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Sundae Run/Walk Results Announced

Written By Editor on 7/31/24 | 7/31/24


A record 157 participants took part in the Richfield Springs Community Center’s 22nd Annual Sundae  Run/Walk Fundraiser held recently.  

The event features two races at distances of 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) as well as  an untimed two-mile walk. Both races started near the intersection of Bronner and Lake Streets in the Village  of Richfield Springs. The fundraiser is sanctioned by the Route 20 Road Challenge.  

Complete race results can be found on the Community Center’s website at  

www.richfieldspringscommunitycenter.org Click on the “Fundraisers” tab.  

For questions please contact Bill Kosina, Race Coordinator, at 315-749-3286



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Annual Shanti Vun Meditation Garden Celebration at Landis

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 7/29/24 | 7/29/24

ESPERANCE — Vijaya Luxmi invites everyone! We are gathering again at the Landis Arboretum in Esperance New York to celebrate the Shanti Vun Meditation Garden and all our friends, old and new on Sunday, August 4, 12:30 PM at the Shanti Vun Meditation Garden at Landis Arboretum, 174 Lape Road, Esperance.

We will be eating, singing, dancing, and drumming together (bring your musical instruments, especially drums), and sharing a vegetarian/vegan potluck luncheon buffet. We will provide tableware and water.

Please bring your favorite vegetarian/vegan dish (please, no meat, eggs, or alcoholic beverages), along with the recipe so we can add it to the recipe book we plan. When you RSVP, please tell us what dish you’ll be bringing.

RSVP to Vijaya at 518-234-8397 (a landline) or by email at Vijaya8397@yahoo.com


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Esperance Prepares for New Code Officer

By Venus Louise

ESPERANCE – The Town of Esperance met Thursday, June 20, for its monthly meeting with Supervisor Earl VanWormer, III and the Board of Trustees at the Town Hall located at 104 Charleston Street in Esperance in which the Board of Trustees:

  • Were informed by the Town Clerk that the Town Hall generator, air conditioner, boiler, and fire extinguishers have all had their annual maintenance.

  • The board reviewed and discussed the summary of recommended surface treatments as presented by Michelle Brust, Highway Superintendent. The board prioritized the summary of recommended surface treatments: #1- Briggs and Mountain Road, #2- State Street Road and Pleasantview Road

#3 -Woodman Road and Katikell Road, #4- Endwell Road, #5 -Voege Road, #6- Tater Barn Road

A motion was made to approve all the surface treatment work as listed for $156,724.00, with all in favor, the motion passed. Brust informed the Board it would be late August or early September to have all the roads completed.  

  • A motion to remove the Town Hall parking lot paving project of $38,235.35 from ARPA funds to apply for FEMA funds with all in favor, the motion passed.  

  • A motion was made to approve the increase in the maximum estimated cost of improvements for the existing Central Bridge Water District system. All were in favor, the motion passed. Elizabeth Farr inquired “If a property that is not hooked up gets sold does the new person have to hook up?  Supervisor VanWormer answered “No.” 

Farr inquired “If it is a new construction, do they have to hook up?” Councilman Conklin noted “Yes, they would pay half since it runs by their house.”

  • Heard that the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals met to further discuss the RV and Camping regulations changes. Of which one change directs all RV and camping be removed by January first of each year. Discussion was made for those who buy land just to have an RV/ camper on their property for the season then close it up and whether they would need to remove the camper. The Town Board decided that the owner would not be required to move it, it would need to be closed and could be stored there but not lived in. Additionally, only the property owner could store his/her RV/ Camper on his/her property. The Supervisor noted the regulations and pricing can be discussed with Attorney Mike West, or Jerry Weis and the ZBA and Planning Boards.

  • Received Code Enforcement Officers (CEO), Jerry Weis’ report. Supervisor Van Wormer discussed that Weis is training Cody Sherwood to take over as CEO for the town, when Weis retires at the end of September 2024.

  • Heard a motion in Opposition of Part “O” of the Governor Article VII Revenue Bill regarding the Sitting of Major Electric Transmission Facilities, also known as the Rapid. The motion passed with all in favor.  

  • A motion was made to Amend Local Law#2-2023 that Opted Out of New York Real Property Law Section 487 with changes. The motion passed with all in favor.  

  • A motion was made to adopt Local Law#3-2024 to replace Local Law#2-2023 that opted out of the New York Real Property Law Section 487. The motion passed with all in favor.  

  • Superintentand Brust informed the board that if the town goes out to bid on the Mountain Road repairs, she would be open to suggestions as to how other towns use their engineer’s services. The board agreed it could use its engineer to write the bid.

  • Next scheduled meeting is on July 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm. 


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97 Years of Memories for Frances Van Deusen


By Matthew Avitabile

SEWARD — It was a very special birthday on June 28th as Frances Van Deusen reached 97 years. If she gets 100 years, she said, she would be thrown a big party by her church with Kathy Davis planning a great dinner. It’s something to look forward to.

Born in Cobleskill on Quarry Street, Frances remembers the eponymous quarry, owned by a man named Mr. Morton at the time.

Growing up, she said that she remembered her “very nice grandmother” Mathilda Lydia Parslow in Schoharie who always treated her with something nice to eat, like bread with butter and sugar.

“Little things were nice,” she said.

Mathilda died in her 50s and was a small woman who lived in the quarry. It was a great thing to go for a ride with her parents to see her grandmother, she said. 

Frances should have graduated from Cobleskill High School in 1946 but quit in her senior year after being disgusted with her English teacher, but added that non receiving the diploma never affected her in the 78 years since.

True happiness reached her when she wed farmed Richard Van Deusen, leading to a happy 68-year marriage. It was a happy life as a housewife, including travel and more. The couple spent a lot of time camping. At first, Richard outfitted his truck as a camper. This grew into a tag-a-long trailer. Then it came to a motorhome that allowed them to travel comfortably. The two stopped using it when Richard turned 80. The two were able to travel all over, including the Adirondacks.

That being said, she learned a valuable lesson due to a tragic incident.

“Schoharie County needs a nursing home,” she said. Her husband Richard was seriously injured in a car accident that resulted in him having a broken neck and her injured with a broken clavicle. For seven months she visited her husband every day in Cooperstown for seven months before Richard passed away.

Frances never believed that she would make it to 97. 

“I never thought I’d reach up to 90.”

She recalled her father who worked at the cement plant in Central Bridge who was burned in an explosion in December 1940 and died at 49. He lived for four months after the explosion despite being burned across three-quarters of his body and given 48 hours to live.

The death affected Frances, who was just 14 at the time, and was a heavy difficulty for her mother, who lived for thirty more years. Frances spoke well of her parents, William and Mary, with William originally hailing from Seward and Marty from Schoharie. Her mother passed away at 75, while her sister who was 13 years her senior died in her early 60s.

They had seen a house on Route 10 when Frances was younger. She had asked if the family could purchase the home. When she was married, her husband saw that the same house was for sale. He left for the day and didn’t say where he was going. He decided to purchase the house from the retired schoolteacher Mrs. Demming, who was now in her 80s. Mrs. Demming wanted to sell the house to live in an apartment. Mrs. Demming stated that she felt the house was dirty, but Frances found it to be “immaculate.”

When her husband made the purchase, Frances knew that he had bought a home, but not the one that she sought after as a child. The family moved into the home in June 1968. She said that she could not see herself living anywhere else. When asked about whether she’d like an apartment, Frances asked “What do I want with an apartment?

Faith has played a large role in Frances’ life, including her membership with a “wonderful” church in West Richmondville that consolidated the former churches in Dorloo and Hyndsville.

By 90, Frances decided to give up driving and thanked her son Warren and daughter Patty for driving her anyplace she needed to be.

Her kids expected a fight to give up her keys, but Frances said that she didn’t “want to be in trouble.”
“I didn’t mind it at all,” she said.

Her two surviving children help her with anything she needs. Frances also fondly recollected her first son William who died of a heart attack at 54. He was a farm mechanic with a large collection of tractors before. Her youngest daughter Jan Marie lived in Florida before dying of cancer at 61.

She also praised her grandchildren. She has seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, including Amy, who is a Doctor of Pediatrics, and Mary, a teacher.

“They’re all wonderful,” she said.

It was a real treat to be able to speak to Frances and we’re looking forward to another interview and party for her 100th birthday!




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County Board Honors Two Retiring Department Heads, Names Replacements

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY _ Two well-respected Schoharie County department heads who are retiring at the end of July were honored at the Friday, July 19 county Board of Supervisors meeting, and the BOS also named their replacements.

Board members had words of praise for Denise Minton in the Probation Department and Nancy Dingee, who will soon end her tenure as head of the Office of the Aging.

Dingee served in the Aging Office for 14 years and Minton with the Probation Department for 18 years.

"These are two of my favorite department heads," BOS Chairman William Federice of Conesville said.

"Denise has been tremendous to work with," added Supervisor John Leavitt of Carlisle. Another board member noted that "Nancy kept up with changes and had the best budgeting backup in the county. She could justify every cent."

A little later in the meeting, the supervisors approved Meg Parsons to replace Dingee at the Office of the Aging at a starting annual salary of $73,710 and Richard Cain to replace Minton as head of Probation at a starting annual salary of $96,602. Parsons is currently an Aging Services Supervisor and Cain a Probation Supervisor.

In other news from the July 19 meeting, Youth Bureau Department Head Cody Robinson-Bullock updated the BOS on the progress and accomplishments of the bureau since a rather down period three or four years ago brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic.

"The Youth Bureau is thriving," Robinson-Bullock said. "We have a strong and dedicated staff dedicated to multiplying the impact of positive youth development. We collaborate with all six school districts in the county and have great enrichment programs going on in the schools. We've been in front of close to 2,000 students, and that's quite a feat for three full-time staff members."

He added that the YB, originally started in 1986, has recovered well from the impacts of the pandemic.

"Kids are so resilient," Robinson-Bullock noted. "We've seen that in the last three or four years."

Among the several recent initiatives of the bureau are teaching tennis lessons with help from the United States Tennis Association and running a lifeguard recruiting and retention program with the help of a $20,000 grant, said Robinson-Bullock, who was accompanied at the July 19 meeting by three of the nine YB summer staff members.

"You do invaluable work, you do a good job," Federice told Robinson-Bullock.

"It's hard for someone in your position because the effects of the Youth Bureau's work can sometimes not be felt until years down the road and cannot always be measured in dollars and cents," added Supervisor Donald Airey of Blenheim. "Keep at it."

During committee reports, the BOS approved about $1,3 million to, in Federice's words "formalize the work being done by the IDA (county Industrial Development Agency) to make the Shad Point site (in Town of Cobleskill) shovel ready (for some redevelopment)."

Federice continued in an email to this newspaper that the "reason behind the motion was to document our action and intention to encumber ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds for use after 2024."

Charles J. Finin of the Town of Cobleskill was appointed to five-year terms to both the county Industrial Development Agency and county Capital Resource Corporation.


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Evenings in the Garden Featuring All-American Selections

COOPERSTOWN — All-American Selections (AAS) Display Gardens provide the public with an opportunity to view the newest AAS Winners in an attractive well-maintained setting. Join Otsego Master Gardener Volunteers for an evening in the garden to showcase the AAS Display Garden in Cooperstown. Tour the garden and see new plant varieties that had the distinction of being designated as All-America Selections (AAS). These varieties have been chosen for outstanding garden performance by professional horticulturists. 

The program will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s new demonstration garden at 123 Lake Street, Cooperstown, NY. FREE ice cream generously provided by Stewart’s Shop! Join the Master Gardener Volunteers and Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties for this free and fun event!

For more information, visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties’ community programs and events at http://cceschoharie-otsego.org or call 607-547-2536 ext. 235.  Stay connected to CCE Master Gardener Volunteers’ daily postings at https://www.facebook.com/cceotsegoMG/  and follow CCE Schoharie and Otsego on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCESchoharieOtsego/.


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Possible New Sharon Solar Project


Large solar panels at a facility in the Town of Sharon. A representative from Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure pitched an idea for another new solar facility in the town at a recent Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board meeting. Photo by Chris English.



By Chris English

SHARON SPRINGS _ Adam Rowles tried to plant a seed on ground that might not be too fertile.

Toward the end of the Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, July 17, the representative from Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure pitched an idea for a new solar facility at Argusville Road and Route 20 in the Town of Sharon.

Speaking off the cuff without maps or plans or any other written materials, Rowles talked about a facility of possibly 2 MG on 12 acres or4.5 MG on 20 acres.

"It's landlocked so we would need to purchase an adjacent property or an easement on an adjacent property," Rowles said. "At this point it's just an idea. Next time I can bring some materials. There's nothing to present at this moment."

He added he has had some "scattered conversations" with neighbors and that Greenwood is interested in getting community feedback and making whatever project might be built as amenable to the area's public as possible.

However, there have been various complaints about an existing large solar facility not far from the site Rowles was referencing. The reception for his idea at the July 17 meeting was not exactly bubbling over with warmth. Murmurs of "put it somewhere else" could be heard in the audience.

"I can kind of tell you what the community feedback will be," Sharon Springs JPB Chairman Ray Parsons told Rowles.

In other news from the meeting, Parsons announced the resignations of Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board members Shirley Speiler and David Hall. In reading parts of both letters of resignation, Parsons said both Speiler and Hall are stepping down for personal reasons.

Speiler wrote in her letter that she has been working government or government related jobs for about 40 years and  "I am quite frankly burned out." Hall indicated that changes in the nature and hours of his full-time job have made it increasingly difficult for him to attend JPB meetings.

Parsons said replacements for Speiler and Hall will be appointed by either the Town of Sharon or Village of Sharon Springs boards fairly soon.

The JPB also granted a special use permit for Dan Cornwell to start operating a roadside stand selling vegetables just off Route 10 in the Town of Sharon.


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Jamesons Earn Garden of the Month Honor

The 560 Hubb Shutts Road, Cobleskill property of Richard and Gini Jameson has been chosen for the July Garden of the Month by the Schoharie Valley Garden Club.

Perennial flowers of daisies, coneflowers, sedum, grasses, bugle, rose companion and irises dot the landscape. Many varieties of hostas can be found all around the property along with multiple types of ground covers. Family, friends and neighbors supplied them with various plants over the years. The couple has worked meticulously to create such a pleasant flower garden.



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Meyre Honored at Exchange Club




Natalie Meyre was the honored guest at this past Tuesday’s meeting of The Exchange Club of Cobleskill, she was joined by her parents Yesenia and Jay. Natalie was this year’s recipient of the $2000.00 scholarship from the Exchange Club and is a current graduate of Cobleskill Richmondville High School, she will be studying Biochemistry at the Rochester Institute of Technology.


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Ohio Man to Donate 1938 Tractor to Richmondville HS

A 1938 Sears Handiman tractor will be donated to a historical museum in Richmondville sometime next year by Ohio resident Jake Peck. Contributed photo.



By Chris English

RICHMONDVILLE — An Ohio man with Richmondville connections is apparently not done making donations to a historical museum in the village.

Jake Peck of Minerva, Ohio recently emailed this newspaper that he intends to donate a restored 1938 Sears Handiman tractor to the Bunn Tillapaugh Mill museum sometime next year. The museum is headquarters for the Richmondville Historical Society.

Earlier this month, Peck traveled East with some family members to donate a Civil War-era Olendorf Gooseneck sleigh to the museum. It was made in Richmondville by Peck's great-great-grandfather Alfred Olendorf.

On the tractor, Peck's email states it was "used to cultivate and harvest hops on the Warner and Doug Peck hops and dairy farm on Bear Gulch Road (in Richmondville) during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s."

The late Doug Peck, a long-time Richmondville resident, was Jake Peck's uncle. Doug Peck's four children, cousins to Jake Peck, include Richmondville Town Historian Susan Rightmyer.

Jake Peck added in the email that pictures of the tractor are already included in displays of hop harvesting at the museum.

"This tractor was unique because of the small size, the gearing and ability to pull very heavy loads," Peck continued in the email. "During World War II, full-size tractors were not available. Today, they are highly collectible and various clubs exist. These tractors are popular tractors for small tractor pulls and usually win those events."


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Man Convicted of Felony Charge


James Lethco, 51, was convicted of Promoting a Sexual  Performance by a Child Less than Seventeen (17), a class D  felony. The Schoharie County Court, Judge Costanzo, sentenced  Mr. Lethco to an indeterminate sentence of a minimum of two  (2) years and a maximum of six (6) years in State Prison, as well  as fines and surcharges totaling $1,425.  

The District Attorney Susan J. Mallery would like to thank the  ICAC Task Force, Homeland Security, Midtel, and New York  State Police Investigators Udell, Mattice, and Trooper Albert for  their cooperation and investigation with the District Attorney’s  Office.  

*** CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS AND INDICTMENTS ARE ACCUSATIONS. A  DEFENDANT IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY


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Conviction in Criminal Mischief Case


Justin Wainwright, 21, was convicted of Criminal Mischief in  the Second Degree, a class D felony and Reckless  Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor.  The Schoharie County Court sentenced Mr. Wainwright to 300  days incarceration on each charge, to be served concurrently,  along with submission of his DNA and a $50 DNA fee,  restitution, surcharges and crime victim advocate fee of $325,  and an eight (8) year Order of Protection for the victim. It is  alleged the defendant fired a BB Gun across State Route 7,  striking a business owner’s window. 

The District Attorney Susan J. Mallery would like to thank the  Cobleskill Village Chief of Police McCrum for his investigation  into this matter. 

*** CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS AND INDICTMENTS ARE ACCUSATIONS. A  DEFENDANT IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY


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Roots, Rhythm & Ale returns to the Iroquois Museum next Friday

By Jennifer Patterson

Organizers of the 5th annual Roots, Rhythm & Ale festival are hoping for good weather next week, after last year’s near washout.

The Cajun, Zydeco and Bluegrass bash will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the Iroquois Museum, located at 324 Caverns Road in Howes Cave. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit museum’s educational department, and money raised will be used to buy supplies for its interactive area, as well as to invite Haudenosaunee educators to teach programs.

Fellow nonprofit Schoharie County Arts will present the Red Wagon Band (a raucous four-piece rock group) from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by main act The Rubber Band (a seven-piece Cajun-Zydeco extravaganza) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Between the two sets of romping stomping entertainment, Ron Brushci will give a quick dance lesson for anyone interested.

In addition to music, potters Judy Cid and David Smyth will demonstrate how to throw pots, and Amy Silberkleit will give a drawing/lithography demonstration. They will also have hands-on projects for all ages.

Food will be available from High on the Hog and The Creative Connoisseur, and Serious Brewing will have drinks for purchase. 

The event will also feature several other musicians, artists, artisan vendors and a silent auction, as well as local nonprofits set up to give information about their respective organizations.

Admission is $10 for adults, and free for children 18 and younger, which includes entry to the Iroquois Museum. For a $20 ticket, attendees will receive a commemorative cup and a free beer. 

For information, go to https://www.iroquoismuseum.org.


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Sharon Springs Earns NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Banner Award

LATHAM — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) is proud to announce Sharon Springs Central School (Section IV) and Cold Spring Harbor High School (Section VIII) as winners of the 2023-2024 Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award. This is the first year each of these schools have earned the award and the 28th year NYSPHSAA has honored deserving school districts with the Sportsmanship Promotion program.

Each year, NYSPHSAA presents the Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award to schools that have developed proactive approaches in keeping sportsmanship in the forefront with their students, coaches, spectators, and communities. Winners are decided based off their Sportsmanship Promotion survey, a tool built to assist athletic departments in examining their policies and procedures used to promote positive sportsmanship within their athletic community.

“I am thrilled to congratulate Sharon Springs and Cold Spring Harbor for winning the Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “The dedication to fostering an environment of respect, integrity, and fair play both on and off the athletic arena exemplifies the highest ideals of high school athletics. Your commitment to sportsmanship not only enhances the experience for all participants but also sets a shining example for future generations."

For the 2023-2024 school year, 312 schools submitted the Sportsmanship Promotion survey to NYSPHSAA with 49 schools selected by their Sections as plaque winners. The two award winners for this year were selected based off not only being recognized by their sections as plaque recipients, but also neither school having a single athlete or coach disqualification from any of their athletic events in the 2023-2024 school year. The Sportsmanship Banner will be presented to Sharon Springs and Cold Spring Harbor at a school event of their choosing this fall.

Sharon Springs Central School – Section IV

Sharon Springs practices sportsmanship from the pre-season, until the final whistle blows. Along with a team member announcing a sportsmanship promotion public address before every home game, student-athletes are also incentivized with earning the ‘sportsmanship/teammate award’- which highlights the sportsmanship efforts made by a student-athlete during their practice week and presented after a game. They’re presented a chain linked necklace donned in their school color which they wear proudly during the next school day; a new tradition quickly enjoyed by the student-athletes.

A highlight from this school year falls on the last home game of the season, when members of the boys basketball program presented the ‘sportsmanship/teammate award’ and necklace to the school Secretary, who volunteers her time as the scoreboard and shot clock operator for each home game. A moment that came with tears of joy, and a spread of positivity amongst the school.

“This award means a great deal to all of us at Sharon Springs Central School. It has been a team effort to build the culture of sportsmanship in our school and community,” said Sharon Springs Athletic Director, Chris Smith. “It begins with the efforts of our parents, faculty, staff, coaches and unwavering support of our administration. We are very proud of our student-athletes and give them enormous credit when they continue to demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviors whether winning or losing. On behalf of the entire support team, we are thankful to be recognized with this important honor.”

Past Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award Winners: 

2023-    Port Byron High School (Section III)

                Cleveland High School (Section VI)

                Oceanside High School (Section VIII)

                Shelter Island School (Section XI)              

2022 -   Frederick Law Olmsted (Section VI) 

               James I. O’Neill (Section IX) 

               Lisbon Central School (Section X) 

               Shelter Island School (Section XI) 

2021 -  Amsterdam High School (Section 2) 

               Brockport High School (Section V) 

               Lisbon Central School (Section X) 

2020 -   Columbia High School (Section 2) 

                Lisbon Central School (Section X) 

                Center Moriches High School (Section XI)                    

2019 -   Columbia High School (Section 2) 

              Arlington High School (Section I)  


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