Tag Archives: Village of Webster

Jazz Festival details: who’s playing and when

28 Jul

Get ready to dance in the streets in a few weeks, when the Webster Jazz Festival returns.

The event will stretch over two days Friday and Saturday Aug. 9 and 10, kicking off with “Jazz in the Pubs” Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. Five different bands are scheduled to perform at five different village pubs and restaurants, with staggered start times, so you can visit visit several (or all) of the venues for a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy as many bands as you like. The musicians represent some of the best from the Rochester music scene, including some returning favorites and some new faces.

The music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street.

Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of musical entertainment will perform from the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. There will be some tables and chairs set up, but they go pretty fast, so plan to bring your own, set them up in the middle of the street and enjoy music all evening long.

Here’s the music lineup for both days:

Friday Aug. 9

  • 6:30 p.m.: Andy Calabrese and Peter Chwazik at Cobblestone on Main, 109 W. Main St. Calabrese is a pianist, educator and music producer and Rochester-based Chwazik is a bassist and guitarist.
  • 6:45 p.m.: Sarah De Vallière at JoJo’s Webster, 42 E. Main St.An award-winning composer, classically-trained pianist and outstanding singer-songwriter, performing “cinematic folk rock with nuances of jazz and pop.”
  • 7:00 p.m.: Marvin Dolly & Mel Henderson at ROC Style, 5 W. Main St., performing “organic, funky grooves with street-level ambiance.”
  • 7:15 p.m. Joe Chiappone & Vince Ercolamento at Ploty’s Tavern, 27 West Main St., jazz guitar and saxophone.
  • 8:15 p.m.: Bill Tiberio Band at the Coach Sports Bar, 19 W. Main St., original contemporary jazz in a multitude of styles.

Saturday Aug. 10

  • 4:00 p.m.: CMD, re-imagining old rock and pop hits on piano, bass and drums
  • 5:15 p.m.: Sofrito, Latin jazz quintet
  • 6:45 p.m.: Smooth jazz sounds from Judah Sealy, a graduate of School of the Arts and Roberts Wesleyan College
  • 8:30 p.m.: Prime Time Funk, 10-piece powerhouse of passionate musicians who write, arrange, and perform a world-class combination of funk, jazz and R&B 

The Webster Jazz Festival is an outstanding event that really brings out the best the Village of Webster has to offer. The streets are packed with people, the hanging baskets and planters are in full bloom, and after dark the street is lined with twinkly lights. There’s dancing and drinking and eating, and so much fun for friends and family. Plus there’s no admission.

To find out more about the 2024 Webster Jazz Festival, and read more about the featured bands, visit the Webster BID website.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 7/28/2024)

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Caraglio’s Pizza is coming to the Village of Webster

25 Jul

It’s been a long time, but the former Music Store at 18 East Main Street in the Village of Webster will soon have a new tenant: Caraglio’s Pizza.

Owner Tony Caraglio opened his first pizzeria 20 years ago, and now has seven locations in Fairport, Ontario, Gates, Greece, Hilton, and on Empire Blvd. in Webster. As a Webster resident, Tony says he’s been trying to find a location on the east side of town for about five years, and is excited about moving into the old, long-vacant Music Store.

It’s still early in the planning stages, but Tony expects to devote most of the building’s 3000-sq. ft. floor space to the kitchen and serving counter, while leaving plenty of room for restrooms and indoor seating. And he loves the “three huge windows” in front to entice people who walk along Main St.

“Being in the Webster village is very cool,” he said.

Turning the former Music Store into a pizzeria is taking longer and requiring a lot more work than expected, however.

“We were originally shooting (to open in) November, but that may not be doable,” Tony said. “When we take one step, when we try to look at something, sometimes we find something else we have to address first.”

Many of the challenges can be attributed to the fact the building is 130 years old. But that’s also made for some rather interesting discoveries. Like a newspaper from Nov. 15, 1892, which was stuffed into the wall for insulation.

“As we find stuff, we’re holding on to it,” Tony said, “and will be donating artifacts to the museum.” Those artifacts will help the museum track the history of what Tony affectionately calls “this old goat of a building.”

Work on the building is continuing apace, but it’s going to take a while longer. Because, Tony said, “I want to do it right the first time.”

Stay tuned for more updates about the new Caraglio’s Pizza coming to 18 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/25/2024)

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Waterfront Art Festival, village events on tap this weekend

24 Jul

The 51st annual Waterfront Art Festival returns to Charles Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds) this weekend, Saturday and Sunday July 27 and 28, with lots of great art, entertainment and food.

The Waterfront Art Festival quickly became a highlight of the Webster summer event scene when it moved here from Canandaigua almost ten years ago. For anyone who appreciates fine art and quality crafts, this is a must-see event. Dozens of artisan booths line the park’s scenic and shaded walkways, displaying an incredible variety of hand-made items in all price ranges.

What’s really nice about this particular festival is that all of the artisans’ work is juried beforehand, which is why it’s all so different and high-quality. Plus there are food trucks, live music, demonstrations, a wine, beer and cider-tasting tent, several food and drink vendors, plenty of free parking right on the grounds, and a handicapped parking area. You can even bring your own cooler and your own chairs into the festival.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Charles Sexton Memorial Park, off of Rt. 104 between Rt. 250 and Holt Road (take the Rt. 250 exit off Rt. 104). 

Admission is only $5, no charge for kids 12 and under. For more information, including a list of artisans and entertainers, click here for the Waterfront Art Festival website and here for their Facebook page.

Music and games in the Village of Webster

The Village of Webster has cooked up some great family-friendly events this weekend as well.

The Red Hot and Blue Band  brings Americana to the Gazebo Park on Friday, July 26 at 7 p.m. The band plays Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and much more. Bring your chairs, blankets and refreshments and sing along with some favorite tunes. Admission is free.

By the way, next Friday Aug. 2, Escape Terrain takes the gazebo stage, described on the Webster BID website as “an inventive, uniquely versatile jazz fusion band, featuring jazz guitarist Ryan Johnson.”

The village’s next Family Games Night & Beer Garden is this Saturday July 27 from 4 to 7 p.m.
on West Main Street in the Village.  

There’ll be tons for kids (and adults) to do, including sidewalk chalk art, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four and Cornhole. DJ Chad Cassano will provide music for the evening.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/24/2024)

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Great things are happening at the Village Quilt Shoppe

15 Jul

I got an email from my friends Vanetta and Monique at the Village Quilt Shoppe the other day. It was just an update on their community volunteer projects which they send out regularly to their email subscription list. They most definitely did NOT send it out to toot their own horn about the great things their little shop is doing under the radar.

So I’m going to do that.

Most of the ladies’ email had to do with their One Common Thread project. I wrote about this great initiative a while ago, where I explained:

On the third Tuesday of every month, Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti, owners of the Village Quilt Shoppe, host a “charity day.” For four hours, a handful of crafters sit around the tables at the back of the shop, carefully cutting and sorting hundreds of small fabric squares. The squares are then assembled into individual quilting kits, which are packaged up and shipped to Honduras.

Their destination is an foundation called One Common Thread, whose mission is to help Honduran women make quilts, which they can then sell to support their families.

Here is thew follow-up (with a call for donations) which Vanetta and Monique sent recently:

Thank you so much for your continued support of One Common Thread! Last month, thanks to the incredible efforts of our many volunteers, we were able to mail out three boxes of kits. Your dedication and hard work make a significant difference in the lives of those we aim to help.

We are currently running low on 3″ fabric squares. Specifically, we have an abundance of dark colors, but we desperately need lighter and brighter shades such as yellow, orange, teal, and blues. Additionally, we can always use more black, grey, and white squares. We gladly accept both 3″ squares and fabric donations. Any contributions of these colors and materials would be greatly appreciated and will help us continue empowering other women!

Our July charity day will take place on Tuesday, July 23rd. We hope to see many of you there as we come together to support this wonderful cause.

The Quilting Divas are once again making period bags and are accepting donations of tampons, panty liners, and period pads. These items need to be individually wrapped. In addition to these products, the Divas will also accept monetary donations.  Donations can be dropped off at our shoppe.

For those who may not be familiar, period bags are bags that the Divas make and fill with feminine hygiene products for the homeless. These bags provide essential items to those in need, helping to ensure dignity and health for all women.

Thank you, Village Quilt Shoppe quilters, and Vanetta and Monique, for all the good you’re doing! And if there’s anyone out there who can help with donations of fabric or period supplies, please contact the Shoppe.

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. To learn more, check out their website here or call (585) 626-6916.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/15/2024)

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Photos from the Fireman’s Parade

12 Jul

Our Webster Volunteer Fire Department must have some sort of lucky charm which they can rub every year at parade time. I can’t remember (at least in recent memory) having a nicer evening for the annual parade. Especially since it was still raining in the morning.

With 99 units and lasting a good two hours, this year’s parade did not disappoint, especially for kids who love trucks and love candy. And thanks to the good weather, the crowds were pretty thick.

If you were in the parade, chances are very good you’ll be in one of the 280 photos in this gallery … and I take that many of them because I hear from you all how much you like to see them, especially if you couldn’t be there to watch.

So grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy the photos. And if you took any of your family gathered for the parade, send them along and I can add them to the gallery.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/12/2024)

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July History Bit: the Webster Fireman’s Carnival

11 Jul

If you’ve seen this week’s edition of the Webster Herald, you’ve already seen this month’s History Bit, which you’ll see in its entirety below.

To research that article, I drew heavily from the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s 1906-2006 100th anniversary volume, and historical editions of the Herald. I discovered all sorts of interesting facts about the carnival, but had to leave many of them out in the interest of newspaper space. Since I have no space concern in a blog, I’ve posted much of that additional information here, following the original Bit.

Some Webster Fireman’s Carnival history

With the return of the Webster Fireman’s Carnival this week, it seems an appropriate time to take a look back at the history of this very popular and long-running summer event.  

According to the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s 100th anniversary history book, the Fireman’s Carnival turns 87 years old this year. The first carnival was held July 23 and 24, 1937 on Ridge Rd. just west of Corning Park, where Pierce St. is now. The first chairman, Russell B. Mason, reported a net profit of $514.63. 

Not much is known about that first year, but we do know that the carnival was held at the same location the following year. The July 15, 1938 edition of the Webster Herald reported that carnival-goers would enjoy four thrilling rides, plus free dancing and entertainment. They could also enter to win cash door prizes, a radio from Hawley’s Hardware and a refrigerator from Netzman’s Appliances. 

The 1938 carnival was even more successful than the first, netting about $1100 despite some challenges. It rained buckets Friday night, and on Saturday the Ferris wheel broke down. Fortunately, though, carnival-goers had other entertainment options, including a hoop-rolling contest and a “Dutch bowlers” (cricket) demonstration game, which attracted an audience of 700. 

Even before the 1938 carnival, the Webster Fire Department was well into the planning stages of purchasing its own property for use as carnival grounds. That September, they finalized the sale of a 24-acre tract of land owned by William Partridge near their current festival location west of Corning Park, purchased for $2500. The firemen have held their carnival on that property, now known as Fireman’s Field, every year since. 

Now, here are some other interesting things I read:

  • In 1939, just two years after the first carnival, stands were built on the new property and a water line installed.
  • In 1940, wooden toilets were installed.
  • Several improvements were made between 1946 and 1950, including constructing two bridges across the stream, and building a storehouse and a building with flush toilets.
  • In the early 1950s there was talk of building a community pool, with an awning, on the site. But those plans never got off the ground.
  • In 1956 the Webster School Board asked for a right-of-way across the Fireman’s Field to Ridgecrest School. At the time, the board was granted permission to allow children to walk across the field to school, In June of 1957, a road was built across the field from Ebner Rd. (which at the time ended at the village line) to the Ridgecrest property line.
  • The “clubhouse,” now known better as the Firemen’s Exempt building, was erected in 1960.
  • In the early 1970s, restrooms were enlarged and remodeled, hot water and sinks were added to the food booths, and several stands were rebuilt after suffering damage in a windstorm.
  • Carnival organizers applied for their first Game of Chance license in 1982.
  • In 1983, McDonald’s inquired about purchasing a parcel of the property along Ridge Rd. The motion was voted down. Three more offers were made in 1986 for “the front piece of the carnival grounds” for $100,000, $200,000 and $270,000, which were all turned down. (It appears that the decision to sell the property was finally made in late 1987.)
  • In 1985 (and for several years in the late 80s and early 90s) the carnival was opened up Friday night to local homes for the handicapped so they could enjoy the festivities without the crowds.
  • In 1986, 2.765 acres adjacent to the carnival field were purchased from the school district for parking.
  • The beer stand ticket booth was built in 1988.
  • In 1999, a few buildings were removed to make room for more rides.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/11/2024)

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A look inside the new Mary Wee Pub

10 Jul

The new Mary Wee Pub is slowly taking shape at the Village of Webster’s four corners. Fans of the former Barry’s Old School Irish — and pretty much everyone who loves our village — are anxiously awaiting to see what the new corner pub will be like, inside and out.

New owner Mark Petzing, of the Shamrock Jack’s family, is putting his own twist on the interior design of his new pub, and I dare say, those who knew the old Barry’s Pub would hardly recognize the place.

First thing you might notice when you walk in is that the wall separating the bar from the “bakery” area has been removed. That leaves space for the much longer bar, which wraps from the wall near the bathrooms all the way to the west wall, plenty of room for as many as 15 bar stools. There are still two bathrooms, but Mark has reconfigured them to be side-by-side, one of them replacing what many of us know as “keg alley” in the southeast corner of the pub.

Probably the most exciting feature of the new design is the indoor/outdoor seating Mark has planned for the big, north-facing front window. That window will be replaced with a garage door, which can be raised on nice days, allowing patrons to sit inside along a counter, looking out. At the same time, patrons can sit at bar stools outside, along the same counter, across from their friends. Additional high-top and lower-table seating will fill the rest of the inside space.

Even with all that, Mark has somehow managed to actually make the pub look bigger, despite having the same floor space to work with. It already seems like it’s going to be much brighter as well, with plenty of up-lit lighting fixtures, plus two big front doors and the garage door to let the outside light stream in.

True to its name, Mark says his new pub will have a “wee bit of everything.” He’ll be serving a limited menu; right now he’s thinking soups, salads, and sandwiches, what he calls, “simple, consistent, good food.” Plans are to have eight taps, with Irish favorites including Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp, and “a couple Gennys.” There’ll be three TVs for sports fans, a jukebox, and live music.

It’s come a long way in the last few months. But there’s still lots to do, and Mark doesn’t expect to open until sometime in September or October.

  • A inside view of the future garage door seating area
  • The two bathrooms are in the same corner where they were at Barry’s, but reconfigured
  • Mark Petzing in front of the new, much bigger, bar
  • The big front doors will let in a lot of light
  • The garden in front of the garage door seating area will be removed, and a new fence will enclose the expanded patio seating area.

Finally, about the name, the “Mary Wee.” Since the signs went up in the windows, everyone’s been talking about the unusual name.

Here’s the story, straight from Mark himself:

My grandfather is Jack, and over time everything was named after him. I always wanted to be different from my family, separate from my family but at the same time, I want to be part of my family. Shamrock Jack’s is an important part of my life. 

But my grandmother Mary, I loved her. My grandmother was older and she liked whiskeys and bourbons. They would water down her whiskeys, and put a little around the rim. She’d always smile, the sweet little thing, she’d say “Oh, thank you.” And when my mom and my aunts weren’t looking, she’d say, “Mark, give me a wee bit more.”

So people ask why is it not “Wee Mary’s?” Because I want you to think about it. And it means nothing at all, but it means a ton to me. Come in and have a whiskey and I’ll tell you the story and we’ll laugh.

As work on the new Mary Wee Pub continues, stay tuned for more details and more photos from our new little corner Irish pub. And when you can finally visit and have a pint, make sure to look for the picture of Mary on the wall, and raise a pint to her for inspiring her grandson’s new pub.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/10/2024)

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Webster honors one of its own

9 Jul

The Webster community came out in force Tuesday afternoon as a funeral procession for fallen Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter wound its way through the village en route to Falvo Funeral Home.

Jamieson Ritter, 27, a Webster native, was killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2024. He was a Cleveland police officer.

Ritter, a Webster native, was shot last Thursday as officers attempted to serve a warrant. He was just 27 years old. A memorial service was held for him yesterday in Cleveland before his body was returned to his home town for funeral services.

Led by a dozen motorcycle officers, the procession passed through the village’s four corners at around 2:15 p.m. It was welcomed by crowds of community members who had gathered to show their respect with waving flags and hands over their hearts. At the Webster Volunteer Fire Department station, assembled firefighters snapped to attention and saluted as the hearse passed by the firehouse. A dozen more police cars, representing towns from all over Monroe County and beyond, followed behind.

Before arriving in Webster, the procession had traveled from the Thruway along routes 490, 590 and 104, welcomed along the way by knots of adults and children stationed on overpasses, and fire trucks with all their lights ablaze, some of which hoisted huge American flags.

Once again, Webster, you showed everyone what our town is all about.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/9/2024)

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Rain, rain stay away

9 Jul

Thanks to Hurricane Beryl, it looks like the weather for the start of the 2024 Webster Fireman’s Carnival is about the worst it could be. But that could change, and our hardworking firefighters will do their very best to make sure the festivities continue unabated. For the latest updates, make sure to check out the Webster Fireman’s Carnival Facebook page or website.

In the meantime, things are hopping over at Fireman’s Field. The rides are arriving and are being set up, the parking lot has been marked off, and the snow fencing and barrels arranged, so right now everyone is expecting a great carnival and great crowds.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/9/2024)

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Fireman’s Carnival is just around the corner

5 Jul

The activity over at Fireman’s Field is beginning to heat up in anticipation of the 2024 Fireman’s Carnival, scheduled for Wednesday July 10 through Saturday July 13.

Without a doubt, the Fireman’s Carnival and parade are among the most anticipated events of the Webster summer season. Now 87 years old, the carnival has been making memories every year for several generations of kids and adults.

This year’s carnival will be no different, with the return of the always popular beer tent, game booths, rides and live entertainment, great food, raffles and much more. You can check out all the details about what will be happening — and when — at the NEJFD website and Carnival Facebook page but here are some of the highlights:

Wednesday July 10:

  • Craft Beer Night in the Beer Tent, and live music by Plan B

Thursday July 11:

  • Firemen’s Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. (you don’t want to miss this)
  • Rescue 11 plays in the Beer Tent

Friday July 12:

  • Uncaged plays in the Beer Tent

Saturday July 13:

  • Kiddie Parade (new location! Check the details below)
  • Free raffles for kids and adults
  • Knight Patrol and Night Train play in the Beer Tent
  • Fireworks at midnight

And of course, games, rides and food every night.

Hours are Wednesday and Thursday 6 to 11 p.m., Friday 6 to midnight, and Saturday noon to midnight at Fireman’s Field, on Ridge Rd. just west of the village.

Here are the details about the new location for the Kiddie Parade, straight from the Webster fireman’s carnival Facebook page:

We are excited to announce a new, safer and more condensed route for the Kids Costume Parade! Due to concerns regarding the length of the parade and safety issues with the parade occurring on the roads, the parade will occur entirely on the carnival grounds.

Parade date: Saturday July 13th
Parade registration begins at 11 am
Parade begins at Noon
Prizes for best costumes and other categories. All entrants receive a gift, snowcone and a ride ticket.

We also have Rich the Magic Man, and Andrew St. James onsite to entertain the children. There is a free to enter bike raffle and an appliance giveaway thanks to Orville’s Home Appliances

Admission to everything is free, and to save money on rides, you can buy advance sale wristbands through the Carnival Facebook page or website. You’ll also want to follow the Facebook page for more details and regular updates.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/5/2024)

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