THE MAINE SCHOOL OF MASONRY Building a stronger tomorrow...with help.

MAINE SCHOOL OF MASONRY IN THE NEWS Attendance hits record Morning Sentinel Waterville, Maine, Monday, March 20, 2006   Article and Photograph By Betty Jespersen, Staff Writer, 778-6991 Wilton – Steve Mitchell spent the day Saturday talking about the need for more skilled masons in Maine and about the masonry school he started in Avon this year to teach the art of the stone and bricklaying. He has a steady stream of visitors, some looking for a masonry contractor, but several asking about his Maine School of Masonry during the 12 th annual Franklin County Home & Leisure Show. About 80 businesses and organizations had booths at the show sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. The show, for years held at Mt. Blue High School, outgrew its space and this year, expanded to the Nichols Expo at the Nichols Bass Business & Technology Center, the former home of Bass Shoe. Mitchell said landscapers, contractors and carpenters are interested in his masonry courses to expand their businesses, while homeowners envision stone fireplaces in their homes and rock walls in their gardens. Some do-it-yourselfers also ask about the adult education classes at the school on Route 4 between Phillips and Strong. Mitchell, who runs a three-person masonry crew when he is not running the school, owns the only private masonry school in New England. He also travels to vocational high schools across the state to teach mini-masonry courses as part of construction classes. The son of longtime vocational instructor Alden Mitchell in School Administrative District 9, he has also taught beginning masonry, carpentry and electrical work to 7 th and 8 th-graders from School Administrative District 58. "This country is losing 1,500 masons a year and what we are doing is trying to save the trade," he said. "Masonry is such a unique skill because you are creating something that is yours." Over at the Shoe Shop Cafe, Vicci and Christopher Hamel of Industry were taking a break in their browsing to enjoy a bowl of hot soup prepared by the Mt. Blue Sports Boosters. Beside them were bags filled with giveaways from exhibitors, including a computer program from Benjamin Moore Paints. Vicci Hamel said they had talked to the manager from Aubuchon Hardware about paint and were told the easy-to-use software will display any color they choose on downloaded images of their home. "The important thing about this show is that it brings the customer and the supplier together," Hamel said. Hammond Lumber's Al Feather, manager of the Farmington store, said visitors asked about the log home kits, kitchens and home construction packages. Jody Harmon, had women trying out the hydraulic-resistance exercise machined and learning about the new weight-loss and nutrition classes. And Ellen Curtis of Kingfield Savings Banks said the new location at the Expo has attracted more people than ever and gives business people a good chance to network. At Webber Energy Fuels, sales representative Matt Wotton said he had been busy since 9 a.m. A common concern was the high cost of oil and new, energy-efficient oil and gas furnaces. "The biggest benefit of this event is having a chance to show people what their options are and to have a chance to talk to our own customers about their concerns," he said. "We don't make a lot of sales but it is a great (public relations) event." "The show this year is great. Fabulous. About and beyond expectations," said Laurie Blake, the executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce as she looked down aisles filled with people.   Back to top.