House in the Woods lodge Christmas tree.
Christmas was a blessed and joyous time this year. We hope you had a wonderful and very Merry Christmas with your loved ones.
Paul and Deanna House with daughter Joy McLaughlin with Cora, husband Eddie McLaughlin with Eddie the 5th, son Luke House with his son Joel.
Families gathered and little ones awaited the arrival of Santa Claus with such anticipation that they could not fall asleep.
Paul House….Pappy and his three grandchildren. Christmas joy!
Turbo wanted to be part of Christmas also….he fit right in.
Paul and Dee with granddaughter Cora.
Ah, the fun part of Christmas….the little ones!!
John’s Navy Dad, LCDR Christoper Perkins is home for Christmas this year. No better present than that!
Two of Brenda Everson~Shaw’s seven granddaughters. Left: Marissa granddaughter #6, right: Sophia granddaughter #7.
Let us never forget the reason we celebrate Christmas. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord…..Luke 2: 11~14
House in the Woods lobby welcoming all who enter this season.
Soldier Nick Vallancourt received one of the many packages House in the Woods sent to our soldiers this year.
Nick shares: Just wanted to say Merry Christmas and thank you for the gifts, they are greatly appreciated.
Gifts for our troops!
Many of us with family members actively serving in the military shipped off the packages and cards, reaching out in any way we could to let them feel our presence thousands of miles away!
Santa gets some speedy transportation assistance!!!
Perhaps you’ve heard the legend of Harry Shoup. The gruff Air Force colonel stood watch one December night 60 years ago, in a secure bunker at Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), guarding against a nuclear strike. On his desk sat the Red Phone, connecting him directly to the four-star general at Strategic Air Command. Suddenly, the phone rang. (For full story click link below.)….Courtesy of The Atlantic Magazine
A beautiful rendition of an old Christmas poem. Click below.
Deanna House and son Joel House
December 19th 2018 Deanna House shares:
As I sit here this morning going through our mail, I realize just how blessed House in the Woods is. We frequently get donations In Memory of a loved one, however, today we have received money in honor of grandchildren as their Christmas gift, from a clothing club (they decided this would be better than spending money on themselves), from an IRA (possibly their required withdrawal) and money in honor of someone’s birthday. These are becoming more frequent as people come up with more creative ways to donate.
A huge thanks to all who have donated, in anyway, over this past year.
Please consider a contribution, no matter the size, to House in the Woods. It may seem like a small amount to you but a donation of any size can make a huge difference in a life or even save a life. In the short time our veterans are here, we often see changes in them and hear stories of changes when they return home.
Thanks to all for your support and Merry Christmas!
My kids’ school made Gold Stars in honor of Fallen Maine Heroes for Wreaths Across America Monday. We are honored to get to display SSGT. Houses’ on our tree. Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice. God bless and Merry Christmas to you all!…Dellas Nason
December 15th 2018
Wreaths Across America coordinated Christmas wreath~laying ceremonies at more than 1,400 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad.
In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There is no better time to express our appreciation than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season……Wreaths Across America
Dave Stephens lays a wreath at his father’s grave, Harry L. Stephens, Air Force Korean War Veteran at the National Cemetery located in Bourne, MA.
Editor’s note: Nephew of Brenda, Dave also served our Country in the Air Force. My family roots are filled with generations of military service through every branch of the Armed Forces. Dave’s daughter Hollie Quinn and her husband Mike Quinn are both active duty Air Force.
Paul House Shares About Doe Tags and Moose Tag
December 7th: I have asked Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Maine, more than once, about giving doe tags to some of our vets and the answer I always get is that it will have to go to legislature. The same when I ask for a moose tag for a purple heart vet, “it will have to go to legislature”. To be honest with you I am sick and tired of this for an answer. When some of our men and women that have been in combat and come back with missing limbs, post traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries and other things and I simply ask for a handful of doe tags and a moose tag and all I get is “it will have to go to legislature”, to me this is not acceptable. I get the same old answer every time and nobody does anything about it. If you are a representative of the state of Maine and you really care about our veterans and helping our veterans heal through hunting, please contact me by messenger or by phone. My # is: 207-570-4806. My name is Paul House.
December 8th: Just wanted to let everyone know that after I posted about the deer permits and the moose tag, I have had three representatives and someone from SAMS contact me and said they want to see what they can do to help. I am going to be meeting with at least one of them next week and hopefully more.
December 12th: Myself, with two other vets who volunteer for House in the Woods and four representatives met late this afternoon to talk about the any deer permits and a moose tag. The any deer permits and moose tag will be going through the proper channels and will be in place when they begin the new session in January. It could be in March before a decision is made. Now it is wait and see what happens. If we need to testify when it comes up, I will be asking any vet or volunteer that has experienced a retreat at House in the Woods to testify how these retreats help. Again, I will keep you posted when something happens.
Thanks again!! Thank you to everyone for your support. I will keep you posted as we move forward on this project.
An Amazing Gift
Paul House shares: We have been trying to get land here in Maine for House in the Woods primarily for deer hunting for quite a few years and have been unsuccessful. Suddenly, this year, we have had a couple of families step up who are going to let us use their property for hunting. House in the Woods will have more options for deer and bird hunting beginning this year and years to come. This will benefit the veterans, wounded combat and those with PTSD to allow for great days of hunting closer to the lodge.
Jeff and Kim Martin and family are graciously offering to let us use their five hundred acre farmland in St. Albans for our veterans to hunt through House in the Woods. St. Albans is approximate 1.5 hrs. Southwest of Lee.
Kim Martin (center) and her family.
Kim Martin shares: This past fall I met Paul House through a mutual friend, Veteran and Maine Guide, Becky Saulnier. Becky had asked me if my family would give access to Paul House, his group of Maine Guides and the Veterans who travel to the House in the Woods lodge for hunting events. I immediately told Becky we would be honored to give permission.
Our family has a long history of Veterans who served our Country: my husband Jeff’s grandfather was a Marine who served in WWII, his uncle did two tours of duty in Vietnam in the US Army, receiving many awards and several Purple Hearts.
My son~in~law Kevin is a Marine who was with the Unit APS~12 (African Partnership Station). His ship was LSD#43, USS Fort McHenry. He was promoted to Corporal shortly after deployment. Kevin received the Meritorious Mast Award for outstanding performance as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crew Chief.
Jeff and I raised our children Lindsey, Whitney, Erin and Wyatt on our operating dairy farm. After some years we sold our milking herd, opting to farm hay and corn and sell both which we continue to do.
It is our pleasure to open our land to Paul and House in the Woods and the Veterans who have sacrificed so much. We are looking forward to meeting each one who come to hunt.
In Stacyville, about 50 minutes Northwest of Lee, Dick and Barbara Pelletier and their very generous family have given us permission to us use their property of over one thousand acres for deer and bird hunting . They also donated and deeded a little over one hundred acres to House in the Woods for hunting!
Barbara and Dick Pelletier share: HITW is an amazing organization doing amazing things to honor and help heal our military veterans and their families, who have given so much. We and our sons, Luke and Dawson are more than happy to help in this way. Thank you to Mark Savage for connecting us with Paul House.
Thus, wonderful Christmas gifts were conceived! The epitome of “word of mouth”! These generous presentations stemmed from introductions to Paul House. Both originators of these introductions to House in the Woods are such strong supporters of recognizing, respecting and honoring our veterans. We cannot thank Becky and Mark enough for these introductions.
Paul House shares: I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to be able to use this property for our veterans and active military. These two families have seen how important it is to give our men and women the opportunity to heal by using these properties.
I personally am so grateful for their generosity and can’t thank them enough for opening up this great opportunity to be able to do more for our heroes.
A Father’s Dream
I usually don’t share my dreams with too many people, but I had a busy morning and I came home and ate lunch and decided to take a nap on the couch. When I fell asleep I started to dream and Joel came home to visit us, and we were talking and hanging out like we always did. It was so good to see Joel again and hang out together as a family. We were all so happy, it was like old times. Things were back to normal again in my dream, it was such a great feeling and like we were whole again as a family. Then I turned around with my back to my family and my daughter Joy asked, dad why are you crying? And I said that I wasn’t crying, and that my eyes were just watering up, when in fact I was crying in my dream. Then I woke up and realized that Joel was not with us physically like old times, but was here in my dream and came to say hello. I was glad Joel came for a short visit even though when I woke up I was sad. These kinds of dreams are bitter sweet. We all need to make sure we use our days wisely, and never take our time on earth for granted, because none of us know what tomorrow will hold…….Paul House, Father of a Fallen Hero
Click the link: If I could Be Where You Are
SSGT. Joel A. House, Son of Deanna and Paul House.
In loving memory……..
As we bid farewell to 2018 we thank each and every one of you who helped to make this year passing a wonderful year for House in the Woods. It is here, at our lodge, that we honor our veterans and their families’ sacrifices and assist them in their journey towards healing the mental and physical pain of loss. Without your help and support none of this would be possible. The donations of land, financial support and hours of volunteers speaks volumes of the character and steadfast resolve of the Maine folks.
Looking toward the new year, we invite you to take a ride to Lee. Come have a hot coffee or tea with us as we would enjoy giving you a tour of the common areas and the many beautiful guest quarters as well as the Maine Guide bunk rooms.
Veterans and Combat Warriors currently serving our great Country, if this is the first time you have viewed our newsletter, we hope that you will take some time to look back at each of the newsletters posted on the editor’s web page where you are currently reading. Perhaps this new year you will be inspired that the lodge and all we offer at House in the Woods is the place that you will want to spend time with other brothers/sisters in arms attending one of our events. You are most welcome to bring your family!! ALL ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS ARE FREE TO EACH OF YOU INCLUDING YOUR FAMILIES.
Contact Paul House to confirm a room is available for a specific event. He can be reached at:
House in the Woods, 217 Skunk Hill Road, Lee, Maine 04455
Office: 207/738-4421 Paul’s Cell: 207/570-4806
January 16th, 2019
Maine Association of Mortgage Professionals (MAMP) is planning a fund raising social event at the Portland House of Music.
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MAMP’S 2019 SOCIAL WITH A TWIST!
Don’t Miss Out
Sponsorship Opportunities
Click on our web link below for details of Gold, Platinum and Silver Sponsorship.
Join us on January 16, 2019 at 5:30 PM ~ 7:30 PM for an evening of drinks, games, food, prizes, and fun at THE PORTLAND HOUSE OF MUSIC!
ALL TICKET PROCEEDS GO TO BENEFIT HOUSE IN THE WOODS
Event Ticket Includes One Free Drink
Full bar – Cash and Cards accepted
Portland House of Music, 25 Temple Street, Portland, ME 04101
At the Intersection of Temple and Federal
Food Provided By
Silly’s will be creating a special menu for the event.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE IT WILL BE AN AMAZING EVENING!
January 26, 2019 House in the Woods 9th Annual Ice Fishing Derby
WHERE: Great Pond Outdoor Adventures, 9 Dow Pines Road, Great Pond, ME 04408
GPS Coordinates 44.9533, -68.2822
COME JOIN US FOR A GREAT DAY OF FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!
Join us for the 9th Annual House in the Woods fishing Derby on Great Pond in Great Pond Hancock County. The derby will start at 6:00 am with the final weigh~in at 3:30 pm. A huge crowd of people always show up!!
The entry fee for the derby will be $5.00 which includes fee for our fantastic prizes.
Prizes for the heaviest fish will be the following:
Brown Trout: Jiffy Propane 10 inch Ice Auger…who doesn’t need this?
Small Mouth Bass: Wolf Muzzleloader…who doesn’t want this?
Pickerel: Loring pack basket with 5 Heritage ice fishing traps…who can’t use this?
Set your traps! One of these great prizes could be yours!
We also have a 50/50 raffle. Last year the 50/50 was $3600 with the lucky winner walking away with $1800. 50/50 tickets will be available starting at 5:00 AM on January 26th in the recreation center. They are $1.00 each.
We will have breakfast sandwiches bacon or sausage for sale. Lunch time we will have homemade beef stew, chili, red hot dogs, chili dogs, cornbread, many different kinds of sweets. For more information contact Judy Manzo at 207/584~2000
DERBY TICKETS FOR SALE AT:
Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center
Oneills Power Equipment, Holden
TBA, Bangor
Old Town Trading Post, Old Town
Dan Goddard, Air Guard Base, Bangor
Adam Morrow, Air Guard Base, Bangor
Al Morrow, Eddington, Maine
Paul House, Lee, Maine
Call Judy Manzo at 207/584~2000 at Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center or message on Facebook if you have any questions.
Great fun, great friends, for a great cause!
A Big Thank You to Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center For Hosting This Annual Cold, But Fun Filled Day!!
Be sure to dress warm! It can get windy and cold on that pond!!!
Catches big and small. It’s the fun of the catch that matters!!
Weighing In!!
Who will win the excellent prizes??
Family Fun Freezing Fishing!!
Kids of all ages..and, yes their dogs!
The way to stay warm!!
Paul and Dee House founded House in the Woods after their son, Sgt. Joel A. House, was killed by a roadside bomb while serving in the Army in Iraq.
They dreamed of creating a program using Maine’s outdoor resources that would help military families support one another. Today that mission continues with the same determination as the day the first guest arrived!
House in the Woods was envisioned to honor all of America’s Fallen.
As editor and friend of House in the Woods, it is my humble opinion that Paul and Dee House, their family and many, many volunteers and steadfast, generous supporters have brought this dream to fruition.
Hundreds of Veterans and their families, from all walks of life have experienced the warm welcome, the love and respect and the healing from the dedication of House in the Woods.
We look forward to welcoming new friends in 2018. Please know that we love and honor each of you who unselfishly have served our country, and the family members who have experienced the loss of a brave warrior.
Many of us know, first~hand such loss, and understand the emptiness in your heart. We invite you to our lodge in Lee, Maine where you can be with those who share your loss and understand. The calming of healing in the arms of Nature will carry each guest through the difficult times.
REMINDER: Accommodations and meals are free to all veterans and family, active military and family.
SUPPORTERS: House in the Woods has had some amazing supporters throughout this amazing project. To those who support our mission monthly and annually, we cannot thank you enough.
If you would like to help support this Veterans retreat by donating or holding a fundraiser, please contact us. You can also donate online by visiting our website:
House in the Woods, 217 Skunk Hill Road, Lee, Maine 04455
Office: 207/738-4421
Paul’s Cell: 207/570-4806
We want to thank you all for your continued support and your enduring love and respect for all of our veterans, active military and those suffering the wounds of combat. To all of their families, please know we pray for each of you and the safety of your loved ones serving.
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me ….Philippians 4:13
Thank you one and all for returning each month to read our newsletter. I thoroughly enjoy creating and sharing the news. Please be sure to send to a friend. The more we share the more newcomers will see inside House in the Woods……Happy, happy 2019……..Brenda Everson~Shaw
