EEccHHooSS ...throughout West Virginia From the Office of Environmental Health Services March 2003 Healthy People Through Healthy Environments in West Virginia What’s New? Alan Marchun, EIT II- EED Alan. Alan graduated from St. Albans High School in 1984, then went on to Due to proposed changes in Kearneysville D. O. receive a B.S. Degree in Chemical software packages, there is no Interviewed by: Stacey Roe Engineering from WVU Tech in 1989. “Computer Corner” section in this He now resides close to Kearneysville newsletter. with his wife and three daughters (poor fella): Katelyn 9, Stephanie 7, and Melany 4. He and his family are active New Members of the OEHS members of the First Baptist Church in Team Martinsburg. His wife is one step below a district manager for Big Dog Please join us in welcoming the Sportswear and has a difficult work new employees joining our OEHS schedule involving travel (much like team in the last quarter: Alan’s). Aven Sizemore - Charleston Alan enjoys canoeing, fishing, and taking Alan Marchun, EIT II of the Kearneysville George Cook - Charleston his family camping in his pop-up camper. District Office, was named Employee of He also enjoys weight lifting but is Herb Hilleary - Charleston the Quarter for the Environmental John Reese - Charleston learning that you cannot beat “Father Engineering Division. Alan has worked Time.” His #1 priority is his family Jonathon (Cheun) Feng - Charleston for the OEHS for almost 12 years. because they are his pride and joy. He Lori Babich - Charleston Eight (8) counties are served by the likes to help people in need because he Nikki Howard - Charleston Kearneysville District Office, where says you never know when the roles may Alan’s primary duties include: be reversed. Classes/Testing • conducting sanitary surveys on I asked Alan if he had any interesting public water supplies helping CLASSES AT CEDAR LAKES stories to share with us; so he told me them comply with all facets of April 14 - 18 CLASS 1- (Jackson Hall) two. One is his favorite work story, while the regulations including: May 12 - 16 CLASS 2 - (ETC) the other is his worst moment on the job. source development, treatment, “My favorite work story has to be the first distribution and storage, MONTHLY TESTING IN CHARLESTON time I went to inspect a (former) church chemical and bacteriological March 19 camp that was ‘converted’ into a monitoring, operator April 9 ‘clothing optional’ recreational facility certification, and record May 21 that had lodging, a restaurant, a pool, keeping; racquetball, etc. The office was a small • performing construction QUARTERLY TESTING trailer. When I first entered, there was no inspections of water and one at the desk, so I rang the little bell GLEN DALE - MAY 1, AUG. 7, NOV. 6 sewage projects; (Firemen’s Hall) and turned around to look at some of • investigating complaints; and BECKLEY - MAY 23, AUG. 29, NOV. 21 their decor. When I heard footsteps (Elinor Hurt Health Center) • jointly working with other coming down the hall, I turned back MARTINSBURG - MAY 8, AUG. 21, NOV. agencies, such as: county around and was face-to-face with the 13 (James Rumsey Technical Institute) health departments, DEP, etc., owner - an older, stout lady who was CLARKSBURG - MAY 9, AUG. 22, NOV. 14 as needed. completely in the buff! After closing my (Clarksburg Water Plant) Alan’s vision for the next year at the jaw, it took me several minutes to gather OEHS is for it to “be an agency that has myself to begin explaining the FLUORIDE CLASSES effective communication and requirements of a CHARLESTON - SEPT. 4 cooperation, and provides a good transient, non- CLARKSBURG - JUNE 5, DEC. 4 balance between offering practical community public assistance (to aid systems in compliance) water supply.” 1D classes are scheduled as needed with enforcement actions.” Now, for some personal tidbits about “One of my worst moments was while assisting a county However, in veterinary clinics, young married with two grown children (a health department investigate a sewage kids working part time don’t have a full daughter and a son). Her daughter has complaint in a ‘nice’ mobile home park. understanding of hazards of radiation B.A. degrees in marketing and I had my back turned to a very large and should receive better training. advertising and her son has a B.S. Rottweiler, whom I thought was secured degree in biology and is getting a by a chain. In the instant I heard the chemistry degree this summer. Husband, chain snap, and before I got turned Barry, works for Verizon. Currently around, the nice doggy had a good hold Nancy is attending Marshall University of my calf and was preparing to shred Graduate College and working on a me into Parmesan cheese. Luckily, the Master’s degree in Industrial and owner was close and pulled him off Organizational Psychology. before he could do any further She also likes going to the beach, damage.” somewhere hot, and hopes to retire to somewhere warm. When asked if there Nancy also stated the RTIA has been is something she would like to add, doing a lot of work since new Nancy, after having reflected, passed regulations went into effect July 1, 2001. along her favorite poems by Robert Frost: She said, “West Virginia is working to The Road Not Taken, Fire and Ice and the catch up with the other states. The following: regulation has gone from 100 to 400 “This passage is a great comfort to me in pages and now includes nuclear waste, troubling times.” linear accelerators, x-rays, and well Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening logging.” Her unit has also been The woods are lovely, dark and deep. Nancy Godby - RTIA trained to react to any potential But I have promises to keep, Charleston Office radiation issues with the Beaver Valley And miles to go before I sleep, Power Company, a nuclear facility in And miles to go before I sleep. Interviewed by: Pat Taylor western Pennsylvania. Robert Frost Nancy’s duties also include educating the public on Radon through outreach presentations and giving out test kits to the public and to newly constructed schools. Nancy indicated all schools within West Virginia have been tested for radon. Along with her duties within the RITA Division, Nancy has been active on the Nancy Godby of the Charleston office Vision 21 Planning Team. By being on has been a member of the OEHS family this team she has learned a lot about since May 2001. She works in the OEHS. She has gotten to know people Radiation and Radon Unit of the RTIA Fred Barley, R.S. - PHS within all three OEHS divisions. Nancy Division. She has always worked with stated “a lot that we are trying to Charleston Office the public, so her position with the State achieve with Vision 21 is the same as in Interviewed by: Pam Smith is not something new. Before working the private sector. There are always for the State, she worked in the Guyan some workers in the private and public Valley Hospital in Logan County as a sector who will be apathetic or who manager of various public health and think their work is not important. And safety operations. During her time with some workers won’t do anything if the hospital, Nancy worked with several management is behind it. This is an people from our OEHS Public Health opportunity for everyone in OEHS to Sanitation Division. It was interesting to have input in the planning process in note she had a working connection with order to make change.” Nancy also John Dienst when he was in the PHS indicated people are resistant to Division and now they are co-workers in change. She feels to work in a positive The Environmental Transitions the RTIA Division. direction you have to change rules. Coordinator for OEHS’s Public Health Nancy’s duties within her RTIA unit now Being on the committee has allowed Sanitation (PHS) Division is Fred Barley. include inspection of x-ray equipment at her to see changes. Nancy did indicate Fred joined the PHS team 3 ½ years ago. hospitals, clinics, doctor’s and dentist’s it is good to have a breather from the His public health function is to “transform offices, veterinarian offices, and prisons, Planning team for a little while. and strengthen Environmental Health into etc. Nancy indicated most hospitals and rd Besides the work she is performing, the 23 Century.” His home office is on dental offices are more informed and nd Nancy’s home life is also busy. She was the 2 floor at 815 Quarrier Street. trained on the new state regulations. born and raised in Logan County and is However, he is out of the office a great

2 deal, traveling to all of West Virginia’s Who was St. Patrick wrote a letter to Coroticus. In the letter forty nine (49) local health departments Anyway? he criticized a raid on Ireland conducted where he keeps local staff abreast on According to the by Coroticus, a British chieftain. During state public health sanitation updates World Book, St. the raid several of Patrick's converts were and/or changes. He came to OEHS from Patrick lived about killed. The letter also reflects Patrick's the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department 389-461A.D., and resentment of the scornful attitude of in Wood County where he was a is the patron saint British clergymen and nobility toward the Registered Sanitarian for 10 years. of Ireland. Patrick Irish. Fred is a very active OEHS staff member. was chiefly Where is St. Patrick Buried? He is a member of the WV Public Health responsible for converting the Irish According to one legend he was buried Association where he is a participant in its people to Christianity. He became in the same grave as St. Bridget and St. Professional Clerical Section. He is a known as the Apostle to the Irish. His Columba, at Downpatrick, County Down. member of the West Virginia Association Latin name is Patricius. The jawbone of St. Patrick was believed of Sanitarians and the Web Administrator Patrick was born in Britain. His father to be preserved in a silver shrine and was for OEHS’s Public Health Division web- was a wealthy alderman and a often requested in times of childbirth, site. Although untitled, Christian. When Patrick was 16 years epileptic fits and as a preservative against he is known to most of us old, pirates captured him during a raid the . Another legend says St. at OEHS as our and sold him as a slave in Ireland. He Patrick ended his days at Glastonbury “GroupWise Guru.” served as a shepherd of an Irish and was buried there. The Chapel of St. Fred was raised at St. Chieftain in Ulster. During his captivity, Patrick still exists as part of Galstonbury Marys in Pleasants he dedicated himself to religion. After 6 Abbey. There is evidence of an Irish County and attended St. years of slavery he escaped and pilgrimage to his tomb during the reign Marys High School. He returned home to Britain. of the Saxon King Ine in A.D. 688, when holds the Little Kanawha As a result of his experiences in Ireland, a group of pilgrims headed by St. Conference (LKC) record Patrick became driven by the idea of Indractus were murdered. The great for the half-mile run converting the Irish to Christianity. To anxiety displayed in the middle ages to (2.04 seconds). Fred prepare himself for the task he studied possess the bodies, or at least the relics says since the runs are in the monastery of Lerins, an island off of saints, accounts for the many now measured in meters instead of yards, the coast of France. He also went to discrepant traditions regarding the burial there is not much chance of anyone Auxerre, France and studied religion places of St. Patrick and others. breaking his record. He should go down under Saint Germanus, a French in history as holding the record of the Bishop. Partly because Patrick's earlier Legends about Patrick: LKC half-mile run. In addition to the education was inadequate, his religious Many of the stories about Patrick are half-mile run, Fred once ran the quarter- superiors were reluctant to let him return based only on legends. One of the best mile run in 50 seconds. Moving on from to Ireland as a missionary. After known tales tells how he charmed the high school to college didn’t prohibit Fred Palladius, the first Irish missionary snakes of Ireland into the sea so they from competing and breaking records. bishop died in 431, Pope Celestine I drowned. Different tales tell of his He is a graduate of West Virginia sent Patrick to Ireland. standing upon a hill and using a wooden University where he majored in Patrick began his work where no one staff, driving the serpents into the sea, education. He is the only two-time had ever preached Christianity. He banishing them forever from the shores Intramural Athlete of the Year from WVU. gained the trust and friendship of of Ireland. One legend says one old Fred resides with his wife Pam at Hamlin several tribal leaders and soon made snake resisted but the saint overcame it in Lincoln County. He enjoys many many converts. He is said to have by cunning. He is said to have made a extracurricular activities and is an avid founded more than 300 churches and box and invited the reptile to enter. The WVU fan. Among his many likes are baptized more than 120,000 people. snake insisted the box was too small and cooking, painting, gardening, canning, He brought clergymen from England the discussion became very heated. camping and playing music (guitar). and France for his new churches. He Finally the snake entered the box to prove West Virginia’s Public Health team is succeeded in his mission to Ireland, he was right, whereupon St. Patrick fortunate to have a player like Fred even though many British clergymen slammed the lid and cast the box into the Barley. opposed him and the way he organized sea. While it is true there are no snakes the churches. Patrick preached in in Ireland, chances are there never have Ireland for the rest of his life. Fun ‘N Games been snakes since the time the island was Several of Patrick’s writings have St. Patrick's Day History, Legends, Trivia, separated from the rest of the continent survived and serve as the most and Information at the end of the ice age. As in many old important sources of information about pagan religions, serpent symbols were his work and life. Patrick wrote common and possibly even worshiped. "Confession", an account of his spiritual Driving the snakes from Ireland was most development. In it he justified his likely symbolic of putting an end to that mission to Ireland and expressed his pagan practice. humility and thankfulness that God had According to another tale, Patrick used a called him to serve the Irish. Patrick also three-leaf shamrock to illustrate the idea

3 of the Trinity. Many people believe the often dressed like a shoemaker, with a B. He was a brooding poet shamrock came to be the traditional cocked hat and a leather apron. C. He robbed the rich to feed the symbol of Ireland as a result of this According to legend, leprechauns are poor legend. Today his feast day, March 17th, aloof, unfriendly, live alone, and pass D. He herded sheep is celebrated as a national holiday in their time making shoes. They also 4. What endangered species' green color Ireland. possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure would make it an excellent poster animal St. Patrick also introduced the Roman hunters can often track down a in honor of St. Patrick's Day? alphabet and Latin literature into Ireland. leprechaun by the sound of his After his death, about 461AD, Irish shoemaker's hammer. If caught, he can A. The rhinoceros iguana monasteries flourished as centers of be forced (with the threat of bodily B. The Spotted owl learning. violence) to reveal the location of his C. The Snail darter Compton's Encyclopedia adds, despite a treasure but the captor must keep their D. The California sea otter constant threat to his life, Patrick traveled eyes on him every second. If the captor's 5. Which of the following does NOT widely, baptizing, confirming, preaching eyes leave the leprechaun (and he often bring you good on St. Patrick's Day? and building churches and monasteries. tricks them into looking away), he Patrick succeeded in converting almost vanishes and all hopes of finding the A. Sending a Care2 lucky frog card the entire population of the island. His treasure are lost. Legend has it you can B. Kissing the Stone "Epistola" pleads the case of the Christian find the leprechaun and his pot of gold C. Finding a four-leaf clover Irish at the hands of their British at the end of a rainbow. D. Eating Lucky Charms conquerors. Patrick's writings have come 6. Saint Patrick was thought to be from: to be appreciated for their simplicity and humility. A. Ireland or England B. Scotland or England The Shamrock C. England or France The shamrock (at one time called the D. Ireland or Scotland "Searoy") is a type of small herb with 7. Where was the first St. Patrick's Day leaves made up of three leaflets and is celebrated in America? the common name for any of several three-leafed clovers native to Ireland. The A. Richmond, VA Irish have considered shamrocks good B. Plymouth, MA luck symbols since earliest times and C. Boston, MA today many people of other nationalities The Care2 St. Patrick's Day Quiz D. Philadelphia, PA have adopted that belief. It has become by Melinda Su and Care2 member Andrea B. 8. What does "Erin Go Braugh" mean? the national symbol of Ireland because of (Answers and grading scale are on the following page) the legend that St. Patrick used it to A. Happy St. Patrick's Day! illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. 1. In addition to being a very successful B. Ireland Forever Preaching in the open air on the doctrine and famous Christian missionary, what C. Irish Luck Be With You of the trinity, he is said to have illustrated else was Saint Patrick known for? D. Best Wishes the existence of the Three in One by A. Finding the first four-leaf clover 9. What is a leprechaun and what plucking a shamrock from the grass B. Suggesting beer be tinted green makes him so special? growing at his feet and showing it to his to celebrate March 17 congregation. It symbolizes the cross and C. Driving the snakes out of A. He is an Irish fairy with a hidden blessed trinity. Ireland pot of gold The legend of the shamrock is also D. Declaring the shamrock a B. He is a tiny man found at the connected with the banishment of the symbol of Ireland end of rainbows serpent tribe from Ireland, by a tradition C. He is an environmentally that snakes are never seen on trefoil, and 2. Why is the shamrock associated with conscious person dressed in that it is a remedy against the stings of St. Patrick's Day? green snakes and scorpions. The trefoil in A. Because it's green and D. He is the lead Irish step dancer Arabia is called shamrakh and was represents the coming of spring 10. Why is the color green associated sacred in Iran as an emblem of the B. Because Saint Patrick used it to with St. Patrick's Day? Persian triads. The trefoil, being a sacred represent the Father, the Son plant among the Druids and three being and the Holy Spirit A. Saint Patrick wore a green hat a mystical number in the Celtic religion B. The shamrock and four-leaf as well as others, it is probable St. Patrick C. Because it brings good luck clover are green must have been aware of the significance D. Because four-leaf clovers are C. It represents spiritual renewal of his illustration. hard to find D. It's the color of spring The Leprechaun 3. What did Saint Patrick do before The Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. He looks becoming a missionary? like a small, old man (about 2 feet tall), A. He was a wealthy landowner

4 St. Patrick of Ireland - Did You Know? In the last issue of EcHoS, we Roger Green 18. “It’s a thankless job, Ireland is a land rich with myths and legends. had a contest in the “Fun ‘N Games” but I’ve got a lot of Karma to burn off!” But did you know these facts and trivia about Carolyn Dienst 19. “Do I look like a their beloved St. Patrick? section asking you to fill in a name to correspond with the statements. If people person?” Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland Scott Rodeheaver 20. “I started out wasn’t actually Irish. He was your name is on this list, please do born around 373 A.D. in either not take offense. It was just a fun with nothing and still have most of it Scotland, near the town of game. After an “overwhelming” left.” Dumbarton, or in Roman Britain. response, here are the winners. Randy Curtis 21. “Sarcasm is just one Ê Little is known about St. Patrick, David Stewart 1. “I can see your more service we offer!” including his birth and death dates. point, but I still think you are full of Alan Marchun 22. “I’m trying to March 17 is traditionally considered it!” imagine you with a personality!” to be one of the two, although there Linda Keller 23. “Chaos, panic and is no documentation to corroborate Blaine Barringer 2. “I don’t know this. what your problem is, but I’ll bet it’s disorder - - my work here is done!” hard to pronounce.” Charlie Shedd 24. “How do I set a Ê As a teen, Patrick was enslaved in laser printer to stun?” Ireland and he returned there later Christy Pitsenbarger 3. “How about in life as a missionary. never? Is never good for you?” Ê There were never any snakes – or Bill Toomey 4. “I see you’ve set aside Jokes for the Quarter other reptiles for that matter – in this special time to humiliate yourself A FOOTBALL COACH walked into the Ireland for St. Patrick to chase out. in public. This is good!” locker room before a game, looked at his Ê St. Patrick predates the Roman Vic Wilford 5. “I’m really easy to get star player and said, “I’m not supposed Catholic Church and was considered along with once you people learn to to let you play since you failed math, but a “saint” before the Roman church see it my way!” we need you in there. So I have to ask created its list of saints and included Rhonda Miller 6. “I’m out of my him in it. you a math question. If you get it right, mind, but feel free to leave a you can play.” Ê Patrick’s real name is believed to be message.” The player agreed. The coach looked Maewyn Succat. He adopted the into his eyes and said, “Ok, concentrate name Patrick, or Patricius, after he Charlie Shedd 7. “I don’t work here. hard and answer this question: what is became a priest. I’m a consultant!” Charlie Robinette 8. “It sounds like two plus two?” Ê Patrick was kidnapped by pirates at The player thought for a moment and English, but I can’t understand a the age of 16 and sold into slavery answered, “Four.” in Ireland. During the 6 years he word you’re saying.” “Did you say four?” the coach exclaimed, spent in captivity he began to have Linda Jordan 9. “Ahhh...I see the excited that the player answered religious visions and found strength screw-up fairy has visited us again!” in his faith. He finally escaped and correctly. Suddenly all the other players went to France where he became a Connie Joyce 10. “I like you! You began screaming, “Come on, coach. priest, and later, a bishop. remind me of when I was young and Give him another chance!” stupid.” Ê Legend has it St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland – they all went Amanda Ray 11. “You are validating COMING OUT OF church, Mrs. Peterson into the sea and drowned. We know my inherent mistrust of strangers.” asks her husband, “Do you think that this isn’t technically true. The basis Mitzi Kellogg 12. “I have plenty of Johnson girl is tinting her hair?” of this legend probably lies in the talent and vision, I just don’t give a “I didn’t even see her,” Mr. Peterson origin of the snake as a pagan symbol. The legend tells the darn!” admits. figurative tale of St. Patrick’s driving Linda Keller 13. “I’m already “And that dress Mrs. Hansen was paganism out of Ireland. visualizing the duct tape over your wearing,” Mrs. Peterson continues. “Really, don’t tell me you think that’s the Ê mouth.” The phrase “Erin Go Braugh” means proper costume for a mother of two.” Ireland Forever! Barb Taylor 14. “Thank you. We’re “I’m afraid I didn’t notice that either,” Mr. all refreshed and challenged by your Peterson says. unique point of view!” “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Mrs. Peterson Mitzi Kellogg 15. “Any connection snaps. “A lot of good it does you to go between your reality and mine is to church!” purely coincidental.” Christy Pitsenbarger 16. “What am I? Flypaper for freaks!!??” Linda Jordan 17. “I’m not being rude, you’re just insignificant!”

5 Answers to the St. Patrick’s Day quiz ® Ninety percent of New York ® “Go” is the shortest complete on the page 4. City cabbies are recently sentence in the English arrive immigrants. language. 1. (C) Driving the snakes out of ® Thirty-five percent of the ® If Barbie were life-size, her Ireland. people using personal ads measurements would be 39- 2. (B) Because St. Patrick used it to for dating are already 23-33. She would stand represent the Father, the Son, married. seven feet, two inches tall. and the Holy Spirit. ® Elephants are the only ® A crocodile cannot stick its 3. (D) He herded sheep. animals that can’t jump. tongue out. 4. (A) The rhinoceros iguana. ® Only one person in two ® The cigarette lighter was 5. (D) Eating Lucky Charms. billion will live to be 116 or invented before the match. 6. (B) Scotland or England. older. ® Americans, on average, eat 7. (C) Boston, MA ® It’s possible to lead a cow 18 acres of pizza everyday. 8. (B) Ireland Forever. upstairs but not downstairs. ® Almost everyone reading this 9. (A) He’s an Irish fairy with a ® Women blink nearly twice as will try to lick their elbow. hidden pot of gold. much as men. (YEP! I did!) 10.(D) It’s the color of spring. ® It’s physically impossible for you to lick your elbow. (If DID YOU KNOW? The Grading Scale you’re anything like me, Submitted by: Clement Sees - Wheeling when I read this, I tried to # lick my elbow and it really correct Grade Producing a typical lunch - didn’t work.) hamburger, french fries, and a soft 10 A four-leaf Shamrock ® The Main Library at Indiana drink - uses 1500 gallons of water. for you! Congrats! University sinks over an inch This includes the water needed to every year because when it raise the potatoes, the grain for the 7 - 9 A two-legged was built, engineers failed to bun, the grain needed to feed the Leprechaun for you! take into account the weight cattle, and the production of the Congrats! (Please be of all the books that would soda. sure to feed him) occupy the building. ® A snail can sleep for three 4 - 6 Kissing the Blarney The natural rotation of the Earth has years. Stone a bit too much, been altered slightly by the 10 trillion ® No word in the English have you? tons of water stored in reservoirs over language rhymes with the past 40 years (according to 1 - 3 You’re looking a bit “month.” NASA). green, and I don’t ® Average life span of a major mean “Spring Like.” league baseball: 7 pitches. ® Our eyes are always the TIDBITS Submitted by: Clement Sees - Wheeling INTERESTING FACTS: same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop Submitted by: Fred Barley growing. - SCARY! • Tidy files save money. Research shows the average person spends ® Butterflies taste with their feet. ® The electric chair was invented by a dentist. nearly 150 hours per year searching ® A duck’s quack doesn’t echo for misplaced information. and no one knows why. ® All polar bears are left handed. ® In 10 minutes a hurricane • Add anti-bacterial wipes to your releases more energy than all ® In ancient Egypt priests plucked EVERY hair from office supplies. A University of of the world’s nuclear Arizona study reports that the weapons combined. their bodies, including their eyebrows and eyelashes. standard office desk has 400 times ® On average, 100 people more bacteria than the average toilet choke to death on ballpoint YOWCH! ® An ostrich’s eye is bigger seat. Worst offenders were pens every year. telephones, desktops, and keyboards. ® On average, people fear than its brain. spiders more than they do ® “TYPEWRITER” is the longest death. word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

6 WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Below are pictures of your co-workers. They could be from District Offices or the Central Office. See how many you recognize, fax your guesses to me (558-0139) and whoever gets the most right will be published in the next edition of EcHoS. Have fun!

1. 4. 7.

2. 5. 8.

Newsletter Team: Linda Jordan - Editor-in-Chief Stacey Roe - Layout Editor Pam Smith - Reporter Roger Green - Reporter BLESS THE UNITED Scott Rodeheaver - Reporter Fred Barley - Reporter STATES ARMED Rick Watson - Proof 3. 6. Pat Taylor - Proof FORCES

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