Category Archives: People in the News

Where the focus is on individual Bricklynites, including Gloria Vanderbrick’s “People in the News” articles and interviews.

It’s Time for Brickardy!

September 6, 2025

by Gloria Vanderbrick, The Bricklyn Eagle’s culture & entertainment correspondent.

Do you know the name of Bricklyn’s favorite TV game show? If you’re from Bricklyn, the answer is obvious: it’s Brickardy.

Outlanders quickly realize, if they chance to drop in to a bar like the Bricklyn Alehouse while Brickardy is on, that they don’t need any explanation of how the game show works.

*All photos in this post by The Bricklyn Eagle, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.*

Bricklynites from all walks of life dream of being contestants.

You can be a history teacher; a llama herder; a weaver; a grocer; a recycler; a spa manager; a scientist; an EMT tech; or a meteorologist. You can be anything and be on Brickardy!

I sat down with Brickardy host Zen Brickthings for a short interview.

Gloria Vanderbrick for The Bricklyn Eagle: Hi Zen. Let me start off by asking you just why you think Brickardy has been such a popular show.

Zen Brickthings: I believe, Gloria, that it’s primarily because of the incredible knowledge and humor of the host! Of course I’m kidding about that … or am I? But really, we have great contestants who know lots and lots of stuff about Bricklyn; and even have a surprising depth of knowledge about the Outland world, which, as you know, we sometimes ask about.”

Most importantly, our viewers love to play along with the game at home, or with friends at, say, the Bricklyn Alehouse. Some will shout out their responses. It almost seems like we can hear them miles away in our studio.

Many viewers marvel at our contestants’ knowledge, and sometimes after a broadcast will look up questions covered in the evening’s show.

Last, but not least, Bricklynites enjoy seeing friendly competition, where no one has a bad word to say about their fellow contestants.

Gloria Vanderbrick: Zen, who prepares all those challenging Brickardy questions? Don’t you run out of ideas?

Zen Brickthings: We’ve got a staff of hundreds who mine every conceivable source of trivia. I jest. It’s just a dedicated staff of three. They’re all Bricklyn trivia nerds, and you might even remember them as former Brickardy champions. So I guess being on our staff is a great career option for some of our contestants! As an aside, I should note that I sometimes wonder how anyone so addicted to trivia has time to work at a full-time job. But that was also me before I landed this gig as the show’s host!

We use the 40 volume Encyclopedia of the Realm of Bricklyn as one of our primary sources, and it includes over 5,000 separate entries. What’s more, it’s supplemented by a wide array of other sources we use — yes that even includes The Bricklyn Eagle — especially when we’re looking to deal with current topics, say, involving music or entertainment.

*Brickardy staff working out possible questions and answers for future shows.*

Gloria Vanderbrick: I know that Brickardy is no longer a “Bricklyn only” game show. Just how popular has Brickardy become?

Zen Brickthings: Brickardy’s popularity is unmatched among Bricklyn game shows, being ranked most popular the last ten years. This has led to close adaptations of Brickardy in two dozen other Inland Realms. In fact, next Spring there will the first “League of Inland Cities Tournament of Champions.” So those of you in other Inland Realms, stay tuned.

*Three contestants in the 2024 Brickardy Teen Challenge.*

Gloria Vanderbrick: One more question for you Zen. What’s one of your favorite things about hosting Brickardy?

Zen Brickthings: I’d say it’s the chance to host our annual Brickardy Teen Challenge, now in its fourth year.

The Teen Challenge gives our viewers the chance to see that we have high school students here in Bricklyn who know quite a lot about our Realm, and even about the Outland world beyond us. And it’s good to see that young people can enjoy immersing themselves in a wide variety of subjects.

Gloria Vanderbrick: That’s great to hear! Now Zen, my Editor told me that you’d have a surprise for me tonight.

Zen Brickthings: Yes I do Gloria. Walt Brickman asked me to let you know that as part of a joint project of Brickardy and The Bricklyn Eagle, you’ve been given the assignment of interviewing the nine past Brickardy contestants whose photos are featured near the top of this post. That includes a history teacher; a llama herder; a textile artist; a grocer; a recycling technician; a spa manager; a scientist; an EMT; and a meteorologist — in other words a wide variety of Bricklynites, not just famous celebrities like me.

Gloria Vanderbrick: Actually that should be a very enjoyable assignment. But when you mentioned a big surprise I thought you’d meant I’d be a contestant on Brickardy!

Zen Brickthings: If you complete this new assignment, I’m sure that can also be arranged.

Gloria Vanderbrick: Now that’s something worth looking forward to!

Editor’s Note: We also look forward to Vanderbrick’s reporting. Too often in our paper we’ve focused on celebrities, politicians, and others who are “in the news.” We hope that our Outland readers will get a better feel for what life in Bricklyn is like by Vanderbrick interviewing a cross-section of Bricklynites — though admittedly a cross-section of people who are a bit on the nerdy side!

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

To the Editor: Brickardy’s a great family show! So glad you ran this article. I’m already looking forward to Ms. Vanderbrick’s interviews with past Brickardy contestants — great idea. One day I’ll screw up the courage to try out for the show. I especially like categories involving history, and am glad to see you’ll be featuring “Winny” Tiler Jackson. Winny happens to be my son’s (excellent) 9th grade history teacher. As some of your paper’s readers may know, she also volunteers time as Chief Historian of the Realm of Bricklyn. It will be a treat to learn more about Winny. — Sofia Plater Wright, Bricklyn, Vermont

To the Editor: So glad to have Zen Brickthings as host. He certainly has been ably filling the shoes of long-time host, the late Alec Trebrick. I heard that Brickthings was president of the trivia club at Bricklyn University — one more piece of trivia to know! — Thomas Tiler Tillman, Bricklyn Jct., Vermont.

New Brick City Delegation Visits Bricklyn: Key Takeaways

August 10, 2025

by Mark Tiler Richmond, Politics & Law Correspondent

A delegation from New Brick City, Rhode Island, has just wrapped up its first visit to the Realm of Bricklyn, Vermont.

A group of LEGO figures stands in a formal setting, with vibrant decorations and a throne in the background. The characters are dressed in various outfits, suggesting a celebratory or ceremonial occasion.

From left to right in Bricklyn’s Historic Throne Room:
Bricklyn Welcome Committee: Bricklyn Eagle Editor Walt Brickman; Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Brickorti; Bricklyn Federal Council President Hilma Plater-Zybrick; and Bricklyn Federal Chancellor Malter Thurnbrick (wearing hat) // New Brick City Delegation: Mayor Clark Brickson (with Key to New Brick City); DR & Co. CEO Lisa Brickman; and New Brick City YouTube influencer BlitzBriks.

Northside residential development. — Bricklyn’s Northside Complex. All photos in this article unless otherwise noted are by Bricklyn Eagle’s Ann Tiler Anderson.

During their visit to Bricklyn this week, members of the New Brick City delegation focused their attention on key issues that Bricklyn has faced.

Mayor Brickson and others in the New Brick City delegation expressed particular interest in Bricklyn’s transportation initiatives and its innovative bicycle and pedestrian network (the “red tile pathway”) that links all key locations within the Tripartite Realm of Bricklyn.

The visitors also saw the controversial Bricklyn Loop Monorail, and were briefed on the challenges in its construction.

Also discussed were issues related to housing affordability and economic development.

Broffman in front of his Ferrari 250 GTO — Dunk Them Donuts CEO David Tiler Broffman. Photo by Ann Tiler Anderson with assistance of Dall E AI.

Delegates toured the Northside mixed-use complex, and also gained an in-depth look at the key role that Dunk Them Donuts has played in Bricklyn’s economy,

The delegation met with Dunk Them Donuts CEO, David Tiler Broffmans and visited several Dunk Them Donuts facilities, including its state of the art donut production plant. See photo below.

Dunk Them Donuts workers in Bricklyn Junction using the donut extruders to insert fillings.
*Photo by Ann Tiler Anderson with assistance of Dall E AI.*

EMS crew tends to a head pop-off in Bricklyn. Photo by Walt Brickman.

The New Brick City delegation also witnessed — with some bafflement — an event apparently unique to Bricklyn: a “head pop-off.” This occurs when teenagers race in front of Brick Rail trains in order to be hit by the train engine, often resulting in their head popping off their body.

Medical crews are located nearby. But given the rigid plastic nature of LEGO minifigures, serious damage very rarely occurs, and the boy’s (or girl’s) head can be quickly popped back on — resulting in only a mild headache. Unfortunately, however, this teenage dare-you game can lead to delays in Brick Rail service, inconveniencing many Bricklynites.

Mayor Clarkson concluded the group’s visit by presenting Bricklyn Federal Council President Hilma with a ceremonial Key to the City, and inviting her and others from Bricklyn to visit New Brick City this Fall.

New Brick City Mayor Clark Brickson gives hefty Key to New Brick City to Bricklyn Federal Council President Hilma Plater-Zybrick. Photo by Ann Tiler Anderson taken in the wood-paneled Tom Swiftbrick meeting room inside the Bricklyn Federal Office Building.

Before the New Brick City delegation headed back to Rhode Island, the Bricklyn Eagle spoke with three of the New Brick City visitors.

The Bricklyn Eagle (Mark Tiler Richmond): Mayor Brickson, you were recently elected on a “smart growth” platform. What does that mean for New Brick City’s future?

Mayor Brickson: The previous City administration, unfortunately, ignored smart growth principles. We were headed in the wrong direction by lowering taxes too much.

While this was popular with a number of residents it had unfortunate consequences for the city. It harmed our ability to construct desperately needed affordable housing. It also prevented the city from implementing needed transit upgrades, negatively impacting New Brick City’s economic development and future growth. When voters elected me as mayor last November, they showed their support for a dynamic, smart growth agenda.

Our aim is to provide more housing, and allow for higher density development. Two new skyscrapers, which will also have include retail uses on the ground floor, are already on the drawing board.

Better transit options are also essential to not only support new housing, but also to help our local businesses grow.

A LEGO figurine of a businesswoman holding a briefcase and an umbrella, wearing a blue suit and smiling. — Lisa Brickman, CEO of DR & Company in New Brick City.

Lisa Brickman (CEO of DR & Company): Let me add my agreement with what the Mayor just said. Our company develops a wide range of high-tech products. We want to grow our business.

In fact, we are grateful that our visit to Bricklyn has resulted in an invitation to become a member of the League of Inland Cities, an organization founded by Bricklyn that focuses on fostering commerce and the flow of goods between LEGO cities and realms.

Mayor Brickson: To add a note to what Lisa just said, we’re pleased to announce that Dunk Them Donuts will be opening a deluxe donut shop in New Brick City. We hope this is one modest indicator of the benefits New Brick City will receive through its inclusion in the League of Inland Cities. I’m looking forward to signing a resolution from our governing body in the coming weeks authorizing us to join the League.

The Bricklyn Eagle: We’ve heard that New Brick City fosters ethnic diversity, and that you, BlitzBriks, as a young LEGO influencer have been at the forefront of this effort.

BlitzBriks (LEGO influencer): Yes, we’re proud that we’re an inclusive, ethnically diverse city. One area that has taken off is the variety of ethnic food offerings now found in New Brick City.

Inside the new Dunk Them Donuts shop. — A Deluxe Dunk Them Donuts shop may soon open in New Brick City. Photo provided by Dunk Them Donuts, with assistance from Dall E AI.

Most recently that has included a new sushi shop; a fantastic pizzeria; and a a Middle Eastern kebab restaurant.

That’s all in addition to a beautiful burger bar; a delightful deli; and a powerfully potent pub.

We’re also looking forward to Dunk Them Donuts opening up and providing their mouth-watering treats to New Brick City residents.

Donuts being loaded onto plane for shipment to more distant Inland cities. — Dunk Them Donuts has the capacity to quickly ship donuts from its Bricklyn Junction facility to LEGO cities throughout North America. Photo provided by Dunk Them Donuts, with assistance from Dall E AI.

A LEGO representation of TJ's diner with a sign overhead. Two figures are standing in front, one holding a burger, while a third figure is seen at the counter inside. The scene features a vibrant LEGO city backdrop. — BlitzBriks on right holding a New Brick City king-sized burger.

I also had the opportunity to have lunch at TJ’s trolley car diner while in Bricklyn, and learned how Chef TJ and his crew converted a vintage Bricklyn trolley into a busy take out location.

As you can see, I also brought along samples of some tasty New Brick City burgers which Chef TJ defrosted and grilled to perfection!

Finally, I do need to mention the wild head pop-off we witnessed yesterday along Brick Rail’s main line, close to TJ’s diner.

**Photos of two head pop-offs by Ann Tiler Anderson of The Bricklyn Eagle.**

While it was kind of exciting to see, I’m not going to recommend it to my followers since it can really have a big negative impact on train service, when EMS workers need to take the time to go onto the track to scoop up the head and body, and then reconnect them.

The Bricklyn Eagle: Thank you all for speaking with us — and for those Bricklyn Eagle readers who would like to follow New Brick City influencer BlitzBriks, you can find him on his YouTube channel. ✥

A colorful LEGO-style graphic featuring a stylized eagle head against a blue background, with various circular colored pieces in the foreground.

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

To the Editor: So glad to see the forward thinking of New Brick City’s Mayor Brickson. Good planning is essential to having a healthy, vibrant city or town!

As my Realm (Brickover, New Hampshire) is a member of the League of Inland Cities (LIC), I look forward to New Brick City’s entry into the LIC. By the way, the LIC through its Inland Sports League (ISL), sponsors an active program of friendly inter-city competition. I heard that New Brick City influencer BlitzBriks is also an active youth league soccer player. Every year the ISL runs exciting tournaments among its member cities in soccer, baseball, basketball, and even pickleball. — Jonathan Bricklegs, Brickover, NH.

To the Editor: To follow up on your reporting, the League of Inland Cities has formally added New Brick City, RI, as its newest member! We look forward to NBC’s participation in LIC activities. — Respectfully yours, Lars Brickmussen, Presiding Official, League of Inland Cities.

To the Editor: The Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française is delighted to hear that New Brick City values diverse cultures and foods. New Brick City residents who visit Bricklyn will delight in the joie de vivre and fine cuisine represented in Bricklyn by both the highly rated Étoile du Nord restaurant in South Bricklyn overlooking the Great Bricklyn Chasm and Pastries by Patsy in downtown Bricklyn. While Bricklyn is best known for its donuts, don’t lose sight of our French dining locales — which will only be enhanced now that Bricklyn has become part of the French Republic! — Bill Tiler French, South Bricklyn, VT.

Members of the Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française inside Pastries by Patsy. — **Pastries By Patsy**

Chef Christophe with his special take on Bouillabaisse à la Marseillaise. — **Pastries By Patsy**

Photos above by Bricklyn Eagle’s Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance of Dall E AI.

Two LEGO figures outside a police station: a police officer holding a baton and a handcuffed man who is Homer Simpson who stole some donuts. — Homer Simpson arrested for stealing donuts from Bricklyn Police Station. Photo by Bricklyn Eagle photographer Ann Tiler Anderson. August 3, 2025.

To the Editor: Why are you writing about Bricklyn and this New Brick City? Why don’t you tell your readers instead, Mr. Editor, about the terrible thing that happened here in Bricklyn to my son Homer! I know he’s a bit of a rabble rouser. But why for Pete’s sake was he arrested for taking a few donuts from the police station? I hear those hard-to-resist treats were just sitting there on the counter!

Why are we talking about shipping thousands of donuts to this New Brick City? Never even heard of that place before. We need to keep our donuts here in Bricklyn, or us Simpsons will be moving back to Springfield! — Abraham Jebediah “Abe” Simpson II, aka Grandpa Simpson, Bricklyn, VT.

Bricklyn to Welcome New Brick City Delegation

August 2, 2025

by Gloria Vanderbrick, People In the News Correspondent

Two LEGO figures, one in a red shirt and the other in a blue shirt, stand facing a vibrant LEGO city display with a banner that reads 'WELCOME NEW BRICK CITY' in a cheerful setting.

Bricklyn leaders are readying for the visit later this week of a delegation representing the LEGO realm of New Brick City, Rhode Island.

This will be the first time representatives of New Brick City will be making the long trip to the Tripartite Realm of Bricklyn, Vermont. Special Visas will be issued for their entry into Bricklyn. Given that Bricklyn is now part of the Republic of France (as an overseas territory) entry requirements have been tightened for security reasons.

A vibrant LEGO-themed assembly hall with several LEGO figures waving and smiling in the foreground, French flags displayed prominently in the background. — Bricklyn leaders celebrating France National Assembly’s decision to make Bricklyn a part of the French Republic.

After touring Bricklyn, the New Brick City delegation will discuss possible membership in The League of Inland Cities with Lars Brickmussen, the League’s Presiding Officer.

Also on the agenda will be talks with officials from both Brick Rail and Brick Air about future rail and air service linking Bricklyn and New Brick City.

A vibrant LEGO scene depicting a blue train at the Brick Rail facility, with miniature figures interacting and working in a colorful environment.

During their stay in Bricklyn, New Brick City visitors will also have the chance to help build a commemorative LEGO model of Brick Rail’s original logging train. This train was important to Bricklyn’s development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as timber was transported from Bricklyn’s forests to its sawmills. For more on the history of logging railways.

A LEGO model of a logging train on a wooden bridge, with logs loaded in the train's car and two LEGO figures standing beside it.

New Brick City visitors will also have the special opportunity to visit the Vermont Outerlands, which borders Bricklyn.

A vibrant and detailed miniature landscape depicting a rural area with green hills, a winding river, and several farms. The scene includes houses, barns, and cows grazing on lush fields surrounded by trees. — Small bridge over the Brickooski River connecting Bricklyn (on left) to the Vermont Outerlands.

Once again, we look forward to giving a warm Bricklyn welcome to our New Brick City visitors.

A colorful LEGO-inspired eagle design featuring a bold yellow beak, striking blue eyes, and fluffy white feathers, set against a bright background with various circular LEGO pieces.

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

To the Editor: Both the Federal Council of the Realm of Bricklyn and the Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce are pleased to have representatives from New Brick City visit. We look forward to our planned meetings which will help foster closer ties between our two Realms. — Hilma Plater-Zybrick, President of the Bricklyn Federal Council, and Tom Brickorti, CEO of the Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Federal Council President Hilma Plater-Zybrick — **President Hilma Plater-Zybrick**

A LEGO figure with a brown mustache and a blue suit stands on a red tile surface, while a small gray cat figure is positioned in the background by a building. — **President Hilma Plater-Zybrick**

To the Editor: We the students of Bricklyn’s Red Brick School are happy to have visitors from New Brick City. We have seen photos of New Brick City and it looks like a cool place to live. We hope you like our city. Maybe you will have some good ideas for making Bricklyn even better — Milly Plater-Zybrick, 6th grade class president.

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