1996 → TODAY

Our connections.
Our legacy.

Archives, photos and stories: a shared history from 1996 to today.

An antique miniature book with its magnifying glass and case.
Photo & credits
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Explore memories

Stories & shared heritage

Celebrating people, places and what they share with us.

From French people in the Midwest to friends back in France, from meaningful encounters to places now closed: this collection honours what they brought to our lives and our community.

RECONNECTING

Rediscover a time, a place, a memory

Explore the Hub's memories by period. Personal profiles will only be published with the person's consent.

5 items to explore

Colorized presentation of the Iowa City Press-Citizen report from July 24, 1996 — original scans available in the collection1996
IOWA CITY · ARCHIVE

Not so far from Paris

The stay documented by the Iowa City Press-Citizen marks the starting point of this shared memory.

View the collection →
Comic-style illustration: a friendly gathering with fictional characters2010s
Illustration · memories to contributeCOMMUNITY

Gatherings that build connections

Encounters where French people, French speakers and Francophiles build a lasting local network.

Share a memory
Comic-style illustration: sharing a king cake and its crown2020 →
Illustration · memories to contributeTRADITIONS

Keeping traditions alive here

King cakes, meals, coffee meetups and events keep French-speaking life vibrant in today's Midwest.

Share a memory
Comic-style illustration: cooking workshop around a paellaTODAY
Illustration · memories to contributeHUB LIFE

Stories that continue

Memory is more than an archive: it continues to grow with every new encounter.

Share a memory

PARIS · A CONNECTION WITH FRANCE

TRIBUTE IN PREPARATION

Pierre-Marie Oum Sack

The shoemaker on rue Blomet with a passion for philosophy. A first portrait to enrich with verified memories.

Explore the tribute →
The people

Tributes — lives that touched ours

For French people and French speakers in the Midwest who have died, and for friends in France we remember. A place to recall their presence, their craft, their kindness or their contribution to the community.

RUE BLOMET
PARIS · 15e
Tribute in preparation

Pierre-Marie Oum Sack

The philosopher-shoemaker of rue Blomet

At 64 rue Blomet, in Paris’s 15th arrondissement, Pierre-Marie Oum Sack worked as a shoemaker. Published profiles also describe his passion for philosophy.

This first tribute remembers a craftsman and a meeting place. Personal recollections can give it their own voices, after review and approval by those sharing them.

Background, sources and preparing the tribute

Public sources document Cordonnerie Blomet and Oum’s interest in philosophy. My Little Paris reports his death. Dates of his life are not shown here because they have not been confirmed.

Text portrait based on these sources. Personal connections with the Midwest remain to be documented. No photograph or video is included in this tribute.

HALL OF FAME · CULINARY ARTS

French culinary culture in Iowa

Chefs, founders and restaurateurs have brought French culinary culture to life beyond the plate. These first stories celebrate their craft and the gathering places they helped create.

7stories to discover
Portrait of David Baruthio
Portrait supplied to the Hub.
Alsace → Iowa

David Baruthio

Chef and restaurateur

Maître Cuisinier de France since 2018

From Baru 66 to projects in northern Iowa, David Baruthio has shared French cooking shaped by international experience. His restaurants have brought seasonal ingredients, culinary craft and a connection with diners to the table.

Establishments, roles and sources
  1. Baru 66Chef and co-owner with Sara Hill · 2010–2019
  2. Blue Tomato KitchenDocumented as owner in 2014 · chef: Nick Illingworth
  3. Café MadeleineChef-owner · former fixed venue in Des Moines
  4. The SurfsideDocumented takeover in Clear Lake · 2024
  5. Bistro NineteenRestaurant discussed in his career · April 2025
  6. Belmond Golf and Country ClubReported takeover · April 2025
Portrait of Marc Navailles
Portrait supplied to the Hub.
French culinary training · Iowa

Marc Navailles

Chef and former chef-owner

Al Punto: documented chef-owner in 2019

Marc Navailles has brought his French training to Iowa tables, from Argentine grilling at Al Punto to Mediterranean flavors at Bistro Nomad. His documented work connects the dining communities of Des Moines and Belmond.

Establishments, roles and sources
  1. Al PuntoReported purchase in 2017 · chef-owner in 2019
  2. Bistro NomadHead of the kitchen · 2019
  3. PurveyorChef in Mike LaValle’s project · 2023
  4. Belmond Golf and Country ClubLeading the restaurant · April 2025
Portrait to follow
View the original portrait ↗
Reuse permission pending.
Southern France → Cedar Rapids

Sandrine Wallace

Founder of French Pastry by Sandrine

Since 2018 · a family baking tradition

Originally from southern France, Sandrine Wallace founded French Pastry by Sandrine in Cedar Rapids in 2018. Her macarons and other French pastries bring a family baking tradition to the local community.

Establishments, roles and sources
  1. French Pastry by SandrineFounder and owner · Cedar Rapids · since 2018
Portrait to follow
View the captioned portrait page ↗
Image awaiting visual verification. Reuse permission pending.
Hospitality and restaurants · Iowa

Sara Hill

Restaurateur and co-owner

Baru 66 · co-ownership and front-of-house hospitality

At Baru 66, Sara Hill helped make French dining an experience of hospitality as well as food. As co-owner alongside David Baruthio, she is documented in front-of-house service and in the development of this Windsor Heights restaurant.

Establishments, roles and sources
  1. Baru 66Co-owner and front-of-house service · documented in 2012–2013
  2. Prime Land & SeaRestaurant developed with David Baruthio · 2015–2016
  3. Baru · Des Moines Art CenterRestaurant management with David Baruthio · 2013 annual report
Portrait to follow
Seeking an identified photo with reuse permission.
Born in France · Des Moines

Alban Blot

Gaston Café manager in 2016

Gaston · a French table at the museum

At the Des Moines Art Center, Alban Blot brought his background as a musician and artist to a French café. As Gaston’s manager in 2016, working with David Baruthio, he helped connect French dining, hospitality and the experience of art.

Establishments, roles and sources
  1. Gaston · Des Moines Art CenterCafé manager, working with David Baruthio · 2016
Portrait to follow
Seeking an identified photo with reuse permission.
French baking · Cedar Rapids

Ian and Isabelle Cummings

Founders of Croissant Du Jour

2004 · Croissant Du Jour opens

By opening Croissant Du Jour in 2004, Ian and Isabelle Cummings gave Cedar Rapids a bakery-café centered on French flavors. Cornell College professor Devan Baty took students there to explore Francophone culture over pains au chocolat.

Establishments, roles and sources
  1. Croissant Du Jour / L’AubergeFounded the bakery in 2004 · later became L’Auberge
  2. Café Déjà VuA new family venture with their daughter Alyson · May 2026
Portrait to follow
Seeking an identified photo with reuse permission.
Des Moines · profile being documented

Nicolas Percheron

Nomination · La Mie Bakery

Nominated profile · role and dates to be confirmed

Nicolas Percheron joins Francophone Midwest’s nominations for his connection to La Mie Bakery in Des Moines. His detailed profile will be completed once his role and dates are confirmed.

Establishments, roles and sources
  1. La Mie BakeryEstablishment named in the nomination; Nicolas’s role and dates remain to be documented.
HALL OF FAME · BEYOND CULINARY ARTS

Lives and contributions

Researching, teaching, creating, building and bringing people together. This second Hall of Fame highlights French, Francophone and international lives connected to Iowa. Each person’s background, roles and achievements are described using the available sources.

6first stories
Portrait to follow
View the university profile ↗
Portrait on the source website. Reuse permission pending.
From France · Ames

Michèle A. Schaal

French professor and researcher

Iowa State University · joined in 2012

A native of France, Michèle A. Schaal joined Iowa State University in 2012. A professor of French and Women’s and Gender Studies, she teaches French language and culture and researches contemporary women writers and feminisms.

EducationLiterature and feminisms
Background, milestones and sources
  1. Her biography identifies her as a native of France and dates her arrival at Iowa State to 2012. Iowa State University ↗
  2. Her work brings together French teaching, Women’s and Gender Studies, and literary research. Official university profile ↗
Portrait to follow
View the university profile ↗
Portrait on the source website. Reuse permission pending.
From France · Iowa City

Jean-François Charles

Composer, clarinetist and teacher

University of Iowa · joined in 2016

Originally from France, composer and clarinetist Jean-François Charles has taught at the University of Iowa since 2016. His work connects music and digital technology, including Grant Wood in Paris, an opera premiered by Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre in 2019.

MusicDigital arts
Background, milestones and sources
  1. An Iowa Public Radio interview documents his French origins. Iowa Public Radio · 2024 ↗
  2. The Center for New Music archives date his arrival at the University of Iowa to 2016. Center for New Music · 2019 ↗
  3. His university biography describes his compositions and the 2019 premiere of Grant Wood in Paris by Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. University of Iowa ↗
Portrait to follow
Seeking an identified photo with reuse permission.
France · Fort Madison, Iowa

Cécile Houel

French-American artist and portraitist

Fort Madison and Quad Cities · documented in 2020

French-American artist Cécile Houel has built a portrait practice in Iowa and shares her techniques through workshops. In 2020, her portraits of Nobel Peace Prize laureates were exhibited at several Quad Cities venues, including Bettendorf and Davenport.

Visual artsWorkshops and teaching
Background, milestones and sources
  1. Her artist biography documents her French-American background and workshops. Cécile Houel’s official website ↗
  2. In 2020, Quad City Arts featured her work in an exhibition project across several Quad Cities venues. Quad City Arts · 2020 ↗
Portrait to follow
Seeking an identified photo with reuse permission.
Finistère → Ames · student pathway

Louis Ollivier

Geneticist · 1934–2020

Master’s degree at Iowa State · 1957

Born in Finistère, Louis Ollivier earned a master’s degree at Iowa State in 1957 under geneticist Jay L. Lush. He later helped establish INRA’s Animal Genetics Division in France while maintaining scientific links with Iowa. His career illustrates the exchange of knowledge between the two countries.

Animal geneticsScientific exchange
Background, milestones and sources
  1. The French Academy of Agriculture documents his life dates, birth in Finistère and Iowa State master’s degree in 1957. French Academy of Agriculture · memorial (PDF) ↗
  2. Iowa State recalls his time in Ames and the scientific relationships maintained over the years. Iowa State University · 2016 ↗
  3. The Academy’s memorial traces his subsequent role in INRA’s Animal Genetics Division. French Academy of Agriculture (PDF) ↗
Portrait to follow
View the professional profile ↗
Photo on the source website. Reuse permission pending.
Des Moines · French and English

Linda Sabic

Real estate professional

Realty ONE Group Impact · Greater Des Moines

A real estate professional with Realty ONE Group Impact, Linda Sabic helps clients with residential projects across Greater Des Moines. Fluent in French and English, she also provides language support for newcomers to Iowa.

Real estateFrancophone connections
Background, milestones and sources
  1. Her professional profile identifies her with Realty ONE Group Impact in Greater Des Moines. Linda Sabic’s professional profile ↗
  2. Her agent biography documents French and English language skills and interpreting and translation work. Homes.com · Linda Sabic ↗
Portrait to follow
View the university profile ↗
Photo on the source website. Reuse permission pending.
Des Moines · language access

Edita Habibic

Entrepreneur and interpreter

Founder of EDITA Incorporated

The founder of EDITA Incorporated, Edita Habibic develops interpreting and translation services that help people access essential services. An Iowa State University graduate in French and World Languages and Cultures, she includes French among her professional languages.

Interpreting and translationEntrepreneurship
Background, milestones and sources
  1. EDITA Incorporated’s website documents her founder role and the company’s services. EDITA Incorporated · official website ↗
  2. Her university profile describes her Iowa State studies and language-access work. University of Arizona ↗
  3. Iowa’s professional directory documents her working languages, including French. Iowa Interpreters & Translators Association ↗
← All sections

Places and their stories

The places

Places we remember

Bakeries, pastry shops and restaurants in Iowa and the Midwest with connections to French culture. Closures and changes of restaurant name are documented where sources allow; uncertain details remain clearly marked.

Meet the people · Hall of Fame →

A first selection documenting local businesses since 1996. This is not a complete inventory; each entry distinguishes confirmed dates from details still to be established. Sources checked October 11, 2026.

Recent restaurant stories and what followed

These recent chapters highlight David Baruthio’s projects and Marc Navailles’ work across several Iowa cities. Dated milestones identify each chef’s role at each stage.

David Baruthio · 2024 takeover
Source ↗

The Surfside · Clear Lake

444 North Shore Drive · Clear Lake, Iowa

2024 · address now listed under Rivara

David Baruthio’s spring 2024 takeover of The Surfside marked a new chapter in Clear Lake. Near the Surf Ballroom, he offered seasonal cooking shaped by local ingredients and international influences. Business Record · 2024 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. The chamber of commerce announced a reopening under the new management for May 28, 2024. Clear Lake Chamber · May 2024 ↗
  2. The address is later listed as Rivara. This entry covers David’s 2024 Surfside takeover; its end date and Rivara’s management remain to be documented separately. Chamber of commerce directory ↗
Dining offered at Legacy at 19
Source ↗

Bistro Nineteen / Legacy at 19

3331 19th Street SW · Mason City, Iowa

Late 2024 · a chapter in David’s work in 2025

At Legacy Golf Course in Mason City, Bistro Nineteen extended David’s northern Iowa restaurant journey. He presented it as one of his restaurants in April 2025. Cityview · 2025 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. A first-anniversary celebration in December 2025 places Bistro Nineteen’s beginnings in late 2024. Visit Mason City · 2025 ↗
  2. Interview published in April 2025. Cityview · 2025 ↗
  3. Bistro Nineteen’s website now redirects to Legacy at 19, whose site still offers dining. David Baruthio’s current role is not established there. Legacy at 19 · official website ↗
David and Marc · collaboration in 2025
Source ↗

Belmond Golf and Country Club restaurant

Belmond, Iowa

April 2025 · the club restaurant

Belmond brought their careers together: in April 2025, David Baruthio said he had taken over the club, with Marc Navailles leading its restaurant. Cityview · 2025 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. Recorded in April 2025. The exact takeover date is not specified. Cityview · 2025 ↗
  2. The club appears in the city’s tourism information. The restaurant’s current name and team are not specified in the sources retained for this period. City of Belmond ↗
Marc Navailles · chef in 2023
Source ↗

Purveyor

East Village · Des Moines, Iowa

November 2023 · Mike LaValle’s project

In 2023, Marc Navailles served as chef at Purveyor, Mike LaValle’s project. His experience and craft became part of the culinary life of Des Moines’ East Village. Cityview · 2023 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. The November 1, 2023 interview describes Marc in his chef role. His start date and later position are not documented in that source. Cityview · 2023 ↗

Café Madeleine’s history card distinguishes the closed fixed venue from continuing events under that name. Café Madeleine →

Remembered restaurants and bakeries

Restaurant closed at this address
Source ↗

Baru 66

6587 University Avenue · Windsor Heights, Iowa

2010–2019

As chef and co-owner alongside Sara Hill, David Baruthio brought contemporary French cooking and seasonal ingredients to Baru 66. The Windsor Heights restaurant offered a distinctive expression of that craft within the Des Moines dining scene. dsm · 2013 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. Opened: 2010. Des Moines Register / Yahoo ↗
  2. The Windsor Heights restaurant closed in 2019; reports from that period document the change of restaurant. Cityview · 2019 ↗
Closed venue · bakery, then bistro
Source ↗

Croissant Du Jour / L’Auberge

3531 Mount Vernon Road SE · Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Opened in 2004 · closed by February 2019

Ian and Isabelle Cummings opened Croissant Du Jour in 2004. The French bakery-café later became L’Auberge, a bistro at the same address. KHAK · 2026 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. In 2012, Cornell College French professor Devan Baty described taking students there to sample pains au chocolat as part of learning about Francophone culture. Cornell College · 2012 ↗
  2. An October 2015 city record already identifies L’Auberge as Croissant Du Jour’s successor. A later account gives 2016: the exact transition year remains to be confirmed. City of Cedar Rapids · 2015 (PDF) ↗
  3. By February 21, 2019, L’Auberge had closed: the local business press reported a new occupant for its former premises. Corridor Business Journal · 2019 ↗
  4. A new chapter: the family opened Café Déjà Vu in May 2026. This is a new business, not a closed venue included in this collection. KHAK · 2026 ↗
Former French café and bakery
Source ↗

Tartine · Clive

12695 University Avenue, Suite 140 · Clive, Iowa

2011–2013 · under the Tartine name

Opened in 2011, this French café and bakery served pain au chocolat and brunch. It remains part of the culinary memories of the western Des Moines area. Firsthand visit account · September 2011 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. A firsthand account published on September 25, 2011 describes Tartine as newly opened and mentions its pain au chocolat. Firsthand visit account · 2011 ↗
  2. The Clive address appears in the 2011 trademark filing reproduced by an independent directory. USPTO.report · historical record ↗
  3. Customer photographs describe the venue as a French café and bakery. Flickr · photographs and captions ↗
  4. Tartine became Table 128 in 2013. Des Moines Register · April 2024 ↗
  5. Table 128’s official history dates the opening of its original Clive location to May 2013. Table 128 · official history ↗
Closed · Italian-inspired food
Source ↗

Blue Tomato Kitchen

860 First Street · West Des Moines, Iowa

Documented in 2014 · closed in 2016

At Blue Tomato Kitchen, owner David Baruthio and chef Nick Illingworth created a relaxed West Des Moines setting for pizza and pasta. The restaurant reflects another side of David’s culinary journey, embracing Italian flavors. Cityview · 2014 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. A review published March 5, 2014 documents the restaurant in operation. The exact opening date remains to be established. Cityview · 2014 ↗
  2. Closed November 1, 2016, as reported in an article about the venue’s new occupants. Cityview · 2017 ↗
Closed · Mediterranean food
Source ↗

Bistro Nomad

1430 Locust Street · Des Moines, Iowa

2019 · closure reported early 2020

Bistro Nomad brought together two chapters in David Baruthio’s and Marc Navailles’ careers: David helped launch the restaurant, and Marc later led its kitchen. Overlooking Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the table offered diners a journey through Mediterranean flavors. Cityview · 2019 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. Its opening was documented in a 2019 local column. Cityview · May 2019 ↗
  2. Its closure was reported February 5, 2020. The last day of service is not confirmed. Cityview · 2020 ↗
Former fixed venue · name still in use
Source ↗

Café Madeleine · Des Moines

218 Sixth Avenue · Fleming Building · Des Moines, Iowa

2025 · venue closed by July 2026

Café Madeleine reflected chef-owner David Baruthio’s craft through an intimate format combining fixed-price menus and conversation with guests. Cityview · 2025 ↗ · Maîtres Cuisiniers de France · chef profile ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. Opened: January 28, 2025. Des Moines Register / Yahoo ↗
  2. On July 20, 2026, Axios reported plans for Cuvée in the former Café Madeleine space. The last day of service remains unknown. Axios · 2026 ↗
  3. The Café Madeleine website still offers traveling dining experiences between France and Des Moines. Closure of this venue therefore does not mean the Madeleine name has ended. Café Madeleine · official website ↗
Former restaurant names · museum venue
Source ↗

Baru at the Art Center / Gaston

4700 Grand Avenue · Des Moines Art Center, Iowa

2013–2016 · renamed in 2016

At the Des Moines Art Center, David Baruthio’s cooking accompanied museum visits through Baru and then Gaston. His 2016 collaboration with Alban Blot brought a relaxed French menu to the setting, connecting the pleasures of dining with artistic discovery. Business Record · 2016 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. The opening of Baru at the museum is documented in 2013. Cityview · 2013 ↗
  2. Gaston succeeded Baru in February 2016 with a more casual French menu. Cityview · 2016 ↗
  3. Chef’s Palette took over in 2016. Gaston’s exact closing day is not confirmed. Cityview · 2017 ↗
Closed · pub food and French classics
Source ↗

Saison Kitchen + Pub

6611 University Avenue · Windsor Heights, Iowa

2017–2018

At Saison, partners David Baruthio and Mike Crownover brought together selected French classics and the welcoming spirit of a pub. The Windsor Heights restaurant offered another setting for approachable, convivial dining. Business Record · 2017 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. The restaurant was open by March 1, 2017. Cityview · 2017 ↗
  2. Its closure appears in the review of 2018. The last day of service remains to be established. Cityview · 2019 ↗
Closed · steak and seafood
Source ↗

Prime Land & Sea

1261 Eighth Street · West Des Moines, Iowa

Opened November 2015 · closed by 2019

At Prime Land & Sea, David Baruthio and Sara Hill developed a table centered on steak and seafood. Jazz added to the atmosphere of this West Des Moines restaurant, bringing a musical note to their local restaurant story. Cityview · 2016 ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. Opened in November 2015, as confirmed in a review the following year. Cityview · 2016 ↗
  2. Demolition of the building was reported May 1, 2019. The restaurant’s exact closing date has not been established. Cityview · 2019 ↗
Closed · Marc Navailles, chef-owner
Source ↗

Al Punto

Windsor Heights, Iowa · Argentine grill

Chef-owner in 2019 · closed in 2019

As Al Punto’s chef-owner, Marc Navailles brought his French training to a table dedicated to Argentine grilling. The Windsor Heights restaurant forms a distinctive chapter in his Midwest culinary journey. Marc Navailles · professional profile ↗

Timeline and sources
  1. In his professional profile, Marc Navailles recalls coming to the Midwest in 2017 to purchase Al Punto. Marc Navailles · professional profile ↗
  2. A May 2019 review identifies Marc Navailles as Al Punto’s chef-owner. Cityview · 2019 ↗
  3. In September 2019, Cityview reports Al Punto’s closure and Marc Navailles taking over the kitchen at Bistro Nomad. Cityview · 2019 ↗

A place can close. What it gave us remains.

Your memories can enrich these first entries. Did you know one of these places, keep a dated record, or own a photograph you can authorize us to use? Share a contribution; it will be checked before publication.

BakeriesPastry shopsRestaurantsIowa & Midwest
← All sections

1996 and our history

1996

Early traces in the press

A newspaper article already documents a group of young French visitors in Iowa discovering the Johnson County Fair.

1998

Stays and encounters grow

Language and cultural experiences continue, creating lasting connections between France and Iowa.

2000s

Connections across the Atlantic

Students, adults in immersion programs, interns and visitors discover the Midwest and leave with memories and friendships.

2010s

A community with many journeys

Different experiences, with one thing in common: an encounter with Iowa, its culture and its people.

TODAY

Where are they now?

We are reconnecting with people who spent time in the Midwest to share their memories and discover their lives today.

ARCHIVE COLLECTION · IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN · JULY 24, 1996

Where are they after 30 years?

The report “Not so far from Paris — French culture meets agriculture” presents the French group at the Johnson County Fair. Both pages are preserved here as reference documents.

Colorized presentation of the 1996 report; see the original PDF scans for the reference document

Colorized preview with preserved proportions. To read the text, use the original PDF scans below.

Read and zoom the original scan (PDF) Read the second page (PDF)

The PDF reader lets you zoom without stretching the page. If your browser does not display it, open the PDF using the button above.

Read and zoom the original scan (PDF)
← All sections

Reconnecting through stories

FIRST JOURNEYS

Stories are already finding their way back.

The Hub is starting to reconnect with former teachers, expatriates, participants, families and community members. Named profiles will appear only after their approval.

EDUCATION · IOWA

A former head of a French department

A story is being prepared about a long career in French teaching, Iowa's French-speaking community and an upcoming return to France.

Awaiting approval
YOUR STORY

Did you spend time in the Midwest too?

A few paragraphs and a photo are enough to get started. The Hub can help you shape your story.

Share a memory
MIDWEST FRIENDS

Yesterday, today, tomorrow

A living gallery to reconnect people, events and places — without publishing personal profiles without consent.

Comic-style illustration: waterfront walk with fictional figures seen from behind Comic-style illustration: pétanque in the park, with fictional characters seen from behind Comic-style illustration: suitcase, letters and travel memories between France and the Midwest
YOUR MEMORY PROFILE

“I was there.”

Year, city, type of stay, old photos, “my life today” and people met: everyone can tell their story in their own way.

Share a memory
← All sections

Share your memory

YOUR VOICE

An encounter, a table, a moment shared.

Share your memory in a few words. You may add a photo you have permission to share. Every contribution is reviewed with you before publication.

Share a memory

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