12/09/2024
Our home and shop are located up several miles of gravel roads on top of a mountain. In the immediate aftermath of Helene, we, along with ~30 neighbors, were trapped up here on the mountain as the roads were completely destroyed by landslides and flooding. We were without power, internet, or cell signal for weeks.
One of our neighbors, Ted, had very recently moved to the mountain and had not had a chance to meet most of the neighbors. Even though we were strangers, he offered up use of his Starlink internet connection powered by solar generator and kept it running 24/7. Neighbors hiked to "Ted's Internet Cafe" at all hours of the of day and night to connect to his wifi and each other. The "cafe" quickly became a gathering point for our community where we met to share news, swap supplies, and socialize. Ted has an adorable beagle puppy who was overjoyed at the new friends he made, and brought so much light and joy to some very uncertain days.
We made this plaque out of walnut as a thank you to Ted for his generosity, and to commemorate the importance of the gathering place that he offered up to the community. The neighbors don't gather at the "cafe" now that we all have cell signal and internet service restored, but our shared memories and community bonds formed at the "cafe" will never leave us 💕 Thank you so much to our Ted, and to all the "Teds" whose selflessness helped their communities navigate and survive a crisis.
