Summer Newsletter August 2022 | |
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Summer is more than half over and I was thinking about all the wonderful things that happened for our Steering Committee while planning the MGC Conference. Most of us felt a lot of pressure to hold a live event. We were not sure what to expect for attendance. We took a stab at estimating 150 and looked for a venue that could accommodate that number of attendees and would be attractive and easy to get to. When we selected the Crowne Plaza, we were pleasantly surprised that it was refurbished, and the floorplan would accommodate our event. Working with the Crowne in previous years, I felt we could trust them to provide the best support services.
The Steering Committee came together and proved to be a “working team.” Work teams are most efficient when changes and expert advice are needed to complete a set of tasks requiring different skills. Each one of us have different skills and putting those skills all together created a synergy that made our job easier. Did we hit bumps in the road? Of course, we did. However, we problem solved and came up with solutions. The MSU event was one of the ideas that was added, and it proved to be one of the highlights of this year’s conference.
I want to thank the Steering Committee and other planning committee members, on behalf of all the D2B members. For those who were able to attend the conference, I know you agree that it was a successful event. In recognizing how we pulled together to get things done for our district, it was the planning committee and contributing clubs that made it all happen. You can read a complete conference wrap-up article on the District 2B website.
I hope clubs have membership meetings that builds knowledge of what the District does and how we support Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. Clubs are welcome to invite MGC and District officials to attend your member meetings to help educate members on NGC, Central Region, MGC, and D2B work and what we all offer as member benefits.
We invite club members to join our working group (Steering Committee) and participate in the Interest Groups’ activities. There is always room for more volunteers on both the District and State levels.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and good luck on promoting your program 2022-23 program year.
Your District Director,
Carol Grainger
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Handout Highlights
Natalie Carmolli, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist for Spring
Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners®, Spring Meadow Nursery
Create an Oasis
Jessica Wright's “Cocktails in the Garden” program is an example of
Jessica’s love to explore. including herbal cocktails!
Cocktails in the Garden Recipes
Paige Filice, “Gardening to Protect and Beautify Lakes, Rivers and Ponds”
highlights landscaping options to improve the quality of your water way
Links to Smart Gardening, MSU Extension and other resources
Daedre McGrath, explores what makes a new variety stand out from the pack and also stand the test of time. Breeding Breakthrough
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Our Program Book is a wealth of information about Gardens around the State of Michigan.
Gardening: THE GREAT ESCAPE
91st ANNUAL
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.
STATE MEETING & CONFERENCE
JUNE 8-9, 2022
Take a Look
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2022
September -
1 Club Rosters are due by September
October
11 Fall District meeting D2B
19 2B Designers Workshop – “Bling Thing” Botanical Artistic Craft: Jewelry (see upcoming events)
December
10 Saturday, Holiday Youth Flower Show, Best Western, 2209 University Park Drive, Okemos
2023
February
25-26 Greater Lansing Orchid Society Show and Sale – District 2B Flower Show
March
16-18 District 2B Flower Show, MSU Pavilion
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Webberville Garden Club is moving on towards the next 50 years!
Webberville Garden Club was organized and Federated in1972. The club celebrated its 50th birthday this year with cake and ice cream for the community! We are a small but mighty club.
We currently have 36 members and are very involved in our town. We plant flowers downtown in the planters, at our post office, help maintain the gardens at Webberville Elementary, care for the gazebo garden downtown, plant and maintain our Blue Star Garden, and in the winter we place greens throughout the downtown and the Industrial Park.
The club is so proud of their Webberville Junior Garden Club that we had at our Elementary school for 15 years. We have an average of 30 to 35 children signed up each year. We meet monthly thru the school year and do lots of projects as well as keep the gardens around the school cared for.
Webberville also is partnered with the Webberville FFA, the youth grow all the plants that are planted in the planters downtown in their greenhouse and they help with the plantings. We also have Middle and High School Floriculture teams that compete at MSU skills contest. We believe these youth are our future and enjoy working with them and making some amazing memories.
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Club and Social Media News | |
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The Great Gnome Family Scavenger Hunt - June 1-Sep 30
as promoted in and around Brighton as well as 6 of our civic gardens:
Brighton Public Gardens have been overrun with roaming gnomes and you can join in a Scavenger Hunt to help find them all. You will spot these mischievous little characters 32 in all, nestled between trees and plants of our gardens with only their pointy hats and long beards giving away their sneaky hiding places. While you explore the 6 gardens, see how many of our roaming gnomes you can find hidden throughout the city.
See Gnome check list
See Gnome brochure
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Community Garage Sale raises over $1400 for the BMGC -
On July 16th the Brighton High School parking lot became the site of the annual Community Garage Sale. Our garden club had donations given by members for sale. All proceeds went to the Club. Any items left were donated.
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UPCOMING...
August 18 - We are having a members garden tour and picnic too!
August 26 - We will be visiting Wildtype Native Plant Nursery.
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DeWitt Millennium Garden Club
The DeWitt Millennium Garden Club has been selected as the Grand Marshall of this year's Ox Roast Parade as a way to thank them for all their work maintaining the gardens around the city. The DMGC can be found working in the All Kids Playground, Blue Star/Gold Star Memorial, Healing Garden, Memorial Garden, Percy Carris Garden, Welcome Garden in addition to the Downtown City Planters and the Boxes on the Bridge. Come to the Ox Roast Parade on August 20th at 10am and see DeWitt Millennium Garden members! https://dewittoxroast.org/
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The Garden Club of Greater Lansing
will be touring the OUDOLF Gardens on Thursday Sept 15th on Belle Isle, as well as other Gardens and at other facilities.
Lunch is at: McShane Irish Pub (lunch on your own). Lunch around 11:30. Possible stops on the way out of Detroit. The bus still has room. Hope you can join us.
To register send check of $40.00 made out to our club GCGL to: Suz Burger, 1426 Hillcrest, Lansing, MI 48910. Email Joan Lenhard at JMM.LENHARD@gmail.com Invite a guest. Questions call Joan at 898-8068.
Learn more about the OUDOLF Gardens here.
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Facebook Share...
OMG is this too cute?
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Grand Ledge Garden Club
Facebook share
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Howell Garden Club
Our Member Garden Walks were a great success this year!
Thank you to Gail and Donna for organizing this event and to Gail, Marsha and Deb for opening up their homes and gardens.
Thank you to our members for the wonderful turn out! What a great group to belong to!
View our beautiful gardens here
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Looking Glass Garden Club
We have a website!
Still adding content, but make sure to share this with your friends and neighbors, especially if they are not on Facebook. Its a great way to see what we've done, and what's coming up www.lookingglassgardenclub.com
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We had a great time getting the flower boxes up on the bridges today! There were more LGGC members that participated in making this happen that are not in the photo. What a great team! Thank you everyone!
See Facebook post here
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Mason Sycamore Creek Garden Club
Club Fundraiser - The Mason Sycamore Creek Garden Club will be at the Mason Farmers Market in Lee Austin Park; 302 W. Ash Street (downtown Mason across from the Fire Station) selling Daylilies on Saturday, August 27th from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
Thanks to a generous donation by Saundra Dunn of ALONG THE FENCE DAYLILIES (Dansville, MI) for our club fundraising, we will be offering a wide variety of award-winning daylilies for $6.00 each or 5 for $25.00.
Proceeds benefit our club and youth projects - including planting the DDA downtown Mason flower pots, Veterans/Gold Star Memorial Garden, Blue Star Memorial Garden, Mason Historical Museum gardens and Historic Pink Schoolhouse gardens, along with the Sunflower House Youth Learning Center, and our newest projects - Griffin Park and Lee Austin Park gardens. For information gardenclubofmason@gmail.com
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Community Art in the Garden
On August 16th we had our "Community Art in the Garden" at the Sunflower House Youth Garden. Dawn McVay Baumer, owner of Dawn's Art To You instructed children from ages 5-14 on building and painting a 2 ft personalized sign to grace their garden for years to come!
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Family Blanket Picnic - Was held at the Sunflower House Learning Center on the lawn of the Historic Pink Schoolhouse in Bicentennial Park. This event celebrated the completion of the schoolhouse exterior renovation project. Our guest speaker was Rachel Clark, from the Michigan Historical Museum and Mason Historical Society. She spoke about the history of the Pink Schoolhouse and early education in Ingham County.
Mason Sycamore Creek Garden Club provided drinks and desserts.
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Marshall Area Garden Club
“Welcome to My Garden” Tour
Marshall Area Garden Club’s 31st “Welcome to My Garden” Tour returned this year with six beautiful and unique gardens. The weather cooperated with mid 70’s and low humidity. Around 900 guests strolled through impeccable landscapes with gracious hosts to greet them.
Another feature of the tour was the Vintage Garden Market located near Marshall’s Fountain Circle and Bayberry House Interiors. The Market featured about 40 vendors who sold unique and vintage/antique merchandise. The event was so successful that Marshall’s ATM machines were running low all over town.
Proceeds from the tour and garden market fund the club’s many projects which include maintaining the Carver Park garden and the West Michigan Avenue median garden. The club also funded the purchase and installation of the statue located in front of the Marshall District Library.
Marshall Garden Tour
July 9-10, 2022
Photos and slideshow
by Mary Rio
View our garden tour video slideshow
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Meridian Garden Club
Our 2022 Summer Field Trip Notes (Gallivanting Gardeners)
A Morning at MSU’s Beal Garden On June 20, our first Meridian Garden Club Gallivanting Gardening trips was a fun filled Treasure Hunt exploring MSU’s oldest horticultural garden. Garden club members solved clues that lead to the mysteries and historical treasures hidden in the Garden’s collection of fascinating plants. The morning was one of exploration and learning about the fascinating uses and sometimes sordid history of plants.
Lacasa’s 24th Annual Garden Tour in Livingston County: On Saturday, July 9, 9:00 – 4:00 pm. we toured 10 lush landscapes and private gardens throughout Livingston County. The Garden Tour is sponsored by Lacasa, a nonprofit organization that provides help and hope for victims of child abuse and interpersonal violence.
Wooden Shoe Herb Farm in Mason: On Monday, July 11,we made lavender wands, After with our packed lunches in hand we explored the Wooden Shoe Herb Farm. Dessert and lavender lemonade were provided. What a sensuous tour it was!
Garden walk of Cheryl Underwood: Monday, July 25. Cheryl’s home in Haslett is well known for extravagant Halloween and Christmas decorations. Visiting her home in the summer was no less exciting. We explored the colorful themed gardens like, Café Vienna, with a Seaside pool area, Cinderella carriage, and much more.
August Garden Visits (Howell, Fowlerville and Williamston): Monday, August 8th, We visited Lynn O’Shaughnessy’s Inspiration Circle Garden featuring Michigan native plants for pollinators in Howell. Lynn walked us around her garden and talked about the various plants.
Then off to Munsell Farms where we visited a field of sunflowers near Fowlerville. It was a great opportunity to take photos.
Carol Grainger in Williamston invited us to tour the drip watering system her and her husband installed for watering her raised beds and arbors - the barn roof catches rain water into a 1000 gallon cistern that feeds the drip watering system.
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Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club
New planters for McCormick Park restrooms civic beautification project.
Williamston Eagle Scouts donated to the Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club two new planters for the civic beautification project at the local park restrooms. Our club members Earl Wolf and Mary Milbourne initiated and directed this project and the Eagle Scout candidate Aidan Scheuneman with his “crew” made the planters with wood donated by the local store. The new and improved planters replaced the old ones. They are made with cedar wood and feature plastic inserts and a small trellis. These tasteful planters are a great example of community effort to beautify places where we live.
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Making Flower Arrangements at the Williamston Area Senior Center
Every year the WRCGC shares knowledge and fun with the local Senior Center. In June our club president Jolanta Piecuch presented hands-on program on making flower arrangements in mason jars. Seniors enjoyed tips on keeping flower bouquets fresh, decorated mason jars and made arrangements under Jolanta’s watchful eyes. This was the second presentation for the Senior Center by our club this year. In April Jolanta presented on gardening without bending. Third presentation for the Senior Center is already scheduled for September.
Jolanta Piecuch, WRCGC President, instructing members of the Williamston Area Senior Center on making flower arrangements.
Senior Center members enjoyed making small bouquets in decorated mason jars.
(Faces concealed for privacy)
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COMING SOON!
2023 Michigan Pollinators Engagement Calendar and Reference Guide
by Lynn O’Shaughnessy
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MGC is excited to announce the 2023 Engagement Calendar and Reference Guide. This calendar will be featuring Michigan pollinators…55 of them to be exact. Each will have a photo or two and some facts about the pollinator featured. Some of these pollinators you may not have seen before…but you will be able to enjoy them through the photography of Lynn O’Shaughnessy.
Ordering details will be available at the Fall District Meetings and on the MGC website starting sometime in September. Look for it soon!
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OUR NEW LOGO IS HERE!
Using the roman numeral in District IIB has been replaced by the number 2. It was determined by the MGC and D2B that this change will avoid any confusion.
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Join a D2B Special Interest Group!
Belonging to District IIB offers opportunities to participate in many activities. These groups include Photography, Crafting and Design.
Each interest will be able to plan their own schedules, activities and interactions. There are no requirements for participation and no cost (except perhaps for materials for a specific project). You can participate as much or little as you desire— but without signing up, you won’t know what’s happening! See the contact information below.
IIB Crafters - Contact – Deb Plichpa, debplichpa@gmail.com , 517-242-6076
IIB Designers - Contact Kathi Dominguez, dominguezk@comcast.net, 517-927-4665
IIB Photographers - Contact Melinda Pope, melindapope56@me.com
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D2B SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS!
D2B Crafters
We made Lavender Wands at Sixteen Sprigs Lavender Farm in Lansing this week. We enjoyed visiting with Wynne Wright owner, learning more about Lavender growing and uses. Wynne made Lavender cookies and Lavender lemonade for us. She loves her specially made Lavender Garden Girl from D2B.
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D2B Crafters
Fun making Garden Girls!
How cute are these?
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D2B Quilters Circle
On July 8 we went to Marshall to the Quilt Show. It was a wonderful show that inspired all of us with over 500 Quilts and several venders. Then we went to Schuler’s Restaurant for lunch before going to the Marshall Fabric store. We all had a joyful, inspiring day.
Our next meeting is August 11 at 9:30 am at the Fire station Community room on the corner of Okemos Rd. and Central Parkway in Okemos. read more
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D2B Facebook Pages and Groups
We are currently rebuilding our Facebook presence for District IIB. We are starting with a page that all clubs are invited to post your activity too. Please click below and like the page as a club and individually. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
Like us here.
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Michigan Native Plant Feature
by Lynn O'Shaughnessy
Michigan Lily
When I was searching for plants to put in the edge garden of my Circle Garden, I was happy to find out that Michigan had a native lily. I purchased five bare root plants to start and planted them in the Fall of 2019. In the Spring of 2020, I had five growths with brilliant orange flowers. 2022 is their third season and I now have 32 growths, 26 of which flowered. They seem to multiply underground and form a little community of plants. If pollinated, they will also form seed.
Some people will confuse these for Turk’s Cap lilies, probably because they bloom facing downward. They are not. You can see the differences if you put them side by side. I have included a photo here for you to see.
They say the bloom season is June through August. My experience has been June through July. My experience with height so far is about 4 feet. They like wet to medium soil. I have them planted in a 50/50 blend of peat and topsoil. So far, I have not been able to catch any photos of pollinators, but they are supposed to be attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
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GRANTS STILL AVAILABLE
Project Grants Guidelines and Application
NGC Plant America
Community Project Grant April1 to October 15 - $1,000.00
The scope of these projects in communities may include:
- Beautification and/or restoration
- Community gardens
- School gardens/classrooms
- Landscaping for Habitat for Humanity Homes
- Landscaping of Blue Star or Gold Star Memorial Markers
- Implementation of environmental practices
- A horticulture or environmental educational event for the public)
NGC Native Plants and Wildflowers - up to $500
A grant of up to $500 is available to be used towards direct expenses for an educational program on the subject of native plants and Wildflowers.
NGC Youth Pollinator Gardens Grant - learn more
MGC/District Plant America Grow And Share Small Grant Program - Up to $200 available.
based on fiscal year of district.
Espoma Garden Club Grant - up to $250
Grant applications are accepted October 1 through May 31. Grant for organic fertilizer and potting soils.
The Wildflower Association of Michigan’s - up to $1,250
(WAM) annual WAM Grant program funds projects that support the WAM mission. Each applicant may request up to $1,250 in support. The application deadline will be approximately December 1, 2022. link to the Wildflower Association of Michigan
D2B Marilyn J. Lee Award for Civic Beautification
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Club Rosters are due by September 1st
with payment.
If you need help (or have not received your instructions and roster), please contact me. It is recommended that you get everything in by August 15th.
Checks are mailed to: Ronni Polad, 5711 Lansing Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
Email Rosters to Carol Grainger cgrainger@migardenclubs.org
copy to Janet Hickman janethickman@migardenclubs.org
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Bumble Flower Beetle
A few weeks ago, as we were installing a new landscape, we met a new insect that none of us had seen before!
The Bumble Flower Beetle is a member of the scarab beetle family. This little, brown, hairy beetle buzzes around, low to the ground, and read more
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If you're planning to seed a
No Mow Lawn this fall,
now is the time to get your site ready. The importance of site preparation cannot be overstated! September is a great time for seeding No Mow in most locations visit resources on their website to guide you to the best results.
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Farmers Markets Near Me
Support our local farmers. Help us grow our list of Farmers Markets in the D2B area.
If you have a farmers market you love and want us to list it, please drop us a line with the day of the week and hours.
email here
Brighton - Sunday 9-1
Fenton - Thursdays 5-8pm
Hartland - Fridays 4-6:30
Howell - Sundays 9-2
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Milford - Thursdays 3-7
Meridian - Saturday 8-2, Wednesdays 3-7
Northville - Thursdays 7-2
Saline - Saturdays 8-2
Williamston - Sundays 10-2
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Steering Committee 2022 - 2023
We look forward to working together to help you make the most of your Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. membership.
Carol Grainger, District Director, mailto:district2b@migardenclubs.org
Ronnie Polad, District Treasurer, mailto:rpolad@gmail.com, 517-896-4442
Jolanta Piecuch, Awards/Grants/Scholarships, mailto:jolantapiecuch@yahoo.com, 517-655-9869
Ann Schoals, Events/Member Services, mailto:bathien@frontier.com, 517-281-1101
Nita Campbell, Website, mailto:nitacprn@comcast.net
Lynn O'Shaughnessy, Facebook, mailto:freespirit@pleurothallids.com
Terry Such, Newsletter, mailto:terry.such@gmail.com
Debbie Richards, Newsletter, mailto:richdebbie@gmail.com
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Gardening School is a series of courses designed and accredited by National Garden Clubs to stimulate interest and understanding in the growth of plant material. The series consists of four two-day courses offered approximately six months apart that can be taken in any order. Each course inc.. read more
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All members of garden clubs in District IIB are welcome to the Friday Morning Member Meetings. These meetings cover a broad range of topics and are held on Zoom the First and Third Fridays of every month. The meetings start at 10:00.
Go to the Michigan Garden Club website Member Area to attend.
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Friday Morning Member Meetings
Library of Recorded Content
- Go to MGC website -www.michigangardenclubs.org
- Sign in username: “member” and password “mgcgrow”
- It is under Morning Member Meetings -drop down menu
- Select Monday/Friday Morning Meeting Folder
- Select and open 2022 Meetings Folder
- Select and open 1-21-2022 Fill In The Blanks Folder
- Open: Recording: GMT20220121-150213_Recording
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Wildflower Association of Michigan
Our mission is to encourage the preservation and restoration of Michigan's native plants and native plant communities . You can become a member here.
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NGC Our Schools
Environmental
Flower Show
Gardening
Landscape Design
Refreshers
Symposiums
International NGC Schools
Helping members become accomplished environmental consultants. Helping others engage in environmental education.CLICK TO FIND A SPECIFIC COURSE
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Get on the map!
THE MAP is an interactive community-based visual that will show each person’s contribution to planting native by State, County and Zip Code. Click here to get on the map to add your garden.
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Please note the website address change for Central Region
The new CR website address is: ngccentralregion.com
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