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Grab a sub for dinner, support Wreaths Across America

4 Nov

For the fourth year in a row, our Webster Jersey Mike’s Subs shop on Ridge Rd. will be hosting a fundraiser to support Wreaths Across America-Webster and its mission to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in our town.

During the fundraiser, scheduled for Nov. 10 to 12, community members can get a free regular Jersey Mike’s sub in return for a $3 donation to Wreaths Across America. But you have to have a coupon to participate; you can get yours right now at one of these village businesses:

Over the last three years, the campaign has raised more than $1800 for Wreaths Across America. That kind of community support is crucial again this year, as organizers hope to place 2,100 wreaths across three Webster cemeteries on this year’s Wreath Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 13.

Wreaths Across America Day is an initiative to honor and remember fallen veterans, a day when volunteers place wreaths on the graves of almost three million veterans at cemeteries across the country and across the world. Webster has participated in this solemn occasion every year since 2022, when volunteers placed about 650 wreaths at Webster Union Cemetery. In 2023, Webster Rural and Union Hill joined the effort, and last year, Holy Trinity Cemetery also participated for the first time.

In addition to nabbing one of those coupons and heading to Jersey Mike’s, here are a few other ways you can help:

  • Sponsor a wreath. Each sponsorship costs $17, and $5 from each will be donated to local Gold Star Families, who have lost an immediate family member in active duty. Click here to go to Webster’s Wreaths Across America page and sign up.
  • Help out on Dec. 13. Local organizers still need volunteers to distribute the wreaths after the ceremony. Email websterwreaths@icloud.com for more information.

Our Webster Jersey Mike’s is located at 975 Ridge Rd., in the small plaza across from the former Hegedorn’s.

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/4/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

29 Oct

A few new things and a few reminders in today’s mailbag.

Calling the R.L. Thomas Class of 1970!

Your 55 year reunion is happening this Saturday, Nov. 1, and if you haven’t signed up yet, it’s not too late.

The reunion will take place at Finn Park on Maple Dr., from 2 to 11 p.m. p.m. Cost is $20 which includes a food truck ticket. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. To sign up, email rlt1970alumni@gmail.com.

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The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters will host their 2025 indoor craft sale on Saturday Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. They’re expecting more than 40 vendors.

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Spry Middle School students and staff will host their annual free spaghetti dinner for Webster veterans, active duty service members and their families on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. It will be served in Spry Middle School’s cafetorium, 119 South Avenue, and feature a complimentary meal of spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert. Reservations are requested. Call Spry Middle School at (585) 216-0093. Click here for more information.

Tickets are now on sale for the Village of Webster’s annual Bourbon Bash, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. Taste local and national bourbons along with food samplings from Village of Webster restaurants.

Tickets are $35 plus an Eventbrite fee, and can be ordered here. This event usually sells out, so get your tickets soon. This is a 21+ event. Valid ID will be required.

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The Friends of Webster Trails will host their annual Hot Cocoa Hike on Saturday Nov. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Finn Park, 850 Maple Dr.

Kids and adults alike are welcome to this family-friendly hike. It’s a little over a mile long (start to finish) and will include a stop for hot cocoa. The trail will start at the right-hand side of the building by the kiosk. There will be lights along the way. This is not a guided event. You are responsible for finding your way to the hot cocoa and back by following the marked path.

Participants are asked to leave the parking lot between 7 and 8 p.m., to arrive at the hot cocoa stop by 8:30 p.m. Please leave your dog at home; you can bring them back to enjoy the trail another time. Please bring a flashlight and your own travel mug. This is a carry-in carry out event.

There’s no cost, but please register here so the Friends know how many people to expect.

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The Webster Arboretum will present a program called Bird Seed Ornaments: A Family Affair on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. Bring the family and join the members of the Arboretum to learn how to make “bird cookies,” the perfect little snack for the birds in your yard. They’re easy to make and fun to watch the birds enjoying them. Visit the Webster Arboretum website for more information.

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This note doesn’t relate directly to Webster but it’s kind of interesting. Apparently every year the members of the Rochester Amateur Radio Association participate in what they call their “Pumpkin Patrol” in support of the New York State Police. On Oct. 30 and 31 they monitor Thruway overpasses in Monroe County to prevent vandalism. The “hams” have been providing this service for more than 30 years and there have been no reports of any serious vandalism from overpasses to vehicles traveling on the Thruway since the Patrol began.

So keep an eye out for them and maybe give them a little beep to show your support.

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Here’s a quick follow-up from the recent Embrace Your Sisters Walk which I wrote about in August. It was held on Oct. 5 at Pittsford Sutherland High School and apparently was quite successful, raising a whopping $25,654, surpassing the organization’s $25,000 goal.

The funds will be added to the more than $700,000 which has already been distributed during the Embrace Your Sisters’ 19 years. People with breast cancer across our 13-county area have benefited from these funds, which paid outstanding living expenses. If you know someone who could benefit from the Embrace Your Sisters short-term emergency funds, please have them visit the website for more information.

Here’s something you want to put on your calendar for December:

The Country Gardeners of Webster will hold their annual Garden Club Holiday Sale on Saturday December 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.

This huge sale features fresh wreaths, arrangements, poinsettias, centerpieces and gifts that are created by hand by the club members. This is always a very popular event, so you want to get there early.

The Webster Arboretum will also be there with an information table, and some large raffle baskets. Plus, their 2026 membership cards and new 2026 calendar will be available or purchase.

The sale is the Country Gardeners’ annual fundraiser, so think about decorating your own home, and purchasing gifts for family, friends and holiday hostesses. Admission is free.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/29/2025)

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Mark your calendars now to be part of Wreath Day on Dec. 13

27 Oct

You’ll be hearing a lot more about this in the coming weeks, but I wanted to get this year’s Wreaths Across America Day on your radar. This year’s ceremony will be held on Saturday Dec. 13 at Webster Union Cemetery. (Click here to read about last year’s event.)

Wreaths Across America Day is an initiative to honor and remember fallen veterans, a day when volunteers place wreaths on the graves of almost 3 million veterans at cemeteries across the country and across the world. Webster has participated in this solemn occasion every year since 2022, when volunteers placed about 650 wreaths at Webster Union Cemetery. In 2023, Webster Rural and Union Hill joined the effort and 1,350 wreaths were placed. Last year, we added Holy Trinity Cemetery, and raised our wreath total to 2,100.

Thanks to the amazing support from the Webster community, our little town typically ranks in the top 5% for the number of veterans honored.

As I said, I’ll get you more details later about the actual ceremony, but right now we as a community have to come together to make sure we have enough wreaths for this year. Wreaths Across America Local Coordinator Cherie Wood tells me her goal again this year is 2,100 wreaths, enough for all of the veterans in all four participating cemeteries: Webster Union, Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity. But she’s still a long way away from that goal.

Her dream is actually to have enough EXTRA wreaths sponsored to add West Webster’s 350 veterans, which would raise her goal to 2,450 veteran wreaths.

When it comes to Wreaths Across America Day, Webster NEVER disappoints. Our community support has grown bigger and bigger every year, allowing Cherie to honor even more veterans every year. So let’s not let her down.

Please click here to go to Webster’s Wreaths Across America page and consider sponsoring one or several wreaths. Each sponsorship costs $17, and $5 from each will be donated to local Gold Star Families, who have lost an immediate family member in active duty.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/27/2025)

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Pumpkins on Parade a soggy but fun event

26 Oct

I want to start my Pumpkins on Parade follow-up today with a shout-out to all of the hardy Webster Recreation Center staff members who hung in there Saturday night despite the rather miserable weather.

A cold, steady rain began shortly after the parade started, which took many participants by surprise (only a few had thought to bring umbrellas) and sent families running to their cars as soon as they finished the trail. And almost certainly it kept many families away entirely, choosing not to venture outside their warm homes at all.

But those who did walk the trail enjoyed hundreds of creatively carved pumpkins and colorful lights illuminating the trail, lots of spooky ghost and alien decorations, an actual witch cackling and casting spells as she cooked up something vile in her cauldron, and a really cool “haunted” house. And at the end, Rec Center staffers gamely stood at their posts, handing out donuts, apples and cider, taking photos and helping kids go down the roll-y slide (the kids definitely didn’t seem to mind the weather). Kudos also to all of the families who were still arriving, with umbrellas, as I walked back to my car.

So the weather was stinky this year, and it definitely dampened the festivities, but it was still fun to see all the pumpkins. Nice job, Rec Center, and thank you for all your hard work. And I hope you enjoyed all the leftover donuts.

Here’s a gallery of photos from the event.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/25/2025)

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So. Much. Candy. So many photos.

25 Oct

Thank you, Village of Webster business owners, for the fun excuse to eat too much candy every year on the Saturday before Halloween.

I mean, that’s what always happens when I wander the streets on Trick-or-Treat Trail day in the village (always with my daughter Erin at my side), stopping by to chat with all of the business owners I’ve come to know. Invariably I leave with a Butterfinger or Reese’s Cup in my hand or stuffed in my pocket for later. And this year, Netsin’s had their ice cream truck there as well; that cup of Panda Paws was kind of like lunch, right? Erin and I may have also stopped by for a pint at the Mary Wee before heading home.

Of course we also made sure to pop into the Webster Museum, where they always have a fun scavenger hunt, and the Webster Volunteer Fire Department, which holds their open house during the event.

So it was a great time, but as always, I struggled to get photos of all the incredible costumes we saw as we wandered. There were a lot of dinosaurs (small and huge), Roblox and Minecraft characters (my daughter had to help me identify them), and some perennial favorites like Winnie the Pooh and the Wizard of Oz. But I saw a lot of unique costumes as well, like the young man who was a garbage collector.

The weather was cool and started out a little spitty, which I think muted the crowd numbers a bit compared to previous years, but I still managed to take 70 or 80 photos. There are a few here, but many more in this Facebook gallery.

Thank you to the Webster Business Improvement District for organizing the event, and to all the business owners who participated.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/25/2025)

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Pumpkins are parading this weekend. Don’t miss it

22 Oct

The Webster Recreation Center’s annual Pumpkins on Parade is this Saturday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

less than two weeks away, and they need jack-o-lanterns! This is a super fun family event where participants stroll along the mile-long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center, which is lined with hundreds of creatively carved, humorous, scary and downright weird jack-o-lanterns, and a lot of other very spooky elements. At the end of the path, there’s music, cider & donuts, a giant slide, mini hay maze, photo booth, games and a bonfire. And it’s ALL FREE and no registration is necessary.

This amazing event relies on community participation, because a LOT of pumpkins are necessary to make it really spectacular. Everyone is encouraged to carve some pumpkins to be added to the parade. Carved pumpkins can be dropped off at the Recreation Center on Friday, Oct. 24 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and/or Saturday, Oct. 25 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

You can also join other Halloween-loving community members at a Pumpkin Carving Party on Friday, Oct. 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Rec Center will provide the pumpkins and the tools — all you need to bring is your creativity. And all of your creations will make it to the Pumpkins on Parade path.

The pumpkin-carving event is free, but registration is required for this so they can set aside some pumpkins for you. Register for program #301208.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/22/2025)

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Details about the Trick-or-Treat Trail in the village

18 Oct

The Village of Webster’s ever-popular Trick-or-Treat Trail returns to downtown streets on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In case you haven’t heard about this great event yet, here’s what it’s all about:

Basically, for three hours on what is usually a beautiful autumn Saturday afternoon, children and their adults can wander the village, popping in and out of businesses, trick-or-treating. Full costumes are expected of course, and not just for the children! It’s always fun to see entire families dressed up, often as a common theme. I love taking photos of cool parents who get into the spirit.

The trick-or-treating will begin at 11 a.m., and the costume contest runs from 11:30 to 12:30. Don’t worry about missing out on any of the village festivities, because it only takes a few minutes to file through the Community Meeting Room and have your photo taken for the judging.

So grab your kids, get everyone into costumes (including you, too, Mom and Dad), then stroll through the village, visiting friendly merchants who will be handing out candy. (Participating businesses will have a pumpkin sign displayed in their window.) This is a great chance to check out some of the newer businesses in town, or even some older businesses you’ve never been in before.

And make sure you stop by the Webster Volunteer Fire Dept., because they’ll be holding their annual open house, complete with demonstrations, free fire hats, and candy of course. And turn the corner on Lapham Park to take the short walk to the Webster Museum. The volunteers there always have some sort of scavenger hunt planned.

New to the Trick-or-Treat Trail this year are a photo op display by Kittelberger Florist, ice cream treats from Netsins Ice Cream and a Halloween-themed lunch menu at Webster Hots

Keep an eye out for me and my camera; I’ll be wandering the streets, too, taking photos of as many kids and families in costume as I can. Then I’ll post a really big follow-up photo gallery. (Click here for my gallery from last year.)

The Trick-or-Treat Trail is sponsored by the Webster Business Improvement District. Stay tuned for more information about future village events, including the Bourbon Bash on Saturday, Nov. 22 and the Winter Wonderland celebration (with the ever-popular Parade of Lights) on Saturday, Dec. 6.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/18/2025)

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“Senior Inspirations” project will present seniors’ stories — artistically

17 Oct
Images from one of the “talk sessions”

I’ve written several times about the Webster Art Club, a very friendly and welcoming group of artists of all ability levels who meet once a month at the Webster Recreation Center to share ideas and support each other. If you’re a regular visitor to the Rec Center, you’re probably familiar with their work, displayed on the wall leading past the community room.

It’s obviously a pretty cool organization, but this latest project they’re working on is especially cool. Called “Senior Inspirations,” the project is a collaboration between Webster community members — specifically senior citizens — and Webster Art Club members. Each senior participant was paired with an artist, who sat down with them during “talk sessions” and asked them questions about their lives, interests, hobbies, etc. Each artist would then create an artwork based on something the senior shared. The media and style of work, along with the image itself, would be up to the artist.

The project began just a couple of weeks ago, the idea prompted by the club’s previous experience with a directed project.

Club co-president Mary Coy explained,

As a club, I noticed how inspired the club was last year as we collectively created art for the eclipse exhibit at the Rec Center center.  Some folks said they “liked having a specific project to work on.” So I thought we might try something different this year and offer the theme of inspiration.

Knowing the importance of social connection as we age, I thought about inviting seniors in to chat and share their stories. … We offered two opportunities to come in and talk with club members. Each session was one hour, and each artist was given a series of questions/prompts to encourage conversation.  It didn’t take much to get everyone talking! Lively chatter filled the entire hour, with some participants saying they didn’t want the session to end!

Mary added, “In this divisive time in society, this project brings people together and offers an opportunity for us to be inspired by others. Hence the name: ‘Senior Inspirations.'”

Diana Holzwasser, one of the seniors who participated, told me she enjoyed the experience very much.

“It was a very enlightening experience,” she wrote, adding,

I discussed the importance of family, my work life at Paychex as well as my interests. It was a pleasure to have this discussion with two of the members who will transform the information to a drawing. I’m very excited to see the results!

The talk sessions have been completed and the artists are busy working on their creations. The senior participants have been invited back for an unveiling and explanation of the artworks on Wednesday, November 19 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — kind of like a reception, which will be held in that hallway where the artwork normally is displayed. Eleven artists participated in the project, so there’ll be at least 11 work of art, which will be hung alongside the club’s other works already on display.

I’ll be there. I think this is a very intriguing idea and I look forward to seeing the finished artworks and hearing the stories behind them.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/17/2025)

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My second Prague travelogue is coming up

15 Oct

If you didn’t get a chance to catch my Prague travelogue presentation at the Webster Public Library last month, and you’d really like to, your next opportunity to do so is on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Webster Recreation Center, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

You may remember that I spent several weeks in Prague, Czechia earlier this year. I was accompanying my husband Jack, who’d been awarded a Fulbright Specialist grant to work with a journalism organization headquartered in the city. Being there for that much time gave us a great chance to see pretty much all of the touristy things you need to see in that beautiful city. But also plenty of time to explore many not-so-touristy things.

That’s where the title of my talk comes from: Prague, Czechia: the Weird and the Wonderful. The wonderful portion of the talk will illustrate how stunningly gorgeous the city is, and feature the most popular tourist attractions. The weird portion will highlight several off-the-beaten-track — and rather unusual — attractions. And Prague has a lot of them.

Of course, I took a LOT of photos. If you’re at all interested in seeing some (OK, many) of those photos and hearing about my adventures, please join me at the Webster Recreation Center next Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. The program is part of their regular Talks on Tuesday series. There’s no charge, and you don’t have to be a member of the Rec Center to attend. They’d like to know how many people to expect, so please register.

To register, navigate to the Recreation Center’s registration tab and click on the 55+ Programs box. Then search “Prague” as a keyword in the 55+ programs category. You’re looking for program #346940-J. If you have any problems, call the Rec Center art (585)-872-7103. They’ll take care of you.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/15/2025)

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A little bit of Halloween, a little bit of Christmas

14 Oct

‘Tis the season for creative and scary Halloween displays, and a short time ago one of my readers wrote to me about the one he’s set up in front of his 1108 Everwild View home. He’s put a lot of work into it and he’s pretty proud of it, and he tells me it’s become a neighborhood favorite. But since he lives at the end of his cul-de-sac street, he doesn’t get a lot of traffic, so he thought I might help him spread the word.

I went by the other night to check it out (it’s best at night) and it is pretty neat. Apparently Brian built a lot of the pieces himself. Here are a few more photos from it, but you’ll want to stop by to see it for yourself to get the full effect.

The ever-changing and ever-growing display was born during COVID, and started with just a few elements. It was part of Brian and his wife’s idea to make sure the neighborhood kids could still enjoy Halloween, even during a pandemic shut-down.

They devised a celebration just for the kids on the street, friends and family members. Homeowners would put tables at the end of their driveways, and the kids would stop by each one to trick-or-treat. In the past (depending on the year) the event has also included a food truck, and often a special appearance by the fire department.

Six years later, the Turnquists continue to delight the neighborhood with their spooky display, and are still making the holiday extra special for the neighborhood’s kids. If you’d like to drive by, Brian will have the display lit up Sunday through Thursday from dusk until 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from dusk till 10 p.m. (weather permitting).

Sign up now to participate in the Parade of Lights

Despite all the really cool Halloween decorations popping up everywhere, it is not yet actually Halloween, but our Webster Volunteer Fire Dept. has already started planning for the ever-popular and spectacular Holiday Parade of Lights.

The parade is always the highlight of the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland festivities, which this year will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and ALWAYS draws a huge crowd, no matter how cold it is.

More details to come, but for now, if your business or organization wants to participate this year, you gotta sign up. To do that, click here, and fill out the form.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/14/2025)

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