Open House July 8, 2017

House in the Woods

Military & Family Retreat

 

 

On a perfect, sun shining summer day, with not a cloud in the sky, over 600 visitors walked through these doors to enter House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat, located in Lee, Maine .

Young and old, grandparents and grandchildren, veterans of many wars and some active military. Dignitaries, local neighbors and those from far and wide enjoyed a tour of the beautiful lodge and meeting the House and Emery families whose dream to build became a reality.

 

 

IF YOU BUILD IT,

THEY WILL COME……

 

Pass through two eagle statues….

 

Fabulous metal eagles at the entrance of House in the Woods. These magnificent birds were crafted at a wood and metal shop in The Villages of Florida. Such generous gifts honoring our veterans and active military have been received from many Americans who just want to “do something” to show their appreciation!!!

 

 

 

Folk lore states that this stately regal bird, with its keen eyes ,symbolizes ready insight, courage, strength and immortality.

 

Welcoming Guests

 

 

 

Signing the Guest Book

 

 

 

 

 

Hundreds of names are in our guest book!

To all who attended our Open House, thank you for joining us. Please drop in again soon to see the lodge in action with our combat warriors and and meet our great crew!

 

 

 

Representatives from Warriors @45 North. A great nonprofit, also free for veterans, located in Pittsburg, NH.

 

 

Two young guests admiring veteran and Maine Guide, Lawrence McManus’ guide dog. Lawrence served two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He knows the residuals of PTSD and credits HITW with saving him and wants to do the same for other vets.”They helped me through a hard time in my life and it’s still helping me by helping others.”

Lawrence volunteers as a guide for hunting events at HITW .

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 ~

~ Please remember all lodging and meals are free to all veterans and active military~

House in the Woods has the most amazing volunteers!The following is just a sample of the many who selflessly give of their time:

Richard Harriman, Vietnam Veteran who is deserving of the award Volunteer of the Year for House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat. Richard has been right here with us since digging of the foundation. His generosity of his time and effort is priceless!

Richard was also awarded his Vietnam service medal which had never been presented to him.

Jessica and Justin Cloukey great volunteer husband and wife team!  They are always lending a hand throughout the year.

Dean Smith, another hands-on volunteer and a Vietnam veteran.

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.

The House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat Mission:

To create a therapeutic, recreational, and educational retreat for our nation’s U.S. armed forces and their families, using outdoor wilderness activities in Maine and natural habitats to help participants share common challenges related to their service and sacrifice in protecting our nation’s freedom and democratic ideals.

 

Team of outstanding women who kept the table well-stocked with fresh fruit and other delicious appetizers for the continuous flow of visitors.

 

LET’S EAT!!

So Many Choices

     YUMMMM

 

 

 Big Smiles From All

 

 

 

Finger Desserts

 

 

 

 

Good food, good friends, great conversations!

 

Dining options: out in nature or inside beautiful lodge.

The Foyer

 

 

Sharing stories from the past and hopes for the future…..

The younger generation learned a bit more about veterans, their sacrifices and how we honor them.

Admiring pictures of soldiers from many years ago!

Immediate right: Doug Sukeforth, an integral supporter and friends.

Maine Dignitaries

Elizabeth Schenider~MacTaggert was a Maine state senator when the conception of House in the Woods was just a dream. She worked diligently to advocate for us. Elizabeth continues to support our efforts. We cannot thank her enough!

 

 

 

The Honorable Michael Michaud, former U.S. Senator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Far left: U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin presenting to Richard and Nancy Larkin for their generosity of support to HITW.

 

 

 

Beth Turner, Maine State Representative and Stacey Guerin of Flaggs Restarurant Equipment admiring the many quilts hand stitched for each bed in the lodge.

 

 

Michael Noyes, Regional Representative for U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Barbara Hayslett, Regional Representative for U.S. Senator Angus King, Jr., volunteer Nancy Small and Honorable Michael Michaud, former U.S. Senator. Nancy and her Bangor-based Bear Paw Quilt Guild made many of the quilts found throughout the lodge. Nancy also made all curtains in the rooms.

 

 

Michael Carpenter, Maine State Senator and Dee House presenting Nancy Lothrop, a former Navy wife, with certificate of appreciation for volunteering.

 

 

 

 

A PEAK AT SOME OF OUR SIX

GUEST SUITES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect place to lay your head at day’s end!

Rooms with views of nothing but Maine wood. Peace and quiet abound in the midst of Nature.

 

 

~All accommodations are ADA approved and accessible. We have an elevator for those who are unable to use the stairs.~

 

 

~ Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while…. Mark6:31 ~

 

~Each suite has its own large private bathroom.~

 

Comfy guest room large enough for a family!

 

 

ONE OF TWO GUIDES’ BUNK ROOMS

 

 

We caught one of our guides testing out his new bunk where he will be hanging his hat during hunting and fishing events with our guests.

 

~Large private bathrooms with each bunk room.~

 

Tom Orfe, another Vietnam veteran and Maine Guide whom you will find at many of the events volunteering.

 

 

 

 

 

Don Hessline and Mike Cox two volunteer guides for House in the Woods.

 

 

Dee and Paul House

~ In memory of SSgt. Joel House ~ 

 

 

Paul House, Daughter Joy and Grandson Eddie

Bill Emery and Luke House

Bill and Quie Emery

~ In memory of SSgt. Blair Emery~

 

~ In Memory of SSgt. Michael Leslie Severance ~

A resident of Lee, Maine, Mike Severance was a member of the 317th Airlift Maintenance Squadron as a flight crew chief, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mike was stationed at Dyess AF Base Abilene, TX when in 2005 he was tragically killed. As with Joel and Blair, Mike served  with honor and dedication to our country.

In a town as small as Lee, everyone knows everyone and the three combat warriors were friends. Mike’s older brother Frank is married to Blair Emery’s sister Betsy.

Mike Severance, His Father, Les Severance and Mike’s Son, Shane in 2004.

On The Lower Level

Archery Room

To help our veterans practice their skills of bow hunting, we have an indoor archery range. Soon to be filled with archery gear. Regulation size range for future competition events!

Rowing Room

Rowing machines loaned to HITW by U.S. Veteran’s Rowing & Kayaking of Connecticut for great cardio and upper body workout! The veterans organization was visiting the lodge in June. Pictures and editorial of their trip to House in the Woods will be included in the regular newsletter to follow within a couple of weeks.

Future plans for indoor rowing competition as a fundraiser! That should be a great time and an excellent workout!!

 

Additional physical equipment will be added in this large room for our guests’ use to get those endorphins pumping for the day’s events.

Row, row, row!!! Put your back into it boy!!

 

~ To Honor All Our Fallen Warriors ~

 

U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin presenting the American Flag to memorialize Joel House, Blair Emery and Michael Severance and all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. This flag has flown over our nation’s Capitol. Representative Poliquin stated; Freedom is not free. We do not have a country without Joel and all these other heroes who have fallen.

 

 

 

~ Gift  for House in the Woods ~

Neokraft Signs Inc. of Lewiston, Maine

Phil Bolduc, President of Neokraft Signs had an all-hands field trip to Lee to present donated signs to House in the Woods . Additionally Neokraft presented an ATV named aptly named Recovery I, to Paul and Dee House.

 

Installation of House in the Woods sign.

Lettering at the Ready to Be Installed

 

 

Job Complete

 

 

 

 

 

 

House in the Woods Logo Sign on Lodge

 

 

 

Awesome Crew of Neocraft Signs

ATV Recovery I will certainly be put to great use by guests and guides of House in the Woods.

Surprising Paul House with Recovery I.

Interior Signage

Also gifted by Neokraft Signs, each room throughout the lodge is numbered and named with lodge decor signs which are also lettered in braille for the sight impaired.

Just amazing!

 

Perfect Finishing Touch

 

 

 

 

 

House in the Woods has been so blessed to have amazing donations from local and nationwide companies and individuals. There is no way to tell you how deeply appreciative we are of each and every gift.

Our veterans and families as well as our active military and their families, as guests to the lodge, will be enjoying their stay in such beautiful, new and comfortable accommodations at no charge to them. And, our directors and volunteers have superb office space. We also have an amazing commercial kitchen and beautiful great room for all to gather for meals, presentations or meetings.

We invite you to read our previous newsletters found on this website under Military & Veterans tab. There you will find the amazing generosity of many of the wonderful gifts donated to the completion of our lodge and many of the annual recreational events that take place.

 

 

 

 

In appreciation to Jean Hanington for sharing many of the photographs posted in this special, celebration newsletter. She captured such special moments!!Sheldon and Jean Hanington

 

 

Brenda Everson~Shaw

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda Everson~Shaw and Granddaughter Marissa

We ask the you always remember those who have given their lives since the American Revolution and support our young men and women who currently serve our country.