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May 19, 2025

Centreville Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Centreville

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Queen Anne’s at Home Honors Dedicated Volunteers at Annual Appreciation Dinner

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(L to R): Margan Glover, Charlie Brooks, Cindy Bach

Queen Anne’s at Home (QA@H), a local nonprofit helping seniors remain independent and connected in their own homes, hosted its annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on April 22 at the Bay Country Moose Club in celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation Week.

This year’s highlight was the presentation of the Margan Glover Award of Excellence, QA@H’s highest honor for community service, to Charlie Brooks. A founding member, current board member, and Treasurer of the organization, Charlie has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of QA@H. From setting up financial systems, record keeping, and budget planning to developing and maintaining vital ties with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Charlie’s commitment continues to strengthen the organization’s foundation.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without Charlie’s vision and follow-through,” said Cindy Bach, president of QA@H. “His dedication to our mission has been unwavering.”

The evening also honored the many volunteers who help plan community events, organize programs, and provide essential services—especially the Friendly Visits program, which brings companionship to members who are homebound. One member has received weekly visits for over three years from two devoted volunteers, a beautiful example of how meaningful connections are at the heart of QA@H.

“We’re more than just a service organization—we’re a community,” said QA@H member Jan Weeda. “I benefit the most from visiting members who can’t go out very much. It is truly an honor to meet these amazing people and become friends.”

To learn more about Queen Anne’s at Home or to inquire about membership and volunteer opportunities, visit www.queenannesathome.org or call 410-635-4045.

 The Queen Anne’s At Home Fund is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a public foundation designated as a 501(c)(3) charity. Donations to the Fund support Queen Anne’s At Home’s programs helping seniors stay safe, healthy, connected, and independent at home and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. A copy of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s financial statement is available at www.mscf.org or by calling 410-820-8175. Information about Mid-Shore submitted under the Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act can be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401.

 

 

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Avalon Spy Night Preview: Poet Meredith Davies Hadaway Reads “When Dreams Go Walking”

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Over the last few years, Meredith Davies Hadaway has increasingly been seen as the region’s foremost eco-poet as she draws on her time on the Eastern Shore and her love for the Chester River.

That is why Hadaway will be headlining the upcoming Spy Night at the Avalon on May 7th.  She will read from her new book, Among the Many Disappearing Things, a collection of poems that commemorate both the beauty and the fragility of Eastern Shore life and landscapes.

She will be joined by special guest, poet Deidra Greenleaf Allan.

Here is a sample of her work.

This video is approximately one minute in length. For tickets, please go here.

Spy Nights with Meredith Davies Hadaway
with Guest Deidra Greenleaf Allan
Stoltz Listening Room
Doors: 5:30pm / Event: 6:00pm
May 7, 2025

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Studio B Check in: Betty Huang with Artist Diz Hormel

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Studio B Art Gallery is thrilled to announce its participation in the return of the First Friday Gallery Walk for 2025, featuring a special exhibition by acclaimed artist Diz Hormel. Join us on April 4, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to meet the artist and view her stunning collection of still life oil paintings.

Diz Hormel is an Eastern Shore-based artist known for her evocative oil paintings that capture a sense of serenity and timeless beauty. Specializing in still life, her work reflects a deep appreciation for the quiet elegance of organic forms and man-made objects. Classically trained under renowned artist Juliette Aristides, Diz’s paintings offer a gentle escape from the busyness of modern life.

To understand more, the Spy had plans to interview gallery owner Betty Huang and Diz Hormel at Studio B. That plan pivoted at the last moment due to a missing key and moved over to Bonheur Pie & Ice Cream for some good ice cream and a makeshift venue for taping. Thanks Bonheur!

Diz honed her skills through formal training, first studying metalsmithing at the Revere Academy and later at the Corcoran School of Art. Her interest in mastering traditional techniques led her to the Aristides Atelier, where she refined her methodical, layered approach to studio painting. Diz’s work is influenced by chiaroscuro lighting, thoughtful composition, and a meditative painting process that invites stillness and contemplation.

Diz is a board member of the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland. She served as chair for their annual Craft Show for 4 years and is now the chair of the Education Committee.

A member of the Oil Painters of America, Working Artists Forum, and St. Michaels Art League, Diz has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Best in Show award at Local Color Easton.

Guests attending the First Friday Gallery Walk will have the opportunity to meet Diz, view her latest works, and learn more about her artistic process. Her exhibit at Studio B Art Gallery will showcase a collection of still life paintings that highlight her masterful use of light, form, and composition.

This video is approximately four minutes in length.

For more information about Studio B Art Gallery, visit us online at www.studiobartgallery.com, on Facebook and Instagram @studiobartgallery, or contact Betty Huang at [email protected].

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Love Your Kidneys: A Chat with Shore Health’s Dr. Anish Hinduja

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About 35.5 million U.S. adults are estimated to have kidney disease—that’s more than 1 in 7 (14%) — but most people have no symptoms until the disease very advanced. March is National Kidney Disease Awareness Month, the perfect time to shed light on this significant health threat. In this insightful interview, Dr. Anish Hinduja, Medical Director of UM Shore Medical Group – Nephrology and Vice President of the Medical Staff at UM Shore Regional Health, discusses the vital role of the kidneys in maintaining overall health.

Dr. Hinduja explains how these remarkable organs act as the body’s natural filtration system, removing waste, balancing fluids, and regulating blood pressure. He delves into the most common causes of kidney disease—diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular conditions—while emphasizing the importance of early detection through routine blood and urine tests.

Dr. Hinduja also sheds light on dialysis as a treatment option for kidney failure, detailing both in-clinic hemodialysis and at-home peritoneal dialysis. He discusses the ultimate goal of kidney transplantation, recent medical advancements, and the importance of patient education in managing kidney health. Throughout the conversation, he underscores the need for lifestyle changes, proper medication use, and dietary awareness to prevent kidney disease and improve long-term health outcomes.

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Bob Huntington to direct the 2025 All American Community Chorus in Normandy, France

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Bob Huntington Copyright (c) 2018 Karena Dixon www.karenadixon.com

We are thrilled to announce that Bob Huntington will be directing the 2025 All American Community Chorus in Normandy, France this June. This prestigious event will also include members of Queen Anne’s Chorale, including Marla Mooney, our talented accompanist, who will be joining the Chorus for this special occasion. The Chorus will be performing at The American Cemeteries as well as on stage in Sainte-Mère-Église as part of the Concert De Liberation. Sainte-Mère-Église commemorates D-Day every year as one of the first towns to be liberated in France.

You can see Bob, Marla, and the entire Queen Anne’s Chorale perform “Spring Fling!” on April 27th at 3:00pm at Chesapeake College. Tickets are available now on the Queen Anne’s Chorale and TPAC websites:

https://qachorale.org

TPAC tickets

Stay tuned for more updates and join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement!

Queen Anne’s Chorale is supported in part through grants from the United Way of Queen Anne’s County, the Queen Anne’s County Centre for the Arts, and the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

There are also always opportunities to support to QAC with donations, program ads or sponsorships. For more information visit www.qachorale.org.

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Gunston celebrates Class of 2025 college-bound athletes 

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The Gunston School is pleased to announce that four members of the class of 2025 have signed their letters of intent to play sports at the college level. (l-r) Alex Bent of Queenstown will be rowing for La Salle University, Aidan Watson of Centreville will be playing lacrosse for SCAD, Riley Walker of Chestertown will be playing lacrosse for Lebanon Valley College, and Grace Shepherd of Church Hill will be playing field hockey for the University of Central Michigan.

The Gunston School is pleased to announce that four members of the class of 2025 have signed their letters of intent to play sports at the college level. At a recent signing ceremony this past Thursday, January 23, students and their families along with coaches and faculty gathered in the Alice R. Ryan Family Library to celebrate their accomplishments. Nationwide, a little over 7% of high school athletes (about 1 in 13) go on to play a varsity sport in college and less than 2% of high school athletes (1 in 57) go on to play at NCAA Division I schools.

Riley Walker of Chestertown, Md. will be playing lacrosse for Lebanon Valley College. While playing lacrosse for Gunston, the team earned back-to-back second place finishes in the ESIAC (Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference) Championships in 2023 and 2024. Coach Millicent Sheets spoke of Walker’s versatility on the field, “We asked a great deal of him—playing midfield, jumping in the goal on EMO [extra man offense], sometimes playing on the field for EMO and running plays on attack. He never balked at anything we asked him to do and he gives 100% all the time at any position.” Walker played in numerous leagues outside of Gunston and even helped to organize a winter indoor league for the school. “By the end of the season, we were depending on him more and more in the goal. Goalie is the hardest position to play and it is very difficult to just jump in the goal at any given moment. In that position, Riley was focused, commanded the defense, and came up with key saves for his team. He finished the season with almost 50 saves which is extremely impressive for only playing about a quarter every game.” Walker plans to study business at Lebanon Valley.

Aidan Watson of Centreville, Md. will be playing lacrosse for Savannah College of Art and Design. Picking up lacrosse in his sophomore year at Gunston, Watson proved to be a quick study. Coach Millicent Sheets recalls, “In ninth grade, Aidan was in my honors geometry class. He was smart, witty, and an impressive artist. Art I knew was in his future, but I did not expect him to turn out to be an aggressive, fierce, and strong long pole defender. Fall of his tenth grade year, Aidan told me he was going to come out for the team. I was thrilled and a little surprised. Aidan turned out to be a quick study of the game, he worked hard to learn how to sub through the box effectively, he learned both man and zone defense, and even played long pole middie on face offs. Playing alongside very seasoned defenders, Aidan had to learn to take direction from his peers and put up with some fierce competition. Over the two years I coached Aidan, he was committed to getting stronger and faster and it really showed by the end of his second season.” Watson will be studying art at SCAD.

Grace Shepherd of Church Hill, Md. will be playing field hockey for the University of Central Michigan. Shepherd played for Gunston all four years, earning ESIAC All-Conference honors in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. She served as one of the captains this year and the team again made it to the ESIAC Championship, earning second place for the third year in a row. In addition to playing for Gunston, Shepherd also plays for Team Chesapeake Shore year-round and has earned multiple awards from the Field Hockey Coaches Association of Maryland (FHCAMD) including All Mid-Shore Team Field Hockey in 2022, 2023 and 2024, All Eastern Shore Team Field Hockey in 2022 and an All State Honorable Mention in 2023. Recently, Shepherd represented Gunston at the 2024-2025 Susan Pusey FHCAMD Senior All-Star Game this past fall. “From her first preseason practice, we could see that Grace was a special player,” said Coach Yvonne Gazelle. “She has had a remarkable career, scoring 29 goals and notching 16 assists. She’s been a dependable player, playing nearly every minute of every game throughout her four years. She’s been a leader, serving as Captain for the 2024 season. She served as an outstanding role model and example to her teammates, arriving early to every practice, being the first to pick up balls and cones after a drill, and the first to offer assistance to players in need.” Shepherd is currently undecided in her course of study at Central Michigan but is leaning toward studying biology.

Alex Bent of Queenstown, Md. will be rowing for La Salle University. Bent rowed for Gunston’s varsity team in 2022 and 2023 before joining the Annapolis Junior Rowing organization. He also competed in the Crash B indoor world championships in 2023, placing third in the Mens U17 2K row. He also was the first Gunston student to compete in the Mid Atlantic Youth Rowing Championships in 2023, placing seventh. Bent’s former rowing coach, Carter Law commented, “Alex has given his all, balancing academics, training, and some serious personal growth, all while demonstrating leadership and perseverance.” Bent has dreams of competing in the Olympics one day. At La Salle, he’ll be studying business administration.

Visit gunston.org for more information.

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“Ready or Not” Program Gets Rave Reviews from Queen Anne’s at Home Members

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Queen Anne’s at Home (QA@H) recently completed the 4th quarter session of its proprietary Ready or Not workshop. The program is an extremely valuable benefit for members of the nonprofit organization which is a community of seniors in Queen Anne’s County who help each other thrive as they age in their own homes.

QA@H’s Ready or Not program, designed by and for QA@H members, is a planning tool comprised of 4 workshop sessions that build on the group’s quality of life pillars: Connection, Purpose and Empowerment. The scope of the Ready or Not activity is to provide:

  • A tool to help members organize and plan for aging in place
  • An educational program to provide members with knowledge they’ll need to thrive
  • An opportunity to collaborate and develop practical strategies for staying healthy, safe, connected and independent at home

Participating households (e.g., spouses or partners, singles or families) use the Ready or Not workbook as structured “homework” to spark conversations about visions and fears, challenges and opportunities that may impact their ability to age in place. After tackling each section individually, households come together along with the facilitator, a QA@H member who is trained in mediation and problem-solving techniques.

At these joint meetings, participants share stories, learn to access helpful resources, and brainstorm practical solutions to common problems. The facilitator encourages the group to explore and address issues – as well as creative solutions – that participants may not have imagined on their own, all while ensuring that privacy and appropriate boundaries are maintained. Although each household ends up with its own plan, this group effort encourages participants to dig a bit deeper and think more broadly.

Participants in the Ready or Not program consider these questions:

  • What is important to us? What might happen to us in the future?
  • What are our options (e.g., stay home, move somewhere)?
  • What can we do to prepare?
  • What resources will we need (e.g., short-term home health, long-term financial management, family support)?

Links to useful resources are included to help participants make informed decisions.

QA@H President Cindy Bach shared survey responses from members who participated in current and past Ready or Not sessions. She said, “The overwhelmingly positive response we received illustrates that there is a definite need to help people plan ahead so they can age in their own homes. That’s what our Ready or Not workshop does. One couple said that the experience was life-changing. Every person who returned a survey indicated that they would highly recommend this workshop to others. That’s a very strong endorsement! We are so pleased to offer this important benefit to all of our members.”

Survey responses included these comments:

  • “Ready or Not seriously changed how we look at our future. Turns out proactive preparation takes a whole lot more than just insurance and a financial plan!”
  • “What I liked best was the discussion about what we need to plan for – not only at the end but between now and then.”
  • “I now feel I have the resilience I’ll need to cope with what may be an uncertain future.”
  • “We knew we needed to have these discussions about our future, but it felt overwhelming, and frankly, something we didn’t want to think about. The workshop helped us get on the same page and feeling good about being proactive. We think of this as a gift not only to us but to our families.”

The Ready or Not program is just one of many benefits of membership. For more than 6 years, QA@H has been serving seniors in Queen Anne’s County with more than 100 members and growing. In addition to offering educational seminars on topics such as the very popular brain health workshops, the organization offers a wide variety of social events from coffee meet ups to canasta, Mah Jongg and book club to a walking club and pickleball. This gives members myriad opportunities to make new friends while helping to prevent the isolation that many seniors experience.

For more information about Queen Anne’s at Home and to inquire about membership, visit www.queenannesathome.org or call 410-635-4045.

 

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Queen Anne’s Chorale at Chesapeake College December 7

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Queen Anne’s Chorale is excited to announce their return to the Todd Performing Arts Center located at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills on December 7th at 7pm. The campus, at the intersection of Routes 50 and 213, provides easy access from all directions.

For many years, Queen Anne’s Chorale performed at TPAC, but the pandemic changed that. They have since been using the Centreville Methodist Church for practice and concert but have grown in members enough that they needed more space. Also, the Holiday Concert draws big crowds that will appreciate the ample seating and parking on the campus of Chesapeake College.

With a theme of Holiday Spirit, the concert promises to deliver holiday spirit to both young and old.  Robert Huntington, Artistic Director since 2003, has carefully chosen repertoire of sacred and secular selections. The full Chorale will perform, among others, Lo How a Rose, It’s the Holiday Season, Let It Snow and Calypso Lullaby.  Also, the Select Ensemble, auditioned from within the Chorale, will perform Celebrate Hannukah Tonight and Walking in the Air with video enhancement.   And it wouldn’t be a concert, without the audience being invited to a sing-along with the Chorale.  A reception after the concert is always a perfect ending to an uplifting evening of music that promises to fill your heart with the Holiday Spirit.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting qachorale.org and clicking on a link that will send you to the TPAC ticket office. Cost is $25 for adults over 18, $15 for students 13-18 and FREE for children under 13.

Queen Anne’s Chorale is supported in part through grants from the United Way of Queen Anne’s County, the Queen Anne’s County Centre for the Arts, and the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

Presenting Sponsors The Ed Beres Group at REMAX Executive and Soistman Family Dentistry and Associates along with Corporate Sponsors David Harrison with Long and Foster, Chesapeake Hearing Centers, Heron Point of Chestertown, Koons Easton Toyota, Mid-Atlantic Cat Hospital and Shore United Bank also enable QAC to present Holiday Spirit.

There are also always opportunities to support to QAC with donations, program ads or sponsorships. For more information visit www.qachorale.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Upper Shore Master Gardener Programs to hold Basic Training

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As we patiently await crisp fall days, the Upper Shore Master Gardener Programs are preparing for their annual basic training course, which starts on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

This program is intended to train volunteer representatives as Master Gardeners for the University of Maryland Extension to extend our services and programs to the public. Classes will begin in person on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Eastern Shore Higher Education Center on the Chesapeake College Campus in Queenstown, MD, and virtually on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and will run through April 1, 2025. Classes are held in conjunction with the University of Maryland Extension in Dorchester, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s Counties.

This well-rounded 40+ hour course includes classes on: ecology, botany, soils, plant diseases, insects – both pests and beneficial, weeds, and much more. This program emphasizes community involvement and outreach as well as environmental stewardship. A $200 fee is charged to cover all costs including the Maryland Master Gardener Handbook. All Master Gardener interns are required to undergo a University of Maryland background check (+$15) prior to taking the class. The deadline for registration is November 15, 2024. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office by December 13, 2024.

 

Here are our top ten reasons to take Master Gardener training:

  1. Soil Smells Good! Why does soil smell so good in the spring? Have you ever dug up some garden soil in the spring after a rain? Could you smell a distinctive “earthy” aroma? What is responsible for that fragrance and why is it frequently linked with spring? Soil-dwelling bacteria known as Actinomycetes, which thrive in the soil when conditions are wet and warm, cause the pleasant smell. When the soil dries up, these organisms produce tiny spores that release a chemical compound called geosmin(meaning “earth smell” in Greek), responsible for the springy aroma. We can typically smell geosmin after rainfall, because the humid air sends the tiny spores up into the air – and directly into your nose.
  2. University of Maryland Professors and Extension Specialists teach classes: This well-rounded 40+ hour course includes classes on: ecology, botany, soils, plant diseases, insects – both pests and beneficial, weeds, and much more. This program emphasizes practical classroom instruction, community involvement, and outreach as well as environmental stewardship.
  3. Gardening boosts your self-esteem research done by Kansas State sited that “as gardeners’ skills increased their self-esteem sky rocketed along with their health.”
  4. Gardening strengthens your immune system. Did you know there is beneficial bacteria found in soil? Gardening can improve your immune system, according to research published in Science Daily in 2012.
  5. The Extension Master Gardener network reaches across the nation. Did you know there are 90,000 Master Gardeners nationwide? Master Gardeners volunteer over 108,000 hours in the state of Maryland.
  6. “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” (Nelson Mandela) Master Gardeners have access to state-wide and national continuing education opportunities and networks through webinars and conferences. In 2016, Extension Master Gardeners took over 1 million continuing education hours. You’ll also learn how to solve gardening problems and be able to teach others to do the same.
  7. Talking about Plants is fun! Do you love to share your plant knowledge? Becoming a Master Gardener is a great Segway to talk to people about plants and nature.
  8. Volunteering helps people stay physically and mentally active. Volunteer activities get you moving and thinking at the same time. One study found that volunteering among adults aged 60 and over provided benefits to physical and mental health.
  9. Volunteering helps, you meet others who share common interests. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share common interests with you. Dedicating your time as a volunteer also helps you expand your network and practice social skills with others. Best of all, you’ll meet new people who enjoy gardening just as much as you do!
  10. Uncover new knowledge! The Master Gardener program caters to individuals who have been gardening for years, or just a few minutes. No prior knowledge or experience is needed! Only an interest in growing, learning, and sharing that knowledge with others. You’ll have the opportunity to learn new gardening skills as well as hone your existing skills.

The University of Maryland Master Gardener vision is a healthier world through environmental stewardship.  In keeping with this vision, University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners volunteers work on a variety of projects in cooperation with local schools, help maintain various public gardens, volunteer at local Senior Centers and Assisted Living facilities working with therapeutic gardens and hands-on gardening programs, provide community education through free workshops and classes open to local residents, visit home and public gardens as part of our Bay-Wise certification program…and much more.

For further information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/QueenAnnesCountyMasterGardeners We are looking forward to working with a new, energetic class of horticulture enthusiasts!

For Queen Anne’s County contact: Rachel J. Rhodes, Master Gardener Coordinator at (410) 758-0166 or by email at [email protected].

For Talbot County: Mikaela Boley, Master Gardener Coordinator (410) 822-1244 or by email at [email protected]

For Dorchester County: Emily Zobel, Master Gardener Coordinator (410) 228-8800 or by email at [email protected]

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Reporting the weather on the Eastern Shore for 75 years: Swaine family honored by National Weather Service

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The Spy was thrilled to note in the Delmarva Farmer the other day that the National Weather Service awarded the Sawaine family the prestigious Thomas Jefferson award for their remarkable reporting of Eastern Shore weather for the last 75 years.

Please read the full story here.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.