October colors!! Words don’t seem enough….
Greetings and welcome to House in the Woods October Newsletter. I hope you enjoy the following pages and that you will share it with all of your friends and family, especially with, but not limited to, those who are Veterans and those in the United States Armed Forces who are based at home and abroad.
This is a lengthy newsletter this month. A lot of news and great pictures came across my desk . I did not want to leave anything out! Grab a coffee or your favorite beverage, get comfy by the fire and read on!
Thank you for your continued support of my efforts to introduce the fabulous programs and events offered at the beautiful lodge…..Brenda Everson~Shaw, Editor
Tucked deep in the wood of Lee, Maine you come upon this incredible lodge!
As you travel throughout Maine you will see Autumn at its best.
I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house…..Nathaniel Hawthorne
Baseball ended when the Red Sox WON the title as the World Series Champs! Football is in full swing with the New England Patriots, local colleges and high school favorites. What is there not to love about Autumn except it is the precursor to Winter.
At House in the Woods we have been busy with bird hunting and first days of deer hunting.
Becky Saulnier and Mark Nason put together and excellent video to show their appreciation of House in the Woods and our mission to reach veterans through events in the wood of Maine. Please click link below and turn up the volume!
Feeling Peaceful at House in the Woods
We all have experienced hurt and pain in our lives. We all wish that there was rain to wash it away. Everyone should have a sanctuary that they can go to and feel safe. That is exactly what House In The Woods has created for many veterans, myself included. There is common ground that is shared between everyone that is involved at House in the Woods. I made this video with Mark Nason for House In The Woods to show to others. I hope all of you enjoy this and some of you decide if you’re not already involved with House In The Woods to do so……..Becky Saulnier
Paul House, Executive Director of House in the Woods with grandson Joel escorted by Turbo and Dash.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there’s no path and leave a trail….Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Paul and Dee House and ALL the outstanding volunteers are certainly leaving a great trail for all veterans and active military. No better place to heal than outdoors with other veterans who just “get it” when they gather together….Find the trail at 217 Skunk Hill Road in Lee, Maine. Set your GPS to:
45.3601° N, 68.2864° W
October 14~16th, 2018 Women Veterans Bird Hunt
Becky Saulnier with Turbo, Carolyn Munster and Jenny Sax.
Jenny Sax shares:
I spent an amazing two days at The House In The Woods. Shot my first partridge. I cannot express how important places like this are. A piece of my heart stayed with the house, and the people who donate their time to us. It is a wonderful feeling to know I am always welcome. Being able to share time with other Veterans, and be surrounded by the love and support of the volunteers, the feeling, and the healing we get can not be measured. I Served in the US ARMY. I was a Paratrooper and a medic. Deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq .
October 17~18, 2018 Men Veterans Bird Hunt
Mike Gray, Tony Posuniak, and Bill Doyle
Bill Doyle shares: had such a great time with the gang at House in the Woods. Paul House is such a class act and we had an amazing time beating the roads looking for grouse. If you’re a Vet, consider visiting and taking advantage of one of the many programs. If you’re not a Vet, you can get involved though donations.
Sept 30th the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association dropped in with an awesome gift of a donation from their recent ride. We always love it when this group of riders pull up to our lodge! Such generous men and women who are dedicated to supporting our veterans.
Luke and Joel House with sidekick Dash.
A FATHER’S VIEW OF YOUTH HUNTING
Luke House and I discussed the importance of teaching the younger generation all aspects of hunting. For those of you new to HITW newsletters, Luke is the son of Paul and Deanna House, Directors of House in the Woods.
As editor I asked Luke if he would share his life’s experiences of growing up as a hunter in Maine. I cannot thank him enough! The following is penned by Luke:
As a youth raised in rural Maine, hunting was a coming of age experienced by myself and many of my peers. I fondly recall the years pining to be old enough to walk into the woods with my Dad holding my own rifle. When I finally reached the legal age to hunt, I found that there was a new experience that garnered equal or greater excitement to Christmas morning……Opening Day of Deer Season!
I spent my first couple of seasons following Dad through the woods learning the tricks of the trade; how to walk, how to be still and how to look for deer signs. Most importantly were the conversations that took place that served to enhance the bonding experience between father and son. Conversations about life, God, and family were the norm. I learned that it was important to kill only what you or another would eat and to not be wasteful in the harvest of an animal.
When I finally bagged my first deer at the age of 12, I was hooked. I also felt as if a torch had been passed on and this meant that I was responsible for the promotion and advocacy of the sport of hunting.
Fast forward nearly 20 years. I was changing the diapers of my own little boy Joel, named after my brother Sgt. Joel House who was KIA in Iraq in 2007. Joel came a week or so before planned. I happened to be out hunting when his Mom called to tell me it was time. By that afternoon Joel had arrived. I remember thinking that day how I couldn’t wait to bring him into the woods like my Dad had done for me. When Joel was three I started getting him familiar with hunting, teaching him age appropriate firearms safety and taking him into the woods on short hunting excursions.
A few years back the state of Maine did away with the minimum hunting age which previously had been 10 years of age. I wasn’t sure how old Joel would be when I let him carry a rifle into the woods, but I knew it wouldn’t be before he was ready. At age six he started shooting small caliber rifles and, while he quickly gained proficiency, it was clear that he was not ready to accurately harvest an animal.
The next year my Dad purchased Joel a youth model 7mm-08 Savage Rifle for Christmas. We began to practice shooting more regularly and Joel steadily improved his accuracy and level of comfort with the rifle.
Once bear season rolled around in September I was comfortable that he was ready. Joel sat four nights and saw no bear but we learned that he could sit and wait quietly for five hours with barely a peep if he needed to.
Next up was Youth Day for Maine deer hunters. I took Joel that day not knowing if we would see anything. Well we did, as a young doe walked in front of our stand and Joel performed just as we had planned. He made a kill shot and we celebrated briefly.
This was a bonding moment that I think will be hard to rival in the years to come. Joel talked maturely about his feelings about killing an animal and I knew that he understood and respected what had occurred as well as the sacredness of harvesting an animal for life.
The political climate has changed a great deal since I was a boy and hunting has fallen out of favor and stigmatized in certain circles. I am of the opinion that this shift is due largely to lack of education and quality interaction with responsible sportsmen. As the next generation comes of age we would be well served to teach them true sportsmanship and give them the tools they need to ensure that our trade is around for generations to come.
Young Joel’s First Harvest
Luke House shares: I’m a proud Dad today to say the least! Joel and I went out this morning and didn’t see anything. We went back out this afternoon and had this deer and another come out in front of us around 5:15. He told me that he was nervous and his heart was beating fast…just like I had told him it would when he finally saw a deer.
The first shot he took was difficult as the deer had walked behind some trees. He had a clean miss but maintained his composure as the deer then stepped into the open and presented a better shot. He fired and it was a deer down.
We talked about respect for the animal and being thankful for the meat provided by the deer. We talked about uncle Joel and figured he was watching and proud. This experience will be with me and I’m sure with him forever and I am grateful for today. Great job buddy!
Maine’s Junior Hunters
Jax Sutherland of Lincoln bagged a nice 6 pointer in Lincoln Center, Maine with the help of Turbo.
Ava Sutherland, sister to Jax, also had a great day hunting in Lincoln Center where she harvested her button buck! She stopped by to show her 91 year old Great~grandfather Ray Sutherland, a Veteran of the Korean War.
Sarah Hatch Sutherland, Mom to Ava and Jax, shares: Thank you Paul and Turbo! Headed to tag him this morning! Many memories made yesterday for both of my kiddos. Hunting is definitely something they look forward to each year as this is special time they spend with their Dad. Every year there is a story to tell and we are thankful to have Turbo be a part of a few of those stories now!
Stryker got his doe in Plymouth, Maine with the help of Turbo.
Youth Deer Day
Saturday, October 20th was Youth Deer Day in the Pine Tree State. Hunters who hold a valid junior hunting license have their own days for deer, bear, turkey and waterfowl, and the deer day signals that the full deer season is coming soon.
Normal hunting laws for deer apply on youth hunting days. Hunters are allowed to take one deer of either sex with a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow.
The full firearms season for deer begins on Oct. 29. The archery season is currently taking place and ends on Oct. 26.
Deer biologists say the deer herd has been strong in recent years, but they are taking precautions to avoid chronic wasting disease appearing in the state……Courtesy of the Associated Press as posted in Washington Times
Turbo The Tracker
Paul House Shares: I met Jeff Osborne (of Nature Productions) this year on our black bear hunt at House in the Woods. Jeff shot this deer and needed a tracking dog to find it the next morning. Turbo got on a hot track and I brought him back and he recovered the deer on a short track. Thank you Jeff for sharing the video!
Turbo!!!
Paul, Turbo and Jeff
No matter your religious beliefs, killing an animal offers an opportunity to give thanks. Many of us choose to honor the animal through prayer and give thanks to God. If that’s not your preference, that’s okay. We’re all hunters on the same team. It is still thoughtful and respectful to take a moment, acknowledge that an animal laid down it’s life for you, and be thankful….National Deer Alliance
November 11, 2018 is Veterans Day
When you see a Veteran shake their hand. Give them a hug or a pat on the back and sincerely thank them for all the unselfish sacrifices they and their family made for you and your loved ones. Your thanks will possibly be the first kind word they hear that day.
At House in the Woods we have been so blessed to have met hundreds of veterans from all walks of life. Men and women, who have unselfishly served our country with honor, integrity and respect for the job of providing each American with all of our liberties and freedom we so often take for granted. Our veterans have been fighting for those in foreign lands who also want freedom and the right to a safe life.
Many of us associated with HITW have family and loved ones who have served and many who are currently serving. Some come home broken in spirit and physically wounded. These are our men; our boys, our sons, our husbands, our fathers, our brothers! These are our women; our daughters, our wives, our sisters, our girls! These are our veterans who traveled to foreign lands to defend the life and liberties of many…of you!
At House in the Woods we are here to help each Veteran who walks through our doors to heal, offering outdoor programs to bring together small groups of Active Military, Veterans, and their Family Members to relax, share, bond, and deal with the stress, loss, grief, and other emotions which can haunt the grieving soul.
Please visit our website to see how you can join us for one of our events, spend time outdoors and just relax.
Come Join Us for a Celebration of Veterans Day
Saturday, November 10th 2018
Silent Auction, Dancing and Cash Bar
Come join us at Portland’s Italian Heritage Center for live band music with the Carmine Terracciano Band this Veterans’ Day weekend in support of House in the Woods and our work with veterans.
Dancing
Live Band Music by the Carmine Terracciano Band
Silent Auction
Cash Bar
Tickets $20.00 each
** No tickets available at the door.
Tickets Available:
Nikki Cox: 207-829-5604
Luke House: 207-831-5777
What is a Veteran?
A Veteran, whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve, is someone who, at some point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America, for an amount up to, and including his life.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same………Ronald Reagan
Task Force Heroes
Timothy James~Paul Yates (left) with LAPD Metro Police Officers from California just finishing a day of mountain biking around Hyalite Reservoir south of Bozeman.
Timothy James~Paul Yates joined us at House in the Woods last month for Black Bear Hunting. As editor of this newsletter I am always seeking to share great works of other nonprofits for Veterans. Timothy’s name came across my desk again…nothing is coincidence!
Timothy Yates, Director of Field Operations for Task Force Heroes, has spent the last ten years working in both conventional and special operation forces. He is 4th generation military. During this time, he has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has served the last 7 years as a paratrooper and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on his last deployment to Afghanistan.
I had the honor to connect with Timothy this week when I noticed he is an integral part of Task Force Heroes located in Bozeman, Montana. Timothy is Director of Field Operations and his father Pastor Shane Yates is CEO……. Warriors Helping Warriors.
Task Force Heroes lodge located in Bozeman, Montana
Be sure to take a moment to click the link to this great nonprofit. At House in the Woods we firmly believe that sharing other wonderful organizations for Veterans reaffirms, to all our Veterans and active combat warriors, our collective dedication to helping each who crosses our thresholds. Even though House in the Woods and Task Force Heroes is over 2,440 miles apart, our common goal is to help heal the physical and emotional wounds of war.
Task Force Heroes exists to provide spiritual and emotional support for our military, law enforcement, other first responders and their families, combined with the love of Christ, to enable them to thrive in their challenging careers and to overcome the affects of trauma and stress as the result of front line action.
To Timothy, Shane and all of the great crew who work tirelessly at Task Force Heroes we say……
The Kittery Trading Post
An Outdoor Tradition Since 1938
Celebrating 80 years of outfitting and sharing with our customers the finest goods, services, knowledge and experiences to enhance their appreciation and enjoyment of the outdoors.
On Dec 1st and 2nd, Kittery Trading Post will be having 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 will be an extremely sought after firearm. They are planning to have a silent auction that would begin being promoted around November 1st 2018 and promoted via their flyer, Facebook page, Ruger forums, and Ruger Facebook page.
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 will be announced with a Facebook live event on Sunday December 2nd 2018 in the afternoon. Kittery Trading Post wanted this promotion to benefit a worthy charity organization that works with wounded vets and reached out to House in the Woods. 100% of the proceeds of this auction will go to House in the Woods!
Thank you Kittery Trading Post!!
Friend of House in the Woods Extends Enlistment
House in the Woods would like to congratulate Justin Gardella for completing seven years of Honorable Service as a Combat Medic and Re-Enlisting for another six years. As an active duty U.S. Army soldier, Justin joined us this year for the Black Bear Hunt where he was successful in harvesting a great bear! We were honored to have Justin at our lodge and are very proud of his decision to continue to serve our great country in the capacity of a Combat Medic who, during the heat of battle, is first on line to save our combat wounded.
Ceremony at Ft. Bragg, NC
Black Bear Hunting with Paul
Matt and Ginny Young of Realty of Maine have just has posted this ad in Boot Life Magazine. Matt is going to donate 10% of his commission to House In The Woods every time a Veteran purchases a commercial or residential real estate or a parcel of land through Realty of Maine. Thank you Matt for this amazing offer!
Please email Matt at myoung01@tds.net or call his cell: 207/249-8802.
(Bangor Daily News Obituary): Gordon Ames Boyington, 63, of Milford, Maine, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Gordon was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending time at his camp and was always busy with a variety of projects. Gordon was admired for his hard work, as well as love and dedication to his family and friends.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 40 years, Tammy, sons Sebastian and Chandler.
(HITW Editor’s Note): July of 2016 I was introduced to Gordon Boyington at the construction site of House in the Woods in Lee, Maine. I found him to be the quintessential Mainer; determined, generous with praise of those involved in the project, a lover of nature, hunting and fishing, and his pride in his family. He sat next to me at a picnic table beside a converted bus that was being used as a temporary office for the construction project.
As he was sharing his background with me he quickly moved the conversation to Brenda, what are you going to do for us at House in the Woods. He definitely did not mince his words and was very direct, which I respect tremendously in an human being. I was sure he wondered who the heck I was being flown in to meet Paul and Dee House who had invested their all in this project. I shared with him how a dear friend and veteran who lived in Lincoln, ME asked me to “just come see this project”….my friend knew me well enough to know I would be hooked immediately and offered up his plane and pilot to fly me in!
I assured Gordon that I was going to utilize the skills I have to make others aware of the mission of House in the Woods. After my flight back to Cape Cod I had learned a lot more about Gordon by speaking to others involved in this huge undertaking of building a retreat lodge for veterans. Gordon was out speaking to every business and individual he knew throughout Maine to ask for financial donations and in-kind donations for this project. Being timid was foreign to Gordon. He grabbed this project by the horns and dedicated his waking hours to it 100%.
Meeting Dee and Paul sealed the deal in my heart for this mission. My family with a large military presence influenced the ramblings going on in my mind and Gordon Boyington’s conversation had a major impact on my decision.
Gordon Boyington on right with his beagle Flash and Steve. St. Louis.
NOVEMBER 6TH 2018 IS THE UNITED STATES MID~TERM ELECTIONS
(Editors Comment): As an American citizen I strongly feel it is my duty and honorable right to vote. When you vote you are effecting a change in those who currently make life~altering decisions for you. Be sure to choose wisely. If not early, then on November 6th.
I remind you that our Active Duty and retired Veterans fight and fought for such freedoms as the right to vote. We live in a democracy. If you have no other reason…use your voting right to honor those who fought for your rights and are fighting for them today, this right to vote……Brenda Everson~Shaw
Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.
Abraham Lincoln
Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting. Franklin D. Roosevelt
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Young Joel House, nephew of SSGT. Joel A. House with his honor bracelet of his Uncle.
