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Immerse yourself in an enlightening conversation with Walt Dabney, a distinguished former National Park Service Superintendent, NPS Chief Ranger, and ex-Director of Texas State Parks. Walt's illustrious career spans decades, marked by his significant contributions to both our cherished National Parks and the Texas State Parks system.
Early in his tenure with the NPS, Walt was entrusted with the unique role of accompanying Freeman Tilden, fondly known as "The Father of Interpretation," as his host, driver, guide, and "adjutant" for a year. This transformative experience saw them journey across the National Park System, engaging in profound daily discussions about life, public lands, and the art of Interpretation.
A proud 1969 alumnus of Texas A&M, Dabney dedicated over thirty years to the National Park Service. Post-retirement, he revitalized the Texas State Parks, turning an underfunded system into a well-financed, professional, customer-oriented, and technologically advanced entity. Now, in his second retirement, Walt remains a passionate advocate for the preservation, protection, and enjoyment of Public Lands. Discover more about his insights by watching his video: "The History & Future of America's Public Land with Walt Dabney."
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #heritageinterpretation #NationalParks #TexasStateParks #PublicLands #ConservationConversation #ParksLeadership #WaltDabney #NatureTalks #ParkPreservation
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This week on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters our guest is Susan Marie Frontczak. Storysmith® Susan Marie Frontczak's deeply researched Living History programs are the center of her repertoire. In her programs as Marie Curie, Mary Shelley, Eleanor Roosevelt, Irene Castle, Erma Bombeck and Clara Barton, Susan Marie melts, stretches, and reforms the boundaries between theatre, storytelling, and public speaking.
These programs are presented with no imaginary "fourth wall" between the historical figure and the audience. Rather, the audience travels back in time to hear from and converse with the historical personage. Many of these are in the "Chautauqua" format consisting of a monologue in character, followed first by a Q&A with the historical figure, and then a Q&A out of character as the scholar.
Susan Marie has presented over 900 Living History programs in 43 of the United States and nine countries abroad since 2001.
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Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Interpreters and Guides was honored to recently interview Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution—and its first African American and first historian to hold the position.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1952 to educators Lonnie II and Montrose Bunch, Dr. Bunch earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in American and African American history from American University. His career began at the Smithsonian while completing his master’s degree, and he has since become a leading figure in museums, education, and interpretation.
Dr. Bunch’s groundbreaking contributions include serving as founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) from 2005 to 2019. There, he led traveling exhibitions and public programs before opening the museum to global acclaim. Previously, he directed the Chicago History Museum, held curatorial roles at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, and served at the California African American Museum.
A member of the American Philosophical Society, Dr. Bunch has also contributed to historic preservation, serving on the White House Preservation Commission under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. On May 28, 2019, he was elected Secretary of the Smithsonian, where he continues to shape the future of cultural storytelling.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #heritageinterpretation #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackHistoryMatters #CelebrateBlackHistory #BlackVoices #BlackExcellence #OurHistoryOurStory #HonoringHeritage #FromSlaveryToFreedom #DiasporaStories #SmithsonianInstitution #ExploreSmithsonian #HistoryUnveiled #MuseumsMatter #SmithsonianAfricanAmerican #DiscoverTheSmithsonian #LearnWithSmithsonian
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Juan Castaing, a Chilean Interpretive Guide and Trainer, specializes in heritage interpretation, media and hospitality services. He has been combining ecotourism and communication for more than 20 years. His expertise lies in effectively communicating and managing cultural experiences, particularly those blending nature and culture.
Castaing offers consulting services and workshops to help other guides and organizations develop strong interpretation and destination planning strategies. As a member of various global interpreter associations, he's dedicated to fostering leadership and excellence in the field of heritage interpretation in Chile.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #heritageinterpretation #DiscoverChile #ChileTravel #VisitChile #ChileAdventure #ExploreChile #ChileanHeritage #ChileCulturalHeritage #ChileHistory #PatrimonioChileno #CulturaChilena #HistoriaDeChile #ChileNature #ChileLandscapes #ChileWildlife #PatagoniaChile #SustainableChile #EcotourismChile #LocalGuidesChile #ResponsibleTourismChile #GuidedTourChile #ChileanGuides #ChileInterpretation #InterpretChile
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Kathe Hambrick is Executive Director of the Amistad Research Center in Louisiana. In this role, Hambrick sees an opportunity to mentor and shape a new generation of curators, archivists, and digitization specialists. The mission of the Amistad Research Center is to "collect, preserve, and provide access to original documents that highlight the social and cultural significance of America's ethnic and racial history, the African Diaspora, human rights, and civil rights.
"Hambrick is also an accomplished author and co-author of several books, including Juke Joint Men, Oh Say Can You See: Flag Paintings of Malaika Favorite, Our Roots Run Deep, and Freedoms' Journey: Understanding the Underground Railroad in South Louisiana. She taught "Introduction to Museology" at Southern University in New Orleans, where she earned her Master’s degree in Museum Studies in 2012.
Kathe Hambrick has long chosen the challenging path to truth, using interpretation to tell stories that are often overlooked or deliberately erased.
"Making a Way Out of No Way" has been a guiding principle for Hambrick, who founded and served as the Director of the River Road African American Museum in rural Louisiana, her home state. In this role, she was dedicated to promoting the history of African Americans in the rural parishes along the Mississippi River, relying more on passion and inspiration than on consistent financial support.
Hambrick also served as President of the Association of African American Museums, a demanding, unpaid volunteer position that required significant leadership in historic preservation and public history. Her tenure involved making decisions that shaped the understanding and representation of African American history on a national scale.
Today, Kathe Hambrick is an independent consultant, curator, public historian, author, and public speaker. In April 2021, she founded her consulting business, 2PRESERVE LLC, where she provides expertise in exhibit design, program development, museum governance, and interpretive planning.
Throughout her career, Hambrick has been deeply committed to preserving historic buildings and slavery-era burial grounds, ensuring these sites and their stories are remembered. She has a strong background in community relations, having served as a liaison between corporations, museums, governmental agencies, community leaders, and faith-based organizations.
As Chief Curator and Director of Interpretation for the West Baton Rouge Museum, Hambrick curated over 100 exhibits, including "The Rural Roots of Jazz" and "Rural Black Doctors." Her latest projects include a permanent exhibit about the enslaved people sold by the Jesuits of Georgetown to an Episcopal sugar planter in Ascension Parish, Louisiana.
Throughout her career, Kathe Hambrick has used costumed interpretation, exhibits, and interpretive programs to weave together the diverse threads of American history, creating a more complete and inclusive narrative.
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While teaching as a Geography Professor at University of Puerto Rico for twenty-two years, Eliezer Nieves-Rodriguez has trained Certified Interpretive Guides, served as an interpretive planner and consultant to local communities as well as international interpretive trainer for the RESERVA Program.
.He grew up in Puerto Rico and has spent his long career devoted to protection of the island’s unique natural areas along with support of local people working in tourism and conservation.
Join us this week on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters as Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney visit with Eliezer to reveal his unique journey in the professions of interpretation and education.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #heritageinterpretation #DiscoverPuertoRico #ExplorePuertoRico #VisitPuertoRico #TravelPuertoRico #IslaDelEncanto #PuertoRicoAdventures #CulturalHeritagePR #PuertoRicoHistory #PuertoRicanCulture #InterpretationMatters #SustainablePuertoRico #ConservationPR #EcoTourismPR #PreserveNaturePR #NatureConservationPR
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Tom Medema, the Associate Director of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers for the National Park Service (NPS), has had an inspiring career journey that began in Muskegon, Michigan. After earning both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees, Tom embarked on a 35-year adventure with the NPS, taking on increasingly impactful roles—from interpreter to superintendent, ultimately becoming Associate Director. In this episode, Tom shares the remarkable stories from his career and his recent philanthropic efforts, including his work in providing motorcycles to rangers around the world who lack the means to acquire a motor vehicle. Tune in on your favorite audio platform to hear more about his extraordinary journey.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/page/1/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #interpretivetraining #heritageinterpretation #NationalParkService #NPS #NatureInterpretation #CulturalInterpretation #InterpretationMatters #ConnectingPeopleToParks #TomMedema #ParkLeader #ConservationChampion #RangerStories #NPSLeadership
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Today is a special edition of Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters podcast featuring more than one hour of conversation among five very experienced interpretive trainers. Clark Hancock from Austin, Texas, Donna Horton from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gabriela Plumasseau from Paris, France, Heidi McFarland from Boulder Creek, California, and Lisa Brochu, my wife and training partner, join me in discussing training options that are affordable and time-saving. This is a followup to a discussion I posted on May 24 with a group of trainers.
During this I explain how my new Put the HEART Back in Your Interpretive Communications is designed to serve those who may not be able to afford NAI’s Interpretive Guide Certificate course such as students, docents, volunteers, part-timers, and seasonals.
Join us on your favorite audio platform at https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #InterpretationServices #interpreter #heritageinterpretation #interpretivenaturalist #interpretiveguide #certifiedinterpretiveguide
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Today Bill Gwaltney and Tim Merriman talk story with Omar Eaton-Martinez, who began his career as a teacher in eastern cities and later worked with the National Park Service on youth programs, serving as staff to the National Latino American Museum Commission.
Born to Puerto Rican parents, Omar bridges gaps between White Americans, Americans of Color, African Americans, and Latinos.
Holding degrees in African American Studies and Education, he served as the Smithsonian’s Museum Liaison for pre- and post-doctoral fellows. He was also a Public Outreach Specialist for NASA and Assistant Division Chief of Historical Resources for the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission.
Currently, he is the Senior Vice President for Historic Sites at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Association of African American Museums, and a Board member for the International National Trust Organisation.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #heritageinterpretation #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMatters #AmericanHistory #AfricanAmericanHeritage #BlackStoriesMatter #BlackVoicesInHistory #AfricanAmericanStorytelling #HistoryComesAlive #HistoryMatters #HistoricalInterpretation #BringingHistoryToLife #AfricanAmericanHistory
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Edward W. Gantt, a retired Navy Captain with a unique background, talks story with Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney for "Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters." Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Gantt graduated from Howard University and the National Defense University. He served 30 years in the military, first as a door gunner on a Huey helicopter in Vietnam with the Army, then joining the Navy after completing his degree, eventually rising to Navy Captain. He served as a Naval Flight Officer in F-14 TOMCAT squadrons, both in the U.S. and aboard aircraft carriers.
After retiring from the military, Gantt became a high school teacher in public schools in Prince George’s County, MD, and Washington, D.C. Passionate about telling underrepresented stories, he joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an African American Civil War reenactment group, and also serves with the 23rd USCT in Maryland. He is active with The African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table and serves as Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW).
Now, as a historical interpreter, Ed Gantt challenges myths like the “Black Confederate” while embodying period roles. He is a powerful force in sharing history.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #heritageinterpretation #LivingHistory #LivingHistoryEnthusiast #HistoricalReenactment #HistoryReenactment #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMatters #AmericanHistory #AfricanAmericanHeritage #BlackStoriesMatter #BlackVoicesInHistory #AfricanAmericanStorytelling #HistoryComesAlive #HistoryMatters #HistoricalInterpretation #ReenactmentCommunity #BringingHistoryToLife #CivilWarHistory #AfricanAmericanHistory #USColoredTroops #54thMassachusetts #BlackCivilWarSoldiers #AfricanAmericansInWar
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A Native of Eatonville, Florida, Christy Coleman grew up in the shadow of African American anthropologist and writer Zora Neale Hurston. As a teenager in 1982, wanting to become an actor, she accepted a summer position as a character actor for an enslaved woman named Rebecca at Colonial Williamsburg.
Her growing enthusiasm for History led her to a Bachelor of Arts degree as well as a master’s degree in museum studies.
Becoming the first female Director of African American Interpretation at Williamsburg, Coleman led and participated in a reenactment of a slave auction, which has become legendary.
Coleman later became President of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, and later became the Director of the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar in Richmond, Virginia.
Leaving Richmond in 2019, Christy is now the Executive Director for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
An unstoppable force in Public History and Interpretation, Christy Coleman has an unforgettable story and shares it with Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #heritageinterpretation #LivingHistory #LivingHistoryEnthusiast #HistoricalReenactment #HistoryReenactment #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMatters #ColonialWilliamsburg #AmericanHistory #AfricanAmericanHeritage #BlackStoriesMatter #BlackColonialHistory #BlackVoicesInHistory #AfricanAmericanStorytelling
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A Co-Founder of “The Camp Moreno Project” along with her late Husband, Roberto Moreno and former National Park Ranger Bill Gwaltney, Louise Moreno has been a long-term activist promoting sharing the out of doors with Latino communities and families across the United States.
Louise fell in love with the dashing Roberto Moreno and the pair were married after a courtship of only four days. Married for decades, together they had two daughters as well as a number of grandchildren. Sadly, Roberto Moreno passed away in 2020.
Working with Roberto in the Tourism Industry in the Rocky Mountains, Louise joined her Husband in an attempt to get the Ski Business in Colorado to think more and differently about getting Latino children introduced to skiing.
The Morenos created the Alpino Mountain Sports Foundation. As former hoteliers Roberto Lopez Moreno and his wife Louise, created snow-sports and family camping experiences for over 28,100 children and families since incorporating as a non-profit 501(c)3 in Colorado in 2006.
Its signature program became “The Camp Moreno Project,” which was a partnership between the U.S. National Park Service and the Alpino Mountain Sports Foundation.
Camp Moreno provided intensive instructional weekend camping experiences for families of color in Colorado, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California national parks and monuments.
The Foundation also oversaw the Camp Moreno Community Organizing Academy and administered and funded Santiago Banuelos Lopez snow-sports scholarships to deserving middle school and high school athletes who attend schools offering free or reduced lunch programs.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/page/1/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #heritageinterpretation #LatinosInNature #ExploreYourParks #CampMoreno #NuestroParque #LatinxOutdoors #NatureParaTodos #FamiliasAlAireLibre #VivaLaAventura #DescubreLosParques #LatinosExplore #ConoceTusParques #HikeLatino #CulturaYNaturaleza #UnidosPorLaAventura #ParquesParaTodos
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Lorraine Johnson Coleman was born in the deep south, but also has roots in urban New York City. The proud daughter of a WWII African American U.S. Marine, she appreciates both the bitterness, and the sweetness that is part of growing up Black in America. Her interest in family history, shared stories and her attention to detail of African American Culture has made it possible for her to have lived several lives already. Working in Investment Banking, Lorraine discovered Interpretation even after she had become a Storyteller and her Interpretive exploits have taken her to many places with many organizations. She has done Plenary Sessions for Annual Meetings of the National Association for Interpretation, and has worked with organizations such as the Kellogg Foundation, Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions and had her own Storytelling Series on National Public Radio. The author of several books, Lorraine has had a very special career as a storyteller, author and interpreter of African-American culture.
This is Part Two of Lorraine's conversation with Bill Gwaltney and Tim Merriman on Reflections on Interpretation sharing her appearance on Oprah and becoming a special adviser and performer for Hewlett-Packard and other corporations. Part 2 - Aug. 2
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #heritageinterpretation #BlackHistory #BlackCulture #AfricanAmericanHistory #Storyteller #BlackVoices #BlackNarratives #BlackExcellence #BlackStories #OurHistory #CultureKeeper #AfricanAmericanCulture #BlackHeritage #BlackArt
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Lorraine Johnson Coleman was born in the deep south, but also has roots in urban New York City. The proud daughter of a WWII African American U.S. Marine, she appreciates both the bitterness, and the sweetness that is part of growing up Black in America. Her interest in family history, shared stories and her attention to detail of African American Culture has made it possible for her to have lived several lives already. Working in Investment Banking, Lorraine discovered Interpretation even after she had become a Storyteller and her Interpretive exploits have taken her to many places with many organizations. She has done Plenary Sessions for Annual Meetings of the National Association for Interpretation, and has worked with organizations such as the Kellogg Foundation, Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions and had her own Storytelling Series on National Public Radio. The author of several books, Lorraine has had a very special career as a storyteller, author and interpreter of African-American culture. This two part conversation with Bill Gwaltney and Tim Merriman on Reflections on Interpretation will follow her from her beginning as a freelance storyteller to appearing on Oprah and becoming a special adviser and performer for Hewlett-Packard and other corporations. Part 1 - July 26, Part 2 - Aug. 2
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #heritageinterpretation #BlackHistory #BlackCulture #AfricanAmericanHistory #Storyteller #BlackVoices #BlackNarratives #BlackExcellence #BlackStories #OurHistory #CultureKeeper #AfricanAmericanCulture #BlackHeritage #BlackArt
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Ten years into his 24-year US Army career, First Sergeant Lee N. Coffee Jr. assumed a carefully researched living history interpretive role as a 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldier, Sgt. Emanuel Stance, a Medal of Honor recipient during the Indian Wars campaign in the 1870s.
As a historian and professional speaker, Lee has won awards for over thirteen years, leading week-long Heritage Intervention Programs titled La Salida (The Way Out), Buffalo Soldier Heritage Intervention, The Vaquero Heritage Intervention, and oversaw Old Stories: New Voices. Each multicultural program challenges young (7-12 y.o.) African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Anglo Americans to stay away from gangs and drugs and pursue an education.
He shares his unique journey on this week’s Reflections on Interpretation with Bill Gwaltney and Tim Merriman.
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #heritageinterpretation #BuffaloSoldiers #BuffaloSoldierHistory #BuffaloSoldiersLegacy #BuffaloSoldiersPride #LivingHistory #LivingHistoryEvent #LivingHistoryEnthusiast #HistoricalReenactment #HistoryReenactment #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMatters #BlackMilitaryHistory #MilitaryHistory #MilitaryHeritage #USMilitaryHistory
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John Miller had a long career as manager and interpreter at a fish hatchery in Branson, Missouri, a very popular tourism destination. He has also served in a variety of leadership roles with National Association for Interpretation, including Region 6 Director and more recently Chair of the Nominations Committee. He shares a unique story of a photo of a peanut turtle going viral long before the Internet began sharing images. Join us on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/page
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #interpretivetraining #heritageinterpretation #certfiedinterpretiveguide #certifiedinterpretivehost
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Dr. Rex Ellis created the engaging African-American living history interpretive program at Colonial Williamsburg and went on to become the Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs at the National Museum African-American Museum History and Culture at Smithsonian Institute. Join us at Reflections on Interpretation to learn of his journey from interpreter to curator.
https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/page/1/
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #interpretivetraining #heritageinterpretation #Smithsonian #AfricanAmericanMuseum #BlackHistory #HistoryMatters #CivilRights #Heritage #ColonialWilliamsburg #LivingHistory
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Kim Sikoryak has had a three decade career working for National Park Service as a Ranger, Planner and Trainer. Today on Reflections on Interpretation:Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters, co-hosts Bill Gwaltney and Tim Merriman chat with Kim about his long and varied career and the importance of excellent interpretation in national parks.
https://lnkd.in/gWapDsx3
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #interpretivetraining #heritageinterpretation #NPS #nationalparkservice #interpretiveplanning
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The Certified Interpretive Guide and Host Courses are no longer certifications through National Association for Interpretation and NAI Certified Trainers have some opinions about those changes. Tim Merriman has Rita Nethersole, Clark Hancock, Mary McCormac, Dr. Phillip Smart and Lisa Brochu as guests in this special edition of Reflection on Interpretation to talk about those changes.
#timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #interpretivetraining #heritageinterpretation #certfiedinterpretiveguide #certifiedinterpretivehost
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Tim Merriman has had a 50 plus year career in the interpretive profession including Executive Director of National Association for Interpretation for 17 years. He has been a Nature Center Director, Manager of Research and Innovations at a National Recreation Area and a Park Ranger/Interpreter at a State Park. He was President of Association of Interpretive Naturalists and led the move to merge with Western Interpreters Association in 1988 to create NAI. He is an active trainer and co-author of five books, including an award-winning novel.
#timmerriman #InterpretationServices #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #interpretivetraining
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