COMMUNITY
Tarmo Hannula
BUILDING COMMUNITY John Hibble, co-executive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce and curator of the Aptos History Museum,
MARCH 2020 | APTOS LIFE
heads a ribbon-cutting for the Celebration Brick Program in Aptos.
4
Bricks highlight Aptos L Program helps keep memories alive, fund Chamber, History Museum By TARMO HANNULA
asting memories of loved ones, events, businesses and organizations might now last a little longer in Aptos thanks to the Celebration Brick Program and a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony that unfolded Feb. 15. About 100 people gathered around one of eight tree wells at the Village Green, the centerpiece of the new Aptos Village Center, to aid the Aptos Chamber of Commerce in cutting a red ribbon. They were celebrating the completion of a brick-lined planter with 144 bricks, each emblazoned with commemorative inscriptions, the first of eight such tree wells. “We’re making history here,” said John Hibble, coexecutive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce and curator of the Aptos History Museum. “Our goal is to complete all eight tree wells. This is for people who
want to have something left behind in the village and to help a good cause.” Each brick costs $200 and features words of the purchaser’s choice commemorating friends and family, special moments, businesses, organizations, events, pets, passed ones and just about anything else they can fit on a small red brick. One brick read: “ROSEMARY F. WILL YOU MARRY ME? GEORGE.” The letters accompanied a small heart sign. Aldina Real Estate and Aptos/La Selva Firefighters had bricks in there along with another that read: “HOWARD & HELLEN FOLGER, TOGETHER 74 YEARS.” “I think it’s a great idea,” said local realtor Ruth Bates. “I’ve been a part of this community for the past 21 years and I think things like this help build a community.” Hibble shared with those gathered key ➝5
