SOUTH SHORE NEWS SPOT   – August  2006   © 2006 by CMA Publishing - By Caryn Lazar Amster

Word count for this issue is 5114 words – Total read time about 15 minutes.   

Thanks for stopping by your South Shore news connection newsletter and for requesting your own copy!  This month we feature stories, reunion information, the report on the South Shore bus tour, friends seeking old friends, stories from the mailbag, upcoming events, new ways to reach old friends, famous South Shore people and much more!

Many people have written me asking for more new from Bowen – please send me your Bowen news.  People are finding this most helpful in finding their long lost friends. 

Don’t just forward this newsletter - tell your friends to email me and get their own copy at caryn@cmapublishing.net

SOUTH SHORE BUS TOUR

First………..a little bus tour humor    

A group of Americans was traveling by tour bus through Holland. As they stopped at a cheese farm, a young guide led them through the process of cheese making, explaining that goat's milk was used. She showed the group a lively hillside where many goats were grazing. "These" she explained "are the older goats put out to
pasture when they no longer produce." She then asked, "What do you do with your old goats in America?" A spry old gentleman answered,  "They send us on bus tours, and let us live in Florida."
 


South Shore Bus Tour Report

The bus tour was sold out.  I hope all 50 people aboard had as great a time as my husband and I.  Thanks Leah Axelrod, tour organizer, and terrific narration by Dr. Irving Cutler. 

 

The group learned a lot about Chicago Jewish history as we rode from Lincolnwood to downtown Chicago and into South Shore.  We learned that the Chicago Fire occurred on the Jewish holiday where they take the holy scrolls out of the Ark so when the temple burned the precious scrolls were saved as they had been removed. Dr. Cutler said that 80% of the Jews in Chicago in the 1930’s and ’40 were descendants of Eastern European Jews. As we drove through downtown he highlighted the many contributions of Chicago Jewish families like the Pritzkers and the Crowns. Jews were the major contributors to the new Millennium Park and the University of Chicago.  Many famous merchants started on the original Maxwell Street and we passed both the old and new sites.  For those who are unaware, the market was moved to make room for expansion of the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Two Jewish men, the Chess Brothers, started Chess Records (label of many famous 50’s rock and roll stars) in Chicago.  We drove through Chinatown and the University of Chicago campus.  We drove past several temples that are now churches of various denominations.  We stopped at KAM Temple, a great memory for me as I sang with Max Janowski, a famous Jewish music composer, right in this sanctuary.  We drove past the homes of Louis Farrakhan, Elijah Muhammad’s sons and the former home of Muhammad Ali.  Some of the areas we toured are being rehabbed, with many going condo, and new small merchants were coming in.  The large brick homes were still beautiful, stately and well kept. 

 

Our next stop was a place that as a Jew I was never allowed, The South Shore Country Club.  It is now owned by the Chicago Park District and is a cultural center.  I took the microphone as we drove down 79th street relating some of my old South Shore memories.  I had never been back to see what happened to my old neighborhood. It is definitely not the same place. Wee Folks has become a funky clothing store called, ironically, Dynasty.  The Avalon is closed and most of the buildings on the block are gone.  Stony Island without the Kickapoo Restaurtant was dismal.  We went past the former Greek Church on 73rd and Stony Island that was transformed in 1972 to the Mosque Maryam, the home of the Nation of Islam (NOI). At 79th and Stony Island people were selling Muhammad Speaks, the NOI newspaper I mentioned in the book.

 

Our last stop was the Oakwood Cemetery on 75th Street just west of Stony Island, a multi-denominational cemetery, where many Jewish graves from the 1890’s were behind a fence.  We visited a huge monument to Civil War soldiers.  Many famous people are buried here including former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Olympian Jesse Owens, Enrico Fermi,  and former Chicago mayor Big Bill Thompson (mayor during the Al Capone era). 

 

It was a very educational trip.  For me it was sad to see my old haunts so bereft of commerce and looking so stripped.  Many of you have made this trip on your own and you seem to have a variety of impressions.  For me it was well worth the trip to learn so much about Chicago in general and Jewish historic Chicago in particular.  My husband is not from Chicago and he liked the Chicago tour and seeing where I grew up.

 

OTHER CHICAGO GNUS

Leah Axelrod, tour bus organizer announced the Chicago Jewish Historical Society (CJHS) are having a joint meeting with the Chicago Architectural Foundation 10/29 at 1:00.  It will be at their space at Jackson and Michigan.  CAF is opening a photo exhibit on Lawndale.  The program will be about the Old Westside and open to the public. Contact: Leah Joy Axelrod, My Kind of Town Tours and Events, 847-432-7003

 

SAVE THE DATE! 

Please save these dates for my seminars and book events.  Books and posters will be available for sale at all events.  I look forward to seeing you there! Celebrate those good times.  Visit my website Calendar of Events for more detailed information on these events. www.cmapublishing.netI am now booking into 2007. Events for 2007

 

Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 7 p.m. – Addison Public Library – Two Friendship Plaza, Addison, Illinois – I will present a program entitled “True Crime South Shore Memoir” followed by a book signing. For information or registration contact Sally Schuster – 630-458-3308 or email her at Schuster@addison.lib.il.us    www.addisonlibrary.org

 

 PLEASE HELP KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER COMING

Get your own personally autographed book or poster. Order the Pied Piper books and posters using the secure website shopping cart at www.cmapublishing.net to place your order.  Call toll free 1-866-50-PIPER (74737) or mail your order to CMA Publishing, P.O. Box 366, Medinah, Ill 60157-0366.  We take credit cards: Visa, Master Card and Discover and we gift wrap too!  This is a free newsletter and your support of my book helps me to continue the effort.  Thanks, Caryn

NEW FEATURE – FAMOUS SOUTH SHORE AREA PEOPLE

Based on my mail people seem interested in what now famous people attended South Shore area schools in the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960s.  This issue we will cover South Shore High School grads.  Next month we will highlight Hyde Park and Bowen.  Write in your entries for famous folks from any South Shore schools.  In later issues we will cover CVS, Aquinas, Mendel, Carmel and many others. You can always send in new entries from any school.  Thanks to Bob Levi for starting this idea. How many do you know?  Any others? 

 

Anyone know the whereabouts of Harve for Shonnie and for me?  Caryn

 

THE  INSIDE STORY – I am looking for retailing stories from the families of former South Shore merchants to share in this newsletter.  Many people seem interested to learn about stores and their stories.  Email me your family’s story. 

 

Inside another South Shore business – South Shore Florists and Holiday Florists
You probably remember two shops in particular…the original South Shore Florist at the corner of 76th and Jeffery (only a couple of blocks from SSHS)…and the Holiday/South Shore Florist at 2707 E. 79th.

In 1947 when Ken was still in high school (Hirsch), but working at Segal's restaurant, he was approached by the owner of the South Shore Florist,. Mr. Kanter.  Mr Kanter was looking for a family to manage the shop, and had been told by a floral designer who often ate at Segal's of Ken's many years of working for florists, and his already proven talent in corsage making and wedding flowers (which he did out of his house). He asked Ken if he and his family would consider managing his store.  Since Ken was still in school, his mom took on most of the responsibility, and worked on weekends, occasional evenings and holidays.  As many of you may remember, that store was a busy, cash and carry business.

Ken dreamed of someday owning his own shop, specializing in weddings, parties, holiday events, etc. So, less than a year after we were married, we opened HOLIDAY FLORIST at 7135 Jeffery on Mother's Day of 1951. Over the years, we did the wedding flowers for many a South Shore graduate and friend which was always very special. 
Holiday Florist and South Shore Florist were very different in those early years, so they were certainly not competitors.  Eventually, Ken's mom took on more design work, and in 1957 asked us if we would like to merge businesses at a NEW location. It seemed to make good sense at the time, so after managing many details, we leased the building on 79th Street and it became Holiday/South Shore Florist. That was in 1957. We stayed together in that business until 1958 when Ken decided that he wanted to be home with the family more.  He left with his mom's blessings, and thus began his long career with the R.H. Donnelley (Yellow Pages) Company. 

She remained in business until shortly after Manny Lazar (Wee Folks) was murdered. She had already been uneasy with various frightening incidents in the area, but when she heard about Manny and she made the decision to close the shop.  She, my folks and Ken and I knew both Manny and Belle Lazar well and thought the world of them. This was a huge blow to each of us, and to literally thousands of people in the South Shore area whose lives they touched. Love, Shonnie Mason Johnson (SSHS June 1948)

PS   To this day, we always have some kind of fresh flowers in our house. NEAT!

SHONNIEJ@aol.com


FYI - I met Shonnie and her high school school girlfriends for lunch in Chicago last year.  It was great fun.  Hey Harve!! – Shonnie has a Pied Piper book for you!   Regards, Caryn

 

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS

This is the spot for your memories of South Shore or living in Chicago in the 1950s. Email me your memories. Got any old toy or Wee Folks memories?  Send them along.  When did YOU move out of South Shore?  What do you remember about it?  Where did you move? Got any good Rainbow Beach stories?  Any great stories of restaurants, the Overflow, old TV shows?  Here are some memories I have received:

 

“EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIME”- SEEKING LOST FRIENDS Looking for long lost South Shoreites from the ‘50s and ‘60s?  Email me caryn@cmapublishing.net and I will try to put you in touch.  These are new this month. By the way - If you want me to use your request or memory in the newsletter, please include your permission to use your name and email address in your correspondence. 

 

Hello Caryn, I love your news letter I have sent it to a few SS friends and they love it.  I have sent it to London and many other places. My name is George Bakouris 1961 graduate. I would like to know if anyone remembers the HI- Ys and TryHiYs of the 71st YMCA.  I was a member of BOEHME and we had a great group.  I have been working at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) since high school and a few years ago ran into Sid Kaz who was our football coach at SS.  He is at a brokerage firm here small world also there is a trader that followed my path from Dixon to Hirsch to South Shore and to the CBOT. I will be retiring soon and moving East to Cayuga Lake near Cornel to my golden pond. Thanks for all the memories. George_Bakouris@prusec.com

 

A message from a South Shoreite in Israel

Dear Caryn, My maiden name was Einbinder-I graduated in June 1958, but of course I had skipped 5 times. I am the mother of 5 children. Two of my children served in the Israeli army and I feel I am giving back. This is a very special country and it is a sad time for all. Everyone knows everyone and when a person is killed you have to know that someone is related or knew the person very well. This is the third time I volunteered here and every time it becomes more precious to me.

 

I am now in Israel and it is amazing!  Every night the helicopters go over Tel Aviv. The CNN news and others such as BBC do not report the news accurately. Many people are displaced here, and so many people struggle. It is great that the hotels in Tel Aviv are lowering their prices so that the people from the north can come down here and have a place to stay. People are doing all sorts of benefits for the soldiers. I wish that the U.S. and other countries could get a true picture of the struggles in Israel and eliminate all the bad press. Take care I enjoy getting all the news about South Shore here in Israel

 

Thank you for your concern.  I have to get to an internet cafe usually to email, so I am sorry if I do not respond quickly. The other day I spent 9 hours in the local hospital with a 93 year old, who is one of the residents of the retirement place. He drove the doctors crazy. The amazing thing about it is I speak very little Hebrew and he does not speak English, but we communicate with our hearts. Arlene Demb graduate of the 1958 Class. arlenedemb@hotmail.com

 

I’ll bet Arlene would love to hear from her old friends in America – Caryn

 

Hi Caryn, I’ve been meaning to write concerning something in one of your past newsletters.  I don’t have the person’s name but he was inquiring if anyone knew the whereabouts of a person named Twing Gidley.   At one time Twing was married to my sister Cheri Line.  To make a long story short they had a son named Glenn.  They got divorced and Twing got remarried. He passed away on December 14, 1994 from a heart attack.  I hope the person asking about him reads this – I wish I still had his name.I used to live at 79th and Colfax Ave.  Although I went to and graduated from CVS I did know some people from S.S.H.S.

Ron Line  rline@clcats.com

 

Can anyone help Ron out? Caryn

 

I grew up in South Chicago, actually "Slag Valley."  I attended Sacred Heart Grammar SchoolMt. Carmel High School, and graduated IIT.  I only seriously dated two girls, Cathy Costa from South Shore, and Betty Nosal from South Chicago.  Married Betty.  My best job was with Blaupunkt Radio.  I was their "Golden Ears" for new car radios before they went into production.  I am now, gulp, retired and working from my home making phonograph products in Wheaton, Illinois.  I dated a South Shore girl named Cathy Costa in the middle 60s.  She went to Dominican Aquinas High School, went to many Mt. Carmel socials, and graduated in 61.  I only recently found out that she died of cancer 8 years ago.  I have wanted to find friends of hers who may be able to let me know how her life turned out. Regards, Mike Stosich, EsotericTT@aol.com

 

Last month I noticed an email from Roger Fineberg and immediately wrote to him, as I recognized him as a neighbor who lived 2 doors north from me on 81st and Oglesby.  He wrote a lengthy and very informative reply.  At the end, he asked that I ask you to email him Pat Daley's email address, which he had but lost.  I, too, would like it if you have it, as her sister, Sharon, and I were great friends.  There was Pat, Carol, Sharon (who was a year older than I was, and I believe we also had the same middle name of Rae), and Dee-dee was the youngest (I also had a sister named Dee-Dee). I believe that Pat wanted to become a nun (all the girls attended St. Aquinas).  I remember their father was a police officer. They had a pay phone in their house where you could make a call for 5 cents way after the normal cost was 10 cents.   Thanks for your help-Roger's email address: mraltatupelo@aol.com and mine is norahs71@aol.com

 

Reunited and it feels so good!

I received this email after the last newsletter

Hey Caryn, I just read this in the most recent newsletter and I flipped!  I lived at 1736 E. 86th Place and was best friend with Barbara Veneris. Could you send me her email address? Sally Nanus Snanus@mindspring.com

Just wanted to let you know that you posted my email address and I was able to reconnect with several friends from Caldwell School.  They were even able to send along class pictures from 6th grade. My family moved from 1724 E. 86th Place in 1964.   I appreciate it so much - what a treat to recall so many great memories!  My Dad owned Lyngdal and Kress Drug Store at 1465 East 63rd Street until about 1968.  I love your South Shore News Spot.  Keep up all the great memories.  My Mom went to Bradwell and was a graduate of South Shore. Thanks, Barbara Veneris Stewart

 

I was pleased to be able to reunite Sally and Barbara – By divine intervention, Barbara sent me her new email address the same week Sally made the request.  Amazing?

 

EVEN MORE CORKY – here are some more gigs with South Shore’s own Corky Siegel.  Email him at corky@chamberblues.com for more information or visit his website Fri 8/4/06 Park Ridge, IL Hodges Park, Park Ridge Society for the Arts, Sat 8/12 Montreal, CANADA, FestiBlues, Sat 8/26/06 Eugene, Oregon, Secret House Vineyard, Sun 8/27/06 Edmonton, CANADA, Labatt Blues Festival, Sat 9/2/06 Peoria, IL, Blues Festival with special guest vocalist Tracy Nelson, Fri 9/8/06 Green Lake, WI, Thrasher Opera House, Sat 9/9/06 Green Lake, WI, Thrasher Opera House, Fri 9/22/06 Kenosha WI, University of WI – Parkside, with special guest vocalist Marcy Levy aka Marcella Detroit, Sat 9/23/06 Eau Claire, WI, Regional Arts Center with special guest and collaborator - Randy Sabien and special guest vocalist Marcy Levy aka Marcella Detroit

THE POWER OF KEEPING IN TOUCH – REUNIONS - If your class is planning a reunion please email me and I will include it in the newsletter. 

Aquinas High School, Class of '61 is having their 45th Reunion on September 30th at the Drake Oak Brook (another sleep over). Anyone interested can contact me and I will forward your info to Judy Scanlon Grant, who is helping with the arrangements. Liz Goodrick Wise - lwise1129@insightbb.com   

 

Bradwell changes - The 1965 and 1966 reunions will not be combined, as originally planned. See below.

 

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THE BRADWELL CLASS OF 1965: We had originally planned to hold a joint reunion with the Bradwell Class of 1965, but the logistics proved to be more challenging than we had anticipated. Therefore, the two classes have decided to hold separate reunions. If you or someone you know is interested in attending the Class of 1965 reunion, contact the following Marcy Steingold, Debbie Mayer, or Helen Marsh at: marcyrich2@aol.com, dsm51@hotmail.com, helen@helenmarsh.com

 

Bradwell 40th (1966) Reunion - Saturday, October 21, 2006.  We need your RSVP ASAP. Once we have a fairly accurate count, we'll be able to reserve a room and share the details with you.  Please note: As always, folks from other classes and other schools are more than welcome to join us. Did we mention that we're also planning a visit to Bradwell on Friday, October 20? If you missed the tour the last time around, you won't want to miss it this time. Al has just updated our Bradwell66 web site. The home page now has information about our upcoming reunion. He added a Reunions page, in case you're interested in "revisiting" past gatherings (click "Reunions" on the upper left-hand side of the home page). Here's the link to our site: http://www.bradwell66.org/ - the Bradwelll 66 Reunion committee is Al Sanowskis.
Jay Smith, Micki Pollakov Becker, Rena Barnard

 

Another Bradwell'67 reunion for our 40th will occur in summer of 2007. Anyone who has not connected with us, moved or changed e-mail addresses in the last couple of years e-mail me at skcjd2@aol.com, Thanks. Sheri Kessler   

 

St. Felicitas - The new and final date for the reunion is November 4, 2006 at the AMERICAN LEGION HALL in Downers Grove, IL. Contact Frank Parisi parisif@prodigy.net

 

South Shore High School - June 1956 is having a 50th class reunion on Sep 9, 2006 at the North Shore Hotel, Skokie, IL. If anyone is interested contact Pjoylevy@aol.com

Carol (Smykowski) Giorgio

St Bride - The Epistles of El Greco will be ready for purchase at the annual St. Bride Luncheon at the Hilton Hotel at 95th & Cicero at noon on Sunday, October 15.  After the 15th, place orders by phone at the office of Pat Thavis Sungaila at 708- 349--8247 or call Sister Marguerite in the IBVM Development Office at 630-868-2907.

South Shore High School 1959 – January and June Class Reunions ~ Do you know someone who graduated from SSHS in January or June 1959?  Calling all 1959 Graduates of South Shore High School (January and June)!  We are in the planning phases of a 50th reunion in 2009. A “Steerage” (not steering) committee is forming.  If you or someone you know was a member of  these classes please have them email me at caryn@cmapublishing.net or the new class email at SS59reunion@comcast.net

Stop now and forward this newsletter to friends.  If you are reading someone else’s copy and want your own emailed every month, email caryn@cmapublishing.net.

FAN MAIL, ACCOLADES AND APPEARANCES

Try searching the web for The Pied Piper of South Shore and/or Caryn Lazar Amster and see how many listings there are on the Internet now.  There are hundreds of entries.

 

Caryn,

Sorry for the loss of your father. I never knew about Wee Folks (I never knew there were toy stores but I wish I had.. I also appreciate knowing more about the neighborhood gang relationships and how good money was ill spent. I volunteer at the First Presbyterian Church in Woodlawn where they tell the story how the gangs took over that church for awhile...but not as accurately as your book. I plan to share this information with Jerry Wise, the current minister.

 

I heard about your book from John Ross SSHS 1962 who gave it to another friend Allan Brown CVS 1959. My sister, Martha Windchy Deitche SSHS 1967 and many others felt that the neighborhood changed because most of the people who lived in apartment buildings and didn't own property just moved when their leases came up even though they had lived in South Shore for many years. My parents stayed until 1972 when they moved further south to Riverdale and remained there until they died in 1984 and 1990. My children grew up in LaGrange but two out of three have returned to Chicago and now live on the north side (Ashland/Fullerton). I guess "what goes around comes around". I doubt few would argue with the fact that living in the Chicago area is "the best place to be". Thanks again, Karen Windchy Gardstrom rkgardstrom@yahoo.com

 

Hi Caryn, Thank you for writing me with your comments. I will be updating my home page soon (I do that every 2-3 days). I will mention your newsletter efforts and perhaps include your latest newsletter as a linked file. Part of that update includes your request that Bowen Alumni forward their news to you. I think what you are doing is valuable work. :-) Warmest regards, Donald W. Larson   dwlarson@mac.com

 

An amazing story

I don't remember how I got on your e-mail list, but I'm glad I did. It's wonderful to remember those things that have been lost in time.

 

My blurb concerns a car I bought in 1968 - a 1967 Chevy Impala convertible.  It was my first car, and I loved it. Unfortunately, I did not know the oil had to be changed every once in a while, so in December, 1970, I traded it in (blown engine and all) for a 1970 Camaro, the only new car I have ever owned.

 

Approximately 4 weeks ago on Ebay, I found a car that looked very similar to my Chevy.  I contacted the seller, and after an exchange of questions and answers, I determined it was, in fact, my original Chevy! I won the auction - paying more than it was worth, but sentimental value cannot be priced.  Actually, it's in pretty good shape. I don't know all of the history since the original sale in 1970, but it ended up in Red Wing, Minnesota, where ts was purchased, in 1992, by a couple in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin., who sold it to me. It's actually more fun now then it was when I had it the first time.  Mid-life crisis!

Again, memories are wonderful. Keep up the good work. Ralph Newmann - South Shore graduate - June, 1965    ralph162@yahoo.com

BOOKS ARE NOT ONLY SOLD AT BOOKSTORESDo you know a store that would like to sell the Pied Piper book or an art gallery that would like to feature Mitch Markovitz’s posters and fine art prints?  Please email me.  I have books at retro toy stores and Mitch is in galleries all over the country. 

SPEAKING ON WRITING - I speak on business marketing, book marketing and publishing and true crime writing for clubs and organizations, colleges and universities and at conventions and conferences.  Do you know any contacts at these places?

JOKE OF THE MONTH –

A guy shopping in a supermarket noticed a little old lady following him around. If he stopped, she stopped. Furthermore she kept staring at him. She finally overtook him at the checkout, and she turned to him and said, "I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it's just that you look so much like my late son."
He answered, "That's okay."
"I know it's silly, but if you'd call out "Good bye, Mom" as I leave the store, it would make me feel so happy."
She then went through the checkout ... and as she was on her way out of the store, the man called out, "Goodbye, Mother." The little old lady waved and smiled back at him.
Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine into someone's day, he
went to pay for his groceries.
"That comes to $121.85," said the clerk.
"WHAT? I only bought 5 items."
The clerk replied, "Yeah, but your Mother said you'd pay for her
things, too."

DO NOT TRUST LITTLE OLD LADIES........ 


WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

www.goodsearch.comWhen you do your web searches on this site you can fill out the name of a charity that you would like to benefit from using the site.  If you don’t have a favorite charity in mind you can use Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, a favorite of Shonnie Johnson.

 

If you find typographical or grammatical errors in this email, they're here for a purpose. Some people actually enjoy looking for them and we strive to please as many people as possible.

 

On a personal note!  Thanks for your many calls and emails – keep them coming!  Thanks for recommending new speaking bookings too.  And thanks for the book and poster purchases.  I love to hear your South Shore, Wee Folks and those great reunion stories.

 

Please ask your library or bookstore to request a signing of The Pied Piper.  

 

Get ready for a great fall season.  And thanks for your support of the Pied Piper book and art work and also public television!

 

Many and More and More Happy Memories ………………Caryn

 

If you no longer wish to receive emails, please unsubscribe by sending an email to unsubscribe@chicagospiedpiper.com

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Caryn Lazar Amster, (The Pied Piper's Daughter) is the award winning author of the debut book

The Pied Piper of South Shore, Toys and Tragedy in Chicago.  This true family true crime

social history is set in Chicago's South Shore in the 1950's and '60s. It won the USA Book News

"Best of 2004" in the True Crime category.  It garnered an all "5" rating in 2004

from Writer's Digest International Self Publishers Contest in the Non-Fiction category

and Honorable Mention in the Family Stories category from the same magazine in 2005.

ISBN: 0-9758928-0    LOC: 4108342

CMA Publishing is a divison of CMA Marketing Group, Inc. P.O. Box Sig366Medinah, Ill 60157

mailto:caryn@cmapublishing.net    1-866-50-PIPER (74737)

To purchase books and posters of cover http://www.chicagospiedpiper.com

Amster is a Chicago area marketing specialist, President of CMA Marketing Group, Inc.

and a speaker and trainer.

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