SUMMER 1989. MEMORIALS FOR FAMOUS FAMILIES. Thanks to Ben Smith 11. As reported on Page 10, Ben C. Smith, long-time owner and operator of PREMIER DESIGNS, is retiring from active involvement in the Monument Industry. While we are pleased that Ben can now enjoy the pleasures of "retirement", we must reluctantly acknowledge that "another men1ber of the original GRANITEER FIVE will not be assisting us in our efforts to produce this quarterly magazine for you." And very shortly, the remaining two members of that notable group will no longer be actively involved in this journalistic endeavor. More about that later. Ben started functioning as our "design consultant" with our very first issue back in 1957. He has helped us present in the best possible fashion n,any monument photographs obtained from outside sources over the ensuing 32 years. He printed photographs to compensate for pictorial shortcom­ings; and he applied his high standards of quality and excellence in numerous ways to help us. He worked with E.G.A. in developing our seven E.G.A. design books, "Memorials in Elberton Granite," featured in this magazine over the years. He created a "1,000 Series" of designs especially for publication in our pages; he advised and assisted in creating and maintaining our Downtown Display of n1onuments; and he taught us proper ways to describe the hundreds of monuments or designs we have published during the past three decades. In 1977, for our 21st Anniversary Issue, we saluted all those who had helped the GRAN­ITE ER magazine achieve an unparalleled degree of success. In addition to the E.G.A. members who make it all possible, we acknowledged the excellent staff assistance received over the years. But, our primary "salute" was to the five-man team who had worked together on every issue up to that time. Of those we called "THE GRANITEER FIVE", our "photographic arm", Everett Saggus, died in 1979; our "layout specialist", Howard Fletcher, retired in 1985; and now our "design consultant", Ben Smith, has officially retired in 1989. That leaves two members of the team-A.C. Castleberry, our "indispensable printer", and your "venerable editor". In our next issue, we plan to salute "A.C.", for he, too, is retiring from active participation in the Tucker-Castleberry Printing Company-the firm that has printed all issues of the GRANITEER throughout its history! And in a few short months after that, at the end of 1989, your Editor will also be stepping aside for younger and different management of the GRANITEER. He will still be around as Executive Vice President of E.G.A. for another year after that-until the end of 1990- when he, too, will take the big "retirement step" and assume the role of "consultant" to the new E.G.A. Executive Vice President, Tom Robinson. So, changes are underway ... the "retirement syndrome" is working on "The Graniteer Five" ... but we'll take them one at a time as we hereby salute our good friend and design consultant. For all of his services, we extend our "Thanks to Ben Smith." His contributions to the Monument Industry and this Association will always be remembered. Ben Smith, EGA’s Design Consultant, Retired. ABOUT OUR COVER - Large Shaft by Puritan Honors Famed Naval Family Elberton Granite is one of the materials used most often to com­memorate and memorialize America's military heroes who have served their country to preserve liberty during war and peace. An outstanding example is the towering shaft fabricated by PURITAN GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and featured on the front cover of this issue of the ELBERTON GRANITEER. Designed by Ralph Hou Id itch of Henley's Memorial Company of Montgomery, Alabama, the all­steeled, 27-ft. tall, "Blue Ribbon Granite" shaft stands on a hill overlooking Wetumpka, Alabama, and honors the John Crommelin Family, one of the most famous families in the history of the U.S. Navy. Puritan Granite Company President Chester Almond explained that the massive memorial is in five separate pieces and that his staff took special care in production so that all pieces joint perfectly. He noted that the two bottom sections, which are carved and lettered, are concave and beveled shaped and required precision sawing and hand-tooling. The two top sections, one which has an apex top, are each 10-ft. long. Also, at the joints, where all components are anchored with stainless steel dowel pins, the edges have beveled washes to present a unique appearance. John and Katherine Crommelin raised five sons-John, Henry, Charles, Richard, and Quentin. All five graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and all five served in the Navy in World War II. Charles and Richard were killed in action in 1945. Henry retired in 1959 and died in 1971. Quentin lives in Wetumpka and John in Montgomery, Alabama. John achieved the rank of Rear Admiral; Henry the rank of Vice Admiral; Charles, Commander; Richard, Lieutenant Commander; and Quentin, Captain. Admiral John Crom­melin served as Executive Officer of the Aircraft Carrier Enterprise, the "Big E", one of the greatest fighting ships in naval history. Being the oldest of the five Crommelin boys, Admiral John Crommelin wanted to perpetuate the memory of his brothers and all Alabamiams who made the supreme sacrifice in war. The magnifi­cent memorial is on property owned by the Admiral in Downtown Wetumpka. In addition to including the Navy insignia and the serv­ice records of the Crommelin brothers, the inscription specifies that the memorial is also for all "the brave Alabama men who did not come back home from World War II." High State Official Gets Granite Bookends. When dignitaries visit the "Granite Capital of the World", they usually receive Elberton Granite mementoes. Georgia's Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller was no exception recently when he was the featured speaker at the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce's 65th Annual Banquet. As shown in the photograph at left, outgoing Cham­ber President B. Frank Coggins, Jr. (left) Chairman of the Board of COGGINS GRANITE, INC., presented Lt. Gov. Miller with a hand­some set of "Royalty Blue Granite" bookends manufactured by JIM PARHAM ORIGINALS. "Royalty Blue Granite" is quarried by the Coggins firm and Jim Parham Originals is operated by noted sand sculptor Jimmy Parham. Lt. Gov. Miller expressed his gratitude for the 8-in. high bookends and said they would serve to remind him of Elberton's Industry which he said he regards as one of Georgia's most prized resources. Lt. Gov. Miller, who many observers classify as one of the front-runners in Georgia's upcoming gubernatorial election, beamed as he noted his name inscribed on the upright portion of each of the polished book­ends which also featured beveled corners and wash-like beveled edges. This was not the first time Lt. Gov. Miller has seen his name in Elberton Granite, for a large dedicatory monument with a bas relief sculptured likeness of him was erected two years ago on the Zell Miller Parkway, a scenic mountain highway named in his honor. E.G.A. OUTDOOR DISPLAY Downtown Display ''Showcase For Elberton's Granite Industry'' A wide variety of memorial styles, finishes, and colors of granite are exhibited in the new Elberton Granite Association, Inc., Outdoor Display erected in Downtown Elberton in April. Outstanding design and craftsmanship are evident in all seven of the units which reflect the high degree of achievement possible in terms of age-old skills combined with the exciting new techniques being developed around the new Granite Industry technology. Many of the units in the new display have all straight lines of design made more expedient by the new diamond saws whose use in the shaping of monuments has mushroomed in the Elberton Granite District in the past ten years. Among the impressive features of the current exhibit are the magnificent carvings which are superbly matched with the enduring beauty of the granite to accent colors and convey symbolic expres­sions of love and faith. The carvings are testament to the artistic skills of the Elberton Granite Industry's master engravers and sandblast technicians. Located at the intersection of North 01 iver and Elbert Streets, the busiest intersection in the "Granite Capital of the World", the display is a showcase for the Elberton Granite Industry's best and most beautiful creations. It is probably the only exhibit in the world where cemetery memorial art is displayed in an urban location. II projects a positive image for E.G.A.'s member-firms as they proudly show their granite monuments. The display location was recently remodeled and repainted. A new lighting system was installed and many persons from both within and outside the Granite Industry have congratulated E.G.A. and its members for the improved appearance and effectiveness of the exhibit. The display was instituted by E.G.A. as a Community Relations project in 1969, and participating firms must comply with strict standards and regulations governing the monuments exhibited. Each unit is individually identified by a sign above the monument which reminds viewers of the cooperative spirit of these seven firms and also advertises the source of the n1atchless workmanship found in the monuments. E.G.A bears all costs of leasing the display area, property improvement, and maintenance expenses. Manufactured by WHOLESALE GRANITE COMPANY "Millstone Gray Granite". Base: 4-0 x 1-4 x 0-8 This all-steeled E.G.A. copyrighted design, exemplifying expert craftmanship, includes a fluted center panel capped by a decorative moulding and lamp-and-flame floral carving. Manufactured by WILLIAMS MONUMENT COMPANY, INC. "Rocky Mountain Rose Red Granite" Expeditious vertical band carvings of burning candles an1idst roses and ivy en1bellish the simulated pilasters on the ends of this copyrighted E.C.A. design which has all straight lines. Manufactured by CLASSIC MONUMENTS, INC. "Oglesby Blue Granite" ln1pressive design and workmanship characterize this memorial dis­tinguished by frosted checks tapering as backgrounds for the polished Crosses. The grape-and-vine panels underscore the straight-line configurations. Manufactured by CENTRAL GRANITE COMPANY, INC. "Royalty Blue Granite" The frosted checks on the shoulders help accent the richly-sandcarved cultured roses with vee lines appearing as stems and flowing to the joint of this noteworthy monument. Manufactured by CENTURY GRANITE COMPANY, INC. "Dakota Mahogany Granite" Combination finishes serve to illustrate the contrast possible with this dark-colored granite. The large, stippled-finish check at the bottom is angled to lend a contemporary look. Manufactured by QUICK SAW GRANITE COMPANY "Ebony Mist Granite" The excellent contrast qualities of this black variegated granite are demonstrated by the large, frosted scroll name panels and cultured rose carvings linked by vee lines outlining the contours. WILHITE BROTHERS GRANITE COMPANY "Royalty Blue Granite" Religious symbolism is the focal point of this highly-functional bench­type memorial which features an adroitly-sandcarved waterfall embodying the spirit of the biblical verse. RETAIL SHOP PROCEDURES Session XXXVII, August 14-18, 1989 This course will provide instruction in different areas of retail shop procedures such as spot polishing, reworking chipped edges of monuments, basic monumental drafting, double and single process shape carving, stencil cutting, sales & marketing, specialized sandblast techniques, monument cleaning, equipment repair, using photo-copiers for design transfers, and other procedures in daily retail monument shop operations. The excellent facilities of the Elbert County High School Gra­nite Lab will be utilized for this course since school will not be in session during August. Granite Lab Instructor Chuck Martin will again be on hand to lend assistance. Course of Study MONUMENT RETAILERS BASIC COURSE Session XXXVIII, September 11-15, 1989 Designed for those who are relatively new to the Monument Industry or who have never visited a quarrying and production center, this course will familiarize retail monument personnel with basic principles of quarrying and monument manufacturing as well as present information that will assist in daily retail monument operations. Topics are expected to include reviews of how monuments are made, geological makeup of granite, memorial terms, sales and marketing, tips on rubbings and duplicating, specialty products, public relations, monument cleaning and setting, making layouts, equipment and supplies, stencil press operation, basic principles of sandblasting, and other pertinent topics. Course of Study CREATIVE DESIGN TECHNIQUES Session XXXIX, October 16-20, 1989 Especially created for persons interested in creative design and utilizing design in sales, this course will lend special attention to sketching, drafting, creative design elements, layout tips, creative designing for prospects and how to incorporate customer input in designs, sources for design ideas, monumental drafting and computers, professional design assistance, sandblasting for special effect, European design influence, and many more relevant topics. Special guest instructor will be nationally-known professional designer Robert P. Young of Canton, Georgia, who has over 25 years experience. Mr. Young is a former director of design for a Barre, Vermont memorial company and was a sales manager with design and promotional duties for the nation's largest marble concern, the Georgia Marble Company. He will discuss contem­porary design, scale drawing, sketching, presentation color ren­dering, airbrush techniques, graphic arts, and many related subjects. He was a guest instructor at seminars in other granite­producing districts and has instructed at state and regional meet­ings of memorialists. E.G.A. Accepting Applications for 1989 Institutes E.G.A. officials are busy formulating plans and enrollment applications are being accepted for the upcoming ELBERTON GRANITE TRAINING INSTITUTES. Training Director Tom Robinson, CM, explained that curriculum and instructional planning has been underway for several months and a lengthier, revised format has been developed for the Institutes which begin in August and continue through November. Sessions Expanded Mr. Robinson, noting that 1989 is the ninth consecutive year E.G.A.'s members have sponsored the popular Institutes, said that interest and comments from monument retailers prompted E.G.A. to expand each upcoming session from three days to four and one-half day sessions. They were shortened to three days in 1988 and more emphasis put on marketing in all Institute sessions. However, said Mr. Robinson, feedback from monument retailers, trainees, and others compelled E.G.A. to restructure the format to include marketing and more practical application of what is learned in the classroom and more individual instruction. "We consider trends and developments in the Monument Industry and evaluations by our students and alter our curriculum and materials accordingly," Mr. Robinson explained. Special Instructors Institute instructors will again be craftsmen from within the Elber­ton Granite Industry and guest instructors with special expertise from elsewhere in the U.S. Also, al I four courses will incorporate elements of the MYTTE Marketing and Sales Program. The 1989 Institutes include Session XXXVll-"Retail Shop Procedures"-to be held August 14-18; Session XXXVlll-"Monument Retailers Basic Course"-September 11-15; Session XXXIX-"Cre­ative Design Techniques -"October 16-20; and Session XL­"Memorial Sales & Marketing"-November 6-10, 1989. The course of study for each session is outlined at the left and below. DEVELOPING YOUR SALES SKILLS Session XL, November 6-10, 1989. Instruction in this course will emphasize the mechanics of monument sales and marketing and will stress development of sales skills, making presentations, door-to-door and pre-need selling, establishing a sales force, the psychology of selling, over­coming objections, identifying closing signals, tele-marketing, advertising and promotion, training and paying salespersons, sketching to help close the sale, pricing, sales tools, and related categories. For the fourth straight year, Mike Moore of Virginia Monument Company, Marion, Virginia, will be the Guest Instructor at this course. Mike has become nationally-known for developing one of the most comprehensive at-need and pre-need monument sales programs in the U.S. and has made presentations at both national and regional meetings of memorialists. He has also acted as a private consultant to memorialists in various parts of the nation. The classroom in the Elberton Granite Museum & Exhibit will be where Institute sessions will be held. The air-conditioned facility will comfortably seat 20 persons. Here, LANDMARK GRANITE COMPANY, INC., General Manager John Fernandez explains sandblast pictorial reproduction. Individualized instruction is a cornerstone of the training Institutes curriculum with emphasis on practical application of what is teamed in the classroom. Instructors such as Frank Bone, right, of the HOUSE OF PFAFF, assist with the training. Much of what is taught in the classroom is shown and practiced in actual how-to demonstrations. In this instance, monument unloading and cemetery setting techniques are demonstrated by John Bradford, left, foreground, Bob Childs, and Mattox Bradford, right, of BRADFORD GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Registration Fee The registration for each session will be $125.00 and will include transportation to and from all training sites, five meals, handout instructional materials, an E.G.A. Reference Materials Notebook, and other items pertaining to session topics. Classes will again be held in the air-conditioned Elberton Granite Museum & Exhibit classroom which will seat 20 persons. All trainees will stay at the Granite City Motel where single room rates are $28.00 and doubles are $16.60 per person. These rates include taxes. Trainees must be recommended by E.G.A. voting members listed on their enrollment applications. Priority is given to customers of E.G.A. members since these firms finance the Institutes and permit use of their facilities and their personnel. No more than two persons will be accepted from the same firm for any one session. Enrollment Procedure Anyone desiring to enroll in any of the 1989 ELBERTON GRANITE TRAINING INSTITUTE sessions may do so by com­pleting the application form at the right. If additional information is desired before applying, check and return the form at right. In either case, the completed application should be returned as soon as possible accompanied by a check for the $125.00 enrollment fee. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first­served basis. If a session is filled when an application is received, the enrollment fee will be returned, or the applicant placed on a waiting list in case another enrollee cancels. A 50 percent refund will be made for cancellations received within 30 days of the session starting date. Original MYTTE Committee Members End Service. The two remaining members of the original MYTTE Public Relations Program Committee, Dennis Johnson of Kallin­Johnson Monuments, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, and Bill Kelly, CM, of the ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION, INC., ended their 12 years of service at the Awards Luncheon at the 1989 MBNA Convention in Reno, Nevada. Johnson had served continuously as Committee chairman and Kelly had represented the Elberton Association at over 50 meetings of the Industry group since its formation in 1977. The retiring committee members received rare 1863 maps of their native states of Georgia and Iowa as shown in the accompanying photograph. The MYTTE Program's objective is to create and develop consumer awareness and preference for upright monuments and memorials. BILL KELLY & DENNIS JOHNSON. Elberton Granite Training Institute-Session XXXVI November 7-11, 1988. Front row, left to right: STEVE DAWSON, Mid-Ohio Monument & Bronze Company, Coshocton, Ohio; DARRYL JONES, Southern Monument Company, Middlesboro, Kentucky; PAUL HAMRICK, Siler City Monument Company, Siler City, North Carolina; DAVID STACEY, Milwaukee Memorial Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; MIKE SCHROEDL, Wenta Monuments, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; ROBERT EASTERLING, Buckeye Monument Company, Ironton, Ohio; ROD WOOLEY, Rensselaer Monument, Inc., Rensselaer, Indiana; JOHN HUME, Clark County Memorial Shop, Kahoka, Missouri. Second row: JEFF GRAYSON, Charlestown Monument Company, Charlestown, Indiana; RICHARD DUNN, Fleshman Memorials, Charleston, West Virginia; BERKLEY BELCHER, also of Fleshman Memorials; TOM WRIGHT, American Monument Company, Griffin, Georgia; NORM KOCH, Sunbury Memorials, Sunbury, Pennsylvania; JOSH HUNNICUTT, Hunnicutt Monument Company, Swainsboro, Georgia; RICHARD NORTHCUTT, Memorial Park, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee; LARRY CROSBY, Quality Granite, Orange Park, Florida; CHARLES SITES, Heritage Memorials, Harrisonburg, Virginia; MARSHA BUTLER and CHRIS NIELSEN, both of Cullman Marble & Granite, Cullman, Alabama. E.G.A. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT -(Ed. Note-The CRAN/TEER periodically spotlights member-firms in order to acquaint our readers with the various Elberton Granite companies and their personnel and to lead to a better understanding and appreciation of these men1ber-firms who bring you this magazine and innumerable other services from the "Granite Capital of the World.") Co-owners Build Quality Monument Into Thriving Business. Kay and Butch Rhodes, left, and Butch's cousin, Frances Swygert, right, jointly own and operate Quality Monument Sales with Fran­ces' husband, Johnny. Mr. Swygert was unavailable for the photograph. A majority of Elberton's granite firms are family owned and operated and QUALITY MONUMENT SALES, INC., is certainly no exception. The monument manufacturing company is jointly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Alvin C. "Butch" Rhodes and Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Swygert. Butch and Johnny's wife, Frances, are cousins. Frances and Butch's wife, Kay, run the office and the two couples have always been close friends. The company, located on the Toccoa Highway one mile north of Elberton, operated as Quality Sandblast and Gran­ite Company for years before the two couples purchased it from Nelson Locke in 1982. They changed the name to Quality Monument Sales in 1984. Expands Facilities The firm was founded in the late 1960's by well-known Elberton sandblast expert Charlie Clamp and later sold to Nelson Locke. Mr. Locke operated a quarry and later moved to Florida and became a monument retailer. After purchasing the firm in 1982, Butch, Johnny, and their wives expanded sales and production facilities, periodically adding more mod­ern, automated equipment such as computerized diamond block saws and an automatic polishing line. The company operates in a plant con­taining approximately 18,000 square feet of work area. The facility is equipped with two large, automatic diamond block saws, a smaller diamond slant saw, a gantry-type automatic polishing line man­ufactured in Europe, two large manual polishing mills, a guillotine stone splitter, profile grinding machine, and a Sand- blast Department with three chambers, including a shape carving room. The firm operates two 10-wheel trucks for long-haul delivery. The firm markets "Quality Blue", "Quality Dark Blue", "Autumn Rose", "French Creek Black", and "Sal is bury Pink" granites. New Office Construction was recently completed on a new 1,380 sq. ft. office building adja­cent to the monument plant. The new structure was built after the original office was almost completely destroyed by fire in September, 1987. Butch Rhodes, the firm's President, handles sales; Johnny is Vice President and oversees production; Frances is Treasurer; and Kay is Corporate Secretary. The women, and office staffers Jane Norman and Dianne Fleming, also assist with sales. Veteran Owners Butch began cutting stone at 18, specializing in hand-cut work. He was Foreman at a large monument plant before purchasing Quality. Kay kept books at the company where he was Foreman and was succeeded as book­keeper there by Frances. Kay and Butch have two children. He is a Mason, Elk, and member of the Moose Club. Kay teaches Sunday School at Eliam Methodist Church. Johnny, a Columbia, South Carolina native, moved to Elberton when his mother joined her sister, Mrs. Janet Car­rington, in business. He worked at a quar­rying operation in the late 1960's and at Quality from 1973 to 1977. He and Frances also have two children and attend Francis Asbury United Methodist Church. He is a member of the Elks Club, Moose Club, and V.F.W. Mrs. Jane Norman, left, and Dianne Fleming, office staff members at Quality Monument Sales, operate the firm's new FAX machine. This is an overview of the Quality Monument Sales office and production facilities on the Toccoa Highway one mile north of Elberton. The office is a new structure replacing the original office which burned in 1987. Pat Wallis Purchases Premier Designs One of the nation's oldest and most respected commercial design firms, PREMIER DESIGNS, was recently purchased by Mrs. Pat Wallis, owner of CREATIVE DESIGNS, a relatively new and rapidly­growing company. Ben C. Smith, who founded Premier Designs and built it into one of the most prolific and highly-regarded sources of designs in the nation, has announced his retirement. Both Premier and Creative Designs are E.G.A. associate members, and Mrs. Wall is said the firms \viii now operate as CREATIVE-PREMIER DESIGNS. In a joint announcement of the sale, Mrs. Wallis and Mr. Smith stressed that the many services provided by Premier Designs will continue to be available and that the firm will continue to operate from 45 West Church Street. Mr. Smith is to remain with the company in an advisory capacity as needed. Mrs. Wallis will continue to operate Creative Designs from facilities at 219 E. Railroad Street. She said that in addition to the many designs and special services available from Premier Designs, the company will continue to make available from Coggins, Comolli, ERP, and CK designs as single copy photographs marketed through the E.G.A. Memorial Advertising Service. Mr. Smith, the son of an Elbert County physician, founded Premier Designs in the mid-1930's after two years at Georgia Tech, attending the High Museum School of Art in Atlanta, and working in the drafting department of a large Elberton quarrying and monument finishing firm. He initially operated the design service from his home and moved it to its present location in 1950. Over the years, he has created thousands of designs, including the E.G.A. copyrighted design series "Memorials in Elberton Granite", the "B" Series, for­merly sold by Memorial Advertising Service, and the Coggins and Comolli series-all currently marketed by E.G.A. "The E.G.A. and B Series are as widely used as any in the industry," said Mr. Smith. He developed single copy designs, books, and advertising folders and brochures for both retail and wholesale monument companies throughout the nation and also provided special services such as ads, special memorial designs and related graphic and custom creations. "I'm going to remain active in a number of areas," said Mr. Smith. "I'll keep busy." Those who have been privileged to know the gen­tlemanly Mr. Smith during his long and distinguished career know he is a man of his word. They also realize the American Monument Industry will miss him, but the Industry is much richer because of his work. Mrs. Pat Wallis and Ben Smith examine one of the large number of designs she is purchasing from Mr. Smith as part of the sale of Premier Designs. FAX NUMBERS OF E.G.A. MEMBER-FIRMS. Bicknell Manufacturing Company Boyd Granite Company, Inc. Central Granite Company, Inc. Century Granite Company, Inc. Childs & Childs Granite Company, Inc. Coggins Granite, Inc. Creative-Premier Designs Darica Trucking Company, Inc. Diamant Boart America, Inc. Diamant D of North America, Inc. Dixie Granite Company, Inc. Elberton Industrial Electric, Inc. Geneva Granite Company, Inc. Hillcrest Granite Company, Inc. lmex International, Inc. ltaldiamant USA, Inc. Keystone Memorials, Inc. Lanstone, Inc. N-E-D Corporation Puritan Granite Company, Inc. Quality Monument Sales, Inc. S.A.M. America Abrasives, Inc. Townler Corporation Walker Granite Company, Inc. Yeargin & Childs Granite Company, Inc. FAX Service Available Via E.G.A. As a service for its member-firms and their customers throughout the United States, the ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION, INC. has installed a Tele-Facsimile machine and now can send and receive "FAX messages" for those needing practically instantaneous transmission of letters, sketches, or other documents. Rapidly becoming a necessity in the transaction of today's business, FAX machines are being installed by more and more small and large businesses and commercial FAX machine availability is now com­monplace in practically every community. As listed on the opposite page, 25 of E.G.A.'s member-firms now have FAX machines in their Elberton offices. Others are expected to be added in the near future; but FAX service is now possible to and from any E.G.A. member-firm via the Toshiba TF-331 Facsimile machine recently installed at The Granite Center. This machine has the capability to transmit or receive any document, sketch or pho­tograph with a maximum width of 11.7 inches. Any length can be handled; lengths of 12 inches or less constitute one page. Adjustable image resolution and a 16-level gray scale ensure that photographs can be sent or received with clarity and detail. The E.G.A. FAX Number is: 404-283-6380. Make a note of it or add it to your telephone directory in case you need to FAX a message or document via this new service. E.G.A. member-firms are al I eligible to have messages sent to them via the E.G.A. FAX machine; likewise, they can send messages to any FAX number in the U.S. A schedule of nominal charges has been published for the member-firms' information; the service offers a convenient and economical communication system for the Association's 126 members. Many Possibilities The possible use of this service by retailers and member-firms are endless. If a quotation is needed in a hurry, valuable time can be saved by FAXing the specifications or sketch rather than having to go through telephone explanations and transcribing the information. In return, an E.G.A. member-firm can FAX the exact quotation back and both parties will have written confirmation of all details and prices. All of this can be accomplished in a very short time at a minimum of cost to both parties. Telephone Copying Device In simple terms, a FAX machine is nothing more than a copying machine hooked up to a telephone line. In time, the innovative machine will be as common as office copiers have become. They will greatly improve on mail delivery ... even including the fre­quently used overnight service for important documents. You Can Use It Some suggestions for using the E.G.A. FAX service appear below. It is available to you now regardless of whether your Elberton Granite supplier does or does not have a FAX machine. Remember-E.G.A. HAS A FAX MACHINE-OUR NUMBER IS 404-283-6380. That's really all you need to know. The E.G.A. staff will be your "mailman" to help you reach our E.G.A. member-firms quickly, easily, and efficiently. Give it a try! Suggestions For Using E.G.A. Fax Service To send a FAX message to any E.G.A. member-firm, please follow this procedure: 1. Use any FAX machine for which you have access. This could be either your own machine or a machine at a commercial facility that offers FAX service on a fee basis. 2. See if the E.G.A. member-firm has a FAX number listed in the Directory on the opposite page. If so, FAX your message directly to that number. 3. If the E.G.A. member-firm you wish to contact does not have a FAX number, then FAX your message to E.G.A.'s FAX number- 4. Upon receipt of the n1essage via E.G.A.'s FAX machine, the member-firm will be contacted, and the message picked up or delivered at the earliest opportunity during regular Granite Center business hours. 5. The member-firm will be billed a small handling charge by E.G.A. for the receipt and handling of the FAX n1essage you send. 6. If you need a FAX reply, include in your message the FAX number to which the E.G.A. n1ember-firm should respond. 7. E.G.A. offers a transmission system to its member-firms on a nominal charge basis. Messages can be sent without delay to any FAX number in the continental United States. New ''How To'' Setting, Cleaning Videos Now Available from E.G.A. E.G.A. General Manager Thomas A. Robinson, CM, has announced the production of two new "how to" instructional vid­eos-"MONUMENT SETTING TECHNIQUES" and "CLEANING GRANITE MONUMENTS"-available through the E.G.A. Video Loan Service. He hailed the new videos as "milestones in the instruc­tional materials provided by E.G.A. members in their efforts to assist memorial ists and promote high standards of workmanship and serv­ice in the Monument Industry." Mr. Robinson added that the new videos, which run approximately 15 minutes each, are professionally-produced and are available as loan or purchase copies. "They are ideal," he said, "for training personnel, new employees, or for use at group meetings of memori­alists." The videos are named and patterned after E.G.A.'s two widely­acclaimed booklets "Techniques For Erecting Granite Monuments" and "Cleaning Granite Monuments" which have been mainstays as instructional manuals for years. Literally thousands of these booklets have been used by a generation of monument retailers to improve their services. Like the booklets, the videos state the basic principles of monument setting and cleaning and depict step-by-step demon­strations of these essential services. PROFESSIONALLY-MADE The high-quality films were produced by Industrial Communica­tions of Conyers, Georgia, the same company which made the highly-successful "Creating Memories" and "E.G.A. Panorama" vid­eos for E.G.A. two years ago. The new productions were produced under Tom Robinson's direction and were made on site by Dan Sawyer of Industrial Communications in Elberton's famed Elmhurst Cemetery. Professional experts from E.G .A. member-firms were involved as participants and technical advisors. The films provide specific "how to" information and graphically illustrate key points to re-enforce action in the cemetery being described by the narrators. Mr. Robinson noted that "it is impossible for one procedure to cover all aspects of every situation, but the videos present basic techniques that should be common to most setting and cleaning situations." "MONUMENT SETTING TECHNIQUES" Demonstrated in the "Monument Setting" film are procedures for unloading, foundation preparation, using setting clamps and dowel pins, and conventional monument and base installation. As the techniques are being demonstrated live, a detailed explanation is provided by a narrator assisted by special graphic illustrations. The film also stresses responsible employee behavior and attention to details before, during, and after setting. "CLEANING GRANITE MONUMENTS" This film shows "how to" safely and effectively clean granite monuments in the cemetery. In addition to basic cleaning principles in the cemetery, specifics are offered for removing oil; rust; and deep-seated, water-soluble stains. The tape explains unique granite characteristics which are important in determining effective clean­ing procedures. Suggestions are also presented for preventing trou­blesome stains in the shop or display. EASY TO OBTAIN Either of the videos may be borrowed for up to 30 days by sending a $50 deposit to E.G.A.; or, they may be purchased for $25 each. Deposits for the loan copies are returned upon receipt of the tape, intact, by E.G.A. The videos may easily be obtained by contacting E.G.A. or using the order form on the opposite page or on the back of the E.G.A. MONUMENT PROMOTION MATERIALS CATALOG. The two new tapes join the "CREATING MEMORIES", "E.G.A. PANORAMA", "ALL ABOUT MONUMEN TS", and "CEMETERY PLANNING" videos already available from the E.G.A. VIDEO LOAN SERVICE. SELECTION OF TOPICS The E.G.A. VIDEO LOAN SERVICE was established in 1986 follow­ing the ultra-successful LOAN REFERENCE NOTEBOOK SERVICE. The initial videos were "All About Monuments" and "Cemetery Planning". "All About Monuments" is a 25-minute presentation which explains the basics of monument production featuring many famous public monuments from all over the world. The video tape tran­scribes the narrated slide program developed by the M.8.N.A. MYTTE Committee onto a ½" VHS format. It is appropriate for showing to individual prospects, civic groups or using in other public relation type programs. The "Cemetery Planning" video is 22-min­utes long and explains the concepts of modern cemetery planning and the advantages of well-planned cemeteries. It is especially useful for retailers to show to cemetery boards contemplating cemetery expansion or those considering development of new properties. Then, at the M.8.N.A. National Convention in Nashville in 1988, E.G.A. introduced two new videos, "Creating Memories" and "E.G.A. Panorama", both produced by Dan Sawyer. In addition to being available for rental, sale copies were also offered, and, like the "All About Monuments" video, long-play versions of "Creating Memories" were available for extended play situations such as fair booths or exhibitions. The 11-minute film takes the viewer on a step-by-step tour of Elberton's famed granite quarrying and monument produc­tion processes. The film has been widely-acclaimed by monument retailers as being excellent for showing to potential customers, new sales or staff personnel, or as a public relations presentation. The 12-minute "E.G.A. Panorama" depicts operations and activities of the Elberton Granite Association and was viewed by retailers all over the U.S. when presented as part of programs at numerous state and regional meetings. To borrow and/or purchase the videos, use the handy order form below: Professional film producer Dan Sawyer films Jimmy Looney cleaning a monu­ment in Elberton's Elmhurst Cemetery during production of the "Cleaning Granite Monuments' video. David Shoemaker, left, of Keystone Memorials, Inc., and brothers, Woffie Tyler. left, and Louis Tyler of Century Granite Company, Inc., prepare a monument foundation during filming of "Monument Setting Techniques." VIDEO ORDER FORM. Communities Continue to Honor Military Veterans. E.G.A. members are regularly producing noteworthy memorials of varying sizes and shapes from a wide range of colors to commem­orate the brave men and women who have served in the nation's armed forces ... and particularly those who have given their lives. Communities throughout the nation are recognizing the debt of honor owed to these heroes. Unfortunately, the lesson that those who serve in peacetime also are at risk was painfully brought home recently when 47 sailors were accidentally killed aboard the U.S.S. Iowa. Some of the memorials on these pages honor those killed during peacetime as well as in battle. Featured on the front cover and explained on page 3 of this issue of the ELBERTON GRANITEER is another outstanding example of commemoration for those who served their nation. As shown here, military memorials are produced in a variety of styles and sizes; but all serve a common purpose-to remind future generations that brave men and women have fought-and many died-to preserve this nation's freedom. These memorials will be included in the E.G.A. REFERENCE LOAN NOTEBOOK of WAR MEMORIALS which has been the source of military monument ideas for many, many groups throughout the nation. Additional information on the availability of the REFERENCE LOAN NOTEBOOK SERVICE may be obtained by contacting the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. IN MACON, GEORGIA - An inspiring, columnar-type memorial expertly-designed by a monument retailer and superbly-executed by KEYSTONE MEMORI­ALS, INC., was dedicated recently in front of the City Coliseum in Macon, Georgia, one of the state's largest cities and the business hub of Middle Georgia. The memorial commemorates servicemen from Bibb and surrounding counties and lists the names of those killed in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The unit combines all-polished "Fox Hill Black Granite" and "Missouri Red Granite", both quarried by the Keystone firm. The monument, which has an overall height of over 12 feet, was designed and erected by Phil McGoldrick, owner of McGoldrick Memorial and Vault Company of Macon. A committee of veterans and area citizens raised funds for the project and asked Mr. McGoldrick for design ideas. The project received widespread support and publicity in Middle Georgia and representatives from the Macon press even visited the Keystone plant during production and did stories about progress on the memorial. Components include six "Fox Hill Black Granite" columns linked by separate caps and a taller "Missouri Red Granite" inscription column and cap on which is mounted a large bronze eagle. The columns are doweled onto a large, two-piece base resting atop a beveled masonry foundation. Polished "Fox Hill Black Granite" veneer panels are attached to the foundation, which appears as a large base. The names of servicemen killed in the various wars are inscribed on the panels. The Macon Coliseum is the primary sports and entertainment center for Middle Georgia, and the memorial is regularly viewed by thousands of visitors. IN HUGO, OKLAHOMA - A notable monument produced by WHOLESALE GRANITE COM­PANY has been erected in Hugo, Oklahoma, in honor of those from Choctaw County who served in the military in both war and peace. "Millstone Blue Granite" was the material used to fabricate the 6-ft., 4-in. high monument which features carvings of a red, white, and blue American flag, a Civil War-vintage cannon, and dedicatory inscriptions. The memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 1988, in front of the Choctaw County Courthouse. The monument was designed by Allen Parsons, owner of Allen's Monuments of Oleta, Oklahoma, near Hugo. Mr. Parsons said the local Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations initiated public fundraising efforts and money for the project was raised from citizens of the county. IN KENANSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - An imposing, shaft-type memorial requiring multiple sawing cuts and hand-tooling by per­sonnel at APEX GRANITE COMPANY, INC., has been erected in Kenansville, North Car­olina, to salute the military veterans of Duplin County who served in peacetime and war. The 10½-ft. high monument, which incorporates combination finishes and different colors of granite, is on the Duplin County Courthouse grounds. It was erected by Joyner's Memorials, Inc., of Wilson, North Carolina and dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1988. A committee of Duplin County citizens designed the memorial and raised funds for the project. The large, five-piece monument consists of four pieces of "Enterprise Blue Granite" quar­ried by the Apex firm, and a polished, six­sided, "French Creek Black Granite" pedestal on which bronze discs with the emblems of the military services and the Great Seal of the United States are mounted. Atop the pedestal is an elongated, six-sided, steeled-finish shaft on which a bronze eagle is attached. These components are on a uniquely-shaped inscription unit which has a check at the top and precision-crafted rnouldings on the shoul­ders. The sub-base is tapered and has a rustic finish. Two granite benches, not shown in the accompanying photograph, were also pro­duced by the Apex firm and are on either side of the memorial. BISSO-A majestic, walk-in type mausoleum fabricated by Harmony Blue Granite Company, Inc., for the Metairie Cemetery Association in New Orleans, Louisiana, challenged the diverse productive skills of the Elberton firm ·s staff. The massive, six-crypt structure was custom-manufactured for the family of Captain William A. Bisso, Jr., a prominent steamship company owner in New Orleans. The mausoleum was designed by the Metairie Cemetery's Construction Department. The large, steeled-finish components were specially quarried at Harmony Blue ·s "Harmony Superior Blue Granite" Quarry. The unit is designed with an extra-large center ridged roofstone and drop washes on the shingles for drainage. The portico features fluted columns and a Cross and ornamental carving on the lintel below the gabled portico roof. Floral carvings by Harmony Blue also encompass the elegant bronze doors. The interior has a polished granite floor. STEWART-Full exploitation of combination finishes utilizing the contrasting qualities of variegated "French Creek Black Granite" and creative design mark this outstanding memorial fabricated by Saxon Granite Company, Inc. Erected by Manchester Monument Company of Manchester, Tennessee, the memorial includes steeled-finish checks on each end. The family record is inscribed on one end and a Cross is on the other. The center, polished area includes an ornate dogwood carving and the family name in modified, hand-cut raised script letters on a recessed background. Frosted bars frame the family name which is dis­tinguished by an oversized first letter. A taper on one end of the polished area lends a contemporary look along with the half oval top and straight tops on the checks. Individual inscription panels are on the all-polished base. The memorial, designed by Gorky Garner of the retail monument company, is in the Bradford Chapel Cemetery in Calhoun County, Mississippi. FIACCATO-COSSIDENTE-lntriguing use of different materials, recently-developed finishes, and innovative design blend in this striking monument by Keystone Memorials, Inc. Produced from jet-black, variegated, "Fox Hill Black Granite. quarried by the Keystone firm, the tall upright memorial was designed by Mike Feinberg, General Manager of Peter Troost Monument Company of Hillside, Illinois, as a display monument. Mr. Feinberg said the memorial was on display only a few days before it was purchased by the families of two sisters for a tour-grave lot in Hillside ·s Queen of Heaven Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the Catholic Church's Chicago Archdiocese. One of the more unique features is the sunburst finish radiating from the frosted oval back­ground for the bronze religious ornamentation. Polished strips enhance the sunburst effect. The modernistic shape includes an oval top, reverse tapers on the ends, and checks at the bottom. The family names are on scroll panels and individual names are on chamfers on the top, front of the polished base. HIGH FALLS BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY-Keystone Memorials, Inc., manufactured this cemetery feature for the High Falls Baptist Church Cemetery in a rural area near Jackson, Georgia. Designed by nationally-known monument designer Bob Young, the feature consists of an all-polished. Keystone Blue Granite" pedestal and statue of Christ, and two benches 3-ft., 6-in. long. Mr. Young, who will be a guest instructor at the Elberton Granite Training Institute session on "Creative Design Techniques" in October. said he was contacted by the church pastor who requested something simple, yet highly symbolic befitting the religiously conservative nature of the congregation. Plants and landscaping add to the beauty of the appropriate cemetery feature. RODRIGUEZ-Imaginative design and exacting fabrication techniques are evident in this "Collins Durax Pink Granite" monument produced by Boyd Granite Company, Inc., for Lake Worth Monument Company of Lake Worth, Florida. Renowned memorialist-designer Bert Gast of Chicago custom-designed the memorial, richly endowed with religious symbolism, for the Lake Worth firm. The large, frosted-finish pictorial carving panel has an oval top and is outlined by deep vee lines to give a separate, relief look. Also, the polished vases protrude to give the center tablet a recessed look. The vases are fluted and have ecclesiastical symbols on their fronts and checks at the bottom. Individ­ual names are inscribed on a polished chamfer on the base. The monument is in Our Lady-Queen of Peace Cemetery in West Palm Beach, Florida. HUDSON-This noteworthy. ever-popular, traditional-style memorial was recently manufactured by H & A Granite Company for the Carroll Hudson Family. Mr. Hudson is a retired Elberton Granite Industry craftsman. The family is well-known in the Fortsonia area of Elbert County where H & A Granite Company is located. Notable features on the "Royalty Blue Granite" monument include dogwood carvings joined by vee lines accenting the contours of the monument. The memorial is in the Fortsonia Cemetery. SHUGART-Numerous precision cuts by the Childs & Childs Granite Company. Inc., radial diamond saw and special hand-pitching by the firms stone cutting experts were required to produce this highly-personalized memorial for Laky Monument of Galesburg, Illinois. Sharon Ponder, co-owner of the Laky firm with her husband, Harvey. said Abingdon, Illinois, resident Jerry L. Shugart, also nicknamed "Sugar Bear" because of his last name, was killed in an accident. His widow was viewing the Laky memorial display. observed small bear carvings for children's memorials and ordered an enlarged version for Mr. Shugart's gravesite. Childs & Childs artisans made 11 precision cuts with their radial saw to fabricate the "French Creek Black Granite" bear on which the Laky firm used different sandblast grits to achieve at least three different shades of coloring. The "Southern Gray Granite" bench is inset in a cutout on the bear and serves as a family name inscription panel. The memorial is in the Abingdon city cemetery. Apex Granite Memorial Immortalizes Late Rock Music Legends. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson ... these are the names on the 6-ft. high APEX GRANITE COMPANY, INC., monument unveiled on June 18, 1988 in Clear Lake, Iowa. The names on the all-steeled "Enterprise Blue Granite" memorial are rock and roll legends and they died tragically in the crash of their chartered aircraft near Clear Lake on February 3, 1959 ... shortly after giv­ing their last performances at Clear Lake's Surf Ballroom where the monument was dedicated nearly 30 years later. The memorial was donated by Darrel Hein, manager of the Surf Ballroom, dur­ing a weekend-long, memorial rock and roll concert in honor of the three "Rock Stars." A series of special activities were held which drew throngs of rock and roll fans from across the nation. A special event was a parade of SO's vintage cars carrying the families of the deceased music superstars, and special presenta­tions to family members. Included in the recognition was their pilot, Roger Peterson. Memorial Spotlighted But the attractive monument was the focal point. It was designed by Leslie Stiles of Kallin Johnson Monuments, Inc. The firm, headquartered in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, is owned by nationally-known memorialist Dennis Johnson, a long-time member of the Monument Industry's MYTTE Public Relations Committee and a Past President of the Monument Builders of North An,erica. Local arrangements were made by Kallin­Johnson's branch office in Mason City, Mason City Monuments. The specifications were developed by Mrs. Stiles and the order for cutting the monument sent to the Apex Granite Company in Elberton. All of the layout and sandblasting details were executed by the Kallin-Johnson firm. "They (Kallin-Johnson) have a reputa­tion for quality," said Mr. Hein who made his initial contacts with the Mason City Division. "They were able to furnish a very appropriate design." Dennis Johnson added: "There's a lot of pride involved in a project like this. The oppor­tunity does not come along very often." And ... Horace Harper, President of Apex Granite Company, echoed Mr. Johnson when he noted: Apex Granite is proud to be part of a special project like this. We take pride in all our monuments, for we feel that a memorial is a special item. But, when we get one like this, we appreciate the opportunity to do something special." Media Event Names make news and there was heavy media coverage of the event in Clear Lake, including feature writers from the giant Chicago Tribune and the national network TV show "Entertain­ment Tonight", plus tons of coverage in the Iowa and Minnesota press. The monument has a contemporary look with a simulated roof top with large checks tapering on the shoulders. Vee lines divide the top portion into separate sections for each of the three entertainers' names in modified script lettering. Custom lettering proclaims the purpose of the monument over the main inscrip­tion which reads: "The above legends played their last concert at the Surf Ball­room, Clear Lake, Iowa, on February 2, 1959. Their earthly life tragically ended in a plane crash 5.2 miles northwest of the Mason City Airport, February 3, 1959. Their music lives on." Preserves Memory Mr. Hein, owner of the Surf Ballroom and donor of the monument, added: "These three performers made a great impact on rock-n-roll. Their influence is still felt today. By dedicating this n1emo­rial, I wanted to make sure that their memory lives on." Holly, whose biggest hits included "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be The Day" was immortalized in the movie "The Buddy Holly Story"; Valens' hits included "La Bamba" and "Donna", and his story was told in the film "la Bamba"; and the Big Bopper's greatest hit was "Chantilly lace" and a movie is planned about his life. NEW SALES TOOL - Useful Geology Booklet Published by E.G.A. The center section of this issue of the GRANITEER features a brand-new book­let, "WHAT IS GRANITE?", compiled and published by the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. as an easy-to-understand explanation of elementary geological facts about granite in general and Elber­ton Granite in particular. The eight-page booklet was developed through the cooperation of Dr. Stephen A. Shaver, Assistant Professor of Geology at The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. Long-Standing Need Visitors to the Elberton Granite Museum & Exhibit usually ask many questions about "granite". When Dr. Shaver brought a class of his geology students to visit the Museum last year, he was so impressed with the facility that he wanted to know "what he and his students could do to help?" Immediately, the E.G.A. staff told him that a display which would answer often-asked geological questions about "What is Granite?" would fill a long-standing need at the Museum. In due time, the professor and his geology students developed an attractive and informative display answering many of the questions Museum visitors have about granite. When the display was installed, it was obvious that this information would make a wonderful resource booklet for the Monument Industry. The E.G.A. staff then went to work to produce the booklet which incorporates the panels from the educational display. You can see the attractive and useful booklet that is the result of this cooperative effort. Many Uses by Retail Firms Not only will the new booklet help explain "What is Granite?' to Museum visitors, it has the potential of assisting retailers in their sales efforts when prospects want to know more about the mate­rial that is used in monuments. While the booklet compares granite and marble, it does so in a factual rather than a promo­tional manner. Likewise, Elberton Granite is compared with other granites-but in terms of mineral properties, such as grain size, colors and amounts of materials making up the granites, not in terms of marketing or sales contrasts or comparisons. The questions and answers in the booklet provide an authoritative basis for informing customers on a number of matters that frequently are of concern. Therefore, E.G.A. believes it will be quite useful to retailers as a reference booklet to have on display in waiting areas or conference rooms. Also, salespersons will find it convenient to include in their sales kits. Perhaps, it can be a resource document that retailers can give to prospects who might "want more facts" or to school classes or students assigned spe­cial projects. Free Copies In addition to the sample copy which is easily removable from this issue of the GRANITEER, if you believe this new booklet might offer help in your sales or promotion programs, E.G.A. will send you, without charge or obi igation, five additional copies. And if you should then want to purchase copies of the booklet for wider use or distribution in your sales or promotion activities, E.G.A. will sub­sidize your efforts by giving you one free copy for each five copies you order for your use. A price list will be furnished to you that shows how the more booklets you might wish to order, the cheaper the unit price becomes-ranging from $1.00 each for a minimum order of five to 30¢ each in lots of 500 booklets. And regardless of the quantity you might wish to order. E.G.A. will give you, without charge, one booklet for each five you choose to purchase. Help from E.G.A. Send for your free five copies of this useful booklet now. Try it in your busi­ness; and if you wish to order a quantity, remember that E.G.A. will subsidize your efforts. It's an easy, effective, and economical way to explain about the granite material used in monuments your firm sells! PULL OUT FOR SAMPLE COPY OF E.G.A.'S NEW GEOLOGY BOOKLET. What is Granite? Questions and answers about granite in general and Elberton Granite in particular. Based on material prepared for the Elberton Granite Museum & Exhibit by Stephen A. Shaver, Assistant Professor of Geology, The University of South, Sewanee, Tennessee. Granite is a tough, durable rock made up mostly of 3 different minerals. These minerals are easy to see because of their different colors. Minerals in Granite, Feldspar - The white mineral grains. It is the most abundant mineral. Quartz – The light gray, glass-like grains. Biotite – The black flake – like grains. This mineral is also called black mica. HOW DID THE ELBERTON GRANITE FORM? The Elberton Granite began 325 million years ago as a large, hot (1300° to 1400° F) mass of magma - molten rock. This magma originated when some of the earth's crust melted- probably at a depth of about 11-12 miles. The magma rose upward and came to rest about 9 miles beneath Elberton. There it cooled very slowly - taking over a million years - and solidified into granite. That was over 300 million years ago. Since then, the granite has been pushed upward, and the land above it has been removed by erosion. The result: Now the granite lies right at the surface where it can be easily, safely, and economically quarried. GRANITE AND MARBLE. HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT? WHICH IS HARDER? Marble is simply limestone that has been compressed and/or heated deep within the earth's crust. Unlike Granite, Marble was never molten rock, but it may have been heated and squeezed enough for the limestone grains to bend and flow. Marble is also made up of only one mineral -calcite -a relatively soft mineral with a hardness of 3. Calcite is a common mineral -all limestones and nearly all sea shells are made of it -but it does not occur in Granite. Because Marble is made entirely of calcite, it is much softer than Granite. WHY IS GRANITE SO HEAVY? Granites weigh 160 to 220 pounds per cubic foot. That's about the same weight as marble and only one-third as heavy as steel, but 2-3 times as heavy as concrete. Granite is heavy for much the same reasons it is so hard -the minerals within it contain tightly-packed atoms. In addition, the mineral grains themselves are also tightly-packed. Concrete 70-100 lbs. per cubic foot. Granite 160-220 lbs. Steel 400-500 lbs. HOW HARD IS ELBERTON GRANITE? WHAT MAKES IT SO HARD? The hardest material on earth, diamond, has a hardness of 10. It cannot be scratched except by other diamonds. The softest materials have a hardness of 1 and are easily scratched. Few materials except precious stones are harder than 7. Elberton Granite is very hard, 6-7, and very tough to break because its tightly-bonded Quartz and Feldspar grains are made of tightly-bonded atoms. No other natural stone used for commercial purposes is any harder or more difficult to break than granite. Oakwood Glass Steel Elberton Granite Diamond. HOW MUCH GRANITE IS IN THE ELBERTON AREA? The Elberton Granite deposit is a huge mass of granite roughly 35 miles long, 6 miles wide, and probably 2-3 miles deep. The total amount of granite in the Elberton area is about 6 million million tons. That's enough granite to fill the Rose Bowl almost two million times. IS STONE MOUNTAIN PART OF THE SAME DEPOSIT? The Stone Mountain deposit is much smaller, containing less than 1 % of the volume of the Elberton Granite. In addition, as the map above shows, the Stone Mountain Granite is a separate mass from the Elberton Granite. HOW DOES ELBERTON GRANITE DIFFER FROM OTHER GRANITES? There are literally thousands of different granites. Most of them contain the same kinds of minerals as the Elberton Granite (Feldspar, Quartz, and Biotite), but they differ in: OTHER GRANITES (1) Sizes of Mineral Grains (2) Evenness of Grain Sizes (3) Colors of the Minerals (4) Amounts of the Different Minerals Medium-grained Granite (Barre, VT). This granite has larger grains than Elberton Granite. Coarse-grained Granite (Marble Falls, TX). Here some grains arc much larger than other grains, whereas Elberton Granite is very even-grained. Fine-grained Granite (Salisbury, NC). Herc the Feldspar is pink to orange, not white as in Elberton Granite. Fine-grained Granite (Culpeper, VA). This granite has much less biotite than Elberton Granite. Over the years as Elberton Granite has grown in popularity throughout all segments of the Stone Industry, both government and private agencies have conducted research to examine in great detail, its properties and characteristics. Some of the facts determined about Elberton Granite are briefly noted here. Further information is available from the Elberton Granite Association, Inc., PO. Box 640, Elberton, GA 30635. CRUSHING STRENGTH-In compressive strength, ten samples of Elberton Blue-Gray granites from seven separate quarries averaged 23,4 50 psi (pounds per square inch). Test­ing showed no significant difference to indicate gra­nites from one producing area are "more durable"; all have adequate strength for any memorial or structural use. For example, on the Washington Monu­ment, the load bearing requirements for stone is equal to 60 0 psi. RATIO OF ABSORPTION-Elberton Granite has been tested for absorption by immersing samples in water for long periods of time. Maximum saturation was reached after 10 hours; and the calculated ratio of absorption was 0.23%. This compares most favorably to absorption ratios of other granites used for monumental production. OTHER TESTS-Other tests for mechanical or physical properties of Elberton Granite showed only small differences in the total open pore porosity of leading granites in the United States; staining was least noticeable in Elber­ton Granite specimens; and weathering reacted the same for all stones tested or observed. Research shows that "discoloration and stains in monuments are due primarily to design, improper cleaning and installation techniques rather than to origin of the granite used for memorialization." MONUMENTAL STONE CHARA CTERISTICS- Not all granites are classified by the U.S. Bureau of Mines as suitable for "monumental stone." According to the Bureau's standards for class 1 granites, they must meet exacting requirements such as uniform texture and color, freedom from flaws and general suitability for polishing and carving and resistance to weathering. Elberton Blue-Gray Granites meet these requirements in every respect. ENDURANCE-Tests conducted by the Georgia Institute of Tech­nology on Elberton Granites confirm an analysis made by the Bureau of Mines when testing all recognized "monumental grade granites" as quoted in Information Circular 7720: "While many trade names are applied to memorial stones and prospective users may raise questions as to whether these named varieties or types are superior to others, the Bureau of Mines has no data indicating that any of them is more enduring than any other. In fact, all of the monumental granites produced by reputable firms in the well known regions last so long with so little visible change that the factor of endurance should scarcely be given consideration in making a choice. Selection may therefore be made on the basis of color, texture, design, and workmanship that best suit individual taste." REFERENCES-Bowles, Oliver, 1955, "Memorial Stone", Information Circular 7720, U.S. Bureau of Mines, pp. 1-6. Barton, William R., 1968, "Dimension Stone", Information Circular 8391, Lewis, Jerry L., 1965, "A Program of Research for the Granite Industry in Elbert County, Georgia", Georgia Institute of Technology project# A-702. Stormer, John C., 1980, "Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Studies of the Elberton Batholith, Eastern Georgia." CHEMICAL ANALYSIS The quality of Elberton Granite is as high as that of any produced in the world. Reproduced here is the general average of a large number of chemical analyses, made in the laboratory of the State Geological Sur­vey, of granites from quarries of the Elberton Granite District. Comparing this analysis with that of other leading granite shows Elberton Granite to be one of the finest mate­rials for monumental purposes. Silica (Si02) Loss on Ignition Potash (K20) Soda (Na203) Magnesia (MgO) Lime (CaO) Iron Sesqui-Oxide (Fe203) Alumina {Al203) 40 granite quarries, 216 granite firms, $35,000,000.00 Annual Granite Industry Payroll, Elberton Granite Memorials are sold in all 50 states and in many foreign countries. 150 granite manufacturing plants, 2,100 granite industry employees, $100,000,000.00 Annual Granite Industry sales. Elberton produces more granite monuments than any other city in the world. EGA Museum & Exhibit. Open daily. No admission charge. Next door to the granite center. Granite Career Opportunities Explained. The Elberton Granite Association, Inc., has developed a com­prehensive reference book entitled "CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ELBERTON GRANITE INDUSTRY" which includes a wide vari­ety of job descriptions available in the Granite Industry. E.G.A. Executive Vice President William A. Kelly, CM, said the Notebook was created after Elbert County Comprehensive High School (ECCHS) Principal John Jackson requested Elbert County Chamber of Commerce members to provide such a guide for the school's Career Resource Center. Mr. Jackson, who is also Chairman of the Chamber's Committee on Projects, said the center is available for career counseling with adults in the community as well as students. E.G.A. has presented copies of the Granite Industry Careers Book to the Career Center and also to the ECCHS Granite Lab and the Georgia Department of Labor Office in Elberton. Each job description in the reference book includes a detailed report, educational preparation and type of training desired, pay and benefits based on prevailing rates, and whom to contact if interested. Each job description page is accompanied by a clipped page from the ELBERTON GRANITEER or related publication illustrating the location or pertinent facts about the job. A Directory of E.G.A. Members is also included as well as assorted E.G.A. publications describing the Granite Industry, and a copy of the Standards of Apprenticeship booklet specifying policies and requirements for the Joint Apprenticeship Program administered by E.G.A. and the Granite Cutters Independent Association. The information is in an attractive, hardback, ring binder notebook. Pages, in clear plastic sleeves, can easily be removed for photocopying. The book's introduction notes that there are over 200 different businesses engaged in various stages of quarrying, monument pro­duction, or related activities. Job descriptions include opportunities for Quarry Workers; Skilled Granite Plant Workers; Semi-skilled Granite Plant Workers; Drafting and Design; Mechanics, Electri­cians, and Machinists; Transportation-Trucking; Accounting-Book­keeping; Secretarial-Clerical; Sales; and Manager-Supervisor categories. E. G.A. General Manager Tom Robinson, CM, right, presents a "Career Oppor­tunities In The Granite Industry" reference book to, left to right, ECCHS Principal John Jackson; Sandra Brady, ECCHS Career Resource Center Coordinator; Marie Branan, Guidance Counselor; and Martha Noble, General Counselor. Orientation Sessions Held For New Members. More than 80 representatives of the many members who have recently joined the Elberton Granite Association gathered at the Elberton Civic Center on Wednesday, April 12, for a special E.G.A. Orientation Session. Association President Shirley McNeely wel­comed the group, which included the Board of Trustees; and mem­bers of the organization's staff outlined and described in general terms many activities and functions carried out by E.G.A. Among the many in-place programs described at the meeting were a wide range of activities designed to help members operate more efficiently and profitably; programs to develop and expand markets; and projects and materials designed to help customers sell more granite and better operate their businesses. After the formal presentation, a fellowship period was held in which the E.G.A. staff was on hand at table-top displays to further explain various facets of operations and services, and to exhibit materials. A buffet dinner was served with members of the E.G.A. Board of Trustees seated at assigned tables to further answer ques­tions about any phase of E.G.A. operations or policies. E. G.A. staff members manned table-top displays at which many of the association's materials and publications were exhibited for first-hand inspection. E.G.A. members and personnel played a big role in the STONE­XPO '89 international stone industry technology show at the Rivergate Convention Center in New Orleans, March 10-12. This was the third consecutive year STONEXPO has been held; the ELBER­TON GRANITE ASSOCIATION, INC., was once again one of 10 sponsoring stone industry associations. The exposition was attended by 1,344 persons, the largest crowd in the event's history, and 71 exhibitors who reserved 241 booths to display machinery and supplies from all over the world. STONEXPO officials said an unusually large number of monument retailers attended and many appeared interested in equipment which would help them diversify. In addition to the wide array of exhibits, STONEXPO included the most comprehensive seminar program ever presented at an Amer­ican stone exhibition. A large group of experts and officials from various segments of the stone industry presented wide-ranging and extensive programs to meet the informational, educational, and networking needs of the U.S. Stone Industry. Topics ranged from technological developments to programs on marketing, legal issues, and business management. Included as a Seminar Moderator was E.G.A. General Manager Tom Robinson, CM, who conducted a program on "Collection Policies." Mr. Robinson is also one of four E.G.A. representatives on the STON EXPO Federation Board of Trustees. Other E.G.A. member representatives on the Federation Board are Peter Edwards of GRAN-QUARTZ TRADING, INC.; Peter Wyatt of NED-KUT Diamond Products; and Mike Speer of DIAMANT BOART USA, who served as the 1988-89 President of the STONEXPO Federation. Candid camera shots of the display booths of E.G.A. members are shown in the accompanying photographs. Partial view of STONEXPO exhibit area. N-E-D CORPORATION N-E-D CORPORATION /MEX INTERNATIONAL, INC BICKNELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY MAPELLI, INC. EGA MEMBERS HELP LEAD Successful STONEXPO '89 In addition to a regular exhibit, the N-E-D CORPORATION hosted a gala celebration of its 25th year in business by sponsoring a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River. N-E-D President Peter Wyatt welcomed the throngs of customers and friends and cut a large 25th Anniversary Cake. Louisiana Cajun cuisine, a band, and dancing added to the festive atmosphere of the occasion. DIAMANT D OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. GRAN-QUARTZ TRADING, INC. S.A.M. AMERICA ABRASIVES, INC. LANSTONE, INC. ITALDIAMANT USA, INC. Keystone Builds Large New Office Addition Construction was recently completed on a large new office complex at KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., and its companion quarrying firm, KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY. Tom Oglesby, President of Keystone Memorials, said the two-story addition onto the firm's original office provides badly-needed space for additional personnel and new, computerized equipment commensurate with growth and escalating business volume. The firm is also building a large new plant expansion. "We have doubled the size of our office staff in the past 24 months to keep up with the growth of our company and it was vital that we have more room for both people and equipment," said Mr. Oglesby in commenting on the new 2,100 sq.-ft. structure which includes four spacious offices on the ground level and four on the second level. Also, the 1,200 sq.-ft. original office was partially remodeled. Downstairs space in the new building includes two large rooms for the Drafting Department where a new Gerber Scientific Products Computer Assisted Design (CAD) systen1 is in operation. The new offices are wallpapered and carpeted throughout with new desks featuring polished granite tops from each of the Keystone firm's five quarries. All desks have terminals connected with one of the com­pany's two computer systems. CAD SYSTEM The newest computer is the CAD system which Mr. Oglesby said was the only one in Elberton being used to cut rubber stencil panels for in1mediate application for sandblast engraving. He added that a variety of standard designs with a wide range of carvings and lettering styles have been entered in the computer memory banks. Merlin Eaves is the primary operator of the CAD system and Elaine Griggs is learning its capabilities. Mr. Oglesby said the revolutionary new system-there are only two in Elberton-is "working well" and that the firm plans to soon purchase another unit. "We are going slow and learning what the machine will and will not do." The system will produce full-size layouts or cut stencil panels for immediate use in sandblast engraving. PRAISES FAX Other new equipment includes a FAX machine, which is a long­range telephone photo-copier, and a new telephone system. "Many monument retailers are installing FAX machines because their wholesalers now have them," said Mr. Oglesby. He noted that the machine is useful in the transmitting and receiving of orders, sketches, and other data. "We are making faster, more accurate quotations and eliminating a lot of mistakes," he said. Another unusual feature of the new building is Mr. Oglesby's personal office. One wall consists of five, 8-ft. high, polished granite columns with mirror panels in between. The floor-to-ceiling col­umns were produced from "Keystone Blue", "Hedquist Pink", "Mis­souri Red", "Cherry Hill Black", and "Fox Hill Black" granites quarried by Keystone. "We thought that since all the new desk tops were going to be polished granite, we would do something different and veneer one inside office wall. It's unusual, it looks good-and it makes a great indoor display," Mr. Oglesby half-humorously added. The new Keystone office complex, foreground, is adjacent to a large new plant addition under construction on the Washington Highway near Elberton. The new offices, in two stories, more than double working space. Merlin Eaves operates the new CAD stencil cutting system in use at Keystone. Computers are used to compose a monument design which is then produced on a fully-cut rubber stencil panel ready for sandblast engraving on a monument. Tom Oglesby, right, and his father, George T. Oglesby, the owners of Keystone Memorials and Keystone Granite Company, confer in Tom's new office which has floor-to -ceiling granite panels on the background wall. Childs & Childs Gets Continual Line Polisher A large new computerized continual line polishing system at CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., is the latest major equipment addition at the rapidly-expanding monument manufac­turing concern. Tim Childs, Vice President, said the new, high-tech system is one of the first of its type in Elberton designed and produced in the U.S. It was manufactured by Park Industries, Inc., of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Mr. Childs said the system will greatly increase the company's slab polishing capacity and will provide as much polishing as four or five manually-operated mills within a given time span. He estimated that the system will produce approximately 100 feet of high-quality pol­ished granite per hour. The unit is in a new 2,400 sq. ft. metal addition onto the main monument plant on Highway 77, one mi le north of Elberton. The unit consists of eight polishing heads, each with its own electric motor. Its superstructure is built so that four additional heads can be added. Each of the heads has four abrasive polishing bricks attached which grind, hone, and buff granite slabs to a high gloss. The slabs enter the system on a large motorized conveyor. As a slab leaves the infeed conveyor, it passes onto the infeed table which is at a lower height than the conveyor. The table is automatically elevated by air power to the level of polishing heads. Slabs first pass under the electronic sensing bar which feeds the dimensions into computers operating each head. Mr. Childs said the heads operate separately, instead of being mounted on a single traversing bar, which provides better polishing on slab edges. When the slabs exit the polishing line, sprayers are automatically activated to wash the slabs and large blow dryers dry the granite. Mr. Childs said this is important to prevent scratches on the polish. New Base Production Line In Use At Star A second production line producing granite bases for bronze memorials is in operation at STAR GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Rusty Adams, President of the large manufacturing firm, said the new production line doubles the company's capacity to produce granite bases. He added that the installation of the new line has necessitated the addition of more personnel at the firm with facilities on the Toccoa Highway approximately two miles north of Elberton. Mr. Adams said that the new production line consists of approximately 180 ft. of roller conveyor and other equipment such as a diamond bit coring machine for vase holes and a lug-hole machine with two diamond-tipped drills to prepare the bases so that bronze plaques can be attached. The new conveyor line is parallel with the firm's original base production line and is designed so that the company's large guillotine stone splitter can serve both lines. A new continual line polisher at Childs & Childs Granite Company is the first in Elberton produced by Park Industries. Star Granite Company's new granite production line substantially boosts the firm's manufacturing capacity. Industrial Building Expands Center. Chuck Barfield, President of INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SY STEMS, I NC., reported that he has added 63 more feet of bridge crane runway onto the front and back of his service center on the Stinchcomb Road, seven miles west of Elberton. Industrial Build­ing Systems is an E.G.A. sustaining member which erects build­ings and installs and services bridge cranes. Mr. Barfield said that the new bridge crane extension gives his firm a total of 253 feet of runway to help in the storage and loading and unloading of cranes, steel, parts, and other heavy materials used in his business. The service center now has loading bays on either end and on both sides. E.G.A. Firms Add More Diamond Saws. The proliferation of automated, high-tech diamond saws con­tinues in the Elberton Granite District with NORTH GEORGIA MONUMENT COMPANY and CLASSIC MONUMENTS, INC., being the latest E.G.A. n1embers to add the major equipment items. The addition of a new large diamond block saw at North Georgia Monument Company brings to four block saws the number in operation at the monument finishing firm on the Athens Highway in Carlton approximately 11 miles west of Elberton. The new, multi­purpose saw at Classic, which will be used to saw slant markers as well as small blocks, also brings to four the number of diamond saws at the memorial manufacturing concern on the Athens Highway two miles west of Elberton. Both saws were built by WILSON INDUS­TRIAL ELECTRIC, INC., an E.G.A. sustaining member which 1s a major manufacturer of diamond sawing equipment. CLASSIC MONUMENTS, INC. Type: Combination SlanVBlock Saw Began Operation: March, 1989 Built by: Wilson Industrial Electric, Inc. NORTH GEORGIA MONUMENT COMPANY Type: Diamond Block Saw Began Operation: February, 1989 Built by: Wilson Industrial Electric, Inc. LEXINGTON BLUE INSTALLS ADDITIONAL CRANE. Ms. Carolyn Miller, Secretary-Treasurer of LEX­INGTON BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., reported that the n1onument manufacturing concern has installed a new bridge crane with a 5-ton capacity at the firm's sawing plant. The new unit is the second overhead, bridge crane installed at the sawing facility located off the Athens Highway 2.5 miles from Elberton. TRIPLE "R" OWNERS PERSONALLY PRODUCE COMPANY VEHICLE Bo Ruff, President of TRIPLE "R" GRANITE SALES, INC., said his sons, Greg and Mitch, who assist him in the management of their family firm, recently designed and custom-built a new, 10-wheel truck for long-haul delivery of finished memorial products. Greg, who is Secretary-Treasurer, and Mitch, who is Vice President, modi­fied a single-axle tractor unit into a double-axle model complete with a new 300-hp Cummings engine which will handle a much bigger payload than the original truck. "It will help our immediate freight needs and will improve service to our customers," said Mr. Ruff. Greg and Mitch did most of the modification on the vehicle and will alternately drive it on delivery runs. They said it has all the features of a factory-built unit, including driver comfort and safety equipment. Greg said the truck has a 21-ft. bed and bodies, which they also built, and will haul up to 52,000 pounds. Mitch Ruff, left, and his brother, Greg, show off their new custom-built, 10-wheel truck which they personally modified. MIZE GRANITE PURCHASES GUILLOTINE STONE SPLITTER A new, heavy-duty guillotine stone splitter has been installed at the MIZE GRANITE SALES, INC., monument plant 9n the Toccoa High­way, approximately two miles north of Elberton. Robert W. "Bubba" Mize, President of the firm, said the guillotine was a "Hydrasplit" model manufactured by Park Industries of St. Cloud, Minnesota. The major equipment item uses hydraulic pressure on rows of extra-hard, carbide-tipped chisels to split granite slabs up to 20-in. thick. Mr. Mize said the new stone splitter will exert thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch to cleanly and evenly split granite slabs up to 11-ft. wide. It is equipped with input and output roller con­veyors with hydraulic turntables on either side for easier handling and turning of granite slabs without use of an overhead crane. "It is a tremendous time saver and is also more economical for it reduces breakage and splits the slabs more evenly," said Mr. Mize. The company formerly used a hammer and cleaver to split slabs into smaller pieces to be shaped into individual monuments. Mize Granite Sales Vice President Charlie Brown operates the firm's new guillotine stone splitter. GEORGIA-CAROLINA BUILDS CURB STONE PLANT AT QUARRY A new, 4,000 sq. ft., all metal plant equipped to produce curb stone was recently bui It by GEORGIA-CAROLINA QUARRIES, I NC., adjacent to the firm's main Quarry No. 1 near the Sandy Cross Community in Oglethorpe County, 18 miles southwest of Elberton. Bill Stevens, Vice President of the quarrying company, said necessary equipment and personnel have been added for a sizeable curbing stone operation. He noted that some personnel alternately work in both the new plant and nearby quarry. "We feel that curbing stone is a growing market which offers opportunities for us in addition to our regular operation supplying granite blocks to Elberton granite man­ufacturers," said Mr. Stevens who added that the plant is being managed as a part of the quarry operation. Bill reported that the new curb stone production facility includes a Park Industries, Inc., "Hydrasplit" guillotine stone splitter built in St. Cloud, Minnesota, a heavy-duty bridge crane, stone-cutting bankers, and other equipment. Mr. Stevens said the stone splitter will handle a slab up to 12-ft. long and 18-in. thick. It features entry and exit conveyor tables and the entry-in-put table can be hydraulically raised and rotated to easier position granite pieces before splitting. Childs & Childs Names Drennan To Post. Henry G. Drennan, a veteran Elberton Granite producer and supervisor, has joined the management of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., as Customer Service Manager, reported Robin Childs, Vice President of the large monument finishing concern. Mr. Childs said Mr. Drennan will be involved in scheduling shipments, estimating and quoting prices, and general customer relations. "We feel fortunate to have someone with Henry's excellent back­ground in sales, production and office management on our Childs & Childs team," said Mr. Childs. "We think he will be a valuable asset in the expediting of orders and in customer relations. Mr. Drennan was most recently General Manager of a large quarrying and monument manufacturing concern where he coordinated work between the plant and office, took customer orders, estimated prices and other general duties. He also has several years experience as a Plant Foreman at both monumental and structural stone plants in Elberton and for more than 20 years was part-owner of a monument finishing company. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he majored in General Business. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Drennan is a member of the Doves Creek Baptist Church and is Church Historian. He and his wife, the former Beverly Hall, have a grown son and daughter. Keystone Expands Office Force Tom Oglesby, President of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., has announced sev­eral staff additions at the large monument finishing concern. He said the staff expansion was coincidental with the firm's large new office expansion and an increasing business volume. He reported that the additions include Mrs Judy Scales, a receptionist and computer oper­ator; and Mrs. Elaine Griggs and Merlin Eaves, employed in an enlarged and improved Drafting Department. Mrs. Scales formerly worked for a large insurance underwriting firm headquar­tered in Elberton. A native of nearby Wilkes County, she graduated from Wilkes Academy and is the wife of Larry Scales of Elberton. She and Larry have four daughters. Active in church work, Judy sings in the choir at the Grace Baptist Church. Elaine Griggs, a veteran of many years experience as an Elberton Granite Indus­try draftsperson, is also learning computer-graphics at Keystone. She is the daughter of Howard Greenway, formerly a prominent Granite Industry machinist who is now a monument retailer in Flor­ida. A graduate of Elbert County Com­prehensive High School, Elaine began working in the monument industry at age 15 and began her fu I I-time career immediately upon graduation from high school. She attends the Elberton First Baptist Church and is the n1other of one daughter. Her hobbies include deer hunt­ing. Elaine's brother Dennis, is employed by ITALDIAMANT USA, a Granite Indus­try supply firm. Merlin Eaves came to Keystone from Seal Monument Company in Denham Springs, Louisiana. "I've always loved to work with monuments and granite and Elberton is where the action is in granite," said Merlin. He is employed in the Key­stone Drafting Department with Elaine working as a computergraphics techni­cian and operating the firm's new Gerber Computer Assisted Design system. Mer­lin is native of Denham Springs. After serving in Southeast Asia in the U.S. Air Force, he lived in Baton Rouge, Loui­siana, and began working in monumental engraving. Merlin is single and enjoys photography and collecting rocks and minerals. ELAINE GRIGGS & MERLIN EAVES JUDY SCALES. PERSONNEL NOTES Office Staff Additions Announced. AT BROWN TRANSPORT- Ms. Margaret Brady has been employed by BROWN TRANSPORT CORPORATION and is working in cus­tomer relations, damaged claims, billing, and related items, particularly rate computations announced Gary Smith, Terminal Manager. Brown Transport is a major commercial carrier of Elberton Granite products and is an E.G.A. associate member. Margaret is a graduate of Elbert County High School and has several years experience in Granite Industry office work. She is a member of the Elberton First United Methodist Church and a Senior Youth Counselor. Active in adult league women's softball and basketball, she is the mother of two children. AT SWIFTCO- AMY BROWN Monty Dixon and Merrill Franklin, co­owners of SWIFT SUPPLY COMPANY, INC., reported that Miss Amy Brown has joined the company as a Purchasing Agent and Inventory Control Manager. Swift Company (SWIFTCO) is an E.G.A. sustaining member which provides tools and special services for the Granite Industry. Miss Brown is a recent graduate of Elbert County Comprehensive High School and was employed at the Elbert County Commission Office as a Voca­tional Office Training student. She was also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America at ECCHS and served as Secretary of the club. A member of the school softball team, she was also a mem­ber of the Future Homemakers of Amer­ica. An active member of the Elberton First Baptist Church, she is engaged to be married to Gary Dixon, Plant Foreman at Star Granite Company, Inc. AT CLASSIC MONUMENTS- Mrs. Martha Slay has joined the office staff of CLASSIC MONUMENTS, INC., and is performing general office duties such as secretarial work, taking customer orders and assisting Mrs. Peggy Childs, owner of the monument manufacturing firm. Mrs. Slay has over 20 year’s experience in Granite Industry office work. A graduate of Elbert County High School, Mrs. Slay went to work in a gran­ite company office shortly after gradua­tion. She and her husband, Marshall, have two children. She is a member of the Elberton Christian Church. AT STAR GRANITE- LESLIE BOOTH Rusty Adams, President of ST AR GRANITE COMPANY, INC., announced that Miss Leslie Booth has been employed by the large granite firm as an Estimator and Computer Order Entry Data Technician. Star is a major manufacturer of granite bases for bronze memorials, cemetery memorials, and granite flooring tiles. Miss Booth is a graduate of Elbert County Comprehensive High School and the University of Georgia where she majored in Speech Communications. She formerly worked in sales for a garment manufacturer and in the billing department for a large insurance underwriting firm in Elberton. She is a member of the Elberton First United Methodist Church and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Leslie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Booth. A druggist, Mr. Booth is also the owner of an Elberton Granite quarry. AT LANSTONE- CHRISTINE CUNNINGHAM Mrs. Christine Cunningham has been employed by LANSTONE, INC., as a bookkeeper and computer operator, announced Ludwig Nissen, President of the equipment manufacturing firm and distributor of European-produced stone working machinery. Mrs. Cunningham grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Dunwoody High School in Atlanta. She attended Valdosta State College in Valdosta, Georgia, and majored in Business Administration. She has worked as a Sales Assistant at the Merrill-Lynch Brokerage firm and is married to Mark Cunningham who operates a farm in Elbert County with his dad, Fred Cunningham, a retired attorney. The couple has one daughter. Christine attends Calvary Presbyterian Church. AT WILSON ELECTRIC- SUSANN DUNN Ray Wilson, President of WILSON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC, INC., announced that Ms. Susann Dunn has joined the firm's office staff and is working as a bookkeeper and general office worker. The Wilson company is a major producer of diamond sawing equipment and is an E.G.A. sustaining member. A native of Royston in Franklin County near Elberton, Susann graduated from Franklin County High School. A Radiological Technician, she was a housewife before joining the Wilson firm. She loves flying and is the mother of two boys. She lives in Canon, Georgia, near Elberton. HONORS. Robin Childs Cited For Chamber Support. Robin Childs, Vice President of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COM­PANY, INC., was honored at the Annual Elbert County Chamber of Commerce Banquet in April when he was one of three Elbert Countians who received handsome plaques for being among the top recruiters of new Chamber members. Mr. Childs formerly served on the Cham­ber of Commerce Board of Directors. In 1988, he was recommended by the Chamber and confirmed by the Elbert County Commission to serve as the county's representative on the Northeast Georgia Private Industry Council. Also in 1988, he was one of the two Granite Industry representatives in a special Community Leadership Program co­sponsored by the Chamber. Coggins Supervisors Complete Management Course. Eighteen COGGINS GRANITE, INC., quarry supervisors and office staff mem­bers recently completed a three month course, entitled "Management by Results", which dealt with management skills and setting goals for personnel. Gregg Mann, Executive Vice President of the large quarrying firm, said the course was taught by Sim Blitch of Blitch/Bryan Associates, Inc., industrial consultants from Ocala, Florida. The courses, which met twice monthly and averaged five hours each session, were taught in the Elberton Granite Museum & Exhibit classroom. Mr. Mann said the company is already seeing positive results from the program which involved personnel motivation, tardiness and absenteeism reduction, and increased production goals. The company held a barbecue for the trainees on Friday, April 7, and Mrs. Shirley McNeely, President of the firm, presented graduation certificates to the trainees. Mrs. McNeely also graduated from the course. These officials and supervisors at Coggins Granite, Inc., proudly display their graduation certificates upon completion of their three­month "Management By Results" seminar. They include, front row, left to right, Billy Dickerson, Jerry Colquitt, Charles Moon, Hewell Loyd, David Haggstrom, Wayne Johnson, and Randy Elder; second row: Tim Benton, Kenneth Mayes, Mickey Weaver, Joe Johnson, Shirley McNeely, Jimmy Hill, Judy Carroll, Nancy Coggins Whitworth, and Greg Mann. Telephone Group Chooses Granite For Flagpole Markers. "Pyramid Blue Granite" plaques were recently manufactured by ELBERTON GRANITE FINISHING CORPORATION for placement at the base of new flagpoles at al I Department of Transportation traveler rest areas on interstate highways in Georgia. The DOT maintains pub I ic rest areas for thousands of travelers on the interstates and the Dixie Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America recently donated flagpoles for both the state and U.S. flags. The Telephone Pioneers is a national organization of telephone company employees and the Dixie Chapter includes over 8,000 employees in Georgia outside of Atlanta. Jimmy Johnson of Elberton, a Southern Bell Telephone official, said TPA leaders in Georgia felt that some sort of dedicatory plaque or sign was needed and believed that Elberton Granite was the most appropriate material since it is one of the State's most famous natural resources. David Brown of Elberton Granite Finishing designed the plaques which are 18 in. long and 10-in. wide. The inscriptions, "Donated by Telephone Pioneers of America" and listing the Dixie Chapter unit, are in lettering duplicated from the TPA logo. Mr. Johnson is President of the Athens Area Council for the TPA. These "Pyramid Blue Granite" plaques have been Installed beneath new flag­poles at Georgia Interstate highway rest areas. Haynes Donates Handsome Granite Plaques To Hospital Leaders. HAYNES GRANITE COMPANY recently donated attractive granite plaques to the 11 members of the 1987-88 Elbert Memorial Hospital Authority, the hospital's governing body which oversees the policies and activities of the rapidly-growing Northeast Georgia medical facility. Alton Haynes and his son, Pete, who are co-owners of the monument finishing firm, and Alton's daughter, Mrs. Pat Haston, Office Manager, personally presented the plaques to the Hospital Authority members who conveyed their thanks to the Haynes family for the handsome, beautifully-designed keepsakes and the work­manship involved. The hospital annually presents mementos to the group in recogni­tion of the many hours of service and effort they so unselfishly donate. "We are grateful to Alton, Pete, and Pat, for their generosity and work in designing and manufacturing these special plaques for Authority members," added Hospital Administrator Vic Ribeiro. Mounted on the polished "Millstone Medium Blue Granite" was a bronze hospital logo, a color photograph of the Authority, and a gold inscription plate naming the group. Authority members include Tom Olgesby, President of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., who serves as Secretary, and Ann Gunter, wife of Shelvyn Gunter, Vice President of the E.G.A. member-firm, QUARRIES, INC. Involved In the Hospital Authority plaque presentation were, left to right, Authority member Ann Gunter and Alton Haynes, co-owner of the Haynes firm; Authority Chairman Clyde Adams and Mr. Haynes· daughter, Pat Haston; and Past Authority Chairman Jim Purcell and Pete Haynes, co-owner of the granite company. Ed. Note-So many E.G.A. member-firms' owners and representatives attended so many different retailer meetings in 1988-and now, 1989- that the GRAN ITEER photographer and space alloted to convention reports can no longer record everybody from our E.G.A. membership at all meet­ings. Therefore, the photos reproduced on these and the following pages are intended to be representative of Elbertonians' support of state and regional meetings of their customers, not all-inclusive. Selection of pictures are made solely by the Editor in an effort to show how E.G.A. firms help increase the attendance and make the meetings more successful. As space permits in future issues, more photos from these and other meetings may be used in our CONVENTION CAMERA coverage. Mr. and Mrs. George Blomberg, left, and Mr. and Mrs. Allan Johnson, all of Clay Center. Kansas; Richard Scheibe and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Thurmon, of Troy. Missouri; Tom and Jane Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC.; and Don Bushman and son, Kelly. of Cuba, Missouri. John Weber of Ontario, Canada, receives a prize from E. G.A. Executive Vice President William A. Kelly. CM, at the E. G.A. Exhibit at the M.B.N.A. National Convention in Reno, Nevada, this past February. Jim Orange of Columbia, South Carolina, and Mr. and Mrs. Phil Butler of the TOWNLER CORPORATION. Illinois Monument Builders official George Mahair, left, of Quincy. Illinois; Robin Childs and Ernie Ernst of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Peter Troost of Chicago, Illinois; Past M.B.N.A. President Don Rex of New Bedford, Massachusetts; and Illinois Monument Builders President Danny Adams pose with a rendering of a monument which the Childs & Childs firm donated to the association. The monument was raffled by the organization and won by Mr. Troost. Raffle proceeds were donated to the MYTTE Fund; hence, the check presentation by Mr. Adams to Mr. Rex. George Mann and Ann Jones, left, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Gene Belvin of Norfolk, Virginia; Tom and lone McGarity of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Mr. and Mrs. Carson Rinker of Harrisonburg, Virginia; and Frank Carroll of Fredericksburg. Ann is a former Miss Virginia. Dave Anderson, left, of Fargo, North Dakota, and William C. "Bill" Boyd of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Schroedl, left, and son, Mike, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chester Almond of PURITAN GRANITE COMPANY, INC. MBNA Past President Don Rex, left, of New Bedford, Massachusetts; Robin Childs of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; and John Sienicki of South Bend, Indiana. Mrs. Aggie Todd, left, of Trafford, Pennsylvania; Phil Fannin of GEORGIA INTER­NATIONAL STONE, INC.; Bob Lamison of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Maryann Phillips of Trafford. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Fox, left, of Marion, Kentucky; Billy Hix of REPUBLIC-HIGH· POINT-STERLING GRANITE COMPANIES; and the Foxs' son and daughter-in­law, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Fox. Mr. and Mrs. Horace Harper, left, of APEX GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Mr. and Mrs. Jollish Clifton of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer Tate, left, of TATE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Collins of Mullins, South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Ken Dodds, left, of Ottawa, Kansas; Billy Hix of REPUBLIC­HIGHPOINT-STERLING GRANITE COMPANIES; and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Womer of Kempton, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. James Korb, left, of Dubois, Pennsylvania, and Robin Childs of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mr. and Mrs. Sonny Ash, left, of Heathsville, Virginia; Mrs. Cheryl Willingham and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Groves of Winchester, Virginia; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brostow of Saluda, Virginia; and Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORI­ALS, INC. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Crites, left, of Charleston, South Carolina; Mr. and Mrs. William C. "Bill" Boyd of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and the Boyds' grand­daughters, Brooke and Bridget Boyd. FULL-COLOR ART PRINTS REMAIN POPULAR Since their introduction in 1985, the four full-color art prints offered for sale by the ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION, INC. have been purchased by over 300 firms. The large prints are being used as attractive and useful additions in office or conference room settings; they have been featured in numerous displays; and they usually command immediate attention because of the story they tell about the production of a granite memorial. In response to many requests, E.G.A. is continuing to make the popular items available. The entire set of four art prints, as illustrated below in full color, is priced at $40.00; but a 50°/4 discount is available if authorized by an E.G.A. member-firm. There is a $5.00 handling and shipping charge applied to each order regardless of the quantity of prints ordered. So, for a very small overall charge of $25 .00, retailers can receive al I four of the large 17" by 22" size prints suitable for framing, display, or whatever use may be desired. To obtain the prints, use the order form in the E.G.A. Monument Promotion Catalog. If this is not handy, send $25 .00 along with the name of your E.G.A. supplier to Elberton Granite Association, Inc., P.O. Box 640, Elberton, Georgia 30635. Your order will be filled promptly and you can join the ever-increasing number of progressive retailers who are putting the E.G.A. art prints to very good use in their sales and promotion programs.