Gold Hill Masonry Day

Words: Lynn NashSome 200 masonry students, instructors and school administrators from surrounding counties participated in High School Masonry Day at Gold Hill in mid-November.

Johnson Concrete Company and Carolina Stalite hosted the event at their Ben Ketchie Park on a perfect fall day and provided tours of the Carolina Stalite lightweight aggregate manufacturing plant and demonstrations of masonry materials, accessories and equipment.

A chicken barbecue lunch for everyone was prepared and donated by Huntley Brothers Company and McGee Brothers Company who, along with Gates Construction Company, provided volunteer masonry professionals to guide the students through the exhibits and answer questions about careers in masonry.

The Predident-Elect of the North Carolina Home Builders Association, Gary Embler, presented the keynote address to the gathering.

The brainchild of former masonry instructor Ryan Shaver, now with Johnson Concrete, Ryan says future such events are planned for other parts of the Carolinas.
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