Stikes Holler

Driving by this location as we headed home today, I was amazed that these homes survived Helene. They have always looked like they are going to fall down the holler at any time.

I had seen a story months ago about a woman along with her 3 teenage sons and two friends had driven a couple of hours to come to this area to volunteer at whatever was needed to help. They stopped here when they saw the bridge to these homes was damaged. A local businessman going by saw them so he stopped. The bridge needed to be cleaned under of debris and many boards were damaged or gone. A complete rebuild. The woman made some contacts with her local lumber dealer, the man called in locals to help and the bridge was rebuilt in a few days. Free labor and materials. Five teenage boys helped with the work.

The people who live here are elderly. Mr Fred Stikes and his sister May and husband John. All over 80 years old. They have lived here all their lives. The article said Fred celebrated his 82nd birthday with a new bridge. It also said he walks that hill all the time.

None of these people knew each other but they came together for the good of others. America at its finest. You will never hear about this on the news.