A time for family

Words: Jennifer MorrellWho do you consider to be your “family?” Does your family consist of your blood relatives only, or does it extend to friends and other loved ones? Do you have a second family that is your “masonry family,” made up of those with whom you work, day in and day out, to make our industry stronger? My guess is that you do.

I think that’s what makes the masonry industry different from many other construction industries and lines of work, in general. A great number of masonry companies are family owned, with many being generational. A sense of pride is woven through the business and the beautiful buildings that masonry produces.

We have a niched area of the construction market, and we value the art and strength of masonry.
As I write this editorial, Paris has only five days ago been attacked. Thanksgiving is around the corner, and the holiday season will soon be upon us. We could easily enter the holidays with a heavy heart and solemn disposition. And, though I know our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims of terrorist violence, I hope we can take this time to turn to our families, friends and loved ones to be reminded of the peace, love and hope surrounding us all. From Masonry Magazine to you and yours, Happy Holidays.
Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2
June 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.

The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma