New disaster declaration offers help for Haywood, Swain

Businesses and residents affected by severe weather, wildfires and winds from March 30 through April 6 of this year are now eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

On March 30, a wind-stoked wildfire in Sevier County, Tennessee burned more than 2,400 acres, affecting at least 300 structures. That came after another fire on March 26 torched 941 acres, approximately one third of which are in Swain County.

A few days later, a fire on Sheepback Mountain in Maggie Valley took advantage of desert-like relative humidity to climb toward the ridge until it was quickly brought under control.

The disaster declaration, issued at the behest of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, was issued on July 20, and includes the counties of Blount, Cocke, Jefferson, Knox and Sevier in Tennessee, and Swain and Haywood counties in North Carolina.

“Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets,” said SBA’s Tennessee District Director LaTanya Channel.

Small businesses engaged in agriculture or aquaculture, along with most private nonprofits and other small businesses, are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) regardless of whether a business suffered any actual physical damage.

The loans for damaged or destroyed real estate max out at $200,000, but homeowners are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. Applicants may also be eligible for a 20% increase in loan value if the funding is used for mitigation like storm shelters and safe rooms.

Interest rates on the loans are less than 3% for businesses, less than 2% for nonprofits and less than 1.5% for homeowners or renters.

Only uninsured losses are eligible. Second homes, personal boats, recreational vehicles and the like are not eligible unless they are used for business purposes. Loans may be used for relocation, but will vary depending on whether the relocation is voluntary or involuntary.

Loan applicants can visit disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ to start the process, using disaster declaration number 17532.

Information and applications can also be obtained at 800.659.2955, the SBA’s customer service center, or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

To further aid impacted residents in the disaster area, the U.S. Small Business Administration has also opened an outreach center in Sevierville through Aug. 4. There, customer service representatives can answer questions and help complete applications.

The deadline to apply for assistance with physical property damage is Sept. 19. The deadline for economic injury applications is April 20, 2023.

The Sevier County outreach center is located in the King Family Library, 408 High St., Sevierville, Tennessee 37862. The center will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit SBA.gov. — Cory Vaillancourt, Politics Editor

Franklin welcomes new ‘softwash’ business

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting celebration to welcome H & H Softwash to the Franklin business community.

H & H Softwash is veteran-owned and operated by Bill and Pam Hutson. With 30 years of washing experience, the H & H offers pressure washing of homes, buildings, businesses and roofs using safe low pressure.

“Our detergent kills the algae and then we simply rinse it away,” said Bill Hutson. “All of our products are 100% biodegradable and safe for the environment.”

Bill also teaches classes mentoring others interested in starting a pressure washing business. This has been a passion of his for the past 20 years.

H & H Softwash offers discounts to all veterans and first responders. Bill and Pam can be contacted at 828.200.7495, tabletalk617@yahoo.com or by Facebook Messenger at wncwash. $15/Hour starting rate • CDL training provided • Must be 18 years of age • Must have a clean driving record • Holidays, weekends, and summers off!! HAYWOOD COUNTY SCHOOLS

401 Farmview Dr. Waynesville (828) 456-2421 haywood.k12.nc.us

Inundated with kittens, FUR hosts adoption day

Having more than 100 cats in their care isn’t new for Feline Urgent Rescue (FUR) of WNC. What is new, however, is that half of those are now kittens. To help find the loveable furballs homes, FUR will be hosting the Summer of Love Adoption Event.

“It has been a wild kitten season this year,” said Lisa Sanborn, lead volunteer and FUR Board President. “They just keep coming. And some of their stories are simply heartbreaking.”

Take Kari, for instance, who was left outside to fend for herself and her three kittens while she was already pregnant again.

“A good Samaritan tried to take care of her,” Sandborn said, “but Amid a huge rise in knew sweet Kari would need more kittens coming in, FUR is help than they could offer.” hosting an adoption day.

And then there’s Camille, who was dumped, pregnant and in sad condition, at a gas station. “She was only 10 months herself,” said Sandborn. “There was little chance of her kittens surviving in those conditions.”

Meanwhile, five-week-old Chase was found literally thrown away at the dump.

“He was crying his little head off,” Sandborn said. “Fortunately, someone heard his pleas and rescued him. We searched to see if he had any siblings in there, but we didn’t find any.”

FUR is a last-chance sanctuary, whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome the abused, abandoned and neglected cats of WNC. So the volunteers expect each cat to have their own difficult story. But that doesn’t make it any easier.

“We invest so much into each cat, and I don’t just mean money,” said Melissa Helmer, adoption event co-chair. “We invest time, energy, love and prayers. Every cat that comes through FUR ends up being part of our family. And we can think of no greater reward for our investment than finding the purr-fect, furever home for as many cats as possible.”

The Summer of Love Adoption Event will be held at the FUR Sanctuary, 38 Safe Haven Drive, in Waynesville on Sunday, August 7. The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. and will feature reduced fees, prizes for the first three adopters plus refreshments and cats galore.

All adopted cats get sent to their new homes with a bag of goodies, including a sampling of their favorite food, a few toys, a free vet visit donated by Animal Hospital of Waynesville and a gift card donated by The Dog House. Every cat is also spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before going to their new home.

“When you adopt a cat from FUR,” said Helmer, “you’re helping to save two lives, the one you take home and the one FUR can rescue to fill the open spot. Their second chance really does start with you.”

For more information, visit furofwnc.org or call 844.888.2287.

Swain Genealogical and Historical Society host ‘dowsing’ seminar

Marty Cain will be presenting “The Ancient Art of Dowsing” for the Swain Genealogical and Historical Society’s Aug. 4 meeting. Dowsing is the ancient skill of using specific tools such as the Lrods, the traditional forked stick or Y-rod, or others to gather information not perceived by one of our five senses. Dowsing was used by the Ancient Egyptians, by persons in the Middle Ages to find coal deposits, and on down through time. During the United States Colonial period, a dowser was a respected member of their community and thousands of wells were the result of their efforts. Dowsing has been used by utility companies, by those in archaeological and geological work, and those trying to find unmarked graves and old house sites. In this presentation, Cain will be discussing the ethics of dowsing, how dowsing works, experiences with dowsing and the use of dowsing in historical and genealogical research.

Cain, who learned dowsing from her Lithuanian grandfather, has been dowsing for many decades. Her formal dowsing education began in 1986 when she attended the American Society of Dowser’s school and convention. Following that, she co-directed the National Convention’s Beginning Dowsing School for six years. Cain is now a member of the Appalachian Chapter of the American Society of Dowsers as well as serving on the board of the Chapter, and a member of the Living Waters Dowsing Chapter in New Hampshire. She has presented dowsing workshops, has worked as a dowsing consultant, and has written about dowsing. In her work as a dowser, she has traveled extensively and worked in ancient sites and sacred places, such as Stonehenge. She was a founding member of the Labyrinth Society and her labyrinth designs are located across North America, in Brazil and South Africa. Marty is also an artist, having exhibited her work in numerous galleries, created environmental sculptures in state parks and other public places and has taught art at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Tufts University.

The presentation will be offered on Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. Monthly meetings are held at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center, 45 East Ridge Drive, Bryson City. Open to the public and there is no admission charge.

WNC Alcoholics Anonymous offers regional services

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have a desire to stop drinking once and for all, one day at a time, who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that anyone who desires may recover from a seemingly hopeless disease. Sobriety is a call or click away by simply making it to your first meeting. 24/7 helpline numbers and websites have listings of the many recurring daily and weekly meeting times, locations and events, in person and via Zoom, throughout our mountain communities. Members of AA are happily waiting for your call with a kind word or ride to a meeting. See you in the “rooms.”

Come hang with some sober alcoholics for coffee, cookies and a chat.

Find a meeting near you: AAwnc80.com aa.org/meeting-guide-app 24/7 helplines: 828.254.8539 Jackson, Swain, Qualla, Haywood 828.349.HELP Macon County 828.837.4440 Murphy Central Office

Sarge’s hosts spay and neuter event

Hippies at heart — enjoy ‘Woofstock’ Aug. 26 to help Haywood animals.

Haywood Spay/Neuter and Boojum Brewing team together for a Woodstock-inspired party.

All are invited to join the fun Woodstockinspired dance and karaoke party — aptly named Woofstock — at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, in the Gem, downstairs at Boojum Brewing.

This feel-good Friday event benefits the work of Haywood Spay/Neuter (HS/N), providing low-cost animal spay/neuter services and animal wellness programs.

Grab some radical threads, maybe some bell bottoms, flowers for the hair and have a freakydeaky time helping Haywood County animals.

Get down with some Karaoke, drink specials, a little free nosh and dancing. It’s going to be outta sight, with delicious hors devours to go with drinks attendees can purchase at the bar. A DJ will be playing tunes for dancing and Karaoke.

The $25 ticket fee goes to HHS/N. Dude, an organization that has been working for the community since 1955.

Come fly your freak flag and support Haywood Spay/Neuter’s work for Haywood animals. Feel free to wear bell-bottoms and tie-dyed shirts. There will be a Boojum gift card for best duds, so attendees are encouraged to try to look really bad.

The Gem at Boojum Brewing is at 50 N. Main St., lower level, Waynesville.

For tickets, visit haywoodspayneuter.org/tikcetsales or stop at the HS/N office, 182 Richland St., Waynesville, during business hours.