CHAMBER NEWS  OCTOBER 2012
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The Mission of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce is to serve, represent and be the leading advocate for the business interests of its membership in ways that enhance the environment of the business community and quality of life and well being of residents and visitors.
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LEADERSHIP
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EXECUTIVE BOARD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LORETTA LODGE
PRESIDENT
DOUG CAMP
The Investor's Friend
VICE PRESIDENT
DAVID BOWMAN
PNC Bank
TREASURER
DIANE BRANDT
CNB Bank
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DAVID BOWMAN
PNC Bank
BOB GREENWALD
East Coast Storage
JON HANLEY
Hanleyman Services, LLC
JIM RICH
Inn at Huntingfield Creek
JIM ROSS
Chester River Health System
BILL RUCKELSHAUS
Champion Realty, Inc.
KATIE WARRINGTON
Horizon Organic Dairy
LANSING WILLIAMS
Washington College
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CHAMBER EVENTS
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10/11/2012
Chamber Board Meeting
10/11/2012
Business-After-Hours
Great Oak Manor
10568 Cliff Road
Chestertown, MD 21620
10/15/2012
Anirban Basu,
Top Mid-Atlantic Region Economist to Speak at Washington College - October 15 at 5:30 p.m. in Litrenta Lecture Hall in the John S. Toll Science Center.
11/15/2012
Business-After-Hours
Champion Whiteley Realty
1002 Washington Avenue
Chestertown, MD 21620
12/11/2012
Christmas Gala
Business-After-Hours
Uncle Charlie's Bistro
843B High Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
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From the Executive Director
Greetings!
You know, I didn't really know what I was going to write about this month. I thought I would talk about the upcoming speaking engagement of renowned regional economist Anirban Basu, and I will talk about that, but later. For now, my mind is focused on the September Business-After-Hours held last Thursday evening. It was hosted by Haven Harbour in Rock Hall, with Jonathan Jones, the general manager as our gracious and very knowledgeable host.
There were easily 20 folks attending. ...and might I say, there should have been more. It was a beautiful early fall evening, with the sun shining and a nice breeze blowing off the waters of Swan Creek. We gathered on the second floor outdoor bar, Passages, which by-the-by is currently run by another of our Chamber members, J.R. Alfree of Lemon Leaf Cafe fame. There were cool drinks and munchies for everyone and a spectacular hot milk cake baked by Jonathan's wife, Beverly.
After a bit of socializing and the firing of the cannon by Jonathan at sunset, we were escorted through the entire compound of Haven Harbour Marina and the High Tide Inn. -- Now I have been to Haven Harbour on many occasions, but don't think I ever realized all they have to offer. It was only by this personal tour of the paint shop, the mechanical shop, the machine shop, the newly renovated inn rooms of the High Tide Inn and the beautiful grounds including pools, horseshoes and gathering areas that I, along with the others, really became aware of all Haven Harbour offers their customers and the residents and businesses of Kent County.
I don't mean to gush, but it was a wonderful evening! And, this is something that every Chamber business has the opportunity to do and or participate in. YOU can host a Business-After-Hours and let folks know what YOUR business offers. Or you can attend one of these events and find out in depth what your fellow businesses have to offer.
I often say that a gym membership by itself will not help you get in shape. You must participate! The same goes for your Chamber membership. You must participate in order to derive the benefits of your membership. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. ...and isn't that a nice little segue to my next thought?
If you are really interested in the economic status of our region and concerned about the future of Kent County and our five towns, this is your opportunity to join us and hear from someone who has studied not just the State of Maryland, but the Eastern Shore and each of its counties, and learn what the current economy has in store for us, our businesses and our residents.
The Chamber has invited top Mid-Atlantic Economist Anirban Basu to speak at Washington College on Monday, October 15 at 5:30 P.M. in Litrenta Lecture Hall in the John S. Toll Science Center. He will examine the state of the current economic recovery from the perspective of labor, financial, housing and other key markets. He will place special attention on the economic performance of Kent County and the Eastern Shore region. He will also provide an economic forecast for the year to come, with a Q&A session at the end. Mr. Basu is a non-partisan, informative and engaging speaker, with his own radio program out of American University. His business bio can be seen later in this newsletter.
Tickets are $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. Registrations are being accepted online ONLY at www.kentchamber.org. Click on events. Deadline for reservations is this coming Friday, October 5. Seating is limited, so register today!
If you have any questions about the Chamber, Chamber benefits, or Chamber events, or if you have thoughts on increasing member participation, I would be more than glad to hear from you. Give me a call at 410-810-2968 or email me at kentchamber@verizon.net.
Loretta
Loretta M. Lodge
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Welcome New Members The following businesses have recently made an important investment in their future and a significant commitment to the community by joining the Kent County Chamber of Commerce _________________________ AARP - Kent County Chapter 3635 Gordon Chapman P.O. Box 753
Chestertown, MD 21620 Tel 410.810.0406 AARPKC@gmail.com The mission of the Kent County Chapter of AARP is to promote the well-being of its members as well as the involvement and participation of members in service to the community. AARP members who live in Kent County may register for the benefits of membership in the Kent County Chapter by sending an email to AARPKC@gmail.com LCM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Les Moorhouse P.O. Box 27 Kennedyville, MD 21645 Tel 443.480.1408
mrles143@aol.com LCM Property Management provides 24/7 property management and maintenance, including tenants, leases, evictions, property repair & maintenance. - Turn-key property management on call 24/7
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Please join us in welcoming our newest Chamber members! New Chamber Sponsor! We would also like to welcome existing Chamber member MidShore Business Journal with Bob Friday at the helm as our newest *** Silver Sponsor *** Welcome Bob & thank you for the faith you have shown in our work and your continued support of our Chamber! |
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Chamber Office
122 N. Cross Street, Chestertown
The meeting is open to all members. Please contact Loretta at 410/810-2968 or kentchamber@verizon.net if you plan on attending.
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Business-After-Hours
Great Oak Manor
Thursday, October 11, 2012
5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
10568 Cliff Road
(in Fairlee)
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Anirban Basu
Speaking Engagement
(SEE DETAILS BELOW)
Monday, October 15, 2012
5:30 P.M.
Deadline for reservations Friday October 5
Online reservations only!
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NEWS FROM & FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS
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Do you have news about your business that
you want to share with our readers?
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KENT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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PRESENTS
Top Mid-Atlantic Region Economist Anirban Basu to Speak at Washington College October 15
 CHESTERTOWN, MD - Economist Anirban Basu will speak at Washington College October 15 at 5:30 p.m. in Litrenta Lecture Hall in the John S. Toll Science Center. Using the most current data available from credible sources, Mr. Basu will examine the state of the current economic recovery from the perspective of labor, financial, housing and other key markets. He will place special attention on the economic performance of Kent County and the Eastern Shore region. He will also provide an economic forecast for the year to come.
Anirban Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Basu is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's most recognizable economists, in part because of his consulting work on behalf of numerous clients, including prominent developers, bankers, brokerage houses, energy suppliers and law firms. On behalf of government agencies and non-profit organizations, Mr. Basu has written several high-profile economic development strategies. Among other things, Anirban serves as the chief economist to Associated Builders and Contractors (national) and as chief economic adviser to the Construction Financial Managers Association.
In recent years, he has also focused upon health economics, the economics of education and economic development. He currently lectures at Johns Hopkins University in micro-, macro-, international and urban economics.
In 2007, Mr. Basu was selected by the Daily Record newspaper as one of Maryland's 50 most influential people. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region's 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010.
Mr. Basu is involved with numerous organizations in a voluntary capacity, including serving as a Baltimore City Public School System board member and as a board member to the Baltimore Children's Museum and to the Baltimore School for the Arts. Mr. Basu is also on the board of First Mariner Bank. He is also chairman of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee and economic advisor to the Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Basu earned his B.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1990. He earned his Master's in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Master's in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. His Juris Doctor was earned at the University of Maryland School of Law in 2003
Tickets: $15 Chamber Members $20 Non-Chamber Members
RSVP at www.kentchamber.org Online Reservations ONLY
Seating is Limited. Reserve Today!
Deadline for Reservations: October 5, 2012
For additional information, please contact the Chamber office at 410-810-2968 or kentchamber@verizon.net
EVENT SPONSORS
  
  
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 | | Hugh Smith, Broker and Managing Member of Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate, awards Sales Associate, Tracy Stone first prize in the company's summer Listing Contest |
Press Release
Contact: Hugh M Smith 410-822-9000
Real Estate Agent Tracy Stone's Efforts Win Big Prize
Hugh Smith, Broker and Managing Member of Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate, on Tuesday awarded Sales Associate, Tracy Stone first prize in the company's summer Listing Contest. The winner received an all - inclusive Fall weekend at the Homestead Inn in Hot Springs, Virginia. During the contest period, June 1, 2012 - August 31, 2012, the 37 associates of the firm competed for points in the contest by procuring exclusive listings, by publishing property electronic marketing videos, and by hosting and attending open houses.
Ms. Stone began her real estate career in 1988 soon after moving to Chestertown from Washington, DC. She and her husband Jim, a faculty member at Echo Hill Outdoor School, have been the Innkeepers of the Inn at Mitchell House since 1986. Ms. Stone has practiced real estate with Coldwell Banker serving Kent, Queen Anne's, and Cecil Counties since 2003 and has been involved in many notable transactions such as "Bracebridge Hall" a grand Cecil County waterfront estate which sold for $13.5 Million in 2004.
"When I got into real estate here", says Ms. Stone, "we relied on print advertising to market real estate and there were no computers, no MRIS, no faxes, and no cell phones". My Sellers are demanding the widest exposure possible for their properties. Today, my customers are searching for real estate by watching property videos I make with my digital camera on their smart phones. I couldn't have made this transition without great systems, training, and administrative support. I must say I am looking forward to an old-fashioned vacation in Hot Springs!"
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United Fund Supports Mid-Shore Pro Bono Growth
From the Chestertown Spy September 17, 2012
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The staff of Mid-Shore Pro Bono at their new office on South West Street in Easton. Left to right, Annie Hynes, Alicia Myers, Megan Ryan, Executive Director Sandy Brown and Mandy Caulk.
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Mid-Shore Pro Bono is moving into new, larger office space at 8 South West Street in Easton as of mid-September. According to Executive Director Sandy Brown, the relocation demonstrates a growth and commitment to the community made possible by continued support from the United Fund of Talbot County.
For the fourth consecutive year, Mid-Shore Pro Bono has been named a beneficiary of the United Fund's annual campaign. "Recognition from the United Fund of Talbot County has provided an important foundation for our growth," noted Brown.
Mid-Shore Pro Bono has rapidly expanded the scope of its services since its founding in 2005, responding to the needs of its low-income client population. Initially, it was strictly a referral agency, matching clients with attorneys who volunteer their time to handle civil matters.
The agency began offering free weekly legal clinics in 2009, significantly increasing the number of Mid-Shore residents served. The faltering economy and explosion of foreclosure cases led to additional clinics specifically focused on bankruptcy, foreclosure and consumer debt issues. Recent additions to its roster of services include Collaborative Law, an alternative to contested court cases for couples working through divorce, and Community Conferencing, which allows victims and offenders an opportunity to work out agreements in safe, neutral settings. While it serves a five-county Mid-Shore area, including Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties, with its offices located in Easton, most of the new services developed have been offered first in Talbot County. Demand for many of its programs has led to them eventually being offered on site in the other four counties as well. Expansion of services creates demands on the organization to support the growth. More than 80 attorneys volunteer their time for Mid-Shore Pro Bono's clients, but on-site staff still need to coordinate programs and provide administrative support for the attorneys. As programs expand, staff needs also grow, which made for cramped conditions in its previous Dover Street headquarters. The new offices on South West Street are spacious and welcoming to clients, attorneys and staff. The building is handicap accessible and centrally located in Easton, within a block or two of the courthouse, library, Neighborhood Service Center and other sites frequented by both its volunteers and those seeking legal assistance. "We are so delighted to be moving here," said Brown, noting that there is plenty of parking and much more room for the staff to work and for attorneys to meet with clients. "The community's contributions to the United Fund of Talbot County have supported our clinics, which have fueled much of our growth by increasing awareness of our services and letting us know more directly the needs of our low-income community. Its continued support has both helped create the need for the move and helped make this move possible." For more information, call Mid-Shore Pro Bono at 410-690-8128 or visit www.midshoreprobono.org. |
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Kelly Reed will join the staff of teachers at The Little School at Kent School.
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Chris Gorycki has announced that Kelly Reed will join the staff of teachers at The Little School at Kent School. The Little School is the pre-school program at Kent School. "Enrollment is growing in our pre-k program and we are committed to keeping our 8 to 1 student/teacher ratio. We are pleased that Kelly is joining the Kent School community. She brings the education, experience and passion for teaching children and will make a great addition to our program," said Gorycki.
Ms. Reed is a graduate of Delaware Valley College with a degree in Greenhouse and Nursery Management. She later earned her Early Childhood Teaching Certificate from Cecil College during which she completed her service hours at Kent School. Kelly and her husband Griff, a Kent School graduate from the Class of '89, reside in Georgetown. They have two children and enjoy boating, outdoor activities, reading and being with children.
The Little School at Kent School serves three, four, and five- year old children and is where our students begin their educational journey. The program is designed to foster early childhood development. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, pre-reading and math skills and the integration of social studies, science, music, and art.
For more information about Little School or other programs at Kent School visit www.kentschool.org or call 410-778-4100.
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 Linda Mastro, Director, Corporate Communications 219 S. Washington Street Phone - 410/822 - 1000, extension 5507; cell - 410/829-6511 Easton, Maryland 21601 Fax - 410/770 - 8603 Website - www.shorehealth.org News Release (September 14, 2012)  | |
Shore Regional Breast Center staffers prepare the Tree of Hope for ribbons that honor and remember people diagnosed with breast cancer. Pictured (left to right) are Mattie Fountain, community outreach worker; Melissa Kelly, department secretary; Edla Coleman, coordinator, Survivors Offering Support; and Dale Jafari, MSN, CRNP, coordinator.
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Roberta Lilly, MD, Medical Director for Shore Regional Breast Center and Dale Reddish, CRNP, coordinator, Shore Regional Breast Center
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Breast Center Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month Shore Regional Breast Center will promote October as breast cancer awareness month with various activities throughout the month, all aimed at increasing awareness of the disease and the services available at the Breast Center for prevention and treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer, taking the lives of approximately 40,000 women annually. "October is a great time to remind people about the importance of prevention and education when it comes to their breast health," says Roberta Lilly, MD, Medical Director for Shore Regional Breast Center. "Regular mammography screening can help lower breast cancer mortality by finding breast cancer early, when the chance of successful treatment is best."' The Breast Center will host a number of activities in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They include: Pink Ribbon Hanging: To kick off the activities surrounding Breast Cancer Awareness Month, staff and volunteers from the Breast Center will hang 243 pink ribbons in honor of those patients who were treated by the Breast Center in the past year. These ribbons will be hung on the large tree in the front circle at Memorial Hospital. A public ribbon hanging ceremony will be held on Thursday, Sept. 27 at noon. Once adorned with these ribbons, the tree will serve as a month-long reminder of the friends, neighbors and loved ones whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. Tree of Hope: To honor a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer, members of the public may come to the Breast Center and hang a pink ribbon on the Tree of Hope. The ribbons have space to write a loved one's name or message and can be done in honor or remembrance. Visitors may come to the Tree of Hope Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Cancer Survivor Art Gallery and First Friday Opening: The Shore Regional Breast Center art gallery will mark its third anniversary with an exhibit that features the art of breast and cancer survivors. The cancer survivor art exhibit opens on Friday, October 3 at the Breast Center. The public is invited to the grand opening of the exhibit, from 5-7 p.m. The exhibit will continue through the end of the year. "While our awareness and education activities are a year-round effort, we look forward to taking this annual national observance as an opportunity to remind our friends and family about the world class resources available to them, right here in their own community," says Dale Jafari, MSN, CRNP, Breast Center coordinator. The Breast Center provides a full array of diagnostic services, including mammography, ultrasound, breast MRI and biopsies along with a survivorship program, and other resources for patients and their family members. Staffed by Dr. Lilly a dedicated breast surgeon, and Jafari, a nurse practitioner who has worked in women's health for 34 years, the Breast Center provide a comprehensive breast health program that begins with diagnosis and continues through to survivorship. Members of the Breast Center team also travel around the region to educate the community about breast health and the importance of early detection through mammograms and breast self-examination. Shore Regional Breast Center is located at 219 S. Washington Street in Easton. The office is located on the first floor at Memorial Hospital. For more information about Shore Regional Breast Center, visit http://www.shorehealth.org/services/breastcenter/. |
Holiday Shopping Galleria
Friday October 12th, 2012
 
Images from the 2011 Holiday Shopping Galleria
September 10, 2012
Kent Youth, Inc.
PO Box 58
Chestertown, MD 21620
410-778-1370
sdavis@baybroadband.net
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Betsy Durham
410-708-4786
betsdurham@gmail.com
Kent Youth and Shared Opportunity Service team up for Holiday Fundraiser
Shared Opportunity Service (SOS)and Kent Youth, Inc., two Chestertown organizations that serve youth and their families, are once again partnering to present a fundraising Holiday Shopping Galleria to be held Friday October 12th, 2012 and Saturday October 13th at the Kent County Community Center in Worton, Md.
Building on the successes of last year's Galleria, the event will feature returning vendors including the gourmet foods of All Things Olive; fantastic jewelry, unique women's accessories and clothing by Leslie Jewett Designs, One Stop Kids Shop from Malvern, PA. and Ellen Allen Annapolis featuring men's gifts, handbags and home decor. Joining the Galleria for the first time will be the fantastic Wackadoodle's Toy Shop from West Grove, PA., the fine art offerings of Katherine S. Cochrane and a ladies shop, Polka Dots from Paoli, Pa., to name just a few of the 30 vendors showcasing their wares at the event. Shopping opportunities for your holiday gift lists will abound with vendors offering pet toys, children's clothing and toys, carvings, stationary, scarves, men's clothing and accessories, holiday decor items and women's jewelry, clothing and accessories and much, much more.
A Patrons' Party will be held from 5 - 8 PM on Friday October 12th. Preview shopping
at our vendors, an extensive silent auction, raffle, cash bar and hors d'oeuvres provided by Jeff Carroll Catering will highlight the evening. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. This year some wonderful silent auction items will include "Taste of Europe" dinner for 6 in your home, a day of goose hunting on a private farm, theatre tickets to the Kennedy Center and to the Dupont Playhouse, and vacation homes in Bethany Beach, Dallas, TX, and Wachapreague, VA., to name just a few.
The Galleria will be open for shopping on Saturday October 13th from 10 AM to 4 PM.
General Admission is $5 at the door. A cash lunch cafe provided by Fishwhistle will also be available.
Shared Opportunity Service, Inc. (SOS) is a community based organization that was
established in 1996, the result of a community-needs assessment that identified gaps in available family support services. SOS provides individuals and families with services in eight areas: self-sufficiency, child development, parent education, in-home visiting, wellness and nutrition, community outreach, service coordination and participant support. SOS provides childcare services for infants to three year-olds and a preschool program for three and four year-olds. Visit www.familiesshine.org for more information.
Kent Youth, Inc., established in 1971, provides a broad spectrum of services to troubled youth and their families, including a group home for adjudicated young boys ages 14 - 17 and outreach services for young boys and girls still living in their homes or in foster care. A structured program at the group home encourages the boys to learn to make better and more productive life decisions. It delivers these services by developing unique programs for each youth to facilitate growth toward more responsible, self-sufficient adulthood and reintegration into their communities. The youth attend the local public schools and participate in many extra-curricular community activities including volunteer work and the Kent County Adventure Diversion Program. For more information visit www.kentyouth.com.
For further information about the Galleria and to purchase tickets to the Patrons' Party
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IN THE NEWS
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AROUND THE STATE
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- E-Blasts - Broadcast E-Mail Service Now Available!
The Chamber now offers an E-Blast service to all of our members. In an effort to help you build your business and get your message out efficiently and cost effectively, the Chamber office will send an email specifically on your behalf to all Chamber members and non-members who have signed up for our mailing list. This is an excellent way to announce new products, services or events. As a Chamber member, you can take advantage of this service at a very reasonable cost of $25. Please contact the Chamber office for further details.
- SCORE (Senior Core of Retired Executives)
Invites retired executives to become counselors for new and existing local businesses. Contact Damon Bradley at SCORE to get more information: windtryst04@aol.com
- Help Us Help You. Keep Your Business Information Current!
Please remember to contact Loretta in the Chamber office if you have any changes or updates to your business contact information. We want to keep all of our members' information current.
- Member-To-Member Benefit Program
This program allows any Chamber member to offer discounts on their products and services to other Chamber members and their employees. Even if you do not offer a discount to fellow members, as a Chamber member, you may take advantage of the discounts offered by other members.
Don't miss out! Sign up for this program today.
Call Loretta at 410/810-2968 or email at kentchamber@verizon.net
The following businesses are participating members.
Please support these businesses!
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