Getting Creative

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

Bronzella Cleveland, Editor - bcleveland@masonrymagazine.com

  It is official, it is barbecue season, and so how many have you hosted or been to? I have to say, I’m guilty of getting out of the house and grilling as much as I can because there is something about the smell of the grill, the fruit salads, and all the trimmings. Plus, the weather can’t be any better, who doesn’t love a cool breeze?  Dan and I always compare cooking notes, as I’m sure we have said once before. It is all about trying new things and getting creative with the dishes. The same can be said about the masonry industry, every day I see something new that pertains to masonry, the creativity and options are endless. We have about two months or so to get creative and try something new, be it on the grill or cooking or in your everyday life. But that’s enough talk from me about food and getting creative.   Let's jump into what you will find in this month’s issue. Following my note, you will find a contractor Q&A focusing on employee onboarding. Since that is such an essential part of the hiring process, we decided to talk with three contractors to get their opinions and experiences on the topic. Be sure to stop and read this informative article and if you have any topics or questions you would like answered, feel free to send them our way.   Our cover story focuses on historic mortar restoration while providing a look at an example case study featuring a historic building in Chicago, IL. Discover more about this process, it may all begin with a camera. You will also find our recap from this year’s Legislative Fly-In, so if you didn’t get to come out this year, be sure to check out the talking points and the tours that were taken while in Washington D.C.   There is a Technical Talk on brick efflorescence, a case study highlighting the restoration of Cincinnati’s Music Hall, an update on anchor bolt provisions in masonry code, a look at innovations in work wear, and a workforce development article focusing on the next steps to growing this industry’s workforce.   This issue is packed with tons of good stories for you to check out. As always, if there is something you would like to see in the magazine or if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me or Dan.   Until next time, get out there and be creative!  
GEN NXT: Mason Paolini
May 2026

This month, the MCAA got to talk with Mason Paolini, a mason who has a clear passion and talent for the trade he has such high praise for. Read about Mason’s story and why he sees a future in this industry. Mason Paolini’s career began with a simple desi

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Tianjin Zhongshuge Library
May 2026

It is not unusual today for masonry to be treated as a surface decision rather than a structural one. Too often, brick enters a project late in the process, trimmed back by budgets or reduced to a veneer once the “real” building work is finished. The Tian

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More
Fechino Files: Concrete Pavers around a Pool
May 2026

Many folks over the years have placed concrete pavers around their pool as a nice form of decorative pool deck. Early in the 2000’s, I took a class held by the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute, then known as the ICPI. At the time I attended the class

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Chairman's Message: Staying the Course
May 2026

Spring is one of my favorite times of year. There’s energy in the air. Jobs are picking up. Crews are hitting their rhythm. Schedules are filling up. You can feel momentum building again. And every year around this time, I find myself thinking about con

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →