Turning leaves, busy times

Words: Jennifer MorrellWe are smack in the middle of fall, and both Masonry and the MCAA have been productive and busy.

In late-September, the Masonry staff attended the CSI/CONSTRUCT Show, which was held in The Gateway City, St. Louis. The show is a dynamic mix of education, information and networking. The aisles were bustling with activity, and the booths were full — a great outcome for exhibitors. We were able to spend time with manufacturers, distributors and vendors, both old and new to our magazine. Innovation and breakthrough technologies surrounded the Masonry team as we observed the latest wall systems, new products and cutting-edge services for our industry. You’ll find coverage of the CONSTRUCT Show in the November issue of Masonry.

While the crew from Masonry was working the CONSTRUCT Show, the MCAA was holding its Midyear Meeting in Key West, Fla. Attendees experienced fun activities unique to the Florida Keys, along with networking events and delicious dinners. The group took part in the ever-popular Speed Dating event for contractors, and the association conducted business via Committee Meetings and the delivery of a Legislative Update from The Keelen Group. Annual Safety Awards were bestowed to deserving recipients as well. The Midyear Meeting is an event not to be missed.

I hope you enjoy the November issue of Masonry, which focuses on green building, natural stone and handheld tools for masons. We wish you a cornucopia of happy times this fall.
The Enduring Power of Structural Masonry
July 2025

Masonry has been holding its ground for millennia — literally. And thanks to the simple brilliance of arching action, it continues to do so with strength, style, and surprising efficiency. In an era of advanced modeling and fast-moving schedules, one time

Outreach Outlook: Momentum in Motion
July 2025

As we move into the heart of summer, the masonry industry continues to thrive—fueled by innovation, partnership, and a growing commitment to excellence in education and workforce advancement. June has been a remarkable month, marked by events that not onl

Building More: Slow, Fast, or Consistent. What is Tempo?
July 2025

It was a drizzly midweek day when I rolled up to the project we were working on just outside of town. The foreman paced the scaffolding, rain hood half-zipped, barking at two laborers who were sprinting bricks like they were late for a flight. Forty feet

Marvelous Masonry: Belém Tower
July 2025

The Belém Tower in Lisbon, Portugal, stands as a testament to stone construction's enduring artistry and technical prowess. Erected between 1514 and 1519, this iconic structure served as a defensive bastion at the mouth of the Tagus River and as a ceremon