SOLIVITA CLUB Club General Manager - Pamela Flack: 863-420-5692 or PFlack@CastleGroup.com
REFLECTIONS OCTOBER 2026 VOLUME 26 ISSUE 10
VILLAGE CENTER Club Administration: 863-427-7100
Activities: 863-427-7125 or SolivitaActivities@CastleGroup.com Communications Coordinator - Wilman de Jesús: 863-427-7137 or SolivitaCommunications@CastleGroup.com Club Channel 902: CommunityChannel@SolivitaClub.com Concierge: 863-427-7100 or Fax: 407-624-3379
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Reflections Delivery or Assembly Questions: 863-427-7137 or SolivitaCommunications@CastleGroup.com
K&M Drugs: 863-496-7930
Reflections Staff: Reflections@SolivitaClub.com or 863-440-0377
Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
Riviera Spa & Fitness Center: 863-427-7130
Saturday 9am-1pm and Sunday Closed
The Palms Amenity Center: 863-496-1530 or Fax: 689-224-7199
Riviera Spa & Fitness Center: 863-427-7130
SOLIVITA HOA
Adult Only Facility Monday-Thursday 6:30am-9pm
To contact Solivita HOA, please email Solivita@CiraMail.com.
Friday 6:30am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 7am-7pm
Community Manager - Lorrie Gutzmer: 863-701-2969
Solivita Club Facilities After Hours Emergency:
Assistant Community Manager - Maria Lara: 863-427-7124
863-286-8779 (Calls Only/No Texts)
Membership: 863-427-7143
Weekdays 5pm-8pm and Weekends 12pm-5pm
Compliance Department:
Starlite Ballroom Daily 8am-11pm
• Compliance Inspectors for Non-Compliance & Violations: 863-427-7032 and 863-427-7151
• Compliance ARC Coordinator: 863-427-7022
Stonegate Pro Shop: 863-427-7150, option 1
Landscape - Juniper: junipersync.com, 407-584-2030 or Solivita@JuniperLandscaping.com
The Grille at Stonegate: 863-427-7167
Irrigation Emergency: 407-813-1971
The Palms: 863-496-1530
Security Manager - Otha Sellers: osellers@smssi.com
Amenity Center: Monday-Sunday 8am-9pm
All Gates Access Voicemail for Visitors: 863-313-1314
Kids Pool Hours
Security Officers & Gatehouses
Monday-Friday 12pm-4pm Saturday & Sunday 9am-9pm Fitness Center Monday-Thursday 6:30am -9pm Friday 6:30am-7pm Saturday-Sunday 7am-7pm Waterfront Galleries Daily 8am-11pm
• • • • • • •
Main Gate: 863-427-4238 Bella Viana Gate: 863-427-1268 Parkway Gate: 863-286-0329 South Gate (Marigold): 863-496-1473 Venezia Gate: 863-427-2338 West Gate (San Clemente): 863-496-1453 Rover - St. Moritz Security Services: 412-612-3768
OTHER CONTACTS BlueStream Fiber: 561-871-6521, bluestreamfiber.com
Wells Fargo Advisors: 321-340-6496
Stonegate Golf Club Directory: 863-427-7150
Ellen Burzynski - By Appointment Only
Resident to Resident (R2R) Resource Center: 863-236-9973 or SolivitaR2R@gmail.com
ellen.burzynski@wellsfargo.com
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Solivita Information
HOA CONTACT INFORMATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS Newsletter Submission Information ................................. Page 3
» President - Lita Epstein: SolivitaHOAPresident@SolivitaHOA.com
Club Department ............................................................ Pages 4-12
» Secretary - Jim Edge: SolivitaSecretary@SolivitaHOA.com
Resident Club Sponsored Events ............................ Pages 13-15
» Treasurer - Glenn Larson: SolivitaTreasurer@SolivitaHOA.com
Club & Support Group Meeting Lists .................... Pages 21-25
» Director - Donald Rimdzius: SolivitaDirector2@SolivitaHOA.com
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
HOA Department ................................................................. Page 10 A Touch of Class ........................................................... Pages 16-20 Resident Club News .................................................... Pages 26-47 Neighborhood Captains News .......................................... Page 48 Resident Kudos ..................................................................... Page 49 Advertisements ............................................................ Pages 49-80
» Architectural Review Committee: Solivita@CiraMail.com
Activities Events (back of calendar) .......... Insert Pages E1-E3
» Systems & Technology - Brian Fillette: SystemsTechChair@SolivitaHOA.com
Weekly Fitness Schedule ..................................... Calendar Insert
» Conservation & Wildlife - Bob Monica: WildlifeChair@SolivitaHOA.com » Elections - Shari Frisinger: ElectionsChair@SolivitaHOA.com » Finance - George Muller: FinanceChair@SolivitaHOA.com » Infrastructure - Gene Kelly: InfrastructureChair@SolivitaHOA.com » Maintenance - Len Kirschbrown: MaintenanceChair@SolivitaHOA.com » Landscape - Megan Moses: LandscapeChair@SolivitaHOA.com » Neighborhood Captains - Janet Nolan: CaptainProgam.Solivita@gmail.com
Monthly Calendar & Fitness (back of Events) .................. Insert
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
Email submissions to Reflections@SolivitaClub.com
NOVEMBER SUBMISSIONS Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Thursday, October 1st. Resident Club flyer insert artwork is due October 8th and must be approved by Wilman de Jesús (Wilman.deJesus@CastleGroup.com). Inquire about availability and current policies for Resident Club flyer inserts.
DECEMBER SUBMISSIONS (DUE EARLIER)
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on October 29th. Flyer inserts are due November 6th.
» Security - Katherine Souza: SecurityChair@SolivitaHOA.com » Violations - Grace Chirco: Solivita@CiraMail.com
ON THE COVER As Halloween approaches, get ready for a Wicked and Witchin’ good time! Join us this month for the upcoming Ladies Wicked Night and the Witchin’ Costume Parade, Amenities Acquisition Ceremony & Concert. Be sure to check the Activities Event Pages located on the back of the tri-fold calendar insert for all the magical details. REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
PHOTO RELEASE AGREEMENT RealManage (RM) and Castle Group (CG) reserve the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by RM or CG and the respective community the event is happening in, without expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. RM or CG may use the photograph/ video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by RM or CG including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian. 3
Club Department Articles
Activities Update: Celebrations, Reminders & More BY JANA MALIK DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES
Volunteer Log Sheets Are Due
Submit your Solivita Volunteer Log Sheet to the Activities office by Monday, October 5th. Volunteer hours helping a Solivita Amenity Department—including Activities, FitWell, R2R, and Communications—from March 1, 2026 - October 2, 2026, are being accepted. Thank you to all the Solivita volunteers who help make the Solivita Lifestyles program the success that it is!
Route #2 Winners » 1st Place - Hello Kitty Krew: David, Chris, Luke and Jordan Dornburgh » 2nd Place - Clueless: Monte and Bobbi Jo Selbe, Jeff and Linda Wassink » 3rd Place - New Friends: Abigail and Paul Navarro, Roy and Amy LaRue
A Competitive Community Tradition Event!
The annual Golf Cart Rally, held on August 8th, had a record of 100 golf carts and more than 340 participants! Each golf cart team navigated designated areas of the community in search of clues, completed tasks by picking up items at specific locations, and encountered interesting challenges along the way. Some tasks included brewing up a spooky message, stopping at a fellow neighbor’s house to wish them a “Happy Birthday!” while tapping their head and rubbing their stomach, stopping by for a square dance at the Ol’ MacSolivita Chess Farm, and so much more! Everyone expressed how much fun they had! If you haven’t participated in this event before, we custom-curate and host this event annually in August. Give it a spin! Route #1 Winners » 1st Place - Not Our First Rodeo: Darlene Rininger, Sheri Key, Tammy Marino, Susan Borchini » 2nd Place - The Defenders: Steve and Lynn Williamson, Richard and Lisa Watt » 3rd Place Tie - It’s Just Now: Scott and Rhonda Svihula » 3rd Place Tie - Sunsetters: Bob and Debbie Stanley, Don and Mary Anne Schildknecht
The 39 Steps Play Cast Appreciation Winners Thank you to all who attended The 39 Steps Play in the Ballroom this past August. The cast and crew of the local traveling theater company are all volunteers that are paid through their “Cast Appreciation Fund” built by attendee donations of $5 or more. Those who donated were entered into a drawing to win Solivita swag, donated gift cards and their picture in this newsletter. Congratulations to the winners.
Lorraine Moreau
Yvette Camacho
Dawn Scarborough
Article continued on page 6
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REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
Club Department Articles
Read more info and who is permitted to attend these events on the back of the monthly newsletter calendar or go to the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page and click on the RSVP or Purchase Ticketed Events icon. For questions, email or call the Activities Department at SolivitaActivities@CastleGroup.com or 863-427-7125.
REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
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Club Department Articles
Volunteer Opportunities
Jana’s article continued from page 4
Freedom Park & Village Center Closings
Saturday, October 3rd: Community Yard Sale NEW EVENT SALE TIME is 9am-12pm. Freedom Park recreation games and amenity venues are CANCELLED/CLOSED until 1pm. Village Drive experiences traffic from 6am-12:30pm. Friday, October 23rd: Witchin’ Costume Parade, Amenities Acquisition Ceremony and Concert Golf Cart Parking will be closed all day along the Village Center, from the Ballroom to the Pro Shop roundabout, for event setup. Village Drive, from the Ballroom to the Pro Shop, will be closed to vehicles and golf carts from 3pm-10pm.
Check out the Activities community events in December needing residents like you to help support the Lifestyles program through a few hours of time, while having fun and meeting new friends and neighbors. The Rays of Service Volunteer Program keeps track of your volunteer hours and provides annual appreciation gifts. The sign-up list will be available on Monday, October 5th at 9am outside the Activities offices (Bistro 2nd floor) for the Holiday Festivities Program and the New Year’s Eve Street Party. Volunteering, Donating and Participating in Community Events is Good For the Soul and Keeps The Party Going!!! Jana Malik 863-427-7125 Jana.Malik@CastleGroup.com
FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT US, BUT ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
Charles Hankerson
Marva H. Jacobs
Wilfred Robinson
John Stevens
Reg Thomas
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the residents who recently passed away.
DIGITAL REFLECTIONS ON SOLIVITAHOA.COM Each month, the digital version of Reflections is posted to SolivitaHOA.com. You can find the link on the home page slider or by navigating to the Lifestyles tab > Scroll down to the Communications icon > Scroll down to the Reflections icon. There is a flipbook available as well as an archive of the PDFs of each edition of the newsletter in the left column of the page. 6
SPEED ENFORCEMENT The HOA, Security, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office receive multiple complaints of speeding each week from residents. The Sheriff’s Office has been asked for their assistance in speed enforcement. Receiving a speeding ticket is not only financially costly, but can lead to much more serious results. REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
Club Department Articles
REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
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Club Department Articles
Co-Sponsored by the Solivita University Committee and Activities No studying, tests or exams are given, just enlightening topics to keep your mind energized. All classes are 60-90 minutes long, unless otherwise noted. Solivita University class calendar and faculty biographies can be found on SolivitaHOA.com under Get Connected. Adult guests are welcome. For more information stop in, call the Activities Office at 863-427-7125 or email SolivitaActivities@ CastleGroup.com.
Beginners Conversational Spanish Course
8 Classes: Tuesdays, October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th and Wednesdays, October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th 9:30am in Mosaics Tuition and Registration: $40 per student. RSVP your seat at SolivitaHOA.com at the Purchase Activities Events and SU Classes icon, scan the QR code or call the Activities office. Bring cash or check payment to the first class. Instructor: Carmen Boos Course Description: Learn the two verbs “To & Be = Ser & Estar” and the rules which govern the use of each of through dialogue. These verbs and the interrogatives will also be learned. Assorted vocabulary lists will be provided. Students will be able to request phrases to use for a working vocabulary that will help when speaking to Spanish speakers.
Rising Strong, Turning Rock Bottom into Breakthrough Tuesday, October 13th 1pm in the Gator Room Tuition, Book and Registration: $30 per student. RSVP your seat at SolivitaHOA. com at the Purchase Activities Events and SU Classes icon, scan the QR code or call the Activities office. Bring cash or check payment to the first class. Instructor and Author: Jeffrey Lee Course Description: Where are you emotionally and mentally in dealing with the issues of life at this time of your life? Key topics to include understanding rock bottom, resilience/grit, emotional mastery, reframing failure, and leveraging networks. The instructor will share his personal story in dealing with 8
rock bottom experience to include dealing with severe mental health issues for three years that put him on his “death bed”. In addition, we will engage in guided reflection to uncover hidden strengths, along with group collaboration to share experiences and strategies. You will get a copy of his powerful book on navigating through the challenges of life that has been so well receive by many including several Solivita residents.
Explore How Your Computer Actually Works, and What an OS (Operating System) in Your Computer & Smartphone Actually Is
Friday, October 30th (NEW DATE AND TIME) 1pm in The Palms Tuition: Complimentary entrance; preregistration is not required; limited space. Professor: Michael White Course Description: In this course we’ll take a peek under the hood and learn what’s actually going on inside your computer. We’ll look at the history of computers and how we got to where we are, and how your smartphone is a direct descendent of big artillery guns used in WWII. We’ll learn why it’s called “Coding”, what the codes are and what they do. We’ll learn what an Operating System is and why you need one, what RAM is and why more is better, and how Apps are different from your OS. And, we’ll introduce you to the most important person you’ve never heard of, the man who gave us modern computers.
REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
Club Department Articles
November 11th-14th
15th Annual Salute Our Veterans Weekend is designed to celebrate Veterans and their families. We raise money for a select charity to help improve the lives of the many selfless men and women who bravely served our Nation. This year, all proceeds benefit:
All ticketed events will be available online at SolivitaHOA.com Home Page by clicking on the 2026 Salute Our Veterans Weekend banner. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR GIVEN FOR ANY OF THE EVENTS.
Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony & Breakfast Wednesday, November 11th
Veterans Day will begin with a wonderful ceremony presented by the Veterans Club of Solivita at 9am at the Veterans Memorial in Freedom Park. After the ceremony, join us for a delicious breakfast in the Ballroom. Breakfast Buffet Menu Includes: Turkey Sausage, Spinach and Cheese Egg Scramble, Classic Scrambled Eggs, Savory Sausage Patties, Fresh-Baked Biscuits, Country Style Potatoes, Golden Hash Browns. Beverages: Orange Juice, Apple Juice and Hot Coffee. $15 per person. Guests of all ages welcome. A limited number of tickets will also be sold by the Veterans Club of Solivita.
Veterans Parade and Festivities Thursday, November 12th
This is a special day to celebrate our Veterans! Come on over to enjoy all of the fun and festivities that you surely don’t want to miss while we honor all who served our country. Parade: Let your creativity shine by dressing up your golf cart, motorcycles, bicycles, dogs, and club members with patriotic decorations to honor the armed forces as you proudly parade down Village Drive! Cars are not permitted with the exception of military vehicles. Parade participants are to line up at the Market Area in Freedom Park starting at 2:30pm (pre-registration is not required). The parade will begin at 3pm down Village Drive starting from the Market Area to the Pro Shop Roundabout. Festivities: After the parade, in the Admin Courtyard will be a live band, market vendors, credit card only bar and food trucks. This event is complimentary and open to residents and their guests of all ages from 3pm-6pm. VILLAGE DRIVE FROM THE BALLROOM TO THE PRO SHOP WILL BE CLOSED FOR TRAFFIC FROM 2:30pm-3:30pm. RAIN OR SHINE.
Sixtiesmania Show - A Tribute to the ‘60s Friday, November 13th
Sixtiesmania is a true celebration of the musical sixties’ with a set list of songs covering all the great groups from the Beatles to the Doors and everything in between including the British Invasion, Beach Boys, Carnaby Street, Flower Power, Woodstock and so much more. OUTSIDE BEVERAGES, INCLUDING WATER, ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE EVENT. A credit card only bar will be available. Show is at 7pm. Ballroom doors open for Early Open Show Seating (EOSS) 30 Minutes before the show and General Admission doors open 25 minutes before the show begins. General Admission is $30 and EOSS is $35 per person. Adult guests welcome.
Golf Tournament Scramble at Stonegate Golf Club Saturday, November 14th · Oaks Course · Shotgun Start 8:30am Registration 7am-8am
Golf Entry Includes: Continental breakfast, green & cart fee waived, range balls before play, on course special events, raffles, goody bags and prizes (Closest to the Pin, Longest Putt, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place), Luncheon and Awards to follow in Ballroom. A cash only on course beverage cart will be available. $80/person or $320/ foursome (Before October 1st) and $85/person or $340/foursome (Starting October 1st). Residents and adult guests only.
REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
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HOA Department Articles
Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest and Emergency Response SUBMITTED BY LYNN BABIN TEAM LEADER OF SOLIVITA CERT
Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should, causing blood to back up. Fluid can build up in the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath. Some heart conditions can gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump blood properly, including narrowed arteries and high blood pressure. If left untreated or if they worsen, these conditions can lead to serious complications.
County. If the person is not breathing normally, begin chest compressions. If an AED is available, use it as soon as possible and follow its prompts. According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest. To be better prepared for these emergencies, sign up for one of CERT’s Check Call Compress (CCC) classes, where we provide more information, demonstrate lifesaving techniques, and answer your questions.
Heart Attack
A heart attack is a circulatory issue—a blocked artery prevents blood from reaching part of the heart muscle, which can damage or destroy heart tissue. During a heart attack, the heart usually continues beating. Symptoms may develop gradually or occur suddenly and can include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or lightheadedness.
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest is an electrical issue—a sudden abnormal heart rhythm causes the heart to stop pumping blood effectively. The person typically collapses, becomes unresponsive, and stops breathing normally. Without immediate CPR and use of an AED, cardiac arrest can lead to death within minutes.
Emergency Response
If a person collapses, check for responsiveness and immediately call 911. If you are in Solivita, tell the dispatcher you are in Polk
NOVEMBER REFLECTIONS ASSEMBLY, DELIVERY & PICK-UP
Friday, October 30th • 8am • Ballroom Newsletter volunteers are needed and will be assisting with: Bagging (8am); Labeling (8:30am); and Delivery (Starting at 9:30am). Delivery volunteers are asked not to leave the Ballroom until all neighborhoods have been completely assembled. If you do not receive your newsletter by Monday, November 2nd you’ll need to pick a copy up at the Concierge Desk (in the Club Admin Building) between 9am-5pm. 10
In the photo above Cathy Larson displays Solivita’s CCC Program at the Annual Florida CERT Convention. Please join us for our next meeting, the second Monday of the month at 1pm in the Ballroom. Come find out what CERT is all about!
REFLECTIONS DELIVERY If you would like to change the status of the Reflections newsletter delivery to your home, you can do this on SolivitaHOA.com by navigating to the “My Info” menu item > Click on the “Gatehouse Access Register Visitors” icon > Click on “Reflections Delivery” icon > Scroll down to the “Reflections Delivery” form to fill out and submit. You can also find this form by scanning the QR code or contact Wilman de Jesús, Communications Coordinator at 863427-7137 or SolivitaCommunications@ CastleGroup.com. REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
Club Department Articles
Every Friday in October Freedom Park
Wednesday,
October
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2pm | RSF2
Wednesday,
October
14
10am | RSF2
Wednesday,
October
14
2pm | RSF2
Wednesday,
October
21
9am | RSF2
Wednesday,
October
28
10am | RSF2
Wednesday,
October
28
2pm | RSF2
REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
Dermatology
OnSpot Dermatology To schedule your appointment, call OnSpot at 941-444-0011 or visit them online at onspotdermatology.com/solivita.
Will & Trusts 101 Tessier Law Firm
Wills vs. Trusts: Which one do you need? How to avoid Probate! How to maintain your privacy and protect yourself and your spouse against guardianship or a “living probate” if one of you becomes disabled. Planning long-term care before you need it. Protecting your children’s inheritance from future ex-spouses, lawsuits, and other claims. Preserving your estate when you have minor children, divorce, blended family, or special health and welfare concerns.
Insurance Guidance Elite Insurance
ersonalized guidance for Medicare, health insurance, life insurance, prescription drug plans, and P supplemental coverage. Meet with licensed insurance professionals to explore options that support your health, financial security, and peace of mind. Stop by to get answers, review coverage, and make informed insurance decisions.
Boosting Your Immune Health in Your Kitchen Dr. Ludmilla Scott, Hibiscus & Whole Food
In this interactive class, we’ll talk about how to turn your kitchen into an “immune health lab” for the holiday season, using whole foods. You’ll learn which foods strengthen immune resilience, which foods quietly undermine it, and how to build simple daily nutrition habits that support your body’s defenses.
Solivita Annual Health & Wellness Fair
Join us for a morning dedicated to your health and well-being! Take proactive steps toward a healthier you. Open to all residents and staff. No appointment necessary! Free health screenings, vaccinations, wellness resources and more! AdventHealth Biometric screenings will include blood pressure checks, height and weight, lipid panel including A1C glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride tests, and more. AdventHealth registration is required at wholecare.events/AHSolivita21.
Estate Planning Henderson Sachs
Attorney Dan Henderson will explain the purpose of Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney as well as the probate process in Florida. Legal issues regarding Healthcare Surrogates and end-of-life choices will also be discussed. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. RSVP to 407-850-2500.
Cremation and Funeral Services Baldwin Brothers
Learn how to ease your partner and family from the burden of making arrangements at a time of need. Baldwin is a full-service funeral home offering cremation and traditional burials, with 22 Central Florida locations and worldwide coordination as your central point of contact.
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Club Department Articles
OCTOBER
21 stth
9AM - 12PM
RIVIERA SPA & FITNESS CENTER
Come out and join the fun! ADVENTHEALTH BIOMETRIC SCREENINGS
• Blood pressure checks • Height and weight • Lipid panel including
A1C glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride tests, and more • Registration is required: wholecare.events/ AHSolivita21
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FITWELL’S 2026
Health & Wellness Fair Join us for a morning dedicated to your health and well-being! Take proactive steps toward a healthier you. Open to all residents and staff. No appointment necessary!
HEALTH & WELLNESS VENDORS • Free Health Screenings • Vaccinations • Wellness Resources • & More! REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026
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REFLECTIONS | OCTOBER 2026