Mother Nature has finally graced us with Spring; warmer, sunny days and springtime rains. The scents and sights of Spring make us feel there is new hope. A new season is upon us and it’s time to come out of hibernation!
May 28th 2018 is Memorial Day
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the United States Military.
As you spend your holiday with friends and family, remember that Memorial Day represents the sacrifices of thousands of those young men and women who stepped up for your freedom!
Many continue to serve, many troops preparing for a new deployment, many families relocating or waiting here at home for the return of their loved one. Sadly, there is a percentage of those warriors who will pay the ultimate sacrifice.
As Editor, I am posting this message regarding the proper respect of our United States flag as I, and am certain many of our readers, have noticed that somewhere along the past generation the standing for our flag as she passes by has been lost, not taught, or thought to be too much of a bother.
When an American Flag is being presented or the National Anthem is being sung, it is proper and respectful to: stand, remove your hat, put right hand over heart until flag passes or anthem is over, do not talk, sit down after the flag has been removed or is marched further down the street, or when the announcer asks you to take your seat.
This is not showing respect to a colored piece of cloth. It is showing respect to the people who have sacrificed for our freedoms. Please show proper respect when a flag is being presented.
They served for your freedom and your liberties.
Taps With Respect to Our Fallen
National Military Spouse Appreciation Day
May 11, 2018
On Military Spouse Appreciation Day we honor the contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses. Their commitment and support help to keep our country safe.
America’s military spouses are the backbone of the families who support our troops during mission, deployment, and reintegration. Military spouses are silent heroes who are essential to the strength of the nation, and they serve our country just like their loved ones.
At House in the Woods we firmly stand by all members of our military families. Military spouses are another division of America’s Heroes!! When they walk through the door of our lodge it is with open arms and warm hugs of appreciation that we welcome all wives and husbands of those who actively serve and spouses of all our veterans.
Take a moment to see the latest video posted on You Tube. This speaks to the
Updated House in the Woods Video
April 27~28th 2018
House in the Woods Volunteer Training Event
Volunteer Appreciation Night.
On Friday, Paul spoke about the mission and purpose of House in the Woods history. Speaking of who we serve and why. Some of our wonderful (current) volunteers spoke about their many experiences as a volunteer, while Paul presented different opportunities at HITW for new volunteers.
Dee awarded certificates of appreciation to volunteers with more than 10 hours in 2017. Including our UMaine intern, we recognized 30 volunteers.
Pro Staff Volunteers
10~25 hours: Mike Cox, 26~50 hours: Jim Neville, 50~100 hours: Don Hazelton and Mike LaFleur. Over 100 hours: Tom Orfe, Richard Harriman, Al Morrow, Paul Labrecque, John Boyce and Deane Smith
Kitchen Volunteers
10~25 hours: Kathy Crise, Robert House, Polly House and Betsy Vanadestine. 26~50 hours: Mike Albert, Kelly Bard and Kathy Moison. 51~100 hours: Jean Morrow. Over 100 hours: Carol Marino and Farleen Smith
Maintenance and Grounds Volunteers
10~25 hours: Ron Freelove. 51~100 hours: Mike Thurlow. Over 100 hours: James Barnes
Administration Volunteers
51~100 hours: Diane Freelove. Over 100 hours: Nancy Lothrop and Katrina Kinkead.
Special Thanks~Volunteers
Alysha Sutherland and Jaclyn Sutherland.
With Graitude
University of Maine School of Social Work 2017~2018: Marie Sutherland.
Many new volunteers were present both days for the training. Thus we shall be handing out more certificates at the 2nd Annual Volunteer Training session.
Approximately 50 people were in attendance. The lodge was nearly at capacity Friday night with some people staying overnight in our quest suites.
On Saturday, we had three groups break into two sessions. The groups were:
Pro-Staff: consists of our guides and guide assistants.
Beyond First Aid with Mike Winslow
Mike Winslow has been one of Maine’s finest Baxter Park Rangers for nine years, is a certified Wilderness First Responder and is also a Registered Maine Guide. He often teams up with Maine Search & Rescue with the Wilderness Rescue Team.
He taught our volunteers a Wilderness First Aid course, utilizing interactive scenarios one may face while spending time with our veterans and active military in the wood of Maine. Skills essential to have under your belt as a guide or guide’s assistant: what to do in an emergency out in the wood hunting, hiking or on the rivers and lakes fishing.
Paul House on one end of stretcher with Grace Cox in the role of injured party, Mike Winslow is on the other end of stretcher (was cut out of picture)…sorry Mike!. Oh, and Turbo taking a free ride!
Working with PTSD Veterans with Capt. Mark Thurlow
Capt. Mark Thurlow of Katadhin Valley Health Care is currently serving in the Army and the Army Reserves for over 20 years he is currently a Captain of the US Army. Mark is a licensed clinical therapist. He received his education at the University of Maine, Orono with a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Educational Counseling and Social Work.
People who suffer from PTSD often suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and feeling emotionally numb. These symptoms can significantly impair a person’s daily life.
PTSD is marked by clear physical and psychological symptoms. It often has symptoms like depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other physical and mental health problems. The disorder is also associated with difficulties in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems, family discord, and difficulties in parenting.
PTSD
Military 101 with Chaplain Col. Andrew Gibson
Chaplain Col. Andrew Gibson
presented a broad overview of the structure and culture of the American Military. Based upon over 29 years of experience in the Maine Army National Guard, including two long term deployments overseas, Chaplain Col. Andrew Gibson lead a discussion on how the military effects the spirit and the essence of the individual and how that can lead to barriers, advantages, and misconceptions in the civilian world.
PTSD
Participants were given an overview of the impact of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and suicide among the military. This information is essential to working with Currently Serving Military Members, Veterans, and their families. Luke House (left), Assistant Director of Communications and a volunteer speaking with the Chaplain.
Chaplain Col. Andrew Gibson, Senior Chaplain of the Maine National Guard speaking with Deanna House, Administrative Director HITW.
We looked at the branches of the military, the essential values that form military culture, core beliefs, and spirit in order to better understand the effects of military service.
Many discussions were shared regarding our interaction with those who are currently serving or have served. PTSD has no expiration date. It doesn’t care how long ago it was that you served…it still wants to creep into your life.
On the battlefield we leave no soldier behind. As a nation let it be our pledge that when they return we leave no veteran behind.
It’s Our Turn to Serve You
Kitchen Staff: those who prepare and serve the meals.
Working in a Commercial Kitchen with Chef Dale Stevens
Dale Stevens is a Chef at River Driver’s Restaurant & Pub located at Twin Pine Cabins, overlooking Millinocket Lake and Maine’s highest mountain, Katahdin. Chef Dale prepares hundreds of meals a week .The restaurant has a diverse menu, featuring quality American fare highlighted by seasonal, local, and fresh ingredients, which is the type of meals we strive to prepare for our visitors to the lodge. Thus, he is the perfect person to give our kitchen staff great advice on cooking for many.
Amazing meals this kitchen crew can dish out!!
This group prepared the noon meal, made muffins, and crescent rolls with a spaghetti feed. Delicious!
General Volunteers:
Hands~Only CPR
Instructor Richard (Rick) Smart is the owner of RLS Training Consultants provides firefighters, healthcare personnel and the public with CPR and Safety Training.
RLS staff are American Heart Instructors plus many are National Fire Academy Certified Fire Instructors. He also instructs EMT/Firefighter classes at Northern Penobscot Tech Region III.
Many who may have taken CPR Certification years ago remember chest compression and mouth~to~mouth breaths. Now it is recommended the quickest way to save a life is: If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of any tune that is 100 to 120 beats per minute. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
We recommend all volunteers to know how to perform CPR in an emergency with guests. We were so glad to have Richard’s expertise in this vital training.
General Communication 101
Instructor James Butts is a licensed clinical Social Worker at the Vet Center where he served his internship in 2017. James served with the US Army Reserves 2008-2016.
James led a group session about strategies for engaging Veterans in conversations.
We do not and should not ask personal questions. Listening is key. Listen without judgement. Listen without asking more questions. Talk about practical issues such as where they live. Do not initiate a conversation about any trauma they experienced. If they want to bring that to you, again listen and listen more!
Veterans might not want to talk about their deployment. Conversing is still important….but so is LISTENING!
May 3rd, 2018 Annual Women Veterans’ Turkey Hunt
Our May 3rd House in the Woods held it’s Annual 3~Day Women Veterans’ Turkey Hunt! Even with a brief hail storm, nothing could stop this group of adventurous, determined hunters!!
Our lodging was at the awesome Bucks Crossing in Parkman, Maine where Matthew and Virginia Young were such great hosts for our adventure!
Our thanks to Debi Gould for finding this perfect place for our event!! Beautiful setting with pristine cabins. If you are seeking a great place to vacation or long weekend you definitely need to check out their website and call to reserve a spot! Bucks Crossing
I can not express how amazing this experience was. Went on my very first Turkey hunt with House In The Woods. We stayed in Parkman at The Bucks Crossing. Sometimes life has a very funny way of putting you right where you are meant to be. Everyone there was just so awesome! I just can’t put words to it. One thing is for sure I sure do feel “Rebooted”. There were bonds made and laughs to last a lifetime. Some people think stalking a turkey is too much work but I thought it was exciting and was right in my element! I learned so much and just can not express how thankful I’m to have met everyone there and how grateful I am for the knowledge they shared. My very first Turkey was harvested with the shotgun my dad gave me. I could feel my dad’s smile and that is worth more than any amount of money. Thank you everyone again. I look forward to seeing you all again! – Little Fella.…Becky Sauliner, U.S. Army
Ladies, Get Your Guns!!!
Debi Gould and Becky Saulnier
Well 2018 Women’s Veteran Turkey Hunt is complete. I made memories, gained new friends, spent time with old friends and got to take and hunt beside some real kick-ass women. My heart is full!! ……Debi Gould
Fun Time For Hunters and Guides!
Mike Gould, Terri, Paul House
Terri Neveldine~Schlotterbeck shares: Thanks to these guys for a memorable hunt. We even had an eagle fly down between us and the decoys! It’s hard to express just how grateful I am to everyone who helped make this hunt happen. I couldn’t stop smiling on the way home! Simply put…an awesome trip with some awesome people! Great memories! Thank you so much for all you, Mike, Paul, Matt and Ginny did for us.
Paul House shares: I know personally that I really enjoyed the time we spent together whether it was as at camp or trying to hunt! We had a special group at camp the veterans and the guides, even though I was trying to figure out who my wife’s husband was!! Hahaha!!! Great memories!!
Ginny Martens Young: Glad to be a part of a GREAT couple of days !!!
NOTE: The men’s Turkey Hunt was held in the Newport area while the women were in the Parkman area. But to this editor’s disappointment the male counterparts rarely consider taking photos of their hunts. (Still love all you guys!!) Thus, no proof of any harvest, but……we are certain it was a successful hunt.
Group photo of Turkey Hunt May 3, 2018. The women went one way and the men another and all had a “blast”…no pun intended!!
We had a fun time in Boston Thursday, May 3, 2018!!!
American Legion Nonantum Post 440
295 California St
Newton, MA 02458
Those Massachusetts folks have some serious cornhole skills!!! All of whom were there to support House in the Woods. Forty different companies and over 80 participants made the evening a time to remember.
There was some great food, raffles and special games throughout the event.
Joining Paul House and Luke House was Kyle Purington who is a U.S. Army Veteran and staunch supporter of House in the Woods. This Massachusetts Cornhole Tournament was made possible through Kyle’s business network.
Gold Star Parents
Paul and Deanna House with Dolly and Jim Sullivan.
Both sets of parents Gold Star Parents who both lost a son…a warrior…a hero. The Sullivans reside in Washington County, Maine. They are parents of Capt. Chris Sullivan, US Army 1st Division Infantry out of Ft. Hood Texas. Paul and Dee, Dolly and Jim were proudly participating in Alexander Grange Post 304s Hometown Heroes Appreciation Day. The post had Summit Project Stones for Area Fallen Heroes.
Capt. Christopher J. Sullivan, 29, of Princeton, Massachusetts, died January 18, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his parked vehicle. Sullivan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Capt. Sullivan was scheduled to return home to his wife and son in a few weeks, the government reported. Please see the complete details of this hero’s story and the testimony of the person who was honored to carry his stone with The Summit Project. : The Summit Project~Capt. Chris Sullivan
Another young man who served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
May 5th, 2018 Clearing of More Land!
The land across the parking lot at HITW was donated by the very generous Jay and Annette Haynes. This weekend, Sullivan Trucking, Mike Thurlow, Tony Frenette, Gregg Sullivan, Issac Raymond and many others and business donors, came together to clear the 2.5 acre lot. We plan to seed it with grass this summer. Next year we want to add a fire pit, horse shoe pit, some fruit trees, and who knows what else!!!
Big equipment, awesome crew and we now have more space!!
Lots of hard, dusty work but it is so very worth it to create more space for our events and attendees. Looking forward to a great fire pit, campfires at night and some good times just relaxing after a day of fishing, black bear hunting, dear hunting or a good turkey hunt.
Priceless friends who stepped up to make more room for outdoor activities for our guests at House in the Woods. Big space for fire pit and great conversations around the fire by many of our veterans and combat wounded who seek rest and a strong listening ear of another who has “been there”.
Finished!! A weekend of hardworking, dedicated men who donated time and equipment to make this a reality! Some times “thank you” just doesn’t seem sufficient!
YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!
THE HUNTER – IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSE IN THE WOODS
The Hunter – Limited Edition Collectible Knife
The Hunter is a limited production collectible knife made with D2 steel blade, solid brass pummel and guard, full tang, walnut wood handle, and custom made hand sewn leather sheath.
Each Hunter knife will be individually numbered and will have the House in the Woods logo etched into the blade and the Maine Knife Company logo stamped into the blade. Each knife comes in a hand made solid pine box with brass hardware. Included is a certificate of authenticity, a cleaning cloth, a Maine Knife Company coin, and an individually signed original design print of The Hunter.
A transferable lifetime guarantee is also included. A maximum of 150 Hunter knives will be produced, depending on the amount reserved before production. The price of each Hunter knife is $329.00, and that includes shipping and insurance in the U.S.
The House In The Woods Donation
The Hunter will be limited to a production run of up to 150 knives. When you purchase a Hunter knife $80.00 of your purchase price will be donated to House in the Woods in your name. The goal is to sell 150 Hunter knives to maximize the charitable donations. Here is an example of the amount this program can raise for the House in the Woods depending on the amount of knives sold.
- 50 knives sold – Donation Amount $4,000.00
- 100 knives sold – Donation Amount $8,000.00
- 150 knives sold – Donation Amount $12,000.00
Tax Deductible
When you purchase a Hunter knife you will receive a receipt from House in the Woods showing that you donated $80.00 to the House in the Woods through your purchase. This will allow you to deduct $80.00 of the purchase price from your income tax.
Limited Time To Reserve Your Knife
You can reserve your limited edition Hunter knife by making a $100.00 refundable deposit using the PayPal link below. We will be taking reservations for the Hunter until July 4th, 2018, or until 150 knives have been reserved. The balance due on each knife will not be paid until your knife is ready to ship. Delivery of your knife is expected in late August, 2018.
We Will Never Produce Anymore Hunter Knives
When this event is over we will never produce another Hunter knife. A maximum of 150 of these special edition knives will be produced. Each individually numbered. You will own a piece of Maine Knife Company history when you purchase a Hunter knife, and you will help the House In The Woods in the process through an $80.00 charitable donation in your name. Don’t miss out on your chance to own a Hunter knife as they will never be produced again.
THIS IS A PERFECT GIFT FOR THE HUNTER IN YOUR LIFE. FATHER’S DAY IS COMING…..GREAT IDEA!!
May 18-20, 2018 Guests at House in the Woods
The Maine Quilts of Valor and the Bangor Bear Paw Quilters are holding a private quilting retreat here at HITW this weekend.
Hard at work at House in the Woods making Quilts of Valor with members from the Bear Paws Quilting Group.
Quilts of Valor is a non-profit foundation whose goal is to cover ALL physically or psychologically wounded service members with a freedom quilt, honoring them for their sacrifices. The movement was originally started by Catherine Roberts of Seaford, DE in 2003 but has now spread across the United States and even has an international presence.
Visit their website to discover how you can get involved:
Beautiful handcrafted quilts for our combat warriors!
The Bear Paws and Quilts of Valor have donated many of the beautiful quilts on our beds. Thank you so much!!
Latest Honor Rock that will be joining the current display at the Houlton Pioneer Times. These hand painted Honor Rocks will be carried by the 2018 Wilderness Walk for Warriors team through the 100 Mile Wilderness.
May 26th, 2018 Wilderness Walk For Warriors
Houlton, Maine
Entry includes: tech event shirt (first 100 only), chip timing, personalized bibs (exclude three weeks prior to event), plus fully supported and staffed course.
This year’s hike will see each team member carrying a Houlton Rocks painted stone depicting a Fallen Maine Hero. In 2018, we are expecting over two dozen hikers to undertake this extremely difficult endeavor. This is a ten day hike through the most difficult section of the Appalachian trail without any source of re-supply. With the goal to raise money for the great people who have served, and are serving, to protect our freedom and way of life.
This Memorial Day weekend, please come out and support our organization so we can continue to support and honor our Veterans and service members by participating!
HOUSE IN THE WOODS
This is where the wounded souls and bodies of combat warriors can feel “at home”.
This is where our active military can come, while on leave, before returning to base or before being deployed overseas.
This is where veterans of all wars are honored in the most respectful and caring manner that is so deserving of their years of service.
This is where we continue to honor our brave warriors who paid, with their lives, for our freedom and liberties we enjoy each day. Those who are among the bravest of warriors from long ago and from just last week.
This is where many of the volunteers and supporters give of their time and financial support to be a part of honoring our military men and women from all 50 states.
This is where, together we heal.
Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while…. Mark 6:31
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.
The following link will take you to House in the Woods web site where you can easily donate on line or contact Deanna House, Director of Administrative Services.
House in the Woods
217 Skunk Hill Rd, Lee, ME 04455
Tel: 207-738-4421 | Fax: 207-738-4420
