November is a month in which we give thanks for so many generous and unselfish people throughout our great United States who give of their time and money to support our Veterans of all wars, our combat wounded and those suffering with PTSD.
Deanna House: It was such an honor to hear and meet Medal of Honor Recipient SSGT Ryan Pitts November 22nd at USM. His story gave me goose bumps. He is from New Hampshire. I hope he can join us for a HITW .
Thank you, USM Veterans Services, for bringing SSGT. Pitts to Maine.
Veteran’s Day USM Law School Lunchtime Panel
Deanna House, Director of Administration, House in the Woods, is attending Law School at USM. She was invited to be on the panel on Veterans Day talking about House in the Woods and her son, SSGT. Joel A. House.
The Law School observed Veteran’s Day with a lunchtime panel, The Spectrum of Experiences & Services of Veterans in the Maine Law Community featuring panelists, Professor Don Zillman, Mike Adams ’20, Kelsey Franklin ’21, Emily Bienek ’20, and Deanna House ’21. Dean Danielle Conway moderated the panel.
Paul House, Executive Director of House in the Woods shares:
I want to thank AHERO, a veterans organization located in Shorter, Alabama,who are helping veterans heal through hunting, fishing etc. In December two veterans through House in the Woods will be going to Alabama on a deer and hog hunt with AHERO, and they are providing everything for them on this trip. We at House in the Woods are so grateful for this organization that provides these kind of memories, as this trip is for a father and son who are both veterans.
Pictured below are just a few of our volunteers who have been by our side through thick and thin. Please see more pictures,at link below, of many volunteers who helped make the Black Bear Hunt such a success:
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 !
Our volunteers interact with the veterans and their families attending the events . A great number of volunteers for House in the Woods are veterans themselves.
It takes a veteran to truly understand another veteran!
Since the inception of House in the Woods so many people have come forward as volunteers. Those who have that understanding of the military life, of our veterans and what they sacrificed, of our families who have found themselves with the title of Gold Star Families.
We are so blessed to have such a great, dependable and committed group of volunteers who all understand and believe in our mission.
Dinner Preparations!
The second annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Veterans and Community was held at our lodge. Approximately 90 meals were served to Veterans and community friends. None of this is possible without the team of volunteers we are blessed to have who step up to help with preparations and serving of the meals. The beautiful meal was an $8.00 donation per person with serving times of 2:00, 4:00 and 6:00 pm on Thanksgiving day.
Wendy Voter: I believe we may have found our new thanksgiving tradition! Thank you Deanna House, Paul House, Becky, Diane, Zach and all the other great volunteers at House in the Woods veteran and family retreat. Thanksgiving dinner was delicious, the atmosphere warm and the friendly hospitality made us feel like family!! Love what this place represents and stands for. We were blessed to join you all today and can’t wait for next, maybe we will volunteer!
Lawrence Williams Vietnam Veteran
Lawrence shares: I was there at the lodge well before the 2 PM setting to hang out. They were kind enough to prepare two meals to go. My 15 mile drive home going dead West is a killer when the sun is setting so didn’t want to eat there. As it was, even at 2:30. I hit a couple real bad short stretches…These people, especially Dee and Paul, never cease to amaze me for all they do. Wish I was able to do more to help out. My take home meals were huge and super good. My thanks to all.
This is How It’s Done…….
One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. ~Virginia Woolf
Dinner Chef
Serving Our Guests
Come Sit a While and Enjoy a Meal With Friends
New and Old Friends Share Thanksgiving
The unthankful heart… discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! ~Henry Ward Beecher
November is Military Family Appreciation Month
(Following editorial is Compliments of Military.com)
Military Family Appreciation Month is a time set aside to recognize you, the military family.
Military families know what it means to serve. Every day, you get up and support your service member, standing by during long trainings and deployments. You know the risks, but you accept this life of service anyway. Click link below:
You know service is an honor.
You are the backbone of our military. You are the quiet, but steady fuel at home that keeps the fire burning. You keep track of military pay, benefits and news, because you know they make a daily difference in your life. And when your time as an actively serving family comes to an end, you support your veteran.
Serving is just what you do.
Traditionally, the president signs a proclamation recognizing that service and declaring November as Military Family Month. Over the month, families just like yours are honored and recognized for their commitment and contributions in support of our military and nation.
All of us at House in the Woods thank each and every family who lives the “military life”. You all are the backbone of our Nation. We honor you, love you and pray for each family member serving in the Armed Forces and the loved ones who remain steadfast at home. Click link below:
Veterans’s Day Fundraiser for House in the Woods
From Megan Smith: This was an evening Saturday, November 10th to support House in the Woods as part of their Veteran’s Day Salute at the Italian Heritage Center.
A very worthy cause and one that I was happy to help support.
Featuring The Carmine Terracciano Band. They were fantastic!
Paul, Megan Smith & Luke
Megan Smith and Nikki Cox
Sonia Brooks, Megan Smith & Meg Robinson
Deanna House & Pam Foss St. Clair
We cannot express how generous and hard working the following people were in presenting a wonderful evening of celebration: Nikki Cox, Megan Smith, Meg Robinson, Sonia Brooks, Pam Foss St. Clair and the very talented Carmine Terracciano Band.
Fabulous Music Presented by Carmine Terracciano Band
What an extremely talented and fun group of artists who performed a great variety of music. If you haven’t had a chance to hear them, take an opportunity!
You can find them on Facebook at the above link.
Luke House, Paul House & Joel House
A great evening with old friends and new friends who gathered to support House in the Woods. We are so very thankful for the generosity of all who worked to create this event and those who attended.
Following is a list of the donors for our silent auction celebrating Veterans Day at the Italian Heritage Center: Jamie Clark of Polarity Massage, Forrest Faulkingham Striper Fishing, Stone’s Restaurant, Maria’s Restaurant, Admiral Fire, Roe Ford, Flethcher Ford,Holy Donuts, Wine Tore, Fournier’s Karate, Anthony’s Italian Restaurant, Doke Photography, Dave Hardford Design, Reve Cycling, Jessica Candage Makeup Artist, Get Nailed Beauty Salon, Nash Designs, Michael Berube of Maine Virtual Tour Photography, Float Harder, Maine Warrior Gym.
December 1~2, 2018
A Ruger Silent Auction at Kittery Trading Post. All proceeds of this silent auction will be for House in the Woods. If you see these guys, please say thank you.
We cannot thank Kittery Trading Post enough for holding such an exciting auction for us.
Kittery Trading Post, 301 US Route 1, Kittery, Maine
On Dec 1st and 2nd, Kittery Trading Post held their annual Ruger Weekend promotion. This is a very busy and successful firearms promotion they have been holding for several years. As part of this year’s promotion, they have acquired a Ruger 44 Carbine from Ruger’s vault.
This is an extremely sought after firearm. They held a silent auction which they began promoting around November 1st 2018 via their flyer, Facebook page, Ruger forums, and Ruger Facebook page. For those of you who know Rugers you will understand that there has been an outstanding interest in this auction!!
When the rifle was introduced in 1961, the company called it the Deerstalker, stamping the name on the receiver. In 1985, the Ruger 44 Carbine was discontinued due to its high production cost after nearly a quarter million of the rifles had been made.
The winner ………..Steve Martel with the final bid of $1,800. Thank you Steve for bidding!
Kittery Trading Post wanted this promotion to benefit a worthy charity organization that works with wounded Veterans and reached out to House in the Woods. 100% of the proceeds of this auction will go to House in the Woods!
Dee and Joel at Kittery Trading Post with Assistant Manager, Josh Anderson
Joel and his Dad, Luke House at Kittery Trading Post
Thank you Kittery Trading Post!!
Words of Appreciation
Bill Dereszewski (center of photo) shares: On Veterans Day I would like to have people know what they could do to honor veterans right here in our state.
House in the Woods is located in Lee Maine. Paul House and his wife Deanna House run a facility that offers healing on so many levels for veterans and could always use help.
I’m sure you’ve heard of them, but I want to let people know what it is that they do.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Paul and his wife at a sportsman’s show a few years back and always thought what they did was honorable, but never fully knew until I further checked them out. When I did, and got to see for myself, I was in awe. It made me realize how lucky we were to have such a blessing right here in Maine. I saw for myself this is exactly what everyone should see not just on Veterans Day but 365 days a year, not to ever forget the sacrifices these soldiers made. I also saw Paul and Deanna truly care and are exactly the perfect team to make this what it is.
I’m lost for words at the great works they do for veterans and their families and how welcoming and supportive they are. It’s because they understand in so many ways. As Veterans Day is marked on a calendar to them its 365/24/7……
PLEASE, check out House in the Woods and what they stand for.They take what we all want to do and make reality out of it for the soldiers and families.
For loved ones, past and present, in honor of them and our current, please find it in your hearts to let House in the Woods know we appreciate what they do and help anyway you can. Trust me when I say there is no better stewards for this cause and for what they do. Paul & Deanna Thanks for all you do!
Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Christmas Greetings From Paul and Deanna House
Luke 2:11 King James Version (KJV)
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
To our dear friends and families who have been with us on this journey of building House in the Woods, we want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas.
We have been so blessed to have hundreds of amazing men and women walk through the doors of the lodge. We have made lifelong friends of many who serve and have served our country and of the giving souls who lovingly volunteer for events.
It is through our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that we have forged ahead with our dream of welcoming our son Joel’s military brothers and sisters to House in the Woods in remembrance of him and many others who made the ultimate sacrifice.
None of this would have been possible without our sponsors and financial supporters. We cannot thank each of you enough. But please know that we give thanks daily for all of you who have been so generous.
We hope that you can be with all your loved ones for this Christmas and ask that you pray for those who are serving our country thousands of miles apart from their families. Their sacrifices and their families sacrifices are for each American.
Christmas Care Packages for Our Soldiers
These are care packages that House in the Woods will be sending out to our men and women serving in Afghanistan. A big thank you to all who made this possible and prepared each one of these boxes.
A very special Thank you to Stacey Williams for hosting this special event.
Mail From Home
As the blessed season of our Savior’s birth approaches, and you are wishing all a Merry Christmas, please do not forget that there are so many of our United States service members who have been deployed. These men and women are away from friends and family for the holidays.
Not everyone will be home for Christmas this year. Send some cheer and gratitude to our men and women who are deployed. Click link below.
Not just at Christmas, but all year long!!
There’s no greater break from the day than to receive a letter or card from home. Something that can be carried in their pocket to be read often, touching apiece of home.
There are thousands of troops over seas who will not be home for Christmas. Contact your local VFW to ask how you can send some Christmas cheer, either a package or some cards, to our brave men and women warriors who serve every day. Click link below:
As editor of the monthly newsletter I would like to extend my personal Christmas greetings and gratitude to Paul and Deanna House for their boundless energy and commitment to their vision of House in the Woods.
To all volunteers new this year and those who have been with us since the concept of a veterans lodge, thank you for sharing your time and honor with our veterans and giving of your gifts of lending a hand.
To the steadfast businesses, families and individuals who have donated in 2018 to such a great nonprofit organization I say; your gifts are so vital to our ability to provide events for the veterans and active military.
Without all of you as individuals and a collective vision, there would not be a lodge in the wood of Lee, Maine.
It is a privilege to be able to put together the many pictures and stories of moments shared at House in the Woods. Veterans and military are near and dear to my soul…….Merry Christmas one and all. Please continue to pray for our military families, those deployed and those who paid the ultimate price. Thank you for visiting my website link below.
