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June 20, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

5 News Notes

Mid-Shore Community Foundation Announces New Directors for FY24

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Mid-Shore Community Foundation announced the election of five new members to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Joe Anthony, JoAnn Asparagus-Murray, Linda Friday, Kirk Helfenbein, and Otis Sampson” said Buck Duncan, Mid-Shore Community Foundation President. “We also thank Kathy Deoudes, Clem Hathaway, and Fil Morrison, who are completing their terms. We are extremely fortunate to have talented and supportive volunteers.”

Officers and directors for FY24 are Moorhead Vermilye, Chair; Alice Ryan, Vice Chair; David Nagel, Treasurer; Andy Meehan, Secretary; Joe Anthony, JoAnn Asparagus-Murray, Heather Bacher, Kevin Cashen, Bill Christopher, Stephanie Folarin, George Fox, Linda Friday, Aaron Gabrielian, Heather Guerieri, Kirk Helfenbein, Joe Holt, Ruth Ann Jones, Charles Lerner, John Lewis, Becky Loukides, Harriette Lowery, Bryan Matthews, Greg Meekins, Nancy Mugele, Peggy Rennels, Jenny Rhodes, Steve Rideout, Tolbert Rowe, Otis Sampson, Brett Summers, and Tracy Tyler.

Photo by Cal Jackson Photography; Pictured: Directors, Staff, and Guests who attended the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting on June 23, 2023, at the Tidewater Inn in Easton, Maryland.

Joe Anthony (Talbot County) – Anthony is an experienced CPA; he recently retired from Anthony, Walter & Duncan in Easton, Maryland. He is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for the United Fund of Talbot County, serving as Treasurer for CASA of Talbot County, and serving as Chair for the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Investment Committee. Joe is a returning Director, having served 2009-2015 and 2016-2022.

JoAnn Asparagus-Murray (Talbot County) – Asparagus-Murray attended Robert R. Moton High School and graduated from William Penn High School for Girls in Philadelphia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Lincoln University, a Master’s Degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Jurist Doctorate from Duquesne University. Early in her legal career she worked at the Legal Aide Bureau, and at the Office of the Public Defender for Caroline County, before practicing privately. She retired as the Family Law Magistrate for Caroline County, a position she held for 20 years. JoAnn is actively involved in the community; she volunteers for Talbot Interfaith Shelter, is a member of the Executive Board of the NAACP, and serves as Vice President of the Talbot County Education Foundation. In 2020, she was recognized with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Town Watch Award.

Linda Friday (Queen Anne’s County)–Friday, who has lived and worked on the Eastern Shore for almost 48 years, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from both the financial and business worlds. Linda worked in the banking industry for more than 25 years before joining the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce in 2001, where she currently serves as President. Linda is actively involved in the community; she served as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on CTE and Workforce Development and serves as President of the Chesapeake College Foundation Board. Linda lives in Denton with her husband Bob, they have two adult children, and four grandchildren. In 2022, she received the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Special Recognition Award.

Kirk Helfenbein (Kent County) – Helfenbein is President and CEO of Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home. He received his Bachelor of Science in business from Towson University and his Mortuary Science Degree from the Community College of Baltimore County. Kirk serves on the Board of Directors for Compass Regional Hospice and is a member of the Rock Hall Lions Club, Chestertown Elks Lodge, Chestertown Rotary Club, Ducks Unlimited, Chester River Yacht and Country Club, and the Kent County Chamber of Commerce. Kirk is a returning Director, having served 2014-2017.

Otis Sampson (Talbot County) – Sampson, a Talbot County native and graduate of Robert R. Moton High School, attended the Radio School of Announcing and Speech in New York City and the Radio Engineering Institute of Virginia. Early in his career he worked in radio broadcasting, as well as the newspaper business. He also worked for Black & Decker and Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. Throughout his life he has served the community, including serving as a special advocate for CASA of Talbot County, as a member of the Town of Easton’s Affordable Housing Board, as President of the Talbot County NAACP, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Service Center and Talbot County Commission on Aging. He currently serves as a member of the Talbot County Board of Education.

About Mid-Shore Community Foundation

Established in 1992, Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity with a mission to enhance the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. A trusted partner to both donors and nonprofit organizations, the Foundation manages 525 charitable funds and $115 million in charitable assets for the local community. Since its founding, the Foundation has received over $130 million in contributions and has awarded more than $60.2 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, visit https://www.mscf.org.

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MidShore Community Foundation Announces the Blue & Red Fund Scholarship Winners

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Bailey Blades of St. Michaels High School, with Ed Forte (left), and Richard Holman (right), both Founders and Board Members of the Blue & Red Fund.

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation-Blue & Red Fund is pleased to announce the fiscal 2022-2023 winners of their First Responder Scholarship Program.  The winners are Bailey Blades of Saint Michael’s High School and Grant Kirby of Easton High School.  Bailey and Grant each will be granted a $1500 scholarship to pursue their first responder careers.  Bailey is a senior and concurrently a member of the St. Michael’s Volunteer Fire Department.  Grant is also a senior and concurrent member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department.  Congratulations from the MidShore community to Bailey and Grant!

The MidShore Blue & Red Fund’s primary objective is to provide a source of funds for law enforcement, first responders (Fire and Rescue), and EMS servants of Talbot County who encounter injury, loss of life, or other causality loss in the line of duty.  The Fund can be made available to those who experience significant hardships, including assistance for individuals as well as their families.  The intent is to fundraise across Talbot County year-round in order to grow the fund and make a significant resource available to those who incur unexpected loss and hardships.

A related objective is to make available funds for training and education of future and existing law enforcement, first responders, and EMS public servants.  The Fund is pleased to grant scholarships to Bailey and Grant, both who plan to pursue EMT/Paramedic training and certificates, and future careers as first responders on the Eastern Shore.

The Blue & Red Fund would like to thank the founding sponsors, Blue Point Hospitality and the Easton Rotary Club for significant donations which have enabled our annual Blue & Red Scholarships Program. For information on making donations to the Blue & Red Fund please contact the Mid-Shore Community Foundation at www.mscf.org/donate-online, or call  (410) 820-8175.

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July 1 is Deadline for Caroline Foundation Grant Applications

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The Caroline Foundation, in partnership with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, invites organizations that provide medical and/or health-related services to residents of Caroline County, Maryland to apply for FY2024 grant funding.

Applicants must be nonprofit corporations with IRS tax-exempt status, or government-related entities. Applications are online at https://www.mscf.org/caroline-foundation. The deadline for submission is July 1, 2023.

Grant decisions and distributions will be made in October 2023. The Caroline Foundation retains the right to accept or reject applications, suggest changes, and support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all.

Organizations that would like additional information about The Caroline Foundation’s grants process should contact Robbin Hill at Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 410-820-8175 x103 or [email protected].

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Mid-Shore Community Foundation Announces Award Recipients

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Mid-Shore Community Foundation held its Annual Report to the Community and Awards Luncheon on Friday, December 2, at the Tidewater Inn in downtown Easton, Maryland.

Community leaders from Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties attended the event, which celebrates individuals and organizations for their contributions to enhance the quality of life on the Mid-Shore.

Buck Duncan, President of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, and Moorhead Vermilye, Mid-Shore Community Foundation Founder and Board Chair, welcomed the group and presented the nine awards.

“This year’s award recipients have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Duncan. “We are honored to recognize and support their important work.”

(Standing, left to right) Moorhead Vermilye and Buck Duncan; (Seated, left to right) Senator Adelaide Eckardt and Award Recipients.

The Town Watch Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service in the Mid-Shore Community, was presented to Sue Simmons and Maryann Ruehrmund.  Sue serves as the Director of Caroline County Recreation and Parks, where she coaches youth sports and is actively engaged in the community. Maryann serves as the Executive Director of the Chester River Health Foundation, where she has been pivotal in the transition and advancement of the Hospital.

The J. McKenny Willis, Jr. Award, which recognizes nonprofit organizations for providing outstanding service to the community, was presented to Brennan Starkey, Board Chair of ShoreRivers, an organization which protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education, and to Langley Shook, Board Chair of the St. Michaels Community Center, which serves, empowers, and connects the local community.

Five Special Recognition Awards were presented for notable achievements in the Mid-Shore Region:  Dave Harp was recognized for his work in photographing the natural world of the Chesapeake Bay; Ashley Clark, Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center was recognized for her organization’s work to eliminate health disparities on the Eastern Shore; Linda Friday, President of the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce, was recognized for her work in promoting and supporting local businesses;  Elaine Tama and Marion Arnold were recognized for their efforts to shepherd a plastic bag ban through the Plastic-Free Easton Fund; and Cookie Brohawn was recognized for her leadership, formation, and continuation of the Chorus of Dorchester, an all-volunteer chorus that was founded 1975.

“The work of the Community Foundation is a collaborative effort,” said Duncan. “With your help, in Fiscal Year 2022, we distributed $8.2 million in grants and charitable expenses.”

Established in 1992, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. The Foundation manages 525 charitable funds and $115 million in assets. Since its founding, the Foundation has processed more than $130 million in contributions and has distributed more than $60 million in grants and scholarships for the local community.  For additional information, visit www.mscf.org/annual-awards.

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Caroline Foundation Announces Grant Recipients

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It seemed like old times at the Chesapeake Culinary Center on November 14th, as representatives of local nonprofits gathered for breakfast and networking for the first time in three years. The hosts of the event, the Caroline Foundation Board members, made sure everyone enjoyed their morning by presenting those assembled with grants totaling $600,000.

Grants varied in size with some of the largest awards going to Compass Regional Hospice for services provided in Caroline County, His Hope Ministries for shelter operations, and Martin’s House & Barn for their food pantry.  Food insecurity was a priority as grants were also made to Aaron’s Place for their food program, Caroline County DSS for their summer SNAP program, Caroline County Public Schools for their backpack program, Chesapeake Culinary Center for their mobile pantry, and the Community Civic League for the Federalsburg community pantry.

Members of the Caroline Foundation and Grant Recipients

The other grant recipients are Caroline Center, Caroline County Family YMCA, CASA of Caroline, Channel Marker, Choptank Community Health System, Critical Repairs Caroline County, Greater New Hope Church & Ministries, Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence, Partners in Care, Union Bethel AME Church, and Upper Shore Aging.

Each recipient was asked to speak about their organization, the critical issues they address, and the services they provide in Caroline County. This proved to be a highlight of the event as opportunities were identified to work together and support each other.

Terry Mead, President of The Caroline Foundation Board, proudly announced that in over the past seven year, $4,135,507 has been awarded to organizations providing health related services to Caroline County residents.

The Caroline Foundation benefits and provides economic support to organizations that provide medical and/or health-related services to residents of Caroline County.  In 1967 the citizens of Caroline County, with the support of the county government, created the Caroline Nursing Home.  In 2000, the Gables and The Caroline Foundation were created to address additional health needs in the community.  In 2015, the decision was made to sell the Caroline Nursing Home and the Gables to a company specializing in health management and to invest the proceeds as an endowment fund to be used for grant-making in perpetuity.

Grant applications are available online at Mid-Shore Community Foundation (mscf.org).
The deadline for submission is July 1.

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Talbot Watermen Association Partners with Mid-Shore Community Foundation

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Pictured (left to right): Jeff Harrison, Talbot Watermen Association President; Pat Jones, Talbot Watermen Association Treasurer; and Buck Duncan, Mid-Shore Community Foundation President.

Mid-Shore Community Foundation is pleased to announce its recent partnership with Talbot Watermen Association to establish a charitable fund.

Talbot Watermen Association, Inc., a non-profit organization, was formed in 2015. Comprised primarily of watermen, their families, and related industry businesses such as processors, shipping companies and drivers, restaurant workers, and other marine related activities, the Association acts as a resource for the public, sharing factual, first-hand observations about our watershed, harvest, and the local seafood industry.

The organizational goal of Talbot Watermen Association is to advocate for the public fishery and watermen, to bring about environmental and economic change. They do this by staying well-informed of the ever-changing legislative proposals and testifying at those legislative hearings; attending meetings with DNR and other advisory boards concerning management of natural resources; promoting the watermen heritage; and supporting the local communities.

The fund will be administered as a fiscal sponsorship to support the charitable activities of Talbot Watermen Association.  Charitable contributions to the fund are encouraged and may be directed to the Talbot Watermen Association Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. Since its founding in 1992, the Foundation has received over $112.3 million in contributions and has awarded more than $45.7 million in grants and scholarships. For additional information about the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, visit: https://www.mscf.org.

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Mid-Shore Community Foundation Announces New Board Members

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Buck Duncan, Foundation President, with the Board of Directors at the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting on June 17 that the Tidewater Inn.

Mid-Shore Community Foundation appointed seven members to its Board of Directors – Stephanie Folarin, Aaron Gabrielian, Ruth Ann Jones, Bryan Matthews, Nancy Mugele, Brett Summers, and Moorhead Vermilye.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome these new members who bring diverse expertise to our Board,” said Buck Duncan, Foundation President. “We also thank Ed Allen, Joe Anthony, David DeLuca, Sandy McAllister, and Arraminta Ware who are completing their terms. We are fortunate to have such talented and supportive volunteers.”

Stephanie Folarin serves as the Head of Wye River Upper School in Queen Anne’s County. Stephanie received her B.A. in Africana Studies from Bates College and her M.S. in Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Johns Hopkins University. She is currently completing her Certificate in School Management and Leadership at Harvard University. Stephanie has worked extensively with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and clinicians on various educational matters, including differentiated and inclusive education; equity and justice work; curriculum design and implementation; psycho-educational evaluations; teacher evaluations and professional growth; education policy; and education reform in both the public and private sectors of academia.

Aaron Gabrielian is the Senior Vice President – Branch Director at RBC Wealth Management in Easton. He graduated from Towson University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and did his graduate work in financial planning through New York University. While earning his degree, Aaron played four years of Division-1 Baseball and was the recipient of the Towson University “Tiger Leadership Award” for his efforts on and off the baseball field. Aaron lives in Easton with his wife, Meggie, and their two children, Poppie and Peter. He volunteers for many local organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, Talbot Mentors, and ShoreRivers. In 2020, he accepted active positions on the Easton Memorial Hospital Planned Gifts Committee and the Sultana Educational Foundation Board of Directors.

Ruth Ann Jones recently retired from a career in nursing, having served as the former Senior Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Shore Regional Health.  Ruth Ann is active in the community and has served on advisory boards for Chesapeake College School of Nursing, Salisbury University School of Nursing, the Maryland Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Health Information and Management System Society, and the Health Care Education Association. She has presented and lectured widely at nursing conferences and other events.

Bryan Matthews is the Vice President of KRM Development Corporation in Kent County. His previous experience includes coaching and administration at Washington College and the United States Naval Academy. He has served on advisory boards for US Lacrosse, Horizons, Kent School, Character Counts, Rebuilding Together Kent County, Easterseals, Mainstreet Chestertown, Washington College Hall of Fame Committee, and the Kent County Chamber of Commerce.

Nancy Mugeleis in her sixth year as the Head of Kent School in Chestertown. She is the Secretary of the Board for the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools, and she serves on advisory boards for Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s, the Head Mistresses Association of the East, and the Sultana Education Foundation. Nancy is enthusiastic about the written word and has appeared in several publications of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Brett Summers is a Managing Partner and Founder at NOVO Properties, an asset development and property management organization with portfolios in Washington, DC, Chicago, Charleston, and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  Brett is currently focused on NOVO’s efforts to revitalize downtown Cambridge through the acquisition and restoration of mixed-use commercial buildings. In addition to his real estate investment activities, Brett and his wife, Jamie, are the owners of Black Water Bakery in Cambridge. Brett is a returning Director, having previously served as Secretary to the Board.

W. Moorhead Vermilye, long-time volunteer and Founder of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation will serve as the Board Chair. Moorhead is the Senior Business Development Officer at Shore United Bank, and the former President and CEO of Shore Bancshares, Inc. He is active in the community and serves on numerous local boards.

The new members began their three-year terms on July 1st and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.  The Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of thirty-one individuals from throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. For additional information, visit https://www.mscf.org.

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Community Center Receives $35K in Mid-Shore Community Foundation Grant Funding

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Pictured in the SMCC food pantry are from left, SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe, SMCC Food Distribution Director and Youth Programs Coordinator Amy DeWitt, SMCC Volunteer Brian Griffiths, and Mid-Shore Community Foundation President Buck Duncan.

The St. Michaels Community Center recently received three grants from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation to expand the nonprofit’s food support program with $10k in funding and to help fund the Community Center’s recently announced capital campaign for an adaptive redesign of the Center’s building with an additional $25k in grants.

The Community Center’s Food Support Program was named an emergency food hub for Talbot County’s Bay Hundred area by the Talbot County Emergency Task Force in 2019 and continues to provide shelf-stable pantry items and hot meals to anyone in need in St. Michaels and the outlying villages on the peninsula.

“Every week, SMCC provides as many as 250 pantry bags and 300 hot meals to our community,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, the need in our community has remained high and this grant will help SMCC strengthen and expand the program to satisfy this need.”

The St. Michaels Community Center announced its first-ever $4 million capital campaign earlier this month to support an adaptive renovation of its aged building in the Town’s Historic District. The planned renovations include a fully equipped modern commercial kitchen, well-equipped and lit classrooms, and a multipurpose room for community gatherings, with an anticipated 2022 groundbreaking.

Rofe says the grant funding is being matched by other generous donors.

SMCC’s food distribution program also includes a community food pantry; a weekend backpack program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women, Infants, and Children nutrition outreach and services; after-school and childcare meals and snacks; summer program participant meals; and more. The Community Center also participates in the Talbot County Hunger Coalition to help eliminate food insecurity for low-income individuals and families in Talbot County.

“This is a great example of how our foundation connects private resources with public needs to enhance the quality of life for people of the Mid-Shore,” said Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Chief Program Officer Robbin Hill. “Supporting the food support programs and future building improvements of the St. Michaels Community Center is an investment in helping to ensure no one goes hungry in our communities.”

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation works with donors to establish funds for the region – funds that are distributed as grants and scholarships, provides training programs and endowment management services to area nonprofits, and supports start‐up charities and local charitable projects through fiscal sponsorship.

SMCC’sCommunity Café and pantry are currently open three days a week to provide meals and groceries for anyone in need, with limited local delivery provided by a group of dedicated volunteers. The St. Michaels Community Center also hosts food drives and holiday meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, along with year-round engaging programs and activities for children and adults.

Proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. also help the nonprofit provide year-round community programs and services that serve, empower, and connect people from throughout the Bay Hundred area, with more at www.stmichaelscc.org.

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The Caroline Foundation Accepting Grant Requests

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The Caroline Foundation, in partnership with the Mid-ShoreCommunity Foundation, invites organizations that provide medical and/or health-related services to residents of Caroline County, Maryland to apply for FY2023 grant funding.

Applicants must be nonprofit corporations with IRS tax-exempt status, or government-related entities.  Applications are online at https://www.mscf.org/caroline-foundation. The deadline for submission of FY2023 grant applications is midnight, July 1, 2022.

Grant decisions and distributions will be made in October, 2022.  The Caroline Foundation retains the right to accept or reject applications, suggest changes, and support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all.

Organizations that would like additional information about The Caroline Foundation’s grants process should contact Buck Duncan or Robbin Hill at the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 410-820-8175  or [email protected].

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Cyber Security 101, Online via Zoom, March 24

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Mid-Shore Community Foundation is hosting CYBER SECURITY 101 for the Community. There is no cost to attend. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

CYBER SECURITY 101, Thursday, March 24, 2022, 9:00AM – 10:30AM, Online via Zoom

Led by Fred Christie, Chief Information Officer at Easton Utilities, the presentation will touch on specific policies, procedures, and systems that you can utilize to put your organization in the safest possible position to ward off cyberthreats. We will touch on the different attack vectors and techniques that the cyber criminals use to do their dirty work. We will discuss the effects that your cyber defenses have on your ability to acquire and afford cyber insurance, and we will discuss personal cyber security and everyone’s most common concern, identity theft.

REGISTER ONLINE:  https://m-scf.networkforgood.com/events/40404-cyber-security-101

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