Spring 2012 Keep America Working! The 2012 EGA “Keep America Working Campaign” is very similar to an EGA promotion in 2002 but this year the stakes are considerably higher and there will be three winners rather than two. The EGA Advertising Committee Members graciously agreed to set aside $25,000 to fund the project in an attempt to raise awareness of American Made products (specifically monuments) and to keep Elberton granite employees working. Keep this program in mind, but let’s venture into another area for a moment. I am sure that there are many monument retailers across the country that can cut stone but when I think of some of the more renowned stone cutting retailers, Charlie Hunt, Bobby Mattos and David Sadler come to mind. I feel like these guys lean a little more toward the unconventional stuff but there’s no doubt they can cut stone. They have learned a craft, they are artists. Elberton is full of craftsmen. I would venture to say the number is not as great as it was in the 1980s but there’s still quite a few here. They have learned a trade. I would consider many of them to be much more. They are artists. Unfortunately, in today’s rat race, they do not get many opportunities to show off their talents. We live in such a fast-paced world that people choose convenience over art but that doesn’t mean the artists have lost their abilities. Art takes time. I’ve mentioned him before, but Silvio (C.O.) DePalma was known to take his time when he worked on a piece of stone. C.O. was a craftsman, an artist that could create amazing things from stone. There’s a memorial in this magazine that features round raised letters. It is a beautiful piece of work and FYI, not just every stone cutter can cut round raised letters. It’s a form of art and you don’t see it that much anymore. A couple of things that I think greatly contribute to its absence is that it takes a good deal of time and it costs a good deal of money. The fact is Elberton has the people, the stone cutters, the artists that can cut round raised letters and do many more amazing things. When we have visitors come to Elberton to participate in an EGA Training Institute, I can’t help but notice the expressions on their faces when we visit a quarry and then tour a plant. When they see what is takes to get a 12 to 14-ton block of granite out of the ground they seem to be in a state of shock. As we follow a piece of stone from the block saw to the shipping department, they are astonished by the amount of work that goes into the creation of a monument. It’s a geological fact, the granite is here. The stone cutters here are talented. Elberton Granite is a huge player in this game. Without us your other suppliers have very little competition. Think about it, how would you price your products if you had no competition? Kind of scary isn’t it? Competition tends to level the playing field if the federal government stays out of it. Let’s help one another and “Keep America Working”! Ask your EGA Manufacturer about the program and participate. Century-Harmony Company produced a stunning family memorial to rest in the Sparkman Hillcrest Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. Be sure to shop with EGA Member-Firms to earn your chance to win one of our Purchase Certificates in the Keep America Working program! See page 12 for more details! Pat Wallis Creative-Premier Designs, Inc. Preserving history through designs have always had great respect for the work of Ben C. Smith of Premier Designs, a master designer for the monument industry from 1934 to 1989. Most people in the granite industry are familiar with his work if not his name. His story is one of patience, diligence, and excellence. His goal was to create marketable commercial designs. Over the years he created thousands of designs including the PD Design Series, EGA, Coggins, and Comolli designs, and the ”B” design books. He also created designs for many other granite memorial companies. Each step from rough sketches, airbrush work, and negatives to final photographs are examples of his attention to detail. A few years after I started Creative Designs in 1986, I purchased Premier Designs from Ben and established Creative-Premier Designs. These sketches, negatives, the airbrushed designs and prints have been in storage at Creative-Premier since that time. One day when we were looking through the files, it was found that some of the airbrushed designs were beginning to deteriorate, turning yellow and, in some cases, becoming stained. Upon checking the negatives, we also noted that many of the older negatives were beginning to bubble and crack and some were completely ruined. It was then that I decided this body of work needed to be preserved. It is a huge undertaking, but we at Creative-Premier believe this is part of the heritage of the granite memorial industry that should never be forgotten. And so began our quest to preserve these treasures of the past using tools of the present in order save them for the future. At Creative-Premier we are scanning the airbrushed designs and repairing damaged areas and discolorations using a photo editing program. As they are being saved with no background, they can be used as is or can be put on any number of different backgrounds. We save the designs in .jpg format so they can be viewed on a computer or printed as desired. We hope everyone in the granite industry can appreciate the value of this collection of art as much as we do. For the next several issues of the Graniteer, we will continue to host guest editorials. We hope that you will use the information to educate your customers about the value of the memorials they are considering for their loved ones. Frank Coggins donates to Elbert County Emergency Systems to build Emergency Response Building Frank Coggins of Granite Environmental Consultants donated over $100,000 to the Elbert County Emergency System to build the Emergency Operations Center for the Emergency Management System, located off of Mahoney Drive in Elberton. This is only the third Emergency Management Building built in the state of Georgia. The others are located in Atlanta and Savannah. This facility will act as a meeting place and headquarters during a time of disaster. The building is equipped with state-of-the-art computer and phone systems. In the past, the Elbert County EMS have had to set up a facility like this after a catastrophic event had occurred, losing precious time. Now, this will act as the meeting place and communication headquarters for all emergency personnel - law enforcement, rescue personnel, etc. EGA Members donate flag pole bases to new fire departments EGA Members donate flag pole bases for newly constructed volunteer fire departments and the Emergency Medical Service. Eight EGA Member Firms donated time, materials and energy to produce granite flag pole bases for four volunteer fire department buildings recently constructed in various parts of Elbert County and to the Elbert County Emergency Medical Service. Making the request for the project was EGA Member, Harold Reynolds of Reynolds Marble and Granite. Harold has served as an Elbert County Commissioner since being elected in 2010. He knew from past history that the members of the EGA would be willing to chip-in when it came to helping our community. From providing the stone, to cutting the stencil, producing the pieces and installing each one, the EGA Member Firms involved with this project were as follows: A.Q. Stone Design Company, Baston Monuments, Inc., Dixie Granite Co., Inc., Harper’s Quarry, Inc., J & B Granite Co., LLC., Keystone Memorials, Inc., L & M Granite Co., LLC. and Rome Granite Co., Inc. Walt Mills of Elberton provided the sandblasting for one of the pieces. This was a wonderful way for EGA Members to express their appreciation to the citizens of Elbert County. These pieces will be around for decades to come. Pictured left to right: Stan Mills, L&M Granite Company, Inc., Quinn Floyd, A.Q. Stone Design Company, Inc., Harold Reynolds, Reynolds Marble and Granite Company, Inc., Horace Harper, Harper’s Quarry, Inc., Tony Mills, LM Granite Company, Inc., George Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc., Michael Baston, Baston Monuments, Inc., Rick Mewborne, Elbert County Fire Chief, Dwayne Parham, J&B Granite Company, Inc., Chuck Almond, Elbert County Emergency Services Director Not Pictured: John Campbell, Dixie Granite Company, Inc., David Giannoni, Rome Granite, Inc. Keystone Memorials, Inc., named Industry of the Month by the Chamber of Commerce Keystone Memorials, Inc., was named Industry of the Month by the Elberton Chamber of Commerce. Phyllis Brooks of the Chamber said that the committee gathers each month to honor a member who is in good standing. “The committee felt that it was time to honor a company who had been in the industry for a long time. Keystone was a great choice,” she comments. Shown are (L-R) Jessica Wallis, Val Evans, Elaine Oglesby, Tom Oglesby, George Oglesby, Lori Higginbotham, Laura O. Hernandez, Jennifer Long, Ross Oglesby and Terrell Ginn. (Photo by Gary Jones of the Elberton Star) Bob Paul of Eagle Granite Company, Inc., named for District Rotary Award The Elberton Rotary Club recently nominated club member Bob Paul for the W. Lee Arrendale Award for Vocational Excellence, which is awarded to a Rotarian each year in District 6910, which includes clubs all over North Georgia. Recently Paul received the Elberton Rotary Club’s Freeman Leverett Award. Shown at a recent Rotary meeting are (L-R) Rotarian Mary House, Paul, Rotary President Jackson McConnell and Rotarian Nancy Seymour. (Photo by Gary Jones of the Elberton Star) Plant Foreman of Supreme Granite Company, Inc., Josh Simmons weds Stephanie Denise Drake, daughter of Stevie Drake and Kay Dunn of Dewy Rose, and Joshua Lee Simmons, son of Randall and Debbie Shirley of Bowman, and Mike and Kim Simmons of Elberton were united in marriage on Nov. 11, 2011. The couple’s intimate ceremony took place at Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. with Rev. Brian W. Medley officiating. The couple celebrated their honeymoon with an extended stay in Las Vegas. On Dec. 10, 2011, the families of the newlyweds hosted a reception celebrating their union as one at the Elberton Elks Lodge with DJ David James providing entertainment. The couple resides in Bowman. Bobby Guy Stevens Georgia Carolina Quarries Mr. Bobby Guy “Bob” Stevens, 77, of Mount Airy and Swainsboro passed away Friday morning, January 13, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Mount Airy, N.C. Mr. Stevens was born on February 7, 1934, in Surry County, N.C., one of six children born to the late William Raymond Stevens and Etta Susan Hiatt Stevens. Bob was a successful entrepreneur, was the former owner of Georgia Carolina Quarries and retired as the owner and operator of Acme Stone Company. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Mary Laura Chilton Stevens of the home; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Rebecca L. Stevens of Raleigh, N.C, Barbara G. Stevens and John Brooks of Fletcher, N.C., Laura and Charles Sechrist of Martinsville, Va., Sarah Stevens and Edwin Johnson of Mount Airy and Lisa and Mike Weller of Harrisburg, N.C.; a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Cathy Stevens of Mount Airy; fifteen grandchildren and their spouses; three great-grandchildren, several step grandchildren, several step grandchildren, a sister and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Stevens was preceded in death by a son, William Preston “Billy” Stevens; three sisters and a brother. A private graveside service was held at Oakdale Cemetery. Burton Monument Company, Inc., expands finishing plant Burton Monument Company, Inc., has expanded their finishing plant by adding 80’x50’. The new addition has allowed them to add two sandblasting rooms and a three-ton crane. The staff is now able to designate one crane for loading trucks or load two trucks at once, doubling productivity. They have also rearranged so that the plant is now laid out like an assembly line. The finishing plant is being managed by plant foreman Frankie Morris who has been with the company for three years. Frankie has over 30 years in the industry. A.Q. Stone Design Company adds on to office A.Q. Stone Design Company has expanded their office at 314-B North Oliver Street. The company converted an old garage into its main office space, allowing the original office to be designated for stencil cutters and full size printing. “We are increasing our production by 50% to handle all of our loyal customers needs,” says Quinn Floyd, owner. “We will be adding another cutter and will be able to run more efficiently, especially if one of the three has any technical problems and is down for a time.” The company is in the process of purchasing a new cutter for later this spring and has already added another Monu-Cad drafting station to handle the processing of orders. Miles Supply of Elberton revamps Sand Handler Blast and Recovery System Miles Supply Company of Elberton has introduced a new advanced Sandhandler Blast and Recovery System installed at Keystone Memorials, Inc. The new system allows you to program up to four different stones at one setting. The operator no longer has to program in numbers for the size of the stone; now, they can jog the nozzle past the stone and secure the X and Y coordinates of each stone for the size setting. This eliminates any discrepancies that may come with sizing errors. The computer screen has been moved to the center of the panel below the window. A new cog belt drives the nozzle carriage’s horizontal movement, giving the cable system a longer lifespan. The grit recovery system no longer uses compressed air. Pictured with SandHandler System at Keystone Memorials: Ronnie Brown of Miles Supply, David Umble of Keystone and Ric Dixon of Miles Supply. Bobby Moon Granite Sales, Inc., changes delivery style with new van Replacing their old means of transportation, Bobby Moon Granite Sales and Granite Countertops Unlimited have invested in a utility van to travel and install countertops. The company purchased the van in 2012 and are already seeing the benefits of a more gas-friendly vehicle. The previous trucks they used were powered on diesel, meaning more money in fuel and less environmentally friendly. Now, the company can travel their 150-mile radius without feeling the effects of such as large fuel bill. The custom van features racks on boths sides to support the countertop slabs. Old South Granite Company, Inc., welcomes new co-owner Lori Roberts, widow of the late Gene Roberts, has taken partial ownership of Old South Granite Company, Inc., and full ownership of the Chapel Rose Quarries in Granite, Okla. Lori was married to the owner Gene for 12 years. They have one son together, Cody, who is a student at Athens Christian Academy. During their marriage, Lori helped Gene with the books and paperwork for both of the businesses, but this is her first big jump into the industry. She is excited about the opportunity to expand the businesses and promote their product. She has already added on to the equipment at the quarry with a telescopic lift, a 70-foot crane and a 90-foot crane. She plans to add two sandblast rooms and a hand etcher to the plant. Wilson Industrial Electric revitalizes old polisher into new machine Wilson Industrial Electric, Inc., has produced a new machine called the LCP8000. This new innovation is composed of eight individual head units (two calibration and six polishing heads) that are mounted to a common moving bridge assembly. A continuous slider bed belt conveyor moves the stone under the heads and through the machine. Each calibrator or polishing head unit is mounted on a vertical “boxed way” slide assembly. Each slide assembly utilizes a 1.5 inch Ball Screw and Nut, with a gearmotor and brake assembly, to move each head up and down. The maximum vertical travel is 12 inches. The operating height for the calibrators is programmable. The operating heights for the polishing head units are set by an automatic program before the polishing mode is activated. Each calibrator or polishing head unit also has an independent air actuated stroke of 1”. This movement is controlled by two air cylinders. Pressure type amount is programmable for each head. The main bridge assembly is made from heavy gauge beams to securely mount all of the head unit assemblies. The main beam assembly will have a stroke of 6-0 horizontally. It is guided by four 8” diameter heavy duty wheels and hardened round bar guides. Movement is provided by two cyclodial gearboxes with AC motors, actuated with a four pitch rack and pinion system. Stroke scan be set with adjustable limit sensors. Speed of travel is programmable. The slider conveyor assembly has a 6-0 wide belt that is actuated by two large roller drums, one at each end. There is a permanent ¼” tall backstop on one side of the conveyor. The belt speed if fully adjustable. The beginning and ending edge of the slab or sheet of rock will trigger a sensor and this determines when that polishing heads lower down to the stone and pick up from the stone. The LCP8000 has a minimum stone thickness of 1/2”, a maximum thickness of 6”, a minimum stone width of 12” and a maximum of 6’, a minimum stone length of 3’ and the maximum length is limited only by conveyor length. Design Mart offers website hosting Design Mart has been a leading supplier of sales materials, drafting services and printing since 1968. In 1995 they launched their first web site, and in the past 15 years they have helped numerous join the computer age. They will be glad to help you with strategy, concepts, design, construction, hosting and maintenance of your web site. Design Mart has a variety of plans and services available. Whether your company needs to register a domain, move to another server, build the first site or redesign your current site, the staff is extremely knowledgeable. For the client that wishes to do their own editing, Design Mart has set up online content editing tools. With these, the client can add or replace text and photos. For those who don’t want to learn how to edit their own site, Design Mart is happy to make changes for them for a small fee. A phone call or an email is all it takes. Creative-Premier Designs transferring older designs to CDs EGA is now offering CDs of the Comolli Designs, restored by Creative-Premier Designs. The collection includes nine full books of designs ready to be uploaded for a company’s use. The staff of CPD has taken the old prints of the designs, restoring them to their original quality and formatting them as JPG files to show to customers. Each CD holds approximately 30 designs. The CPD staff is working diligently to restore other older design books to ensure that the designs will be around for generations to come. Some of the books are beginning to deteriorate, and the original sketches would have been lost if they had not digitally restored them. In the next year or so, CPD plans to have Coggins designs as well as EGA designs restored and ready to sell. Childs and Childs Granite Company, Inc., introduces new Vice President Kenneth Brown has been promoted to the position of Vice President at Childs and Childs Granite Company, Inc. He has been with the company for over ten years and has over 15 years experience in the granite industry. Kenneth started working in the plant and slowly worked his way up, learning all of the steps in the manufacturing process, which he uses to his benefit in his new position. “He’s doing very well,” says Bubba Mize, president. “He’s got a great background and good personality for sales. He understands the production and shipping processes, which translates. in a managerial position.” Kenneth lives in Elberton with his wife and three children. He is active with the youth at Fortsonia Baptist Church and is a coach to many youth sports. Bicknell Supply Company welcomes Outside Sales Associate Bicknell Supply Company is pleased to announce that John Stephen Jenkins, Jr., has joined their team as an Outside Sales Associate. John is the son of a local attorney and has been with Bicknell Supply since October of 2010-. His work experience includes six years in the countertop industry where he provided customer service and delivery in three states Prior to the countertop business, John worked for two years in a local granite quarry. He now puts in twenty hours a week as a barber in one of Elberton’s oldest barbershops, giving him the opportunity to meet many people and use his smiling personality to the fullest. John’s wife Holly keeps house and cares for their sons, Collin and Bailey. John’s background affords him a great opportunity at Bicknell Supply. His primary purpose is the growth of sales, enabled by providing excellent customer service and industry knowledge to local granite manufacturers. Bicknell Supply’s huge inventory and quick response to customers’ needs will be tools well utilized by John. John is also responsible for promoting the extensive line of Tenax and Weha products supplied by Bicknell. To encourage business to stay in the hands of Americans, the Elberton Granite Association is giving away $25,000 in Purchase Certificates for the lucky winners to spend with EGA Member Firms To enter: For every $5,000 spent at an EGA Member Firm, one entry will be placed in the drawing. Prizes: One $15,000 purchase certificate, two $5,000 purchase certificates, redeemable at any EGA Member Firm This EGA Promotional Giveaway will begin February 1, 2012 and end December 31, 2012. To qualify for an entry, a retailer must purchase $5,000 of product (monuments, mausoleums, signs or memorials) from an EGA Member Firm that is produced in Elberton by an EGA Member Firm. For each $5,000 of said product purchased, one entry will be submitted in the name of the retail firm. Sales of imported products, sandblasting or etching on imported products will not go toward the $5,000 level of entry. EGA officials will have the final determination on qualifying sales. Winners will have one year from prize notification to use Purchase Certificates. Certificates can apply to the purchase of monuments, mausoleums, signs, memorials and services provided by an EGA Member Firm only. One prize Veterans Honored in South Carolina Eagle Granite Company, Inc., worked closely with Gaulden Monuments in Rock Hill, S.C., to honor all veterans in this stunning memorial for Heath Springs, S.C. Heath Springs, S.C., located 60 miles from the state’s capital and only 40 miles from Charlotte, N.C., is a small town of only 1000 people. Although their overall population is small, it has one of the largest populations of war veterans per-capita in South Carolina. Despite the huge number of men and women from this community that had fought for our freedom, no monuments had been erected, no Veteran’s Plaza had been established, occasionally small mementos would be displayed as recognition. The leaders of the town decided to change that in 2009. A group of citizens was formed to develop a plan for a memorial as well as determining how best to raise the money needed to fund the project. The group wanted to honor all veterans, past and present, some of which included a local pastor, a banker, a local politician and several community leaders. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May of 2009 when the committee presented a two year goal for completion of the project. The primary source of revenue for the memorial was raised by friends and relatives making donations for a particular veteran’s name being listed on the memorial or by buying pavers with the donors name or a chosen veteran’s name engraved on the paver. The pavers were installed in the area surrounding the memorial. Eagle Granite Company, Inc., of Elberton worked closely with Gaulden Monuments of Rock Hill, S.C., whom were both commissioned to create the massive structure. The committee specified Kershaw Pink granite as the stone of their choice since is quarried only a few miles from the site of the memorial. The tremendous octagonal spire stands 17 feet tall. Considering the size of the spire alone the tapering of the sides was quite a challenge. The detailed cap stone truly made this a one of a kind piece. Mark Williams of Heath Springs is credited with creating the idea for this wonderful tribute. A dedication ceremony was held November 12, 2011. Hundreds of citizens came to downtown Heath Springs to show their respect for all of those who have served or are serving our great country. The committee is still taking donations. This amazing memorial is a wonderful way to honor the veterans of Heath Springs, past, present and future. 2012 EGA Training Institute EGA is excited to host two training classes this fall. The Monument Retailers Basic Course, our most popular class, returns this September, and we will host our second class solely for women focusing on gender roles in the workplace, entitled A Women’s Perspective. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2012, so do not miss out on this wonderful opportunity to get educated by some of the best minds in the industry! This session has been developed for those who are new to the industry. It will provide you with all the information you need to get your business started in the right direction. EGA is the best source of monument information anywhere - hundreds of successful memorialists got their start with EGA’s Training Institutes. Paul DiMatteo Paul DiMatteo started his career in banking before purchasing his family’s business. He has served on the board and is past president of both the New England Monument Dealers Association and the Monument Builders of North America. In 1998 and 1999, he won the MBNA Aspire Award for marketing and public relations. Mark Kessinger A Woman’s Perspective: Tips for Women in a Male-Dominated Field This course will focus on strengths of gender differences in the Monument Industry, and seek to maximize the positives in developing strategies to capitalize on these differences. The course will cover many of the same principles as the Monument Retailers Basic Course, but the lectures will focus on women becoming successful memorialists. Connie Glaser Connie Glaser is the country’s leading expert on women’s leadership and communications. A nationally known writer, Connie’s books have been translated into over a dozen languages. She has been named as Businesswoman of the Year by Office Depot and recognized on the World Who’s Who of Women. Liz Plageman Liz Plageman is a third-generation memorialist and was the first female in her family to join the business. She has a total of 33 years in the industry, including sales, merchandising and buying. She is extremely knowledgeable in all phases of monument operations which has made her one of the most respected retailers in the industry. Large family plot designed by Welch’s Granite Jim Welch of Welch’s Granite Company, Inc., helped design this stunning monument for the Hill family of Tifton, Ga. The large center tablet stands 5-8 x 1-4 x 2-6, steeled four with round raised letters and flutes on both sides and ends. It stands on a sub base, 6-6 x 2-2 x 0-6, all steeled with a check and ogee. The large base, 11-6 x 3-0 x 0-10, has a steeled top. It is topped off with a detailed all steeled cap measuring 6-4 x 2-0 x 0-10 with checks and scotias. Surrounding the monument are benches, markers and vases. Granite steps leading into the family plot, along with two turned vases, 1-4 x 1-4 x 1-4, and four benches, 4-0 x 1-2 x 0-4 complete the Hill estate. Rome Granite produces monument for funeral director The Ford family is well known in Fairmont, W.V., for their family’s funeral home and their eye-catching business logo. Mr. Ford has been a funeral director for over 50 years, so the family wanted to incorporate the logo into his memorial. His son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Drema Ford, worked closely with the family and with Mr. Ford to perfect the design. The monument was produced by Rome Granite, Inc., is crafted of Rome Medium Blue granite. The family name stands out on the monument and is on both the front and back. The tablet stands 5-0 x 0-8 x 2-6 on a base measuring 7-0 x 1-2 x 1-0. The center of the tablet is polished and the outside edges are steeled, giving a beautiful contrast in color. The symbol for the United Methodist Church and an Irish blessing are also incorporated. It is set in the Mt. Zion Cemetery. River Edge Granite fabricates beautiful memorial River Edge Granite Company, Inc., worked with Wiregrass Memorials in Hartford, Ala., to produce a unique memorial along with two benches and coping for the Tiller family plot. Mr. Tiller approached the staff of Wiregrass Memorials with a drawing and an idea for his memorial; the team worked on the design, changing the sizing and adding benches, and agreed on a beautiful design. The center tablet is the main focus of the plot standing 5-0 x 0-8 x 2-6 with scalloped edges. This is the first monument produced by Wiregrass Memorials that features scalloped edges but is all polished. It rests on a sub base, 5-6 x 1-4 x 0-6, and a bottom base, 8-6 x 1-6 x 0-8. Two vases frame the tablet, measuring 0-10 x 0-8 x 1-0, with tapered sides and a six-inch core. The plot is surrounded by coping and features two benches, with a 3-6 x 1-4 x 0-4 curved top and 1-0 x 0-4 x 1-2 legs. Each component of the memorial is all polished. Burton Monument tells a story in detailed family memorial A beautifully detailed memorial celebrates the life of Mr. Jeff Smith, with an a view as it would appear from his favorite chair at his lake house. Burton Monument Company, Inc., fabricated the work of art for Acme Stone in Mt. Airy, NC. The front of the stone is done in fine detail showing the scenery as Mr. Smith would have seen it through the window looking out at Lake Norman. Outlining the stone is the windowsill, where a single red rose is lying at the request of Mrs. Smith. The back of the monument shows a large 18-wheeler, representing Mr. Smith’s long-time career. The car, a 1961 Chevrolet Impala, was the exact car Mr. Smith had when he and his wife were married. The Jet Black granite is the perfect canvas for the beautiful etchings. The tablet stands 6-0 x 0-10 x 3-0, polished five on an 8-0 x 1-6 x 0-10 base. It rests in the Smith family cemetery. According to Mark Stevens, owner of Acme Stone, the family knew they wanted a black monument but had no idea they could incorporate so much detail. “They are more than pleased,” he says. “They were astounded that we could put that much detail in it.” L&M Granite honors former Tennessee Governor L&M Granite Company, LLC, worked closely with the staff of Greenfield Monument Works of Greenfield, Tenn., to manufacture a large memorial for the late Governor Ned Ray McWherter who served as the governor of Tennessee from 1987 to 1995 after serving as the Speaker of the House of Representatives for 14 years. During his terms, he opened the doors to minority groups in Tennessee, as well as insisting all governmental proceedings be open to the public and press, inspiring the spirit of the “sunshine law.” Governor McWherter designed the monument himself, working with Mike Maness, Stan Maness and Corey Sawyers of Greenfield, to interpret the elements he wanted in the monument. The large, all steeled tablet stands 6-0 x 1-2 x 5-6 with an apex top, concave ends with a 6” diminish on each end. It features a 22” Tennessee State seal on both sides. An all steeled sub base measuring 7-0 x 1-8 x 1-0 holds the family name. It rests on a base, 8-0 x 2-0 x 1-0, with a steeled margin and the balance rock pitched. The base is jointed to receive the ledger, measuring 4-0 x 8-0 x 0-6, with a steeled flat top. A single-support bench rests at the end of the ledger. The seat is 4-0 x 1-4 x 0-4 and stands on a steeled two support, 3-6 x 0-8 x 1-4. The monument’s stature makes it stand out in the Sunset Cemetery in Dresden, Tenn. A man who has left a lasting legacy in the state of Tennessee now has an everlasting monument to honor his life. Keystone Memorials, Inc., produces massive McNeil Design Using a design from the McNeil Design Book, Keystone Memorials, Inc., fabricated a stunning monument for Winfield Monuments of Winfield, Ala. The Drummond family, a prominent family in the coal business of Alabama, wanted a classic, elegant design for their family’s plot, casting the McNeil Book as the perfect place to find such a design. Sidney Gilbert of Winfield says it’s the largest monument he’s ever done. The center tablet is all steeled with recessed panels, and square raised headed letters. It stands 6-7 x 2-0 x 2-0, topped with an all steeled cap featuring an apex top and scotias and checks measuring 7-6 x 2-0 x 0-10. It stands on a sub base, 7-2 x 2-8 x 0-4, and a base, 8-6 x 4-0- x 1-2, both all steeled. The monument rests in Pisgah Cemetery in Sipsey, Ala. Boulder-style monument for Mason’s Lodge by Keystone Memorials, Inc. Dorsey Clark of Clark Memorials in Versallies, Ky., worked with Keystone Memorials, Inc., to create an interesting monument for the Lexington Masonic Lodge #1 in Lexington, Ky. The design, called an ashlar, is a design that represents progress. Used in the Freemasonry the design is a rock picthed stone with one polished corner. The rock pitched portion represents a new, “unfinished” apprentice Mason, who, over time, is polished into a Master Mason. According to Dorsey, this is one of the largest ashlars in the area. The monument is made of Keystone Blue granite, standing 3-0 x 3-0 x 3-0. Willis Dimension Stone produces features for Francis Marion University Francis Marion University now boasts a new Performing Arts Center located in downtown Florence,SC, constructed of Winnsboro Blue granite and manufactured by Willis Dimension Stone, Inc. The project started when officials from the University along with an architecture group from New York wanted materials that were native to the area. In their search, they came across the Winnsboro Blue stone, owned by Willis Dimension Stone owner Dale Willis. After speaking with Dale about using the stone, they decided to commission him and his crew to manufacture the stones for the building, as well as walkways, bowls for fountains and two new signs to stand in front of the Performing Arts Center. Totaling over three years of planning and construction, the project was a huge feat for the University and for Willis Dimension Stone, but the end product was worth the wait. The building is covered in veneers of the dark blue granite. Pavers line the walkways, which are accented with two large granite fountains featuring bowl-shaped granite basins, fabricated by Imex International, Inc., and granite walls with integrated benches. The building is easily identifiable, not only because of its size but the large signs produced by Willis Dimension Stone. The stone is also used on the inside of the buildings. Francis Marion University’s website features a gallery of photos following the progression of the project. A weekend-long gala opening was held in September of 2011, featuring Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, and The Florence Symphony who performed the inaugural shows in the new building over the course of the weekend. University officials are very pleased with the results of this magnificent addition to the campus and a successful inaugural performance season. Veterans memorial produced by Lexington Blue Lexington Blue Granite Company, Inc., manufactured a beautiful veterans memorial for the town of Sawmills, a small, rural community located in the foothills of North Carolina. The town council commissioned a local architect to design a memorial to honor all veterans from Sawmills, living or deceased. Foothills Monument Company of Sawmills worked with Lexington Blue to create the architect’s vision. Five American Black granite panels list names of veterans, with each panel representing a branch of the military. The all polished panels, 6-0 x 1-0 x 7-0, are topped with caps and stand on bases, both made of Georgia Grey. The monument stands a concrete base shaped like the town’s logo, a saw blade. It is set in a local park surrounded by community football and baseball fields. A dedication ceremony was held on Veteran’s Day, 2010, with a local veteran as the guest speaker. Keystone Memorials honors former student with memorial at school Rinker and Frye Memorials of Mt. Jackson, Va., contacted Keystone Memorials, Inc., to create a memorial to honor a fallen soldier and local hero at Broadway High School in Broadway, Va. Army Spc. Brian “Bucky” Anderson was killed in action while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The community rallied together to honor him by commissioning a beautiful memorial of American Black granite. Bucky’s father designed the memorial with help of Mike Rinker and his staff. The pedestal is all polished and stands 2-6 x 2-4 x 3-0 with a bevel on the top front. This is the only memorial outside of Broadway High School. A dedication ceremony was held Sunday, May 29, 2011. Hundreds of family members, friends and students attended the ceremony to see the monument unveiled. Large columbaria for veterans created by Southern Mausoleums, Inc. The staff of Southern Mausoleums, Inc., worked with Jim McComb of McComb Monuments in Lapeer, Mich., to carry out Jim’s design of a set of columbaria for veterans and their spouses. The monuments are set in the Stiles Cemetery at Mayfield Township in Lapeer. Local veterans can make a donation and have their remains, along with their spouse laid to rest in on of the columbaria. Three 32 niche columbaria stand at 10-0 x 3-0 x 3-2 and two 16 niches stand 10-0 x 1-10 x 3-2. All are made of all polished Keystone Blue granite with all polished American Black granite doors. The project was dedicated on Veteran’s Day of 2010 with a ceremony and military fly over that brought hundreds of veterans from local groups and citizens. Century-Harmony Granite fabricates stunning family memorial A unique family monument was created by Century-Harmony Company with the help of the staff of Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas. The family based the design off of another monument in the cemetery, working closely with Mark Peterson of Sparkman Hillcrest to perfect each of the intricate details. The center tablet of the monument is polished four with a sawn top and measures 9-0 x 1-6 x 3-0. It is topped with a cap, 9-6 x 2-9 x 0-6, with a polished top and the balance rock pitched. Six balusters frame the tablet, all standing 0-8 x 0-8 x 1-8, all rock pitched. The monument stands on two bottom bases, 8-9 x 2-0 x 0-8. The beautiful Starlight Mist granite monument rests in the Lakeside Garden at Sparkman Hillcrest Cemetery. Mid-Atlantic Monument Builders, New England Monument Dealers Association, & New York State Monument Dealers Joint Convention January 13-15, 2012 Baltimore, MD The Mid-Atlantic Monument Builders joined forces with the New England Monument Dealers and the New York State Monument Dealers to host the largest convention of the year in beautiful Baltimore, Md. The show was held at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, with a stunning view of the harbor. It was a very busy show over the three days as hundreds of visitors flocked to the exhibit hall. Steve Skeba, Star Granite & Bronze, Pete Giannonep, Blackwood, NJ George Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc., Mike Birkmeier, Delphos, OH, Elaine and Tom Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc., Mark Lloyd, William Lloyd, Kelly Lloyd and Lisa Lloyd, Dover, DE Mike Beri, Bicknell Supply Company, Louis Monti, Marlborough, MA, Alan Dynowski, Solon, OH, Bruce Bicknell, Bicknell Supply Company Pat Wallis, Creative-Premier Designs, Inc., Meg Ottavino, Westbury, NY Kevin Wukela, Tony Bekavac, Jefferson Hill, PA, Marty King, King’s Monument Company, Inc., Paul and Kim Brickman, East Lake, OH, Harley and Darlene Cook, Greenville, PA, Trudy King, King’s Monument Company, Inc., Kurt and Becky Luckmeyer, St. Augustine, FL, King’s Monument Company, Inc., Ben and Ronnie Porovenski, Ben Porovenski, Jr., North Hampton, PA, Jerry King, King’s Monument Company, Inc., Jay Parsons, Baltimore, MD Ronnie Brown, Miles Supply of Elberton, Inc., Adam Martin, Miles Supply of Elberton, Inc., Steve Bigras, Willamantic, CT, Jeff Poire, Miles Supply of Elberton, Inc., Wayne and Sharon Parker, Hamilton, VA, Sandy Hansen, Warsaw, NY, Teresa Piper, Hamilton, VA, Mark Hansen, Warsaw, NY, Robert Piper, Hamilton, VA, Ric Dixon, Miles Supply of Elberton, Inc. Monument Builders of North America California Monument Association Pacific Northwest Monument Builders Association February 24-26, 2012 San Diego, CA The Monument Builders of North America teamed up with the California Monument Association and the Pacific Northwest Monument Builders Association for the 2012 Joint Annual Meeting held in beautiful San Diego, Calif. The show was packed with educational and networking opportunities with memorialists from around the country. The JAM was a great trip for us, and we’re excited about next year’s show! Roy and Donna Bell, Clovis, CA, Ronnie Brown, Miles Supply of Elberton, Jeannine and Joe Mehochko, Perris, CA, Bill and Christine Minnozzi, Lakeland, FL, Ron and Julie Bohman, Spokane, WA, Mona and Ronnie Rodrigue, Gonzales, LA, Jason Campbell, Provencal, LA, Ric Dixon, Miles Supply of Elberton, Dody Campbell, Provencal, LA Nick Day, St. Louis, MO, Tom Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc., Josh Bell, Beloit, KS, Roger and Debbie Aholt, Washington, MO, Scott Neal, Minneapolis, MN, Ruth and Jim Bell, Beloit, KS, Gerald and Dixie Atchison, Clinton, MO, Vicky, Joey and Bruce Fuerstenberg, Vancouver, WA, Michael Feinberg, Hillside, IL, Elaine Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc., Jim McComb, Lapeer, MI, Chris St. John, Jackson, MI, Brent and Betty Ann Slayton, St. Louis, MO, Connie and Glen Whitener, Kennett, MO Michael Hughes, Bicknell Supply Company, Tanya Burnes, Bruce Ricker, Riverside, CA