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By Kate Daly | Special to the Almanac
Two red-letter dates mark Marie and Bob Holmes’ calendar: Sept. 11, the day lightning struck and exploded a redwood tree, sending large spear-like splinters through their roof and laundry room, making their Woodside house uninhabitable; and Nov. 13, when Alice’s Restaurant in Skylonda is hosting a fundraiser to cover the repairs the couple can’t afford.
For now they are staying with a friend in Redwood City, feeling lucky to have walked away in a daze with only minor injuries, and grateful for the outpouring of help from their neighbors on and around Big Tree Way.
Jen McCabe and her husband arrived on the scene shortly after the lightning strike. “I saw something hit the power line and heard sounds,” she said.
Lightning that night caused the Skeggs fire that consumed 50 acres not far from the area.
Marie Holmes has lived in the house since since 1947, when she was a baby and her mother taught at La Honda and then at Kings Mountain schools. Over the years, she said, she has done housekeeping and housesitting for many, taking care of “horses, goats, an iguana and a box turtle.”
Now her home has caution tape around it and a yellow San Mateo County Building Department tag affixed to the front door. “I feel like the people in Napa,” she said, overwhelmed with emotion.
Some of the tree debris has been carted off and tarps are covering holes in the house, but glass is still scattered around the site. The initial cleanup effort is funded thanks to neighbor Serena Hanes, who set up a donation page online. So far about $7,000 has been raised.
Go to is.gd/Holmes22 to see the donation page online.
Neighbor Mike Johnson, a general contractor who went to school with Marie Holmes, has offered his professional services and figures it’ll take a lot more money to get the house fixed. So the goal for the fundraiser is $75,000.
Jamie Kerr lives nearby and co-owns Alice’s Restaurant, a hub for the Skyline community. Neighbors met there and hatched fundraising plans.
On Monday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. the restaurant will serve a traditional Italian sit-down dinner with spaghetti, vegetarian options, salad, garlic bread and wine. Diners can pay whatever they wish and all proceeds will go toward the Holmes’ project.
Marie Holmes may have no family to turn to, but as a longtime resident in the area has made plenty of friends, including Mr. Kerr. “We want Marie to be in her own home; that’s all she has, (and) she has everybody up here,” he said.
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A redwood tree pierced through the Holmes’ roof. (Photo by Kate Daly.) -
Marie and Bob Holmes are displaced and relying on support from the community. (Photo by Kate Daly.) -
Neighbor Jen McCabe observes damage at the home of Marie and Bob Holmes on Big Tree Way in Woodside. (Photo by Kate Daly.) -
A redwood tree, struck by lightning, pierced through the Holmes’ roof in Woodside. (YouCaring.com.)
Hi Marie and Bob, Marie hope your foot and hand are healing up. That was very scary! We all heard the loud boom and crack and just froze in our house waiting to hear where the tree would go down, very scary, did not know which way to run. Could have been any one of us. So sorry but glad you were not seriously hurt. Will see you at the fundraiser. Best, Denise