ELBERTON GRANITE “Changes Taking Place” Probably no other news during our 26 years in the Elberton Granite business has been received with such sudden and forceful impact as the unprecedented announcement by Coggins Granite officials, reported on the opposite page, of the phasing out of the firm’s monument production activities which have been a part of the Elberton Granite scene for the past sixty years. It seems appropriate that we offer some comments on the momentous “change” that our area is now experiencing. First the tragic circumstances that quickly brought about this long-considered move are a source of sadness and dismay to everyone. The sudden removal of the dynamic Frank Thomas from our midst is a loss that our area will not immediately overcome from many standpoints. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends. Certainly, we feel compassion for the workers affected -— some with many, many years of service — who must now "change” employment and seek work elsewhere. It is comforting to believe that most of them should experience little difficulty in being absorbed into the manufacturing ranks of our E.G.A. member-firms whose business volume will no doubt now increase. Many fine craftsmen and loyal granite employees will be required to swell the ranks of these firms — and it may be that productive efforts all along the line will improve as all granite workers see the consequencesthat can result when profitability cannot be maintained in a manufacturing operation. Then, we foresee a period of “change” or re-adjustment in retailer relations with our area. The volume of business formerly produced by the Coggins monumental plant will be "an eagerly-sought prize” that all Elberton Granite firms — and those located elsewhere — will be seeking to capture. We know that no single manufacturer can or will garner all of this volume. Alternative sources ofsupply must be carefully considered by the retailers affected; and promises of service and quality made by other manufacturers must surely be kept if the reputation of our Elberton Granite area is to be protected and improved. Also, we in Elberton will be experiencing a “change” in the yardstick by which practically all firms have come to measure their operations and policies. It was only natural that the "oldest” and “largest” company would fill that role. Sometimes it was in a leadership context . . . other times it was as “whipping boy” for policies or practices perceived to be desirable or undesirable. Too often, it may have been as an economic beacon that others blindly followed or sought to circumvent. In any event, things will be “changed” in this regard . . . and in some respects, this could be a beneficial change for all concerned. Finally, we believe there has to be a message for everyone in the "changes” that our area now faces. The economic message to wholesalers and retailers alike should be loud and clear. . . Pay attention to your profits lest your business also suffers to the point where major alterations must be made. The labor message is also there in unmistakable fashion . . . Productivity must be improved at every stage of the manufacturing process or your employers may very well have no alternative but to curtail or cease all or part of their operations affecting your job. And, the governmental message is there to be heeded. . . Increased government regulation is strangling the profitable operation ofAmerican businesses who provide employment and pay taxes, and it’s time for state and federal governments to let up! Yes, "changes are taking place”. . . no doubt they will continueto take place in the future. These latest changes in Elberton provide never-ending challenges to everyone in our area. How we meet these challenges may determine whether we’ll be around to respond to "changes” in the future! OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ELBEIITON GRANITE ASSOCIATION, INC. President WILLIAM A. KELLY, CAE Executive Vice President and Editor HUDSON CONE Associate Editor Trustees Chester Almond Otis Childs. Jr. Frank Coggins. Jr. Joe Fendley Charles Grimes Horace Harper Allan McGarity Tom Oglesby James Welch Advertising Committee Joe Fendley, Chairman Joe Fernandez Mel Fleischer Joe E. Fleming Larry Guest Tom McGarity Ben Smith Brewer Tate Mac Thornton George Wallis James Welch Published Quarterly By ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION, INC. P. 0. Box 640 Elberton, Georgia 30635 Telephone 404/283-2551 Frank Coggins, Jr., Chairman of the Board of COGGINS GRANITE, INC., announced on August 15 that his company would phase out all monu- ment finishing activities by September 30, 1980. He further stated that the Coggins firm would continue to operate itsthree quarries, two sawing plants,and building stone plant in the Elberton area as well as several other quarries owned in Virginia, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. The Coggins monument fabricating operations were originally established by the late B. Frank Coggins, Sr. before 1920, and the company had grown to be the largest producer in the Elberton area and one of the major monument manufacturing firms in the entire United States. Total employment at the firm was around 250 with some 75 to 80 persons working in the monument production facilities that will be closed. The firm served retail memorial firms throughout the United States with an annual volume of several million dollars. Reasons Cited The decision to shut down its monument finishing operations was due partly to inflation, declining productivity and excessive government regulations, Mr. Coggins said. “We have been struggling to keep up with rising inflation and to overcome the burdens of government agencies such as OSHA and MSHA, but we have still had a considerably less than profitable operation during the past 30 months,” he added. The move had been contemplated for some time, but the incident triggering the dramatic announcement was the untimely death of the company’s president, Frank D. Thomas, who was fatally injured on August 11 in agasoline explosion as he was refueling his company automobile at the firm’s plant, Mr. Coggins explained. (See the obituary for Mr. Thomas on Page 23.) Other Activities to Continue Despite the termination of its monument production operations, the company will definitely continue to be very active in the quarrying, sawing, and building stone fields, Mr. Coggins said. He explained that the firm has recently expanded its quarrying activities at the large “Berkeley Blue” quarry in Madison County. Also, the adjacent “Royalty Blue” quarry, which the firm purchased in 1977, is producing large amounts of excellent dark stone; and the “Millstone” quarry in Oglethorpe County is a source of extensive deposits of saleable stone. “Thus, we expect to remain a major supplier of rough blocks for the manufacturing plants in the Elberton District,” Mr. Coggins said. He also commented that the mammoth granite sawing facilities operated by the company would continue in operation to provide sawed slabs to customers wishing to purchase them. “We are definitely not getting out of the granite business — just the monument finishing business,” he added. The company owns and operates the“Ebony Mist”blackgranitequarryin Virginia; the “Sequoya” mahogany- type granite quarry in Milbank, South Dakota; and the “Chapel Rose” red granite quarry in Oklahoma. Work Absorbed by Others Because the large volume of orders previously handled by the Coggins firm will most likely be absorbed by other Elberton Granite firms who have the capacity to increase their production, it is anticipated that the 75 displaced Coggins’ workers will be able to find employment with those firms. Some short-term disruption and necessary re- adjustment will no doubt be encountered; but with the continued supply of the quarry blocks and the sawing that will be available from the Coggins facilities remaining in operation, local leaders confidently expect that employment in the area as a _ FRANK COGGINS, JR. whole will remain steady and the excellent craftsmen who were "affected will be utilized by other firms. Speculation that the “recessionary economy” was responsible for the closing was emphatically counteracted by company and area officials. According to statistics maintained by the Elberton Granite Association, the volume of orders in 1980 for the area had actually increased by 5 to 10% during the first half ofthe year. “We had no shortage of orders — just a definite shortage of profits and the seemingly impossible task of boosting our productivity and return on our investment in today’s inflationary times,” Mr. Coggins explained. “We wish our retail customers and wholesale friends continued success in their efforts; and we sincerely hope they can maintain profitable business operations as they continue to manufacture monuments in the future,” he concluded. Aerial view of “Berkeley Blue" and “Royalty Blue" quarries, owned by COGGINS GRANITE, INC.. which will continue to be operated by the firm along with its “Millstone" quarry in the Elberton area. These plants housed the monument manufacturing facilities of COGGINS GRANITE. INC. Operations here. affecting some 75 employees. were discontinued on September 30. 1980. Elberton Granite mementos are prized by dignitaries ranging from U.S. Presidents on down, but when a sports “living legend” and college football’s most famous coach, Paul W. “Bear” Bryant, recently accepted an Elberton Granite penset, there was a small measure of surprise. The University of Alabama coach and athletic director is without peer in his profession and has been the subject of books, network television specials, and was receiving national acclaim long before the present set of gridiron superstars was born. One of his characteristics has been a disdain for gifts and tributes which tended to glorify “the Bear from ‘Bama’ ” himself. Bryant is quick to pass any accolades on to his players and assistant coaches. However, the coach of the 1979 National Champion football team not only graciously accepted the handsomely-crafted penset, but assured the donors from Elberton that he would display it in his trophy case. Elberton Donors The set was presented by E.G.A. President Torn Oglesby, Vice President of KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY which fabricated it, and Chris Phelps, a prominent Elberton attorney and longtime ‘Bama’ fan. The penset was designed by Tom Oglesby and Joe Fernandez of DESIGN MART, an E.G.A. associate member and commercial monument design firm in Elberton. It was carefully handcut and crafted from “Keystone Blue Granite”, and on one end was a rounded, hand-polished “Chapel Rose Granite” replica of a football complete with white laces. The replica was on a pedestal shaped like a kicking tee. The deep red color of the granite resembled Alabama's Crimson Tide football colors. An Alabama logo in crimson, complete with caricature of a charging elephant, was carved on the other end and served as a background for the pen. A bull elephant is the Alabama mascot. The set is beveled toward the front and inscribed: “Head Coach & Athletic Director Paul W. Bryant”. On a frosted panel between the miniature football and the pen are inscribed the years Bryant has won college football national championships at Alabama — 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, and 1979. The donors assured Bryant that the panel could be modified to add more championships. (Bryant is the winningest living college football coach with 296 wins and is only 19 victories short of breaking Amos Alonzo Stagg’s all-time record of 314 wins. His teams have won the Southeastern Conference title eight of the last nine years.) Conceived Idea The idea for the gift originated with Chris Phelps who played freshman football at Alabama in 1969 before injuries ended his career. He conceived the idea in 1978 when Alabama was named National Champion by one of the nation's two news wire services, and he thought 1979 was the appropriate time since Alabama was picked “No. 1” by both UPI and AP. “I wanted to give him something that he would be proud of, and also something that would give credit to where I am from.” He wrote to Bryant, outlined his gift proposal, pointing out that Elberton was the “Granite Capital of the World,” and that President Jimmy Carter has an Elberton Granite penset on one of his White House desks. Phelps then contacted Tom Oglesby, a friend whose company had crafted an Alabama wall plaque for the attorney’s home. He provided general specifications, and Tom R E.G.A. President Tom Oglesby. left, and Elberton ; attorney Chris Phelps, right. present a penset to football‘s foremost coach- ing legend, Paul W. Bryant. conferred with Joe Fernandez on a design and model approved by Phelps. Presentation Visit Bryant became ill during the 1980 Spring football practice and was hospitalized but was released shortly before the annual A-Day Spring Football Game on April 12. That weekend, Tom, Chris and their wives took the set to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and with Chris’ sister, Kim, a student at the University, were ushered into Bryant’s office, the “inner citadel of college football", to meet “the Bear.” “I think he was really surprised," said Tom, “I think hethoughtthe pensetwas going to be something small like an ashtray. He was really wide-eyed.” Chris added: "He appeared to be really impressed, and Coach Bryant is not easily impressed since he has received so many honors." Bryanttook time from his busy A-Day schedule for a 20-minute chat with the Elbertonians to express his appreciation and posed for some press photos — promising that the set would be displayed in his trophy case with his most cherished memorabilia. Tom said he was honored that Bryant seemed so sincerely appreciative of his Elberton Granite gift. “It made me feel really good that he would see us, and then to see how he really appreciated the set. It meant a lot, after all, he’s the best — maybe the best of all time." ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 1980-81 Seated, left to right, Trustees Otis Childs, James Welch, Allan McGarity, Charles Grimes and the late Frank Thomas. Standing, left to right, E.G.A. Executive Vice President Bill Kelly, President Tom Oglesby; and Trustees Chester Almond, Joe Fendley, and Horace Harper. For onlythesecondtimeinthe history of the trade organization, the Board of Trustees of the Elberton Granite Associ- ation, Inc. has elected a president to succeed himself. The Board met July 16 and re-elected Tom Oglesby, 1979-80 President, to a successive term for the 1980-81 year. The first such precedent was in 1978 when Tom’s predecessor, Horace Harper, was elected to succeed himself. Tom is Vice President of KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY and Horace is President of APEX GRANITE COMPANY, INC. By selecting Tom Oglesby, who is only 34 years old, the Board also continued a recent trend of choosing officers from a young and dynamic "new generation” of Elberton Granite Association leaders. Tom's father, George T. Oglesby, President of Keystone, served asthe first E.G.A. President in 1951-52 when the Association was reorganized into its present status. In 1955-56, Mr. Oglesby again served as E.G.A. President. Tom said that he was gratified that his peers on the Board and in the Granite Industry entrusted to him for a second time the honor and responsibility of helping the other Board members guide E.G.A. policies and oversee its functions. He is recognized throughout the monument industry as a dedicated and energetic leader who works tirelessly on behalf of the memorial ideal. Other Officers Other officers chosen by the Board at the July 16 meeting include Joe Fendley of ELBERTON GRANITE FINISHING COMPANY, INC., who succeeded the late Frank Thomas of COGGINS GRANITE, INC. as Vice President, and Horace Harper who was named Treasurer. At the Annual Membership Meeting on June 25, three Trustees were elected by the general membership for three- year terms on the nine-member Board: Tom Oglesby; Chester Almond of PURITAN GRANITE COMPANY, INC., who had just completed a three-year term; and James “Yank” Welch of WELCH & WORLEY GRANITE COMPANY, INC. The three newly-elected Trustees joined carry-over Trustees Otis Childs of YEARGIN & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Joe Fendley; Allan MCGarity of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Charles Grimes of GRIMES BROTHERS GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Horace Harper; and the late Frank Thomas. After the untimely death of Mr. Thomas on August 12, the Board named Frank Coggins, Chairman of the Board of COGGINS GRANITE, lNC., to complete his unexpired term. Executive Vice President William A. “Bill” Kelly, CAE, was re-elected Executive Vice President to continue his 26 years of uninterrupted service as manager of the daily E.G.A. operations and expediter of the Board and general membership policies. His 26th year was a landmark year for E.G.A. as the organization recently completed a $150,000 building and expansion program. A record crowd indicative of E.G.A.’s rapid membership growth in the past few years assembled for the Association's 1980 Annual Meeting held at the Elberton Civic Center on June 25. “A Year of Building” was the theme which emphasized completion of The Granite Center expansion and construction of the adjacent Elberton Granite Museum and Exhibit structure. The theme was also applied to five basic areas of E.G.A. service as outlined by Executive Vice President Bill Kelly in his annual report. These were: building opportunities for extended markets; building to better meet customer needs; building to better serve member-firms’ common interests; building to better support industry organizations; and building to create better community acceptance. Following the business session, the Annual Meeting “stand- up” cocktail buffet provided opportunity for fun and fellowship and much conversation — some serious and some humorous. The hard-working granite executives enthusiastically sampled the wide variety of food which was well-prepared and was very much in abundance. The E.G.A. photographer took the following photos to provide a pictorial record of the event. Identifications are from left to right. Frank Coggins of COGGINS GRANITE. INC., Lynn Tessner of the E.G.A. staff, Allan McGarityofHARMONYBLUE GRANITE COMPANY. INC., and Joe Fendley of ELBERTON GRANITE FINISHING COMPANY, INC. Roger Guest of QUARRY OPERATORS. INC.. Norman Childs of CHILDS BROS. GRANITE COMPANY. INC.. andRichardRucker OIRUCKER TRUCK LEASING, INC. Bobby Veal of ROBERT C. VEAL GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Charles Grimes of GRIMES BROS. GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and George Wallis of STANDARD GRANITE COMPANY. INC. I A man-wile team, Muriel and Bill Comolli of CASH & C A R R V G RA NI TE COMPANY, INC. Worley of WORLEY BROTHERS GRANITE COMPANY, INC. and F. H. \/berrson of ARGO TRUCKING COMPANY, INC. Shirley McNeely of COGGINS GRANITE. INC.. Tom Oglesby OIKEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY. and Nancy Coggins of COGGINS GRANITE, INC. Marty Walker of WALKER GRANITE COMPANY. INC. and Paul Albertson of BROWN TRANSPORT CORPORA TION. In June, 1979, the member-firms of the Elberton Granite Association voted to finance the construction of a prototype water jet machine to quarry Elberton Granite with the use of high pressure streams of water. As previously outlined in the GRANITEER, work began during the second half of 1979 to implement this decision; and since then the Association’s Research Committee, engineers from Georgia Tech, and local machinists have ‘’built’’ a prototype unit costing $100,000. The water jet machine is currently undergoing rigorous testing at a local granite quarry. Experimental testing had been carried out in Elberton early in 1979 under the auspices of a National Science Foundation grant; and it had been determined that theoretically and actually the cutting of granite with water was possible. The E.G.A. Research Committee determined that it would direct its efforts first to assembling a "high pressure" machine to operate up to 40,000 psi. Accordingly, in August, 1979, an order was placed with Towler Corporation of Ohio for an “intensifier” — the pump mechanism needed to attain such tremendous pressures. This one piece of equipment alone cost around $65,000; and it took almost a year for the company to build and deliver the intensifier. Assembly Completed The design of the water jet was drawn, and re-drawn, by Engineer Lynn Tessner of Georgia Tech who is working with E.G.A. on a contractural basis on the project. The local machine shop of Yeargin & Tate Machine Company was engaged to “build" the necessary tracks, raising and lowering devices, and assemble the other electrical and plumbing components of the machine. Assistance was obtained from the Colorado School of Mines on the “lance” which is the part of the water jet that actually emits the fine streams of water particles that have been built up to the very high pressures. By August, 1980, exactly one year after the project was authorized, the prototype machine had been finally completed; and the vital "testing stage” in the quarry had been reached. Testing Underway As the Fall of 1980 began, Georgia Tech engineer David Poss had joined the water jet "crew”; a site at Coggins Granite “Millstone Quarry" in Oglethorpe County had been secured for the operations; an operator had been designated; power had been "hooked up”; all connections were in place; and the testing stage had arrived. At GRANITEER press time, it was still too early to report any definitive results from the long-awaited project. However, as the photographs on these pages indicate, the prototype water jet is an impressive-looking piece of equipment. It is E.G.A.'s Water Jet Machine as it appeared shortly after placement in the "Millstone Quarry. "An ideal location lorthe testing operations was made available under an agreement with Coggins Granite, Inc. Ben Gaines ol the Coggins lirm, shown making adjustment, assisted in the installation of the machine. operational, but it is also an experimental item that will be thoroughly tested under varying conditions to determine the most feasible methods of cutting the granite in the quarry. Owned by the Association, the unique machine is intended to be a model from which others can improve on, modify to suit their needs, or copy as might be desired. Whatever results are obtained will be through the “trial and error” method. Future issues of this magazine will report the continuing progress of this truly innovative venture that is currently going on in the Elberton Granite area. Monitoring Committee While the project is being financed by a special assessment paid by the Association's quarrying member-firms along with the use of other funds from the regular E.G.A. budget; the supervision, consultation, planning, and decision-making functions relating to the water jet machine have been carried out by the Association’s Research Committee. Serving on this Committee are: Allan McGarity, Chairman, of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Frank Coggins, Ir., of coccws GRANITE, |NC.; George T. Oglesby of KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY; George B. Tyler of CENTURY GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Bill Allen of ALLEN GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Charles Grimes and Carl Grimes of GRIMES BROTHERS GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; and E.G.A. Executive Vice President Bill Kelly. THE WATER JET BUILDERS — Working under the overall supervision of the E.G.A. Research Committee, these men were the principal "builders"ofthe prototype water jet. At the /elt is Georgia Tech engineer Lynn Tessner, who has worked with E.G.A. as apart-time industrial engineering specialist for several years. /n the center photograph is David Poss. also a Georgia Tech engineer, who joined the project as the assembly work was in progress and look over Lynn Tessner’s role while he lilled a prior commitment to go to Korea on a special project. In the right photo are the machinists of Yeargin & Tate Machine Company. a localshop that assembled and fabricated many of the water jets components: from /elt to right. Buddy Tate. Bo Connally. and Clarence Yeargin. The intensifier with the lance guidance mechanism attached, is shown in mid-air as it was being hoisted from the machine shop to the low-boy truck for its journey to the quarry. Harmony Blue Granite Company assisted in this transfer operation. This is an overall view of the lance (the pipe that extends from the machine down to the surface of the granite ). All 40000 lbs. of pressure are concentrated in this fragiIe—Iooking device and are forced through very tiny openings in the nozzle at the end. A side view of the machine showing the intensifier mechanism. Note that the entire machine travels on the 25-ft. steel track as the cutting is accomplished. This is a major difference in the prototype model and the experimental unit where the intensifier was stationary and required considerably more connecting joints or swivels to get the water to the lance. Grady Albertson olArgo Crane Service. lnc.. expertly eased the big machine down onto the truck. In the background is the machine shop of Yeargin & Tate. John Brown of Coggins Granite, Inc. assisted in the tedious job of moving the large machine and setting it in place at the quarry. E.G.A. WATER JET STATUS REPORT September 1980 0 High Pressure Unit Assembled 0 Machine Placed in Quarry 0 Testing Operations Underway 0 Controlled Use Monitored 0 Results Being Evaluated An even closer view of the lance clearly showing that the very first experimental cutting of the granite with the high pressure water had taken place. As the lance cuts. the machine lowers the jet nozzle to the new depth. Overall view of the machine from the intensifier side as opposed to the lance side shown on the opposite page. Note the continuous arch—type pipes through which the water travels under pressure to the lance. The tall mechanism is the lowering device for the lance and is capable of permitting the lance to cut to depths of 20 feet. A newly-formed monument fabricating company has become E.G.A.’s newest voting member, and a new machine shop has become an associate member to increase the nation's largest granite-producing-district trade association to a record 78 voting members and 17 associates. The new voting member and associate are introduced to GRANITEER readers in the following reports. WELCH'S GRANITE COII Jim Welch, owner of WELCH’S GRANITE COMPANY, INC., is one of the youngest granite plant owners in the Elberton Granite Industry. Only 23, Jim is like many of the young, "new generation” Elberton Granite men who are following family tradition. His father, James C. “Yank” Welch is the long-time manager of Welch & Worley Granite Company, Inc. whereJim worked for the past three years learning basics ofthe business. Unlike many new or young granite plant owners, Jim did not purchase monument manufacturing facilities or begin on a small scale. He has constructed an 8,800 sq. ft., all metal building on a 10-acre tract on the Middleton Road approximately five miles east of Elberton. The plant has a single, heavy-duty crane equipped with 15 and 5-ton-capacity hoists. Jim said the crane, with two hoists, was unusual but highly economical since it is a "two-in-one” system. The 15-ton hoist will be used to lift sawblocks and other heavy pieces. The plant also has a carbo shaping saw on which a diamond shaping blade can be interchanged with a profile grinding head. The system is designed with steel mounts so that seven to eight monuments can be set up at onetime. The company also has a top polishing mill and a heavy-duty slab polishing mill. Jim began operations in August and plans to add another crane and diamond shaping saw soon. He credits much of the efficient layout of his plant to a close friend, Warren Hulme, a skilled young builder and machinist who only recently returned to Elberton from Central America where he farmed. "Warren and I did most of the work on the building and equipment ourselves," said Jim. Although Clois Worley and his brother Roland “grew up" in the granite business and are successful owners of a monument manufacturing plant, Clois says he has always wanted to own a machine shop. This is how E.G.A.'s newest associate member, DIXIE INDUSTRIAL MACHINE COMPANY, was formed. Located on the Middleton Road adjacent to Clois and Roland’s WORLEY MONUMENT COMPANY, INC., the new machine works is jointly owned by the Worley brothers and Reuben Kelly. Clois, who personally built or supervised construction of the monument plant and equipment, has never had any formal training as a machinist; but his years of “on-the-job” experience at the monument company and elsewhere have made him an accomplished machinist. The new company, housed in an all-metal structure, has a work area of 3,200square feet and is equipped with four lathes, two Bridgeport milling machines, metal cutting saws, and power drilling, wire welding, and hel-arc welding equipment. in addition to general industry work, the company is equipped for production and fabrication work and will soon add 2,400 square feet as a fabrication facility. “We have complete facilities to serve the Granite Industry," commented Clois. “We can build and repair machinery ranging from large diamond block saws to wiresaws and other types of equipment.” Jim and a veteran granite sales representative, Walter McNee|y, are handling sales and concentrating on the Southwest, Midwest, and East Coast. Jim is President of the Corporation, and his mother, Mrs. James C. Welch, is Secretary-Treasurer. A graduate of Elbert County Comprehensive High School, Jim attended Gainesville Junior College at Gainesville, Georgia, and studied Business Administration before joining his father in the granite business. Jim is a member of the Elberton First Baptist Church, the Country Club and the Elks Club. In addition to Clois, the firm has two other full-time machinists. Reuben Kelly, one of the other owners, is Chief Machinist. Clois and Roland’s mother, Mrs. Eunice Taylor, is the company bookkeeper. Horace Harper, President of APEX GRANITE COMPANY, INC., a leading U.S. marketer of imported South African black granite, is accustomed to seeing memorials manufactured by his firm all over the country. However, he was somewhat surprised recently to find his "Char-Sparkle Black Granite" serving as a base for a major sculpture work at Eastern Kentucky University — Horace’s own alma mater. Horace starred as a football player at Eastern Kentucky in the late 1950’s and his team recently had a reunion. While strolling on the campus, he discovered a 30-ft.-high creation of famed bronze sculptor Felix de Weldon on a base with beautiful “Char-Sparkle” veneered panels. Upon inquiry, he found that the statue was donated by the University’s alumni association as a Centennial Year gift. The towering bronze statue, cast in Italy, is an adaptation of the Astronaut Medal created by de Weldon. The statuary commemorates the astronaut’s moon landing and features a giant figure of a young, powerful American launching a rocket. Above him are depictions of the spaceship orbits, the earth, and moon. The figure rests on the highly-polished black granite base on which is carved a medallion showing the astronauts saluting the U.S. Flag, and inscribed in gold inlay lettering is Neil Armstrong’s famous statement “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Other inscriptions denote the donors and the dedication date. The astronaut theme was selected because it signifies the pioneer spirit which Eastern Kentucky has shown over the past 100 years. The sculpture stands in front of the University’s Powell Building. Horace says he had no idea where the large 4-ft.-high, 7-ft., 6-in.-long panels were going when hisfirm manufactured them. He said they were ordered by an Elberton native, Jim Blackmon, of Wilson & King Monument Company in Washington, D.C. Mr. Blackmon provided specifications but no additional information at thetime ofthe order. Wilson & King did the carving and lettering. COGGINS-SPONSOREI FILM SETS POPULARITY RECORI B. Frank Coggins, Jr., Chairman of the Board of COCGINS GRANITE, lNC., reported that the public service movie “How Do You Explain Death to Children” underwritten by his firm, has been viewed at over 1,000 confirmed public showings by schools, churches, women’s groups, civic organizations and public service institutions, and that over 46 million television viewers have had an opportunity to see the film. He said statistics from the Walter J. Klein Company, Ltd., producers and distributors of the film, state that as of May, 1980, the movie has been viewed by 46,796,336 persons at a broadcast station time value of $840,711.09. ”It seems to be gaining in popularity rather than waning as most films do after a few years,” commented Mr. Coggins. He said that Richard A. Klein, Vice President of the company, recently wrote him that the movie “has become the most popular film Walter J. Klein, Ltd., has produced and distributed in our 32 years." Klein reported also that returns in terms of advertising value have exceeded original distribution commitments by $700,000.00. Klein also stated thatthe film has been shown by some of the nation’s leading television stations and that stations have permission to videotape the film without charge for repeated showings. Mr. Coggins said stations were asked to report repeat showings, but they frequently do not — so there is really no precise way to gauge how many persons may have reviewed the film over and above present figures. He added that it . had also been shown by stations feeding into communications satellite networks. The movie is a half-hour film starring one of America's foremost authorities on explaining death to children. It provides guidelines, understanding and help in dealing with children of all ages concerning their concepts of death. There is no commercial or sales message connected with the film. It was produced under a grant from Coggins Granite, Inc. and premiered at the M.B.N.A. National Convention in 1976. It is available on a 24-hour loan to sponsoring organizations from the Walter J. Klein Company, 6301 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211. Any person or firm interested in obtaining the film for local showing should write directly to the Walter S. Klein Company rather than to the Coggins firm in Elberton, a spokesman for the company stated. Elbert County has long been recognized as one of the most historical areas in the Southeast; and since it is also the “Granite Capital of the World", Elbert History and the Granite Industry are constantly intertwined. A prime example of this interrelationship took place on August 3, 1980, when an imposing monument was dedicated to commemorate the Flatwoods Academy, a community school attended by ancestors of many present~day Granite Industry and community leaders. The school, which was destroyed by fire in 1925. was located near the Fortsonia Community, eight miles southeast of Elberton. The memorial became a reality dueto the efforts of three dynamic young women in the Granite Industry whose family was prominent in the history of the Flatwoods School and in the granite world. The three: Mrs. Jane Scarborough, of PONDEROSA GRANITE COMPANY, INC.: Miss Carolyn Miller of LEXINGTON BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC; and their cousin, Mrs. Clara Mae Allgood. a Granite Industry draftsvvoman. received special recognition at the dedication ceremony organized by the Stephen Heard Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Elberton. The three young women are also part of a third generation of D.A.R. members, and they arethe granddaughtersofMrs. Carrie Mae Hudson Tate who attended the Flatwoods School as a young girl. Approximately 75 persons were on hand when William and Carter Edge, Mrs. Scarborough’s sons, unveiled the 6-ft.-high memorial on which is inscribed the Academy’s founding date, the names of the first trustees. and a list of teachers. The “Service Blue Granite" was donated by Lexington Blue Granite Company. Miss Miller's mother, Mrs. Raymond Miller, is Office Manager at Lexington Blue and President of SERVlCE GRANITE COMPANY. INC. She is the daughter of Mrs. Carrie Mae Thursday, November 27, 1980 Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 28, 1980 Friday after Thanksgiving Thursday, December 25, 1980 Christmas Day Thursday, January 1, 1981 New Year's Day D.A.R. members, left to right, Clara Mae Allgood, Carolyn Miller and Jane Scarborough, donated the Flatwoods Academy marker in memory of their grandmother, Mrs. Carrie Mae Hudson Tate andto preservethe heritage ofthe area. Hudson Tate and also the sister of Pete Tate, Mrs. Scarborough’s father. He founded Ponderosa Granite Company. Mrs. Miller’s daughter, Carolyn, is part owner of the Lexington Blue firm. The idea for the Flatwoods monument originated with Mrs. Carrie Sophia Tate, Carrie Mae Tate’s daughter, who is a prominent D.A.R. member. She approached her nieces in the Granite Industry with the idea, and Mrs. Allgood designed the memorial and made the layout. Lexington Blue donated the granite and cut the monument, and Ponderosa did the sandblast lettering. Carolyn Miller, who serves as Secretary and Treasurer at Lexington Blue Granite Company, was Mistress of Ceremonies at the dedication. She reminded the crowd, which included out-of-town D.A.R. dignitaries, that "by marking different sites, we are December 19, 1980 to January 5, 1981 Firms will be closed for tiveor more working days during this Holiday Season. (Offices may be open.) Check with individual companies for exact schedules. Friday, April 17, 1981 Good Friday beginning to update our county history.” She pointed out that when the monument idea originated, history of the school was sketchy; but various members of the community contributed to developing the historical information recorded on the monument. The monument site is part of an old Revolutionary War battlefield. Those attending Flatwoods Academy were children of the prominent persons who settled the Flatwoods area, a distinctive section of Elbert County named for the general terrain and variety of soil. Mrs. Scarborough, Miss Miller and Mrs. Allgood said their purpose in manufacturing and donating the monument was twofold in that they wanted to commemorate their heritage and also to realizeaD.A.R.idealwhich is to preserve history for future generations. Monday, May 25, 1981 National Memorial Day July 6-10, 1981 Annual Vacation Week for Elberton Granit employees (Some offices may be open). Monday, September 7, 1981 Labor Day One of the most unusual, and complex, memorials ever produced in Elberton was recently fabricated by SUPERIOR GRANITE COMPANY, INC. The monument, a geometric marvel which challenged the creative ingenuity and production expertise of Superior’s skilled stone technicians, is a cemetery feature erected in Notasulga Memory Gardens at Notasulga, Alabama. Basically shaped like a Christmas tree, it is a 9—ft.-high “Tree of Life” constructed from "Superior Blue Granite” and "Ebony Mist” black granite. In verse and architecture, it depicts the 33 years Christ lived on earth; and it stands in the center of a Cross—shaped walkway in the middle of the cemetery. Five Pieces The feature was designed by Roy Corbitt of Tuskegee, Alabama, who is a customer and friend of Superior Granite Company owner Charles “Lindy" Worley. Notasulga city officials requested plans for a suitable centerpiece for the Cross—shaped walkway. Mr. Corbitt’s son, Charles Lawrence, a civil engineer, drew the final plans for the five-tiered memorial and prepared a cardboard model for Superior’s use. There are five huge, steeled-finish, pieces of “Superior Blue Granite” geometrically cut so that each surface Superior Granite Company President Lindy Worley. right, personally operates his company truck crane during the setting ol the “Tree of Life" monument in Notasulga. Alabama. Two tiers and the large base had already been set when the photo was made. The 9-ft.—high “Tree of Lile" cemetery leature rests on a large base of polished black granite fabricated in the shape of a Holy Bible. The upright section consists of multi-sided pieces of blue granite which serve as inscription panels. They are separated into tiers by large granite discs and tooled precisely to lit the symmetry of the tree configuration. provides a panel for a Bible verse inscription. There are 33 of these surfaces, or panels. and each surface is beveled upward to accommodate the configuration of a tree. Number 33 The number 33. Christ's age when he was crucified,figuredsignificantlyinthe design and construction of the memorial. The five paneled sections are separated by huge granite discs which divide the monument into tiers. There are Bible verses inscribed on the discs which, like wedding rings, suggest God’s love and stages of history as recorded in the Bible. The Ten Commandments are inscribed on the lower tier; the Beatitudes are on the second; and the upper levels include several of Christ's well-known Scripture verses. The top, triangular stone points toward Heaven. The unusual feature memorial is constructed and located so thatthe only vantage point from which it appears in perfect symmetry is when the viewer positions himself at the foot of the walkway Cross. Each of the ascending layers of granite are progressively smaller than those below until they reach a needle point at the top. Monument Details The monument weighs approximately 18,000 pounds, and there are a total of 1,842 letters inscribed on the panels and discs. Superior Granite Company President Lindy Worley journeyed to Notasulga in one of his firm’s special crane-equipped trucks to personally supervise the complex setting job. The base is a massive piece of polished “Ebony Mist Granite" artistically crafted to represent a Bible. The footing below the base is approximately 50 square feet of concrete reinforced with steel. A dedication ceremony was held and Notasulga Mayor Cecil Langford accepted the memorial on behalf of the city. WILLIAMS — This unusual columnar-type memorial was fabricated by Georgia Custom Granite Company, Inc.. and erected in Woodlawn Cemetery in Miami, Florida. It marks the final resting place of Mr. Mike Williams and was designed by his wife. “Harmony Superior Blue Granite" was the medium chosen for the intricate carving on the roof-type cap and the Cross, which were executed by mastersandsculptor Jimmy Parham ofAt/as Granite Company, Inc. The majestic. all-polished fluted columns and polished vases were produced by E/berton Granite Turning Works, Inc. The statuary was supplied by the Townler Corporation. The monument, which is 6—ft., 8»in. high, was personally set by Georgia Custom owner Johnny Johnson and a special setting crew. The Cross measures 4-ft.. 10-in. high. RUSSELL—RODD Y — This superbly-proportioned wing—type monumentis a modified E. G.A. design for the family of Wilson Russell, long-time Keystone Granite Company Sales Representative. The memorial honors Mr. Russell ’s family and the memory of his late daughter whose married name was Roddy. Keystone manufactured the 6-ft.-high memorial from the unique "Hedquist Pink Granite" quarried in E/berton by the firm. Ithas an all-steeled finish and is carved and lettered on both sides. The wings. distinguished by V-lines and scotias on the tops, serve as name panels. The center component is embellished by scotias with relief carving at the top. It also has skillfully- Iashioned, sunken vertical panels with carvings. The monument is in Denton, North Carolina, City Cemetery. HAGGERTY — Lines of design and carefully-executed ornamental carving are outstanding characteristics of this'“Royal Blue Granite"memorial manufactured by Supreme Granite Company, Inc. Stark Memorial Company oIAlexander City. Alabama, erected the monument in the Dadeville. Alabama, City Cemetery. The simulated wings, which are accented by the ornate laurellealcarvings, have open book inscription panels. The top has a steeled check. COUGHLIN — The adroit craftsmanship of Harmony Blue Granite Company, Inc. Master Sculptor Dario Rossi and his skilled colleagues was never more evident than in this strikingly—beautiful memorial shrine so rich in symbolism. Fashioned from the company's "Harmony Superior Blue Granite", the memorial was placed on the campus of Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, in honor of Mrs. Bernice Cough/in whose husband has long been a benefactor of the school. Mr. Cough/in had the monument erected. The statue is of Our Lady of Hope, the patron of the religious order who stall the school. The statue is life-size and the entire memorial is a massive 14-ft. high. It has an overall length of 14 It. A unique feature of the carving is 102poIished stars on the statue and background which contrast with the tooled surface of the niche that is 5-in. deep. The niche is 7-ft., 3-in. tall. Dario Rossisaid the polished stars, 60 on the figure and 42 on the background, were accomplished by first leaving spots for the stars during the carving process, then polishing the spots, and then cutting the shape of the stars. The face, robe cuffs, collar, and crown on the statue are also polished. The memorial was erected by Lake Worth Monument Company, lnc., of Lake Worth, Florida. GILLESPIE — This memorial in Elberton’s Elmhurst Cemetery is religiously symbolic for it is the monument for the family of the Rev. Jack Gillespie, an Elbert County native who is pastor of the Prospect United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It marks the resting place of young Jack Gillespie, Jr.. who was killed in an accidental shooting. The monument was fabricated from "Atlas Dark Blue Granite" by Atlas Granite Company, Inc. Bill and Catherine Johnston, the Atlas owners, designed the memorialin cooperation with thefamily who wanted the Flame and Cross of Methodism prominently carved. The open book name panel is flanked by cultivated rose carvings. The family recently wrote Bill and thanked him and everyone in the company who made the memorial possible. WADE — This functional pre-need memorial was designed by Clark Gregory of Gregory & Sons Monument Company in Moultrie, Georgia. and erected in a Moultrie area cemetery. It was manufactured from "Acme Blue Granite" by Acme Granite Company, Inc. Beautifully-carved cultivated rose carvings adorn. the wings which serve as inscription panels for the Old English lettering. The wings have concave ends with pitched nosings. The plinth for the large vase serves as the family name panel. “A memorial is a memorial,” some may say; but is a memorial a Cairn? Yes, indeed, for the dictionary defines Cairn as a Gaelic word meaning “a heap of stones raised for a memorial, a landmark.'’ Also, Cairngorm stone is a type of quartz crystal found on Mt. Cairngorm in Scotland. HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. recently processed a quantity of such stone from Scotland for a Cairn erected at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. This Cairn is expected to become a shrine around which loyal Scots in America will rally in the future. On July 13, 1980, the Cairn was dedicated to commemorate the Silver Anniversary of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games &Gathering of Scottish Clans which were begun in 1955 by Mrs. Agnes MacRee Morton and Donald MacDonald to foster interest in traditional Scottish dancing, piping, athletic achievement and Gaelic culture. Stones from the most hallowed N. J. MacDonald. left, Chie/otthe Grandfather Mountain High/and Games. congratu/ates sculptor- artist Douglas J. Ferguson on the design and construction of the I Cairn in the background. The stones in the panels were shipped to America Irom Scotland and polished by Harmony Blue Granite Com- pany, Inc. homeplaces in Scotland for each of the more than 50 Scottish clans in America were shipped to Harmony Blue Granite Company, Inc. where the large quarrying and monument manufactur- ing firm’s expert stone craftsmen shaped and polished them, giving the stones a glass-like glaze. The stones were then shipped to Douglas J. Ferguson, noted sculptor and pottery maker of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Mr. Ferguson designed and supervised constrution of the Grandfather Mountain Cairn. The highly-polished Scottish stones were set in panels and emplaced in the body of the elongated, beehive-shaped Cairn constructed mainly from Grandfather Mountain field stone. The Cairn dedication was the highlight of the Games’ Silver Anniversary. An unprecedented influx of Clan leaders from all over the world were on hand for the ceremony in which the Cairn was proclaimed to be a shrine at which all Scots in America could rally. In 1974, the Elberton Granite Associ- ation introduced GRAN|TEERreadersto its E.G.A. PROMOTION GUIDE FOR MONUMENT RETAILERS which was a general catalog featuring most of the advertising and promotional materials developed by the Association for monument retailers. The PROMOTION GUIDE proved to be one of the most popular items ever; and because of its use, E.G.A. has literally provided thousands and thousands of sales and promotional aids to help America's monument retailers better market Elberton Granite. Now, the Elberton Association has improved and expanded its PROMOTION GUIDE to include new aids, as well as updated materials which have proven to be effective in the past and are in great demand by monument retailers. E.G.A. is using this edition of the GRANITEER to introduce its new and improved PROMOTION GUIDE which may easily be detached and removed from the magazine to be used again and again or filed for future use. Additional copies are available upon request. P. 0. BOX 640 ELBERTON, GEORGIA 30635 Merchandising and Promotional Aids ft * Materials Designed to Increase Monurr Diverse and Changing Marketplace As America’s monument retailers have become more and more cognizant of the benefits of advertising and public relations, they have increasingly turned to the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. as a primary source of promotional and sales materials and aids. Since 1974, the Association has distributed the E.G.A. PROMOTION GUIDE FOR MONUMENT RETAILERS, a popular booklet which catalogs many E.G.A. aids for retailers. In the meantime, E.G.A. has kept pace with changing times, consumer buying habits, and monument retail marketing practices by developing new materials to assist retailers with their sales and promotion programs and in shop operations. The E.G.A. PROMOTION GUIDE has been revised to include new items, as well as updated materials which have proven to be effective in the past and are in great demand by monument retailers. There is no charge for most of the items in the E.G.A. PROMOTION GUIDE. They were developed by the Elberton Granite Association exclusively to assist America’s monument retailers to better present and sell their services. The wholesale quarriers and monument manufacturers who are members of the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. are pleased to offer the materials on the following pages with the hope that they will further contribute to the improvement and advancement of the Retail Monument Industry. William A. Kelly, CAE Executive Vice President Elberton Granite Association, Inc. P.O. Box 640 Elberton, Georgia 30635 I: Ideal for Involving the Monument Retailer in the Planning, Development, and Management of Cemeteries The Elberton Granite Association has published a 12-page booklet to assist the thousands of small cemeteries throughout the U.S. Many such cemeteries cannot afford formal operation and management; and the booklet, E.G.A. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE SMALL CEMETERY, provides the monument retailer with an excellent opportunity to help churches, communities, or individuals who might seek to improve or expand small and sometimes remote cemetery sites. Monument retailers may personally take copies ofthe bookletto those in their areas in charge of small cemeteries, and thereby possibly uncover good sales leads as well as implanting the idea for the development of additional grave spaces. The booklet offers information on cemetery expansion schemes; creation of the small cemetery; monument lot sizes; grave spaces; placement of memorials and markers; typical family memorial lot arrangements; section layout schemes; and entrance schemes. Designed to meet the needs of the small cemetery, it also names sources of professional help if a larger development is envisioned. It may be used by larger or established cemeteries who desire to expand small adjacent areas of undeveloped property. Though published by E.G.A., it does not promote the Elberton area specifically and was created for universal use by the entire Monument Industry. Individuals or firms may order free copies by using the order form on the back cover. > Includes E.G.A. Advertising and Promotional Items ' Purchasers Automatically Receiv Copies of E.G.A. Materials Developed in the Future Perhaps the most useful and all-inclusive sales-promotional item ever developed by E.G.A. is the REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR RETAIL MONUMENT FIRMS Notebook introduced in 1977. The Notebook includes many of the most practical and appealing items developed over the years to assist the nation’s monument retailers; and for the first time, the Notebook offers the many materials in one handy, easy—to-use reference source. The handsome vinyl binder notebook includes six heavy divider sheets and more than 16 catalogs, booklets, brochures, and folders pre-punched and placed in appropriate sections labeled Sales Aids, Design Services, Shop Hints, Freight Information, Cemetery Relations, and E.G.A. information. Another important feature is that purchasers automatically receive any new free E.G.A. materials as they are developed, without having to fill out order forms or notifying E.G.A. in any way. Purchasers are thus assured that they will receive a continuing source of current materials. The cost of producing and distributing the Notebook is approximately $50.00. However, E.G.A.'s member-firms provide the contents free of charge and underwrite most of the cost of the Notebook itself and packing and mailing costs so that it may be offered for only $5.00. E.G.A. officials feel that monument retailers paying the nominal cost of $5.00 will be more likely to use the contents, and E.G.A. will not bear the unnecessary cost of producing large quantities of materials which might not be used if they were offered on a free basis. Purchasers should use the order form in the back of this booklet to obtain the Notebook which will be shipped via U.P.S. Design Books Catalog SERIES II ELBERTIIN GRANITE ASSOCIATION, INC. ELBEITON, GEORGIA The Elberton Granite Association Memorial Advertising Service (E.G.A.M.A.S.) has revised its popular DESIGN BOOKS CATALOG to include new additions and delete obsolete editions from the outstanding array of top-quality design series sold by E.G.A. At no charge or obligation, you can have a full page description, including photograph ofthe cover and illustrated designs, of each of the 24 design books offered by E.G.A.M.A.S. The Catalog features the seven books in the E.C.A. copyrighted design series "Memorials in Elberton Granite”, and the 17 excellent "B—type" books purchased from the Memorial Advertising Service in 1973. The Catalog also Revised Edition Complete Design Book Selection Includes New Design Books includes the new B-98 monument book and the B-PK marker book introduced in 1980. These books feature Edward R. Peterson and Carl Kastrup designs described elsewhere in the Promotion Guide. The Design Books Catalog provides complete ordering instructions, latest prices and handy order forms to assist monument retailers in obtaining any or all of the 24 different design books or other services offered in the catalog. It also describes how single copy photographs can be purchased, and how custom-produced designs may be obtained. Use the order form on the back cover to order your FREE copy of this Catalog now. 1,900 Popular Edward R. Peterson and Carl Kastrup Designs of Every Type Available as 11 x 14 Mirror-finish Photographs Full-Sizes Available for Many Needs For the past several years, the E.G.A. Memorial Advertising Service has marketed the outstanding designs of the late Edward R. Peterson and Carl Kastrup. The Edward R. Peterson Memorial Design and Advertising Service of Loves Park, Illinois, was one of the nation’s foremost design services; and by arrangements with Mrs. Billie Peterson, who assumed ownership of the Service following Mr. Peterson's death, E.G.A.M.A.S. became the exclusive distributor of some 1,500 Peterson (ERP) designs and some 400 Kastrup (CK) designs. E.G.A.M.A.S. offers both the Peterson and Kastrup designs as standard 11 x 14-in., mirror-finish, black and white photographs on double weight paper. The designs include memorial styles IN ELBERTON 5. Copyrighted E.G.A. Series S “Memorials In Elberton Granite” “B-Type" Monument and Marker Books Designs have been acclaimed as the "hallmark of a monument business” and the sale of thousands of the E.G.A. Memorial Advertising Service's designs has established it as the foremost design book service in the United States. There are 17 of the time-tested and popular “B” books, formerly sold in Elberton by Memorial Advertising Service, and seven books in the outstanding E.G.A. copyrighted design series "Memorials in Elberton Granite”. Designs in all of the E.G.A. series and in most of the “B” books were created by Ben C. Smith, who operates a commercial design firm in Elberton and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading memorial designers. The new B-98 monument design book and B-PK marker book feature designs by the late Edward R. Peterson and Carl Kastrup. ranging from ornate monuments and bases to lawn-level markers. There are numerous specialized designs, including both upright and horizontal types, baby monuments, veterans’ marker designs, those which appeal to a particular religious faith such as the Catholic or Jewish religion, those for customers looking for “bread and butter” designs, or designs for those seeking "something different”. In addition to the design negatives, E.G.A.M.A.S. also obtained several hundred full-size layouts of the Peterson designs. These are offered as blue-line copies ready for the draftsman to copy, or in ready-to-use transfer layouts. The price for available blue-line full-sizes is $4.00. The charge for a ready-to-use transfer layout is $4.00 for the blue-line, plus whatever is charged to E.G.A. by the local drafsman preparing the full-size. The price will vary according to the size and intricacy of the design. The price of the 11 x 14 designs is $4.00, plus a handling charge of $1.50 regardless of quantity. Also, orders for full-sizes are subject to a handling charge of $1.50. Full-sizes cannot be mailed with design photographs. The more than 1,000 "B” designs are depicted in high- quality black and white photographs of unusual clarity with three different monument and base sizes for each of the designs. Designs in the E.G.A. series books are printed on 11 x 14-inch enamel-coated paper with a luxurious appearance. The designs have green-tone backgrounds for a modern rendering of shrubbery. The books have spiral wire bindings and heavy, plastic covers to provide durability and convenience of handling. A separate booklet of suggested sizes is available without charge. The books are described and illustrated in the E.G.A.M.A.S. DESIGN BOOKS CATALOG featured on the opposite page. Advertising Materials MEMORIALS...... I Folders 0 Flyers 0 Brochures 0 Booklets 0 Personalized Envelopes 0 Newly-Developed Pre-Need and At-Nee Materials The Elberton Granite Association Memorial Advertising Service has revised its E.G.A.M.A.S. ADVERTISING MATERIALS CATALOG which illustrates and describes each of the 30 E.G.A.M.A.S. direct mail and handout advertising folders, brochures, flyers, booklets, and other services for use in monument sales and advertising programs. Among the new additions in the free catalog are E.G.A.'s popular series of folders featuring full-color covers, including a pre-need folder which has been described by some of the nation's leading memorialists as “one of the best pre-need selling tools ever developed.” The Catalog provides price information, order forms and simple instructions on how to obtain standard three-or-four- line imprints showing company name, address, and phone number. Use the order blank on the back cover to get your FREE copy of this valuable Catalog. For those who want to see and inspect actual sample copies of the various advertising folders, brochures, flyers, and booklets available through the E.G.A. Memorial Advertising Service, the SAMPLE KIT OF ADVERTISING MATERIALS contains full-size copies ofthe 30 sales and merchandising aids. The Sample Kit also contains a copy of the E.G.A.M.A.S. ADVERTISING MATERIALS CATALOG which contains price lists, order forms, and imprint instructions. All items in the Catalog are found in the Sample Kit and may be easily ordered by using the Catalog order forms. The cost of the Sample Kit is $3.00 to cover postage, preparation and handling. To order,simply enclose $3.00 with the order form on the back cover of this Promotion Guide. 0 New Edition 0 Includes Many New Ads with Pre—Need The With more and more monument retailers realizing the ad- vantages of advertising and public relations programs, E.C..A.’s free NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING CATALOG has be- come one of the Association's most popular promotional items. Consequently, E.G.A. has revised the Catalog to in- clude a variety of imaginative and creative new ads in keep- ing with the latest trends in advertising and monument marketing techniques. The ads are both single and double-column in measure- ment and many of the new additions have pre-need themes. There are also at-need messages, general usage ads, and ads with holiday and special occasion appeals. Others are merely monument designs which can be used with messages of the retailer's own choosing. Any ofthe ads can easily be modified by chan ing the cop to fit the retailer’s local situation. The a s are printe on slick, repro-proof paper which can be clipped for immediate use in newspapers printed by the offset method which has almost entirely replaced the “hot type” technique which required mats. However, E.G.A. still has a limited number of mats, and an order form is included in the catalo for anyone still desiring mats. To order your FREE copy 0 the Newspaper Advertising Catalog, use the order form in the back of the Promotion Guide. Let Thousands “Hear Your Message” Radio Ads to Fit Any Occasion or Need America’s monument retailers are discovering that successful advertising comes in many forms and that one of the most effective is tasteful, strategically-timed radio commercials. E.G.A.’s RADIO COMMERCIALS HANDBOOK has played a big part in numerous retail monument advertising campaigns, including pre-need sales programs. The Handbook contains 40 radio commercials of 20, 30 and 60 second duration printed in their entirety for immediate use. There is a large section of pre-need ads which is especially useful as more and more emphasis is placed on this ultra-successful sales area. The ads may be easily adapted to fit local situations. There are also sections on General Use and Special Occasion ads and tips on radio advertising and the value of radio commercials for maximum listener appeal and effectiveness. The Handbook is FREE and may easily be ordered by using the form on the back cover of the Promotion Guide. Expertly-Worded Set of Letters Which Com Diplomatic and Effective Sales Messages The set of six tactfully-worded letters can serve as an excellent introduction in the at-need situation. The timely- discrete texts are carefully written to convey a message of sympathy, and at the same time, make the prospective customer aware of the importance of seriously considering the services offered by the monument retailer. The letters come in a booklet and are easily adaptabletofit almost any situation, or they may be modified to say whatthe retailer thinks is important on an individual basis. Some retailers mail the letters with an appropriate advertising folder or similar sales materials. To obtain your FREE set of letters, use the order form found elsewhere in the Promotion Guide. 30R PRESENTATIONS Ti 0 Group Meetings 0 E ' {Elberton Granite Monuments A popular E.G.A. promotional item is a set of 35-MM slides which takes viewers step—by-step through the Elberton Granite quarries and monument manufacturing plants and the monument manufacturing process. Expertly photographed, the set of 24 slides is ideal for presentations to civic groups, WHERE DO THEY school and church groups, prospective clients, retail monument sales V COME FROM? personnel, other groups or individuals, or as mass attention getters at events 5 such as county fairs. The set is accompanied by an explanatory script easily read in sequence with the slides to present an entertaining and informative program in a professional way. The slides are numbered and ready to drop in a projection tray for immediate viewing. The presentation can easily be modified to include slides of the monument retailer's display, office, shop, or outstanding monuments he has sold. The slide set package includes 25 copies of the “Where Do They Come From” full-color brochure which depicts the 24 scenes in the slide set. The 8 x 10 brochure is a perfect handout as a souvenir of the slide program. The set, complete with script and 25 brochures, is $10.00. Additional brochures may be purchased for $7.00 per hundred. The order form on the back cover may be used to purchase these materials. I Expertly Designed to Safely and Conveniently Carry Granite Samples 0 Ideal for Displaying Granite Samples The All-Purpose Granite Sample Holder has four pockets which will hold standard thickness samples to 31/2 x 5 inches In size. Made of soft velvet, the Sample Holders easil fold before and after samples have been remove and conveniently fit into attache cases or other containers used for carrying sales aids. The rich, 100 percent all-velvet fabric was carefully selected in four colors — Sapphire Blue, Harvest Gold, Regal Maroon, and Hunter Green -— to provide the ultimate contrast when any color, shade or texture of granite sample is displayed against it. Therefore, the Sample Holders provide perfect backgrounds on which to lay samples for viewing by the prospective customer. They are $10.00 each, plus $1.00 for shipping up-to four. Please specify the desired color when ordering. The E.G.A. Certified Memorials Program offers a unique triple guarantee backed by the monument retailer, the manufacturer, and E.G.A. for designated memorials. The program guarantees that the memorials are free from defects in either materials or worksmanship. This program has been used to great advantage as a sales tool. An attractive, four-page brochure outlines the program in great detail and is available in reasonable quantities at no charge to monument retailers. The brochure may be used as a handout or mailed. It explains the detailed terms of the warranty and how a Certified Memorial has to be inspected and approved by an impartial E.G.A. inspector and a special seal sandblasted into the granite. Upon shipment, the customer receives a Certificate of Guarantee signed by the inspector, the manufacturer and the retailer. A sample certificate is part of the FREE brochure which may be obtained by using the order form on the back cover of the Promotion Guide. PRICE: $10.00 CERTIFICATE or INSPECTION Allll GUARANTEE (Fun A) CLEANING GRANITE MUNUMENTS ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION. INC. PO BOX 640 - Elberton GA The information provided in this free brochure is based on data developed by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and E.G.A. personnel working in concert to discover the most feasible methods of setting monuments. The conclusions are based on the chemical composition and reactivity of cement, grade levels, setting techniques, methods of jointing, and newly-developed materials used for setting. Poorly installed memorials quickly lead to dissatisfaction on the part of the purchaser and the cemetery and detract from the image traditional, upright memorialists are trying to project. There are many varying methods of setting monuments, and those differing from the recommendations in the brochure may be as good or better, but an appraisal of current setting methods should be made and compared with those in the brochure. The FREE brochure may be obtained by using the Promotion Guide order form. For years, one of E.G.A.’s most sought-after publications was the “Techniques For Cleaning Granite Monuments” booklet. However, the all-important methods and materials for cleaning granite change and improve, and E.G.A. revised the booklet and renamed it CLEANING GRANITE MONUMENTS. The free booklet was an immediate nationwide success — so much so, that the American Cemetery Association included it as an insert in that organization’s national magazine. The easy-to-use booklet lists step-by-step and illustrates monument cleaning techniques in both the shop and cemetery. There are sections on cleaning before and after sandblasting, basic cleaning procedures for shop or cemetery, a special illustrated feature on cleaning memorials in the cemetery, and suggestions for dealing with stains of all types ranging from oil to tobacco. There is a section on commercial cleaners, and much of the booklet’s information deals with various cleaning mixtures and compounds and how to best apply them. The FREE booklet is listed on the order blank on the back cover. TECHNIQUES ERECTING GRANITE MONIIMENTS BASED ON INFORMATION DEVELOPED BY THE GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN COOPERATION WITH PERSONNEL OF THE ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION. INC. This easy-to-understand booklet was developed by Elberton Granite sandblast carving and design experts especially for the M.B.N.A. Educational Seminar held at the Pinelsle Resort in Georgia in 1978, and has been widely praised throughout the Monument Industry. The booklet outlines double processing techniques for shape carving in sequence through ten suggested steps which can easily be followed by retail monument sandblast departments. These are the primary steps, and each is illustrated on a step-by-step basis. Types of carving 0 Explains Double Process Carving in Ten, Easy-to-Understand, Illustrated Steps 0 Developed Especially for Use in Retail Monument Shops are explained, and the advantages of double process over single process and shaped versus flat carving are reviewed. The informative booklet contains four appendices to assist monument retailers in producing better double process carving. These are LAYOUT AND PROPORTIONS, DRAWING AND SKETCHING TECHNIQUES, CARVING ILLUSTRATIONS and CLEANING GRANITE MONUMENTS. No monument retail sandblast operation should be without this free booklet which can open new vistas in the art of sandblast carving and lettering. 0 Tips on How to Lower Freight Costs and Other Important Shipping Information as Delivery Looms as a Bigger, E_G_A_ Costlier Factor for Retail Memorialists Information About the Shipment of Granite Memorials from Elberton, Georgia The E.G.A. FREIGHT MANUAL contains factual information on trucking service, To rate structures and weight classifications applicable to granite shipments from RETAIL MONUMENT FIRMS Throughout Elberton. THE umrsu STATES E.G.A.’s Freight Consolidation Service is explained to enable retail memorialists - to combine shipments for minimum costs. Actual examples of freight consolidations as they could be handled by E.G.A. are illustrated. The booklet ° provides current rate request forms, consolidation request forms, information on delivery policies, instructions on how and when to file claims, and many other > timely tips on how to expedite shipments more quickly and economically. With freight rates climbing and delivery becoming a crucial factor in operating expenses, the Freight Manual should be a must for every monument retailer. Get your FREE copy by using the order form in the back of the Promotion Guide. er, fill in number of each item desired, detach and mail to: ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. BOX 640 ELBERTON, GEORGIA 30635 SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE SMALL CEMETERY: (Booklet contains cemetery improvement techniques.) FREE E.G.A. REFERENCE MATERIALS NOTEBOOK: (Includes most E.G.A. Advertising promotional items.) PRICE: $5.00 DESIGN BOOKS CATALOG: escri es and illustrates each of e 24 design books availat from E.G.A.M.A.S.) FREE ADVERTISING MA" CATALOG: e ri es and illustrates folders, flyers, E.G.A.M.A.S.) FREE SAMPLE KIT: Samples of advertising materials offered by E.G.A.M.A.S.) PRICE: $3.00 NEWSPAPER AD CATALOG: (Revised edition includes more than 80 ads ready for immediate use. FREE RADIO COMMEI HANDBOOK [Contains 40 radio commercials ready for instant use.) FREE bUUIJI:b|tU LETTERS FOR PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMERS: (Series of letters ideal for mailing to potential customers.) FREE TOTAL AMOUNT EN CL( NAME OF FIRM: STREET ADDRESS FOR MAILING ADDRESS: __ CITY: (Set of 24 slides, script, full—co|or brochures.) Price: $10.00 per set GRANITE SAMPLE HOLDER: (Ideal for carrying displaying granite samples.) PRICE $10.00 (E.G.A. CERTIFIED MEMORIALS: Brochure explains monument inspection and guarantee program.) FREE CLEANING GI MONUMENTE (Pamphlet gives latest and be TECHNIQUES FOR ERECT GRANITE MONUMENTS: i s on foundation and setting procedures.) FREE DOUBLE PROCESSINI MADE EASY: use in retail monument shops.) FREE FREIGHT MANUAL: (Contains freight facts to speed shipments moi FREE LANDMARK GRANITE COMPANY, INC. has had a long and fruitful relationship with Spence Monument Company of Lilburn, Georgia, near Atlanta, and with the firm’s owner, Mrs. Eunice Spence. When Mrs. Spence recently celebrated her company’s 40th anniversary, Landmark Plant Manager John Fernandez presented her with a handsome commemorative granite plaque in appreciation of her association with Landmark and her contributions to the Monument Industry. The all-polished plaque was nearly two feet long and was fabricated from “Coronet Blue Granite”. Designed by John Fernandez, the plaque had an ornate "40-year” seal expertly sandcarved on the front. The inscription in gold inlay letters read: "Congratulations to Spence Monument Companyfor 40 years of service to the Monument Industry. Because you have cared, time has been your friend.” Family Enterprise The presentation was a highlight of the anniversary celebration held June 28,1980, at the firm’s office and display across the highway from the Spence home. The event was attended by four of Mrs. Spence’s five daughters, her mother, and numerous other family members and friends paying tribute to a truly remarkable business career. John Fernandez praised Mrs. Spence as “a good and talented businesswoman who has rendered invaluable service to the Monument industry. She has had an outstanding 40 years in business, and we wish her at least 40 more.” Mrs. Spence and her late husband, Herbert W. Spence, founded the company in 1940 and then, as now, she participated in all phases of the business, including helping set . . . Mrs. Eunice Spence proudly displays a commemorative plaque monuments m_ the Cemetery’ ‘She has presented to her by Landmark Granite Company on her company's 40th Mr. Spence died and still enjoys doing it all , from cutting rubber stencil in the engraving department to calling on customers. However, she has not been alone in the business, for all of her five daughters have helped her during the years. One daughter, Mrs. Brenda Nash, works with the company now and plays an important role in its operation. High School Monument An outstanding memorial recently manufactured by Landmark for Mrs. Spence was erected at Tucker High School near Lilburn. The all-steeled memorial is four feet high and stands on the school campus as a student project to honor four classmates killed in a traffic accident. A student committee, Spence Monument Company, and Landmark officials coordinated their ideas to produce the distinguished design. Each of the four sides is tapered toward the top to simulate a pyramid. The expert craftsmen at Landmark skillfully beveled the top through four planes, and the names of the four students were inscribed on the slanted top’s surface. The year, 1980, is carved on one side. This isthe year the four would have graduated from the school. The monument weighs 6,500 pounds. this distinguished memorial erected to honor [our of their classmates killed in a wreck. Landmark Granite Company The student body at Tucker High School, outside of Atlanta, had I fabricated the memorial for Spence Monument Company. I (Ed. Note — The development, expansion, and improvement of Elberton’s famed granite quarries continues as demand grows for the nation's most popular monumental granite. Elberton area quarriers regularly spend substantial sums to open new deposits or expand and upgrade existing operations to insure E.G.A. manufacturers of a ready supply of the excellent monumental stone. The following items report some of this progress.) AT HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY- Allan McGarity, President of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., one of the nation’s leading quarrying and monument manufacturingfirms, reportedthedevelopmentof a new 40,000 square foot quarry site which is part of the “Harmony Superior Blue Quarry" complex in Oglethorpe County, 15 miles Southwest of Elberton. He said large amounts of "Harmony Superior Blue Granite” have already been quarried and prospects for the site, located approximately 300 yards from the main quarry, are excellent. “We already have at least 40,000 square feet being developed in the area,” he noted. Randal Gunter, a veteran Harmony Blue quarryman, is foreman at the new project. Two large mobile cranes are in operation at the site which is already from 12 to 14 feet deep. Mr. McGarity noted that the site is being developed so that trucks picking up blocks can just drive up to the site and load, rather than waiting for stationary derricks to lift quarry blocks as in the case of deeper quarries. AT WORLEY MONUMENT COMPANY — Roland and Clois Worley, brothers and owners of WORLEY MONUMENT COMPANY, INC., announced that their company is now operating what was formerly known as the "Briar Patch Quarry” in Oglethorpe County, 16 miles southwest of Elberton near the Vesta Community in the heart of the Oglethorpe quarrying area. Roland said the granite was “very similar” in grain structure and color to the "Twi-Light Blue Granite” sold by his company for the past seven years. “We are very pleased with the color and workability, and it is one of the hardest granites used in Elberton,” noted Roland. He said the company had begun quarrying on a full- time basis and was utilizing a 54-ton-capacity crawler crane at the quarry site which has an opening approximately two acres in size. Roland said the quarry was 40-feet deep at its deepest point. He said there were "vast deposits” of exposed granite suitable for monumental purposes around the present quarry. He is personally in charge of operations and his son, Blaine, is assisting in the developing. A ledge wall and exposed g quarrying development. Worley Monument Company is using this heavy-duty, 54—ton- capacity crawler crane at the new quarry. AT ALLEN GRANITE QUARRY — A major new quarrying development is underway nearthe "Allen Blue Granite” Quarry in Oglethorpe County, announced Bill Allen, Vice President and General Manager of ALLEN GRANITE COMPANY. He said over one acre of overburden has been cleared and quarrying operations have already begun with use of a heavy-duty mobile crane. Bill said a stationary derrick would be erected soon. He said large deposits of dark, fine-grained granite were evident in the five-to-ten-acre, sloping tract involved in the new development. He stated that the granite would be called “Allen Blue Granite” since it is actually part of the same deposit as his main quarry located approximately one- quarter mile away. Bill also announced that Leonard Collins, a young and knowledgeable quarryman, has been named Foreman of the main "Allen Blue Granite” Quarry near the new development. AT SWEET CITY QUARRIES, INC.- Willie Simmons, President of SWEET CITY QUARRIES, lNC., has announced several notable additions and improvements at his "Royal Blue Granite” Quarry, five miles west of Elberton off Highway 72. He said a 30-ton-capacity mobile derrick is being used to handle quarry blocks in an expanded area on either end of the quarry. Mr. Simmons said workmen are steadily moving overburden, and that 60 to 80 feet of high-quality granite was exposed on the North end. He said the quarry opening is now approximately one-and-one-half acres in size. He added that a new 108-foot boom has been added to his main, stiff-legged-type derrick. AT CHILDS BROTHERS QUARRY — Norman Childs, co-owner of CHILDS BROTHERS GRANITE COMPANY, lNC., stated that approximately three acres of overburden have been removed, and quarrying operations are underway at a site downhill from the “Childs Brothers Blue Granite” Quarry eight miles west of Elberton off the Jones Ferry Road. He said a 24-ton-capacity mobile derrick will be employed at the site, and that the quarry would be a "drive-in type” because ofthe slope. He noted that onloadingtrucks can drive up to the mobile crane, rather than waiting for stationary derricks to lift blocks from a vertical, pit-type area. Mr. Childs- said that because of the degree of slope, he can quarry 40-feet deep before having any drainage problem, and that slope clearance was more economical because a minimum of dirt and overburden had to be removed. “It looks as good as any l’ve seen in my career in the Granite Industry,” Mr. Childs commented. AT THE CORONET-HERITAGE QUARRY- Manuel Fernandez, President of LANDMARK GRANITE COMPANY, INC., whose subsidiary, Coronet Quarries, lnc., operates the "Heritage Blue Granite” Quarry, reported a new stiff-legged derrick has been erected to hasten expansion at the quarry site. The quarry, which is operated jointly by Manuel and Ronald Turner, is in Oglethorpe County approximately 15 miles southwest of Elberton. Manuel said approximately one acre of dirt and debris has been removed to expose a ledge of the medium blue, fine-grained granite, and that the addition of the 65-ton-capacity derrick with 100-foot boom will accelerate the rate of development. A 35-ton mobile crane is in use elsewhere at the quarry. Manuel said the improvements at Coronet Quarries will guarantee a continuous supply of top-quality “Heritage Blue Granite" for Landmark customers. He said the quarry will also be selling blocks to other Elberton Granite manufacturers. Joe Fernandez, owner of DESIGN MART, announced that the commercial design firm is now marketing an exclusive automatic stencil design service. He said the service includes coordinated advertising folders, design catalogs, stencil cutting plates, and stencil cutting machines which eliminate the expense and time required for preparing layouts and the rubber cutting process prior to the sandblast lettering and carving of monuments. The E.G.A. associate member is the onlyfirm in the U5. offering such a coordinated service. Mr. Fernandez explained that he has developed two new design catalogs featuring Design Mart-copyrighted designs depicted in his advertising folders “Ties That Bind” and “Precious Memories”. The catalogs have the same names as the folders and there are three suggested sizes for each design. The catalogs also have a page featuring blue, black, red and pink granite sample colors. Each design has a plastic plate numberfor easy ordering ofthe cutting plate corresponding with the carving illustrated on the design. Two pages in the catalogs illustrate various types of plastic cutting plates for use with automatic stencil cutting machines. Mr. Fernandez said the plastic stencil design selections include 44 floral and accessory carving cutting plates. He said plastic alphabets in a variety of type faces and sizes were also available. He added that all of the cutting plates come in different sizes and are interchangeable so that thousands of designs could be cut from them. HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., is introducing a new line of monument designs featuring slant and wing-type monuments whose components are cut by the firm’s huge, new tilt-type diamond saw. Thomas McGarity, Vice President of the large quarrying and monument company, said the new designs will be polished after they are sawed, and the tops and bottoms jointed. “The sawing system has really accelerated our production of slant-type units and gives us a new design and sales dimension which should help our retail customers," said Mr. McGarity. He said the new designs were created by a professional designer, and that copies could be obtained by contacting Harmony Blue. The unique saw, believed to be the only one of its type in the U.S., swivels or rotates its 60-in. blade 45 degrees or more to cut as many as 40 large monuments or 40to 50 slant marker blocks at one set-up. It is fully-automatic and is equipped with Lasaguide laser beam systems for more efficient operations. Bruce Webb operates the large. new Harmony Blue diamond saw at a steep angle to achieve a slanted cut in a piece of granite. Joe Fernandez holds one of the 44 plastic carving plates provided through his coordinated stencil design service. He also distributes automatic stencil cutting machines of the type shown in the photo. This wing-type memorial was produced by Harmony Blue's unusual tilt-type diamond saw The company IS offering designs featuring memorials shaped by the new system SMITH GRANITE INSTALLS NEW DIAMOND SAW SMITH GRANITE COMPANY has installed a new diamond shaping saw which the firm’s owner, Doug Smith, says is "saving time and is more economical to operate.” Doug designed the saw and Jimmy Jones at ELBERTON TOOL COMPANY, an E.G.A. associate member, built the system. Doug said the construction was unusual in that it provides a 7-ft.-high clearance. “I can stand an oversized monument on its end and shape it,” explained Doug. He said the saw is also equipped with a special gearhead motor for raising, lowering, and traversing. It saws notches, checks, tops and other monument configurations, and will cut a piece of granite 9-feet-long. It has a 22-inch-diameter blade. Smith Granite Company's new diamond shaping saw. QUALITY SANDBLAST GETS NEW SHAPING SAW Nelson Locke, owner of QUALITY SANDBLAST & GRANITE COMPANY, INC., recently installed a new precision-built diamond shaping saw at his monument manufacturing plant one mile northwest of Elberton on the Bowman Highway. Nelson said the saw will be used for general monument finishing tasks, including cutting joints, checks, ends and sawing components such as vases and pedestals. It will saw a 12-ft. slab, is automatic and has a 30- in. blade. It has a tracked cart which revolves to allow easier handling of granite units. The new equipment is the latest addition to the enlarged facility and will contribute significantly to his firm’s production capabilities, Nelson commented. VEAL DESIGNS. BUILDS UNIQUE SAWING SYSTEM Robert C. “Bobby" Veal, President of ROBERT C. VEAL GRANITE COMPANY, INC., believes in the adage “If you want something done right — do it yourself!" The result, he says, is “one of the most productive diamond block saws in Elberton.” What Bobby did, with assistance from his father Carnel Veal, was to personally design and build a large diamond rotary saw with features he says vastly improve the performance and longevity of the system. Bobby said two years ago he decided to install a diamond block saw at his monument plant on the Athens Highway, two miles west of Elberton. Bobby is a former Granite Industry draftsman and designing comes naturally to him. He is also a natural machinist, after building and maintaining his own equipment at his quarry and monument plant. After careful research and observing European and American-built block saws in operation, Bobby designed his own system. He began construction approximately 12 months ago, and did most of the work himself. He got assistancefrom his father, who occasionally helps in the business, and Grady Wheelis, an Elberton electrician who installed the electrical systems. The result of all the planning and much back- breaking and tedious work is a saw with all operating parts on ball bearings and all totally enclosed to protect against moisture saturation and dust and grit intrusion. The steel tracks on which the assembly rides are also covered to prevent grit intrusion, and Bobby says this is very important and means truer, better sawing with prolonged diamond life. Bobby says the saw is sturdier, has less vibration, and the parts will last longer than on other similar saws. He says the system is easier to maintain and predicts a life expectancy of 18 years or more without major repair. The system is hydraulically-operated and has a 9-ft. diameter blade on which 140 industrial diamond segments are silver-soldered. It is fully automaticfor round-the-clock operations, and is equipped with back-up and cutoff systems in case of malfunction. It will saw two quarry blocks at one setup, 14-ft. long, 3-ft., 9-in. high by making 15-ft. strokes. Cutting depth for the saw varies from zero to three- fourths inch per stroke, but Bobby recommended a one- fourth inch deep cut per stroke for best diamond life. The system has a 38,000-gallon capacity water basin system. Bobby Veal. left, and his unique diamond saw. BOYD HAS NEW MIDWEST I SALES REPRESENTATIVES William C. Boyd, Sr., President of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., reported that Kent Brown of Liberty, Missouri, and Charles Scherer of Evans- ville, Indiana, are now Sales Representatives for his firm in several Midwestern states. He said that Kent is representing Boyd in the states of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Kent has 10 years of experience in wholesale and retail monument sales. He is married, has one child, and is of the Presbyterian faith. Charles is representing the Boyd Company in Illinois and Indiana. He has worked in monument sales for the past 13 years. He worked with Scherer Monument Works, owned by his family, in both sales and production and is well- versed in the monument business. He attends St. John United Methodist Church in Evansville, and is a past President of the local Little League Association and manager of a Little League team. PONDEROSA OFFICE STAFF GROWS PAM MEMULLZN Mrs. Jane Scarborough, Secretary and Treasurer of PONDEROSA GRANITE COMPANY, INC., announced that Ms. Pam McMullan is now learning general office procedures at the company since becoming a full-time staff member. Ms. McMullan worked part-time at the monument manufacturing company for the past two years as an Elbert County Comprehensive High School Distributive Education Club of America student. DECA students work part-time jobs and earn school credits. Ms. McMullan has been working in the Ponderosa Drafting Department. NEW L& M FOREMAN SERVES IN DUAL CAPACITY Mac Thornton, left, owner of L & M GRANITE COMPANY, announced that Tony Mills, right, has been named Foreman and Maintenance Supervisor at the monument manufacturing facility located four miles east of Elberton on the Old Middleton Road. Tony, 23, isthe youngest plant foreman in the Elberton Granite District “and this says something abouthisabiIities,”Macsaid. Tony is a Journeyman Stonecutter and began his career in the Granite Industry before he was 20 years old. Tony's father and brother are also Elberton Granite Industry craftsmen. HIGGINBOTHAM ASSUMES FOREMAN’S POST AT HERNDON Mike Herndon, Vice President of HERNDON GRANITE COMPANY, INC., reported that E.G. Higginbotham, a veteran Granite Industry craftsman, has been named Plant Foreman and will be in charge of all phases of production at the monument fabrication plant on the Hartwell Highway approximately one mile north of Elberton. E.G., a Journeyman Stonecutter and Polisher, has approximately 20 years of experience in the Granite Industry. He is also an avid golfer. E. G. HIGGINBOTHAM WILHITE IS NEW SUPERVISOR AT BOYD Clarence Wilhite, a veteran of 38 years with a major monument manufacturing concern in Elberton, has been named Supervisor of Breakout, Wiresawing, and Polishing operations at BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., stated William C. “Hoppy” Boyd, Jr., Vice President. Hoppy said Mr. Wilhite served as Foreman for 25 of his 38 years in the Granite Industry and is recognized as one of the top supervisors in the area. "I think Clarence will really be of assistance to us in the areas he is supervising,” Hoppy surmised. Hoppy, left in photo, is shown going over shop procedures with Clarence. DANTE R. AMBROSINI Dante R. Ambrosini, 70, one of Elberton’s well known granite quarriers and monument manufacturers for decades and a leader in the American Monument Industry, died unexpectedly at his home in Elberton on September 14. Mr. Ambrosini retired from the granite business in 1977. An outstanding leader in the Elberton business community, Mr. Ambrosini was a native of Northfield, Vermont. He came to Elberton in the early 1930’s and joined a quarrying company as Sales Manager. In the 1940’s, he purchased part of what is now Dixie Granite Company and later became sole owner. Through the years, his industriousness and vision spelled growth and leadership for the company, particularly in the area of mausoleum design and construction and in the design, fabrication, and construction of large and complex memorials. A distinguished leader in many facets of Granite Industry and community service, he served as President of the Elberton Granite Association, Inc., in 1971-72. He served two terms as President of the American Monument Association and was on the A.M.A. Board of Directors from 1959 until 1977 when he retired from Dixie Granite FRANK THOMAS The Granite Industry was shocked when, on August 11, 1980, Frank D. Thomas, 47, President of Coggins Granite, Inc., was fatally injured in a gasoline explosion as he was refueling his company vehicle at the firm’s monument plant. He died at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, shortly after the accident. A member of the E.G.A. Board of Trustees, Mr. Thomas had demon- strated outstanding leadership and business capabilities after joining the Coggins’ organization in 1976 following 26 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Thomas was named Production Manager in charge of Coggins’ quarrying and monument manufactur- ing operations in Elberton in 1977. After being named President of the large quarrying and monument manufactur- ing complex in 1978, he quickly asserted dynamic leadership and was continuing to streamline operations boosting efficiency and production capabilities until his untimely death. Company and sold the firm to his son-in- law, Mel Fleischer. In 1977, the year Dan retired, he received the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award annually given to persons who have devoted their time and efforts unselfishly on behalf of the community. He was especially recognized for undertaking “the tremendous task of serving as Chairman of the Elberton Granite Association Bicentennial Memorial Fountain Committee” in 1976. Knowledgeable persons in the Granite Industry in both the wholesale and retail areas have a special appreciation of Dan’s efforts and expertise in making the Bicentennial Memorial Fountain a reality and landmark which will symbolize Elberton and the Granite Industry for generations. He personally supervised construction of the memorial fountain. He was educated in the public schools of Columbia, South Carolina, the Royal Technical Institute at Varese, Italy, and Draughn’s Business College. He was a charter member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and held numerous offices in the church. He was a member of the Elberton Elks Lodge No. 1100, the Elberton Country Club and was a Kentucky Colonel. He served as a A native of Oglethorpe County near Elberton, he joined the Marine Corps after graduation from high school and rose from the rank of Private to Sergeant Major during 15 years as an enlisted man. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant while serving in Vietnam and retired with the rank of Captain in 1976 after 26 years of active service. During his career, he was involved in combat action in Korea and on three different tours as an Infantry Company Commander and Tactical Air Observer in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal and other service decorations. He attended Chapman College at Oceanside, California, and majored in Business Administration. He was a member of the Francis Asbury Methodist Church, and attended the Elberton First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Elberton Rotary Club and Philomathea Masonic lodge No. 25 F. & A.M., the Elks Club, V.F.W., Scottish Rite of Atlanta and Elbert County Fish and Game Club. DANTE H. AMBROSINI member of the Elberton Board of Education, a Director and President of Granite Sales and Supply Corporation, and on the Elberton City Planning Commission. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Frances Bloom Ambrosini; two daughters, Mrs. Mel Fleischer of Elberton, and Mrs. Stanley Ashworth of Whitmore, South Carolina; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was held September 16 at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment was in Elmhurst Cemetery. FRANK THOMAS Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Ineata Ruff Thomas; sons Kevin Carl and Timmy Aaron Thomas; a daughter, Constance Eugenia; and two sisters. The funeral with full military honors was held August 13 at the Martin Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was in the Forest Hills Memorial Park. Many E.G.A. member-firms’ owners and operators are graduates of the University of Georgia and are faithful followers of the Athens school's football team, the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia Coach Vince Dooley has a Youth Football Camp during the summers where youngsters are taught football techniques for a week by the Georgia coaches and many of the varsity players. Some of those attending from Elberton this summer were: left photo, left to right, Todd Dixon; Assistant Coach Steve Greer; Vince Fernandez, son of Manuel Fernandez of LANDMARK Bo Ruff, veteran Plant Superintendent at ELBERTON GRANITE FINISHING COMPANY, INC., is serving as President of the Elbert County Little League Association which is affiliated with the national organization of Little League boys baseball and girls softball programs. As President, Bo will be in charge of a program including 20 boys’ teams and 10 girls’ teams in the Elberton area and seeing that the policies of the local Little League Board and national organization are carried out. Bo has served on the local Little League Board for three years and has coached nine years. He was a Senior League Division All-Star Coach whose team won the area championship and was second in district competition. B0 is also on the Camp Harmony Association Board of Trustees and is active in the Philomathea Masonic Lodge and GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Jim Hulme, son of Don Hulme of APEX GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Coach Vince Dooley; and George Oglesby, son of Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY. In the right photo are: left to right, Carter and Bill Edge, sons of Mrs. Jane Tate Scarborough of PONDEROSA GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; and Marty Tate, son of Brewer Tate of TATE GRANITE COMPANY. This was Carter’s second year at the camp, while Bill and Marty have attended for five years. BO FIUFF YAARAB Shrine Temple. He is a Thirty- second Degree Scottish Rite Mason. His wife, Margaret, has coached Little League girls teams and is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. She is employed by the City of Elberton Recreation Department. JOHNSON WINS ANOTHER TERM AS COMMISSIONER Joe Johnson, Production Supervisor for COGGINS GRANITE, lNC., was elected to his third four-year term on the Elbert County Board of Commissioners in the August 5 Georgia Democratic Primary. In a hotly- contested race, Joe edged his opponent 2,767 votes to 2,589. Joe has served as Vice Chairman of the Commissioners, the governing body of Elbert County, for the past six years. He has been a supervisor at Coggins for the last 14 years. Otis Childs of YEARGIN & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., is also a member of the Board of Commissioners. Lawrence Cecchini of ALLEN GRANITE COMPANY lost his seat as a Commissioner in a run-off election on August 26. BEN RICE RECEIVES STATE LICENSE Ben Rice, President of ELBERTON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC, INC., the E.G.A. associate member which is an electrical equipment building and repair firm, recently received his State of Georgia Class Two License which certifies him to work as an electrical contractor on an unrestricted basis anywhere in the state. Ben said the classification is one of the highest in the electrical trade in the state. The Georgia General Assembly recently enacted a law requiring all electricians to have licenses in various classifications. Formerly, licenses were granted by local governmental units who had differing and sometimes conflicting require- ments. Ben had to pass a rigid exam to obtain his license. Two long-time employees who were supervisors at the ELBERTON GRANITE INDUSTRIES, INC., “Blue Dawn Granite Quarry” were recently honored at a retirement ceremony. Clarence McLanahan, President of the quarrying company, presented handsome, all- polished granite wall plaques to Herndon Smith and Alfred Ledbetter, both of whom served as Foreman at the large quarry eight miles south of Elberton. The plaques were inscribed with the men’s retirement dates, names, titles, and years of service. Each bore carvings of a quarry and derricks. Mr. Ledbetter was honored for "43 years of dedicated service”. He is a native of Cobb County near Atlanta and came to Elberton as a very young man to visit his uncle, Jewell Bloodworth, who worked for Elberton Granite Industries. His uncle convinced him to hire on as a quarry worker, and he began his long and distinguished quarrying career which ended when he retired as Quarry Foreman. Herndon Smith was lauded for "21 years of dedicated service”. He was a farmer and owned and operated a farm in nearby Oglethorpe County as a young man. He joined a construction company andthen wenttowork with an Elberton Granite District quarrying concern. He later joined Elberton Granite Industries, Inc., eventually becoming Quarry Foreman before ill health forced his retirement. Herndon is the father of Doug Smith, owner of SMITH GRANITE COMPANY, an E.C.A. member-firm, and Alton Smith, Foreman at the CENTURY GRANITE COMPANY, INC., quarry. Elberton Granite Industries President Clarence McLanahan, center, recently presented granite gift plaques to retiring Quarry Forernen A llredLedbetter, left, and Herndon Smith. right. INGS FENDLEY-JORDAN Miss Melissa Ann Fendley and Mr. James Perry Jordan were married Saturday, August 23, at the Elberton First Baptist Church. The new Mrs. Jordan is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Fendley, Sr., of ELBERTON GRANITE FINISHING COMPANY, INC., and the sister of Joe H. Fendley, Jr., who is employed by the firm. She is a graduate of Brenau Academy at Gainesville, Georgia, and attended Gulf Coast Community College at Panama City, Florida. She is a student at Athens Tech in Athens, Georgia, where she is continuing herstudiesinChi|dCareand Development. Mr. Jordan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Fred Jordan of Tallahassee, Florida, and is a Quarry Supervisor for Pyramid Quarries, a division of Elberton Granite Finishing Company, Inc. He is a graduate of the Lewis M. Lively Vocational Technical School in Tallahassee and served in the U.S. Army. The newlyweds are residing at 416 Elm Street. GREG FLEISCHER WINS GOLF TOURNEY Greg Fleischer of DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY recently won the Lat Heard Open Golf Tournament played at the Elberton Country Club. Greg is attending Alexander CityJunior College at Alexander City, Alabama, on a golf scholarship, where he is studying Computer Science. He works with his father, Mel Fleischer, who is President of the monument manufacturing firm, at the Dixie plant during the summers. Greg, who was Captain of the Samuel Elbert Academy Golf Team when he was in high school, is one of Northeast Georgia’s most outstanding young golfers. He is following in his father's footsteps, for Mel has long been recognized as one of the Elberton area’s outstanding golfers and has won several Tommy Mercer, an owner of Heritage Memorial Company, a division of MERCER GRANITE INDUSTRIES, reported that Alan Skelton, one of the nation's leading mausoleum designers, has joined the newly-formed Heritage company which manufactures mausoleums exclusively. He said that Alan, who has been involved in mausoleum design and sales for over 15 years with several of Elberton’s leading mausoleum manufacturers, will continue to design mausoleums and also work in sales. “Alan will be a great asset for our company," said Tommy. “He has the expertise we need, and he knows a lot of customers and what they want.” He also reported that Mrs. Jeanette Witcher is heading the Heritage office staff. She has over 15 years experience in Granite Industry office procedures. “I think our customers will enjoy working with someone who has Jeanette’s talents and personality,” he added. Heritage Memorial Company was formed in 1980 by Mercer Granite Industries and is devoted solely to the manufacture of mausoleums. They purchased a 21,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant that is fully equipped for the production of pre-assembled and custom-produced granite mausoleums. Mr. and Mrs. Luke Gordon, left, oIMonroe, Louis/'ana;Dave Pace of Brookhaven, Mississippi: Mr. and Mrs. Torn Oglesby of KEYSTONE GRAN/TE COMPANY; and Mr. and Mrs. Hue! Ferguson, right, of Monroe. AT THE LOUISIANA-MISSISSIPPI MONUMENT BUILDERS MEETING The largest attendance ever recorded by this two-state group convened in their perennial meeting site of Biioxi for another successful gathering. The program featured local talent along with M.B.N.A. and E.G.A. presentations. With so many Elbertonians on hand, the E.G.A. photographer had a full-time job at the “Happy Hour" trying out a new camera which produced the pictorial results shown on these pages. Mr. and Mrs. Henry .1 A/fortish, left, of Gretna, :8 Louisiana, and Mr. and 3 Mrs. Tom McGarity of i HARMONY BLUE i GRAN/TE COMPANY, i we. 5. Bill Palmer, left, of? COMET GRANITE ' COMPANY. and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Landry ofAmiIe, Louisiana. Mr. and Mrs. Skipper 5 Davidson. left, of Canton, Mississippi: Mrs. Hester Davidson. center. of Canton.‘ and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Guest of CENTURY GRAN/TE COMPANY, INC. Bill Johnson, left, of B/CKNELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mott of Alex- , andria, Louisiana. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McAIlister of HARMONYBLUE GRANITE COMPANY. and Mr. and Mrs. A/ Paes of Mendenhall, Mississippi. AT THE MID-AMERICA MONUMENT BUILDERS MEETING The hotel surroundings were fabulous and the program proved profitable for the retailers who gathered from several states in “Mid- America" — Missouri, Kansas, , Oklahoma. and Arkansas. A special treat was a “Missouri-style barbeque“ hosted by local supply man. Flolly Johnson, in his new warehouse and headquarters in the -“T” Kansas City area. Mr. and Mrs. Tom McGarity. left. of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY. INC.. . and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Van i Vickie ol St. Joseph. 1 Missouri. Chester Almond, left. of V PUR/TAN GRANITE COMPANY. INC; Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Dean and daughter. Lee Ann. center. of Dexter, Missouri; and Dale Walton. right, Sales Repre- sentative lor Puritan. Marion Banks. /elt. ofAPEX GRANITE COMPANY. INC; Mr. and Mrs. Brad Wommack. center. of Bolivar. Missouri. and Horace Harper. right. President of Apex. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Nelson. left. of APEX and SUPREME GRANITE COMPANIES.’Don B/uhm. center. ol Kansas City. Missouri. and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Thurman. right. of Troy. Missouri. Even though the M.B.N.A. 1981 National Convention will not get underway in Honolulu, Hawaii until February 8, 1981, persons interested in attending this most unusual and spectacular lndustry gathering should be making definite plans now. Because of air travel reservation requirements and Honolulu hotel payment regulations, it is almost essential that definite plans be made and confirmed with required deposits by December 1, 1980 — and that date will be rolling around in just a few short weeks. John Dianis, M.B.N.A. Executive Vice President, explained that the official program will begin on Sunday, February 8th, so persons should plan to arrive in Honolulu on Saturday, February 7th. Educational sessions and special entertainment events will take place on Monday through Thursday. The E.G.A. “Happy Hour” will precede the banquet winding up the convention on Thursday, February 12th. Registration Details Complete registration information and other convention announcements have been distributed extensively by the M.B.N.A. office. The registration fee, prior to December 1st, has been set at AT THE MONUMENT BUILDERS OF THE SOUTHWEST MEETING Despite an excellent program and a most attractive meeting site in affluent accommodations, the June attendance in Houston was not up to the usual “Texas-sized" standards. Notably absent were many “reguIars" from the Elberton wholesalers‘ ranks and some of those in attendance had departed by the time the “Happy Hour" rolled around at the close of the lengthy meeting. Larry Guest, left, of CENTURY GRANITE COMPANY, INC," Karen Anderson, and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Narzinsky of El Paso, Texas. Marty Tate, left; Henry Hallman and Mrs. Ruth Hallman, center, of Wills Point, Texas. and Brewer Tate, right, of TATE GRANITE COMPANY. The Sheraton Waikiki Hotel (identified by arrows) is righton famous WaikikiBeach in Honolulu. This will be the official convention hotel for the 1981 M.B.N.A. meeting with special rates prevailing for those officially registered for the convention, $180.00 per person. While this fee is higher than usual, it does cover more, including two full days beyond the regular national convention period of about three days. Specifically, the fee covers: five luncheons, one breakfast, one evening meal that will be a Luau, the banquet, two receptions, the trip to “Paradise Cove” where the Luau will take place with special entertainment and refreshments during one entire afternoon and evening, a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center, and a trip to the Sea Life Park. Travel Coordination Travel Counselor Service of Chicago is working with M.B.N.A. in handling the securing of flight reservations and other travel details including the hotel package covering six nights at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. E.C..A. is working with Travel Counselor Service in arranging travel plans for E.G.A. members and their customers who may be routed through Atlanta on February 7th. Act Now If you are planning to go to Hawaii in 1981, you should be making definite arrangements now. If you haven’t received the complete registration information from M.B.N.A., write or call them at 1612 Central Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201, telephone 312-869-2031. If you wait until after December 1st, you might be disappointed! E.G.A. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT — (Ed. Note — The GRANITEER regularly spotlights member-firms in order to acquaint readers with the various Elberton Granite companies and their personnel and to lead to a better understanding and appreciation of these member-firms who bring you this magazine and innumerable other services from the "Granite Capital of the World". ) Georgia Custom Has lnno John N. "Johnny" Johnson, owner of GEORGIA CUSTOM GRANITE COMPANY, is one of the Elberton Granite District's most astute machinists; and he is quick to tell you that this is his heritage. His father, A. W. Johnson. is recognized as a master at equipment construction and maintenance; and Johnny worked with his dad for several years. Their skills were never more apparent than when they recently converted an old gangsaw frame into an automatic diamond block saw which Johnny says greatly boosts his capacity to saw and polish slabs. Georgia Custom is a custom slab sawing and polishing company with facilities on the Hartwell Highway one mile north of Elberton. The plant is located in what was formerly the Apex Granite Company, Inc. gangsaw plant. Johnny founded the company in 1975 and operated it as a custom polishing firm before purchasing the Apex facilities two years later. Unique Diamond Saw Johnny's father came out of retirement to combine his skills with his son's in building the fully-automatic diamond block saw which has all of the advantages of more expensive models. The system features a 9-ft. diameter TRU-BOART blade. manufactured by the Wheel Trueing Company, and has cutoff switches and backup systems in case of malfunction during automatic operation. Granite blocks are placed on an electric motor-powered slab cart which moves on a track under the A W. Johnson, left, and son Johnny watch the Georgia Custom diamond block saw in operation. They converted an old gangsaw frame into this diamond saw. stationary saw. The saw is unique because there is a mount on the main shaft so that a second blade can be attached to permit sawing of two blocks at once. “We are planning to use two blades mounted four feet apart. This would be the first double-bladed saw in Elberton”, explained Johnny. He said the saw also features a water system which pumps more water onto the block and blade than is used by other saws. “We use more water than anyone in Elberton,” he said, “and this gives us smoother cutting with less wear on the diamonds.” He added that the diamonds are welded onto the blade andthis madethemsturdier and assured that cutoff systems would work during a malfunction. The Georgia Custom Granite Company custom sawing and slab polishing plant. vative Tradition Johnny and Bettie Johnson review company paperwork. Bettie is the iirm's Oifice Manager. Johnny said that he and his dad built the saw at a fraction of the cost of higher-priced domestic and imported models. “We took old pieces of machinery and some new materials, plus some knowhow, and turned a gangsaw frame into a new, modern saw. The slabs we saw will polish in much less time than is required to grind and polish wiresawed slabs.” Began in 1975 Johnny established Georgia Custom in 1975 after working with his father at Harmony Blue Granite Company, Inc. The elder Mr. Johnson worked for that company for 28 years before retiring. Johnny began his career in the Elberton Granite Industry in 1958 after service in the U.S. Navy. He becameajourneyman Stonecutter, but left Elberton for seven years while working as a tool machinist and welder for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. He returned to Elberton and joined his dad in the ownership of Elberton Tool Company and later worked for his father at Harmony Blue. Other Machinery Built At Georgia Custom, Johnny and his father have built a large automatic diamond coring drill, and the first diamond shaping saw in the U.S. which can be used as a profile grinder where diamond segments mounted on interlocking discs grind the tops of monuments down before they are polished. The plant also has three large polishing mills. Johnny’s wife, Bettie, is Office Manager and keeps books,takes orders, and acts as a receptionist. Mr. & Mrs. Carl Hood Riverside Memorial Company Beardstown, Illinois Robert E. Castille Rick A. Castille Castille’s Marble & Granite Lafayette, Louisiana Bill & Joan Fox Henry & Henry Marion, Kentucky Joe Reynolds Pat Lamb Paul Francis J. W. Reynolds Monument Co., Vienna, Illinois Roscoe I. Geyer Gregory A. Geyer Geyer Monuments Bedford, Indiana Ron Crawford Peter Crawford Tell City Monument Company Tell City, Indiana William T. Caldwell Willard Monument Company Christiansburg, Virginia C. S. Allen Henry Allen Allen Monument Works, Inc. North Little Rock, Arkansas Raymond Wade Lamar Skinner Laurel Monument Company Laurel, Mississippi Leslie C. Watson Neuse Memorial Company New Bern, N.C. Bob Kickbush Collins Memorials, Inc. Allegany, New York Doug & Bill Kiddy Kiddy Monument Company Weston, West Virginia While being a popular honeymoon site has not replaced Elberton's distinction as the “Granite Capital of the World", severalnew/ywed couples have recently honeymooned in and around E/berton. A recent couple included one of Virginia's most prominent memorialists, the former Ms. Jeanne Simmers, now Mrs. Carson Rinker. Carson and Jeanne, left, were greeted at the Granite Center by E.G.A. Executive Vice President Bill Kelly. right. during their five-day honeymoon stay on lamed Clark Hill Reservoir near Elberton. “It's just beautiful around Clark Hill and Elberton — we couldn ‘t have picked a better place, "said Jeanne who also reported that while she has “changed her name she has also changed the name of her Harrisonburg, Virginia, company from James H. Bryan Memorials to Heritage Memorials. Inc. Her husband, Carson, a fireman with the City of Harrisonburg, is assisting Jeanne part—lime with the monument lirm. Verlon & Charlene Eurton & family Gene Hunt McCarty Memorials Company Orlando Marble & Granite Hutchinson, Kansas Fern Park, Florida Phillip, Sharlene & Angie Harkleroad Johnny Morton Wholesale Monument Company Morton Memorials Bluff City, Tennessee Shawmut, Alabama Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sparks Calvin P. McClain Douglas Monument Company Vernon Todd Memorials Douglas, Georgia Anderson, South Carolina Mr. & Mrs. B. Landrum Mr. & Mrs. Calvin C. Oakes Chatham Monument Company Coastal States Monument Company Chatham, Virginia Newport News, Virginia Elberton Granite Association, Inc. P. O. Box 640 Elberfon, Georgia 30635 Address Correction Requested THE AREA CODE FOR ALL ELBERTON NUMBERS IS 404 Bulk Rate U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permif 223 ELBERTON, GA.