North Carolina Fastest Trowel on the Block

Words: Ryan ShaverThe North Carolina Fastest Trowel on the Block competition will be held Wednesday, November 15 in Gold Hill, N.C. from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

The first place mason and tender will win $2,500 plus entry, airfare, and two nights accommodation for the national Fastest Trowel on the Block competition in Las Vegas. Second place will be awarded $1,500 and $1,000 for third place.

For more information and to register, contact Byard Stevens at 336-580-5457 or bstevens@scmaonline.org.

Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q1

February 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk. Q. A Mason Contractor states they were asked to construct a brick veneer on a multi-story pr

David Biggs

Bonding with Masonry

No Shortcuts: The Journey of Real Stone

February 2026

Have you ever stopped and really thought about how that stone on the wall got there? I don’t mean the install...not the mortar, the scratch coat, or the clean-up. I mean the whole journey. From the first cut in the earth to the

Rob McKay

Technical Talks

Stop Gambling on the Wall: Why the Modern Jobsite Demands a Sure Thing

February 2026

If you have spent any time walking the carpeted aisles of the World of Concrete, you know the vibe. It is a sensory overload of heavy machinery, slick demos, and the collective optimism of thousands of contractors. We are in Las Vegas, the gambling capita

Shayne Sanders

Technical Talks

Helical Beaming: Strengthening Masonry from the Inside Out

February 2026

In the world of masonry restoration and retrofit, the goal is always the same: preserve the character and craftsmanship of historic structures while ensuring their long-term stability. But anyone who has worked on century-old brick or stone buildings know

Tiffany Tillema

Technical Talks

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