August 11, 2025 • 34 mins
Fairmont City Manager Travis Blosser on FEMA locations in Marion County
Trellis Smith from the Modern Homestead on the Monticello-Inspired Dinner with Peter J. Hatch
Just Jamoe on her annual Camping for Canines event
Trellis Smith from the Modern Homestead on the Monticello-Inspired Dinner with Peter J. Hatch
Just Jamoe on her annual Camping for Canines event
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Kluksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two five five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
A good Monday morning, fair skies and seventy three degrees
in the University City Metro Newszaki Weather says today we've
got a nice one, but who here comes the heat,
Sonny and I have eighty nine degrees today. Welcome to
Talk of the Town. I'm Mike Nolting and you'll find
me out on X as your news guy. We'd love
(00:47):
to hear from you throughout the course of the program today.
We've got a text line. That number is three oh
four Talk three oh four. Sofia Wasik is our producer
today and you'll be able to get Sophia at eight
hundred seven six five eight two five five. This morning,
we're going to spend a few minutes with Fairmount City
(01:07):
Manager Travis Blosser. We're gonna be going into some detail
about the FEMA locations that are now set up in
order to process those disaster claims. We also have Trellis
Smith in the studio today. We're going to talk about
an upcoming dinner that he'll be hosting. And then at
(01:28):
nine point forty, I've got just Jamie from WVAQ and
we're gonna be talking about camping for canines. That's the lineup.
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines and
then get the show started. The contractors expected to return
to the Walnut Street scape project in downtown Morgantown soon.
Contractor pulled off the job when vaults were encountered under
(01:51):
the sidewalks. Mayor Danielle Trumbull says they're expected to resume
work on or about the fifteenth of this month. It
looks like Walnut Street will be a construction zone when
classes start for the fall semester at WVU, other clocks
running out on summer vacation. As a matter of fact,
(02:12):
this is the final week off before classes start for
mont County students. First day of classes for them is
one week from tomorrow, and taking a look at the
WVU calendar, student move in begins on the fourteenth, registration
for classes on the eighteenth, and the first day of
(02:35):
classes for the fall semester at WVU is coming up
on the twentieth and just program note coming up on Wednesday,
I believe it is. We'll welcome a representative from WVU
to talk about Welcome Week That just around a corner.
(02:55):
When we come back, we're gonna kick the show off
with Fairmont City Manager Travis Blosser. We're going to go
into some detail about the FEMA locations that are set
up there. It's next on top of the town AM
fourteen forty f M one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Well, good Monday morning. It is nine seventeen fair skies
and seventy three degrees in the University city. As a
result of torrential rains over Father's Day weekend. Governor President
Trump has issued a major disaster declaration for the folks
in Marion and Ohio counties. On the phone, we've got
(03:43):
Fairmont City Manager Travis Blosser. Travis, thank you for your time,
and good morning.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Good morning Mike.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
How are you hey, I'm doing pretty good. Thank you. Travis.
Give us the latest on FEMA's presence in your city.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah, So, FEMA has moed uh every resource uh that
that I could think of in terms of manpower here
in the City of Fairmont as well as surrounding areas
here in Marion County. And so I know that, you know,
we took some time getting the main disaster recovery center
(04:19):
up and running. There were some some hurdles between us
and the state that we had to work through with FEMA.
Those were you know, everybody was working around the clock
to get that done. It took a couple of days,
but that finally got completed and that facility is now
open and has been open at our Public Safety building.
But FEMA had also while that was going on, had
(04:39):
pop pop locations and extended time periods of those, and
now we're we're rolling out those pop up locations across
uh this section of Marion County and Fairmont, Manonga and
Pleasant Valley. Really appreciate the City of Pleasant Valley and
the Town of Manonga coordinating with us their facilities and
making those of itvailable for pop up centers. And those
(05:02):
pop up centers aren't just for Pleasant Valley residents or
Manonga residents. Those are available for any Marion County resident
that was impacted. Can visit those sites and get the
aid or questions answered and begin that process of starting
to get aid.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Fremont City Manager Travis blossers with us. Travis, what are
the hours of operation not only for the pop up
locations but also at the Public Safety Building.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
So the Public Safety Building, the main disaster recovery center
Monday through Saturday, is open ten am to six pm.
And then the pop up locations have extended hours, and
so those pop up locations operate from seven am to
seven pm. And I would direct people to Tvunitedway dot
(05:53):
org forwards slash flood and they can see the dates
for those pop up locations as there at different times.
We also are expecting pop up locations. We've seen them
at recently at the Whitehall farmers Market that occurred. They're
going to be at the Hometown Market the Tomato Festival
here on Monroe Street on the sixteenth this Saturday. So
(06:16):
again they are trying to make sure they get out
at two events as well, just in case somebody is
there and has a question. But these pop up locations
have extended hours for folks seven am to seven pm.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Fairmont City Manager Travis blossers with us and Travis help
us understand maybe what is available for people, because we've
heard about the cleaning allowance and there have been a
press release from Workforce Development and then you've got the
SBA and then FEMUS. So can you kind of sort
(06:49):
all that out for us?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yeah, So for anyone going through this, especially if you're
someone who's been impacted, it can feel like an onslaught
of aid. Now that it's also a good and bad thing.
You know, it's a good thing that that all that
aid is available, but it's also trying to walk through
what should you go after. The big thing that that
that I have to say to folks is going through
(07:13):
any of this process, especially when they're submitting for that
FEMA Individual Assistance, so that that is one of the
main things available. It takes time. You may get denied
on your first approach of it. Do not get discouraged.
You need to go through the appeal processes through FEMA.
And every person I have talked to that has experienced
(07:33):
that deny I on the appeal process They've been approved
and the reason because is they've they've missed a document
or something like that. Some of these other pots of funding,
whether that's direct funding from the United Way from their
flood assistance program of five hundred dollars, whether that's the
cleaning money through the Governor's office, those different aid pots
(07:53):
are a little a little less strenuous in terms of
the application process, but I would tell folks you can
see all of those different aid packages the Tigert Value
United Way, you know, and Brett White couldn't join us
this morning, but I know that that they have been
extremely active and trying to make sure all of those
resources are kept in one location. And that's why I
(08:15):
would really encourage folks if they've got questions about what
assistance is available, what should I apply for, you know,
go to TV Unitedway, dot org forward slash flood and
we've been working with them to make sure that that
website is updated consistently with information. And I would also
tell folks when they're going through that Federal assistance pod
(08:36):
that they should apply for both FEMA as well as SBA. Now,
SBA will not be giving direct individual assistance like FEMA does,
but they do have very low interest loans and so
if you can't get all the resources you need through
FEMA through the individual assistance, there may be an opportunity
that you can also get that through SBA, and SBA
(08:57):
funding is not just for businesses in these disaster relate
at incidents. You know, we know folks through flash flooding,
lost cars. They can give two percent interest rates on
vehicles and things of that nature. And anyone who's been
out buying a new car recently, you're not getting two
percent interest on the regular market. So they are offering
(09:19):
these types of incentives to help folks and aid them
and getting them to recovery.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Now, for the people that have been denied, is there
maybe one or two common threads that we could pass
on to others to help them maybe avoid that.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Yeah, documentation and you know, to be frank sometimes because
of the amount that you have to submit, you know,
you may miss something. What I would tell folks is
visit the staff members with FEMA that are located at
the main disaster recovery center at the Fairmount Public Safety Building.
(09:54):
Those folks can help you through that appeal process. And
also if you have and clicked fully submit, but you've
been uploading things but you got questions, go visit with them.
That's what that staff is there for. They want to
assist folks, they want to make sure folks are getting
the aid that they that they need, So go up
there visit with them. They can walk through what were
(10:16):
what were some of the things you were missing. But
they can also help you as as you're submitting, so
that you make sure you get everything submitted correctly at
the first go round. But we've had a couple of
folks that have experienced denials because of inspectors out in
the field looking at damage based on those individual inspector assessments,
and I've seen those be appealed and ruled on the
(10:39):
citizen's behalf as well. So again, I would just really
really encourage people. I know it can be discouraging after
you go through everything to get a denial and then
think like, well, you know it's time to move on.
Don't move on. Appeal it go through the appeal processes.
That's what it's there for. It's just a it is
a process of documentation. But that is one of the
(11:00):
the key things that I would tell people. Pay attention
to the documentation that you need to submit and the
timeframes around those, and make sure that they get those submitted.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
And I would think that in this case that old
saying that a picture is worth a thousand words would
be applicable. Correct, correct, Okay, now what else in terms
of documentation, pictures obviously, receipts, what else, Travis.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Yeah, so they'll need to have the condition of their
damaged home. They also need to have insurance information if
it's available. They'll need to make sure they have their
Social Security number. They'll need to make sure they've got
an accurate phone number. And I can't impress upon this enough.
People can get denied when they receive phone calls from
FEMA if they don't answer those phone calls. Believe, in
(11:48):
most occasions, FEMA will reach out three times and if
they don't get that someone doesn't answer, then your application
can be denied just for that. So make sure you've
got the accurate number in the person that that needs
to be assigned to. But yeah, they need to make
sure they've got pictures of their damage. If their damage
was rather significant, and they need any type of you know,
(12:11):
construction related activity, they're going to need to make sure
that they get a quote from an area contractor. To
give a quote, that contractor is going to have to
respond to FEMA. So they need to make sure they've
got a good phone number. For that person and that
they they've gotten that quote submitted. But also make sure
that contractor understands when FEMA reaches out, they're going to
(12:33):
get three phone calls and if they don't hear back,
they're going to deny deny that application. So really contact
information if they've got more severe damage, getting those quotes
from those contractors is really important as well.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
How long will they be on the ground, Travis.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
So, FEMA staff the individual assistance is available up until
September twenty second. We are currently working with them to
keep FEMA on site as long as possible, but some
of that will come from based on the sheer numbers
of submittals. When do they feel that the main disaster
recovery center as well as these pop up locations. At
(13:13):
the moment, those conversations between US and the state have
not even occurred yet. I suspect we'll have those in
advance to let people know, hey, you know, here's when
these staff folks are going to be leaving the area.
But I think the state, through my conversations with them
as well as I know Governor Morrissey, has impressed upon
his team that they want to make sure those staffers
(13:35):
are available as long as necessary for our constituents, and
so we plan to work to keep them here. We've
given them these facilities and made space available for them,
and quite frankly, I'm prepared to let them have it
until the moment that the individual system's deadline runs up.
But we are seeing good numbers. We're seeing that the
(13:59):
numbers that we had of folks submitting for their initial
kind of numbers around their damage, which helped us get
this disaster assistance. We're seeing that the number of claim
submittals through the FEMA process kind of matching up with those,
and so that is a good sign that shows that
people are hearing the message. And hopefully folks who haven't
(14:21):
applied are hearing this message on the radio and they
understand they need to get out there and get started
in this process.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Okay, perfect, Now, one last thing, Travis, those office, can
you get in and out or is there long waits?
Tell us about that part.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Yeah, No, I think they're moving pretty quickly. The main
disaster assistance facility has a waiting room area in which
they try to shepherd people in and out. I don't
from my understanding checking in with those folks on the
regular they are not seeing long extended wait times. When
I've been up there, I've seen to be, frank, no
more than one person sitting in the waiting room. So
(14:58):
they are working pretty aggressively to get people in and out.
And the pop up locations the same way, they're working
to get people in and out. And we've also worked
very aggressively. You know, sometimes in these disasters, these folks
are located in spaces that are not the nicest of facilities.
Every one of these, whether it's a pop up location
or the main disaster assistance, is in an air conditioned building.
(15:20):
So if you've got to wait, it is a comfortable setting.
And so I don't want anyone to be discouraged or
just see somebody waiting, you know, take the opportunity to
wait and get your assistance filed.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
And answer your phone.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Yes, answer your phone.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
That's right, okay. Fairmount City Manager Travis Blosser, Travis, really
do appreciate your time today. Thank you very much. Thanks
Mike absolutely. The text line three oh four talk three
oh four. The texture brings up a very important issue,
and that would be the detour around the Holland Avenue
project in the city of Westover, now, I don't think
(16:00):
that that is really accessible by all vehicles, namely cars.
I was on that detour just about a week ago
and it's absolutely terrible. As a matter of fact, I
don't know why the contractor wouldn't just maybe run a
road grater over that and roll it just a little bit.
(16:22):
I think you'd make a lot of friends in the community.
And I really don't wouldn't understand why the city wouldn't
be out there asking the contractor to do that, because
when you go across, and when I went across, it
had been raining, so you really can't see how deep
some of those puddles are.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven to
sixty five eight. This is the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
A good Monday morning, and welcome back to the program.
The Modern Homestead in Reidsville certainly a very very interesting place.
You'll find them at forty one South Robert Stoneway in Reidsville.
And on the program today we have the event planner
organizer Tarlo Smith. Hey, good mornings, good morning, Thanks for
(17:26):
having me. Absolutely it's a pleasure to have you on
board here. Tell us a little bit about the Modern
Homestead if you would oh.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
Well, modern homestead. It started in nineteen eighty as Tatham's
Garden Center. We had a location not far from the
studio here in Saberton, but about fifteen years ago we
moved to Reidsville and there we have a seasonal greenhouse.
We have guest houses that are ail ail for weekly
and daily rentals. We also have an event space and
(17:55):
a little cafe.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
And coming up on November that's a Sunday from four
until seven pm, you've got a Monticello inspired dinner with
Peter J. Hatch. I guess first, tell us who mister
Hatch is.
Speaker 4 (18:14):
Peter Hatch. He's the former horticulturist for Monticello. He was
responsible for restoring all of the gardens. So when you
look at photos of Monticello now and you see that big,
beautiful vegetable garden that's about the size of three football fields,
he was responsible for putting it back together.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
And he is. What's his role in this particular event
coming up in November.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Well, he's going to be our special guest. He's going
to do a presentation about the restoration of the gardens
at Monticello and give us a lot of stories about
historic gardens and a lot of insight into Thomas Jefferson
and his affinity for plants, and he was very detailed oriented,
(18:59):
so he took lots and lots of notes. So it
was sort of a guidebook that Peter used along with
his staff to restore the gardens at Monticello.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Tell Us about the dinner.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
The dinner is really nice. It's going to be in
our event space. It's we call it the Rustic Church.
It was a building in Reidsville that was built in
the late eighteen hundred, so it's a rustic space, but
we'll have a set up banquet style and it's a
multiple course meal that's inspired by dishes that Thomas Jefferson
would have had, including macaroni pie, which was something that
(19:33):
he prided himself in and loved a lot.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
What is macaroni pie? Is it maybe modern day macaroni
and cheese.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
It's basically macaroni and cheese. He actually he had one
of his assistants have the mold for the macaroni pasta
sent to him so that he can make this dish
that he was really.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Just enamored over. Interesting, very interesting, now, trull Us. There
are always events going on at the modern Homestead. How
can we learn more about these events?
Speaker 4 (20:10):
Yes, you can visit our website at mod homestead dot com.
We have a listing of all of our upcoming cozy
dinners that are on Saturday. They are prefixed menu by
reservation at six o'clock. Those are really nice, good way
to enjoy a nice cozy meal with friends and family.
(20:32):
And then we also host a lot of other events
throughout the year, concerts and other specially themed dinners and
it's all on our website at mod homestead dot com.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Okay, perfect, Now we're talking specifically about the Monticello inspired
dinner with Peter J. Hatch that's coming up on Sunday,
November the second tickets you can get those at mod
homestead dot com as well.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
Yes, yes, tickets are available. You'll have some available. They're
going fast, so if you're interested, I would go ahead
and reserve. And it's also a great time just for like,
we have a few small groups coming that they're going
to enjoy the dinner together. It's going to be a
really nice time.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Now tell us about the cafe please.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
The cafe is open on the weekends Friday, Saturday and
Sunday from nine to four, we have a light lunch menu,
espresso bar and freshly baked pastries, and then on Saturday
nights we do our cozy dinners and it's by reservation.
The menu changes every week and we like to highlight
seasonal ingredients, so it's quite a treat.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
So what are some of the things that you're highlighting now?
Speaker 4 (21:45):
This month we're doing a Taste of Italy. So this
past weekend we had a short rip ragou that was
slow braised for about twelve hours. It was delicious, got
lots of compliments on that. Today this weekend we're gonna
have a shrimp and polenta inspired dish, and then at
(22:05):
the end of the month, we're going to do filets
with mushrooms, sauteta and marsala wine. So yeah, we're Taste
of Italy this month.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
That sounds great. Yeah, Now let's see looking ahead maybe October.
Have you planned that far ahead? Do you know what
you're going to be highlighting.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
Then as we get into cooler weather, which we're crossing
our fingers for, we're gonna continue with more dishes that
are hardy, seasonal things that are just you know, invoke
the flavor of the time of year. So there will
be lots of braises and lots of vegetables and just
(22:48):
lots of good things. But we'll have it all posted
on our website, and.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
That website is mod homestead dot com. And the event
that we're talking about is the Monticello inspired dinner with
Peter J. Hatch that's coming up on November the second.
So what about tickets. I mean, if you want to go,
you probably need to pull the trigger and get the
tickets before they're gone.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
Oh yeah, yeah, we have. The event is set for
fifty people and we're a little over half full now,
so in the next couple of weeks I would go
ahead and definitely reserve for it, and also keep an
eye out for our cozy dinners. There's if not available
to make it for November second. Also, Peter Hatch will
(23:34):
be here signing his book A Rich Piece of Rich
a Rich Soil. I'm sorry I fumbled that name a little,
but he'll be signing his latest book and it'll make
a really nice Christmas gift for any gardeners or plant
lovers on your list.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Okay, The Modern Homestead in Reidsville at forty one South
Robert Stone Way, trellis really do appreciate your time today.
Thank you absolutely. Right now, it is nine forty one.
Coming up next, we're going to welcome Just Jamie to
the program and we're going to be talking about camping
(24:16):
for Canines. It's coming up next on Talk of the
Town AM fourteen forty FM oneh four point five w
A j R.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
A good Monday morning. It is nine forty five in
the University City Fair sky seventy three degrees and Metro
Newsaki Weather says, got a nice day, but it's going
to be a warm one, sunny and high nearer ninety degrees.
Got Just Jamie with us this morning.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
Hey Jamie, good morning Mike.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
It's a pleasure. How are you doing well?
Speaker 5 (25:02):
Thanks doing well?
Speaker 4 (25:03):
Happy to be here.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
That's good.
Speaker 5 (25:04):
It's going to be a hot day.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Hey, let's just pitch the show to the dogs. What
do you say?
Speaker 5 (25:10):
Yeah, so I've got my fourth annual Camping for Caninees
event coming up on Thursday afternoon.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
And I don't know about you, but I can probably
hang around with dogs more so than people.
Speaker 5 (25:23):
Yeah, definitely, I am one of the same. I'm a
big lover of the dogs and the cats too. There's
a place for the cats.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 5 (25:30):
But the fundraiser is you know, a few years ago
I decided to camp out in a tent until I
could raise ten thousand dollars for Animal Friends in north
central West Virginia. And we started out in the sun
Christown Center and then got more support after that. I
finally got a great Bass Pro Shop tent that I've
been using year after year, and this year it's going
to be on Thursday, and the goal is fifteen thousand
(25:52):
dollars and I'm not leaving the tent until i raise it.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
So huh, and this is your fourth time around.
Speaker 4 (25:59):
That's right.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
Expect I'm going to be out at at Kendrick Family Ballpark,
home of the Black Bears, so I'll be out there
for its Bark at the Park night on Thursday. So
I will be there in a tent, and I'm hoping
everyone comes out and supports me and donates a dollar
or two. It's really a grassroots effort for fundraising.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
And I'll tell you what. The animal services groups in
this area, they certainly need your support. Lots of little
furry guys out there looking for home.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
Absolutely, and you know that neighbor you have that has
like five cats too many and then the neighbor die
is what happens to the cats. Animal Friends of North
Central West Virginia. You know what I mean. If you
find an injured dog and you want to do the
right thing, but maybe you can't afford the vet bills.
Animal Friends in north central West Virginia, they really do
a wonderful job taking care of the animals in the
community and they need the money more this year because
(26:49):
they are expanding their facility to take in more animals
than they're currently able to, so in order to fund that,
it really is a fundraising effort. They also have their
thrift shop to raise money. But so that's why this
is such an important thing for me, because they provide
Animal Friends provide such an important service to the community.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Jamie, how does it work? Can I just maybe stop
by give you a cheeseburger and a five.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
Dollar bill, that would be great. I'll take both of those.
Will also be on a Venmo PayPal. Yes, we take cash,
and that We'll be out there starting Thursday at around
three o'clock until I raise the money so I could
be there all weekend for all I know I'm hoping
not to be, so five dollars would be great, Mike,
I'll take it, okay.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Now, have you looked at the weather forecast? By a chance?
Speaker 5 (27:35):
I'm afraid too, because in the four years I've been
doing this, I've seen all the weather. I've seen the
rain holding down the tent from being blown away, A
scorching heat.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Is it bad? Uh? Yeah, you know what, I don't
think it's all that bad.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (27:50):
Just to get forty chance of showers on Thursday and
a high temperature of eighty four degrees. Thursday evening looks
like a nice one clear of sixty four and then Friday,
we know you'll be done by then, hopefully sunny and
I have eighty eight degrees.
Speaker 4 (28:08):
Not too bad.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Now.
Speaker 5 (28:09):
There have been years where I'm out there for three
days or so. I'm hoping that's not the case this time.
The folks at the ballpark, the bark and the Park
part of their ticket propost proceeds are going to be
going towards my total, and also Huntington Bank has helped
me out with some starting money as well, so we're
hoping to hit that fifteen thousand dollars pretty quick now.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Obviously you're going to be surrounded by dogs on Thursday,
but will you have any dogs with you later after
Bark in the Park is done.
Speaker 5 (28:38):
Yes, So there'll be adoptable pets on site. Animal Friends
will be there with some adoptable pets, cats and dogs typically,
So we'll be right there in front of the box office,
and really you can't miss us. We'll be there with
the Wvake boombox and I'll be broadcasting live with my
Bass Pro Shop tent, which you can't miss. It's a
weird site to see somebody camping in public, So I
(28:58):
hope everybody stuffed by a high and donates a dollar
or two.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
That's right now, Jamie. How important is it to adopt
rather than maybe buy a pet?
Speaker 5 (29:10):
Yeah, I mean it's hard because I don't want to
offend anyone. But in terms of breeders and things like that,
the thing is, there are so many wonderful pets that
are in these no kill shelters for no fault of
their own. It's not because there's anything wrong with these pets.
A lot of like right now, for example, there is
an influx of surrenders and low adoptions, and Animal Friends
(29:32):
is really struggling with that. A lot of times when
students leave, they go back home, they graduate, they leave
their pets here, which is just unimaginable for me. But
you gotta do what you gotta do. And Animal Friends
do provide that service of taking in the pets, getting
them flee tick coverage, getting them all their vaccines, neutering them,
all that, and getting them placed into a happy home.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
And I certainly didn't mean to disparage breeders or because
I know that people that sure pretty picky about their dogs. Yeah,
and that's cool, Yeah, we're all right with that. At
the same time, there are a large number of dogs
who who are really they were already somebody's best friend.
They're working for another.
Speaker 5 (30:15):
One absolutely, and you know, adopting a pet, or taking
in any pet really is a lifetime commitment for that pet.
But things happen.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
That's very, very true. Okay, you will be at the
Kendrick Family Ballpark beginning Thursday evening for camping with canines.
What time are you gonna set up camp?
Speaker 5 (30:33):
I should be there by three o'clock and I'm not
leaving that campsite until I raise fifteen thousand dollars, So
please come help me out, even if it's a dollar
or two. I sure appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
And don't forget the cheeseburgers.
Speaker 5 (30:45):
Yeah, I'll take it.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
Okay, Hey Jamie, thank you very much.
Speaker 5 (30:48):
Faith time, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
I appreciate it absolutely. Anytime. You take care of yourself.
Right now, faist guys and seventy three degrees. The University
City will be back to wrap things up up right
after this. On top of the town AM fourteen forty
FM one oh four point five w aj R.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Well, good Monday morning. They've got chicken dinners, crafts, bounce houses,
and games and you can read all about it at
Reidsville VFD dot org. It's the thirty eighth Annual Valley
District Fair. It's going on right now in Reidsville. Let's see,
the Sunday had the Ron Smith Memorial Car Show that
(31:46):
took place on the grounds on Sunday. Then we've got
a demolition derby coming up on the thirteenth, and then
the let's see that would be Wednesday will be Demolition
Derby Day parade coming up up on August the fourteenth,
and then the fifteenth, I'll have the mud bog at
seven pm. And then on the sixteenth they've got the
(32:08):
truck pulls at six pm. And also on the sixteenth
they'll have the Jack Forman memorial truck show. Now that
will get started at ten AA once again. That website
is Reidsville vfd dot org. The Valley District Fair, thirty
eighth Annual Valley District Fair is going on all week
(32:34):
this week. Also, don't forget the pop up Disaster centers
the pop up FEMA locations. Due to the Father's Day
flooding events that in Marion County, those centers are now
operational in Manonga and some of the other city's Pleasant
Valley as well, and they are open from seven am
(32:57):
to seven pm in order to process disaster claims from
victims of those Father's Day torrential rains and the subsequent
flash floods. Now As city Manager Blosser did tell us,
a lot of people are getting turned down on their
(33:17):
initial request or their initial application for a disaster relief.
His advice is to go back to the drawing board,
meet with the FEMA folks and figure out exactly what
it is they need and what it is your particular
application is lacking, because he says that most of the
(33:38):
situations are related to documentation or maybe a lack thereof,
possibly maybe a form is left out or Another thing
that he brought up that is important to remember is
that some of these disaster buckets or the money where
the disaster funds come from, there all have different rules.
(34:02):
Some might be a little bit more sticky than others,
and they do require just a little bit more documentation
and effort in order to get all that taken care of.
But those disaster centers, they will be up and running
for the foreseeable future. There has been no date set
(34:23):
to close those centers. Everybody, make it a great Monday.
Metro News talk line coming up next on the Voice
of Morgantown WAJR.
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Kluksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two five five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
A good Monday morning, fair skies and seventy three degrees
in the University City Metro Newszaki Weather says today we've
got a nice one, but who here comes the heat,
Sonny and I have eighty nine degrees today. Welcome to
Talk of the Town. I'm Mike Nolting and you'll find
me out on X as your news guy. We'd love
(00:47):
to hear from you throughout the course of the program today.
We've got a text line. That number is three oh
four Talk three oh four. Sofia Wasik is our producer
today and you'll be able to get Sophia at eight
hundred seven six five eight two five five. This morning,
we're going to spend a few minutes with Fairmount City
(01:07):
Manager Travis Blosser. We're gonna be going into some detail
about the FEMA locations that are now set up in
order to process those disaster claims. We also have Trellis
Smith in the studio today. We're going to talk about
an upcoming dinner that he'll be hosting. And then at
(01:28):
nine point forty, I've got just Jamie from WVAQ and
we're gonna be talking about camping for canines. That's the lineup.
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines and
then get the show started. The contractors expected to return
to the Walnut Street scape project in downtown Morgantown soon.
Contractor pulled off the job when vaults were encountered under
(01:51):
the sidewalks. Mayor Danielle Trumbull says they're expected to resume
work on or about the fifteenth of this month. It
looks like Walnut Street will be a construction zone when
classes start for the fall semester at WVU, other clocks
running out on summer vacation. As a matter of fact,
(02:12):
this is the final week off before classes start for
mont County students. First day of classes for them is
one week from tomorrow, and taking a look at the
WVU calendar, student move in begins on the fourteenth, registration
for classes on the eighteenth, and the first day of
(02:35):
classes for the fall semester at WVU is coming up
on the twentieth and just program note coming up on Wednesday,
I believe it is. We'll welcome a representative from WVU
to talk about Welcome Week That just around a corner.
(02:55):
When we come back, we're gonna kick the show off
with Fairmont City Manager Travis Blosser. We're going to go
into some detail about the FEMA locations that are set
up there. It's next on top of the town AM
fourteen forty f M one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Well, good Monday morning. It is nine seventeen fair skies
and seventy three degrees in the University city. As a
result of torrential rains over Father's Day weekend. Governor President
Trump has issued a major disaster declaration for the folks
in Marion and Ohio counties. On the phone, we've got
(03:43):
Fairmont City Manager Travis Blosser. Travis, thank you for your time,
and good morning.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Good morning Mike.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
How are you hey, I'm doing pretty good. Thank you. Travis.
Give us the latest on FEMA's presence in your city.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah, So, FEMA has moed uh every resource uh that
that I could think of in terms of manpower here
in the City of Fairmont as well as surrounding areas
here in Marion County. And so I know that, you know,
we took some time getting the main disaster recovery center
(04:19):
up and running. There were some some hurdles between us
and the state that we had to work through with FEMA.
Those were you know, everybody was working around the clock
to get that done. It took a couple of days,
but that finally got completed and that facility is now
open and has been open at our Public Safety building.
But FEMA had also while that was going on, had
(04:39):
pop pop locations and extended time periods of those, and
now we're we're rolling out those pop up locations across
uh this section of Marion County and Fairmont, Manonga and
Pleasant Valley. Really appreciate the City of Pleasant Valley and
the Town of Manonga coordinating with us their facilities and
making those of itvailable for pop up centers. And those
(05:02):
pop up centers aren't just for Pleasant Valley residents or
Manonga residents. Those are available for any Marion County resident
that was impacted. Can visit those sites and get the
aid or questions answered and begin that process of starting
to get aid.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Fremont City Manager Travis blossers with us. Travis, what are
the hours of operation not only for the pop up
locations but also at the Public Safety Building.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
So the Public Safety Building, the main disaster recovery center
Monday through Saturday, is open ten am to six pm.
And then the pop up locations have extended hours, and
so those pop up locations operate from seven am to
seven pm. And I would direct people to Tvunitedway dot
(05:53):
org forwards slash flood and they can see the dates
for those pop up locations as there at different times.
We also are expecting pop up locations. We've seen them
at recently at the Whitehall farmers Market that occurred. They're
going to be at the Hometown Market the Tomato Festival
here on Monroe Street on the sixteenth this Saturday. So
(06:16):
again they are trying to make sure they get out
at two events as well, just in case somebody is
there and has a question. But these pop up locations
have extended hours for folks seven am to seven pm.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Fairmont City Manager Travis blossers with us and Travis help
us understand maybe what is available for people, because we've
heard about the cleaning allowance and there have been a
press release from Workforce Development and then you've got the
SBA and then FEMUS. So can you kind of sort
(06:49):
all that out for us?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yeah, So for anyone going through this, especially if you're
someone who's been impacted, it can feel like an onslaught
of aid. Now that it's also a good and bad thing.
You know, it's a good thing that that all that
aid is available, but it's also trying to walk through
what should you go after. The big thing that that
that I have to say to folks is going through
(07:13):
any of this process, especially when they're submitting for that
FEMA Individual Assistance, so that that is one of the
main things available. It takes time. You may get denied
on your first approach of it. Do not get discouraged.
You need to go through the appeal processes through FEMA.
And every person I have talked to that has experienced
(07:33):
that deny I on the appeal process They've been approved
and the reason because is they've they've missed a document
or something like that. Some of these other pots of funding,
whether that's direct funding from the United Way from their
flood assistance program of five hundred dollars, whether that's the
cleaning money through the Governor's office, those different aid pots
(07:53):
are a little a little less strenuous in terms of
the application process, but I would tell folks you can
see all of those different aid packages the Tigert Value
United Way, you know, and Brett White couldn't join us
this morning, but I know that that they have been
extremely active and trying to make sure all of those
resources are kept in one location. And that's why I
(08:15):
would really encourage folks if they've got questions about what
assistance is available, what should I apply for, you know,
go to TV Unitedway, dot org forward slash flood and
we've been working with them to make sure that that
website is updated consistently with information. And I would also
tell folks when they're going through that Federal assistance pod
(08:36):
that they should apply for both FEMA as well as SBA. Now,
SBA will not be giving direct individual assistance like FEMA does,
but they do have very low interest loans and so
if you can't get all the resources you need through
FEMA through the individual assistance, there may be an opportunity
that you can also get that through SBA, and SBA
(08:57):
funding is not just for businesses in these disaster relate
at incidents. You know, we know folks through flash flooding,
lost cars. They can give two percent interest rates on
vehicles and things of that nature. And anyone who's been
out buying a new car recently, you're not getting two
percent interest on the regular market. So they are offering
(09:19):
these types of incentives to help folks and aid them
and getting them to recovery.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Now, for the people that have been denied, is there
maybe one or two common threads that we could pass
on to others to help them maybe avoid that.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Yeah, documentation and you know, to be frank sometimes because
of the amount that you have to submit, you know,
you may miss something. What I would tell folks is
visit the staff members with FEMA that are located at
the main disaster recovery center at the Fairmount Public Safety Building.
(09:54):
Those folks can help you through that appeal process. And
also if you have and clicked fully submit, but you've
been uploading things but you got questions, go visit with them.
That's what that staff is there for. They want to
assist folks, they want to make sure folks are getting
the aid that they that they need, So go up
there visit with them. They can walk through what were
(10:16):
what were some of the things you were missing. But
they can also help you as as you're submitting, so
that you make sure you get everything submitted correctly at
the first go round. But we've had a couple of
folks that have experienced denials because of inspectors out in
the field looking at damage based on those individual inspector assessments,
and I've seen those be appealed and ruled on the
(10:39):
citizen's behalf as well. So again, I would just really
really encourage people. I know it can be discouraging after
you go through everything to get a denial and then
think like, well, you know it's time to move on.
Don't move on. Appeal it go through the appeal processes.
That's what it's there for. It's just a it is
a process of documentation. But that is one of the
(11:00):
the key things that I would tell people. Pay attention
to the documentation that you need to submit and the
timeframes around those, and make sure that they get those submitted.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
And I would think that in this case that old
saying that a picture is worth a thousand words would
be applicable. Correct, correct, Okay, now what else in terms
of documentation, pictures obviously, receipts, what else, Travis.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Yeah, so they'll need to have the condition of their
damaged home. They also need to have insurance information if
it's available. They'll need to make sure they have their
Social Security number. They'll need to make sure they've got
an accurate phone number. And I can't impress upon this enough.
People can get denied when they receive phone calls from
FEMA if they don't answer those phone calls. Believe, in
(11:48):
most occasions, FEMA will reach out three times and if
they don't get that someone doesn't answer, then your application
can be denied just for that. So make sure you've
got the accurate number in the person that that needs
to be assigned to. But yeah, they need to make
sure they've got pictures of their damage. If their damage
was rather significant, and they need any type of you know,
(12:11):
construction related activity, they're going to need to make sure
that they get a quote from an area contractor. To
give a quote, that contractor is going to have to
respond to FEMA. So they need to make sure they've
got a good phone number. For that person and that
they they've gotten that quote submitted. But also make sure
that contractor understands when FEMA reaches out, they're going to
(12:33):
get three phone calls and if they don't hear back,
they're going to deny deny that application. So really contact
information if they've got more severe damage, getting those quotes
from those contractors is really important as well.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
How long will they be on the ground, Travis.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
So, FEMA staff the individual assistance is available up until
September twenty second. We are currently working with them to
keep FEMA on site as long as possible, but some
of that will come from based on the sheer numbers
of submittals. When do they feel that the main disaster
recovery center as well as these pop up locations. At
(13:13):
the moment, those conversations between US and the state have
not even occurred yet. I suspect we'll have those in
advance to let people know, hey, you know, here's when
these staff folks are going to be leaving the area.
But I think the state, through my conversations with them
as well as I know Governor Morrissey, has impressed upon
his team that they want to make sure those staffers
(13:35):
are available as long as necessary for our constituents, and
so we plan to work to keep them here. We've
given them these facilities and made space available for them,
and quite frankly, I'm prepared to let them have it
until the moment that the individual system's deadline runs up.
But we are seeing good numbers. We're seeing that the
(13:59):
numbers that we had of folks submitting for their initial
kind of numbers around their damage, which helped us get
this disaster assistance. We're seeing that the number of claim
submittals through the FEMA process kind of matching up with those,
and so that is a good sign that shows that
people are hearing the message. And hopefully folks who haven't
(14:21):
applied are hearing this message on the radio and they
understand they need to get out there and get started
in this process.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Okay, perfect, Now, one last thing, Travis, those office, can
you get in and out or is there long waits?
Tell us about that part.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Yeah, No, I think they're moving pretty quickly. The main
disaster assistance facility has a waiting room area in which
they try to shepherd people in and out. I don't
from my understanding checking in with those folks on the
regular they are not seeing long extended wait times. When
I've been up there, I've seen to be, frank, no
more than one person sitting in the waiting room. So
(14:58):
they are working pretty aggressively to get people in and out.
And the pop up locations the same way, they're working
to get people in and out. And we've also worked
very aggressively. You know, sometimes in these disasters, these folks
are located in spaces that are not the nicest of facilities.
Every one of these, whether it's a pop up location
or the main disaster assistance, is in an air conditioned building.
(15:20):
So if you've got to wait, it is a comfortable setting.
And so I don't want anyone to be discouraged or
just see somebody waiting, you know, take the opportunity to
wait and get your assistance filed.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
And answer your phone.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Yes, answer your phone.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
That's right, okay. Fairmount City Manager Travis Blosser, Travis, really
do appreciate your time today. Thank you very much. Thanks
Mike absolutely. The text line three oh four talk three
oh four. The texture brings up a very important issue,
and that would be the detour around the Holland Avenue
project in the city of Westover, now, I don't think
(16:00):
that that is really accessible by all vehicles, namely cars.
I was on that detour just about a week ago
and it's absolutely terrible. As a matter of fact, I
don't know why the contractor wouldn't just maybe run a
road grater over that and roll it just a little bit.
(16:22):
I think you'd make a lot of friends in the community.
And I really don't wouldn't understand why the city wouldn't
be out there asking the contractor to do that, because
when you go across, and when I went across, it
had been raining, so you really can't see how deep
some of those puddles are.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven to
sixty five eight. This is the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
A good Monday morning, and welcome back to the program.
The Modern Homestead in Reidsville certainly a very very interesting place.
You'll find them at forty one South Robert Stoneway in Reidsville.
And on the program today we have the event planner
organizer Tarlo Smith. Hey, good mornings, good morning, Thanks for
(17:26):
having me. Absolutely it's a pleasure to have you on
board here. Tell us a little bit about the Modern
Homestead if you would oh.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
Well, modern homestead. It started in nineteen eighty as Tatham's
Garden Center. We had a location not far from the
studio here in Saberton, but about fifteen years ago we
moved to Reidsville and there we have a seasonal greenhouse.
We have guest houses that are ail ail for weekly
and daily rentals. We also have an event space and
(17:55):
a little cafe.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
And coming up on November that's a Sunday from four
until seven pm, you've got a Monticello inspired dinner with
Peter J. Hatch. I guess first, tell us who mister
Hatch is.
Speaker 4 (18:14):
Peter Hatch. He's the former horticulturist for Monticello. He was
responsible for restoring all of the gardens. So when you
look at photos of Monticello now and you see that big,
beautiful vegetable garden that's about the size of three football fields,
he was responsible for putting it back together.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
And he is. What's his role in this particular event
coming up in November.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Well, he's going to be our special guest. He's going
to do a presentation about the restoration of the gardens
at Monticello and give us a lot of stories about
historic gardens and a lot of insight into Thomas Jefferson
and his affinity for plants, and he was very detailed oriented,
(18:59):
so he took lots and lots of notes. So it
was sort of a guidebook that Peter used along with
his staff to restore the gardens at Monticello.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Tell Us about the dinner.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
The dinner is really nice. It's going to be in
our event space. It's we call it the Rustic Church.
It was a building in Reidsville that was built in
the late eighteen hundred, so it's a rustic space, but
we'll have a set up banquet style and it's a
multiple course meal that's inspired by dishes that Thomas Jefferson
would have had, including macaroni pie, which was something that
(19:33):
he prided himself in and loved a lot.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
What is macaroni pie? Is it maybe modern day macaroni
and cheese.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
It's basically macaroni and cheese. He actually he had one
of his assistants have the mold for the macaroni pasta
sent to him so that he can make this dish
that he was really.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Just enamored over. Interesting, very interesting, now, trull Us. There
are always events going on at the modern Homestead. How
can we learn more about these events?
Speaker 4 (20:10):
Yes, you can visit our website at mod homestead dot com.
We have a listing of all of our upcoming cozy
dinners that are on Saturday. They are prefixed menu by
reservation at six o'clock. Those are really nice, good way
to enjoy a nice cozy meal with friends and family.
(20:32):
And then we also host a lot of other events
throughout the year, concerts and other specially themed dinners and
it's all on our website at mod homestead dot com.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Okay, perfect, Now we're talking specifically about the Monticello inspired
dinner with Peter J. Hatch that's coming up on Sunday,
November the second tickets you can get those at mod
homestead dot com as well.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
Yes, yes, tickets are available. You'll have some available. They're
going fast, so if you're interested, I would go ahead
and reserve. And it's also a great time just for like,
we have a few small groups coming that they're going
to enjoy the dinner together. It's going to be a
really nice time.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Now tell us about the cafe please.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
The cafe is open on the weekends Friday, Saturday and
Sunday from nine to four, we have a light lunch menu,
espresso bar and freshly baked pastries, and then on Saturday
nights we do our cozy dinners and it's by reservation.
The menu changes every week and we like to highlight
seasonal ingredients, so it's quite a treat.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
So what are some of the things that you're highlighting now?
Speaker 4 (21:45):
This month we're doing a Taste of Italy. So this
past weekend we had a short rip ragou that was
slow braised for about twelve hours. It was delicious, got
lots of compliments on that. Today this weekend we're gonna
have a shrimp and polenta inspired dish, and then at
(22:05):
the end of the month, we're going to do filets
with mushrooms, sauteta and marsala wine. So yeah, we're Taste
of Italy this month.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
That sounds great. Yeah, Now let's see looking ahead maybe October.
Have you planned that far ahead? Do you know what
you're going to be highlighting.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
Then as we get into cooler weather, which we're crossing
our fingers for, we're gonna continue with more dishes that
are hardy, seasonal things that are just you know, invoke
the flavor of the time of year. So there will
be lots of braises and lots of vegetables and just
(22:48):
lots of good things. But we'll have it all posted
on our website, and.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
That website is mod homestead dot com. And the event
that we're talking about is the Monticello inspired dinner with
Peter J. Hatch that's coming up on November the second.
So what about tickets. I mean, if you want to go,
you probably need to pull the trigger and get the
tickets before they're gone.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
Oh yeah, yeah, we have. The event is set for
fifty people and we're a little over half full now,
so in the next couple of weeks I would go
ahead and definitely reserve for it, and also keep an
eye out for our cozy dinners. There's if not available
to make it for November second. Also, Peter Hatch will
(23:34):
be here signing his book A Rich Piece of Rich
a Rich Soil. I'm sorry I fumbled that name a little,
but he'll be signing his latest book and it'll make
a really nice Christmas gift for any gardeners or plant
lovers on your list.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Okay, The Modern Homestead in Reidsville at forty one South
Robert Stone Way, trellis really do appreciate your time today.
Thank you absolutely. Right now, it is nine forty one.
Coming up next, we're going to welcome Just Jamie to
the program and we're going to be talking about camping
(24:16):
for Canines. It's coming up next on Talk of the
Town AM fourteen forty FM oneh four point five w
A j R.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
A good Monday morning. It is nine forty five in
the University City Fair sky seventy three degrees and Metro
Newsaki Weather says, got a nice day, but it's going
to be a warm one, sunny and high nearer ninety degrees.
Got Just Jamie with us this morning.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
Hey Jamie, good morning Mike.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
It's a pleasure. How are you doing well?
Speaker 5 (25:02):
Thanks doing well?
Speaker 4 (25:03):
Happy to be here.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
That's good.
Speaker 5 (25:04):
It's going to be a hot day.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Hey, let's just pitch the show to the dogs. What
do you say?
Speaker 5 (25:10):
Yeah, so I've got my fourth annual Camping for Caninees
event coming up on Thursday afternoon.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
And I don't know about you, but I can probably
hang around with dogs more so than people.
Speaker 5 (25:23):
Yeah, definitely, I am one of the same. I'm a
big lover of the dogs and the cats too. There's
a place for the cats.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 5 (25:30):
But the fundraiser is you know, a few years ago
I decided to camp out in a tent until I
could raise ten thousand dollars for Animal Friends in north
central West Virginia. And we started out in the sun
Christown Center and then got more support after that. I
finally got a great Bass Pro Shop tent that I've
been using year after year, and this year it's going
to be on Thursday, and the goal is fifteen thousand
(25:52):
dollars and I'm not leaving the tent until i raise it.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
So huh, and this is your fourth time around.
Speaker 4 (25:59):
That's right.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
Expect I'm going to be out at at Kendrick Family Ballpark,
home of the Black Bears, so I'll be out there
for its Bark at the Park night on Thursday. So
I will be there in a tent, and I'm hoping
everyone comes out and supports me and donates a dollar
or two. It's really a grassroots effort for fundraising.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
And I'll tell you what. The animal services groups in
this area, they certainly need your support. Lots of little
furry guys out there looking for home.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
Absolutely, and you know that neighbor you have that has
like five cats too many and then the neighbor die
is what happens to the cats. Animal Friends of North
Central West Virginia. You know what I mean. If you
find an injured dog and you want to do the
right thing, but maybe you can't afford the vet bills.
Animal Friends in north central West Virginia, they really do
a wonderful job taking care of the animals in the
community and they need the money more this year because
(26:49):
they are expanding their facility to take in more animals
than they're currently able to, so in order to fund that,
it really is a fundraising effort. They also have their
thrift shop to raise money. But so that's why this
is such an important thing for me, because they provide
Animal Friends provide such an important service to the community.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Jamie, how does it work? Can I just maybe stop
by give you a cheeseburger and a five.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
Dollar bill, that would be great. I'll take both of those.
Will also be on a Venmo PayPal. Yes, we take cash,
and that We'll be out there starting Thursday at around
three o'clock until I raise the money so I could
be there all weekend for all I know I'm hoping
not to be, so five dollars would be great, Mike,
I'll take it, okay.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Now, have you looked at the weather forecast? By a chance?
Speaker 5 (27:35):
I'm afraid too, because in the four years I've been
doing this, I've seen all the weather. I've seen the
rain holding down the tent from being blown away, A
scorching heat.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Is it bad? Uh? Yeah, you know what, I don't
think it's all that bad.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (27:50):
Just to get forty chance of showers on Thursday and
a high temperature of eighty four degrees. Thursday evening looks
like a nice one clear of sixty four and then Friday,
we know you'll be done by then, hopefully sunny and
I have eighty eight degrees.
Speaker 4 (28:08):
Not too bad.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Now.
Speaker 5 (28:09):
There have been years where I'm out there for three
days or so. I'm hoping that's not the case this time.
The folks at the ballpark, the bark and the Park
part of their ticket propost proceeds are going to be
going towards my total, and also Huntington Bank has helped
me out with some starting money as well, so we're
hoping to hit that fifteen thousand dollars pretty quick now.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Obviously you're going to be surrounded by dogs on Thursday,
but will you have any dogs with you later after
Bark in the Park is done.
Speaker 5 (28:38):
Yes, So there'll be adoptable pets on site. Animal Friends
will be there with some adoptable pets, cats and dogs typically,
So we'll be right there in front of the box office,
and really you can't miss us. We'll be there with
the Wvake boombox and I'll be broadcasting live with my
Bass Pro Shop tent, which you can't miss. It's a
weird site to see somebody camping in public, So I
(28:58):
hope everybody stuffed by a high and donates a dollar
or two.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
That's right now, Jamie. How important is it to adopt
rather than maybe buy a pet?
Speaker 5 (29:10):
Yeah, I mean it's hard because I don't want to
offend anyone. But in terms of breeders and things like that,
the thing is, there are so many wonderful pets that
are in these no kill shelters for no fault of
their own. It's not because there's anything wrong with these pets.
A lot of like right now, for example, there is
an influx of surrenders and low adoptions, and Animal Friends
(29:32):
is really struggling with that. A lot of times when
students leave, they go back home, they graduate, they leave
their pets here, which is just unimaginable for me. But
you gotta do what you gotta do. And Animal Friends
do provide that service of taking in the pets, getting
them flee tick coverage, getting them all their vaccines, neutering them,
all that, and getting them placed into a happy home.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
And I certainly didn't mean to disparage breeders or because
I know that people that sure pretty picky about their dogs. Yeah,
and that's cool, Yeah, we're all right with that. At
the same time, there are a large number of dogs
who who are really they were already somebody's best friend.
They're working for another.
Speaker 5 (30:15):
One absolutely, and you know, adopting a pet, or taking
in any pet really is a lifetime commitment for that pet.
But things happen.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
That's very, very true. Okay, you will be at the
Kendrick Family Ballpark beginning Thursday evening for camping with canines.
What time are you gonna set up camp?
Speaker 5 (30:33):
I should be there by three o'clock and I'm not
leaving that campsite until I raise fifteen thousand dollars, So
please come help me out, even if it's a dollar
or two. I sure appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
And don't forget the cheeseburgers.
Speaker 5 (30:45):
Yeah, I'll take it.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
Okay, Hey Jamie, thank you very much.
Speaker 5 (30:48):
Faith time, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
I appreciate it absolutely. Anytime. You take care of yourself.
Right now, faist guys and seventy three degrees. The University
City will be back to wrap things up up right
after this. On top of the town AM fourteen forty
FM one oh four point five w aj R.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Well, good Monday morning. They've got chicken dinners, crafts, bounce houses,
and games and you can read all about it at
Reidsville VFD dot org. It's the thirty eighth Annual Valley
District Fair. It's going on right now in Reidsville. Let's see,
the Sunday had the Ron Smith Memorial Car Show that
(31:46):
took place on the grounds on Sunday. Then we've got
a demolition derby coming up on the thirteenth, and then
the let's see that would be Wednesday will be Demolition
Derby Day parade coming up up on August the fourteenth,
and then the fifteenth, I'll have the mud bog at
seven pm. And then on the sixteenth they've got the
(32:08):
truck pulls at six pm. And also on the sixteenth
they'll have the Jack Forman memorial truck show. Now that
will get started at ten AA once again. That website
is Reidsville vfd dot org. The Valley District Fair, thirty
eighth Annual Valley District Fair is going on all week
(32:34):
this week. Also, don't forget the pop up Disaster centers
the pop up FEMA locations. Due to the Father's Day
flooding events that in Marion County, those centers are now
operational in Manonga and some of the other city's Pleasant
Valley as well, and they are open from seven am
(32:57):
to seven pm in order to process disaster claims from
victims of those Father's Day torrential rains and the subsequent
flash floods. Now As city Manager Blosser did tell us,
a lot of people are getting turned down on their
(33:17):
initial request or their initial application for a disaster relief.
His advice is to go back to the drawing board,
meet with the FEMA folks and figure out exactly what
it is they need and what it is your particular
application is lacking, because he says that most of the
(33:38):
situations are related to documentation or maybe a lack thereof,
possibly maybe a form is left out or Another thing
that he brought up that is important to remember is
that some of these disaster buckets or the money where
the disaster funds come from, there all have different rules.
(34:02):
Some might be a little bit more sticky than others,
and they do require just a little bit more documentation
and effort in order to get all that taken care of.
But those disaster centers, they will be up and running
for the foreseeable future. There has been no date set
(34:23):
to close those centers. Everybody, make it a great Monday.
Metro News talk line coming up next on the Voice
of Morgantown WAJR.
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