SPRING 1997. TOWERING TRIBUTE TO TRADITION. E.G.A. Members Show Designs For Today's Generations At Indianapolis. BOYD GRANITE COMPANY. CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY. KEYSTONE MEMORIALS. SOUTHERN MAUSOLEUMS INCORPORATED REPUBLIC GRANITE COMPANY SOUTHERN GRANITE COMPANY WALKER GRANITE COMPANY. "Signposts of Progress" - 40 Years Do you remember the first GRANITEER? It was 1957; Dwight Eisenhower was president of the United States. The Elberton Granite Industry was reaching out for the first time to 6,000 retailers. A Graniteer feature, "Signposts of Progress", reported improvements in plant and equipment by the growing E.G.A. membership. Today, about 11,000 copies are mailed throughout the United States and to inter­ested persons in 1 2 countries. In 1967, the E.G.A. membership had grown so much that the list of member-firms almost filled the back cover of the quarterly publication. E.G.A. completed its third Educational Conference at the Univer­sity of Georgia and the Atlanta Braves had finished their first season in the South playing in the brand-new Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Maybe you remember 1977 when the very first full-color photo appeared on the cover of the GRANITEER. Georgia's own Jimmy Carter was in the White House and the Monument Industry's highly-successful national public relations campaign, "MYTTE" (Monument Yesterday Today Tomorrow and Evermore), was begun with the full support of the E.G.A. membership. By 1987, E.G.A.'s membership had grown dramatically. A four-page section at the center of each issue was required to list names and addresses of those firms supporting the activities and programs of the organization. E.G.A. elected its first woman President - Shirley Shell McNeely. Color photos were now printed on the front and back covers. Color even showed up occasionally on inside pages of the GRANITEER. The E.G.A. Training Institutes completed six years of service to the Industry and etchings had become common on monuments featured in "Memorials In Review". There have been many changes in the GRANITEER's style and format during the last 40 years. Those changes, however, pale in comparison to the dramatic growth and development of the E.G.A. membership. A regular GRANITEER feature, "Signposts of Progress", first penned 40 years ago, has documented the phenomenal growth of the Elberton Granite Industry. In 1997, 40 years and 4,000 pages of Elberton Granite History later, "Signposts of Progress" still says it all. DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN? A special thanks to TUCKER-CASTLEBERRY PRINTING, INC., who started working with E.C.A. and the CRANITEER back in 1957. The exceptional printing capabilities and the professional assistance of their entire staff is why Tucker-Castleberry Printing has been an indispensable part of the CRANITEER for 40 years. New Record For Elberton Granite Industry Payroll. A new Elberton Granite Industry payroll record was set in 1995-96. The payroll, covering employees at 280 area firms, for the first time exceeded $50 million. The data was collected during E.G.A.'s annual audit of its Voting and Sustaining Members' payrolls. The audit of quarterly wage and tax reports is performed each June by E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robin­son and Workers Compensation Manager Bill Kelly. The figures are used for the calculation of dues to the Association and information essential to E.G.A.'s unique self-insured workers' compensation program. The recent audit conducted in June of 1996 covered payroll reported for the last three quarters of 1995 and the first quarter of 1996. "The payrolls reflect the exceptional year experienced by the Elberton manufacturers throughout 1995," stated Robinson. "A hint of a strong year was indi­cated during the previous year's audit that included the first quarter of 1995." This economic report marks the eighth consecu­tive year E.G.A. has published this data for the benefit of the industry. Wage Gains The payroll information and the employment data revealed that the industry has gotten leaner, as far as total employment, but workers realized significant gains in their annual wages. The average annual salaries based on the audits of actual payroll records for 155 member-firms were: Plant, skilled and semi-skilled $20,235; Quarry $17,380; office $17,130. The wage total reflects an approximate 8.1 % increase from the previous reporting period. Employment information determined from the audit of IRS 941 tax reports revealed that there was a decline in the total number of quarry personnel but an increase in the total number of manufacturing jobs. Custom finishing operations saw the biggest gains in employment. These firms offer sawing, polishing, sandblasting or other granite finishing services. Increased employment by these companies supports the strong demand for finished products during the period as manufacturers supplemented their production through outside sources. Total employment for the 1995-96 year was 2,360. Audit Participation There were 150 companies participating in the payroll audit this year, down from 155 last year. Participating firms included E.G.A. members operating quarries, manufacturing plants, tool and machinery companies and other service and support businesses. The verified total payroll of these audited firms was $37.8 million. This represents 75% of the $50.7 million total. The balance of the total payroll, approximately $12.9 million, was determined by identifying 130 non-audited firms (some E.G.A. firms not subject to the audit requirements) and conservatively estimating the number of employees at each location; then multiplying that number by the aver­age annual wage from the audited payrolls. Steady Growth A quick review oi the payroll summary, presented in the chart below, reveals a pat­tern of steady growth for the Elberton Gran­ite Industry. "The increase in the number of firms over the last six years is a good indicator of the consistent demand for granite products and related services from the Elberton area," said Tom Robinson. "While the local granite companies are not without their share of economic problems, said Robinson, these reports continue to prove that the Elberton Granite Industry remains a solid economic base for the local economy." Based on industry cost studies, it has been determined that for every dollar of payroll a firm needs to generate at least three dollars in sales, just to break even. Applying this formula to the 1995-96 payroll of $50.7 million, Elberton Granite sales were at least $151 million for the year. Much of this $151 million stayed in the local economy in the form of wages, taxes, utilities, plant expansions, maintenance services, supplies and other general operating expenses. In fact, economists say that every dollar of payroll turns over approximately four times; therefore, the Granite Industry payroll of $50.7 million has a $200 million dollar impact on the local economy. Investing In The Future The quarriers and manufacturers in the Elberton area continue to prepare for the future by investing in the most technologically advanced machinery available. Evidence of their investment in plant improvements and new equipment has been well documented over the years through this magazine. This economic report tracks the Elberton Granite Industry's growth and reflects the improved capabilities and capacity resulting from these investments. While many challenges remain, all indications are that the Elberton Granite Industry remains healthy and well positioned to meet future opportunities and the demands of a growing market for its products and services. Elberton Granite Payroll Data. E.G.A. Member Companies At Forefront of MBNA National Convention. Representatives from E.G.A. Member-Firms were in the vanguard of the leadership and activities at the Monument Builders of North America's 88th Annual Convention and Industry Exhibit in Indianapolis, Indiana, February 2-5. An estimated 800 of the nation's leading memorialists, monument manufacturers, suppliers, and associated personnel attended the event and addressed some of the key issues facing the Monument Industry while experiencing an outstanding display. The convention, whose theme was "Get On Track In Indy", was held in the ultra­modern Westin Hotel and the exhibit was across the street in the mammoth Indianapolis Convention Center. The hotel and convention center are part of a sprawling central downtown complex which includes interconnected hotels, shopping district, exhibition buildings and the Hoosier dome sports facility. E.G.A. Member representatives eagerly gathered at the Happy Hour for the "Win At Indy" drawing to deter­mine which monument retailer would win the $500 cash prize. Congratulating the winner, Jim Englum, fifth from left, of Paris, Illinois was Otis Childs, CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., John McLanahan, Jr. of REPUBLIC-HIGHPOINT-STERLING GRANITE COMPANIES, Hoppy Boyd and David Loving­good of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Mrs. Mike Fernandez of DESIGN MART, Mr. Englum, Mike Fernandez, Mrs. Englum, Robin Childs of Childs & Childs, Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., Mr. & Mrs. Lamar Walker of WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Wallis of CREATIVE-PREMIER DESIGNS, and Art Budde of ANDERSON TRUCKING SERVICE, INC. Elberton Exhibitors Sixteen of the 89 displaying companies were E.G.A. Member­Firms who occupied 35 of the display exhibit booths. Seven E.G.A. monument manufacturing members occupied 32 of the booths. Mostly contemporary designs in a wide variety of colors prevailed in the display of monuments, mausoleums, and non-cemetery granite items shown by E.G.A. manufacturers. The modern designs reflect a growing trend toward new and different monument shapes. The eye-catching displays also included E.G.A. Sustaining and Associate Members showcasing and promoting the latest in stone-working equipment and technology ranging from large sand­blast engraving systems to computers and newly developed software. Pleasing Response Displaying companies were elated over the response by the hundreds of monument retailers who visited their booths. "Our people report that their exhibits were very well received and they are defi­nitely reaping dividends in terms of sales and also promoting their company images and services," said E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson. The E.G.A. Display, manned by Tom Robinson, David Norman, and Hudson Cone, attracted a constant stream of conventioneers that included many graduates of the Elberton Granite Training Institute. Institute Interest Numerous trainees warmly greeted each other "class reunion style" and the E.G.A. staff members who are Institute instructors. A key section of the display was devoted to the Institute and many retailers expressed interest in attending 1997 sessions. Other parts of the display dealt with materials and programs developed by E.G.A. to assist monument retailers in marketing their products. E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson, second from left, confers with Bill Dietz of Waco, Texas in the E.G.A. Exhibit Booth as David Norman, seated-left, chats with famed designer and frequent E.G.A. Training Institute Instructor Bert Gast. Convention Exhibit Co-Chairman Tom Oglesby, fifth from right, gathered with MBNA officials for the ribbon cutting to open the 1997 Exhibit. The group included, left to right, MBNA Vice President Mike Brannon, Treasurer Frank Troost, Suppliers & Bronze Manufacturers Division President Joel Birkmeier, Vice President Robert Youngs, 1996 MBNA President A.G. Joyner culling the ribbon, Vice President Ed Fowler, Tom Oglesby, Past President John Hakola, outgoing Manufacturers & Wholesalers Division President Kurt Swenson, MBNA Executive Vice President Greg Patzer, and 1997 MBNA President Linda Marsh. Visitors to the E.G.A. exhibit were afforded the opportunity to win $500 in cash given away by E.G.A. Members in a "Win At Indy" drawing. To qualify, participants were required to visit each E.G.A. Member exhibitor and inquire about a specified granite, product, or service. The winner, Jim Englum, Owner of Safford Monument Company, Paris, Illinois, was announced at the E.G.A. Happy Hour attended by approximately 600 persons. MBNA Leadership Elbertonians continue to serve in positions of leadership in MBNA. Robin Childs of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., is the new President-Elect of the Manufacturers & Wholesalers Division. Hoppy Boyd of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Bubba Mize of MIZE GRANITE SALES, INC., and Marty Walker of WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC., were elected to three-year terms on the Division's Board of Directors. They join carry-over Directors Tommy McGarity of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., and Robin Childs. Dave Diederich of BREEN SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, INC., was elected President of the Suppliers and Bronze Division. Pat Wallis of CREATIVE-PREMIER DESIGNS is the new President-Elect, Mike Fer­nandez of DESIGN MART was named to the Board of Directors of the Division. In addition to being a Director of the Manufacturers & Wholesalers Division, Tom Oglesby served as Co-Chairman of the Convention Exhibit Committee and supervised the tedious installation and removal of the exhibits. Marty Walker was a Convention Sergeant-At-Arms. Educational Session A highlight of the Convention Program was an education session entitled "A Suc­cessful Professional Memorial Designer?... Or A Tombstone Dealer?" featuring nationally-acclaimed memorialist/designers Bert Gast of Chicago and Charlie Hunt of Nashville. Both are "regulars" as guest instructors at E.G.A. Training Institute sessions. They have developed a national following of progressive memorialists who have adapted their concepts in the sale of personalized monuments and the promotion of memorialization as art. Aspire Awards Another convention highlight was presentation of the Aspire Awards annually given by MBNA for outstanding marketing and public relations efforts. This year's handsome granite awards were provided by the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. The polished "Elberton Blue Granite" spires were 1-ft.-tall and tapered to an apex top. "These beautiful awards will add elegance and interest to anyone's desk or bookshelf," said Mike Brannon, CM, Chairman of MBNA's Marketing and Public Relations Committee. Recipients were Caldwell Monument Company, Kokomo, Indiana; Carroll Memorials & Kline Memorials, Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia; Quiring Monuments, Seattle Washington; Anderson Memorials, Austin, Minnesota; and from Canada, Tingley Monuments, Amhurst, Nova Scotia and Smith Monument Company, Toronto, Ontario. MBNA Executive Vice President Greg Patzer, center, congratulates new Suppliers & Bronze Manufacturers Division President Dave Diederich and President-Elect Pat Wallis. Robin Childs, left photo, was installed as President-Elect of the Manufacturers & Wholesalers Division. E.G.A. Associate Member ANDERSON TRUCKING SERVICE, INC., was the official freight carrier of display units from Elberton to Indianapolis. These trailers are loaded with granite components to be assembled at the Convention Center displays. This is a portion of the estimated 600 persons who were guests at the E.G.A. Happy Hour prior to the convention's concluding banquet. The handsome Aspire Awards were provided by E.G.A. E.G.A. Members Greet Friend At Indianapolis Convention Exhibits. Art Budde, left, and Tom Reichert of ANDERSON TRUCKING and newly­weds Mr. & Mrs. Wally Bloedel, New Ulm, Minnesota. David Lovinggood, felt, and Happy Boyd, right, of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Mark McKinley of Campbellsville, Kentucky. Robin Childs, left, of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Jell Anderson, Austin, Minnesota, Dow Rousch, Childs & Childs, Gene Schackmann, Newton, Illinois, Mr. & Mrs. Otis Childs, Mrs. Schackmann, Kurt Luckemeyer, Sam Wearly, of the Childs firm, and Bill Minozzi, Lakeland, Florida. Arlene Wachs, left, Coffeeville, Kansas, Bob Bikoff, Merriville, Indiana, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Fernandez of DESIGN MART, Ed Klein, Merriville, and Mr. & Mrs. Paul Vogel. Warren Sanders, left, Winona, Mississippi, and BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY staffers Jimmy Brown, Bruce Bicknell, James Turner and Kent King, and from Erie, Pennsylvania, Ed Wilson and Mark Horstman. Dave Diederich, seated-right, and Russ Donovan of BREEN SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, and Bill Orwick, Corydon, Indiana, seated, and Don Manley, Lincoln, Illinois. Jell Thomure, left, St. Louis, Missouri, Rebecca Beggs of CREATIVE-PREMIER DESIGNS, INC., 1996 MBNA President A.G. Joyner Wilson, North Carolina, and Neil Summerour, his mother, Jackie Summerour, and Pat Wallis, all of Creative-Premier. Robert Carroll, left, of DIAMANT BOART AMERICA, and Mrs. Lilah Johnson and son, Dean, of Williston, North Dakota and Jerry Taylor of Diamant Boart. Dennis Bryant, left, of GRANITE SALES & SUPPLY CORPORATION, Ronnie McCarthy, Oakland, California, Ronnie Brown, of Granite Sales, Ken Hauffman and Joe Fendley, seated, of GRANITE SALES. Tom Oglesby, left, of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., Bob Luken, Jr. of Yankton, South Dakota, Marv Puttkamer of Keystone, Bob Luken, Sr., and Mark Heather of Keystone. Mr. & Mrs. Paul LaForte, left, of the N-E-D CORPORATION, and Luke Gordon and Cindy Coleman, Monroe, Louisiana. Rod Wooley, left, Rensselaer, Indiana, Mike Feinberg, Hillside, Illinois, John McLanahan, Jr., REPUBLIC-HIGHPOINT-STERLING GRANITE COMPA­NIES and Jeff Foulks, Auburn, Indiana. Bob Nelson, Jr., David Edwards, Jack Vickery, Melissa Edwards, and Jim Heather, of SOUTHERN GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mr. & Mrs. Alan Skelton of SOUTHERN MAUSOLEUMS, INC., and Mr. & Mrs. Pat Brown, of Florence, South Carolina. Brad Wommack, left, and Wayne Ashlock, Bolivar, Missouri, Mr. & Mrs. Dave Bott, Ogden, Utah, Mr. & Mrs. Lamar Walker, WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Charlie Vernia, New Albany, Indiana, Mr. & Mrs. Marty Walker of Walker Granite, and Tim Gibney, Canada. Ray Dynowski, Solon, Ohio, Gary Erlandson of WILKES TRANSPORT, INC., Ron Wooley, Rensselaer, Indiana, Mrs. Erlandson, and Mrs. Wooley. E.G.A. Continues Training Institute For 17th Consecutive Year The Trustees of the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. recently voted for the organization to sponsor a three-session, 1997 ELBERTON GRANITE TRAINING INSTITUTE. This is the 17th consecutive year E.G.A. has sponsored the Institute -a phenomenal accomplishment in terms of long-running success and contributions to the Monument Industry. "There has never been anything to compare with it in our industry -or any other industry that I am familiar with," declared E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson. "I'm speaking about a situation where hundreds of retailers have been hosted by wholesalers in a program whose contributions have been immeasurable to both individuals and the Monument Industry as a whole." Industry Leaders "The lists of our trainees and their instructors reads like a roll call of who's who in the Industry. In fact, we take great pride in that many of the emerging Monument Industry leaders of today were schooled in the fundamentals in the "Basic Course" of the E.G.A. Institute. We can point to scores of others we have seen grow and develop as memorialists, making significant contributions to their communities and to this Industry." “The biggest benefit? Getting to know others in the Industry… networking.” -1996 WOMEN AT WORK" TRAINEE. "Of course, none of this would be possible without the steadfast encouragement and support -financial and otherwise -of the E.G.A. Membership. Likewise, the support from the retail sector has been invaluable. As instructors and as enthusiastic participants in the E.G.A. Institute, both wholesalers and retailers emerge as truly suc­cessful partners serving all segments of the Monument Industry." Courses offered this year are: "BRIDGING THE GENDER GAP", August 18-21; the "MONUMENT RETAILERS BASIC COURSE", October 6-9; and a sales course, "POWER POINTS OF SELLING", November 3-6. "The Gender Gap" The "Bridging The Gender Gap" session is the second "women only" course to be offered by E.G.A. The Monument Industry's first­ever continuing education course recognizing the growing involve­ment of women in memorialization was held during the 1996 Insti­tute. The 1997 course has been expanded to a four-day session. Well-known gender-in-the-workplace expert Connie Glaser, a nationally-recognized author and speaker, will be making her fourth appearance as an Institute Instructor during the August Session. Her subject will be "Gaining Credibility In A Man's World." Instructing for the first time will be Jeanne Rinker, Heritage Memorials, Inc., Harrisonburg, Virginia. Back from the successful 1996 session will be Claudia Brown, Brown Memorials, Inc., Florence, South Carolina, and Kathy Baer, Baer & Sons Memorials, Lynchburg, Virginia. "Retailers Basic Course" The "Monument Retailers Basic Course" in October will again be tailored for those new to the Monument Industry or persons who have never spent time in a granite quarrying or monument manufacturing center. Instructors will include a number of E.G.A. owners and craftsmen as well as Ed Baer, Baer & Sons Memorials, Lynch­burg, Virginia, and Jollish Clifton, Clifton & Clifton Monuments, Elizabeth City, North Carolina. "Power Points Of Selling" Instructors in the ''Power Points of Selling" class in November will be Mike Johns, Johns-Carabelli, Cleveland, Ohio; John Faehnle, Maumee Valley Memorials, Waterville, Ohio; Dave Deison, Rawl­ins Monument Company, Inc., Weatherford, Texas; and Joane Kain, Haven of Rest Cemetery, Calhoun, Georgia. Representatives from E.G.A. Member-Firms will again lend their expertise to the sessions. All courses will include tours of local quarries and plants to view close-up the unique processes by which monuments are created. “Great job! Thanks for the helpful knowledge. Built my confidence as a memorialist.” – 1995 Sales Course Trainee. Connie Glaser, nationally-known author and lecturer on gender communica­tions in the workplace, will again be an instructor at the female-only session in August. "Real lite· subjects, such as monument setting procedures are stressed at all Institute sessions. “A wealth of knowledge on practical subjects. Interesting throughout. Well worth my time… I hope to return for future sessions.” -1996 Design Course Trainee. “I wish I had taken this course sooner. I'll take any others that are offered." Visits to quarries and monument finishing plants, including specialty firms such as this mausoleum company, are always a popular Institute activity. The Holiday Inn Express will be the official motel for the 1997 session. The motel has set a special rate of $46 per night. Reservations will be made according to requests on the enrollment application. Holiday Inn Express will accept all major credit cards. The enrollment fee of $170 per session covers payment for all training supplies, reference materials, lunch daily, an evening meal, and transport to all program activities. Registrants must be sponsored by an E.G.A. Voting Member who must be listed on the appli­cation. Sessions are limited to 20 enrollees and confirmation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Hands-on training has always been a fundamental of Institute Sessions. Trainees learn through controlled practice sessions and helpful one-on-one instruction. "BRIDGING THE GENDER GAP" August 18-21 Focuses on better understanding of gender differences in workplace communications and developing effective management strategies. Employee issues faced by women in management, improving sales presentations through a woman's touch, and working with spouses and other family members will be among the topics. "MONUMENT RETAILERS BASIC COURSE" October 6-9 Basically designed for those new to the industry at both management and employee levels. Includes learning monu­ment industry technology & terminology, taking measure­ments & rubbings, sales and marketing instruction, monu­ment setting & cleaning, necessary tools & supplies, memorial shapes & finishes, and more. "POWER POINTS OF SELLING" November 3-6 Will help develop successful sales techniques and boost effectiveness in wide variety of sales situations. Improving at­need sales presentations, the power of pre-need selling, becoming a master of closings and eliminating objections, telemarketing, developing referrals and prospect lists. 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 companies who bring you this magazine and innumerable other services.) WILHITE OWNER HAS LONG CAREER IN GRANITE INDUSTRY. WILHITE BROTHERS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., is typical of many E.G.A. Member-Firms in that it is a family oriented and oper­ated concern. Founded in 1970 and operated for many years by brothers Alton, Hugh, and Joe Wilhite, the firm is now solely owned by Hugh Wilhite and his wife, Kathryn. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhite devote most of their time to managing their company and are dedicated to producing high-quality memorial products. "I have worked in granite nearly all my life," said Mr. Wilhite. "My background and experience gives me the knowledge to produce quality memorials to meet the needs of my customers." The company, with monument manufacturing facilities located approximately six miles west of Elberton on Georgia Highway 72, is equipped for complete monument finishing operations. The plant has approximately 9,000 sq. ft. of work area. Major Equipment Major equipment items include two fully-automatic diamond block saws, six bridge cranes, a twin-head, gantry-type automatic polishing system, a diamond shaping saw, a diamond profile saw, diamond bit coring machine, a sandblast department and other necessary machinery. The company markets "Berkeley Blue", "Royalty Blue", and "Georgia Gray" granites, and also "Absolute Black", "Black Sable", "Ebony Mist", "Autumn Rose", "Carolina Mahogany", and "Salisbury Pink" granite. The firm also sells granite quarried in Barre, Vermont, according to Mr. Wilhite. "We can get almost any color avail­able in the Elberton area", he added. Company Grows Wilhite Brothers Granite Company began as a small-scale operation near Joe's home in 1970. The three brothers later changed location to the current plant site and steadily expanded the facility. Alton later retired from the business due to health reasons and Hugh and his wife became sole owner. Joe is still affiliated with the company and works in the Shipping Department. Mrs. Wilhite keeps books for the firm. Alton's daughter, India Wilhite, a long-time Granite Industry salesperson, works in customer service and is a secretary. India handles most sales and customer service. Hugh Wilhite is a native of Elbert County and has worked in the Elberton Granite Industry nearly all his adult life. He began his career as a stonecutter. He became a Journeyman Stonecutter and worked for the large Comolli Granite Company as a craftsman. Mr. Wilhite and his wife are active members of the Believers Baptist Church in Elberton. He is a deacon and Adult Sunday School leader. Mr. Wilhite was a charter member of the Elbert County Rescue Unit formed in 1968 to assist law enforcement and other groups with emergency situations. He retired as Chief of the unit in 1995 and was honored by unit members for his many long years of service and dedication. Mrs. Wilhite was also saluted for her service with the Rescue Unit’s Ladies Auxiliary. India Wilhite heads sales and customer service at the Whilhite Company. HUGH & KATHRYN WILHITE. This huge 1-ft.-thick, 12-11., 6-in.-high sign shaped like the State of Georgia is an example of craftsmanship by Wilhite Brothers Granite Company The sign is at the entrance to Stone Mountain State Park near Atlanta, one of the most visited parks in the nation. HARMONY BLUE CRAFTS IMMENSE CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL. The intricate stone carving by Rossi included finely derailed floral wreaths, flags, and other symbols carved several inches in relief. The crossed rifles and sabers and the replicas of cannons on the corners of a pedestal typify the bas relief sculpture work by Dario Rossi. The towering columnar-type memorial on the front cover of this issue of the ELBERTON GRANITEER is spectacular in both size and workmanship. The memorial artisans at HARMONY BLUE GRAN­ITE COMPANY, INC., crafted the 42-ft.-high monument which is a testament to their prowess in handling and shaping large sections of granite, stone carving, and sculpturing. The all-steeled "Harmony Superior Blue Granite" memorial hon­ors Confederate soldiers from Abbeville, South Carolina, who fought in the Civil War. It duplicates a similar monument damaged by fire when a nearby Christmas tree and ornaments ignited several years ago. The original was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The new monument was sponsored by the City of Abbeville and Mrs. Bessie Simpson Hanahan, Vice President of the Belks department store chain. She is the granddaughter of Belks stores founder William David Simpson and a plaque at the foot of the monument honors her father, the late William Belk Simpson. Carvings By Rossi Harmony Blue Master Sculptor Dario Rossi, recently honored as the 1997 Georgia Artist of The Year, executed carvings several inches in relief on all sides of the monument. Raised letters more than one inch in relief and other special ornamentation and shaping was executed by noted stone cutting craftsman Earl Oglesby. The intricate carvings by Rossi include crossed rifles and sabers, floral wreaths, Confederate flags, a ship's anchor, and bunting and ribbons symbolic of the Civil War era. Most of the carvings and lettering are on a pedestal component which has rounded column-like corners duplicating Civil War cannons. Huge Sections The monument sections, weighing a total of approximately 90,000-lbs., include two base courses at the bottom, a solid bottom base with washes, sub-base with scotias, a 5-ft.-high pedestal, a 20ft. pedestal, and a soaring 20-ft.-tall column tapering to an apex top. Harmony Blue official Tom McGarity stressed that the enormity of the complex project required close coordination of all divisions of his monument manufacturing company. "From the Drafting Department, to the sawing and sizing of the com­ponents, the steeled finishing, the stone cutting and carving, through the sculpture work and the raised lettering -everyone had to be on the same page to complete the project." "It was a challenge, but the end result and the expressions of appreciation and admiration from the sponsors and people of Abbeville made it all worthwhile," concluded Mr. McGarity. The immense memorial was erected by Allan Veal of STONECRAFT ERECTORS, an E.G.A. Associate Member specializing in the installation of large monuments. Harmony Blue officials Tommy and Michael McGarity personally supervised and assisted in the installation. Michael's father Harmony Blue President Allan McGarity, Tommy McGarity, and Sculptor Rossi were special guest at the monument dedication and unveiling ceremony. HAILED BY STATE LEADERS, PRESENTS ARTWORK. Elberton's Dario Rossi - Georgia's Artist Of The Year. Master Sculptor Dario Rossi, of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., perhaps the premier creator of memorial art in the nation, recently received the highest honor ever accorded a craftsman in the Elberton Granite Industry - 1997 Georgia Artist Of The Year. Subsequently, Mr. Rossi was personally commended by Governor Zell Miller at the State Capitol and was later Guest of Honor at a luncheon attended by nearly 800 Georgia Legislators and state leaders in Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4. Rossi, a Carrara, Italy, native who worked in Elberton for over 30 years, was selected as Artist of the Year by the Georgia Citizens For The Arts organization. He was commis­sioned to create an artwork in granite emphasizing the arts in Elbert County to be permanently displayed in the Governor's Mansion in Atlanta. Acclaim From Governor Governor Miller presented an Artist of The Year Proclamation to Mr. Rossi, his family , and Georgia Arts organization offi­cials. Ironically, Governor Miller was the subject of Rossi's creative genius several years ago when the artist created a bas relief likeness of Miller for a monument designating the scenic Zell Miller Parkway in the mountains of North Georgia. The Governor was lavish in praise of Rossi: "All Americans, especially Geor­gians, are the beneficiaries of this man's remarkable talents. His works are recog­nized throughout our great nation and will be here for future generations to admire. His talent and dedication to his craft have brought well-deserved honor to him and his family, Georgia's Granite Industry, and his community. Thank you Dario Rossi!" The artwork, deemed "Treasure In Gran­ite" by Rossi, had to be small enough to be portable-thus compounding the demands on the artist's talents. The work is 1-ft., 5-in. high and 1-ft., 4-in. long. It is 4-in. thick at the base and tapers upward to 1, 1/4-in. It weighs 80-lbs. It incorporates three ele­ments: art, nature, and work. The bas relief, three-dimensional cutaway piece depicts a granite quarry, a figure of a sculptor at work, and two Georgia symbols, a Chero­kee Rose and a Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly. Granite Center Reception The work was unveiled at a reception, Tuesday, January 28, at E.G.A.'s Granite Center headquarters building. The recep­tion, sponsored by the local Iris Garden Club, was attended by scores of Elbertoni­ans who congratulated Mr. Rossi and his wife, Jo. In a preview of the Arts Day celebration in Atlanta, the serving table at the reception was adorned by a large, polished "Elberton Blue Granite" vase containing a timeless Japanese art form of lkebana flower arrangement - further accenting the Granite Industry's involvement in the Sister City Program with Mure Cho, Japan. In Atlanta, individual tables at the Arts Day luncheon at the restored Georgia Railroad Freight Depot were similarly decorated by the Iris Garden Club. Sandi Beals, of Savannah, President of the Georgia Citizens For The Arts, and Shelly Rose, of Atlanta, Executive Director of the group, attended the reception in Elberton. "I've never seen a community come together like they do in Elbert County with such a sense of pride," said Mrs. Beals. E.G.A. Member Contributions The Arts Day event was co-chaired by Judy Madden, wife of Elberton State Sen. Eddie Madden, and Carol Porter of Dublin, wife of State Rep. DuBose Porter. Mrs. Madden enlisted the assistance of the Iris Garden Club and the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. The E.G.A. Membership provided more that 300 granite tile replicas of Rossi's artwork - one for each member of the Legislature and other dignitaries. The 6 x 6-in. "Elberton Blue Granite" mementos had polished borders, sanded backgrounds, and a sandcarved duplication of the quarry scene on Rossi's larger work and the letters "Dario Rossi, Sculptor, Elberton, Georgia''. Materials for the project were provided by STAR GRANITE COM­PANY, INC., BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY, and CREATIVE-PREMIER DESIGNS. Elberton Group A sizeable contingent of Elbert Countians attended the luncheon where Rossi was honored as Lt. Governor Pierre Howard accepted the sculptured artwork with admi­ration. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Allan McGarity, of Harmony Blue Granite Company, Inc., Mayor Iola Stone, and City Manager Scott Wilson. In addition to the large granite vases and special floral decoration, each table included a handsomely-printed placard informing guests that Elbert County is the "Granite Capital of the World", contributing to the county's growing presence as an international community. Works by Elberton area artists and an exhibit by the local Chamber of Commerce were displayed. Music was provided by the Elbert County Comprehensive High School Band Jazz Ensemble. The art works, including Rossi's sculpture, were displayed in the Governor's Office for the months of January through March. Trained in Italy Rossi began his training as an artist and sculptor in Carrara, Italy at the age of 13 at the Academy of Fine Arts. He immigrated to Elberton in 1965 to apply his talents in granite. A few years later, he founded his studio in association with Harmony Blue. His commissioned works frequently appear in the ELBERTON GRANITEER, including the outstanding memorial on the front cover of this issue. His carvings of state and national figures include Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman, Senators Richard B. Russell and Sam Nunn, and other notable figures. Rossi is also famous for his sense of humor and trade­mark "Varsity'' restaurant paper caps which he wears at work. He and his wife, Jo, have one son, Mauro, a physician in Athens, Georgia. "It is hard for me to find words to adequately thank everyone who helped me receive this honor," said an obviously appreciative Rossi. "First, my wife, Jo, and the rest of my family, my so many friends both here and other places, everybody at Harmony Blue - especially Allan and Thomas McGarity and their father Glenn McGarity who gave me a chance to achieve much of what I have - I want to thank them all. And then, the people like Mrs. Madden and everyone who helped me get the award - I can't thank them enough. God bless all of you!" Georgia Governor Zell Miller, fifth from left, and Mrs. Sandi Beals, fourth from right, present the Artist of The Year Proclamation to Mr. and Mrs. Dario Rossi; center. Looking on are, left to right, State Sen. Paul Broun of Athens; Dr. Ray Neal, Athens, a close personal friend to Mr. Rossi; Judy Madden; Mrs. Neal; and to Mrs. Beals' right, Shelly Rose and Cheryl Sykes, Georgia Citizens For The Arts; and State Sen Madden. One of the granite memento tiles is on a stand to the left of the governor's penset. Dignitaries at the unveiling at the Granite Center included left to right, Judy Madden, Co-Chairperson of Georgia Arts Day 1997, Mr. Rossi, Shelly Rose, Executive Director of the Georgia Citizens For The Arts, and Sandi Beals, President of the Arts group. This is Rossi's one­piece artwork presented to the State of Georgia. It depicts a quarry scene. right, a sculptor at work, left corner, and the state official flower and butterfly. Rossi, left, explains his sculpture work to Elberton Mayor Iola Stone, Georgia Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard, Harmony Blue President Allan McGarity, and Elberton Coty Manager Scott Wilson. The 300 granite tile mementos given to the legislators replicated the quarrying scene on Rossi's artwork and were a challenge to sandblast engraver Larry Veal of Harmony Blue. Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives Tom Murphy, left, accepts the special granite memento from Dario Rossi and Judy Madden. Looking on in the second row are Rep. Tom McCall of Elberton. Mrs. Madden's husband, State Sen. Eddie Madden, Mrs. Rossi, and Sandi Beals. QUALITY-CUT MONUMENTAL DESIGNS Associate Member. E.G.A.'s newest member, QUALITY-CUT MONUMENTAL DESIGNS, is operated by Daphne Black, one of the Elberton Granite Industry's most experienced operators of computer-assisted-design (CAD) systems. Located in a new office complex at 7-C Tusten Street near Downtown Elberton, Quality-Cut offers a wide range of ser­vices, including pre-cut stencil, fullsize drawings, drafting, and cus­tom designing for both monument wholesalers and retailers. Daphne stressed that she is beginning operations with the new MONU-CAD system with a CSR-700 stencil cutter, one of the most advanced and fastest cutters available. The MONU-CAD system is distributed by ELBERTON OFFICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES, INC., which, like Quality-Cut, is an E.G.A. Associate Member. Daphne, a native of Statham, Georgia, near Elberton, is married to Chuck Black, son of the late well-known Granite Industry craftsman, Charles Black. The couple has one child, Justin. They are active in the New Town Baptist Church in Madison County where Daphne teaches Sunday School and sings in the choir. She points with pride that she was one of the first persons in Elberton to operate a CAD system back in 1986. She has worked for several of Elberton's larger monument firms and was responsible for training numerous persons in the use of CAD's. Keystone Memorial Honors Valujet Crash Victims. KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., recently produced a memorial commemorating 110 victims killed in the crash of a Valujet Air­lines flight in the Florida Everglades May 11, 1996. The three-piece, contemporary­style monument is at the site where 50 unidentified victims were buried in a mass grave in a Miami, Florida, cemetery. The memorial, sponsored by Valujet Air­lines, was erected by Gateway Monument of Miami, whose owner, Jim Kamercia designed it. Mr. Kamercia said the monu­ment is the only standing memorial to the tragedy erected to date. He noted that the all-polished design is highly-symbolic. It is composed of "Jet Black Granite" and "Missouri Red Granite" panels set on a 1 2-ft.-long "Jet Black" base. The black panel tapers upward from 14-in. to a height of 4-fl., 2-in. The separate reel panel tapers up to a height of 5-ft., 7-i n. Mr. Kamercia said the upward taper symbolizes the aircraft's flight pattern and the space between the tablets signifies interruption of the flight. A huge sandcarving of a rose on the west side of the red panel symbolizes the single red rose placed in the casket of each of the 50 unidentified victims. A dedication inscription in frosted outline letters is on the black tablet. The names of all passengers and the flight crew are engraved on the east side of the black panel. The Childs & Childs office has black granite columns that form a covered entrance. Polished granite panels are a striking contrast to the red brick exterior. The office building's main hallway has a checkerboard pattern granite floor and black granite baseboards. The front entrance foyer floor includes three different colors of granite. The area also has granite tables and lamps. A large granite table adorns the conference room which has a unique granite tile flooring pattern. Granite furniture such as this massive desk in Robin Childs' office is found throughout the building. Granite Used Extensively In Childs & Childs Offices. More and more E.G.A. Members such as CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., are including granite as interior and exterior materials in new or remodeled office facilities. "It's logical to show off the material you are selling," said Robin Childs, Vice President. "Not only can a variety of granite colors and finishes be used to make a structure more attractive, but granite adds a look of class and dignity and is highly functional," added Mr. Childs. "The different colors and finishes of the granites offer options for creative application and design patterns for floor inlays and other eye-catching furnishings. Also, the building is easier to maintain and clean. We use a mixture of water and vinegar to easily clean our granite surfaces," said Mr. Childs. Varying Uses Polished granite, mostly "American Black" and "Gray Cloud" was used for the floor tiles, baseboards, furniture, and the bathroom vanities throughout the office interior. In addition, "American Black Gran­ite" panels and columns were used to add color to the building's red brick exterior. The office's back steps are composed of large, steeled finish sections of the granite. "Missouri Red", "Grey Cloud", and "American Black" tiles were used on the front entrance walkway and foyer. The office hallways have floor tiles inlaid in checkerboard patterns with black granite baseboarding. Granite furniture, including lamps, tables and desktops are featured throughout the individual offices and the large conference room. WELCH'S GRANITE COMPANY, INC. - This highly-personalized, all polished "Absolute Black Granite" memorial befits Mr. & Mrs. James McCall, parents of State Rep. Tom McCall, and one of Elbert County's most respected couples. Mr. McCall is a farmer; hence, the etching of a tractor on the right panel, and the late Mrs. McCall was a teacher widely known for baking ornate wedding cakes - as symbolized by the large, four-tiered cake etching on the left. The upright tablet was cleverly designed to appear as three pieces - with a center panel and serpentine top separated by vee lines from the side panels. Individual names and interlocking wedding bands are on the beveled base. The memorial is in the Fortsonia Community Cemetery BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC. -This dignified, polished "Robin Blue Granite· memorial is in the Mt. Calvary Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Walnut Grove, South Carolina, it was installed by John Brown Memorials of Spartanburg, South Carolina and has fluted end panels with steeled checks and scotias. The tops of the fluted panel are polished. The ends, which drop 1 1/4-in. from the top, are distinguished by bands of ivy carving. SOUTHERN GRANITE COMPANY, INC. - This all-polished "Paradise Black Gran­ite" monument, impressive in both design and craftsmanship, is a pre-need family monument for Charles Williams, Jong-time diamond shaping saw operator at Southern Granite Company. Designed and personally crafted by Mr. Williams, it includes a modified roof top, chamfered edges, and convex ends. The outstanding carving and lettering includes the family name in custom lettering bracketed by cultivated roses. The large vases were manufactured by Southern Granite's computerized turning equipment. The memorial is in Elmhurst Cemetery. KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. This magnificent reproduction of a Celtic Cross is on the family plot of a prominent attorney in the Mexia, Texas, City Cemetery The family is of Scotch descent and wanted a memorial reflective of their heritage. Designed by John Scott, Owner of High Cross Monument Company of Beaumont. Texas, the 8-ft.-high, all polished "Jet Black Granite" Cross Includes intricate interlacing knotwork on the top section and a vine-like Tree of Life carving growing out of a vase. The family name is on the uppermost of the three bases which are symbolic of the Holy Trinity The computer-controlled. contour diamond wire saw at Keystone was used to shape the Cross. SOUTHERN MAUSOLEUMS, INC. - A superb example of mausoleum planning and construction, this pre-need, "Missouri Red Granite" structure was installed by A. Monti Granite Company of Quincy. Massachusetts in Pine Hill Cemetery. The building, with six crypts, features a door with a bronze carving in relief. The structure has four steeled-finish, fluted pilasters and caps on the front and includes five steeled granite steps. It has a huge single-piece roof stone and a belt course with scotias. The building also includes a one­piece polished floor 1-ft.-thick, 11-ft-wide. and 9-ft.-6-in. deep. The family name is on the entrance arch. The unit was pre-assembled in Elberton. DYE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. -Innovative design and manufacturing expertise characterizes this custom-designed. "Elberton Blue Granite" memorial in Elberton's Forest Hills Memorial Park. Designed by Dye Granite Sales Representative Ronald Ouzts, it is a pre­need monument for the families of Asberry Dunn, Sr., and Jr., well-known Elbert County building contractors. Bas relief sandcarvings of a carpenter's tools and cultured roses on the simulated pilasters represent the Dunn Family's vocation and love for each other. The family name is in stylized, hand-drawn letters, and individual, family member names and the epi­taph are on the beveled base. CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC. -Clark Memorial Shop of Newton, Illinois, recently erected this beautiful, polished "American Black Granite" Celtic Cross for the Washburn Family in the Glenwood Cemetery; Shelbyville, Illinois. The Childs firm's contour diamond wiresaw was used to shape the unique patterns such as the circular portion of the Cross symbolizing Christ's eternity. The couple's eternal love is expressed by the carving of interlocking wedding rings around the circle. Pol­ished Latin letters symbolizing Christianity are in the circle in the center of the Cross. The family name is on the sub-base and individual names are on the beveled base. MIZE GRANITE SALES, INC. -Impressive because of its massive size and workmanship, this memorial marks the cemetery lot of Hamp Bass, a prominent Clarksdale, Mississippi, Industrialist. Manufactured from pol­ished "Royalty Blue Granite", the tablet is 16-in.­wide and is on a 38-in.-wide base with polished margin. The ornate sub-base features checks and ogee moldings. Other special design fea­tures are a check at the top and a band of sand­carved ivy leaves. Erected by Mississippi Marble & Granite Company of Clarksdale, the monument is in Oak Ridge Cemetery. L & M GRANITE COMPANY, INC. - A masterpiece of memo­rial design and workmanship, this impressive "Missouri Red Granite" mon­ument commemorates the late Harold Hunt, a leading Florida monument retailer. A native of Elberton, Mr. Hunt owned Florida Monument Service of Orlando. Mr. Hunt's son, Morris, operates the firm now. Approximately 7-ft.-tall, the monument is a modified design from the famed McNeel Design Book. It is in Palm Cemetery in Winter Park, Florida. Among the unique features are a fluted end columns with checks and scotias and a polished urn on a pedestal, protruding from the sub-base. The family name is in polished hand-carved letters on a recessed, stippled background. GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL STONE, INC. - Fabricated from all-steeled "Ideal Blue Granite", this monument was erected by the J. W. Reynolds Monument Company of Vienna, Illinois. Rich Kirschner, an Owner of the Reynolds firm, said Mr. Sneed is a well-known Herrin, Illinois, attorney and wanted a monument with a classical look. The memorial, in the Herrin City Cemetery, includes recessed checks at the top and bands of acanthus carvings. The lamp and flame symbol at the center of the memorial are incorporated with a spray of the acanthus leaves, which is one of the oldest of all ornamental motifs in classical architecture. CENTRAL GRANI TE COMPANY, INC. - Multiple finishes were skillfully incorporated for design effectiveness by Margaret Mudgett of Mudgett's Monument, Zanesville, Ohio. The family wanted to duplicate a design on the deceased infant's afghan depicting the man in the moon watching over a baby. The star and teddy bear's tie are polished and the baby's blanket has a blued finish. The "Royalty Blue Granite" monument is in the New Lexington, Ohio, City Cemetery. Large Boyd Granite Memorial Tribute To Veterans A noteworthy, obelisk-type memorial, elegant in its simplicity, was recently manufactured by BOYD GRANITE COMPANY to honor the sacrifices of military veterans from Oldsmar, Florida. The memorial was erected at Oldsmar's new city hall by Cycadia Cemetery Mausoleum Company of nearby Palm Harbor, Florida. Will Cantrell, Owner of the Cycaclia firm, designed the all-steeled columnar memorial to be impressive in size and to convey a message of dignity and appreciation for the bravery of the veterans. Boyd Granite President William Boyd said an especially-long block of "Robin Blue Granite" was quarried to fabricate the 13-ft., 8-in. high steeled-finish column. The shaft, which tapers slightly to an apex top, is on a sub-base with a drop wash. An appropriate statement of appreciation for the veterans sacrifices is on an attached bronze plaque. The monument, which was sponsored by the city and contributions from citizens, is in a scenic plaza area on the city hall grounds. Two granite benches are part of the memorial. Spectacular Memorial Honors WW II Rangers. A magnificent 15-ton memorial befitting the bravery and sacrifice of the U.S. Army Rangers in World War 11, including 580 killed in action, was recently manufactured by GEORGIA STONE INDUSTRIES, INC. The monument, sponsored by the Rangers World War II Remembrance Society, was dedicated in November, 1996, on Sac­rifice Field near the National Infantry Museum's proposed Ranger wing at Ft. Benning, Georgia. It required precision fabrication by the staff at Georgia Stone due to the complexity of design. The memorial consists of a huge, all polished "J et Mist Black Granite" hexagon in front of a 16-ft.-long, 8-ft.­high concave granite wall. The hexagon's panels are anchored to a concrete core. The colored patches of the Army's six World War II Ranger Batta I ions and their campaigns and decorations are inscribed on the large top front main panel. A multi-colored Ranger Battle Hon­ors Flag and a quote from former President Dwight Eisenhower is engraved on the front, lower panel. The back panel and four side panels include quotes from Presidents George Bush and Ronald Reagan; several generals, including Omar Bradley and Douglas MacArthur, and other national leaders. The wall includes six polished "Solar White Granite" panels 8-ft.­high and 2-ft., 8-in.-long. They have beveled caps at the top. Inscribed on the cap surface in large letters is the slogan "WW II Rangers Led The Way" and a carving of the Combat Infantryman's Badge embellished by Ranger symbols. The unit patches are also engraved on the wall, the numbers of the six battalions framed by two Purple Heart decorations, and the names of unit members killed in action in European and Pacific Theatre actions. The carving and lettering is bordered by "Jet Mist Black Granite" 1 -i/4-in. relief. An additional unique feature is beveled base course panels on which the dedication inscription is engraved. Individuals cited by Georgia Stone officials for outstanding work on the project are Larry Gunter, the company's Chief Draftsman, who made layouts based on a scale model, and Randy Parham of E.G.A. Associate Member MEMORIAL DESIGN, who executed the carving and lettering. Advanced Design, Basic Courses Conclude '96 Institute. The 1996 Elberton Granite Training Insti­tute included a female-only "Women At Work" session, featured in the Winter 1996 GRANITEER, the "Monument Retailers Basic Course" in October, and an advanced design course, "Creating Personal Design - Above & Beyond The Basics" in November. The Basic Course covered a wide range of fundamental subjects and included experts from both the wholesale and retail sectors. Monument retailer instructors were Ed Baer CM, of Baer & Sons Memorials, Lynchburg, Virginia, who conducted a ses­sion on recognizing products and service costs, and Bill Carpenter of Gateway Monu­ment Company, Jefferson, Georgia, who shared do's and don'ts when "Starting Your Own Monument Business". Representatives from E.G.A. Member­Firms were Jim Boyd and David Loving­good of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Vince Fernandez of LANDMARK GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Jerry Owens of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; and Louis Tyler of CENTURY GRANITE COM­PANY, INC. Jimmy Bone of Elberton conducted a class on monument cleaning. Other subjects taught included recognition of various types of sandblast carving, monument setting techniques, determining monument costs, monument display tips, and other subjects of interest. Quarry, Plant Visits Facilities visited included the ELBERTON GRANITE INDUSTRIES, INC. "Blue Dawn Gray Granite" Quarry, and the KEY STONE MEMORIALS, INC., and HILLCREST GRANITE COMPANY, INC., monument plants. The "Personal Design" course featured hands-on training in hypothetical sales situations that tested creative abilities beyond the boundaries of previous Institute design classes. Students were mailed case studies prior to the session and their solutions were critiqued by Institute Faculty. Many trainees in this course, who had participated in other continuing education programs, said this session was potentially one of the most beneficial they had ever attended. Famed Chicago memorial designer Bert Gast was the Lead Instructor and was particularly inspirational as he expressed his passion for the Monument Industry and creative design at an intensity level trainees said they had never before experienced. Mr. Gast and his wife, Jan, worked with award-winning designer Charlie Hunt of Nashville, Tennessee, in a unique "team teaching" presentation of "Selling the Personal Design". Challenging Exercise Mr. Hunt also taught a class on personalizing basic designs and using creativity in selling techniques as well as in design. An "ultimate test" for individual trainees included an interview with Mr. and Mrs. Gast as prospective customers for the purpose of designing their personal monument. The actual Gast Family Memorial had been erected several weeks prior to the course. Instruction was also provided by Harry Sellers, formerly of the Georgia Marble Company, who taught rendering techniques; Bob Young, a commercial memorial designer, who instructed on lettering styles, the importance of symbolism, and monument display improvement; and Gun­ther Nebel of Strassaker Bronze, Spartan­burg, South Carolina, who spoke on combining granite and bronze for memorialization. Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., made a presentation on production techniques affecting design. Design Course trainees proudly pose with Instructors Charlie Hunt, standing at left of the monument's cen­ter upright tablet, and Bert and Jan Gast, on the tablet's right, during a tour of E.G.A.'s Downtown Display. Craftsman Leon Bryant, left, explains stone cutting techniques to Basic Course trainees touring the HILLCREST GRANITE COMPANY plant. A close-up look at granite quarrying and monument finishing processes is always a highlight of Institute Sessions. "MONUMENT RETAILERS BASIC COURSE". Displaying their graduation certificates are, left to right, Raymond Parker, Parker Monument Company, Camilla, Georgia; Dave Wilson, Clark Monu­ments, Versailles, Kentucky; Cecil Belle, Aberdeen Monument & Cemetery Services, Inc., Aberdeen, Mississippi; Carl White, B.L. White Technologies, Inc., Bristol, Pennsylvania; Louis Raue, Jr., Prichard Monument, Prichard, Alabama; Jason Thornhill and Kevin Wimberly, Cobb Funeral Chapel, Moul­trie, Georgia; Larry Monroe, Paradise Monuments, Wabash, Indiana; John Crist, McKinley Monuments, Winamac, Indiana; Tom Seiter, Cotner Monuments, Ft. Smith, Arkansas; and Brent and Brian Shelton, Quarry Hill Monuments, Magnolia, Kentucky. Not present for photo: John Hyland, Paradise Monument Company, Wabash, Indiana; Connie Tucker and Regina Singletary, Bethany Monuments, Charlotte, North Carolina; and Mr. & Mrs. David Wilson, Wilson Monument Company, Monroe City, Missouri. Jim Boyd, Vice President of Quarrying Operations for ROBIN BLUE QUARRIES and BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., briefs trainees on granite quar­rying techniques. Vince Fernandez of LANDMARK GRANITE COMPANY, INC., urges class participants to create a checklist for ordering wholesale granite products. An enthusiastic Bill Carpenter of Gateway Monument Company, Jefferson, Georgia, discusses aspects of starting a retail memorial operation. Louis Tyler of CENTURY GRANITE COMPANY, INC.' gives tips on identifying monument shapes and members and how to provide measurements while submitting orders. Well-known Southeastern Monument Industry leader Ed Baer CM, of Baer & Sons Memorials, Lynchburg, Virginia, gives insight on determining costs of products and services. Marty Walker, kneeling, of WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC., provides tips on making rubbings during a field demonstration at Elmhurst Cemetery. An animated David Lovinggood of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., reviews Monument Industry terminology to help trainees better communicate orders. Jerry Owens of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., explains monument manufacturing processes to trainees to give them a better overview of the industry. Noted granite cleaning expert Jimmy Bone of Elberton, left, uses a monument on a flatbed truck to demonstrate recommended procedures for cleaning memorials. Denise Rousey, seated, and Tara Presley of the KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., Drafting Department demonstrate proper drafting and layout methods for the class. "CREATING PERSONAL DESIGNS". Trainees in the "Creating Personal Designs" session were, left to right, Paul West, G.E. Crone Monument Company, Inc., Memphis Tennessee; Troy Caldwell, Caldwell Monument Company, Kokomo, Indiana; Jack Riggins, Wichman Monuments, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Roger Lambert, Lambert Monument Company, Lucedale, Mississippi; Donald Mims, Mims Memorials, Lake City, South Carolina; Edyth Baldauff, Volusia Monument Company, Deland, Florida; Shelly Turner, Williford Monument Company, Knoxville, Tennessee; Charlie Vaughn, Longstreth Memorials, Inc., Galion, Ohio; Carl Ternullo, Breece Monuments, Fayetteville, North Carolina; Kevin Conley, Barre Monument Company, Baltimore, Maryland; Caesar Rizzi, Hillside Monument Company, Hillside, Illinois; Charles Vernia, John Vernia & Sons Monument Company, New Albany, Indiana; and Vergene Gardner, Caldwell Monument Company, Safford, Arizona. Not shown, Joane Kain, Haven of Rest Cemetery, Calhoun, Georgia. Trainees observe a large automatic diamond saw cutting blocks of granite at the CENTRAL GRANITE COMPANY, INC., sawing and polishing plant. Jack Vickery, left, of SOUTHERN GRANITE COMPANY, INC., explains the monument company's unique computer-operated turning machinery producing columns, balls and other round objects. Gunther Nebel, representing the Strassacker Bronze Company of Germany, explains how bronze attachments can be enhancing ornamentation for gran­ite memorials. Bert Gast, the highly acclaimed, master memorialist-designer of this genera­tion, enthralled trainees with his captivating style and urged trainees to take their work to a higher artistic level. Bert Gast, left, his wife, Jan, and award-winning memorial designer, Charlie Hunt, right, teamed for highly motivational sessions on advanced custom designing. Bert and Jan Gast, and Charlie Hunt, seated at right, evoked the team concept and involved the students in an "ultimate test" - the design of a monument for the Gast Family. Affable Harry Sellers, a retired draftsperson-designer, charmed the students with his easy-going manner and helpful insights on using renderings in design and sales. Charlie Hunt uses graphics to illustrate his concepts on using design in sales and outlines methods for developing a custom design from the drawing table to the cemetery. Well-known veteran memorial designer Bob Young of Canton, Georgia, uses his vast expertise to explain how to utilize differing lettering styles and symbols for effective design. Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC, explains how new technology in the Granite Industry encourages creative design. Impressive Granite Signs From E.G.A. Members One of the most frequent non-monumental uses of granite is for enduring attractive signs which distinguish a business or institution. Granite signs require little or no maintenance and convey and image of dignity and permanence. Highly visible and an effective means of advertising a location or function, the varieties of designs are almost limitless. Examples of signs, veterans monuments, historical, and other non-cemetery memorials produced by E.G.A. Members are included in E.G.A.'s Reference loan Notebooks which may be obtained by using the handy order form on the opposite page. IN ELBERTON, GEORGIA. QUICK SAW GRANITE CO MPANY, INC., recently manufactured two steeled­finish "Elberton Blue Granite" sign panels for the City of Elberton to designate its newly-expanded Industrial Park. Located on Mineral Springs Road off Highway 72 two miles west of Elberton, the park is touted as a magnet for industrial development. Recognizing that attractive signage is a proven method of stimulating development of commercial ventures, the city arranged with Quick Saw to produce the sign panels which are encased in a unique, 16-ft.-long, L-shaped ashlar granite wall facing the busy, four-lane Highway 72. The park name is in 7-in.-high letters on the 8-ft.-long, 2-ft.- 6-in.-high horizontal panel. The names of companies using the park will be on the 5- ft.-6-in.-high vertical panel. The 16-ft-long base portion is beveled 135 degrees. The upright wall section is topped by an ashlar granite cap. The sign is landscaped and illuminated at night. AT JOHNSON & SON MEMORIALS. An attractive, contemporary-style sign involving contrasting granite colors and fin­ishes has been erected at JOHNSON & SON MEMORIALS on the Petersburg Road off Highways 17-72 in Southeast Elberton. It was designed by Roel Johnson, who co­owns the monument manufacturing com­pany with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ken­neth Johnson. The steeled "Sapphire Blue Granite'' sign panel has a distinct modernistic shape with all straight lines, including a sloping roof top, and deep, angled checks at the bottom. It is on an all-polished "African Black Granite" sub-base atop a blue granite base. IN ATHENS, GEORGIA. CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., has manufactured a stately sign using different colors and finishes of granite to identify the location of a medical complex in Athens, Georgia. The sign con­sists of a polished "American Black Granite" sign panel approximately 6-ft.-long mounted on a steeled "Caprice Blue Granite" pedestal. The sign marks the location of the East Georgia Radiation Oncology Center. Lettering and carving include the name of Dr. Narendra K. Shah and a caduceus, the universal medical symbol. The Childs & Childs company name is engraved on the end of the pedestal which is tapered on the sides and ends. AT McCANNON GRANITE COMPANY. A picturesque sign reflecting the stone­crafting ingenuity at McCANNON GRANITE COMPANY, INC., was recently installed at the quarrying and monument finishing company's plant on Crystal Drive off Highway 72 west of Elberton. Owner Allen McCannon designed the sign which is displayed in a elevated garden-type area with shrubs and lighting and bordered by coping. The "Crystal Blue Granite" sign includes a large, 4-ft. high "M" which was skillfully sawed and hand-cut in relief. The letter is mounted in a slotted pedestal. Both pieces are polished on front and back. "Welcome To McCannon Granite Company, Inc." is engraved on the pedestal. LOAN REQUEST. Granite Mementos Presented UGA Athletic Officials. Many of the leaders in the Elberton Gran­ite Industry are graduates of the University of Georgia which is in Athens only 45 min­utes from the "Granite Capital of the World". Consequently, they are among the most dedicated supporters of Georgia Bull­dog sports teams and unique granite mementos are frequently presented to 'Dawg coaches and athletes. Among the most avid fans is Tom Oglesby, Owner of KEY STONE MEMORIALS, INC., and a member of the Elbert County Bulldog Club & Alumni Society Board of Directors. He recently presented four colorful "American Black Granite" pensets to UGA officials. The recipients were Head Football Coach Jim Donnan, Basketball Coach Tubby Smith, Georgia Bulldog Club Executive Secretary Loran Smith, and Associate Executive Director Claudia O' Steen. The all-polished sets with double pens were 16-in. long and the recipients' names were engraved in silver lettering on the beveled fronts. A red football with laces and stripes overlaid with a red block "G" was on top of Coach Donnan's penset and a basketball overlaid with a similar "G" was on Coach Smith's. Stylized red "G" logos were on the other sets to Mr. Smith and Mrs. O'Steen. The pensets were given at Christmas and all the recipients wrote personnel letters to Mr. Oglesby and said the sets would always be among their most treasured mementos. B & M Gift Also, Mac Thornton, Co-owner of B & M QUARRIES, INC., and a Georgia graduate, recently presented a 15-in.-long "Ebony Mist Granite" name plate to Bulldog Defensive Coordinator Joe Kines. Coach Kines is recognized as one of the better defensive football coaches in the southeast. The nameplate had the coach's name engraved in gold lettering on the beveled front of the variegated granite. Nick Bell of BELL GRANITE COMPANY, INC, designed the nameplate and used the monument firm's computer-assisted-design machine to assist in the engraving. Keystone President Tom Oglesby, left, and Elbert County Bulldog Club President Hudson Cone, right, pre­sented pensets to left to right, Coach Jim Donnan and State Bulldog Club officials Loran Smith and Claudia O'Steen. Mac Thorton, left, presents the nameplate to Bulldog Defensive Coordinator Joe Kines. Plaques By E.G.A. Members HS State Track Champs. The Elbert County Comprehensive High School athletic program is among the best in Georgia and E.G.A. Members have traditionally been among the most staunch boosters of the young athletes and their coaches. This support was recently manifested in a cooperative effort by several firms involved in the production and installation of two large granite plaques saluting the 1995 and 1996 State Champi­onship Track Teams from ECCHS. The 3-ft.-sq. plaques were mounted on the two-story pressbox­concession stand building overlooking the ECCHS Track-Baseball Field complex behind the high school. The plaques include the names of the track team members and their coaches and carvings of winged track shoes symbolizing the sport. The plaques were produced from steeled "Crystal Blue Granite" quarried by McCANNON GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Jimmy Wallis, President of STANDARD GRANITE COMPANY, coordinated the project. His firm cut the pieces to size, steeled them, and executed the sandblast engraving. Other E.G.A. Members who provided materials or assistance were BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY and GRANITE SALES & SUPPLY CORPORATION. KEYSTONE MEMORIAL TO SANCTITY OF MOTHERHOOD. KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., has produced a picturesque memorial using contrasting colors of granites to commemorate motherhood and unborn children. The monument is in a shrine area at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Laurie, Missouri. Designed by Larry Akin, Shop Manager for Kidwell Granite Works, Versailles, Missouri, the monument includes an all-polished "American Black Granite" tablet with an etching of Christ carrying a small child. The theme "Behold Your Mother" and a lengthy tribute to the sanctity of motherhood by Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty is engraved on a split­level, steeled "Keystone Blue Granite" panel. The overall length of the monument is 10-ft. The memorial, in a landscaped bed and illuminated at night, is in a pristine grotto and lake area on the church grounds. Keystone Produces Replacement Monument For City's Namesake KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., and Wommack Monument Com­pany of Bolivar, Missouri, recently collaborated on a massive replacement memorial to Simon Bolivar, the South American patriot for whom the city is named. The monument includes a polished, multi-pieced "American Black Granite" pedestal 11-ft., 6-in. tall and a 7-ft. bronze statue of Bolivar. It replicates an original monument given to the city by President Harry Truman and the President of Venezuela. Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan credited with liberating much of South America from Spanish rule. He is known as the "George Washington of South America". The original pedestal was made of concrete with marble veneer. Brad Wommack, of the retail firm, said the original pedestal had deteriorated badly and was crumbling when the city elected to replace it with granite. Brad's father, C.V. Wommack, Sr., Chairman of the Board of the monument firm, was a leader in the replacement project. The pedestal includes a 2-piece bottom base 6-ft., 8-in. square, two sub-bases, a 5-ft.-high tapered pedestal, and a cap with a 4-in. radius scotia, polished edges, and a steeled-finish check. Ornamentation includes the original bronze dedication plaque on the bottom sub-base, a duplicate of the original inscription in frosted outline let­ters, and the Great Seal of the U.S. and the Seal of Venezuela. The total weight of the granite is 32,632 lbs. Design Mart Offers Coloration, Font Software. The coloration package components offer a variety of colors and finishes. DESIGN MART, a Granite Industry design and graphics specialty firm, has announced the availability of new computer software packages for creating color renderings and lettering sandblast stencil and renderings. Mike Fernandez, Design Mart Director of Marketing, said the new Color Kit disks offer polished, frosted, and rock pitched finish images of blue/gray, red, pink and black granites, as well as back­ground images for placement to complete a finished photograph for presentation. He said these TIFF format images may be used to fill renderings made with D-Mark Disks II, or may be used with Pre­cious Memories, Morning In Glory, Ties That Bind, and A Closer Walk disks to create customized renderings for customer approval using many popular photo/paint software programs. Also available are TrueType (TM) fonts in Modified Roman, Condensed Roman, and Vermarco styles. The TrueType fonts may be installed in Windows for use with virtually any graphics application, said Mr. Fernandez. Letters may be printed or cut in stencil at any size and are ideal for creating renderings and matching existing lettering. For more information, contact Design Mart at P.O. Box 56, Elber­ton, Georgia 30635. E-mail d-mart @ designmart.com, or visit on the World Wide Web at www.designmart.com. The True Type fonts are in three popular monumental type styles. Granite Center Visitors. Keith Truman, left, Owner of CLASSIC MONUMENTS recently accompanied Anthony Knuppel, center, President of Appleton Marble & Granite Works, Appleton, Wisconsin, and Sales Manager Rick Brumlic on a tour of the Gran­ite Center and the ELBERTON GRANITE MUSEUM & EXHIBIT. Here, Keith explains a display of granite cutting tools. Monument retailers Mr. & Mrs. Craig Gramke and son, Caleb, recently visited the ELBERTON GRANITE MUSEUM & EXHIBIT. The Gramkes, Owners of Gramke Monument Works, Inc., of Janesville, Wisconsin, were in Elberton visiting wholesale suppliers. B.A.S.S. Leader Visits Granite Center. Among the many visitors to the E.G.A.'s Granite Center headquarters in the past few months was the legendary Ray Scott , founder and President of the Bass Anglers Sportsman's Society, the nation's leading organization promoting the sport of fishing. Mr. Scott and the leading professional bass fisherman in the U.S. were in Elberton in November to participate in the Bassmaster Georgia Top 100 Tournament held at nearby Lake Richard B. Russell. Like most dignitaries, Mr. Scott enjoyed a tour of the ELBERTON GRANITE MUSEUM & EXHIBIT and toured the KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. monument finishing plant. E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson worked with B.A.S.S. officials and provided background information in the community and the Granite Industry. THE RESULT: one minute of the B.A.S.S. network television show on the Nashville Network during the weekend of February 15 was devoted to the Elberton Granite Industry and why Elberton is the "Granite Capitol of the World". The program was telecast five times during the weekend and seen by an estimated seven (7) million viewers - providing invaluable positive publicity for Elberton and the Monument Industry. Mr. Scott was fascinated by the "Sea Lion" one of the Granite Museum's most meaningful exhibits. Carved in the plant of Peter Bertoni, the "Father of the Elberton Monument Industry," the sculpture has the tail of a fish and head of a lion and was a symbol of good fortune in yesteryear. "What a catfish!", the personable Mr. Scott exclaimed. B.A.S.S. President Ray Scott is amazed by the "Sea Lion" Granite Industry artifact which combines a fish tail and a lion's head. The TNN telecast, which was shown five times. featured one minute of scenes from the Granite Industry, Lake Richard B. Russell, and activities from the big Bassmaster Georgia Top 100 Tournament held in Elberton in November. More Machinery At Wiles Granite. The extra-large top-and-end-polisher can process up to 20 average-sized monuments at one setup. This is the new Jib crane and outdoor storage area at Wiles Granite Com­pany. Two pieces of equipment have been installed at the WILES GRANITE COMPANY, INC., monument plant which should boost production, reported Owner Danny Wiles. He said they include a new computer-operated, fully-automatic top-and-end polishing system and a jib crane for use in an expanded outdoor storage area. The top-and-end polisher, manufactured by WILSON INDUS­TRIAL ELECTRIC, is a gantry machine which traverses on rails to polish up lo 20 average-size monuments in a bed 12-ft.-long and 8- ft.-wide. Mr. Wiles said he specified that the Wilson Company, an E.G.A. Sustaining Member which produces automatic diamond sawing and granite polishing machines, built the polisher on a large frame to accommodate a wider bed capable of holding more monuments. The jib crane and 40 x SO-ft. outdoor storage area is adjacent to the monument plant's loading dock. Mr. Wiles said the concreted area was necessary to better organize and streamline materials flow in the plant. Inventory from the storage area can be strategically placed by the crane which rotates 360 degrees. Units enter the plant through a side door on roller conveyors. Improved Sandblast System Offered By Granite Sales. Ronnie Brown, General Manager of GRANITE SALES AND SUPPLY CORPORATION, announced that the supply firm is now offering a sandblast engraving system with significant new operational advantages. "The system combines our Empire blast machine and the Hirons automatic blast curtain and counter so that the num­ber of passes by the nozzle can be pre-set. Also, the machine is activated and cut off electronically instead of manually and there is an automatic shutdown if there is a power interruption," said Mr. Brown. He said the automatic shutdown after a pre-set number of passes allows the operator lo prepare the next monument for blasting, or work in another area such as shape carving. "In addition to being less labor intensive, another big advantage is that if there is a power interruption, the blaster shuts down in less than one and the tank stays pressurized," said Mr. Brown. The automatic curtain is produced by Hirons Memorial Company of Mt. Orab, Ohio, and the Empire blasting system is manufactured by Empire Abrasive Equipment Company of Langhorne, Pennsylva­nia. Mr. Brown said he developed the concept of a counter to note the number of nozzle passes for automatic shutdown. Ronnie Brown demonstrates the new sandblast system available from Granite Sales. E.G.A. Member Installs Automatic Polisher. HAYNES GRANITE COMPANY Type: Gantry-Type Automatic Polisher Began Operation: December, 1996 Built By: Wilson Industrial Electric, Inc. No. of Polishing Heads: 1. Forklift At H. H. & H. Granite Jeff Haynes, President of H. H. & H. GRANITE SALES, INC., reported that his monument manufacturing company has purchased a new forklift to speed the movement of granite blocks, slabs and other heavy items. He said the machine will mostly be used to move granite pieces to and from the firm's outside storage area. Jeff and his brother, Billy, operate the company with their father, A.W. Haynes. The company has manufacturing facilities on the Jones Ferry Road seven miles south of Elberton. New Equipment At Spartan Tool. David Matthews programs the new computerized lathe. John Mitchell, Owner of SPARTAN TOOL COMPANY, INC., reported that his firm has added two new major equipment items at the service facility on the Tate Street Extension. He said the machines include a computerized lathe and a programmable band saw. Mr. Mitchell said the lathe is used to produce and machine metal equipment parts for machinery in the Granite Industry. The machine, whose functions can be preset by computer, is the latest model of its type. The new band saw can be pre-programmed to automatically cut metal piece lengths and other specifications. Spartan Tool Company is an E.G.A. Sustaining Member which manufactures and maintains quarrying and stonecutting tools and equipment. The firm employs 18 people and has six service trucks. The company operates in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. John Cryder operates the new programmable band saw. More CAD Equipment At Harmony Blue Tom McGarity of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., reported that the large monument finishing firm has purchased the latest version of the MONU-CAD computer-assisted-design system. The system was purchased through E.G.A. Associate Member ELBERTON OFFICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES, INC., the local distributor for the equipment. Harmony Blue Draftsperson Kathy Haynes, shown operating the machine, said the system "is the fastest of its type on the market". She added that equipment includes a scanner for adding designs and other data, a large stencil cutter, and a laser printer which will produce 8 1/2 x 11-in. scaled, condensed versions of designs which can be faxed to customers for approval. Sixth CAD Unit On Line At Memorial Design Randy Parham and Ron Clamp, Co-Owners of MEMORIAL DESIGN, announced that the monumental graphics specialty com­pany has added an additional MONU-CAD computer-assisted­design system. They said the new unit brings to six the total number of the computerized systems now in operation at their company on West Tate Street in Elberton. Mr. Clamp said the new machine is operated by his brother-in­law, Steve Searcy, shown at the machine, who recently joined the firm. Mr. Clamp said the new system is "state-of-the-art. It's part of the new generation of faster, more efficient CAD hardware providing us with more capabilities." Monumental Graphics Offers New CAD System. Chip Rousey, Owner of MONUMENTAL GRAPHICS, INC., reported that his graphics and design service firm is marketing a computer-assigned-design (CAD) system which "will revolutionize how we do layouts. Ours is a Windows 95-based system that comes standard with a pentium chip, CD-Rom, and internal fax modem". He explained that the system is "extremely user friendly because we have combined my experience as a monumental draftsperson with the power of a proven software to create a system open to many different formats. You can import and export to all popular brand computers, making available a tremendous amount of clip art for those who can or cannot draw". He said the system can "from one chair - draw, scan, cut, plot, print, or fax. What formerly took clays can now be done in half the time, or less, while maintaining in-house control over efficiency and quality. Order entry is done by bringing up existing designs or by digitizing into the computer. The scanner allows input of existing work which can be cut with minimal or no cleanup. With every complete system purchased, we provide the latest designs we have digitized in our computer, free. We have 120 meg., and are adding more daily, allowing for immediate production capabilities. We also provide an electronic file transfer to meet immediate customer needs, instead of sending disks which takes more time." Draftsperson/designer Jaye Boyd using the Monumental Graphics system. Worley Quarries Working New Ledge Area. Blaine Worley, President of WORLEY QUARRIES, INC., reported that a new ledge area is being developed in the firm's expansive Bennie & Harvey Quarries facility located in Oglethorpe County. He explained that an area approximately 45-ft. long and 50-ft. wide has been quarried to a depth of 30 feet or more. Mr. Worley also announced that after one year of work he now has access to the quarry, formerly operated as the "Harmony Superior Blue Granite" Quarry. He speculated that 80-ft. or more of runoff water had filled many areas of the quarry which is the largest in Oglethorpe County. He said crews had pumped water and worked in the area for over a year in an effort to drain the quarry so that additional ledges may be developed. Worley Quarries, Inc., leased part of the Bennie & Harvey quarry properties last year. The original quarry was opened in 1936. Mr. Worley has operated the "Regal Blue Granite" Quarry on the property since 1993. This 45 x 50-ft. ledge is being developed by Worley Quarries. Major Site Improvements At Pyramid Quarry. A crawler-type mobile crane is being used to lift blocks at the new ledge. Mike Rutherford and Jack Stovall, Co-owners of SACRED BLUE QUARRIES, INC., announced that their quarrying company has re­opened the "Pyramid Blue Granite" Quarry and is making significant site improvements. "We intend to do what is necessary to provide a continual supply of this dark blue granite which has been popular as both a domestic and export material," said Mr. Ruther­ford. The facility is located on Pyramid Road off Georgia Highway 72 three miles west of Elberton. The owners said a major development is the opening of a new ledge area on top of the southern rim of the quarry. They said an area 45 x 45-ft. has been quarried to a depth of 30-ft. or more. Sub­sequently, substantial grading has taken place and a new road opened leading from the company office to the new ledge site. Mr. Rutherford said the new road was necessary to move equipment into the new ledge area and also provide better access to all areas of the quarry. Mr. Stovall said that grading and site development is occurring on the other side of the quarry, including the removal of a guy-type derrick and grading with the objective of uncovering additional granite deposits. Also, a 175-ton-capacity crawler crane has been moved from the company's quarry on the Harley Rucker Road to facilitate operations at the Pyramid Blue Quarry. This new ledge is being developed at the "Pyramid Blue Granite" Quarry. New Officers Chosen For Granite Sales. The stockholders of GRANITE SALES & SUPPLY CORPORATION met at the Elber­ton Country Club December 9 and selected three new members for three-year terms on the organization's Board of Directors. The following day, the Board met for an organi­zational meeting and elected officers for 1997. Rusty Adams of STAR GRANITE COMPANY, INC., was elected President of the cooperative supply firm wholly owned by local granite quarriers, monument manu­facturers, and affiliated firms. Greg Giannoni of CENTRAL GRANITE COMPANY, INC., was elected Vice President and Mac Thornton of B&M QUARRIES, INC., was named Secretary-Treasurer. Mr. Adams succeeds Jim Boyd of ROBIN BLUE QUARRIES, INC., a division of Boyd Granite Company, Inc., as President. New Trustees The three new Trustees elected at the December 9 meeting were Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., Robert W. "Bubba" Mize, Ill, of MIZE GRANITE SALES, INC., and Massoud Besharat of IMEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. They joined carry-over Trustees Tommy McGarity of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Elliott Paul of EAGLE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Greg Giannoni and Rusty Adams. Mr. Adams, Mr. Giannoni, Mr. Thornton, and Mr. Paul were elected to the company's executive Committee. Ronnie Brown, who has been with Granite Sales for 32 years, was re-elected as General Manager. Mr. Brown became GeneraI Manager in 1990 and has since increased the company's product lines and overall scope of business activities. PERSONNEL NOTES. Steve Dixon New General Manager At ltaldiamant Steve Dixon has been named General Manager at ITALDIAMANT USA, INC., an Italian-based E.G.A. Sustaining Member marketing diamond sawing, grinding, and polishing tools for the stone industry. A native of Elberton, Steve attended Middle Georgia College and Georgia College and has degrees in Accounting and Economics. He served as Controller for a large furniture and appliance operation in Atlanta and has held various financial and computer-related positions in several states. He returned to Elberton in 1992 and became Office Manager and later Controller for a large company in nearby Hart County. His father, Paul "Pete" Dixon owned a monument firm and Steve grew up learning to cut and engrave granite. Steve and his wife, Janna, a nurse, have a teenage son and daughter. The couple has always been heavily involved in youth, church, and sports activities, particularly baseball and soccer. Steve is a member of the Elberton Kiwanis and Elberton Lions Club. They are members of the Elberton First Baptist Church. Steve Dixon. AT KEYSTONE MEMORIALS. Tom Jenson has been named Plant Manager at the KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., monument manufacturing plant, reported Owner Tom Oglesby. "We are fortunate to have someone with Tom's man­agerial skills and background experience with granite," said Mr. Oglesby. "We feel that he will be an invaluable addition to our staff in all aspects of production, especially in the expediting of shipments." Mr. Jensen is a native of Moreland, Georgia, and attended West Georgia College. He has worked in the structural stone industry most of his career. He has been involved in the use of granite on major building projects in a number of large cities, including the installation of "Missouri Reel Granite," a primary Keystone granite, on the Union Electric Building in St. Louis, Missouri where he became acquainted with Mr. Oglesby. He was based in Memphis, Tennessee. He and his wife, Tonia, have two school­age boys and a daughter. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves hunting and fishing. He is of the Methodist faith. AT WILES GRANITE COMPANY. Melissa Fendley is working as a Customer Service Representative at WILES GRANIT E COMPANY, INC., reported Danny Wiles, Owner of the monument finishing firm. Ms. Fendley is involved in all phases of sales, including making price quotations and taking telephone orders. She lived most of her life in Elberton and graduated from Brenau Academy, a ladies prep school at Gainesville, Georgia. She attended Gulf Coast Junior College at Panama City, Florida, and graduated from the Athens Area Technical Institute at Athens, Georgia, with a degree in Child Development. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fendley, former owners of an Elberton Granite quarrying and monument finishing company, she has worked in various granite sales and management activities most all of her adult life. AT STANDARD GRANITE COMPANY. Becca Williams is a new member of the office staff at STANDARD GRANITE COMPANY where she works as a secretary and in sales. An experienced computer operator, Becca is the daughter of Standard Granite Owner Jimmy Wallis and his wife Becky, who is Office Manager. She is the wife of Vernon Williams who is employed at Standard as a sandblast engraver. The couple has two sons and a daughter. A graduate of Elbert County Comprehensive High School, Becca attended cosmetology school in nearby Athens. She is on the Policy Council of the local Headstart Program. AT DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY. Patricia Fortson and Dianne Gulley were recently involved in key personnel and management changes at DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY, announced Owner John Campbell. Mrs. Fortson has been promoted to Sales Manager and Mrs. Gulley has joined the staff and is doing general office work and sales. Mrs. Fortson has worked in the monument finishing firm's office for the past nine years. She is now in charge of customer relations and is involved in telemarketing, taking and processing orders, quot­ing prices, and other sales activities. Patricia is the daughter of Mrs. Patsy Davis, a long-time Granite Industry office worker now retired. A graduate of Elbert County High School, she formerly worked in the office at a large granite trucking firm. She and her husband, Gary, have a 25-year-old daughter, Lynn. Mrs. Gulley, also an Elberton native, does general office work and assists with customer relations. She and her husband, James Gulley, are the parents of Sharon Bell, wife of BELL GRANITE COMPANY Vice President Nick Bell, and a son, Earl Gulley, stationed with the U.S. Army in Fairbanks, Alaska. For years, Mrs. Gulley was the Office Manager at a local propane gas company. She worked at another granite firm before joining Dixie. IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY AT THE MEETING OF THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF MEMORIAL DEALERS In the shadows of the beautiful University of Kentucky Campus, memorialists from throughout the State gathered for a time of learning and fellowship. The presentation by a certified financial planner captivated the attention of the participants as he covered issues rele­vant to estates created by a small family business. It was then on to the "Sport of Kings" at Keeneland Race Track for a time of fun and excitement. There was a football game too - 24-17 Cats! A.C. Joyner, CM, left, Past President of the Monument Builders of North America, is welcomed by Kentucky Association President Billy Fox and Charlotte of Marion. Andy Futrell, Louisville, left, Mr. & Mrs. David Lovinggood of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Mr. & Mrs. Mark McKinley and Mr. & Mrs. John McKinley, of Campbellsville. Arno Keys, Jr., left, of Ashland, Mr. & Mrs. Red Wilkerson of Lexington, Lonnie Cox of Morehead and Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. r. & Mrs. Jack Vickery, left, of SOUTHERN GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Virgil and Dianne Fox Newcom of Marion. Mr. & Mrs. John McKinley, left, of Campbellsville, Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie Loving­good of BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPAN Y and Tom Lewin of Fl. Mitchell. Mr. & Mrs. Silvey Worley, left, of S & W GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Jane Farmer, Kentucky Association Secretary of Henderson and Mr. & Mrs. Waymon Worley of S & W GRANITE COMPANY. Mr. & Mrs. Billy Fox, left, of HENRY & HENRY TRUCKING, INC. and Mr. & Mrs. Joey Young of Russellville. IN ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS AT THE ILLINOIS MONUMENT BUILDERS CONVENTION Held at the Plaza One Hotel in Rock Island, the program consisted of ideas for "Mastering Outstanding Customer Service and "Finding Success With Balance" presented by Mike Chylenski of Murphysboro, Illinois. Vicki Lannie presented ideas on dealing with grief. A tour of the world's largest weapons manufacturing arsenal and a National Veterans Cemetery was offered. The convention was highlighted by the E.G.A. Happy Hour. Stephanie Vincent, left, Galena, Illinois, Ernie Ernst of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Stephanie's mother, Patti Vincent. Mr. & Mrs. Chris Carlson, left, and Mr. & Mrs. Terry Carlson of St. Charles, Illinois, Dena Manley and her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Don Manley. Lincoln, Illinois, and Tom Oglesby of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. Mr. & Mrs. Louis Beutel, left, of Rock Island, Illinois, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Nelson, Jr., of SOUTHERN GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Mr. & Mrs. Ken Lego, Mt. Carroll, Illinois, and Mr. & Mrs. Tom Metheny. Pekin, Illinois. IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE AT THE TENNESSEE MONUMENT BUILDERS CONVENTION The Tennessee Monument Builders met in the Marriott Hotel in Chattanooga. The outstanding program included "Ideas On Selling" by motivational speaker Gene Belvin CM of Norfolk, Virginia. A seminar on monument design was provided by Tennessee retailers sharing their ideas by presenting impressive designs. A convention highlight was the E.G.A. Happy Hour. Mr. & Mrs. Marion Holland, left, of Sody Daisy. Tennessee, and Mr. & Mrs. Tony Mills of L & M GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mr & Mrs. Carl Statzer, left, and Mr. & Mrs. Billy Ray Brown of CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Pairmore, left, Covington, Tennessee; Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie Brimer, Knoxville, and Mrs. & Mrs. Tom McGarity of HARMONY BLUE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mr. & Mrs. Marty Walker, left, of WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Mr. & Mrs. Bob Bratton of Dickson, Tennessee. E.G.A. Provided Assistance On Variety of Programs. The Elberton Granite Association booth spaces constantly attracted visitors throughout the Convention, disseminating information about its 154 members and its many services available to customers of E.G.A. members. Many conventioneers "took a break" and rested in the exhibit's video screening area, left, while viewing E.G A.'s latest instructional and information videos. They also perused and obtained free copies of sales and marketing materials, center, and received information about past and upcoming Elberton Granite Training Institutes, right. Many memorialists, including some of the Monument Industry's foremost leaders, are graduates of Institute sessions and are now instructors at the sessions. BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY ANDERSON TRUCKING SERVICE, INC. BREEN SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT E.G.A. Member Service, Supply Exhibits CREATIVE-PREMIER DESIGNS, INC. DESIGN MART, INC. DIAMANT BOART, INC. GRANITE SALES & SUPPLY CORPORATION N-E-D CORPORATION WILKES TRANSPORT, INC. Keystone Memorials, Inc. Republic Granite Company, Walker Granite company, Boyd Granite Company, Southern Granite Company, Southern Mausoleums, Inc. Childs & Childs Granite Company, Inc.