February 12, 2025
by Bricklyn Eagle correspondent Gloria Vanderbrick
All images & photos in this article are by Ann Tiler Anderson of The Bricklyn Eagle, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
© Bricklyn Eagle.
Gloria Vanderbrick (The Bricklyn Eagle)
As most of you know, the founders of Bricklyn are of Danish origin. So, it’s surprising to find that there is a strong and growing chapter of the Alliance Française in Bricklyn, Vermont.
Today, we are discussing the work of this Francophile organization with its two co-Presidents, Jeannette Brickehl and Patsy Brickerson.
Hello Jeannette, hello Patsy! Sorry for my bad French. When I was a student at Bricklyn University, I started studying this beautiful language, but that was a long time ago.
Jeannette: No problem. In fact, one of the most important objectives of the Alliance is to offer courses to Bricklynites who want to discover the beauty of the French language. We have people like you, Gloria, who also want to reengage with the language.
Patsy: If I may add, the Alliance offers courses at many levels from “beginner” to “advanced.” There is a wide range of subjects covered by the courses.
For example, last year I took a course that explored the simple but profound novel The Little Prince.
We also find it very important to provide our students with courses that are enjoyable and relaxing. It is best to learn in a stress-free environment.
Jeannette : We also employ teachers who are not only smart but friendly. Of course, they are also fluent in French!
Our classes meet in a spacious office next to Patsy’s cafe.
It’s a very nice place, and Patsy is an extraordinary hostess! …
Bricklyn’s Avatar law requires that Outland owners of Bricklyn businesses must use as an avatar a LEGO resident of Bricklyn. Here you can see a photo of the “real” Patsy, a little disguised.
Patsy: Thank you, Jeannette. I think our Café is an excellent addition to the downtown area,
It’s important, Gloria, that your readers also know that we use the freshest ingredients, often from the Vermont “Outerlands” — like their many delicious cheeses!
Gloria: I’d like to take a minute to ask you why there are so many Bricklynites who want to learn French?
Patsy: As you know, Gloria, Bricklyn is not far from the kingdom of Montbrick in Quebec. So many people share ties with the LEGO peoples who emigrated from Denmark in the great exodus of the 1980s. Yes, most landed in Bricklyn, but many decided to go to Montbrick.
Brick Rail is currently installing a railway line between Bricklyn and Montbrick in Quebec. One day the new “Brickstar” TGV trains will run on this track.
Jeannette: I must add another reason that may explain the growth of the Alliance Française here, it is because we are a very friendly group!
Gloria: Yes, and I know you offer not only French classes but also other activities.
Jeannette: Certainly! We have monthly evening get togethers. Sometimes you need to relax and eliminate the stress of everyday life.
Patsy : The Alliance has also started offering trips to France.
Last September, some of our members took a vacation in France! We collaborated with the organization Rogue Schoolers. I believe you have an article on your website describing this journey.
Gloria : Yes you can find it here.
Gloria : Will you have other trips in the future?
Patsy : In fact, we will be talking tomorrow with Rogue Schoolers about a trip in autumn to Provence!
We also make connections with the LEGO realms that can be found in France, and we offer five scholarships each year to students of the sixth grade who come from the LEGO realms in France. This allows them to spend a semester in Bricklyn.
Gloria : I must ask you this question that I am sure our Outland readers will have: How can the Alliance Française of Bricklyn have the means not only to pay these scholarships, but also to own a great edifice in Bricklyn that seems almost as spectacular as the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in France (which the Rogues Schoolers visited last year)?
Patsy : And don’t forget, Gloria, that all the courses we offer are free!
Jeanette: Let me explain.
In 1988, shortly after the first LEGO people from France arrived in Bricklyn, they saw this wonderful building, which was simply called “The Bricklyn Chateau.”
But it was a complete mess. These new Bricklynites decided to buy the Chateau at a very low price, and they slowly restored the large building.
Today, three-quarters of the building has become the “Bricklyn Innovation Center.” The Center hosts some fifteen startups employing more than seventy Bricklynites.
The other quarter of the Chateau houses both the Alliance offices and a large room that we use for various meetings and social events.
The revenues we receive from the Innovation Centre allow us to cover our costs. …
The main salon of the Alliance Française in Bricklyn. For some reason, the members of the Alliance Française of Bricklyn prefer old American westerns.
Jeannette : I should add that we have many other local events. For example, when the weather is nice we have weekly petanque competitions. It’s an easy game to learn, but not easy to master.
Gloria : So, Jeannette and Patsy, thank you for this interesting conversation. May I ask how can we become members of the Alliance Française de Bricklyn?
Patsy: I’ll register you right now! And for our readers from the Outland, you can join the Alliance Française chapter of the Lake Champlain Region.
We welcome letters to th editor. Please email: bricklynvt@gmail.com
