Happy Fathers’ Day

thanks DadHappy Fathers’ Day!

 June 18th 2017

 

Happy Father’s Day to our Military Dads

 

wwii-us-navy-sailor-and-son-historic-imageFathers who are serving our military far from home have a mission to accomplish every day. All too often uncertainty fills their days, but they have done their best to prepare their children (of all ages) that the entire family is on a mission. Dads know that it’s not just them who is serving our country…it is his wife, his children and grandchildren alike.

It takes a special family and those of us at House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat thank each and every family who serves! We are proud of your Dads who are far away!

 

letters

~ A young man’s letter to his soldier Dad ~

teen writing letterHi Dad,

Miss you Dad! You may not be here every day like I wish you could be. But you taught me to be strong, to love God and country, to be respectful and always stand for our flag. You taught me that a man gives a strong and grateful handshake.You taught me that is was okay for a man to cry. I hope you remembered that when I cried when you hugged me goodbye before leaving this time!

Purchase this image at http://www.stocksy.com/556712You taught me how to put that worm on the hook, how to skip stones across the pond, how to love Nature, how to tie my boots and to be respectful to others. You taught me to always hold the door for ladies, veterans and the elderly.

 

skipping stonesYou asked me not to worry and to take care of Mom and my little sister. You asked me to rake the yard and make sure all the doors are locked at night. You asked me to be loyal to friends and family and you asked me to pray for you and your troops every night. You asked me to work hard in school and to have a lot of fun with friends.

Boots flag & tags 2Sometimes I wish you just had a regular job like Bob’s father, but Bob’s father doesn’t wear dog tags and combat boots.

I’m telling you that I love you Dad. I’m telling you that you really are the best man in the world. I’m telling you that you can depend on me, but I’m telling you to come home safe to us as soon as you can. I’m telling you that I want to be just like you when I grow up!

I love you and miss you Dad……Happy Fathers’ Day……Love, Matt

 

Happy Father’s Day to our Military Dads

soldier with young daughterWe thank every Dad who is away from his children, not just on Fathers’ Day, but every day. Thank you for your sacrifice and your service to our country.

 

                                                soldier and yong son

 

 

I’ll be back soon…I promise!

US-flag-and-bible-crossWe pray for all our troop and their families each and every day.

 

We can never thank you enough for your service, but please let us try by visiting us at House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat. All lodging and meals are free to all military personnel and veterans alike!

 

~A little tip for Dad’s who getting ready for deployment~

Our-Deployment-Jar3I read of an idea for a soldier dad to leave his child when he is deployed: fill a container full of Hershey’s Kisses that equal the number of days you are deployed. Your child takes one Kiss out of the container each day while you are gone as a small token of your love for him or her….A Kiss From Daddy

 

friends-helpingWithout the support of our community and friends from far and wide, none of this would be possible!! Thank you for supporting House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat and all our combat wounded, our active military and their families and our veterans.

~Together We Heal~

HANDSHouse in the Woods Military & Family Retreat

House in the Woods

 

thank you

 

 

Widows Sons LogoThe motorcycle group, Widows Sons Masonic Riders, Wayfarers Chapter members and friends Motorcycle Ride-In on May 28th brought them to Lee to tour House in the Woods and present us with a gift of financial support.

 

sons of widows group shotThankful-greatful

sons of widows check presentation

Widows Sons presented a gift to Paul and Deanna House for House in the Woods.

sons of widows bike shot 2

 

 

 

 

sunbury village logo

Sunbury Village, a beautiful independent lifestyle in a hospitable community  located in Bangor, Maine held their 4th 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.

Sunbury Antique Car Show 2Beautiful 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.

Sunbury antique carsWe 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 and encouragement.

 

Sunbury Village Pau, Dee & friends

Paul and Deanna House, Nancy and Tom Small. Unwavering supporters of our military!

 


 Sunbury Village Antique Car Show

They don’t make them like they used to!!

 

 

 

thank you2

 

 

Darlings logo

Darlings Auto Mall

Per Jay Darling, president of Darling’s Auto;  In memory and support of all of our nation’s veterans and active duty military personnel, we will be donating $100 for every vehicle sold at all Darling’s locations between May 20th to May 31st $100 per car sold. to one of these local nonprofit organization that serves our nations heroes:

House in the Woods, Maine Troop Greeters, Maine Veterans Project, The Travis Mills Foundation, and The Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope.

Upon purchase of an automobile Darlings Auto asks the customer to choose the nonprofit to whom they would like the donation to be given. This has been a huge success for each of these nonprofits. In May of 2016 the same promotion raised $26,000 for Maine veterans-related charities.

 

Bangor-Savings

House in the Woods is proud to be a $5,0000 Community Matters More winner.

On behalf of those we serve, we thank you for your vote.

 

Community matters more

 

 

 

 

 

Thank-You-Photo-1

fun

Lake Ontario Fishing Adventure~

hattrick_logoJune 5-8th sixteen veterans ventured with House in the Woods to Oswego, NY for some fabulous fishing with Hat Trick Charters.

What a great bunch of guys. From dinners to ice cream to 9 hours on the road, and of course, to the 2 days of fishing on Lake Ontario.  Everyone had fun, laughed, and made new friends. Thanks to all who support House in the Woods who helped us make this trip possible. This year we were joined by Warriors@45North, our partner agency from NH.

 

Ontario fish 3Fishing is never better than with friends!

 

Ontario fishing

 

 

 

 

 

Ontario fishing ice cream

But, ice cream with friends comes in second place!!Ontario fishing ice cream2

 

 

upcoming events

 

Kayaking & Canoeing

 

June 22nd~25th:  U.S. Veteran’s Rowing & Kayaking of Connecticut will be accompanying six visually impaired veterans as guests of House in the Woods.

They will spend their days traversing the rivers and ponds in Lee and the surrounding area.

U.S. Veteran’s Rowing & Kayaking Program is a non-profit volunteer organization based in Connecticut and serves all military veterans in the East Coast region that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other health related issues. A great organization for those who are visually impaired and would otherwise not be learning to navigate a kayak or canoe.

 

spaghetti-dinner_0June 22nd: House in the Woods is holding a spaghetti dinner at the new lodge, House in the Woods, for U.S. Veteran’s Rowing & Kayaking Program to help defray their cost of transporting guests and gear to this event.

Public welcome!! Dinner is served at 6:00 p.m. Come join us and see who’s doing the cooking!!!

 

 

musical-notes

HITW LogoJune 24th: Band Together for Veterans

Join us for a concert fundraiser at Mt. Jefferson ski area in Lee, Maine to Benefit the House in the Woods! This event is a Multi-Band concert featuring Maine Headliners:

 

Magic Bus ~ A WHO Tribute band, Piranha Brothers, Bandwich, Say What?, Jamie Barton and more!

Special guests, Karen and Morrill Worcester from Wreaths Across America and local dignitaries will be in attendance.

Matrix Music Productions has graciously donated the Mt. Jefferson Ski Area as a venue to hold this event. Buy your tickets and come enjoy some great music, a beautiful location and support a tremendous cause..House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat!!!  Purchase Tickets

We hope you will join us to make this a tremendously successful day!

pine trees

June 26th~29: Maine Registered Guide School

Registered-Maine-Guide-PatchTo be rescheduled. We will broadcast new date.

Instructor, Carol Ware joins Paul House. Students are are instructed and readied for the Hunting, Fishing and/or Recreation guides license examination.

Carroll-Ware-300x225Carol Ware (left), Registered Maine Guide Instructor.

This course builds top notch map and compass proficiency, and equips students to react quickly and efficiently during stressful situations, such as a lost client or medical emergency. Students will also become better woodsman. They will gain knowledge on a variety of subjects from map reading, navigation, boating, hunting, species identification and countless other topics. Participants will also be given a wealth of information on starting and running a guiding business which we have gained through two decades of experience.

pine trees

July 1 from 12 – 4 pm:  rock freedom Joel

Sgt. Joel A. House Beach and Barbecue Day. 

Joel was buried on July 3, 2007. This is the 10th anniversary. Deanna & Paul House host a FREE barbecue fundraiser at the public beach on Silver Lake in Lee, ME.  We have a 20 plus prize raffle that includes an Old Town canoe and a muzzle loader. Proceeds go to the Sgt. Joel A. House Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. Sgt. Joel A. House Summer Camp

We also host a Pie-in-the-Face auction that can be hilarious.  Join our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/ sgtjoelhouse to see photos from previous years.

Justin and son pie in face          Justin pie in face from sonHey Dad, One good turn (pie) deserves another!

Justin pie in face results

RED STARSPECIAL EVENT

 

you're inivted3

We are so excited!!

The day has arrived….

to invite you to join us in celebrating the Open House for the lodge and offices of House in The Woods Military & Family Retreat!!

 

~July 8th, 2017 OPEN HOUSE~

For details please click over to the tab Military & Veterans, click on Newsletters where you will find Open House Invitation. You will find lots of additional information. Plus take a moment to read the other newsletters created for House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat.

We hope you can join us to see the beautiful lodge built to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Meet the people who brought House in the Woods to fruition, meet the many tradesmen who built the lodge, meet the volunteers who jump in at a moment’s notice, and meet some of the donors and sponsors who have made this possible. Perhaps, as a combat wounded warrior, veteran or active military, you will be our guest as one of our upcoming events.

 

LodgeWe are a community from all walks of life who honor and love our veterans and active military.

welcome lodgeDrop in July 8th between the hours of 10:00 a.m.~8:00 p.m.

 

HITW Logo217 Skunk Hill Road, Lee, Maine 04455

Email: Deanna House, Director of Administrative Services

deanna.house@houseinthewoods.org

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up…….Galatians 6:9

Happy Fathers Day type for card or ad.

Soldier praying

Volunteers You can help House in the Woods.  Volunteering is a great way to support our lodge. One day, one week or a month. We have a great force of volunteers with a wide-range of skills, but we are always grateful for more help. Perhaps you are kicking around some ideas for summer vacation. Maine is fabulous in the summer!! If you have some free time and want to teach your children about honoring those who serve, join us for a day or a few hours by volunteering your time. Everyone has a useful skill that can be of service.

Contact Deanna House, Director of Administrative Services

deanna.house@houseinthewoods.org

207-738-4421

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