winter 2012 In my fifty plus years the phrase “Divide and Conquer” has never carried the weight that it does today. The world is divided, our country is divided and in too many cases division has hit more closely to home than I would like to think about. Most folks will agree that a child can break a single strand of cotton sewing thread. At the same time I think most people would agree that an adult, a strong adult can not break hundreds of strands of cotton thread that has been woven together. When several individuals get together to form a group because they have similar interests, they too are much stronger than one individual. Whether the group was a bunch of criminals or a gathering of Salvation Army volunteers, a group is much more imposing than one person. Over the last decade I have seen many churches within my home county split for one reason or another. Some were large churches even by country church standards while others had very modest congregations. In worst case scenarios I heard that families were divided. Some family members would leave to become members of the newly established church while other family members remained with the original church. Growth and expansion is necessary for things to flourish but division for the wrong reason can produce an unwanted result. I suppose every industry in the nation has associations, organizations or fraternities but I never imagined that there would be as many as there are in our industry. Every year the EGA and many of its members attend conventions throughout the country: MBNA, Mid-Atlantic, MAMBA, Monument Builders of the Carolinas, Florida, Southern Monument Builders, Rocky Mountain, New England, California/Pacific Northwest, Wisconsin and last but not least Tennessee & Kentucky. The members of these associations meet at least once a year and share ideas. When I first heard about it I thought that it was bizarre but now I think it is phenomenal. Do I think they share all of their secrets? Heck no! Am I gullible enough to think that Paul DiMatteo from Heber Springs, AR is going to invite Billy Fox from Tumbling Shoals, AR to his place to show him his newest innovations? NO! The fact remains that people in this industry are some of the most unselfish people that I have ever been fortunate to know. A man once made the comment to me, “Why on earth would I want to attend a convention with people that I compete with for the rest of the year?” I’ll be honest with you, when the statement was made I had no come back. After taking some time, I came to the conclusion that it is for the same reason that we do not stick our heads in the sand for the other 360 something days of the year, TO LEARN! To make ourselves better! Do retailers and manufacturers that do not belong to an association benefit by the actions of the association? Sure they do! They will catch some of the ripples created by the actions of their state or national association and the EGA for that matter, but is that enough to satisfy your thirst? Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of what makes the splash! Why not be a member of a group that can make waves. And when it comes right down to it, don’t just be a member, be an active member. Don’t sit idly by and see your group divided. Don’t wait to see how government or foreign interests are going to affect your industry. Get involved and stay involved because what takes place will ultimately affect you and your business! Let’s reverse the trend, let’s unite and conquer! We will soon be featuring our “Creating Memories: The Story of Elberton Granite” video on our website! The 12-minute video details the granite manufacturing process from start to finish. This video is shown in our museum to educate visitors, and can also be purchased as a selling tool for retailers. Keep checking our website, www.egaonline.com, for updates! Thank you for your participation, and Congratulations to the Winners! The staff of the Elberton Granite Association, Inc., would like to thank each and every one of you who participated in the Keep America Working campaign! We have had an overwhelming response, and we are excited as to how much business this program has garnered in the industry. We have exceeded 8,700 entries, meaning this program has accumulated over $43 million dollars in sales. To the retailers and customers around the country: thank you for keeping your business in Elberton and for buying domestically. Because of businesses like you, we are able to keep running smoothly. At EGA, we truly believe that we are forming a three-way partnership; by helping the retailers and offering programs such as Keep America Working, we are in turn helping our member-firms by welcoming your business to Elberton. We hope that you remain loyal customers to our member-firms, and that you will call on EGA for any assistance you may need. Thank you for all you do! To our members: thank you for taking the time to participate in our program. We know that all of you stay busy in your day to day operations, and we are glad that you took the time to go over your records and turn in the forms. We are sure it was time-consuming, but at the end of the day we hope this program helps you as well as your retailers. You all are the reason we are here, and the reason this Association has existed for over 60 years. The staff of EGA is thrilled at the success of the program. Without further ado, we would like to announce the winners of the Keep America Working campaign: First place, winning a $15,000 purchase certificate: Ericson Memorial Studios of Erie, PA Submitted by King’s Monument Company, Inc. Second place, winning a $5,000 purchase certificate: L.E. Simmons Monument Company, Inc., of Crewe, VA Submitted by Majestic Granite Company, LLC and Keith Monument Company, Inc., of Elizabethtown, KY Submitted by Eagle Granite Company, Inc. EGA hosts middle school class at Guidestones, Museum The Elberton Granite Association, Inc., welcomed a group of 50+ eighth graders from John Milledge Academy in Milledgeville, Ga., to the Georgia Guidestones and to the Elberton Granite Museum. The group arrived by charter bus to the Guidestones where Doy Johnson gave the history of the mysterious monument. After that, the group traveled back to the Elberton Granite Museum to learn the background of the granite industry. We are always excited to host groups to town, especially such large groups of students who are so ready to learn. Two complete EGA apprenticeship training Two gentlemen have completed 250 hours of training with the EGA stonecutting apprenticeship program. Blake Burton of Burton Monument Company, Inc., completed the On-The-Job Training Apprenticeship Program for Pitch Work Training on August 28, 2012. He is also a certified top polisher, completing an On-The-Job training program for top polishing in 2005. Blake is a third-generation stone cutter, working in the same plant his grandfather Garland Burton started. Cody Woodall of Hunter Granite Sales, Inc., completed the On-The-Job Training Apprenticeship Program for Pitch Work Training on November 9, 2012. Cody trained under the supervision of his father, Kenny Woodall and Hunter Granite owner Bentley Ruff. Cody is the grandson of Jimmy and Mary Woodall, and also becomes a third-generation stonecutter. Congratulations to both young men on this great accomplishment! Kenny Woodall, Cody Woodall and owner Bentley Ruff of Hunter Granite Sales, Inc. Blake Burton, Brad Burton, Frankie Norris, plant foreman, and owner Johnny Burton of Burton Monument Company, Inc. Celebrating 30 Years of the Sister City Program The Elberton Granite Association, Inc., hosted a group of past and present Sister City Exchange chaperones, as well as town council members to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Sister City Exchange Program with Elberton and Mure Cho, Japan. The group toured the quarry of Keystone Granite, Inc., as well as the plant of Eagle Granite Company, Inc., and the Georgia Guidestones. The group toured the EGA Granite Museum and Exhibit and presented the EGA with beautiful homemade gifts to be displayed in our office. EGA is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful program in our community. The Association supports the relationships that have been made with the citizens of Mure Cho, whether they be relationships of a business nature or friendships. We look forward to supporting the program for the next 30 years! The group poses at the famous Georgia Guidestones with EGA staff members, Sister City Committee members and a few other guests who happened to be visiting the Guidestones and were invited in the picture! Italdiamant, USA introduces new blade segments Two new types of blade segments for large diamond blades have been introduced by Italdiamant, USA. The RX Winner 40 and RX Winner 41 segments are 22mm long, 13mm wide and 33mm tall. The RX Winner 41 segments are coated with a new type of armored diamond particles, giving the segments a longer lifespan and diminishing the customer’s cost per square foot. “Our products are 100% nickel free and completely manufactured in Italy,” comments Adriano Soso, owner of Italdiamant. “We always guarantee our products as well.” For more information or to see other products, visit their website at www.italdiamant.us. Bicknell Supply Company offering new cleaning solution Bicknell Supply Company is now offering the biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning solution called D/2 Biological Solution. Although the product initially became known as a marble cleaner, it has been used with much success on granite. It contains no bleach, salts or acids, and is safe around plants and wildlife. In addition to cleaning marble and granite, the solution also works on masonry, stone, concrete, wood, asphalt shingles, vinyl and aluminum siding, fiberglass, metal, paint and canvas. There are two methods for using the D/2 solution on marble and granite. Undiluted D/2 can be applied by spraying the surface and allowing the solution to work without scrubbing or rinsing. Some results can be seen within a week with more complete results taking the course of several months. For immediate results, undiluted D/2 is applied by using a roller, brush, or sprayer, and allowed to penetrate the stains for five to ten minutes. Then undiluted D/2 is reapplied for the surface to be scrubbed with a non-metallic fiber scrub brush. Using water to complete scrubbing and rinsing, stains and residue can be removed. D/2 can be reapplied once the stone is dry and also afterwards, at least once a year, to help maintain a clean appearance. Personnel at Bicknell Supply Company have tried this product with different applications, and they are satisfied with the results they achieved. D/2 Biological Solution already has a wide array of repeat users. For more information or attaining D/2 Biological Solution, contact Bicknell Supply Company per the information within our directory. Design Mart continues to build new websites Design Mart, LLC recently went online with four new websites. One for a granite manufacturer and three for monument retailers. Design Mart designed and built each site, and continues to maintain the sites on a regular basis. Three of them required domain names to be registered. All meta keywords, meta descriptions and body text are worded for optimal search engine results. All new sites are also submitted to key search engines for quicker evaluation and cataloging for inclusion in search results. Childs & Childs Granite Company’s new site has helped them reach new markets, and provide sales tools for their retailers. Sales tools for their retailers include Design Mart’s Online Catalogs & Monument Designer, which provides easy access to thousands of designs as well as the capability of personalizing monument designs for approval on the retail end. Childs & Childs’ own catalog is available for download in PDF format for Adobe Acrobat. www.childsandchildsgranite.com Hamilton Monuments works closely with Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services. When they approached Design Mart about a website for the Monument Company they wanted a special logo that had the same look and feel as the Funeral Home & Crematory. Design Mart matched the font, converted their logo, and placed it on an attractive granite background. They also use Design Mart’s Online Catalog & Monument Designer. www.hamiltonmonuments.com Stumpff Monuments contacted Design Mart with a need for a web presence. Many people, especially those outside their area, had been asking for a web site so they could select a monument. Design Mart’s Online Catalog & Monument Designer makes it possible for those who have moved far away to visit Stumpff’s website and browse catalogs, search for a certain type of monument, personalize a monument design or even design one from scratch. www.stumpffmonuments.com Kentucky Monuments recently opened new offices in two new areas, so it was important to let the public know where the new offices are located. In addition to the contact information for each office, Design Mart added helpful search engine meta information to help searchers find the company if they type in the name of a city anywhere in the area. Kentucky Monument also uses the Online Catalog & Monument Designer as well as their own brochure, which can be downloaded from their Monuments page. www.kymonument.net Monument Retailers Basic Course Sept. 24-27, 2012 The Elberton Granite Association, Inc., held the 99th session of the Monument Retailers Basic Course on September 24-27, 2012. A group of 21 monument retailers from as close as Toccoa, Ga., to as far as Kalispell, Mon., traveled to Elberton for a three-day workshop learning the basics of the granite industry. This course is designed for those new to the industry who want to learn the key principles. The students were taken on a step-by-step tour of the process, from quarrying, to monument manufacturing, to cleaning and setting memorials to buying the supplies. They also were privileged to hear from three key players in the monument industry: Paul DiMatteo of Maine Memorial Company in South Portland, Maine, Liz Plageman of Thompson Plageman Memorials in Columbus, Ohio, and Mark Kessinger of Everlasting Monuments in Greensboro, N.C. All three of our instructors did a fantastic job covering topics such as sales techniques, marketing, pricing and much more. EGA offers this training as a way to educate retailers so that they can communicate with manufacturing plants and create the best product for the customer. The Association would not be able to host these classes were it not for the cooperation of all of our member-firms. EGA sends a huge thank you to the following companies: A.Q. Stone Design Co., Inc. Apex-Mize Granite Co., Inc. Baston Monuments, Inc. Beaverdam Quarries, Inc. Bicknell Supply Co. Creative-Premier Designs, Inc. Design Mart, LLC Keystone Memorials, Inc. Miles Supply of Elberton River Edge Granite Co., Inc. Rucker Trucking & Leasing, Inc. Southern Mausoleums, Inc. Star Granite & Bronze Walker Granite Co., Inc. Top left: Ronnie Brown of Miles Supply of Elberton presents his newest products. Far left: Quinn Floyd welcomes the group to A.Q. Stone Design Company, Inc. Middle left: Liz Plageman lectures the group. Above: Michael Baston of Baston Monuments, Inc., demonstrates how to remove stains from granite. Left: The class learned the story of the famous Georgia Guidestones. Below: Class participants talk at Keystone Memorials, Inc. Bottom left: Mike Fernandez of Design Mart, LLC, discusses symbolism at Elmhurst Cemetery. Bottom center: Students look on at Southern Masuoleums, Inc. Bottom right: Pat Wallis gives a presentation at Creative-Premier Designs, Inc. Top left: A student checks out the products at Bicknell Supply Company. Top right: Participants watch a worker at Star Granite & Bronze. Above left: A student checks out a block at Beaverdam Quarry. Above: Greg Ruff of River Edge Granite Company, Inc., demonstrates a rubbing. Left: The group stands and looks out over the quarry. Bottom left: Mike Fernandez shows design skills on a computer. Bottom center: A student watches a wiresaw at Southern Mausoleum, Inc. Bottom: Mark Kessinger talks to the class about grief counseling. Above: Questions are asked about the shipping process at Rucker Trucking and Leasing. Right: Paul Dimatteo discusses marketing techniques. Below: A student checks out the finished product after Michael Baston shows how to fix a chip on a monument. Below left: John Jenkins shows off the new products at Bicknell Supply Company. Below right: Kyle Ruff demonstrates the steps of setting and sealing a monument. Bottom left: Randall Moore of Star Granite & Bronze gives a tour of the bronze foundry. Bottom center: More products are shown at Miles Supply of Elberton. Bottom center: Marty Walker of Walker Granite Company, Inc., talks industry nomenclature. Bottom right: Jack Vickery of Apex-Mize Granite Company educates the group on pricing. The late Marine Colonel John Ripley was known by many as a man of immense strength, both physical and mental. “He was a very courageous man. The best leader I’ve ever known,” comments Charles “Chuck” Goggin, a member of the infamous Ripley’s Raiders and close friend to John Ripley. King’s Monument Company, Inc., helped to honor one of America’s heroes, creating a massive Black Crystal granite monument, standing proudly in the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. Ripley joined the United States Marine Corps at the young age of 17, and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy by the Secretary of the Navy just a year later. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in electrical engineering. Ripley had a long and well-decorated career in the USMC, but he is most known for his bravery and leadership role during the Vietnam War. In 1966, Ripley joined the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in South Vietnam. He served as Company Commander to the Lima Company, who soon became known as Ripley’s Raiders. He served in 26 major operations, but there is one battle that became infamous in the minds of his followers. On April 2, 1972, Ripley, acting as the U.S. Marine Advisor to the 3rd Battalion Vietnamese Marine Corps, stood alone with his troops, blocking the bridge over the Cua Viet River in Dong Ha against a massive group of well-trained and well-equipped soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army. As his troops fought off intense enemy fire, Ripley was on a mission to destroy the bridge. He dangled under the bridge in an attempt to attach 500 pounds of explosives, all while an estimated group of 20,000 North Vietnamese soldiers moved forward. Ultimately, Ripley was able to obliterate the entire bridge, stopping the mass onslaught of soldiers. He was awarded the Navy Cross for extreme bravery for his actions. At Ripley’s funeral in 2008, members of the Ripley’s Raiders including Chuck Goggin decided they wanted to honor him with a monument. They created a committee to raise money, most of which came from their fellow Raiders, to create a completely American-made monument to stand at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. King’s Monument Company, Inc., worked with Jay Parsons of Raymond G. Merkle Memorials in Baltimore, Md., to fabricate a Black Crystal granite memorial which lists the names of all of “Ripley’s Raiders” who fought under Ripley. The entire monument has a pentagon shape, with all five sides of each piece polished. The center die stands 2-11 x 1-9 x 7-8 and features an apex top and is lettered on all five sides. It stands on the first sub base, 3-4 x 2-1 x 0-10, all polished with a 1 ½ inch drop wash and a sandblasted emblem. The second sub base measures 3-10 x 2-5 x 0-6 and sits on a base measuring 4-3 x 2-9 x 0-6. A dedication ceremony was held March 2, 2012. Sixty five members of the Ripley’s Raiders team were on hand along with a crowd of other civilians to honor their leader and friend. Top left: The back of the monument shows names of Ripley’s Raiders. Top right: Members of the Ripley’s Raiders pose in front of the monument at the dedication. Bottom left: John Ripley, Jr., and Tom Ripley, two of Col. Ripley’s four children. Family tomb by Eagle Granite Eagle Granite Company, Inc., fabricated a unique tomb memorial designed by Gil Bonnaffons of Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, La. Tombs are a popular choice in burials in southern Louisiana because of the sea level. “We have a lot of tombs in our cemetery, and Eagle builds them all,” Gil comments. The Howe family tomb is unique in that the front jambs have a rock pitched face - most tombs have a steeled face, but this finish gives the memorial a more natural, organic look. The Blue Ridge Granite tomb is two crypts wide, three high. It measures 11-0 x 13-3 x 11-2 and features steps in front and granite coping surrounding the plot. Southern Mausoleums, Inc., builds family memorial for monument retailer After years of selling monuments at his company Atchinson Monument Company in Clinton, Mo., Gerald Atchinson approached Tom Oglesby of Southern Mausoleums, Inc., at a monument convention to discuss his family’s memorial. “I spoke with Mr. Oglesby about what we wanted, and he was pretty much able to do anything,” Mr. Atchinson says. “Mr. Oglesby was very nice in helping us design the mausoleum.” The all steeled Keystone Blue granite mausoleum features a gable roof top and polished square raised letters on each side. It has Galaxy Black granite doors, and a 9-0 x 8-5 x 3-4 solid granite floor and sub base. The mausoleum stands in the Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, Mo. Dixie Blue Granite used for stunning cross A beautiful cross was fabricated by Dixie Granite Company, Inc., for Lloyd Memorials in Dover, Del. Brooke Lloyd worked with the customers to blend their ideas with designs that Lloyd Memorials had in their portfolio. Mr. Hudson wanted the monument tall enough to be a prominent fixture to anyone driving through the cemetery, and with a total height of 6-10, he most certainly acheived that. The cross stands 2-6 x 0-8 x 5-0 and features a shell rock border on the front with a steeled back and the balance rock pictched. The first sub base measures 1-4 x 1-0 x 0-6, and stands on a second sub base, 2-6 x 1-4 x 0-8. The bottom base stands 3-8 x 1-8 x 0-8. All bases have a steeled top, the balance rock pitched and feature steeled drop washes on all sides. Each family member will also have a foot marker. The family is thrilled with the final product. “It came together exactly how they wanted,” Brooke comments. The memorial stands in the Dale Cemetery in Whaleyville, Del. Monument replicated from pictures by Central Granite Central Granite Company, Inc., produced a massive family monument using pictures as their blueprint. The Wittkamp family contacted Iowa Memorial Granite Company, Inc., in Muscatine, Iowa, with photos of another monument in the cemetery that they wanted to match. It encompassed the older, classic style they were looking for in a memorial. The center tablet stands 6-4 x 2-0 x 4-6, polish five with square raised letters on the front and back. It is topped with a cap, 7-0 x 3-0 x 1-6, polish five with a steeled scotia, and rests on an all polished base measuring 7-8 x 4-0 x 1-6. The memorial stands in the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, Iowa. Family mausoleum constructed by Baston Monuments After seeing a similar design, the McKinney family contacted Jones Monument Company in Morgantown, Ky., to customize a mausoleum design to work for their family. Baston Monuments, Inc. produced the all polished mausoleum, crafted from Baston Select Blue granite with a Absolute Black granite door. The door features family names as well as etchings that represent the interests of the members. Jerry McKinney was in the car business for years, so his favorite car is etched above his name. A dogwood mirrors the car etching, and wedding bands unite the McKinneys together, as well as their daughter and son-in-law on the bottom. The mausoleum is set in the Union Cemetery in Morgantown, Ky. Keystone Memorials creates monument for former EGA Training Professor Dave Diederich has been involved with the granite industry for over 25 years. When called an expert, he quickly replies, “an expert is someone who stops learning.” Through his many years of working in Elberton and teaching training classes at EGA, Dave has acquired an abundance of information about the industry. “I’ve seen a lot of memorials, and listened to a lot of people talk about memorials, and one person I think knows the most about them is Tom Oglesby.” After visiting cemeteries around South Carolina and Elberton, Dave and his wife visited Tom at Keystone Memorials, Inc., to plan out their family memorial. While he and his wife were describing what they wanted, Tom was sketching, and brought to life the picture the couple had in their heads. Keystone produced the Autumn Rose granite monument, starting with the tablet, standing 6-0 x 0-10 x 3-0, and featuring an apex top with a scotia, carved flutes front and back and frosted monument letters on the front and back. The sub base measures 7-0 x 1-0 x 0-6, all polished with a scotia around the top, and stands on a 8-6 x 1-8 x 0-10 base with a polished bevel front for lettering and a 2” polished margin. Tom and his sons traveled to the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Anderson, S.C., to personally set the monument. Childs and Childs produces flagpole base in Winston-Salem Steve Carroll of Carroll Memorials, Inc., designed a beautiful flagpole base to stand in the veteran’s memorial garden at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, N.C. Steve was contacted by the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Winston-Salem to design and create a memorial for their office. Steve worked with Childs and Childs Granite Company, Inc., to implement his design. The Ebony Mist granite base features five seals representing the branches of the U.S. Military. The center piece measures 3-0 x 3-0 x 3-0, all polished, and stands on a base measuring 3-6 x 3-6 x 0-8, also all polished. Carroll Memorials, Inc., sold and set the entire project. The memorial was dedicated on Monday, November 12, 2012. War memorial honoring county’s veterans fabricated by Keystone Memorials Keystone Memorials, Inc., worked with Chatsworth Monument Company in Chatsworth, Ga., to bring to life the plans of a veteran’s monument, thought up by the Murray County Veterans Park Committee. The committee was established in 2009 to create a memorial park with monuments and a recreational center. The committee raised money from the community by selling over 1,000 bricks for the walkway, and the land was donated by the Murray County Commissioners Office. The first monument to be set in the park, this large veterans monument is made of Keystone Blue granite. A sign, 9-0 x x1-0 x 4-6, polish two with the balance steeled and lettered on both sides, welcomes visitors. Six memorials circle the American flag, each standing 4-0 x 1-0 x 10-0, polish two with lettering and carvings of the service emblems on one side. An obelisk stands in the center, 2-0 x 2-0 x 12-0, and features an apex top with tapered sides, all polished with lettering on each side. A dedication ceremony was held in 2010 when the monument was completed. Special guests included General James Terry and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Wilson. War dogs honored at National Museum of Marine Corps War dogs are among those who have dedicated their lives to serving us in the line of duty, but do not get the recognition they deserve. A memorial produced by Baston Monuments, Inc., standing at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., honors those dogs that are specially trained for warfare. The idea of the memorial came from Captain William “Bill” Putney, a veternarian and trainer of war dogs in the Vietnam War. The first monument is set in Guam at the first cemetery for war dogs. This monument, a Absolute Black granite monument is topped with a bronze statue of a Doberman named “Semper Fidelis.” The motto of the USMC, the English translation “Always Faithful” is written on the dog’s collar. The main element of the base is a black granite box measuring 4-2 x 1-7 x 3-0, all polished with lettering on both sides. It stands on a base, 4-6 x 2-0 x 0-4, all polished, and is finished with a cap, 4-3 x 1-9 x 1-0, also all polished. The monument was erected buy Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mundy, as a personal tribute to the war dogs he fought beside. Mundy is a former Commandant of the Marine Corps. He worked closely with Michael Baston, who was recommended by the sculptor from a previous project. “They are a delightful, wonderful young family, who are raising kids as well as running a business.” he says of the Bastons. “They did such a wonderful job for me.” School memorial sign produced by Keystone Memorials Keystone Memorials, Inc., produced a memorial wall for the Dunbar High School in Lynchburg, Va., to honor their alumni who attended the school during the days of segregation. Dunbar High School was the school for African-Americans in the city until the schools were desegregated in the early 1970s. The alumni of the school frequently get together, and at one of their reunions decided to honor their fellow classmates by erecting a memorial wall. The group did fundrasiers, promising to include the names of anyone who donated. Out of the 3,100 alumni, over 1,100 names were laser etched into the Galaxy Black granite center tablet, including the four principals and approximately 150 faculty members. The center tablet stands 6-0 x 0-8 x 3-4, all polished with laser etchings on both sides. It is flanked by two turned columns standing 4-0 tall, with a 9-4 long cap and a 10-8 x 1-8 x 1-0 base, all made of Keystone Blue Granite. A dedication and unveiling ceremony was held the first weekend in August, 2012. The former Dunbar High School is now used as the Dunbar Middle School, which specializes in technology and arts. Dixie Granite makes city sign Richard Schultz of Schultz Monument Company in Madison, Tenn., designed a sign to stand at the entrance to the city, a suburb of Nashville. Sponsored by the Maybelle Carter Retirement Life Community, the sign features the city’s Chamber of Commerce logo, as well as the city name, with the three stars from the state flag of Tennessee. Dixie Granite Company, Inc., fabricated the Enterprise Blue granite sign. The tablet measures 5-0 x 0-6 x 2-6, and stands on a base measuring 3-6 x 1-0 x 1-4, both all steeled. The sign welcomes visitors on the Gallatin Pike, a busy street where approximately 60,000 cars pass by the sign each day. A matching sign is in the works to stand at one of the other entries to Madison. King’s Monument welcomes Customer Service Rep. Kelly Brown has joined the team of King’s Monument Company, Inc., as a customer service specialist. She is in charge of entering purchase orders, giving quotes and working with customers on the phone. Kelly lives in Bowman, Ga., with her husband Evan. She brings three years of industry knowledge to the table, and has a background in customer service. Owner Trudy King is thrilled to have Kelly on board. “Kelly is very competent and gets along well with the customers,” she says. Star Granite & Bronze adds to Customer Relations team Star Granite & Bronze has expanded their customer service team. Along with the addition of new customer service representatives, the company has welcomed a new regional manager and and customer service supervisor. Regional Manager Erik Marnell started with Star in July of 2012. A Pennsylvania native, Erik graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in biology. This is his first job in the granite industry, but he has been working in customer service for over 17 years. As regional manager, Erik is responsible for sales his region, which includes Washington, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. “I’m learning as much as I can,” he says of the industry. “I love it, I love interacting with people. It was an easy transition for me because I’ve working in customer service before.” Erik lives in Colbert with his wife and three sons. Katie Grant was named the new Customer Service Supervisor at Star Granite in August, 2012. Katie was born in Elberton, but has moved around the state of Georgia all her life. She recently returned to town after living in Ft. Worth, Texas, where she was working as the Vice President of Operations at a fitness equipment supply company. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from North Georgia College and State University. Katie is also new to the granite industry, and is handling the transition nicely. “Everyone is so nice, and so helpful,” she says. “Star is such a good, family-oriented company.” Katie is responsible for overseeing the customer service representatives, acting as the back-up for representatives who may be absent or who need further assistance with customers. She is also in the process of writing an Training and Procedures Manual for new hires. Katie lives in Elberton with her two dogs. She is a member of First Baptist Church and enjoys helping with the children’s ministry and coaching youth basketball. Thomas Glenn McGarity, Jr. Harmony Blue Granite Company, Inc. Mr. Thomas Glenn McGarity, Jr., 78, entered into rest on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Spring Valley Nursing Home. Thomas was born on January 31, 1934 in Elberton to the late Hattie Lee Eaves and Thomas Glenn McGarity, Sr. Thomas was a member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and was co-owner of Harmony Blue Granite Company. Survivors include his wife, Lavina Harper McGarity; a son, Tommy (Cathi) McGarity, III of Elberton; and two daughters, Laura (Mike) Sanders of Batesville, Miss., and Susan (Cameron) Farish of Center, S.C.; four granddaughters and one grandson. Services were held on Monday, October 29, 2012 at Elmhurst Cemetery. Memorials maybe made to the charity of one’s choice, and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hicksfuneral.com. Kenneth Wayne House B&B Quarries, Inc. Mr. Kenneth Wayne House, 38, of Elberton passed away Friday evening, November 23, 2012. Kenneth was born May 27, 1974, to Wayne and Alice Bannister House. He was the beloved husband of Ashley Eaves House, and proud daddy of Kason Parker House. In addition to his parents, wife and son, Kenneth is also survived by a brother, Chad House; a sister-in-law and her husband, Jennifer and Chad Whitmire; a brother-in-law, Woody Eaves; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Pam Eaves; three nieces, Annleigh, Madelyn and Breanna Whitmire; and two uncles, Stewart House and Roger House. A service to celebrate Kenneth’s life was held Monday, November 26, 2012 at Rock Branch Baptist Church, and interment was in Elmhurst Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Rock Branch Baptist Church Building Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hicksfuneral.com. Elberton Downtown Display Another beautiful set of display monuments have been produced by seven EGA members this fall. We have a wide range of styles represented, from traditional family memorials to custom-designed shapes. Each memorial has been EGA Certified and shows a different option to honor a loved one. Blue Ribbon Quarries, Inc. Reynolds Marble and Granite Company L&M Granite Company, LLC King’s Monument Company, Inc. Keystone Memorials, Inc. Eagle Granite Company, Inc. Walker Granite Company, Inc. Lexington Blue creates unique memorial for child A beautiful, unique memorial was produced by Lexington Blue Granite Company, Inc., honoring the grandson of Dennis and Daughters Monument Company owner James Dennis. James and his family wanted a monument that was different than the traditional style for a child, in design and in size. James had seen this style of monument before, but had never made one. “I have never sold anything like this, but I’ve seen different versions of it,” he comments. The letters on the blocks are the initials of the baby. There also toys sandblasted on the blocks, but these were not chosen at random - baby Luke’s two older sisters had purchased toys for their baby brother in anticipation for his arrival home. James used these toys as a template for the toys on the blocks on the monument. The memorial is made of Georgia Grey granite and is set in the Stongate Cemetery in Stanton, Ky., on the same lot as the Dennis memorial featured in the Fall issue of the Elberton Graniteer. The monument is made of four separate pieces. Each building block measures 1-2 1/2 x 1-2 1/2 x 1-2 1/2, standing on a sub base at 1-8 x 1-8 x 0-10 with 2” tapers on each end. The base is 3-6 x 1-10 x 0-10 with a steeled margin and the balance rock pitched. Florida Monument Builders Association July 26-28, 2012 Clearwater Beach, FL A beautiful setting and great company made for a wonderful annual meeting of the Florida Monument Builders Association. The group gathered in Clearwater Beach, Fla., to have the two-day show. Friday was packed full of educational programs, such as a program on technology and QR Codes in the monument industry, and networking time with suppliers and retailers. The night was finished off with an excellent dinner overlooking the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico. Standing: Ann Helm, Chance Helm and Tyler Helm Marcus, Angie, Branson and Lexi Bonds, Ma and Johnathan Rhodes, Kay Rhodes, Quality Monument Sales, Inc., Jim Tramonte, Ocoee, FL, Darin and Kathy MacNeilll, Sebring, FL. Kneeling: Kevin Cantrell, Palm Harbor, FL, Powell Helm, Bradenton, Fl, Austin Williams, Lake City, FL. Mike Beri, Bicknell Supply Company, Jim Tramonte, Ocoee, FL, Bryan Stephenson, Leesburg, FL Leigh Nash, Miles Supply of Elberton, Charlie and Janice Charles, Lake City, FL. Mike Baldauff, Deland, FL, Bill and Betty Ann Stephenson, Leesburg, FL, Roger and Tonia Wallace, Wallace Granite Sales, Inc., Charlene and William Price, Milton, FL, Jim Tramonte, Ocoee, FL, Christine and Tony Elrod, Lake Wales, FL. Monument Builders of the Carolinas September 6-8, 2012 Myrtle Beach, SC Another fun convention was held in beautiful Myrtle Beach by the Monument Builders of the Carolinas. The weekend consisted of business presentations, including a two-part class by MBNA President and CM Don Calhoun. There was plenty of time for good food and fellowship between show participants and suppliers. This group of folks is always so accommodating and they have such a good time! Brandon and Dana Beri, Bicknell Supply Company, Inc., Tammy Petersen, Burlington, NC, Mike Beri, Bicknell Supply Company, Inc., Eugene Petersen, Burlington, NC, Lauren Kennedy, John Conway and John Conway, Jr., Greenville, NC, Steve Carroll, King, NC, Brady Myers, Patricia Meyers, April Myers, Lori Ashwell, South Boston, VA. Ron and Cathy Ledbetter, Shelby, NC, Bob Barton, Marble, SC, Tammy and Quinn Floyd, A.Q. Stone Design Company, Inc. Hayward & Ada Blackmon, Nelson & GeorgeAnne Blackmon, Art Blackmon, Darlington, SC, Cindy & Kent King, Dixie Granite Company, Inc. Rebecca Beggs, Creative-Premier Designs, Inc., Robert Worley, Majestic Granite Company, LLC, Jeff Reynols, Newland, NC, Barbara Worley, Majestic Granite Company, LLC, Denis Lavigne, Quebec, Canada, Patricia Myers, Brad Myers, Lori Ashwell and April Myers, South Boston, VA. Kentucky/Tennessee Monument Builders Convention October 25-27, 2012 Louisville, KY The 2012 Kentucky Association of Memorial Dealers and Tennessee Monument Builders Annual Convention was held at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville, Ky., on October 25-27, 2012. Besides good fellowship and food, the group enjoyed a thought-provoking presentation on the future of the memorial business by Don Calhoun, CM And President of the MBNA, as well as a presentation about online memorialization options by Scott Neal of Chico, California. After a delicious banquet meal, the group was treated to the oustanding comedy of “Monroe and Mr. Opry,” from the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonburg, Ky. Their home spun humor, musicianship and magical tricked earned them a standing ovation. John & Missy McKinley, Cambellsville, KY, Greg Klaiber, Ashland, KY, Steve & Leslie Hoskins, Marion, KY, Jason Edwards, David Edwards, Melissa Dias, Southern Granite Company, Inc., Bradley, Diane, & Andy Futrell, Louisville, KY. Anthony & Vickie Rowland, Bethel Springs, TN, Bobby Barnett, Union City, TN, Tony Mills, L&M Granite Company, LLC, Tammy Barnett, Union City, TN, Richard Schultz, Madison,TN, Connie Mills, L&M Granite Company, LLC, Pam Schultz, Madison, TN, Marilyn & Tommy Crow, Scottsville, KY, Emily Simmons, Scottsville, KY, Ann Baker, L&M Granite Company, LLCRichard & Pam Schultz, Madison, TN, Kathy & Robbie Bell, A.Q. Stone Design Company, Inc. Earnest & Margaret Hillman, Memphis, TN, Bob & Donna Bratton, Dickson, TN, Marty & Rose Walker, Walker Granite Company, Inc., Donna Anderson, Somerville, TN, Vickie & Anthony Rowland, Bethel Springs, TN, Steve Anderson, Somerville, TNLarry Bessinger, Miles Supply of Elberton, Missy & John McKinley, Campbellsville, KY, Richard & Pam Schultz, Madison, TN, Brett Padgett, Miles Supply of Elberton Bruce Bicknell, Bicknell Supply Company, Larry Searcy, John Searcy, Carrollton, KY, Vicki & Anthony Rowland, Bethel Springs, TN, Mike Beri, Bicknell Supply Company. Bill & Joan Fox, Marion, KY, Mike & Cindy Heck, Greenfiled, IN, David Edwards, Jason Edwards, Southern Granite Company, Inc., Don & Judy Bentley, Mt. Eden, KY, Melissa Dias, Southern Granite Company, Inc. Derwin & Brenda Merion, Martin, KY, Bev & Penny McGuire, Martin, KY, Ronnie Lovinggood, Granite Sales and Supply Company, Billy & Charlotte Fox, Henry & Henry, Inc. Ronnie Lovvinggood, Granite Sales and Supply Company, Peggy Davis, Frances Carrington, Wiles Granite Company, Inc., Derwin Merion, Martin, KY, Danny Wiles, Wiles Granite Company, Inc. Billy & Charlotte Fox, Henry & Henry, Inc., Greg Klaiber, Ashland, KY, Larry Searcy, Carrollton, KY, Missy & John McKinley, Campbellsville, KY, John Searcy, Carrollton, KY, Bill & Joan Fox, Marion, KY