We went outside and never wanted to come in. Too quickly the sun began to set on summer!!
The last few weeks of summer vacation: hot and humid days, lake~time surfing and tubing, fishing and camping, beach combing, hiking and biking. Carnivals and ice creams.
The fun~filled days are nearing the end for summertime visitors and residents. It’s back to school by month’s end!
When summer opens, I see how fast it matures, and fear it will be short; but after the heats of July and August, I am reconciled, like one who has had his swing, to the cool of autumn…..Ralph Waldo Emerson
House in the Woods Miltary & Family Retreat
217 Skunk Hill Road, Lee, Maine 04455
BLACK BEAR HUNTING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Black Bear Hunting Event is one of the most busy and labor intensive of all the events at House in the Woods…..but we LOVE every single minute! It’s great to meet the veterans who are new to this event, watching them acclimate to all that is happening and creating great lasting friendships with their brothers and sisters who also served Our Country.
A picture of the veterans who attended a past year’s Black Bear Hunting.
Will you be the one taking home this year’s trophy??
Paul House, you have no idea how awesome this week (2017) has been to me! Coming back to my home state and harvesting a Bear was always a dream. Thanks for all you do for my brothers and sisters in arms. You and Mrs. Are AMAZING!!! Hope to see you guys soon…Rob Stitham, US Army
A Guide, his Veteran and the Black Bear !
Black Bear Hunting Events
August 25~September 1, 2018
September 1~September 9, 2018.
September 8~September 15, 2018
Best hunt ever!! (2017) Thank you so much Paul. Your hospitality is amazing. You have the best people working around the clock to make things happen!! This is truly a piece of heaven on earth. AMAZING TIME!!!…. Steven Holden, US Army, Medic, Retired
It takes an army of volunteers to feed these hunters and guides. We have been blessed to always have the most dedicated and hardworking volunteers in New England!
If you have heard of this group who prep, cook and serve meals and clean up after and would like to become part of it for one day or even just one meal serving, please join us! It will be an experience you will never forget. The veterans are always so amazed at the meals and the caring and generous volunteers who make them feel at home at the HITW lodge.
Jessica Young~Cloukey is sharing the following message: Are you interested in volunteering to prep, serve and clean up meals at House in the Woods for Bear Season? August 26th~September 16th, three shifts a day: Breakfast 7~10 a.m., lunch 10~2:00 p.m., dinner 7~10 p.m. We will be collaborating volunteers very soon. If interested please contact Farleen Smith 207/991-4616. She will list you for desired days.
From the tremendous donations of gracious businesses, large and small, individuals and families who help fill our inventory of foods and supplies for this large event, we are able to provide outstanding meals for the Black Bear Hunting weeks.
SUNDAYS: Ham & cheese quiche and a Lobster Feed. MONDAYS: Maine Blueberry pancakes, sausage, beans, hot dogs, coleslaw, rolls, lobster rolls, BBQ chips. TUESDAYS: SOS with Paul LeBreck Lasagna, salad, garlic bread, white chicken chili, cornbread. WEDNESDAYS: Eggs to order with bacon, boiled dinner, rolls corn & seafood chowders. THURSDAYS: French toast, stuffed chicken, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, bread, beef stew & dumplings. FRIDAYS: Breakfast casserole, Taco/Burrito bar, Turkey pot pie. SATURDAYS: Cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, Subway…. No planned evening meal as this is when we have the vet change…current hunters leave and new group of veterans arrive.
LOBSTER FEED DONATIONS
Mike Albert tells of the following example of one of this year’s food donations: I wanted to send out a special Thank You for the three companies who are donating 180 lbs. of Lobster for the 3 Lobster Feeds prior to HITW Bear Hunts.
For August 26th Eastern Traders of Nobleboro with the support of Deb Sanderson. Deb has supported HITW in various ways. For September 2nd Stonington Lobster CoOp of Stonington with the support of Ronnie Trundy and all the Board of Directors. For September 9th Bean Maine Lobster Company of Rockland with the support of John Peterdouff President. Bean Lobster Company is a employee owned company.
These are three PATRIOTIC companies who see the good things that House in the Woods is doing for our Active Duty Military and Vets. They have been very nice to deal with. I want to make it clear this is 180 lbs. per Lobster Feed. That is two crates of Lobster each week! This is a great donation!
NO MAN LEFT BEHIND
As war remains return from North Korea, families of the fallen troops are asked to provide DNA samples to help with identification. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency officials say they don’t have DNA files for about 9 percent of the nearly 7,700 U.S. troops missing in action from the Korean War. Here, 55 cases of remains believed to be missing Korean War casualties arrive at Osan Air Base, South Korea, on June 27.
Welcome home and be thou at peace.
Per Military Times Magazine: WASHINGTON — With the remains of dozens of troops set to return to the United States on Wednesday, military advocates are urging family members of missing service members to enroll in the Defense Department’s DNA database to help with identification of the fallen heroes. Link below for complete article.
Maine Gold Star Families Memorial Groundbreaking Ceremony
Sunday, October 7 at 2 PM – 5 PM
You are invited to join the groundbreaking ceremony for the Maine Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on Sunday, October 7th from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Veterans Park in Lewiston, Maine. This is the day after the Gold Star Families Dedication Ceremony in NH.
Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams will be present! We will be enjoying a family style dinner at Pedro’s O’Hara’s after the ceremony.
RUCK FOR OUR FALLEN OGUNQUIT, MAINE
Saturday, October 20th at Noon
Per Ruck For Our Fallen: We’re headed back to where it all started 10 years ago! Join our military, veterans, police, fire, emt’s & the families of our fallen on Saturday, October 20th at Noon on beautiful Ogunquit Beach for an event you’ll never forget!
The Ruck for our Fallen is a military-style ruck event which will take place on Ogunquit Beach. This event is to honor ALL of Maine’s Fallen Heroes and give their families a unique bonding experience.
We’re wicked excited to announce that registration for the 2018 Ruck for our Fallen is Now Open! We have (3) fitness levels so there is something for everyone to enjoy! Slick (Light), Tactical (not so easy), Heavy (where the fun starts!) Get your team together & challenge the others! We’re expecting people from near & far for this first of its kind annual event for our fallen heroes & their families. We look forward to seeing you on Oct 20th!
This event has something for every fitness level! Slick is actually a 5K walk & minimal push~ups & sit~ups at the end. It’s light and fairly easy!
See more at the following Face Book link including registration forms:
HIRE~A~VET CAMPAIGN KICKOFF AND HIRING FAIR
August 30, 2018 at 12:30 pm ~ 4:30 pm, Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine
Politicians call them heroes and strangers thank them for their service. But when their enlistment comes to an end, veterans need more than a pat on the back as they return to civilian life. They need jobs……read the full story at U.S. Veterans Magazine: Veterans Make the Best Employees
SAVE THE DATE! Join in the kick-off the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign 2018! The goal is to help at least 100 employers recruit and hire at least 100 veterans and military family members over 100 days. This no-cost hiring fair is open to veterans, military families and the public.
Employers and veteran service agencies can register at no-cost for the hiring event by contacting Josh Brown, Hiring Fair Coordinator, at Joshua.S.Brown@Maine.gov or 207-624-5172 (TTY: Relay 711).
Registration and cart time.
FABULOUS TEAMS GETTING THE JOB DONE!
1st Place; Peter Fournier, Adam Fournier, Darren Dennis, Lisa Dennis. They shot a 15 under par 57. Lisa also won the 50-50 drawing which she donated back to House in the Woods. They won a 4 play pass to Samoset…approximate value $500
2nd Place: Brian Ashe, Robin Ashe, Laughn Drillen, Shelley Drillen. They shot an 11 under 61. They won a 4 play pass to Penobscot Country Club…approximate value $300
3rd Place. Joe Stuart, Brett Stuart, Jim Nadeau, Larry Stuart. They shot an 11 under 61 also. (they lost by Matching cards). They won a 4 play pass to Rocky Knoll…approximate value $100.
Brett Stuart got the hole in one on the 137 yard 17th hole He won a dozen golf balls from the clubhouse ( House in the Woods) logo and a set of new Calloway irons which he will receive from Hole in One International.
The ladies division was one by Barbara Bryant, Jackie Barker, Jill Russell, and Tina Clark. They each won a dozen golf balls.
We also distributed 25 poker chips with the House in the Woods logo. These are popular at many courses for ball markers.
Bangor Elks Club sponsored a team and tee sign. Real Estate Done Nicely…sponsored a tee sign. Bob’s Kozy Korner grocery sponsored a tee sign. Brewer Federal Credit Union sponsored a tee sign. Bagley and Bragdon PA Tax service sponsored a team and tee sign. Tom Bryant (Friend of House in the Woods) sponsored hole in one prizes: 6 dozen HITW logo balls, 25 HITW logo poker chips. Samoset Resort donated 4 play pass with cart to winners. Penobscot Valley Country Club donated 4 play pass with carts to runner up. Rocky Knoll donated 4 play pass to third place winner. Lisa Dennis donated 50-50 winnings.
LEAPING OUT OF PLANES
(Not your average sky diver!!)
FROM FOX 22 BANGOR NEWS
For many, skydiving is a once and done bucket list item, but for Leona McKenna it’s becoming a common occurrence. This will be her fourth time leaping out of the sky, all of which were done without her sight. Once I got the fever I said, ‘Oh I like it’, so they got me to jump on my fiftieth birthday five years ago and I’ve loved it ever since, McKenna said.
McKenna has been blind since her 20’s, after experiencing some medical complications in college. A member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, she’s dedicating this jump to charity.
I’m doing this for my sister, who is the State Madame President for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and her pet project is House in the Woods, said McKenna. The Skowhegan Auxiliary Eagles have already raised $200, and hope to raise up to $6,000.
Video link follows (hang in there through commercial):
August 11, 2018 was the 4th Annual Bernard F. Ireland Memorial Cornhole Tournament
Held at 41 Oak View Rd, West Enfield, Maine
Josh and Fred Ireland present Paul house with a check for support of the lodge at House in the Woods.
Josh Ireland shares: It is with great pleasure to announce that we raised $2,236 for House In The Woods up in Lee, ME! Our goal this year was to reach the $2,000 mark, and we exceeded it due to the incredible generosity from EVERYONE that attended and sponsored the event.
To say that I am overwhelmed by the amount of support shown for my Grandfather’s Cornhole Tournament this year, would be the understatement of the century. THANK YOU to all of our sponsor’s, participants, family and friends for coming out to enjoy such a fantastic day!
Congratulations to Brian and Stacey Harris on bringing home the Championship this year!
That makes four different winners in four years, LOVE that kind of competition! A big thank you once again to Tristan and Opie at American and Superior Concrete for coming on board as our Title Sponsor!
A very special Thank you to Campus Life for serving up the hamburgers and hot dogs at our cornhole tournament! And an extra special thank you to these two sweet little lemonade servers, who gave away the “world’s best lemonade” for free.
I also want to give a big congratulations to Tanner Fowler for winning the raffle for the Slipping Gears kid’s bicycle! He was very excited to win this prize, and a big thank you for Jason Neal and the Slipping Gears team for putting a big smile on this little boy’s face!
The House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat’s Mission is to create a therapeutic, recreational, and educational retreat for our nation’s U.S. armed forces and their families, using outdoor wilderness activities in Maine and natural habitats to help participants share common challenges related to their service and sacrifice in protecting our nation’s freedom and democratic ideals.
Perhaps you have often wondered where to begin….how to help…whom to ask. Veterans of all ages are a proud band of brothers and sisters, very often too proud to ask for help. Yet, if you simply approach a veteran to tell them you respect and honor his commitment he made to our country and the sacrifices he endured…it is sincerely a beginning. Shake his hand and thank him.
Offer to buy him a cup of coffee or help him with his yard work. Listen to his concerns and show a sincere interest in the many stories he has held so close to his heart. The stories won’t happen right away…..he needs to feel you are trustworthy of such information. But, you will find yourself wondering why you took so long to simply reach out to an individual who fought for our great country as a young man…a man who was willing to put his life on the line for YOU! Whether he is a Vietnam Veteran or a young Iraq or Afghanistan Veteran…they all paid a price which we can never truly repay.
OUTSTANDING GENEROUS YOUNG MEN FROM LINCOLN, MAINE DONATE TO HOUSE IN THE WOODS
MUNSON BROTHERS RAISE MONEY
L to R: Deanna House, Alex Munson age 14, Paul House, and Carson Munson age 13.
I had the honor to interview Andrea Fleming Munson, their mother, via messenger who shares the following: The boys presented the money to the House family today that they raised through their fundraiser! They raised a total of $1,005! They also got to tour this amazing facility and learn more about it! The House family is pretty awesome and make a huge impact on the community! Humbling experience to say the least .
I asked if they Munsons were a military family residing in Lincoln.
We are not a military family, but my oldest son has always had a deep respect and interest in veterans. I showed the boys a post that was shared on Face Book by Paul about a soldier from Florida that needed help with funds to make the trip. They immediately wanted to help. So I contacted Paul and he said that people had already stepped up for this particular soldier, but there is always a need for extra help. So they decided to take on a fundraiser to help raise additional funds.
They started with the idea of a bake sale and I mentioned a raffle. They did a bake sale at Steaks N Stuff in Lincoln as well as a raffle. Many local small businesses stepped in and donated services and gift certificates for them to raffle off!
Once I made the initial post about their fundraiser, people kept messaging me to add items to their raffle list. It was quite amazing!
I stated that she must be so proud of her sons.
I am very proud of them! Thank you!
Telling her this is a rather unique piece for me to write as most donations are from organizations in which members are adults, Andrea responded:
Awe, thank you. This makes me a little teary-eyed. I just picked Alex up from football practice and was telling him about your interest in their story. His response was “why isn’t that what everyone should do for our vets? They sacrifice their limbs, life, and so much more and some never see their families again. Everyone should help in some way.” I said your attitude towards it is why people are touched!
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As creator of these newsletters this article came to me just as I was about to end with the piece of those who wonder how to help. I checked Paul’s FB page one more time to find any news…and this fell right into my lap! No, there is no such thing in my life as coincidence!…I, for one, am VERY touched……….
GET INVOLVED
Thanks to your generosity, we are able to provide FREE outdoor retreats to our service members and their families. Your contribution and support may change, or save, a veteran’s life. Get involved today.
You can help House in the Woods build a solid foundation. Your investment in HITW future will help to ensure that our programs remain vital and serve our future generations. Please help us to provide help, hope, and healing to veterans and their families.
Give a veteran the opportunity to relax in the company of other veterans who have similar experiences and can listen, empathize, and care, by sponsoring a hunting, fishing, or recreational trip.
Your family, business, or organization can hold a fundraiser. It’s a great way to get together with people you know and serve vets at the same time.
TOGETHER WE CAN HEAL
House in the Woods
217 Skunk Hill Rd, Lee, ME 04455
Tel: 207-738-4421 | Fax: 207-738-4420
deanna.house@houseinthewoods.org
Paul and Dee House
They dreamed of creating a program using Maine’s outdoor resources which could help military families support one another.
FREE outdoor retreats to our service members and their families. We not only involve our vets in outdoor programs of hunting, fishing, ATV trail riding, and various recreation activities, but…..we offer emotional support for each veteran who just wants to sit, grab a coffee and talk.
Often taking a walk early morn, with a new friend or one of the guides, in the quiet of nature where one only hears the wind through the pines and where all 5 senses come alive! Natures perfect therapy to help heal the hurting and grieving soul.
Your contribution and support may change, or save, a veteran’s life. Get involved today.
If you would like to sponsor an event for a veteran who may not be able to afford it, simply visit House in the Woods at link below.
Sponsoring a vet for such an event is a gift they will cherish for a lifetime.
on a private note from the editor…….
It’s always nice to hear from a professional who reads and critiques your work! Below is an email note I received earlier this month from a friend who is an award winning writer. You never know how much of an impact your writing has. Received an email after July newsletter published:
Suzette Martinez Standring
To:Brenda Everson-Shaw
Aug 2 at 7:37 AM
Wonderful! You bring such passion to this purpose!
Suzette Martinez Standring
Author, The Art of Column Writing
The Art of Opinion Writing
Suzette’s Column
I want to thank each of our regular readers who take the time to read through our newsletters to catch up on “what’s new at the lodge” and thank you to the many regular readers who send me “notes of thanks” for doing this.
And to those who are new to reading the monthly newsletter, WELCOME, I hope you return each month to see if you recognize anyone or to see how extremely generous our supporters have been. We simply ask that you share the newsletters with others……help spread the word!
House in the Woods is dedicated to remembering our Fallen Warriors through our efforts in working with all veterans.
We do this in memory of two young men from a small town in Lee, Maine and the many more men and women throughout our great United States who chose to protect our great country, sacrificing their lives fighting for our freedom and our liberties.
SSGT Joel House
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
SSGT Blair Emery
GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
