APTOS—Lasting 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 Saturday.
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, co-executive 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 elements of Aptos history while underscoring the importance of maintaining history today.
“The railroad came here in 1875 and Aptos was largely a lumber yard village,” he said. “There were 13 saloons and a few hotels. Most people lived in the lumber camps.”
Looming behind Hibble was the historic Hihn apple-packing warehouse, which, as part of the Aptos Village Project, was transformed into the New Leaf Community Market. The building, whose construction started roughly in the 1890s, was just a hint of the grandeur of Aptos history that Hibble touched on in trying to garner interest in the Celebration Brick Program.
Hibble reminded the crowd that thanks needed to go to folks like former supervisor Ellen Pirie, who set the wheel in motion to revitalize the village.
“This was a community-planned village in its third incarnation,” Hibble said.
He welcomed applications for the next round of commemorative bricks, whose fee includes engraving and installation.
“Buy a brick; preserve a memory,” he said.
Money raised goes to support the Aptos History Museum and the Aptos Chamber.
To purchase a brick, call 688-1467.
