Photo: Sam Freij, Karen Freeman, Drake Daniels, Ian James, Tyler Kachnovich and Cole Jandreau complete the project by cleaning up the bricks.

FARMINGTON — Maine School of Masonry students completed a community project at Living Waters Assembly of God on the Wilton Road.

Students helped design and build a beautiful brick sign planter. The school’s instructor Steve “Mitch” Mitchell added the three cross design. Morin Bricks of Auburn donated the bricks that were used for the sign.

Six students from the school spent three days building the sign and the fourth day cleaning the bricks. These types of projects allow the students to work in the community and use materials that they are learning about using in school.

Continue reading “Masonry students complete community project”

September means back to school, and students at Maine School of Masonry in Avon are no exception. Owner Steven Mitchell, pictured here, points out that once they complete the nine-month course, they will be equipped with a trade —one that is wide open, he said. (BJ Bangs photo)

AVON — September marks back to school, and for students at Maine School of Masonry in Avon, once they complete the nine-month course, they will be equipped with a trade —one that is wide open to those that want to “really become good at it,” said Steve Mitchell, owner and operator of the school.

Fewer and fewer people are becoming masons, he said, much because it is a very physically demanding job. On the upside, he said, it’s very creative, and something that can last through history. Stone work has existed since the days of the pyramids. “It’s a really good program for the right kids… But they need to be motivated, and want to go out and find the contractors, become apprentices, and find the jobs,” he said. Continue reading “Learning a skill”