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Candy company exec who mass-produced Peeps gets his own day

With prime Peeps season about to get underway, the Pennsylvania city where they're "born" is honoring the man who brought marshmallow chicks to the masses.

Bethlehem is the Pennsylvania city where they peeps are "born." Its mayor proclaimed a "Bob Born Day" to honor the man who brought marshmallow chicks to the masses.
Bethlehem is the Pennsylvania city where they peeps are "born." Its mayor proclaimed a "Bob Born Day" to honor the man who brought marshmallow chicks to the masses.Read moreMatt Rourke / AP
    by Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — With prime Peeps season about to get underway, the Pennsylvania city where they're "born" is honoring the man who brought marshmallow chicks to the masses.

The (Allentown) Morning Call reports that Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez proclaimed Friday as "Bob Born Day" in a ceremony at company offices.

Born, now 94, joined his father's candy business in 1946 and figured out a way to automate production of Peeps, which had been made by hand. Today, Just Born produces about 5.5 million Peeps per day.

The city's proclamation says Peeps are "an iconic symbol of Easter."

Just Born CEO Ross Born, Bob Born's son, says "we are thankful for his many years of service to Just Born."

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Information from: The Morning Call, http://www.mcall.com