reek school in Linn township, Life
preservers for the new fire and rescue boat in Fontana, Area Rescue squads,
Big FootRec's baseball, softball, Legion baseball, basketball, volleyball,
soccer, Big Foot Wolves football, 4H youth program, scholarships, etc. the
list goes on and on. We also support Lion's International, Wisconsin Lion's
Foundation and the B.O.L.D program. Lion's International is the largest
service organization in the world and I am proud to be a part of it. Our
Motto is WE SERVE.

Press Release: The Geneva Lakes Amazing Race, a competition to raise money for people affected by Tuberous Sclerosis and those with disabilities.

2008-03-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

Lake Geneva, WI, March 17, 2007: Want to make a significant difference in the lives of needy people while having a great time competing in a local adventure race? Check out this unique opportunity scheduled for July 26 in Walworth, WI.

The Geneva Lakes Amazing Race is an action packed one-day adventure based on the hit TV show, “The Amazing Race.” Two person teams will participate in challenges and compete to find clues and solve puzzles.

The race is entering its third year and has branched into two levels of competition. The EXTREME EDITION is more difficult and physically demanding while the RECREATIONAL EDITION is designed for all ability levels. Both races will be highly competitive and extremely fun. Check out the race website for more details on how physically demanding this race will be. www.genevalakesamazingrace.com

Last year twelve people participated in the race, then called IM Challenge, and included the following, in order of their finish:

Rob & Sheila Keefe, Team Keefe Real Estate
Craig & Kristen Hallerud, Team Hallerud
Harold & Braiden Wodicka, Team Expert
Joe Troast & Seth Tost, Team AG Edwards
Rebecca Larsen & Hanna Schnake, The Inspirettes
Bill & Julie Shimer, Team Clear Water Outdoor

Teams had to solve clues, complete challenges and drive to nine separate locations in order to complete the challenge.

Matt Mason, last year’s race director, commented, “The most surprising slow down was the Sudoku puzzle at the Elkhorn library. After all the physical exertion it was hard to slow down, control your adrenaline and concentrate on a puzzle. Many had never completed this Japanese numbers game. In many ways this separated the teams and moved some into a more significant lead.”

The final clue was received at the Ice Cream shop after having to first eat as fast as possible two scoops of Ice Cream. At one point four teams were eating ice cream at warp speed only to find out the last clue was in Spanish. It read, “Usted está en el estiramiento casero. Refresqúese los pies donde los lanzamientos del agua van para arriba.” This clue became the hardest one to figure out and made the difference between winning and last place. What was hard was getting an accurate translation. Translated into English this clue would read, “You’re on the home stretch. Cool your feet where the water shoots up.”

During this action packed day people bowled 300 points, shot archery targets, orienteered, completed science experiments, traversed a ropes course, climbed climbing walls, learned sign language and paddled tubes in a pond by hand, hit golf balls and more. That was a lot to accomplish in one morning!

But now the race has expanded and the competition will be even more steep. All the challenges will be new and different. In fact, only a handful of people know exactly what the race will entail but the obstacles will be extremely fun and demanding. The recreational version will be similar to last year’s race in difficulty level while the extreme version will go to the next level in overall time and challenge.

Inspiration Ministries is a resident community for physically challenged adults. It is located on 155 acres near Lake Geneva outside the community of Walworth, Wisconsin. With a resident building, four resident apartment buildings, a resale and coffee shop, retreat center, camping sites and trails, swimming pool, workshop and about 50 caring staff members, residents enjoy a warm, home-like community where people with disabilities are encouraged and enabled to enjoy maximum fulfillment of their lives.

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance was founded in 1974 by four mothers coming together to provide fellowship, generate awareness, pursue more knowledge and provide hope to those that shared the common bond of tuberous sclerosis complex. These goals are still driving the organization today. The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance is dedicated to finding a cure for tuberous sclerosis while improving the lives of those affected.

Photo Caption:
Race organizers from left to right, Matt Mason, Tim Schnake, Rob Keefe, Sharon Clark, and Jennifer Smiley. The money raised from the event will support the Inspiration Ministries’ Bread of Life Fund and TS Alliance.

Email newsletter sent to TS Alliance members

2008-03-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

The following email has been sent to the members of the Chicago area chapters of the TS Alliance. Thanks to Jennifer Smiley and the TS Alliance staff for all their support!

THE GENEVALAKES AMAZING RACE Benefiting Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Inspiration Ministries

The TS Alliance and local charity, Inspiration Ministries have partnered together to do a fundraiser in the Lake Geneva area, called The GenevaLakes Amazing Race.When: Saturday, July 26th, 2008.Where: Corner of State Road 67 and County F, P.O. Box 948, Walworth, WI 53184What is The GenevaLakes Amazing Race?It is an action packed, one-day fundraising adventure based on the hit TV show, “The Amazing Race” with the mission to help raise funds for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and Inspiration Ministries. This year’s race is being dedicated to the memory of Heather Joy Buntrock (9/10/80 - 9/10/06) who was diagnosed with TSC at age 5.
Who is Inspiration Ministries?Inspiration Ministries is a resident community for physically challenged adults located near Lake Geneva just outside the community of Walworth, WI. How does it work?Two person teams will participate in challenges and compete to find clues and solve puzzles. There are only 10 teams allowed to compete in each race for the whole event and there are two levels of competition you can chose from to compete in: The Extreme Edition: more difficult and physically demanding, 8-10 hour race. The Recreational Edition: designed for all ability levels, approximately 4 hours.

If you or anyone you know would love to seek the thrill of this event, please go http://ecommunity.tsalliance.org/NETCOMMUNITY/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.genevalakesamazingrace.com%2f&srcid=9022&srctid=1&erid=258682 to download the brochure and register today.

Volunteers Needed!We have several different volunteer opportunities depending on the time commitment you’re able to give. We will be having a kick-off meeting on Thursday, March 27th at Keefe Real Estate, 751 Geneva Pkwy, Lake Geneva (behind WalMart) to provide more details on the event and speak about various areas the planning committee needs help with! If you are interested in helping the plan for the event or volunteering the day of the event please contact me.

Sponsorships Available! This is a great opportunity to be an event sponsor and promote your business group at one of the challenges and it’s a great excuse to escape to LAKE GENEVA. For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact me.This is a GREAT venue to build awareness for these two great charities – we hope you’ll be able to join the fun.
Tim Schnake,
Event Co-Chairtschnake@InspirationMinistries.org or (262) 275-6131

Race Website

2008-03-08T08:46:00.001-08:00

The race website is up and running. Please visit us at www.genevalakesamazingrace.com !

Website is up and operational!

2008-03-07T09:18:00.000-08:00

We now have a printed brochure and fully functioning website as of 3-6-08.

Please visit the charity websites we are supporting: www.tsalliance.com and www.inspirationministries.org.