House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat Lee, Maine

As you travel down Skunk Hill Road in Lee, Maine you will come upon our lodge, situated in the wood of Maine. This is where our veterans find respite, comradeship, peace and quiet and healing. Far enough from town and traffic where the only sounds you will hear are that of Nature and the beautiful, plentiful wildlife. This is sincerely where you can simply breathe…just breathe and put stress and anxiety behind you. 

HOUSE IN THE WOODS

Please keep in mind, all accommodations at the lodge and meals are FREE to all veterans, those currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and their families.

There’s a quality of life in Maine which is singular and unique. I think. It’s absolutely a world onto itself….. Jamie Wyeth

Thus can be said of the summer season in Maine. Residents welcome tourists to the lakes and rivers, campgrounds and mountains. Cabins are full…it may be difficult to find a rental in July if you hadn’t planned ahead. But don’t despair, do some research or grab a tent and find a campground. You will absolutely love it here! 

Business owners are fully staffed and all types of businesses are booming for fishing trips, campgrounds, restaurants where you find THE BEST lobster in our great Nation. Ice cream shops…everyone loves a cone in the summer…it’s a tradition!!

Many of our greatest American thinkers, men of the caliber of Thomas Jefferson, Henry Thoreau, Mark Twain, William James, and John Muir, have found the forest and effective stimulus to original thought….Bob Marshall

HUNTING AND FISHING AT HOUSE IN THE WOODS

Fishing

At House in the Woods we offer many events year-round for our veterans and active military. 

 

Fishing all year

 

Hunting 

 

 

Moose

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bird

 

 

 

Turkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bear

   

I absolutely love how quadruple amputee SSG Travis Mills describes the wounded veteran; RECALIBRATED SOLDIER.

Deanna House with Travis Mills.

I am NOT wounded. I WAS wounded – NOW I am a recalibrated soldier.

SSG Travis Mills

 

RECREATION AT HOUSE IN THE WOODS

We have golf scrambles, cornhole tournaments, indoor rowing competition, fly fishing instruction, etc…

 

Golfing

 

 

 

 

Fun Competion

 

 

Competition Rowing 

 

 

 

 

Lobster boil at the lodge

 

 

Family fun ice fishing derby

 

 

 

Recreation with all the guests at House in the Woods always ends up with hours of laughter, great stories and new friendships which have developed that last a lifetime.

You will see what we mean when we say, your visit to Maine as a guest at one of our events will be an experience you will never forget. Be sure to apply early if you are interested in attending an event posted on our website. Click link below.

HOUSE IN THE WOODS

Below is back of the Marindale Country Club Golf Scramble brochure which lists all the sponsors of the Golf Scramble.

Deanna House shares: I can’t thank our Martindale Golf Tournament committee and sponsors enough for the awesome job they do putting together this event. Here is the back of our flyer with the names of sponsors. Also Charlie’s Chevrolet Sponsored a New Chevy Cruze  and L-A Harley Davidson Sponsored a Street Glide. Prizes that were for a winner of a hole~in~one, but sadly there was none this year. 

There was a mistake in our great photographer’s name who was Dave Perlman. 

Also thank you to Minuteman Press in South Portland for our sponsor and sign up flyers and Curry Printing in Auburn for our event Schedule flyer.

All the teams who played this year gets DIBS on being in the Scramble in 2019 on May 20th at Martindale Country Club. Our committee will start building the list now so if you know you will be back please advise.

Thank you again for all the support that is being given to House in the Woods and we would like to invite all that can come to Lee to stop in and visit the Lodge.  Any Active Duty or Vets should look into taking part in one of the HITW activities.

 We Have A New College Intern at House in the Woods

 

Monica with her great catch at Lake Ontario fishing trip. 

Monica Buffington is a student from Conneticut studying at Unity College in Unity, Maine . Monica’s major is Adventure Therapy and Adventure Based Environmental Education. She is helping Paul House with trail grooming, bear bait preparation, and summer activities. 

Monica shares: I had been researching different organizations and programs to see where I would fit. One goal that I always had in mind when I was looking into my majors was to be able to travel with my job, stay active in the outdoors, and give back to the military. While I was looking for an internship I created an email introducing myself and my military background, sharing a little about why I am pursuing the avenue that I am. Dee House replied to me fairly quickly and invited me to come to the lodge last fall. I came up for a visit and it just seemed like the perfect fit. I grew up in a hunting family so I knew that I’d have some hunting expeditions as well.

 

I was born into a military family, my father served in the Air Force for 22 years and he retired just before I started high school. I grew up overseas beginning at age 5 years, spending five years in Germany living off base but attending  school in a DoDEA school system and three years in Okinawa living on base at Camp Shields. My first time back in the United States was eighth grade. Around 2010 my dad got new orders to come back state side where he was stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. This was a hard transition for me because I wasn’t military community anymore and I didn’t really feel like home. We spent 11 months there until my Dad retired.

After high school I felt like it was time to move so when I was searching for colleges I was looking out of state and I found Unity through my uncle who had known about the college.

I saw how the military was being treated and at that time all I was hearing was bad so I wanted to give back. I had so many wonderful experiences living in a military community. I couldn’t bring myself to sign on but I wanted to give back somehow. That’s why I chose the two majors I did because it met my goals for what I wanted to do with career.

Monica is also assisting Deanna House with the business end of running a nonprofit. Welcome Monica!!!!

Colt, Monica’s dog, is teaching her how to navigate the waters of Maine!

 

 

 

HOUSE IN THE WOODS

Kennebec River Striper Fishing Trip

Bath, Maine Fishing with Capt. Forrest Faulkingham

July 18th~19th We Had a Blast!!

Five Veterans joined Paul and Deanna House and Monica Buffington on a half day fishing trip on the Kennebec. We arrived the afternoon before, enjoying rest and feast at local establishments!!

 

Striper fishing with Maine Saltwater Outfitters owned by Capt. Forrest Faulkingham. The Kennebec River runs past the Bath Iron Works shipbuilding center, then to the Gulf of Maine in the Atlantic.

Capt. Forrest Faulkingham at the helm with Paul House at the ready to do some fishing!!!

Great food. Generous owners who love all veterans.

Veterans and boat captains well~fed and ready to go fishing. Thank you to the New Brunswick sandwich shop, Oaks & Maple cafe for feeding our crew and giving us T-Shirts.

 

Lets do some fishing!

Left to right: Mike Schmidt, Paul Wade, Chris Dwinal.

Thank you to Capt Forrest Faulkingham and Capt. Jay Ferris. Capt.Chris Dwinal, a friend of House in the Woods, also offered up his boat to help us out with those who were on our fishing trip. All such great men who truly love our veterans and active military.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Schmidt and Bennett Dwinal.

 

Jim Myers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim appreciates his catch!

 

 

Jim Myers shares: Just got home from my fishing trip with House in The Woods. Had a great time and managed to catch 3 Stripers none were keepers but very fun to catch, one of the Veterans caught a 31” Striper. Most of all I enjoyed bonding with other Veterans! It was truly an honor to be able to go and I thank Paul and Deanna House of House in The Woods for a well organized trip and for giving me this opportunity I truly enjoyed it !! Hope next time our son will be able to go if he can get the time off. I was truly amazed of all the volunteer work that goes into one of these trips and all the generous people that helped with the trip!

 

 

Look where Jesus went to pick people. He didn’t go to colleges…he got guys off the fishing docks….Jeff Foxworthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbo gets his treat from Paul waiting to find the stripers.

And wants you to know…he can track ANYTHING!!!

 

 

 

 

Monica Buffington with her dog Colt and Helana Lake a veteran.

 

 

When Monica returns to Unity College this fall Colt will start Emotional Support Animal training at a class at Unity. He’s only 10 months old. She’s working with him this summer, so he went fishing with Turbo for some on the job training!

 

 

Jason (Jay) Farris, Registered Master Maine Guide & USC Master Level Captain.

Jay Farris is an Army veteran who is from Maine and is highly experienced on the water and as a hunting and fishing guide. A many who truly loves and respects nature and helping people to just have fun in either venue. We had such a great day with Jay who knows where the great catch are!

Paul LaBreque with his beautiful catch!

 

 

 

Monica with another great day of fishing!!

Monica shares: I had an amazing time on my trip with Captain Jay, he was very accommodating and welcomed me and my group. He donated a trip out to veterans with House in The Woods and we all had a lot of fun fishing for Mackerel and Stripers. I highly recommend fishing with Maine Experience Guide Service!!

Sharing the fun of fishing turns strangers into friends in a few hours. Whether you sit with native fishermen in their boat and fish with nets and lines or dive under the sea with them – they will lead you to the haunts of the specimens you desire and you could not find yourself in safer and more enjoyable company.…..Eugene Clark

 

A great big thank you to Hampton Inn of Bath for their generosity of providing rooms for this event! They continue to support House in the Woods during fishing excursions to Bath.

 

Hampton Inn Bath Maine

Rocky Knoll Country Club Tournament Orrington, Maine

August 4th

Join us for a great day of golf and help support House in the Woods.

Saturday, August 4, 2018 
8:00 registration 9:00 a.m. shotgun start (rain or shine)
$60 per player $240 per foursome

 

$15000 Hole In One Prize

We are in need of hole sponsors, door prizes and players for this awesome event, we want at least 18 teams or more, we can make this work!

The course is in the best condition ever!!

$60/player $240/team includes 18 holes w/cart, meal after the tournament, pins, plus..

The sponsor forms can be copied and pasted at site below:

 Sponsorship Form

Or leave a message at the club house 207/989-0109

To sponsor, please make checks payable to Rocky Knoll Golf Course and mail check and form to Rocky Knoll Golf Course, 94 River Road, Orrington Maine 04474

Sponsored by Friends of HITW

Level One: Includes tournament entry for four players and tee signage … $300
Level Two: Tee signage … $100
Please select the sponsorship level desired and complete the form below
Level One – $300
Level Two – $100

Make check Payable to Tom Bryant and mail to 562 Copeland Hill Road, Holden, Maine 04429 cell (207) 659-1722
*Email logos to Rockyknollcc@rocketmail.com

House In The Woods Golf Tournament 

 

It’s not too late to step up to support and honor our veterans! Are you an avid golfer who wants to step up to sponsor? Are you a business that often takes clients for “golf meetings”? We know many deals are sealed “on the green”!!

Perhaps you can seal this deal of sponsoring a portion of the tournament.

This 18-hole golf course offers beautiful views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level.

Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Rocky Knoll, difficult yet friendly, laid out over more than 140 scenic acres in Orrington, Maine.

Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots….but you have to play the ball where it lies….Bobby Jones

Motorcycle Groups To Visit HITW

August 11th Millinocket American Legion Riders Post #80 Motorcycle Ride

Millinocket American Legion Riders Post #80 has been a staunch supporter of House in the Woods. We love these men and women who support and  who fully understand the mission of our nonprofit for veterans. All who proudly stand up for our country and 

 American Legion Riders chapters are well known for their charitable work, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children’s hospitals, schools, veterans homes, severely wounded service members and scholarships.

 

August 18th Combat Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association of Bangor, Maine

Motorcycle Ride starts in Newport.  Proceeds will be in support of House in the Woods. Always a fun time with this great group of riders.

Combat Motorcycle Riders is Association of Combat Veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. Their mission now is to support and defend those who have defended our country and our freedoms.

The CVMA is committed to welcoming home Combat Vets of all our wars and remembering those who are still not home yet. They are a fellowship of veterans, and those who support our veterans, not a motorcycle club.  If you are a Combat Vet and ride a motorcycle over 500 cc as a hobby you are eligible for membership in the CVMA.

CVMA sponsor and/or participate in many motorcycle-related charity events each year, and as a 501(c) non-profit organization, they donate to various Veteran care facilities and Veteran charities.

 

Dee House with Combat Veterans Motorcycle Riders previous years.

August 25th at House in the Woods Lodge

Rain or Shine…it will be loads of fun no matter what Mother Nature serves up for the day!

 Hosted by Airline ATV Club, several ATV clubs have been invited, coming from different directions, to join in on the fun.  There are designated trails, often the back roads are part of the trails, ending at HITW lodge in Lee.

We will do an optional ride around I.P. Road that could include some of the bear hunter veterans coming in that day.

 

 

There will be a catered lunch by Swamp Yankee Barbecue for additional fee.

 

 

August 25th ~ September 1st, 2018

Week One Black Bear Hunt

 

One of our most popular and large-group attendance is Black Bear Hunting.

A full week of hunting the elusive black bear, often seen but sly enough to be just out of range at times to the most seasoned hunter. Skill, patience and a great experienced Maine Guide are all necessary to harvest the black beauty. 

This is How It’s Done; When There’s a Need The Generous Spirit Kicks In

 

 House in the Woods 2017 Black Bear Hunt

 

September 1st ~ September 8th: Second week of Black Bear Hunt 

 

 

 

 

September 8th ~ September 15th:  Third week of Black Bear Hunt 

 

 

Yes, women do hunt Black Bear with House in the Woods

 

 

 

Sherry received the first place trophy for the largest bear harvested during the second week of black bear hunting 2017.

The real heroes are the soldiers and retired military I am honored to be here with! They are the ones who have made this truly a hunt of a lifetime! It was an awesome time! Yes, I got my bear but the friends we made was the highlight of the trip! Sherry Gooding, South Carolina

 

Steve won week-one Big Bear Trophy for largest bear harvest 2017.                     (No this is not his bear!! )

 

But THIS is his bear!

Steve shares: Best hunt ever!! Thank you so much Paul. Your hospitality is amazing. You have the best people working around the clock to make things happen!! This is truly a piece of heaven on earth. AMAZING TIME!!!…. Steven Holden, US Army, Medic, Retired

 

 

 

 

Jared Nolan Feldman, US Army, harvested his black bear and had it uniquely mounted! !

 

 

Jared shares: Had a hunt of a lifetime with an organization that helps our wounded veterans…”House in the Woods” Thank you Paul House and the Dallis family for making this happen!

Thanks to your generosity, we are able to provide FREE outdoor retreats to our service members and their families. Your contribution and support may change, or save, a veteran’s life.  Get involved today.

If you would like to sponsor an event for a veteran who may not be able to afford it, simply visit House in the Woods at link below.

House in the Woods

Sponsoring a vet for such an event is a gift they will cherish for a lifetime.

 

Feeding The Troops

Last year for the three weeks of bear hunting the meal count was as follows:

Daily: 30 people, 3 times per day for 3 weeks. That’s 90 meals a day times 21 days which is almost 1900 meals. Extra people join in on Sundays for which House in the Woods safely plans for a total of 2000 meals!

Each of these meals are served by volunteers both local and some who are from far away. Donations are from local residents and a business owners alike. Plus we receive monetary donations specifically for the meals during bear hunt weeks.

This year we will be welcoming over 40 veterans and 20 guides over a three week long Bear Hunt with House in the Woods. 

Farleen Smith is our New Volunteer Event Coordinator for this year’s Black Bear Hunt. She is working with Jessica Cloukey who did an amazing job in previous years of coordinating our large network of kitchen volunteers. Farleen has already proven her skill with organizing the kitchen and food for previous events: the 2017 Thanksgiving Dinner, 2018 Winter Skill Retreat, 2018 Volunteer Trainings, 2018 Maine Guides Courses, and a few smaller events. Farleen is retired from the U.S. Army and lives in Lee with her husband, House in the Woods Volunteer Hunting Guide Dean Smith.

Farleen Smith

 

 

Jessica Young~Cloukey (r) and Kim Lee

 

 

 

 

None of this would be possible without the numerous local volunteers who always seem to jump at the chance to help with many of the events.

 

As always, monetary donations to cover the perishable foods during the week are greatly appreciated also. Those can be mailed to Machias Savings Bank Attn:Jessica Cloukey PO Box 7 Lincoln, Me 04457

If anyone from away wants to order from Walmart.com they can ship to the Lincoln store for pick up or through Amazon to 248 Lee Rd Lincoln, ME 04457. Local donations can be dropped off at Machias Savings Bank.

Earlier This Month We Celebrated and We Trained

We hope you had a wonderful 4th of July with family and friends as you celebrated our Nation’s Independence Day. The 4th is one of the many  milestones Americans celebrate with festivities such as  watching fireworks and parades or family gatherings and barbecues. 

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.

In the days that seemed to fly by for the long weekend we hope you took a moment to thank those who are active military and any veterans you may have seen during the 4th. Without courageous men and women our Independence Day would be nonexistent. Today’s soldier continues to serve us all providing our freedom and liberties.

The soldier of 1776

The soldier of today

Becky Saulnier, Former Petroleum Supply Specialist at 92F, United States Army shares: I Love Independence Day! Not just because of it being my birthday, parade, fireworks and BBQ. Those things are great however, we would not be celebrating had others not been fighting for our Independence from the Crown. Something that has always stuck with me ever since I was in the military is the “Soldiers Creed”. The second to last verse of that is “I’m a Guardian of Freedom and the American Way of Life”. I take great pride in that Creed and in my Country. Happy Birthday America We Love You!

Veterans Guide School

July 13th~ 16th Three days of Registered Maine Guide School

 

 

Jim Neville of Jim Neville Outdoors held a three day free to Maine Veterans course, at House in the Woods, instructing fifteen veterans to become licensed as a Registered Maine Guide.

Jim Neville Outdoors 

 

Jim often guides for events held at our lodge.  He’s a true friend and great supporter of our mission. 

Editor’s Note: I’ve had the opportunity to meet Jim a couple of times when visiting HITW. He shared his “story” with me which you will find in the September 22, 2017 Black Bear Hunt newsletter, written by Jim himself. Take the time to read it. He’s an outstanding Marine veteran. You will also enjoy reading his blog on his website. He is also a very talented writer. I love reading is work. 

Jim Neville Outdoors 

Guide means any person who receives any form of remuneration for his services in accompanying or assisting any person in the fields, forests or on the waters or ice within the jurisdiction of the State (Maine) while hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, snowmobiling, using and all-terrain vehicle or camping at a primitive camping area…..Jim does all that and more!!

 

 

 

John Robertson, a Marine veteran and firefighter/paramedic for Augusta who also took the Maine Guide course, volunteered to teach the first aid certification to the other students.

 

 

 

Paul House with John Robertson. Is this a fish story??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mapping Course 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any one of these “students” will make an excellent Maine Guide.

 

 

 

 

Great group of future Maine Guides!

Thank you Jim Neville Outdoors for giving back to the Veteran Community and helping make a difference!

Becky Saulnier shares: Spent the past couple of days at this amazing facility! With my Registered Maine Guide test approaching I decided to take the opportunity to sit down with some truly awesome people and refresh the ol’ brain. It is always great to be around other Veterans. I’m also thankful for those who are not Veterans but dedicate there time and energy and resources into helping Veterans. We all have our own path. How we navigate that path is up to us. If you are a Veteran who loves to hunt or fish you should contact House in the Woods! If you are interested in volunteering they can always use the help (hunting or fishing is not required…it’s just fun). They have plenty of work to be done and I know they could use the extra hands. I look forward to getting back there very soon to give them a hand and help out. If you are not sure how to help but want to, contact Paul and he will let you know what they need. Thank you Jim Neville for offering an amazing opportunity. Thank you Paul House and Deanna House for creating such an amazing non-profit and a way to help with healing. Their story hits close to home for me and I’m sure many others feel the same. I also would like to say thank you to all of the volunteers for the time and dedication they put in. It means so much to so many!

Clint Richardson shares:

It’s been a challenging couple months but it’s paid off!!!! I’m now officially a Registered Maine Guide!!!!!! I can’t thank Jim Neville and Paul House enough for putting on the course and helping me make this dream come true!!!!!

 

 

Gifts to House in the Woods

Dee and Nancy Lothrop traveled to East Madison where the local Quilts of Valor chapter presented HITW with a beautiful quilt. The quilt has log cabins and pine trees in an American colored pattern. Marlene Brooks, who sewed the quilt, also explained that there are several hand-stitched images to find in the pattern such as canoes and bears. The quilting chapter also presented 5 area veterans with hand sewn quilts.

Nancy Lothrop at the Madison Fire Department where Quilts of Valor presented the gorgeous quilt to House in the Woods.

Thank you to Debbie Freeman, Ed Davis, and Jane Tannehill for presenting the proceeds of Debbie’s Mystery Barn sale.

Request for Pictures and Testimonies

 

Editor’s Request: 

As the creator of the monthly newsletter for House in the Woods I am wondering if you, as a reader, can be of assistance to me.

Are you a veteran who has attended any of our events in the past 4 years? Are you a volunteer who lends a hand all the time or even once in a while? Are you a visitor who heard about House in the Woods and came to visit the gorgeous lodge?  

You usually find my request of “please share” when I publish the newsletter. It is through this sharing that the word spreads and that is another way you can…and have…helped!! From increased readership stems the increased number of attendees to HITW events, which helps to increase sponsors to the great cause for our veterans.

I am in need of the following:

pictures/videos: do you any pictures and/or videos of a House in the Woods event you attended as a veteran, visitor or volunteer?

testimonies: can you share any type of testimony which speaks of your experience while at HITW, whether it was a day or a week or if you return annually for an event. 

As a writer I depend on both aspects to spread the word. The testimonies paint a picture with words so readers can learn exactly what HITW has meant to you. Incorporating more visual elements such as images and videos help to make the testimony more engaging and to show the readers that it is coming from an actual person. 

As our readership of the monthly newsletter grows, you will find each month pictures and testimonies (some long, some a few sentences) which help the reader assimilate with the news and events we are sharing. All of this is provided to me through research and my asking for material to share from gracious contributors who are happy to be of assistance.

I am certain that there are many more pictures out there and I would sincerely appreciate receiving them along with the description of the event and the date in which you attended.

Sincerely……..Thank you in advance for your pictures and testimonies. Please send them to my email address: bfe1948@yahoo.com or find me on Face Book and send me a private message.

Brenda Everson~Shaw and Marissa, one of her five granddaughters!

House in the Woods Mission:

The House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat’s Mission is 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.

 

 

Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high pressure of modern life, a means of regaining serenity and equilibrium.…Sigurd F. Olson