June means rest and relaxation, sun and fun…most days..but one of the more special days is Fathers’ Day. We want to honor all the Military Dads who are serving our country, Dads whose sons are currently serving and Dad’s who have become Gold Star Fathers.
Fathers who are currently serving our country in the military continue to be deployed to foreign lands. Their mission; get the job done so they can get back home to their children and loved ones and to be a present Dad again. All too often it’s six months to a year. These Dads have done their best to prepare their children about their absence.
It takes a special family to be apart during deployment. Those of us at House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat thank each and every family who serves! We are proud of the Dads who are far away and very proud of their families “keeping it together” on the home~front!
We can never thank you enough for your service, but please let us try. Come visit us at House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat. All lodging and meals are free to all military personnel and veterans alike!
A very special acknowledgement of all Gold Star Fathers on this Father’s Day. Your son or daughter who made the ultimate sacrifice, in a land so far away, serving our country, did so with honor. Those of us who understand the impact of such a loss can promise we do not forget our fallen.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE….
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR SONS’ AND DAUGHTERS’ SACRIFICE.
Summer is here!!!!
First Day of Summer!
School is done!!….we all say with a HUGE sigh of relief! Students have graduated high school and college. Text books are put away and Chrome Books are unplugged!!
We ALL need a rest from the riggers of the school year.
Boating, baseball, fishing, camping, biking, lakes, ocean, hiking and barbecues with families and friends. This IS summer!!
May is always such a busy month for House in the Woods but we love every moment of honoring those who paid the price for our freedom.
Please take a moment of your time to watch a new video of some of the veterans staying at the lodge.
NEW VIDEO OF HOUSE IN THE WOODS
Our goal in building our lodge, opening its doors and welcoming those who have served is a small measure of how we are honoring those who did not return home. A place of respite for the combat wounded, those suffering with PTSD, and those currently serving. We continue to heal together.
May 11th Welcome Prudential Insurance Volunteers
Prudential Insurance office from Portland, Maine came prepared to work and lend a hand volunteering at House in the Woods lodge. From interior spring cleaning to exterior clean up of residue from the clearing of the new lot. Load after load of rocks and sticks were thrown into a couple of the all~terrain vehicles and gifted back to Mother Nature along the way.
Prudential: Serving those who’ve served us all. Our Commitment to Veterans.
A big shout out to Bernice and Jeff White, Kelly McCaffrey, Kevin Balvin, Keith Johnson, Chris Soucie, Sean Gilpatrick, Jon Kramaschuster, Wil Truesdale, and Ted Durost!!
Moving our gorgeous eagles to our flag where they will guard and honor our great country’s red, white and blue!
For generations, it has been Prudential’s highest honor to help make life more secure for the men and women – and their families – who have served our country. They offer mentoring, networking and other programs that welcome and support employees who have served in the military.
Events sponsored by VetNet engage and educate Prudential employees on veterans’ issues and provide opportunities for community outreach.
May 21, 2018 Golf Scramble
at the Martindale Country Club
Auburn, Maine
The second annual House in the Woods Golf Scramble was a great time for all. We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Martindale Country Club located in Auburn, Maine for holding the Scramble at their gorgeous site.
The event began with the National Anthem sung by the lovely Andrea Parker Michaud.
Andrea shares: It was a great fundraiser, paying $20 a person to end up 5 feet from the hole and get an eagle was well worth it. That was one of the coolest things I ever got to do at a golf tournament. LOL!! Might have been the reason why we won lowest net on a team with mostly horrible handicaps.
Participants in golf scramble rise during the National Anthem.
Derek Volk, owner of Volk Packaging sponsored the Air Cannon which fires a golf ball over 400 yards! Derek’s shot landed 9 inches from the hole, winning closest to the home!
Derek shares: Volk Packaging, and our employees, have been proud to be corporate and personal sponsors of House in the Woods since almost its inception. We will continue to support this terrific organization and urge you to consider doing so as well.
The Air Cannon!!!
Per Derek: It was an honor to sponsor the Air Cannon at the House in the Woods golf tournament and to meet so many great veterans. And then to win closest to the pin made it even better!
We raised over $45,000.00 in this years Golf Scramble with the help from sponsors, players’ fees and fundraising.
This year we had a Harley Street Glide and a Chevy Cruse plus a $10,000.00 Hole in One as prizes. No one got a Hole in One!!! However, Derek Volk did get within 9 inches for the Air Cannon Hole in One.
Mike Albert, a staunch supporter of House in the Woods who worked tirelessly and eagerly to help pull together the 2nd Annual Golf Scramble .
Mike shares: We had 20 Active National Guard personnel take their own free time to volunteer all day for this event. I want to thank Sfc. Kim Hackett and Sgt. Peter Houghton for finding these great Guardsmen.
Sgt. Peter Houghton, National Guard
Registering with the National Guard…No, not to join, but to play golf!
They did any and all services needed on the course from the putting green, Hole in One, player registration, selling raffle tickets and much more.
They did everything possible to make this a successful Golf Scramble!
I also want to thank our great committee for all the hard work putting this HITW Golf Scramble together. Sue Donovan, Kyle Purington, Nikki Withrow, Jeff Hutchins, Donny (Duck) Riggs, and Luke House, as well as Dee and Paul House.
It takes a team to put an event together like this and since we have only done this for two years I feel great about what we have done so far in raising money for House in the Woods.
(Editor’s note: I’m wondering if anyone dared let any of the Guardsmen try the Air Cannon!! Perhaps there would have been a winner!! Something tells me THEY know how to hit a target!)
The all~important, critical Beverage Cart. A must~have at any Golf Scramble!! A stress free day of golf.
SWAG BAGS!!!
Wait, this one looks better !
And they’re off!!
Ladies and gents of the green!
Golf: the art of playing fetch with yourself!
I&S, LLC ready to play…both times!
This team may have had a low score however they seemed happy with their Raccoon Caps! The team is I&S, LLC, Ivan Bates, Chris Bolstridge, Frank Turner lll and Greg Shappy.
Gateway Title Company Ladies Team
Gary Crocker, Master of Ceremonies for our golf scramble and well~recognized Maine Humorist.
OVERALL WINNING TEAM!
The overall Scramble winning Team MMTA Services, Inc. had two players that had to leave Brian Parke and Gary Cooper. Bill Norwood and Tim Doyle were joined by Sue Donovan (Committee Member) and Gary Crocker (our MC).
The stunning plaques were handmade by a Marine named Rick Haskell in less than one week . He graciously created these and donated them to HITW. Great work!! Thank you sir!!
Veteran, John Bartlett winning a YETI Tumbler for closest to the pin!
This is the team who won our House in the Woods Golf Scramble this year! There team name is MMTA Services, Inc. Left to right: Bill Norwood, Paul Soracco, Brian Parke,and Tim Doyle.
All of us at House in the Woods cannot thank all of you enough, each and everyone of the attendees, Martindale Country Club and their staff of fabulous people, along with all the folks who volunteered from beginning to end to make this such a great day of fun and adventure! The support you provide to our nonprofit organization for our Veterans, combat warriors and those currently serving is greatly appreciated.
If you have not been by to see our lodge, please call and choose a time to come visit us. The coffee will be fresh and hot!
Young Joel House making sure there is enough beverages in his large cooler to help with the thirsty golfers. Oh, and yes, his grandmother Deanna House, Director of Administrative Services at House in the Woods.
EVERYONE: Be sure to come back next year for the third annual House in the Woods Golf Scramble! Just remember this year’s slots for teams filled up fast! Do we need to create time and space for more teams???
THE VOLK PACKAGING HEROES WALL
Derek Volk is a great friend of the House family and an avid and staunch supporter of House in the Woods’ efforts of providing a safe, comfortable retreat for all our military of all generations.
Derek is the President and third generation owner of Volk Packaging Corporation in Biddeford, Maine.
His sincere love, respect and honor for our men and women serving, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who have served has inspired him to create the Volk Packaging Heroes Wall. The link below will take you to the video of the unveiling of the wall on D~Day, June 6th, 2018. At this link you will also find pertinent details of how you can support this amazing project.
THE VOLK PACKAGING HEROES WALL is intended to honor all men and women (living or passed) who have served or currently serve our great country in the Armed Forces. Anyone can put their loved ones face and information on the Heroes Wall. ALL PROCEEDS from the VPC HEROES WALL will be given to the Biddeford/Saco/Old Orchard Beach VFW.
PLEASE, take the time to follow the above link to see how you can become involved in this most honorable project of the Heroes Wall.
Or if you have any questions, contact Derek Volk at dsvolk@volkboxes.com or (207) 571-5511.
The wall is on the lawn at Volk Packaging at 11 Morin Street, Biddeford, Maine. All are welcome to visit at any time, day or night. If you are in the area for the summer or for a week, be sure to take the time to visit the Heroes Wall. If you reside in Maine and haven’t had the opportunity to stop by, please do so. Visit Biddeford for the day. It’s beautiful here!
NOTE: VOLK PACKAGING, the Volk family or anyone involved with the company receives, keeps and/or gains NO monetary income from this wall. Our reward is honoring those who have served. As you view the video of the unveiling you will notice how many employees at Volk Packaging are veterans. We thank each one of you for your service to our great country and the part you took in creating this fabulous Heroes Wall.
A 2015 photo of Derek with Paul House and young Joel House. Two very fine gentlemen who share a mission; to honor our military.
Flags flying at Heroes Wall.
May 26th Our Fallen Are Honored
It was great to see old friends and meet new ones at the 5.5k Competitor ME Run in Houlton May 26th.
SSGT. Joel House’s Honor Rock
Assisting the living and honoring the deceased at Wilderness Walk for Warriors May 26, 2018.
Also…May 26th
The Summit Project (TSP) also held it’s day of honoring those who have fallen at The Owl in Baxter State Park.
The mission of The Summit Project is to honor Maine’s newest war casualties and the faithful spirit of all Mainers.
Team Blue of The Summit Project led by Justin Cloukey.
Justin Cloukey
Most Maine natives are “born and bred” loving the life outdoors. Two of the many stones they carry bear the names of Joel House and Blair Emery. There is a spirit in Maine of honoring Nature with respect and love, while caring for her wood, lakes, streams and mountains. It simply is a way of life. This is one of the reasons we go to Nature to bring stones which represent Maine’s Fallen.
The Wilderness Walk for Warriors and The Summit Project are but two of the many, many organizations in Maine that honor, and hold is the highest esteem, the brave young warriors who literally gave their lives defending the rights and freedom of others.
Sunday, May 27 the Widows Son Motorcycle Riders Ride-in to the Lodge.
What an amazing afternoon. Four chapters of the Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders came to visit and make a very generous donation to HITW. Bob Mulholland presented us with a check.
Howard Smiya shares: For the third consecutive year I had the distinct pleasure of riding into House in the Woods with my Widows Sons Brethren. Every time I have visited House in the Woods has been an emotional experience for me. I am awed that Paul and Deanna House have been able to turn the tragic loss of their son, Joel, into a desire to provide a therapeutic and healing respite for those who have served in our country’s military. This family has given it all and yet they continue to give. I support them and this special place with my whole heart.
LOVE this group of supportive folks! Hearing them come up the road before seeing them is the BEST!!!
HOUSE IN THE WOODS
MAY 28TH, 2018 MEMORIAL DAY
Monday May 28th we did the small Memorial Day parade here in the town of Lee. It’s a sentimental thing because my kids used to march in it in Little League or band. They call out the names of the war dead back to the Spanish-American war….Deanna House, Mother of a Fallen Hero
SSGT. Joel House
SSGT. Blair Emery
May 28, 2018 Annual Antique and Classic Car Show
Sunbury Village, a beautiful independent lifestyle in a hospitable community located in Bangor, Maine held their 6th Annual Memorial Day Fundraiser benefiting House in the Woods and Maine Troop Greeters. This is a community that loves and supports our veterans and military families.
Beautiful antique cars, classic cars, awesome items for raffle tables and a scrumptious barbecue filled the day with some great friends, new and old, and wonderful residents of beautiful Sunbury Village.
We thank you for seeing the value in our therapeutic, recreational and educational retreat for our combat wounded, their families and veterans of all wars. Thank you for your continued support of House in the Woods….. Dee House
Under the hood is just as pretty as the outside!
So much work and pride of ownership in these cars!
Love these pictures? Memorymaker Photography is offering you the opportunity to purchase as many of these as you like. You can now order images at the following link:
Solstice Senior Living Antique Car Show
Kelly Mitchell, Reporter
Fox News Bangor
Kelly Mitchell was at the antique car show and had the opportunity to interview Deanna House, Administrative Director of House in the Woods.
Annual Car Show Raises Funds for Veterans
Our motto is ‘together we heal’ because that’s how we feel – that together we heal, said Deanna House, one of the founders of House in the Woods. And we see that happening not just with ourselves but with other veterans as well.
Maine Troop Greeters
A nonprofit group of veterans and men and women supporting our armed forces serving overseas by greeting troops who arrive at Bangor International Airport. Day or night, rain or shine.
The mission of the Maine Troop Greeters & Museum is to express the nation’s gratitude and appreciation to the troops, for those going overseas for a safe return and for those returning for a joyful homecoming and to make their (hopefully brief) stay in Bangor as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Additionally we will honor the trust placed in us by these troops by preserving and perpetuating the donations entrusted to our care, through display, education and sharing of these collections.and encouragement.
June 4th~7th Veterans Fishing Trip
Lake Ontario, Oswego, NY
Hat Trick Charters has been hosting great fishing trips for House in the Woods for quite a while now. They are located in Oswego, NY, where they specialize in fishing Lake Ontario for Trout & Salmon. Their charter boat is a 28′ Baha Cruiser and is fully equipped with the latest fish finding, navigation and safety equipment. The Baha is docked at the Oswego Marina .Generally we are fishing 10 minutes after departure!
Cpt. Jim Staves owns and operates Hattrick Charters , Cpt. Robert Pultorek, and 2 other fishing captains donate 2 days of fishing. Each captain takes a group of four, along with the 1st mate to run the fishing lines.
Jim has more than 25 years of charter-fishing experience on Lake Ontario. We ALWAYS have a great fishing experience with them.
The following pictures are of one out of the four groups that were on this fabulous fishing excursion Monica Buffington, Mike Gould, Becky Saulnier, and Paul House are having an excellent morning on Lake Ontario with Hattrick Charters.
Becky Saulnier, Mike Gould, Paul House and Monica Buffington proudly show their catch of the day!
This group of four certainly pulled in some excellent looking and HUGE fish!!!! Love having pictures as proof of these fish stories!!!
Challenge from Deanna House: I believe I still have the most awesome catch of our retreats to Lake Ontario. This was a nearly 20 lb. king salmon. Still waiting for a vet to break the record. Maybe this week?
We have been very blessed each month with financial and in~kind gifts. Every day we experience amazing generosity from local residents and businesses as well as folk from far and wide. We cannot thank you enough for your continued graciousness, generosity and love for the mission we have at House in the Woods. Thank you for believing in us.
The Alton United Methodist Women and a couple of their male friends stopped by June 25th to present Paul House with a donation for the lodge. We love that small groups take it upon themselves to consider our cause worthy of their donation. You sincerely cannot go far in Maine without running into someone who has family serving in the military or is a veteran themselves.
Rich and Nancy Larkin of Lincoln, Maine donated a Polaris Ranger 4×4 Side by Side as a gift to House in the Woods. These little vehicles have a lot of power and definitely help our combat wounded venture through the trails in all four season. We are adding to our fleet of vehicles and we are so very grateful!
Mark Hawes from Maine Paper and Janitorial Products donated this machine to clean our floors at the lodge. This machine retails for $4,600.00. Thank you Mark for such a generous donation! We really appreciate it.
Perhaps you have been directed to this newsletter by a friend who thought you would be interested in attending one of the many events held year~round at out lodge. If so, take a moment and look at the past years newsletters. There is one per month.
Perhaps you have “always wanted” to help a strong veterans cause but did not know where to look or whom to trust that it will still be in existence next year. Simply click the link below for House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat. There are many ways you can help, many options to donate and there are so many great events to choose from. We hope to hear from you soon.
This IS where TOGETHER WE HEAL!!!
June 30th, Noon~4:00 pm
Sgt. Joel A. House Summer Camp Fund
Encouraging Maine kids to reach for their dreams through summer camp attendance.
PIE~IN~THE~FACE AUCTION!!!
The Sgt. Joel A. House Summer Camp Fund is excited to announce the recipients of this year’s summer camp scholarship. A record-shattering year, the memorial scholarship will send 89 Maine kids to 32 summer camps.
The Sgt. Joel Fund was begun in 2007 as a memorial to Joel House from Lee who was killed on June 23, 2007 by a roadside bomb in Iraq while on active duty with the 2-8 Cavalry from Fort Hood, TX. Joel loved the guitar, the outdoors, and soccer.
His favorite place in the world was his family camp on Silver Lake in Lee. Through this scholarship, Joel’s family and friends hope to encourage Maine kids to reach for their dreams and pursue their passions by choosing a summer camp program that can connect them with mentors, trainers, teachers, coaches, choreographers, directors, etc. that can help them along their journey.
Another goal of this scholarship is encourage kids to have conversations with their families and teachers about the sacrifices made to have the freedom we have in America. Each child is required to write a reflection on the topic Freedom Isn’t Free as part of their application.
Many individuals and businesses have supported this year’s scholarship. The Herb & Ellie Bailey Charitable Foundation provided a grant for $3,000.00 to assist kids in the Lincoln school system. An anonymous grant made it possible to double our average annual awards. We were not only able to help more Maine kids, but we were able to provide larger scholarship awards.
Joel Amos House, son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend, soldier. Loved everything about Maine. Silver Lake, swimming, hunting, fishing, boating, trails with his father in the wood of Maine….
Sgt. Joel A. House Summer Camp Fund
2819 Lee Rd.
Lee, ME 04455
207-738-4421
July 13, 14, 15, 2018
Following is directly from Jim Neville’s website:
I am proud to be offering a free Registered Maine Guide Course to Maine Active Duty, Guard, and Veterans in support of House in the Woods in Lee, Maine. The course will be July 13, 14, 15. Lodging is provided at the House in the Woods Lodge on a first~come~first~ serve basis. Get your registration in early!!!. To apply please click on the link below and scroll down to the free veterans course.
Download the application and information sheet, and follow the instructions. There are only 9 remaining spots for this course. The deadline for applications is July 1st. Please share this with any veteran you think may be interested.
The Registered Maine Guide Patch is something that’s earned from a lifetime of experience on the water and in the woods of Maine. A person can’t just study for the test and become a Maine Guide. It has to be a way of life.
Becoming a Maine Guide is not easy, and it’s something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You join a long list of legendary sportsmen and women who are the epitome of a rugged, independent, and authentic. A Maine Guide is respected throughout the country for their knowledge, experience, and abilities.
The test is challenging, you can’t possibly study for everything. My courses will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to earn the coveted red patch.
This program is open to all Maine veterans, or active/reserve members who have served honorably in the United States Armed Forces.
Kennebec River Striper Fishing Trip
July 18th & 19th, Bath, Maine
Join us for an amazing day of fishing for striped bass with Maine Saltwater Outfitters owned by Capt. Forrest Faulkingham and two other boats.
Fly By Night SV1 bass boat.Fly By Night is a 26 foot Grady White Chase Center Console with modern electronics and twin 150 h.p. Yamaha four-stroke engines, which are quiet and powerful while being environmentally friendly.
Captain Forrest Faulkingham has been guiding the Kennebec River for nearly 20 years. He knows every nook and cranny of this incredible fishery, and he is an absolute joy to fish with. Offering only the best in equipment, he is also an entertainer of the first degree. Capt. Faulkingham is noted for his incredible fly-tying which has been featured in books and magazines nationwide.
Capt. Mike Faulkingham, son of Capt. Forrest has been trolling the waters of Chesuncook Lake with his father since he was young. Both are avid saltwater fly fishermen.
We will be fishing with the best of the best!!!
Past years we have caught many striper but regulation states they must be over 28 inches to keep. Thus many were released for another time of fishing when they mature.But a couple of the vets caught over reg size and we all were happy fishermen and women!! We will find the mature ones this year!!!
This is our shortest event, but an event that you will completely enjoy!! Oh the fish stories. Bring a camera…get the evidence!!
Shorter events are ideal for veterans with jobs and those who cannot be away from home for a longer period of time.
The passion and concept hasn’t changed…let’s go fishing!
Best summer ever!!
Editor’s note: Thank you for taking the time to read all the news we have to share for House in the Woods. When you have a lazy, hazy summer day…please go back and read more of the newsletters. They are all listed on my website under the tab Military & Veterans.
And please, come back next month to see what fabulous events are upcoming….especially Black Bear Hunting.
I have a personal commitment to this wonderful veterans and military cause as I hail from generations of men and women who served in our military. We too have had our own warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice at a young age.
Within minutes of my initial meeting with Paul and Deanna House I knew I was going to do something to make all veterans and actively serving military aware of this amazing place where they can rest, fish, hunt and commune with fellow veterans. Breathe…just breathe and listen to Nature.
I simply ask that you take a look at the backstory of how and why House in the Woods was created. You will find a video, Welcome to Lee Maine under the tab About Us of their website: HOUSE IN THE WOODS
Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
