An Action-Packed Issue

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

An Action-Packed Issue

Bronzella Cleveland, Editor - bcleveland@staging1.masonrymagazine.com

As excited as I was about the warm weather, I have to say I’m ready for fall weather. It’s the absolute best time of the year. It's not just the leaves changing or the obsession with certain spiced seasonal Starbucks drinks. It’ll officially be “sweater weather” in our neck of the woods. The past couple of months the magazine team has been working hard to get the editorial pieces together for the New Year. There are so many new things that’ll be coming to you in the next couple of months. I can’t wait for you to see what we have in store. There are a lot of articles in this issue you’re sure to love. Following my note, you’ll find this month’s safety article Don’t Take Your Hand Tools For Granted. Make sure you read the restoration case study on Kent State University. Learn how barriers help to maintain the masonry on this educational facility. Our cover story features exciting news for the industry The MCAA announces the newly developed Healthcare Plan. This is monumental for the industry and has been in the works for some time. We’re excited to provide our readers with the details of this plan for mason contractors. Don’t miss out on this industry-changing news. Be sure to read the introduction to XYZ University’s research involving the masonry industry. We focus a lot on workforce development and stimulating interest in the younger generations when it comes to the construction industry. Their research will help to shed some light on the reasons behind that and more. Everyone has some sort of issue with their cellphones. It's a job in itself to ensure it survives day-to-day wear and tear. So this month we're featuring the CAT smartphones S41 and S61. You don’t want to miss our product review of these “construction-proof” phones. Following this review there's an interior uses thin brick and stone article you won't want to miss. This month’s installment of our GEN NXT series, we talked with Scaffoldmart’s Director of Marketing Chase Smith. Check out his story and plans for the near future. It’s always nice to see efforts to increase female interested in the industry, be sure to check out the Build Like A Girl article that follows the GEN NXT interview. It’s always nice to see efforts to increase female interest in the industry There is a lack of female interest in this industry, so Miron Construction Co. Inc. created this event to spark interest in construction for young girls. There’s also an update from our South of 40 chairs Brandon Hartsell and Mason Hill. See what they have in store for the upcoming months. Lastly, the holidays are right around the corner, so be sure to take a look at our 2018 Gift Guide. There’s tons of cool stuff that any mason contractor would love.
The Importance of Eye Protection in Masonry
January 2026

There are few stereotypes more iconic than the image of a construction worker wearing a hard hat and safety glasses. Protective glasses are among the most common items worn by workers in the masonry field, second only to the hard hat. According to OSHA, w

Justus Everett
Safety Library
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2026 Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel on the Block Winners
January 2026

Convention
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Holding History Together: The Art of Lateral Restraint in Masonry Restoration
January 2026

The first thing you notice about an old masonry building isn’t always its beauty. Sometimes it’s the bow in a wall or the way time and the elements have tugged at the mortar joints. Every century-old structure carries its story in cracks, tilts, bows, and

Tiffany Tillema
Technical Talks
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Stone Savvy: Helping Clients Choose Stone with Intent
January 2026

In today’s design environment, clients are surrounded by inspiration, endless images, samples, and styles that make choosing materials feel exciting and overwhelming all at once. Within that sea of options, stone carries weight. It defines first impressio

Sarah Lograsso
MAP Partner
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