Find out the latest happenings in Rocky Mount NC. From restaurant and ding options, real estate, entertainment, events and more.

Guest Bedroom Ideas make Visitors Feel Right at Home

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Guest Bedroom Ideas

One of the many reasons that drew you towards relocating to Belmont Lake Preserve NC golf and retirement community was its ideal location, giving you convenient access to all points in the Eastern U.S. Whether you opted to be close to family or friends, you will surely at some point be hosting visitors at your new home, and recently, msn.com detailed 13 Guest Bedroom Ideas that can help to not only impress, but also make your company feel right at home.

Many of the Guest Bedroom Ideas detailed by MSN Blogger, Nadine Avola in the piece, are ones that not only very practical and convenient for a houseguest, but can be presented in a very stylish manner as well. The first item on the list plays to the ever evolving technological world we live in and saves a guest from having to ask, and is to provide them a Wi-Fi password. Either in a frame, or on an index card, or even to text them the password immediately will make a guest feel welcome. Along the same lines, the second Guest Bedroom Idea is to set up a charging station. Providing cables and the necessities to keep all devices charged is certainly a friendly and inviting touch.

Offering up space and an easily accessible place to unpack, such as a dresser or even a nice closet space with hangers can avoid a guest having the feeling that they are “living out of a suitcase” during their stay, and adding to your spare room giving them the feeling that it’s “their own” is having some type of privacy curtains, shades, or blinds over the windows. Extra blankets, towels, and pillows as well as having any bathroom necessities, even if a guest has brought their own are also great Guest Bedroom Ideas that help a visitor to feel comfortable during their visit. Likewise, bedroom essentials, like a ceiling fan or even a nice oscillating fan, and an alarm clock can also make the guest room “their own” by simply putting in the effort to plan ahead and have these items out and ready upon arrival. Going the extra mile to have fresh flowers at bedside, a candy dish, or even their own coffee maker in the room can also give the appearance of going above and beyond to make the guests feel that you truly care.

Lastly, whether your friends or family member arrives while you are at work, or even just to provide them the feeling that they are free to come and go as they please while visiting, to leave a house key for them is always a very selfless gesture that screams “my home is your home” while they are there.

These 13 simple Guest Bedroom Ideas are ones that can enhance a loved ones visit to your house and can easily be arranged with just a bit of planning prior to their arrival. To see the entire post on 13 Guest Bedroom Ideas to make your visitors feel at home, visit www.msn.com.

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Imperial Centre Calendar Heats up in the Colder Months with Winter Events in Rocky Mount

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Winter Events in Rocky Mount

Although the temperature may be dropping as the calendar breezes through November and into December the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences is heating up with a variety of fantastic and fun Winter Events in Rocky Mount just minutes from your new home at Belmont Lake Preserve North Carolina golf community.

Beginning on Friday, December 4, the Imperial Centre begins hosting what is probably the most anticipated of all the Winter Events in Rocky Mount, as the Holiday Skating Rink opens, with public ice skating sessions running each weekend from 1-7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. The kids and adults alike can get in the spirit of the season as a 45 minute skating session only cost $6 per person during any of the weekends in December other that the 24-26, as the rink closes for the Christmas holiday. Private rentals of the rink can also be arranged by calling 252-972-1266. These private parties allow for your family and friends to enjoy the most anticipated of the Imperial Centre’s Winter Events in Rocky Mount at times during the week and around the aforementioned public skating times and run for two hours where you can have up to 30 guests on the ice at a time.

In addition to the opening of the Holiday Skating Rink, the Imperial Centre also plays host to many other great Winter Events in Rocky Mount, including its popular “First Friday” series. These Winter Events in Rocky Mount take place at the Arts Center on the first Friday of every month, allowing friends and family alike to come out for local music, craft vendors, and activities that all ages can enjoy. The next installment of the “First Friday” Winter Events in Rocky Mount will take on a Christmas theme and take place on Friday, December 4. The highlight s of the event will include the annual “lighting of the Imperial Centre,” in addition to ice skating, sleigh rides, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences will be on hand, and there will also be Blacksmith Demonstrations among a host of other great things to be a part of from 6-9 p.m. at “First Friday.”

The opening of the Holiday Skating Rink and the December 4 “First Friday” event are just two of the many great Winter Events in Rocky Mount on the upcoming schedule at the Imperial Centre. For more details on both of these and for a full schedule of all their happenings, visit www.imperialcentre.org.

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Forbes Names North Carolina No. 2 Best State for Business and Careers

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Best State for Business and Careers

Another among many factors supporting your decision to buy a home at the award winning NC golf community, Belmont Lake Preserve in Rocky Mount is the recent Forbes ranking of the state of North Carolina, placing it second among all 50 states in the prestigious annual listings of the Best State for Business and Careers for 2015.

Improving even on last year’s lofty ranking as Forbes’ number three Best State for Business and Careers in the 2014 listings, North Carolina finished ahead of all states in the union other than Utah, which clung to the top spot for a second consecutive year. Maintaining the consistent growth that has many professionals taking notice of the “Tar Heel State,” it was noted in the Forbes’ article on the Best State for Business and Career that North Carolina is the only state in the entire country that has ranked in the top five every year since they have conducted the rankings.

Speaking to the lofty ranking on the Best State for Business and Career listings, the profile on North Carolina on forbes.com said, “With one of the highest net migration rates in the U.S., people have been flocking to North Carolina for the past decade. They are chasing jobs.” It continued to say, “The unemployment rate was stuck above 10% for most of 2009 through 2011, but has dipped to 5.4% in 2015. North Carolina has the smallest union workforce in the U.S. in terms of percent of total employment. The resulting benefit is labor costs that are 10% below the national average and fifth overall lowest in the country.”

Forbes’ also cited a cost of doing business in North Carolina at 10 percent below the national average, in addition to the state ranking tenth in prospective growth and ninth overall in labor supply as major factors in being ranked as the number two Best State for Business and Careers.

To see the entire listing and for more detail on North Carolina’s ranking as the number two Best State for Business and Careers in 2015, visit www.forbes.com.

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Kitchens, Floors, and More : New Home Construction Trends in 2015

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New Home Construction Trends

The experts at builderonline.com recently released an article on their website based upon the Annual Builder Practices Survey, noting the hottest New Home Construction Trends documented for the year of 2015, giving you a few ideas and options to think about as you prepare to begin the home building process and the construction of your new home in Rocky Mount NC at the Belmont Lake Preserve NC golf course community.

The Annual Builder Practices Survey has been conducted by Home Innovation each year for over three decades as they have tracked the market shares of all building material categories to compile the survey and reports, like the most recent one documenting the hot New Home Construction Trends in the past year.

Some of the more interesting findings in New Home Construction Trends to consider when you are starting the process of building your new home at Belmont Lake Preserve that were discussed in the builderonline.com article, included:

Flooring: Carpeting has continued to be the most popular flooring option amongst the New Home Construction Trends, as 83 percent of all new home bedrooms were documented as being carpeted. However, hardwood flooring has seen a rise as the second most popular choice, especially in living rooms. Ceramic tile, which is the most popular bathroom option, was noted as the third most common choice in flooring.

Kitchens: Several popular New Home Construction Trends thus far in 2015 that were touched upon in the article involved different areas and items in the kitchen. For new countertops, it was said that granite continues to be the top choice, with over 64 percent choosing this option. Quartz/engineered stone also saw a spike in counter top popularity as a second choice. In kitchen appliances, Cooktops and wall oven combinations saw an increase in installation as compared to freestanding units, while “freezer on bottom” refrigerators also gained in popularity, where as the “side-by-side” units saw a decrease. Sinks were another item in the kitchen that were detailed among the New Home Construction Trends. The single basin kitchen sink seems to be making a comeback this year, and granite or stone kitchen sinks also have seen a rise in their overall numbers.

Garages: Bigger and more enhanced seemed to be the most popular New Home Construction Trends to date this year pertaining to the garage, as enhancements such as windows, insulation, and composite or plastic materials being used on garage doors has been on the rise. Also, the past year saw 32 percent of new single family homes building garages with bays for three or more cars, which was the highest number ever recorded in the 30 plus years of the survey for garage’s of this size.

These are just a small sampling of the extensive numbers and findings regarding popular New Home Construction Trends for 2015 from the Annual Builders Practices Survey. For a full details in all areas of the home, visit www.builderonline.com.

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Art, History, Sweets, and Sights: Something for every taste awaits at the Top Attractions in Raleigh NC

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Top Attractions in Raleigh NC

Conveniently located in scenic Eastern NC, your new home at the Belmont Lake Preserve North Carolina retirement community puts you in the perfect spot to never be too far away from all of the great destinations across the “Tar Heel State.” With something to offer for all tastes and located just under an hour from Rocky Mount, the Top Attractions in Raleigh NC are certainly ones that you will not want to miss.

With the best in all areas of entertainment including music, sporting events, dining, the fine arts and more, the Top Attractions in Raleigh NC are almost too plentiful to list. However, the renowned “art, food, culture, and travel” blog, theculturetrip.com broke down the capital city into several sections, recently releasing their list on the “Top 7 Things to Do and See in Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.”

As steeped in its rich history as it is known for its incredible scenic beauty, no Top Attractions in Raleigh NC list would be complete without listing both the North Carolina Museum of History and the City of Raleigh Museum in downtown Raleigh. Described in theculturetrip.com’s article as “Cataloguing the history of North Carolina from prehistory to the modern day, the North Carolina Museum of History has many permanent and special exhibitions for visitors of all ages.” The NC Museum of History also is home to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame with awesome memorabilia from everything you could imagine in the world of NC sports, from Michael Jordan to Arnold Palmer to NASCAR. Likewise, the City of Raleigh Museum is a “can’t miss” stop for history buffs as well, as it is a comparatively new museum documenting the history and expansion of Raleigh from a tiny village to the very urban and cosmopolitan city it is today.”

For outdoor enthusiasts seeking to soak in the natural beauty of the city, Pullen Park is fittingly included on the list of Top Attractions in Raleigh NC. Culturetrip blogger Jediah Johnson describes the park in detail, saying, “With year-round productions at Theatre in the Park, art classes at the Pullen Arts Center, and a large Aquatic Center, the park is busy during all four seasons.” Also included in their top seven downtown destinations to see the Top Attractions in Raleigh NC are the Raleigh Denim Workshop, Videri Chocolate Factory, the North Carolina State Capitol Building, and Deco Raleigh.

To see locations, directions, and greater detail on all of these Top Attractions in Raleigh NC, visit www.theculturetrip.com.

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Fall Events in Rocky Mount highlighted by the 8th Annual Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown

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Fall Events in Rocky Mount

The most anticipated of all Fall Events in Rocky Mount comes to town, just minutes from your new home at the premier North Carolina golf and retirement community, Belmont Lake Preserve, featuring not only the most delicious NC BBQ in the state, but the tastiest from across the United States as well, in addition to having  for the first time in its eight year existence, the East Carolina Brew Competition as apart of the town’s annual tradition, the Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown.

Starting on Friday, October 9 at noon until 8:00 p.m., and then kicking back off on Saturday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., the BBQ Throwdown will feature great tastes for all ages at the top draw in Fall Events in Rocky Mount throughout the festivities. The “Throw Down is a professional cooking competition based on the Kansas City Barbeque Society’s (KCBS) official categories, which are chicken, pork ribs, pork brisket, and beef brisket. Awards will be given out for the Grand Champion, Reserved Grand Champion, and the People’s Choice Award, decided upon by the attendees of the tops in Fall Events in Rocky Mount. Additionally, prizes to include cash awards, trophies, and plaques will be given out to the top ten finishers in each of the above categories.

Also, for the very first time in the eight year history of the most popular among all Fall Events in Rocky Mount, the BBQ Throwdown will hold another competition on Saturday, October 10, as local beer enthusiasts and brewers will compete in the Eastern Carolina Home Brew Competition. Each entrant in this competition is submitting any style beer of their choosing, and each will be judged in different categories based upon the style they enter. If the entry does not fit into one of the specific categories they still are eligible for the overall “Best in the East” award that will also be named on the Saturday of the most anticipated of all Fall Events in Rocky Mount. The judging for the Home Brew Competition will be done by representatives from the new Rocky Mount Brewmill facility.

While the kick off begins at noon on Friday, and the judging of the NC BBQ entries will commence throughout the two-day festival, there will also be great food and entertainment throughout the two days. The “Kick Off Party and Concert” will begin with great live, local music being played throughout the day and there will also be a host of family friendly events, vendors, and kid specific activities throughout the weekend.

The 8th Annual Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown is free to the public and is taking place at 101 Coastline Street in Downtown Rocky Mount, directly in front of the Helen P. Gay Historic Rocky Mount Train Station. For a full schedule of events and more information on the Eastern NC BBQ Throwdown, visit their website at www.bbqthrowdown.com.

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Belmont Lake Golf Club Gives Back to the Kids at Junior Golf Camp

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Belmont Lake Golf Club

Over the weekend of September 19, on site PGA professional at Belmont Lake Preserve North Carolina golf community, Tim Wilke, teamed up with PGA Area 10 representative, Buddy Lawrence, to give a group of area children ages 2-18 an afternoon they won’t soon forget, calling on some of their fellow pros and the North Carolina Wesleyan golf team for instructional help, as a wonderful time was had by all at the first annual Carolina PGA & Area 10 Youth Golf Instructional Day hosted by the Belmont Lake Golf Club .

A youngster takes a shot out of the "Bunker Station" at the Belmont Lake Golf Club during the Instructional Day

A youngster takes a shot out of the “Bunker Station” at the Belmont Lake Golf Club during the Instructional Day

Wilke, who first envisioned, and then organized the one day camp at Belmont Lake Golf Club, set his sights in planning the event on allowing some local children who may not ordinarily have the opportunity to learn from himself and the other PGA professionals on hand to assist him in making the day a success. Attendees were taught the fundamentals in all aspects of golf, starting with etiquette and basic rules and moving through stations set up throughout the course to instruct them on using different irons, putting, and even bunker play.

Working hard and completely volunteering his own time, Wilke sought out businesses and members of the Rocky Mount community to help in generating the revenue needed to give the kids this special day at Belmont Lake Golf Club. For his thoughtful efforts, Wilke was pleased to see local sponsors step up and generate $5,000 to turn his idea of the Junior Golf Camp into a reality. In a further show of unity within the Rocky Mount community, food was also donated for the event as well, allowing for all 90 children who participated to enjoy a nice lunch on top of the free hat that each were given thanks to the sponsorship funds raised.

Tim Wilke addresses the kids at the Belmont Lake Golf Club’s Youth Golf Instructional Day

Speaking to Rocky Mount Telegram newspaper on the success and overall great time had by all at the event, Wilke noted, “We’ve recognized that there’s a need to get more kids in the area involved with the game.” He added, “Golf is a great game from a character standpoint… I love the youth, and it’s important that we get them interested at a young age.”

With the resounding response from the participants, the sponsors, the NC Wesleyan team, and the PGA pros, all of whose generosity all made the Belmont Lake Golf Club Junior Golf Camp possible, and the wonderful time that was had throughout the day by all, Wilke has already began preparations to make the event an annual function at Belmont Lake Golf Club as he has started the planning process for next years event.

For more information on upcoming events, memberships, arranging one on one instruction time with PGA pro, Tim Wilke, and so much more that is going on at Belmont Lake Golf Club, visit their website at www.belmontlakegolfclub.com. Also, to see the beautiful new homes as well as both golf course and non-course lots at Belmont Lake Preserve North Carolina golf community, visit belmontlakepreserve.com.

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Safe and Sound: Rocky Mount NC crime rate at a 35 year low

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Rocky Mount NC Crime Rate

In addition to achieving the personal serenity and peace of mind which you desire in opting to move to the premier NC golf and retirement community, Belmont Lake Preserve, obviously safety in one’s home town is a factor which plays into the decision to relocate. As a result of the hard work and dedication of city officials working side by side with law enforcement and residents, Police Chief, James Moore was happy to report at a recent town meeting that the Rocky Mount NC crime rate has reached a 35 year low.

In bringing the good news to members of the  city council, Moore gave much credit to the efforts of city residents in the improvement of the Rocky Mount NC crime rate. He noted the collaborative work between the police department and the residents, as well as an overall community effort by concerned citizens to lend a hand to improve the community and lower the Rocky Mount NC crime rate in any way they possibly can.

Speaking with a sense of pride after seeing such positive results, Moore seemed very pleased to deliver the following statistics regarding the decrease in the Rocky Mount NC crime rate 2014 in comparison to just one year priors data.

  • A 45 percent decrease in commercial robberies
  • A 16.5 percent decrease in individual robberies
  • A 16.2 percent decrease in property crime.
  • A 10.9 percent decrease in violent and dangerous crime.

Moore, who was applauded for his efforts by city officials, has made a concerted effort during his tenure as chief of police to see the residents and his department work hand in hand through offering different programs to the public and educating the citizens in several areas that can be of assistance in lowering the Rocky Mount NC crime rate. These would include the “Citizen’s Police Academy,” which is described on the city’s website as “a program designed to acquaint citizens who are not sworn police officers with the activities of their local police department. Citizens gain an appreciation for the problems and challenges facing law enforcement and have an opportunity to offer comments, ideas, and solutions.”

The “Law Enforcement Explorers” program is another way the Rocky Mount NC Police Department has been educating residents. Holding meetings twice a month, officers discuss and educate interested young men and women between the ages of 14-20 on law enforcement culture in addition to offering hands-on training and demonstrations.

Utilizing the latest in technology to build stronger and safer neighborhoods in Rocky Mount NC, the Police Department also offers the “Nextdoor Program.” This is a free private social network for members of the community to communicate with one another and bulid happier and safer neighborhoods.

To learn more about these programs and other ways that you can work with Chief Moore and the police department to lend a hand in continuing to see the Rocky Mount NC crime rate decrease, visit their “Police to Citizens” here.

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3 Ways to Achieve your Active Lifestyle in Rocky Mount NC

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Active Lifestyle in Rocky Mount NC

One of the biggest attractions in the decision making process to relocate and retire among today’s baby boomers is the access to an active lifestyle they desire. “Lifestyle Redefined” at Belmont Lake Preserve NC retirement community is more than your new, beautiful custom home and our 18 hole championship NC golf course. It is also more than just staying fir and leading a healthy life, as at Belmont Lake, “Lifestyle Redefined” is also making it easy for you to achieve the Active Lifestyle in Rocky Mount NC that you desire through a variety of on and off site amenities in addition to the great stuff going on socially around the area.

Tar River Walking and Paddle Trail

The scenic and historic Tar River Trail runs directly along its namesake river, stretching through the city of Rocky Mount from Sunset Park in the West, to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in the East. Perfect for a refreshing hike, an invigorating bike ride, or just a leisurely stroll to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, the Tar River Trail gives you countless options for Active Lifestyle in Rocky Mount NC. In addition, with over 20 miles of waterways connecting the Tar River and Stony Creek and ten canoe and kayak access locations, the Tar River Trail also offers a chance to enjoy outdoor living on the water as well.

Rocky Mount Senior Center

Right in the heart of downtown, the Rocky Mount Senior Center is the perfect spot for whatever route you may choose in achieving an Active Lifestyle in Rocky Mount NC. With a state of the art fitnesss center, an indoor pool, gymnasium, and an outdoor 1/5 mile walking track, staying fit is fmade easy and un at the Senior Center. Also boasted a game room with billiards, a card room and computer lab featuring 8 computers all with internet access and outdoor space for horseshoes, bocce, and shuffleboard, whatever your choice in recreation, you are covered here. The Senior Center also offers a variety of programs for 55 and older visitors to find their Active Lifestyle in Rocky Mount NC, including day and overnight trips, educational classes, workshops, and clubs.

Outdoor Events

The feeling of community that is synonymous with “Lifestyle Redefined” goes above and beyond the options to stay fit and healthy and also includes the undeniable community feel that is undeniable Rocky Mount and the surrounding area. With a wide variety of outdoor events throughout the calendar year, there is a little something for everyone offered socially with in minutes of Belmont Lake Preserve. With Rocky Mounts’ “Downtown Live” or “Lawn Chair Theatre” concert series’ throughout the Spring and Summer months, the family friendly holiday events held year round or the highly anticipated annual Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown held each Fall, having a good time with familiar faces and new acquaintances is always just minutes from your front door. For the full city of Rocky Mount events calendar visit there website at rockymountnc.gov.

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Rocky Mount Brewmill announces first two tenants

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Rocky Mount Brewmill

Speaking to the point that recently saw the city of Rocky Mount NC included as a part of the nerdwallet.com listing of “Cities on the Rise in North Carolina,” the development of new businesses in the community continues, as just minutes up the road from the Belmont Lake Preserve North Carolina golf and retirement community, one of the most anticipated additions to the city’s business community, the Rocky Mount Brewmill was excited to announce it’s first two tenants in the mixed-use redevelopment project.

The Rocky Mount Brewmill is on the site of what was formerly the Rocky Mount Mills cotton mill and century old brick showplace, located on the historic Tar River. The site, which once was one of Rocky Mount’s most significant economic engines has been dormant for several decades and has the local business community abuzz with the influx of interest shown since the Rocky Mount Brewmill project has been undertaken.

The first two homegrown businesses to reside at the Rocky Mount Brewmill were announced this past week, as Koi Pond Brewery is set to become Rocky Mount’s first brewery, and SpringBoardNC Inc., a non-profit organization which is headed by a conglomerate of local business leaders will call the site home and offer space to entrepreneurs throughout the region.

The separate business models and visions of each of these two businesses speaks to the diversity that can be expected at the Rocky Mount Brewmill site, and officials from each spoke enthusiastically about becoming part of the project. Eric Ghiloni, co-founder and head brewer, Koi Pond Brewing Company, noted, “Koi Pond’s mission is to bring great, hand-crafted beer and social responsibility together to reflect the rich cultural heritage of Eastern North Carolina.” He added, “The idea of breweries co-locating in a common space and sharing resources, knowledge and ideas to make everyone better and the customers’ experience unparalleled is intriguing to say the least. We are very excited to be the first and look forward to watching our industry grow right here in Rocky Mount.”

Jeff Tobias, the Vice President of operations for SpringBoardNC Inc. also spoke of the company’s goals at the new site, saying, “Our region is filled with entrepreneurs and innovators with big ideas but up until this point they’ve lacked a physical location or the intensive day-to-day assistance found in a business accelerator.” He concluded, “Our goal is to create a home for networking resources to foster startup activity, business growth, and capitalization so that we can create a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurs who add jobs to the local economy.”

For more information on the Rocky Mount Brewmill project included current developments and breaking news, visit their website at brewmill.com.

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