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  • County Made Gifts: Part I
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County Made Gifts: Part I

Ceramics by Leslie Fruman of Clayshapes Pottery at The Local Store

What better way to give than to give County made gifts? From hot sauces to honey, pottery to photography, woodwork to glass works, lavender to lemonade… The County’s artisans and makers have been busy getting ready for a different kind of holiday market season.

In the first of our two-part series on local makers, we’ll help you find where to shop County made gifts. We’ll cover online and in-person, and how to shop direct from the makers at their studios and shops.

Let’s find out what The County’s makers have been making!

Where to Shop – Online Markets:

The Local Store – Online 24/7

Meg’s Beeswax Wraps available at The Local Store.

Shopping for County made gifts has never been easier. If they didn’t offer it before, many of The County’s artisans have set up online shops during the pandemic. For those who can’t visit The County right now, online shopping ensures you can enjoy a piece of this special place from the safety of your home. Here’s where you can get that market feeling online:

The Local Store is available for all of your County-made gifting needs, with their online store open 24/7/365. They ship worldwide and can arrange for curbside pick up, too. With 120 vendors you can get your local fix. Check out the full series of County Posters by Marc Keelan-Bishop, Nyman Farms Maple Syrup for holiday pancakes, marinade from Caribbean Gourmet Delicacies, or sustainably giftable Meg’s Beeswax Wraps. Their online shop is organized by gift type and maker so you can easily find what you’re looking for whether it’s folk art, local food or skin care products!

The Local Store brings their big barn store online for holiday shopping | Photo supplied by The Local Store

Busy Hands Artisan Sale – Order Period until Nov 21st

Busy Hands is arguably The County’s busiest artisan sale, enjoyed in person by 1000+ shoppers each December for twenty years. They’ve taken it digital this year to keep us safe. The one-stop-online-shop showcases a wide variety of County makers, growers, and artists. Shop the online site before November 21st, then collect your goodies on Saturday November 28th at The Crystal Palace in Picton.

Expect a dizzying selection of County made gifts including tourtieres from Moonlight Kitchen, decorative County map pillows from Vintage Map Co, grow-your-own mushroom kits from Cloven Farm, cotton candy and other sweet treats to support Heal with Horses, and functional wood pieces like boot jacks and guitar mounts from Mattlin Woodcraft. Dozens of County food products are available, too. Honey, hot sauce, jams, jellies and more!

Two dozen yellow candles in front of a sign that says Beeswax Candles on a green shelf.
Beeswax candles from Honey Pie Hives and Herbals, made by Bay, the Queen Bee of Busy Hands | Photo by Trevor Crowe

Festival of Trees – Order Period until Nov 28th

A beloved fundraiser for the Picton Memorial Hospital Foundation with a goal to raise $35,000. Shop nearly 30 trees and dozens of auction items from local donors, businesses and organizations. Many trees are decorated with items from local makers like the “12 Uses for Beeswax” tree from Picton’s Berwick Apiaries, or the Old Fashioned Christmas featuring Andy’s Original sauces.

Where to Shop: In-Person Markets and Sales

In-person markets with physical-distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing and multi-vendor local shopping! Check in with these events if you prefer to shop for County made gifts in person. (We’ll update this space as new markets are announced!)

  • 4th Annual Midtown Christmas Market at Midtown Brewing Company – Saturday November 28th 12:00 – 4:00pm
  • PEC Studio Tour Pre-Holiday Show and Sale – November 28th and 29th at The Waring House
  • Bloomfield Outdoor Winter Market– Nov. 28-29 & Dec. 5-6 – Noon – 6 p.m. — Main St., Bloomfield
  • CANCELLED: Wellington Farmers’ Market Holly Jolly Market – Saturday December 5th 10-4pm at the Wellington United Church
  • Farmers’ Tan Winter Market at Parsons Brewing Company – Saturday December 5th 2:00 – 6:00 pm
  • CANCELLED: Holiday Pop-Up Market at The CAPE in Picton – December 4th, 5th and 6th 10:00- 4:00 pm
  • Picton Town Hall Farmers’ Holiday Market – December 12th, 10:00-200 pm at the corner of Ross and King Streets.
  • The Harvest Shed is a multi-vendor shop featuring hand-made goods on Fish Lake Road
  • A little bird told us that Carbon Art & Design‘s Winter Market will return in 2020, stay tuned for details on this multi-vendor pop up on Main Street Picton.
Printed textile accessories, hand-sewn by Gold & Ginger Studio, available at many markets | Photo by Trevor Crowe

Where to Shop: Straight from the Maker

Many of The County’s makers have their own farm shops and retail outlets open for in-person shopping this holiday season. We’ve rounded up the locations where you can find artisans in their studios and shops this holiday season. Many artisans are offering online sales, so if you don’t see your favourite here, check their website or socials for e-shopping options!

Map It Out!

Artisans, makers and farm shops can be found all around The County. Peek at our Google Map to find the shops listed below and more!

Visit the Artisans

The County’s visual artists have one-of-a-kind pieces, big and small, to help you with your art-loving loved ones. Many artists have studios and galleries that you can visit: The Arts Trail is great resource to help you find places to view and purchase inspired pieces. Many Arts Trail their members have online galleries and shops, too.

Millefleurs just outside of Wellington is a lavender farm and meadery with all manner of lavender-infused stocking stuffers, honey and mead available at the farm shop or online.

A pretty pot of honey from Millefleurs Lavender Farm and Meadery

Head down to Point Petre and pick up honey, candles, salves, teas, hand-dyed wools and mead (honey wine) produced on site at Honey Pie Hives and Herbals.

Vicki’s Veggies roadside farm stand in Black Creek is open and still offering fresh greenhouse produce, but the real giftables include her heirloom tomato seeds, locally made Lemonade Dave drinks and the 2021 edition of Vicki’s Sexy Carrots Calendar (coming to the stand soon!)

Lemonade Dave began bottling his sweet and sparkling drinks this year. You can find it at Busy Hands, Vicki’s Veggies, Agrarian Market and more. | Photo by Phil Norton

On Closson Road in Hillier, stop into SHED Chetwyn Farms to peep the cute alpacas playing in the paddock, and take home the socks, blankets and other oh-so-soft alpaca wool products they make. Online or in person shopping available.

Down the road at the PEC Lavender Farm, the pretty and fragrant flower inspires their line of lotions, oils, culinary products, soaps and more. Available online or at their farm store.

Also on Closson you’ll find Bark Woodshop featuring Mike McGuire’s end grain cutting boards and charcuterie boards.

Bark Woodshop wood charcuterie board leaned up against a wall
One of Mike McGuire’s wood board creations | Photo supplied by Bark Woodshop

Potter Dawn Stafrace of The Ye11ow set up shop on Main Street Picton, offering hand-made dinnerware, mugs, vases, and other functional pieces. The vibe in the shop is oh so natural and airy.

Across the street, you’ll find Lustre & Tarnish, Beverly Dunnington’s showcase of bespoke jewellery made with reclaimed and new materials like antique chains, clock faces, keys and more.

A whimsical and one-of-a-kind piece found at Lustre & Tarnish | Photo supplied by Lustre & Tarnish

Also in Picton, look for Field Made Goods maker collective with wood by Bethanie Kaye, candles by East City Candles, apothecary by Sunday’s Company & ceramics by Cylinder Studio

Do you have a suggestion or correction? Email the Visit The County team.

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#PrinceEdwardCounty

visitthecounty

Official tourism account. #PrinceEdwardCounty: a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners. See also @countylicious

Prince Edward County 🏖🍇🎨🌈
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
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County Artists Give Time and Talent⁠
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Throughout the year, The County's visual artists step up and support so many causes. When they are not in the studio or welcoming visitors to their galleries, they are helping the community however they can. 🖌️👨🏼‍🎨⁠🖼️⁠
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They donate or provide deeply discounted artwork to charity auctions, they donate proceeds of sales to causes, and they give their time and talent to community projects, designing posters and merch, creating murals and installations, and so much more.⁠
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🎨 This year, @pamelacarterstudio ran two fundraising sales for the @foundationpecmh Back the Build campaign. A detail of her painting "Winter Dreams #2" is pictured here.⁠
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❤️ Artistic giving takes many forms, from the Love Wall community art project by @nellarules that brought joy and hope in the early days of the pandemic to the recent @arthouseatelier County art auction that raised funds for arts scholarships for students, to the twenty artists who created work for the pop-up display "Intersections - an Anti-Racist Conversation on Sir John A MacDonald."⁠
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The County's artists make this a vibrant, beautiful, thoughtful and kind place to be.⁠
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🎴 You can support The County's artists this holiday season by stuffing some stockings with County Art Playing Cards from @countyarts. Proceeds help to build their artist career development fund. (Link in bio)⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #community #art #buyart #charityauction #artforgood #visualart #painter #scultpor #artforchange @southeast.ontario
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
Singing the Praises of County Musicians⁠
⁠
🎸 🎤 🥁 They entertain us at events, restaurants, wineries, pubs and concerts. The musical talent hiding in plain sight here in The County is, quite frankly, awesome. The musical generosity is awesome as well.⁠
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Year-round, The County's musicians step up and share their talents in support of charities, causes and community spirit. ⁠
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🧡 Cases in point: the holiday jams at @karloestateswinery raising funds for the Wellington Storehouse Food Bank, years of Christmas in the County albums in support of @princeedwardlearningcentre (download previous years' albums through @zuniordave) or The Reasons playing impromptu concerts at the windows of the HJ MacFarland Nursing Home... ⁠
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💜 Or take Instant Rivalry and their studio "Back Forty Productions" - Since March they have produced 36 live streams, some for charities like the @unisonfund. They produced a five-hour Canada Day Broadcast for the community, and recorded nearly 40 acts in their studio for the Radiothon fund raiser for our community radio station @993countyfm ⁠
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Tonight (December 22nd, 7pm) they are offering a free online concert "Back Forty Christmas Special" featuring @themissemily, @justin_rutledge, Lenni Stewart, The Brian Legere Trio and so many more. Check @instantrivalry to tune in.⁠
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📸 of @tonyforbesmusician recording for the Radiothon at Back Forty Productions⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #musicgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #community #music #communityradio #singersongwriter #livemusic #supportlocalmusic #countymusic #supportlocal #localband @southeast.ontario
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The County Heirlooms Cookbook⁠
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⁠It's been called the ultimate way to "triple down" on supporting local this holiday season: gift a copy of a County Heirlooms Cookbook purchased at a County store.⁠
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📚 Not only will you be supporting a local retailer like @bookscompany_picton @zestkitchenshop or @thelocalstorepec (among others), but you'll also be purchasing a locally-published book (by The County's @invisibooks) AND, all royalties from the book are donated to @foodtosharepec. ⁠
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Oh, and the recipient gets a beautiful collection of stories and recipes from County chefs, farmers and producers.⁠
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👏🏼 Wins all around!⁠
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The team behind County Heirlooms is a force of County creativity: writer/editor @nashls, food stylist @ruthgangbar and writer/photographer @natwollenberg (who, at the helm of @555brewingco and @jacksonsfallscountryinn supports local causes year round, from food security to the LGBTQ+ community to @allwelcomehere and local arts and sports.) They interviewed and photographed 40+ icons of The County's hospitality sector who graciously shared their most beloved recipes. Like @waltssugarshack festive Rosemary and Maple Glazed Nuts pictured here.⁠
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🥦 🌽 🍎 Food To Share is a volunteer-run charity that turns excess food crops and donated food into healthful frozen meals for The County's local food banks. 👀 Link in bio.⁠
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Photo by Natalie Wollenberg, food styling by Ruth Gangbar⁠
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 #countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback #foodsecurity #foodtoshare #foodbank #foodisahumanright #knowyourfarmer #cheflife #eatlocal #supportlocal #shoplocal #dinelocal
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:  Main Street Picton Supports RAV-Q  ⁠Tonight (Saturday December 19) is Picton Night of Lights, a sparkly celebration of community and the holiday spirit. Until 9pm, many businesses on Main Street Picton will stay open late. Festive music plays in the Armoury Square where County artists have installed playful light installations to brighten the night, all organized by @raising.a.village  @thevicdrivein is collecting toy donations for RAV-Q’s Merry and Bright campaign that provides holiday gifts to children in need in The County and Quinte. They are also selling $2 tater tots in support!  ⁠RAV-Q is a charity that helps families in need by providing essential children’s items. Many businesses involved in tourism step up to help through cash donations, in-kind support and donations of sales.  Friends of RAV-Q include @beaconbikebrew who supported through a Chrismukkah event last year, @countychicworkshops and @goldandgingerstudio who donate product to the Merry & Bright children’s gifts, @carbonlifepec where you can pick up the cutest gingerbread cookies this holiday season to support RAV-Q, and so many more!  Visit The Armoury Square anytime from December 24th through until Boxing Day to see the beautifully created light installations.  #countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback #ittakesavillage #toydrive #supportfamilies #community
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
Sponsors of The Regent Theatre⁠
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Celebrating just over 100 years in Picton, the Monarch of Main Street has lived through two global pandemics. ⁠
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🎵🎭📽️ @regenttheatrepicton - our non-profit cinema and performing arts theatre - has had a challenging year, to say the least. As one of the first businesses to close, and likely among the last to re-open, The Regent needed the help of the community to keep the lights on.⁠
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Dozens of County hospitality and tourism businesses are among The Regent Theatre's sponsors. They stepped up in 2020, even as they faced their own COVID challenges, and continued their sponsorships. Tourism related business like @huffestateswine @theroyalhotelpicton and @city_revival made Platinum level contributions!⁠
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Over the last year, while the theatre was dark, The Regent used the theatre's marquee to thank their sponsors.⁠ The marquee has been a heartening reminder of community spirit!⁠
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Don’t miss The Regent’s presentation of “Uncovered: Notes from the Heart” by @musicalstageco this Saturday Dec 19th. It’s an online concert by Canada’s top musical theatre performers, full of songs of hope by Bob Dylan, Carole King, Bob Marley and more! Tickets are available on The Regent’s website.⁠
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Bravo! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #localtheatre #theatre #cinema #countyarts #communitytheatre #heritagetheatre #historictheatre #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
ANDARA Gallery Backs the Build⁠
⁠
County artists Tara Wilkinson and Andrew Csafordi are the owners of @andaragallery on Wilson Road. "With COVID-19 impacting everyone's mental health, we asked ourselves 'What can we do to help?,'" says Wilkinson. "We decided to get a really big Christmas tree, put it in our barn and decorate it from top to toe and create some festive seating areas in front of it." 🌲⁠
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This epic backdrop became a place where families and bubbles could make some happy holiday memories. 🎇📷⁠
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Guests get comfortable in the cozy barn setting, Wilkinson - a photographer by artistic trade - takes a festive photo on the guests' phone. Donations are collected for the @foundationpecmh⁠ "Back the Build" campaign to build a new hospital for Prince Edward County.⁠
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Win. Win. Win. 👏🏻⁠
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The holiday photos in the barn continue until December 23rd. County folks still have time to take a pic and make a gift to our local hospital!⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #ruralart #encausticartist #photographer #holidayphoto #christmasphoto #artinthebarn #epictree  #christmas #holidays #backthebuild
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The ROC Empty Bowls Fundraiser⁠
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Start with a beautifully crafted bowl from @theye11ow studio, fill it with homemade soup and bread from one of 13 restaurants, add a sweet treat on the side. ⁠
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Supporters of the Recreation Outreach Centre were treated to a simple but meaningful meal last week as part of the physically-distanced Empty Bowls Fundraiser.⁠
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🥣 The bowls were donated and hand-crafted by Dawn Stafrace-Middleton of The Ye11ow Studio in Picton, with the help of her team led by manager Vanessa Molyneaux. Clay and glaze donated by @tuckers.pottery and @spectrumglazesinc. ⁠
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🍜 Yums were donated by @thevicdrivein @themaranspec @thedrake @blumengardenbistro @idle_wild_pec @555brewingco @picnicpecfood @thewaringhouse @hartleystavern @midtownbrewingcompany @flameandsmith @chefmichaelhoy1 @thebeancountercafe. Dozens of local businesses sponsored the event.⁠
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🤗 The event sold out and The ROC raised much needed funds to support programming for youth. The ROC is a barrier-free space that believes that every young person in The County has an equal chance to excel in life. 💙💛⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #collaboration #cheflife #feaston #southeasternontario #youthprogram #nonprofit #giveback #empower #youthempowerment #youth #PECYouthCentre #ROCPEC  #supportingyouth #mentorship #youthengagement #leadership #skillsdevelopment #afterschool
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's one worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The County Food Hub Holiday Feast⁠
⁠
Congratulations to @countyfoodhub @chefjamiekennedy @chefalbertponzo and all of the volunteers who have made this weekend's Holiday Feast fund raiser a sold out event.⁠
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👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⁠
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These two tremendously talented chefs paired up to create a take-out holiday feast to raise funds for The County Food Hub: "the kitchen that saved a school."⁠
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When the Sophiasburgh Central School was slated for closure, the community rallied to build the County Food Hub in the school. This leading edge commercial "sharing" kitchen leased excess space from the school board and saved the rural school from closure. A huge win for children, families and community in rural Sophiasburgh. ⁠❤️⁠
⁠
#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #collaboration #cheflife #feaston #southeasternontario #foodsecurity #foodeducation #rurallife #ruralschool #rural
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