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City Hall during Clean Day Bricklyn

Clean Day Bricklyn is Today!

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.

Photo of Clean Day Bricklyn activities in front of Bricklyn City Hall.
Photo by The Bricklyn Eagle’s Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

[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.

Photo of Bricklyn Eagle photographer Ann Tiler Anderson interviewing Bricklyn Treasurer Abigail Plater Jeffries.
Bricklyn Eagle photographer Ann Tiler Anderson (left) speaking with Bricklyn Treasurer of the Realm Abigail Plater Jeffries (right). Photo taken by City Clerk Gilbertson, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

[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.

Photo of Clean Day spraying and scrubbing at Bricklyn East Side Gazebo Park.
Photo by The Bricklyn Eagle’s Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

[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.

Photo of Laurie B.
Laurie B. …. photo by The Bricklyn Eagle’s Gloria Vanderbrick, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

[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!

The Bricklyn Diner exterior.
Photo by The Bricklyn Eagle’s Gloria Vanderbrick, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

[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.
Clean Day Bricklyn activities in Eastside neighborhood.

[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.

Photo of students at Bricklyn's Red Brick Middle School scrubbing and washing the school during Clean Day Bricklyn.
Students in front of Red Brick Middle School on Clean Day Bricklyn. Photo by The Bricklyn Eagle’s Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

[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!

Bricklyn Eagle staff cleaning the exterior of the Eagle Building on Clean Day Bricklyn.

[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.

Hikers on a country path in Bricklyn

Recreational Opportunities Abound in Bricklyn!

From Editor Walt Brickman

November 13, 2024

In these stressful times for many outlanders, we thought you might enjoy viewing a short slideshow prepared by the Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Bricklyn Parks & Recreation Department.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are from Chamber of Commerce or Parks & Rec. Dept. archives, prepared with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

Enjoy a game of chess or mah-jongg? There’s a group for you. Like to hike in the Outerlands? Follow one of Bricklyn’s many scenic walking paths. Are you a fishing enthusiast? Cast a line while watching a Brickrail train go by.

Recreational opportunities abound in Bricklyn! Take the chance to explore not just marine life, but the enormous wreck of the container ship “Full of Bricks” — and make use of our new pickleball court.

Plus playgrounds, swimming lessons for kids, and a wonderful carousel!

For those slightly older, every Tuesday night there’s dancing in the street!

… or explore your artistic side with the Bricklyn League of Plein Air Painters. Remember, the climate is always ideal for being outdoors in Bricklyn!

Let us know your favorite activity.

We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com

Sally Plater Sanders at Vocal Brickmotion’s South Bricklyn repair shop. Photo from The Bricklyn Eagle archives, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

To the Editor: Thanks for sharing that slideshow about Bricklyn’s amazing recreational opportunities. I do want to give a shout out to Sally Plater Sanders, Director of Vocal Brickmotion, a group that’s done a great job in advocating for bicyclists and walkers. They helped lead the effort that resulted in voters approving the bond issue that helped cover the cost of the wonderful bike & ped path that now links Bricklyn, South Bricklyn, and Bricklyn Junction. — Kelly B, South Bricklyn.

To the Editor: Great post! Bricklyn Eagle readers might be interested to learn about an terrific example of the positive connections between residents of the Realm of Bricklyn and the Outland city of Burlington. I’m referring to the rapid growth of Bricklyn’s Mah-Jongg League, triggered by seeing seeing how Mah-Jongg rapidly caught on in Burlington. For those readers not aware of what happened in Burlington, take a look at this short video by Eva Sollberger, one of the regular contributors to Burlington’s Seven Days newspaper and website. — Marilyn P., Vermont.

To the Editor: What I love best when I need to relax is to visit Bricklyn’s lovely arboretum. Here are some photos I took when I visited there last week.

The arboretum also offers visitors a free donut and cup of coffee or glass of milk. Very nice, and makes sense since donut magnate Dave Broffman provides most of the funds for the arboretum. BTW, those Dunk Them Donuts are the best! — Georgie B., Bricklyn Jct., VT.

To the Editor: My name is Jen and I’m 12 years old; and my name is Ben and I’m 10 years old. We were surprised you did not mention the Danish game, KLASK, that lots of our friends in Bricklyn are playing. We’re kids but we also know that a lot of adults, like our parents, play KLASK when they go out and see friends. Here’s a short video that shows the basics of how to play the game, in case anyone doesn’t already know. Also, have you seen this other video of excited players at a KLASK contest. It’s kind of funny. We sometimes have tournaments with our friends too. Our parents said it was OK to send you this email and they checked what we wrote. — Jen and Ben, South Bricklyn, VT.

Promoting Tolerance & Mutual Understanding

Note from Editor Walt Brickman: We’ve received a surprisingly large number of inquiries from Outland visitors to the Realm of Bricklyn asking about our religious values and places of worship. Henry Tiler Harrison, who teaches comparative religion, among other subjects, at the University of Bricklyn has submitted the following to us, which we’re pleased to publish as key Muslim, Jewish, and Christian holy days are approaching.

February 25, 2024

From Henry Tiler Harrison for The Bricklyn Eagle

As most readers of The Bricklyn Eagle know, Bricklyn’s earliest settlers came from Denmark, whose official state religion was and remains Evangelical Lutheran.

Since Bricklyn’s disassociation from the Realm of Denmark and re-association as the Realm of Bricklyn in 1981, Bricklyn’s population has steadily grown more diverse. This is due, in part, to immigration from other Inland realms, but also owes to The LEGO Group’s decision to produce more LEGO minifigures who are racially and ethnically diverse.

Certainly some Bricklynites have chafed at the resulting demographic changes, but I think it is fair to say that the Realm of Bricklyn has been a welcoming place for those of different faiths and ethnicities, including Bricklynites who identify as atheist, agnostic, or unaffiliated with any religious tradition.

Photo of Pastor Neuman, Imam Hassan, and Rabbi Weinstein, by William B. Miller for The Bricklyn Eagle. All photos in this post by William Miller with assistance from Dall E-3 AI unless otherwise noted.

I asked three key religious leaders who meet together over tea each month if they would discuss with me how their respective faiths seek to promote tolerance, mutual understanding, and concern for social justice.

The three are: Pastor John Plater Neuman, who leads the First Lutheran Church of Bricklyn; Rabbi Rachel B. Weinstein from Temple Beth-Shalom in Bricklyn Junction; and Imam Ibrahim B. Hassan, from the Islamic Center of Bricklyn.

Unfortunately, due to recent surgery, I was unable to join them for tea. But they graciously agreed to record their conversation about the question I had posed. So let me turn the balance of this post over to Pastor Neuman.

Pastor Neuman: Our good friend Henry, who is recovering from surgery, has asked us to discuss the following question: “In what ways do the religious faiths you represent seek to promote tolerance, mutual understanding, and concern for social justice here in the Realm of Bricklyn?”

First Lutheran Church of Bricklyn in a beautiful wooded location near the Brickooski River..

Pastor Neuman: Let me start off by sending all our best wishes to Henry for a speedy recovery.

Tolerance and coexistence is essential in a society with diverse beliefs. Lutherans fully agree with that, and believe that our Christian faith stresses the importance of the values Henry cites in his question. Did not Jesus preach of their significance?

Interior of First Lutheran Church.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we see how Jesus highlighted the importance of caring for the poor and marginalized when he taught: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-37.

Temple Beth-Shalom in downtown Bricklyn Junction.
Interior of Temple Beth-Shalom, during Torah study session.

Rabbi Weinstein: Certainly, our three faiths share much in common, including the core principles you just set out Pastor.  

One thing our congregants at Temple Beth-Shalom have done, and it has been in conjunction with members of the Bricklyn Islamic Center — in fact Imam Hassan has been one of the organizers — is for members of both our synagogue and the Islamic Center to meet at each other’s homes for dinner.

It’s a great way to start growing personal connections. And, as we all know, there’s no better place to do that than over food!

Imam Hassan: Yes, Rabbi, the dinners have been, praise be to Allah, joyous occasions, and they are already leading to better understanding among congregants of our respective communities.

While we all are part of the Inland LEGO world, we’re also not unaffected by what is happening to our brethren in Outland communities. In these dark Outland times, we can only try to model cooperation and understanding in our own Inland realm.

Mutual understanding is fostered by interfaith dinners together.

Pastor Neuman: I hope I’m not the only one quoting scripture, but as Christians we also draw on Luke 10:25-37, The Parable of the Good Samaritan, which emphasizes the importance of compassion and helping those in need, regardless of social or cultural differences. It encourages a sense of social responsibility.”

Judge Marnya Brickerlan outside her chambers. Photo from Bricklyn Eagle archives.

Imam Hassan: Pastor, the actions of the good Samaritan also resonate with Muslims.

I should mention that our community took pride last month in the words of Bricklyn Judge Marnya Brickerlan, who allowed young Patricia Perry, the Bricklyn High School track star visiting from another realm, to rejoin the track team. 

The judge spoke of the important Muslim principle and practice of “welcoming the guest,” even quoting from two Islamic scholars who said — and I brought their words here with me today:

The Islamic Center of Bricklyn.

“Honoring the guest is among the most significant values and rules that have great input in the welfare and righteousness of the Muslim society. … Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon himself) considered honoring the guest one of the major signs of strong faith.”

Interior of the Islamic Center (shortly before start of service).

It was an honor to Muslims to have one of our practices recognized in this court decision.

Rabbi Weinstein: Imam, I was also going to bring up that Court ruling. We’re proud to have Judge Brickerlan as a member of our congregation. She also cited, as you know, from Leviticus: “When strangers reside with you in your land, you shall not wrong them. The strangers who reside with you shall be to you as your citizens; you shall love each one as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:33-34).

Pastor, you see you’re not the only one quoting from scripture today!

Let me also mention another thing we all have in common, and that is our support for that wonderful young peoples’ organization, One Bricklyn.

Students participating in the One Bricklyn youth program.

Pastor Neuman: First Lutheran Church is so pleased to provide meeting space for these teenagers. They come from each of our congregations, and from other congregations in the Realm. They not only get to know each other and build friendships, but also take actions to promote the welfare of those in Bricklyn who are most in need.

Imam Hassan: Yes, both a nephew and niece of mine also participate, along with other teens from the Islamic Center. Young people can really lead the way!

One Bricklyn shows us that our youth can be leaders in finding practical ways to help those in need — whether from organizing food drop-offs to visiting the homes of elders who lack family support.

As my niece just told me the other day, she believes that by volunteering with One Bricklyn, she has also been changed, and feels she now has a real stake in the broader Bricklyn community.

Pastor Neuman: Excellent comments! But I’m afraid we’re out of time, as our tea pot has run dry. Let me stop this recorder, and I’ll get it over to Henry. Hope to see you, Rachel and Ibrahim, back here for tea a month from now … and let’s invite Henry to join us!

Rabbi Weinstein: Shalom to all.

Imam Hassan: Peace be upon you. ✥

We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com