I am a U.S.A. mason/musician who began working in the family masonry stone business 1969 I worked along the same masons who built the churches of the 20s and 30s. My family was involved in the stone jobs of WPA era. I am US Navy veteran and studied Law and Architecture at the college level, visited over 60 countries, was a union mason in NJ, and taught masonry a few times for the PA PCC program. I had my real estate license over 4 years and currently continue passing along many of my "Old School" mason techniques, I play the guitar banjo & fiddle and recorded in Nashville 1993 and toured The USA, Europe & China, I am now retired in southern Florida and still play a few times a month (check out my Facebook site) It is impossible to give masonry advice over the phone or internet. , My way is not the only way to do things, God bless, Mike "a new video can be expected about every 14 days (for my other channel, RV, car repairs, music, scuba, sailing, etc. see the links below)
Great story Mike...we're a few miles north of you in Sebring and love it-goodbye NY. Scuba dived a lot of the islands and the Caymans are our favorite...sure beats the Delaware River lol.
Been watching your videos for a long time, and I always knew I liked you! What a character! I’m 72 and was just visiting Florida and really liked it. But I don’t think I’ll ever move away from Texas! Good luck in your new home. What a great story. Thanks for sharing it👍👍👍😎🇨🇱
Glad to see you made the move Mike. I live near your old stomping grounds. . . in Old Forge - up from Julia's Restaurant. Love hearing your stories. Thinking of making the move south when I retire next year. Hope it all works out for you. God Bless
Where's my comment Mike? Maybe I accidentally didn't send it. Okay, Take 2. I love, love this video! Love the photos. You have an active, interesting life! Enjoy it all! You look very happy and well. I wish you all the best in anything you decide to tackle!
I´m a painter in key west. moved here in 2000. It got expensive really fast for housing. I´m going to miss the masonry videos. And in the old days they used salt water and coral for their concrete. Spalling work every where. Good luck to you. I, for one can never see myself living on the mainland again. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, so right next door to your old stomping grounds. Don´t have to worry about freeze and thaw cycles down here. How many Conchs does it take to change a tire? It´s a trick question....... there are no tires on a boat!!!!
Mike, I didn't know you were in the Navy.I was also and retired from Ohio, but in Texas 20 years.Work all trades at some level when I feel like it.Thank you for your service to our country and for your trade information. We try to keep the trades alive.Welcome to warm weather.
This is Frank one of your subscribers I'm glad you finally made it to Florida I've been living in the keys for 30 years and I plan on dying here good luck to you and whatever you do
You are real Renaissance Man, who never you had such a vast background and connection with Florida. Why did you buy a home at the height of the market? Smart move to own your property lot.
Been in Polk County for about 17 years and it's being built up really fast in the last few years and the demographics are not good. I like Florida but thinking of heading back to the rural Midwest.
Glad you're where you want to be, Mike. My wife and I are going to downsize and you're right about getting rid of stuff. It isn't easy but if you think about how much you use an item, it helps to realize if you need the thing. Take care and I'd love to hear more about how Florida compares to the northeast re. masonry. Brian p.s. I see you are doing better with the wimmin.
This person is a one of those old school mammoths, who can teach you all the skills they got through of their life! Not because of money he might get, but to pass it. Value that, people! I've learned a lot from him and all my masonry work was based on his videos: block work, slabs, decorative stone. Plus bunch of friends call me to do a job as an expert. He was at CT and I was at NY, so pretty close. Mike, i am glad you moved to a place where you are finally happy! Live long, teacher! Love you Your russian friend.
I was going to take some shots about the typical PA to FL migration story, but you cashed your Floridian check in the 50s so free pass brother welcome home. :D
Nice video Mike. I didnt realize you had a Keys connection. My first trip to Florida was in 1955 with 2 buddies in my new 55 chevy. We went to the races in Daytona, they were still racing on the beach then. We went on to Miami beach, then over to the west coast, then headed north back to Pa. Thats when i should have moved to Florida. Next trip was over the Christmas holidays in our new 31’ Holiday rambler trailer in 1973. We spent a week in a camp ground on Long Key, and i got my first glimpse of Duck Key at mile marker 61. In 1986 i bought a canal lot there on Yacht Club Island. I built my own home on it and moved there full time in the mid 90s. I had a master captains license and was hired on at Hawks Kay Resort to run fishing charters with my own boat. My wife of 49 years was killed in that house when she fell from a 3 step stool and struck her head on the tile floor. I could no longer live in that house, so i listed it for sale at a very fair price, and it was sold within 2 weeks for 1 million dollars. Today it would be worth twice that amount. My youngest son now 54 had moved to Florida with his wife and 2 young kids. So we built a new large house in Vero Beach with an in law apartment for me. I had acquired a builders license and sponsored my son for his. My only regret is not moving to Florida at a younger age and not moving to Vero Beach instead of the Keys when i did. We still have a very nice family owned camp in Cameron County Pa. But i cant tolerate the lousey Pa. weather anymore during the hunting season, so i havent gone back up there for the last 3 years. Anyway enjoy your life in Florida Mike, and may your stay be a long one. By the way, i had a Real Estate Brokers license in Pa. for more than 30 years.
The man I worked for laying brick,,,,,fort walton beach,,,,,use to talk about laying block,,,,Cape Canaveral in the late fifties,,,,,,,thanks for the video,,,Jeff
Thank you for doing this. I’m just a home owner looking to patch up some joints on my stone chimney. I live in Maine. Sounds like either would be fine to use?
I found some of your old masonry videos a while ago, I found them to be informative and simple to understand. Then I lost track of you and your videos because the algorithms used by RU-vid does whatever they want with the info they control and always looking to bombarded you with videos that may sell something. It was a pleasure to watch you again and to know that you are in FL. Best of luck and thank you for all the videos, you made my day. Hasta la vista bebé!!!!
Wha an interesting video. I'm a railroader, i have about 10 more years to retire, and I was gonna retire in Florida but everything is so expensive there that I think I be going back home (Guatemala). There I dont have to worry about properly taxes, insurances and all that crap. Stay safe sir, and God bless you. Thanks gor the video
Good for you mike, this area i grew up in and loved is falling apart. Bunch of out of staters moving in and its been more awkward then ever. Nobody talks, not even a how are you today? Its rare if ever. Dont look back! We miss your souls energy here, but you made the right move! Congrats on an epic career and many lessons taught! I appreciate you Mike and i think i might of even went to highschool with one of your relatives! Take care down there. The 570 Salutes you. 🖖
Dear Mike, I am happy for you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. You keep it real and remind us that our countries greatest national resource is our elders. I hope you are happy and remain healthy all the days of your life.
Climate change and rising sea levels will make properties in low lying areas and coastal areas impossible to insure. Banks will be reluctant to give a mortgage for 15 or 30 years because the property may be under water. Selling properties to average buyers will become impossible in the future as banks and mortgage companies stop making loans for these properties. Coastal areas are a high risk for insurance and extreme weather like hurricanes. People will have to self insure and take the risk of loss. Condo associations are losing their insurance and if they find a new higher cost policy they will be passing on the higher costs to association members. Flooded cars from hurricanes were filling the salvage lots. Insurance companies will raise rates and pass on the costs and risks to policy holders next year. Coastal properties will be confined to wealthy individuals that can buy properties with cash and self insure for losses from hurricanes or rising sea levels.
You’ve got one more friend in Florida, at least for six months each year - me! My wife and I have a little place on the Atlantic side in Lantana. I’m a big fan of yours, Mike, and always consult and rewatch your videos before any cement or masonry job. Hope this move just opens up lots more areas of interest you can share with us. Happy times in the sun to you!
