USA > Illinois > Clinton County > New Baden > New Baden centennial, 1855-1955 > Part 3
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The schools of the community have presented plays and operettas throughout the years and there have also been home talent shows for the amusement of the townspeople from time to time.
The oldtimers can relate some types of recreation, quite nostalgically, which we are seldom privileged to enjoy in these days. What could com- pare, even today, with a buggy ride in the moonlight, a sleigh ride on a cold winter night ("in the old days they REALLY had snow"), a husking bee, or a taffy pull ?. Perhaps the generation of today will recall 1955 as "the good ole days" of television and jet planes.
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-
CTORS
NEW BADEN VICTORS-1910
OLD TIME NEW BADEN BAND
WUF KKERS KERNELS
KE
WHENKERY EN KERNELE
ELS
WOERNER'S KY. KERNELS BOWLING TEAM
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CHAMBER of COMMERCE
The Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1904 as the Commer- cial Club. First records are not available, so the first officers cannot be listed. The date of organization of the club was verified by Herman Focht. mann, the only living charter member.
For many years the club's interest was in repairing and securing streets and roads. They sponsored street repairs in the town, oiling of the county line road and the building of a levee on the road to the Kalmer School. The first town picnics were called "Good Roads Picnics" and were begun in 1915. Later they were called Homecomings and are still sponsored annually by the Chamber of Commerce.
The club has been instrumental in bringing the following industries to New Baden: Plastic Doll & Toy Co. in 1946, to which it gave financial aid and promoted the sale of shares; Ace Metal Products, Inc. in 1946, to which it gave 9 acres of land for the factory site and invested in its stock; and sold to the Roth Dairy Co. of Mt. Vernon in 1947, the old creamery building.
The club keeps up the City Park playground and purchased the perma- nent playground equipment. In 1954, they put permanent lighting in the City Park.
Up to the year 1949 the club sponsored the Boy Scouts. At the present time the Chamber sponsors the School Boy Safety Patrol financially, having purchased rain coats for the boys and two portable, blinking caution signals for the strcet crossings.
In 1947 the village financed the drilling of a new well for the village. In 1949 they also financed repairs to the city well. In 1952 they financed the insulation on the standpipe of the water tower.
In 1950, at I.C.C. hearings, the club fought the impending removal of passenger train service. When this failed, they aided the routing of the Highway Post Office through the town. In this year they also negoti- ated the contract with Illinois Power Co. to install the "white way" lighting system along Hanover Street.
Since 1945 a Capitol Highway committee from the club has been lobbying for the approval of the highway. The state approved its construc- tion in 1946, but material shortages and politics delayed its beginning until 1955.
In November 1951, the club moved that Herman Fochtmann and William Stoeckel be honored as charter members of the club. At the annual banquet the following January these men were presented with
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plaques for their many years of service.
In 1953 the club granted a 99-year lease on property owned, to estab- lish a community park. The 1954 Homecoming was a community project and one-half the proceeds went to the Community Park Board.
The club voted to allow Chamber of Commerce lands to be annexed into the village limits in 1954. During this year they also dug a trench for a new city dump on a portion of their property north of the Ace Metal plant. They purchased a tractor and attachments for maintenance of streets and secured a public telephone booth in the City Park after installa- tion of the dial system.
The Chamber of Commerce has, throughout the years, assisted the various organizations, industries, and civic projects through loans and direct gifts.
Annual events which the club sponsors are the Christmas Lighting Contest, Clean-Up Week, and the yearly banquet.
The club is sponsoring the Centennial Celebration in conjunction with the annual Homecoming Celebration, and one-half the net proceeds will be used for repair and rebuilding of sidewalks.
Present officers of the Chamber of Commerce are Charles Cook, presi- dent; J. V. Mueller, vice-president, and Robert Thoeming. secretary treas- urer. The membership is 51.
HERMAN FOCHTMANN ONLY LIVING CHARTER MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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SOCIAL, CIVIC and FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Through the years the social and cultural growth of New Baden has been aided through the existence and work of numerous organizations. Some of these have been discontinued; many are still active in helping to build better citizens and a better community.
Concerted efforts have been made to give accurate accounts of the organizations past and present. However, it is regretted that many records were not available and only mention can be made.
GIRL SCOUTS
A Girl Scout Troop was organized in May, 1946. Mrs. Lucille Swart- zell was the leader and Lucille Bailey Bann was her assistant. This troop continued until May, 1951. The troop was reorganized in January, 1953, with Mrs. Bette Thoeming as leader. Mrs. Walter Robinson is assistant leader. The New Baden Woman's Club sponsors the Girl Scouts.
BROWNIE SCOUTS
A Brownie Troop was organized in January, 1952, under the leader- ship of Mrs. Ann Biedenbach, nee Heimberger. Mrs. Jean Manwaring Sinkier served as assistant. The present leader is Mrs. Jean Sinkler. Mrs. Carl Obermeier is assistant leader. The Woman's Club is the sponsoring organization.
LIONS CLUB
An organizational meeting to form the New Baden Lions Club was held at the City Hall, November 21, 1951. The club was sponsored by the Lebanon Lions Club and the Charter Night meeting was held Janu- ary 9, 1952. There were 31 charter members and Herall C. Largent served as the first president. The present membership is 40 members and Carl Heimberger is serving as president.
Lionism embraces local, national, and international service. The New Baden club organized the Beckemeyer Lions Club April 12, 1955.
CUB SCOUTS
The Cub Scouts, Pack 34 Council, sponsored by the American Legion, was organized in February, 1954. Cubmaster is David Riding and As- sistant Cubmasters are Walter Robinson and Oscar Mallrich. There are
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30 Cub Scouts at present, divided into 5 dens. Den mothers meet with these dens weekly to carry on cub scouting projects. Den mothers are Imogene Cook, Georgia Phillips. Evelyn Mallrich, Mildred Sinkler, and Leona Friess. Once monthly a pack meeting is held to observe and evaluate the projects carried on by the dens during their weekly meetings.
BOY SCOUTS
Through the efforts of the American Legion the Boy Scouts were re- activated in December, 1953, with 32 boys as scouts. The Troop Com- mittee appointed was Stanford Fritz,chairman; Eugene Berberich, treasurer and assistant chairman: Nate Sinkler, Joseph Huelsmann, William Flan- agan, and Ralph Bann. Scoutmaster is Floyd Peachey and Assistant Scout. master is Clarence Deutschmann. Troop 34 is a member of the Kaskaskia Council and the St. Clair District. At present the troop has 2 Star Scouts and 1 Life Scout, marking the first time New Baden has advanced this far in the scouting program. There is also an organization of "Scouters," men of the community who may be called on to aid the troop in various ways.
EXPLORER SCOUTS
The Explorer Scouts, Post 34, sponsored by the American Legion, were organized in 1954 and chartered in 1955. The leader is La Verne Pollmann. There are 12 boys in the post.
DADS' CLUB
The New Baden Dad's Club was organized in September, 1954, and chartered December 13, 1954. There were 19 charter members and at present there are 21 members. The slogan of the club is "Be a Dad to Every Lad." The main purpose of the club is to provide wholesome enter. tainment for the youth of the community. Several teen age dances have been held, sporting equipment has been purchased, and the club arranges for a hall for all scouts to hold meetings. Ray Bruns is president.
WOMAN'S CLUB
In 1933 a group of New Baden ladies met and formed the Household Science Club. It was a civic, social, and cultural club. Mrs. Mattie Gildig served as the first president. The club had ten charter members.
The club became a member of the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs in April, 1935. It is also a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Mrs. Gussie Hempen served as the first president. The
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present membership of the club is 30. Mrs. Norma Manwaring is president.
The club sponsors the local Girl Scout and Brownie troops and ac- tively participates in national charity fund drives.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS
The Royal Neighbor Lodge in New Baden was organized in 1902. Although they no longer meet, Mrs. Naomi Manwaring receives the dues of the members of the local lodge.
HOD CARRIERS' AND LABORERS' UNION
The International Hod Carriers' Building and Common Labcrers' Union of America, Local 638, was chartered August 3, 1936. There were 13 charter members. Officers were: Lewein Kennett, president; Jarvis Swinney, vice president; John Vavrinek, recording secretary; Emery Smith, financial secretary; Charles Davis, corresponding secretary; George Hillen, treasurer; Herman Dust, sergeant at arms, and John Billhartz, Jr., guardian. Present membership is 71. The officers are Conrad Bachmann, president; Richard Rensing, vice-president; George Hillen, recording secretary; John Billhartz, Jr., financial secretary; Arnold Walthes, business agent, and Henry Macke, sergeant at arms.
CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
On August 28, 1893, the village bought land from Anton Griesbaum for the sum of $200 for a city cemetery. The town took care of the cemetery and received revenue from it. Ditches were dug, a fence built and painted to enclose it, and a Cemetery Record purchased in 1894. Graves were sold for $1.00 and lots for $8.00 at this time.
January 30, 1905, a charter was granted by the State of Illinois to the New Baden Cemetery Association. The charter members were: Mrs. Laura Metzel, Mrs. Ida Hertenstein, Mrs. Selma Iten, Louise Monken, Mrs. Christina Schmidt, Mrs. Emma Jonas, Miss Emma F. Hertenstein, secretary. April 24. 1905, the village deeded the cemetery to the Asso- ciation, which still serves the community and now has charge of Green Mount Cemetery as well. This new cemetery is located on the old Trenton Road on the east side of the future Capitol Highway, about one mile north of New Baden. The present officers are: Mrs. Catherine Friederich, presi- dent; Mrs. John Baehr, secretary, and Mrs. Minnie Stoeckel, treasurer.
COMMUNITY PARK BOARD
The organizational meeting of the New Baden Community Park Board was held October 16, 1953. Civic organizations and their representa-
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FIREMENS FIELDDAY
NEW BADEN VOL. FIRE CO. NO.1.
NEW BADEN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT-1910
FIRE DEPT.
NEW BADEN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT - 1955
From left to right, ALFRED BROWN, Asst. Chief; TED AHNER, Asst. Chief; LEROY BREDE, Fire Chief.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
The early citizens of New Baden were organized to fight fires even though they had no equipment other than buckets and no system but the old "bucket brigade." After the community had a water system, hand drawn reels were used.
In 1901 the first fire engine was purchased for $550. This was a hand pumper and was hand drawn. J. J. Bachmann purchased the first fire bell.
The New Baden Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 was organized in 1903 with the following officers: President, Dr. F. M. Edwards; Secretary, John J. Bachmann, Jr .; Treasurer, William Georger; Fire Chief, William Stoeckel. The department is believed to be one of the oldest in this area and became a member of the Illinois Fire Association in 1905.
In 1922 the first motorized equipment was purchased - a Republic truck with hose and chemical tank. In 1936 the first pumper was bought; another was added in 1939. In 1952, a pumper was bought and the last two purchased serve the department at the present. An inhalator was added to the equipment in 1954. Bernard Hempen is trained in its use.
The New Baden department serves the taxable fire district which was established through popular election in 1952. The district includes Looking- glass Township in Clinton County and part of Mascoutah Township in St. Clair County. Through the efforts of the New Baden department, the Clinton-St. Clair Bi-County Firemen's Association was recently organized.
The present officers of the department are: LeRoy Brede, president and Fire Chief; Ted Ahner and Alfred Brown, vice presidents and assistant chiefs; Wilmer Dreher, recording secretary; Richard Stempel, treasurer. Mr. Brede has been Fire Chief since 1935. There is a limited membership of 25 firemen.
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NEW BADEN BUILDING & LOAN ASSOCIATION
Organization was chartered July 7, 1915. The first Board of Directors included A. F. Ackermann, president: L. A. Schumacher, vice-president; B. H. Hertenstein, secretary; Eugene Mueller, treasurer, and members F. A. Billhartz, J. W. Duffner, Herman Fochtmann, G. O. Hertenstein, and B. C. Schnell. The present Board of Directors includes E. C. Asbury, pres- ident; J. W. Bann, vice-president; John Mallrich, vice-president; Clarence Mueller, treasurer, and members Theodore Ahner, Warren Billhartz, Her- man Fochtmann, Orville Hemann, and Elmer Zimmermann. O. W. Bill- hartz is secretary for the organization and W. E. Renth is assistant sec- retary.
Herman Fochtmann is a charter member of the organization, was on the first board of directors, and is serving on the present board.
NEW BADEN MILLING COMPANY
Was organized in 1890. Records were lost, but sometime between 1890 and 1921 the name was changed to the Ernst-Engelke Milling Co. The concern again became the New Baden Milling Co. in 1921 and officers were Francis Aid, president and treasurer; Ben J. Theiss, vice-president, and Harry E. Theiss, secretary. As of January 1, 1954, new officers are B. J. Holtgreve, president and manager; W. O. Billhartz, vice-president, and O. W. Billhartz, secretary-treasurer. Mr. Holtgreve has been manager of the mill since 1938. The mill has a custom grinding and mixing system. It was electrified in 1935 and the steam equipment was removed at that time.
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NEW BADEN MILLING COMPANY A new office building has replaced old one at right in picture.
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FARMERS AND MERCHANTS STATE BANK
The Farmers and Merchants State Bank of New Baden is a suc- cessor organization to the Bank of New Baden, which was organized as a private bank by August Schlafly and Fred Schlafly of Carlyle in 1900. The first location of the bank was in the J. W. Bann Building, formerly the J. W. Hummel Building, next to Goebel's store. Construction on the present building began in 1901 and was completed in 1902. The bank remained a private bank until January 25, 1914, when it was incorporated as a state bank.
H. J. Schlafly was the first president of the newly organized state bank and served as such until January, 1929, at which time his father Fred Schlafly was named to that office, serving until he resigned on August 21. 1933. F. M. Edwards, succeeded him as president and served until June 16, 1943, being succeeded by O. W. Billhartz, who served until January, 1954, at which time he was named Chairman of the Board and was succeeded as president by his son. Warren O. Billhartz.
The bank was completely remodeled and redecorated in April, 1954.
The present officers of the bank are Chairman of the Board, O. W. Billhartz, who began work at the bank as a bookkeeper on January 16, 1918: Warren O. Billhartz, president: E. C. Asbury, M. D., Joseph H. Goebel, and W. E. Renth, vice presidents; John H. Dagit, secretary, and Kate M. Nagele, cashier. Miss Nagele began work at the bank as an employee in September, 1925. Other cashiers have been John Ackermann, the first cashier; August Ackermann, who served from 1910 until his death in 1932, and O. W. Billhartz who served from 1932 to 1943.
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PRESENT DAY BUSINESSES
BROWY BARBER SHOP - Mike Browy, proprietor, started business in 1928 in what is now Val's Restaurant. He has been in present location since 1936. Others who have carried on the barbering trade in this building were George Jonas, Ed Theobold, and William Lehrter.
SPECIALTY BUILDING SUPPLY - Started in 1954 and operated by Wilburn F. Fochtmann. It was originated to supply lumber dealers in the area with specialty building supplies. The company has whole- sale distribution and employs a field representative. The building was built in 1907 by Joe Glaetz. It has previously housed the following businesses: New Baden News office; Public Library; Brede Meat Mar- ket; Koebel Meat Market: a Boy Scout meeting place, and warehouse for Fochtmann Lumber Co. A large, new warehouse has been crected in the rear of this building for the Specialty Building Supply Co.
W. F. FOCHTMANN BUILDING MATERIAL - Lumber yard in business 3 years under present owner. The business was started by Herman and Emil Fochtmann in 1914 and moved to the present loca- tion in 1917. The original property was purchased from Oscar Liese. Later, the adjoining properties of Robert Schmidt and Henry Bassler were bought to enlarge the lumber yard.
MUELLER'S GROCERY - Owned and operated by Clarence Mueller, who assumed the business in 1945 upon the death of his father Eugene Mueller, who operated the store from 1903. Previous proprietors of the store were Anderson Grocery and Gus Fritz Grocery. The store sells general merchandise, dry goods, and meats, and was remodeled in 1951 as a self-service store. The building also contains living quarters.
MANWARING SERVICE STATION - Phillips 66 station and garage operated by Lewis Manwaring since April 1930. The station was previously operated by Charles Mueller. Mr. Manwaring has en- larged the garage and does general auto repair. He has the only wrecker service in the community.
KRUEP'S TAVERN - Owned and operated by Francis Kruep. This building was built in 1896 by Louis Butzow for Hugo Nagele, who operated it as a tavern. Tavern keepers who have been in business in this building includes Otto Roberts, Jess Eisenhauer, James Stanhaus, Alfred Haas, and Marcel Singler. Mr. Krucp bought the business and building in 1954 and remodeled. The building contains living quarters.
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MINNIE'S DRESS SHOP - Mrs. Minnie Stoeckel has operated a dress shop located in her home for 19 years. This building was built about 1897 by Conrad Woerner.
SCHOMAKER SHOE REPAIR SHOP - Operated by Henry Schomaker, who does general shoe repair, and has followed the same trade for 46 years. At one time Mr. Schomaker manufactured hand-made shoes. The building in which he is located was built by Charles Kassebaum and was formerly a cigar factory.
HEMPEN HARDWARE - Henry Hempen has operated a hardware store since 1915. In present location since 1942. The original build- ing formerly housed a butcher shop and a tavern. Mr. Hempen greatly enlarged the building to accommodate his hardware, appliance, bottle gas,, and plumbing business. His son, Bernard, is associated with him in the business.
HEMPEN UNDERTAKING & AMBULANCE SERVICE - Henry Hempen has been a mortician since 1915. The present mortuary be- longed to the Henry Peters estate and was purchased from the heirs and remodeled. Bernard Hempen attended morticians' school and became associated with his father in 1945. Robert Imming also assists in embalming.
HERTENSTEIN GARAGE - George Hertenstein has been in business since 1931. He started business in the old Stempel building (now City Hall). He moved to present location in 1934. This building was built by Mr. Niebur. The garage does general auto repair, sells Shell products, and has the Plymouth dealership.
HOTEL FRANCIS - Owned and operated by Ray Bruns, the hotel con- tains sleeping rooms, apartments, and an insurance office. Mr. Bruns has been in the business since 1947. The hotel was previously operated by Mary Griesbaum. The building was built for Henry Griesbaum about 1909, by Jacob Meiner.
KOLAR MEAT MARKET - Rudolph Kolar began business in New Baden in 1945. He bought present building in 1947 from Henry Rensing. It houses his store and residence. Mr. Kolar specializes in home-killed meats and also sells groceries.
PETER DISTRIBUTING & TRUCKING - The business was begun 75 years ago by Henry Peter. The next owner, son, Eugene Peter. The present owner is Robert, son of Eugene Peter. He is the Stag Beer distributor and his trucks do ice and coal hauling.
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FRIEDERICH BARBER SHOP - Earl Friederich operates a barber shop in the Kiefer building. He has been a barber in New Baden since 1927 in various locations.
KIEFER'S TAVERN - Owned and operated by Francis Kiefer since January 1954. Previous proprietors were Fred H. Billhartz, William Spicer, William Collignon, and Charles Woerner. The building was built about 1905 with living quarters to one side and a meeting hall upstairs. This meeting hall was used by the American Legion and is now used by the Labor Union, Dad's Club, and Scout Troops. The Woerner Bowling Alleys once adjoined the building on the rear.
MEDCALF CLEANERS - Operated by Theodore Medcalf who owns the building and has been in business in New Baden since 1951. The building was built by Xavier Griesbaum who operated a tavern. Other tavern keepers in this building have been Ervin Spaeth, George Lodes, and Edward Strake. Medcalf's first business location was the Hum- mel building, now owned by J. W. Bann.
HEMANN BROTHERS CHEVROLET - Garage built in 1926 by William Hemann. Mr. Hemann died in 1943 and Orville and Robert Hemann, his sons, became associated as Hemann Brothers. They en- larged the building in 1946. The garage does general auto repair. sells Standard Oil products, and has the Chevrolet dealership (the latter since 1931).
MUGELE GARAGE - Fred A. Mugele has been in business in New Baden since 1937. In 1939, he built the present location. This garage does general auto repair, sells Conoco products, has the Ford dealer- ship, and sells Kelvinator and Sunbeam Appliances and Shapleigh mowers.
RATHMANN'S PARK - Tavern and dance hall owned and operated by George Rathmann, in business since 1943. The dance pavilion was built by Everett Sprague. The adjoining building was built by Arthur Billhartz, Sr. in 1934. Mr. Rathmann will remove a portion of the building to the cast, to aid the Capitol Highway project recently begun, and he will remodel.
KENNETT BARBER SHOP - Franklin Kennett has been a barber in New Baden 7 years. The location of his shop is just west of his home.
POOS ELECTRIC SHOP - Oscar Poos is a self-employed electrician do- ing general electrical work in New Baden for 16 years. He does home and commercial wiring and "trouble shooting."
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HOME CAFE A restaurant built by Kate Hodel; it was opened May 29, 1947. Mrs. Hodel serves home-cooked meals and short orders and has a successful business; supplied both by local patrons and truckers.
FALTUS I.G.A. MARKET - Robert Faltus opened an I.G.A. market in 1947. In 1951, he built a self-service supermarket. Mr. Faltus started in the meat and grocery business with his father, Frank Faltus, and after his death in 1940 Robert operated this store until he opened an I. G. A. market.
FROSTY WHIP FREEZETTE - A frozen dessert drive-in built in 1951 by J. W. Bann. The business is owned by Ralph Bann. Frozen dessert, soft drinks, and sandwiches are sold during the warm months.
GOEBEL'S A. G. MARKET - F. A. Goebel bought this store from L. A. Schumacher in 1922. It was built by C. L. Schumacher about 1873. After the death of his father, F. A. Goebel, in 1934, Joseph Goebel took over the operation of the store. They carry a large stock of groceries, notions, and dry goods. The store became the self-service type in 1950 and also is affiliated with the Associated Grocers.
REINHARDT BLACKSMITH SHOP - Owned and operated by Leo H. Reinhardt since 1945. Mr. Reinhardt docs machinery and general re pair work. The building in which he is located is thought to be over 100 years old. Businesses formerly in this building were Diekemper Blacksmith, Charles Mueller, blacksmith, and Stahler blacksmith shop.
BROWN'S CAFE & TAVERN - Owned and cperated by Alfred Brown since 1950. Formerly operated by Frank Defilippi from whom Mr. Brown purchased. Former tavern operators in this building were Louis Barker and Otto Teichmann. Mrs. Millie Hamann operated a con- fectioncry here. The building also has living quarters ..
VAL'S CAFE - Val Harpstrite has been in business in his present loca- tion for five and a half years. He sells sandwiches and short orders. The building formerly housed the post office, a barber shop, a fruit store, and a shoe shop.
DR. CHARLES S. THORPE - Veterinarian who began practice in New Baden in February 1954. The practice was built up quickly because of the need for veterinary service n ths area. The building where Dr. Thorpe is located was built by Enno Dick and housed his jewelry store. Two dentists, Dr. J. W. Hardy and Dr. Roy Kolb had offices in this building. Beauty shops operated by Geraldine Fiedler Scho- maker and Betty Kuhn were also located here.
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