From Bricklyn Eagle Editor Walt Brickman
Monday, December 2, 2024
Four times each year: on the first Monday of December, March, June, and September Bricklynites of all ages take the morning off to clean up Bricklyn — while having a lot of fun. It’s called Clean Day Bricklyn.
As most readers probably recognize, all of Bricklyn is made of a specially formulated LEGO brand of plastic. As a result, it is very important that the surfaces of all buildings, streets, sidewalks — as well as “natural” surfaces such as stones, grass, flowers, and even Bricklyn’s lakes and bay — are regularly given a good scrubbing.
Bricklyn Eagle photographer Ann Tiler Anderson went out in the field to capture some of today’s Clean Day action, and also had her recorder running so she didn’t have to write down notes. She started by the steps of Bricklyn City Hall.
[Ann Tiler Anderson for The Bricklyn Eagle] Here we are at City Hall, and glad I have my camera ready because City Hall staff are out in force scrubbing the steps leading up to the entry door. There’s City Clerk Gil B. Gilbertson in the gray suit on the first step. Clerk. Gilbertson, good morning. How are things going?
[City Clerk Gilbertson] Hi Ann. Couldn’t be a better thing to do on a sunny December morning than give our City Hall a good scrubbing. But got to do something about these gritty tiles we’ve been encountering; may need to replace them unless our tougher scrubbing brushes work. We’re going to give them a try.
[Bricklyn Eagle]] I also see Abigail Plater Jeffries, the Treasurer of the Realm, standing near the top steps. How are you doing Madame Treasurer?
[Treasurer Jeffries] Doing great! Glad to see The Bricklyn Eagle covering this event; it’s so much fun! Oh my, I just got soaked. Wait a sec. Yes, we Bricklynites know that besides having fun — and getting some exercise — what we’re all doing today is saving the Realm about ten thousand CuDos ,funds that would otherwise be needed in the DPW budget if city employees were to do this work.
[Bricklyn Eagle]. Thanks Treasurer Jeffries … I’m now walking over to the East Side Gazebo Park. Should just take about ten minutes.
[Bricklyn Eagle] Here we are. What a happy crowd of Bricklynites! Let me speak with the red-capped gentleman holding the red hose. Hi, sir, yes, can I ask you a question? I’m Ann with The Bricklyn Eagle. What’s your name, and why are you taking the time to be here spraying this morning? [Bill] JHi. I’m Bill. Love these Clean Days. What a great way to meet neighbors and clean up our LEGO bricks, tiles, and plates. Just spoke with a couple of visitors to Bricklyn, said they’re from Brickover, New Hampshire. There’s one of them, the young lady with the pony tail on the Gazebo platform. Think she said her name is Laurie. [Bricklyn Eagle] Bill, anything surprise you today. [Bill] Just that every Clean Day we have seems more enjoyable than the one before.
[Bricklyn Eagle] I’m heading up to the steps of the gazebo to speak with the young lady with the pony tail. Hi ma’am. I’m Ann with The Bricklyn Eagle. Mind if I ask you a question? But first, what’s your name? [Laurie B.] My name is Laurie B. [Bricklyn Eagle] Laurie B., what brings you here today? [Laurie B.] I’m here with some friends. We came up from Brickover, New Hampshire to join in Bricklyn’s Clean Day. Took the Brickstar train. That sure was fun, and so is doing this clearing. Made some new friends here too. We need something like this in our Realm. We’re going to let our councilors know we want to start up a Clean Day in Brickover!
[Bricklyn Eagle] There will also be some music here at the gazebo at Noon, as soon as Clean Day cleaning wraps up. Are you staying for that? [Laurie B.] Wouldn’t miss it. That’s why we’re taking the overnight train back to Brickover. So my friends and I will be here for the music, then walk around a bit before heading over to The Bricklyn Diner. We heard it’s a great place for some good home cooking … and it’s not far from the train station!
[Bricklyn Eagle] I’m heading over now to Bricklyn’s Red Brick Middle School. Should take about fifteen minutes. Will post some photos on the way over there as I’ll be passing through the Eastside neighborhood.
[Bricklyn Eagle] A lot going on in Eastside. Took a bunch of photos, but these two are typical of the Clean Day activities I was seeing.
Photos of Eastside neighbors taken by The Bricklyn Eagle’s Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
[Bricklyn Eagle] OK. Just got to the Red Brick School. Sure looks like everyone is busy, and smiles on all the kids’ faces. Lots of them have their overhauls on. Smart idea. Let’s see who’d like to talk to me … Young man, yes, you holding the gold-colored bucket in front, I’m Ann with The Bricklyn Eagle, can I ask your name? [Peter] I’m Peter [Bricklyn Eagle] Peter, do you like Clean Day Bricklyn? [Peter] It’s fun to clean things up with all these suds around. Plus, no classes this morning, which is a good thing since I didn’t get all my homework done. Hey, are you recording this!? [Bricklyn Eagle] Don’t worry. Tell you a secret Peter, I never did homework on Clean Days when I also went to this very school. The teachers don’t expect it … and I even see two of your teachers there by the front door helping out with some spraying.
[Bricklyn Eagle] I’m going up to the young lady on the lowest step with the spiky orange hair and holding a spray hose. Hi. I’m Ann with The Bricklyn Eagle. What’s your name? [Al] Hi. I’m Alene. But you can call me Al. [Bricklyn Eagle] Al, what do you like best about Clean Day Bricklyn? [Al] In class last week we talked about our community, and what makes it strong and a good place to live. I think our Clean Days are part of the spirit that brings us together. I like that. [Bricklyn Eagle ] Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks, Al, and enjoy the rest of Clean Day!
[Ann Tiler Anderson for The Bricklyn Eagle] That’s all from me, Walt. Dropping my photos and recording off at The Eagle offices. Hope you can use them, and thanks for the fun assignment. Hope the Eagle staff also took part in Clean Day Bricklyn! ✥
The Bricklyn Eagle staff cleaning exterior of The Eagle Building on Clean Day Bricklyn, Dec. 2, 2024. Photo by Walt Brickman, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
For more about another way Bricklyn students engage wiith the community, learn about the teen-run organization, One Bricklyn.
We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com
To the Editor: Just took a look at your very interesting article. I’m what I guess you call an Outlander, since I’m from New Jersey. I like reading your paper online, but I know there’s a lot I still don’t understand about Bricklyn. Wouldn’t your Clean Day Bricklyn also involve folks picking up trash along roadways or in parks? Your reporter didn’t mention this. That’s what we really could use having cleaned up here in our Garden State, not spraying and scrubbing everything in sight. — Cindy L, New Jersey
Reply from the Editor: Sorry some aspects of Clean Day Bricklyn weren’t adequately explained. The spraying and soapy scrubbing is needed to keep the LEGO bricks in good shape so they don’t get grimy or discolored as they age.
As to your other question, there’s almost no litter to pick up in Bricklyn’s parks, along roadways, or in any public space. One of the characteristics of Bricklynites is they love keeping public spaces neat and clean. They simply rarely litter, and when they do it’s pretty much by accident. Also, any time Bricklynites spot a piece of litter, they’ll just pick it up and bring it to the nearest trashor recycling bin. It’s no big deal, and just part of being “community minded.” However, being located in an enclave in the State of Vermont, we’re also impressed by our adopted home state’s annual Green Up Vermont day.
