Winter 2015 “And away we go!” So here we are, heading into another new year full of expectations and goals. Funny how we always think we have all this time in which to achieve all of these grand and wonderful ideas. In reality however, the year will fly by. In a few months, somewhere around the end of October, I am sure that I will be lamenting the fact that I am way behind in my grand ideas for the year. I will do what I do every year, prioritize the important things, pushing aside all lofty ideas for a later time, all the while adding in all of the unknown issues that will arise and need attention as the year progresses. In the end, I will tell myself that I had a successful year even though I will probably feel unaccomplished in many of my goals. And although I may feel like I didn’t get as much done as I would have liked, I would bet that I actually accomplished much more than I thought. Turning ideas into projects and projects into completed projects takes time. Sometimes I need to remind myself that Rome was not built in a day! Get the important stuff done first; however don’t ever lose sight of long term goals. In reality, I may have only planted the seeds of my lofty ideas but at least I did that. It may take more time than what a year can offer in order to see them become a completed project. What is the important stuff? Well, that can be different for everyone; maybe it’s changing your sales approach, adding a new product line, or fixing a safety concern. All of it can seem overwhelming when it is lumped together in one all-encompassing thought, not to mention that there is always a business to run. However, as the old saying goes, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! It’s good to have goals and expectations for the future because it gives us something to focus on. As far as lofty ideas go, well...they are something nice to think about. Ultimately though, it’s pretty much a given that they will give way to the important stuff. I am fairly certain that next year at this time, I will be thinking about them all over again. I hope 2016 finds you taking care of your goals and priorities, while at the same time reaching for one of your lofty ideas. Maybe this year I’ll work on re-assessing my priorities, looking to see if I can take the first bite out of that elephant. The Granite Center officially renamed The William A. “Bill” Kelly Granite Center In December, 2015, a plaque was hung in the lobby of the Elberton Granite Association’s William A. Kelly Granite Center, with special guests present. Shown at a special ceremony at the newly-renamed Granite Center are (L-R): Kelly’s daughters, Fran Kelly Preiss and Janet Kelly Wiley, his wife Frances Kelly, and great-grandson Noah Wiley. Hired as the EGA’s General Manager in 1955, Kelly was named Executive Vice President of the Elberton Granite Association until his retirement in 1990. The text on the plaque reads as follows: The Elberton Granite Association was founded in 1951. On January 1, 1955, William “Bill” Kelly was named as General Manager and ultimately rose within the Association to hold the title of Executive Vice President. During his 36 years of service at the Elberton Granite Association, Bill worked diligently to promote Elberton and its granite industry. Bill was also instrumental in having Elberton become recognized as “The Granite Capital of the World”. Bill was the driving force in the design and construction of the building known as the Granite Center, which is now the office and headquarters for The Elberton Granite Association, Inc. In recognition of Bill along with his many accomplishments and his many years of service to Elberton and the granite industry, the Board of Trustees for the Elberton Granite Association, along with the entire membership of the Association has affirmed that, on the 27th day of July, 2014, the building formerly known as The Granite Center will now be known as: THE WILLIAM A. “BILL” KELLY GRANITE CENTER. Frances Kelly proudly stands beside a plaque honoring her husband, William “Bill” Kelly. Baston Monuments, Inc. was named October’s Industry of the Month by the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce’s Community Pride Committee. Pictured are: Front Row (L-R): Kira Swygert, Sarah Baston, Michael Baston (Owner), Zoe and Sharon Bell. Back Row (L-R): Bill Brown, Jason Smith, Leann Smith, Val Evans, and Pam Brown. Congratulations to Baston Monuments! Updates to Graniteer mailing list and LOCAL distribution It’s time for an update to our mailing list, and we’d like to hear from you! If you are on our mailing list and wish to be removed, or if you or someone you know would like to be added, please contact our office at 706-283-2551 or send an email to egaonline1@gmail.com. Each quarter, we hand deliver quantities of newly-published magazines to various members. If you are on the local delivery route, please let us know if we are bringing enough (or too many) to your office, or if you would like to be added to the route or removed altogether, please call our Graniteer editor, Susan Giles at 706-283-2551, or send her an email to graniteer1@gmail.com. Please note that we are in the process of updating our website, egaonline.com, and the Graniteer is available there in a digital format. Not only will this help to lower the cost of printing and postage, it will provide a broader opportunity for a larger audience to learn about our members and see examples of the magnificent work that goes on here in the Granite Capital of the World. Updates and changes to the website will be explored further in our next issue. Having said that, please don’t forget to send Susan your photos (and details) of projects you have completed, new equipment or machines, or employees whom you’ve added to your team. Take every opportunity to use the Graniteer as the great advertising tool that it is. Let people know and see who you are and what you can do! Downtown Display Dixie Southern Mausoleums Porcelains Unlimited Keystone Walker Star Granite & Bronze Old South King’s Johnson Machine Shop, Inc. has a newly designed gantry diamond saw that can be adapted for many different applications. It can saw all types of stone, plus glass and steel. The saw is enclosed with lexan and has a water tank and pump to circulate water. Pictured here is a machine fabricated for the Gates Corporation, a global manufacturer of power transmission belts and fluid power products. It is built to cut rubber and steel to exact specifications and is constructed to remain reliably durable for continuous production of materials. Johnson Machine Shop specializes in producing custom equipment for various mechanical and industrial applications based on the customer’s specific requirements. Each piece of machinery is built with careful attention to every detail. Contact Steve or Clark Johnson to learn more. The bridge saw with the door enclosures opened. Owner Steve Johnson tests the operation of the bridge saw mechanism. “Granite Lasered, Augmented, Silicated and Sealed” GLASS Art™ Imaging provides some of the most vivid, durable, and unique imaging on any type of granite or other stone. This process is accomplished utilizing high powered lasers that actually melt the stone, then they inject or “tattoo” elemental pigments in the stone itself and coat the images with a glassy substance. This proprietary process can utilize any color of granite or other stone, and was originally engineered for the local grey stone produced in Elberton. “If you can image Elberton stone, you can image anything” stated owner and inventor George Arnold. According to Arnold, independent laboratory testing determined that GLASS Art’s process was “off the charts” for durability and longevity. Thousands of GLASS Art™ images have been outdoors in real world situations for over a decade in all parts of the country, and “they still look great.” GLASS Art™ stands ready to fulfill any request. Public art, company signage, home applications, or anywhere durable vivid images on granite are desired can be achieved. GLASS Art™ can convert unique ideas into reality. Their motto is “whatever you can conceive, we can achieve” and they mean it. GLASS Art™ Imaging teamed up with Star Granite & Bronze to reproduce this touching portrait of a little girl and her favorite dog. A soldier and war hero deserves a grand tribute. GLASS Art™ Imaging created this image of Mr. Crousore’s bronze inside a full color, billowing American flag, along with the help of his loving wife, Paula. Eva Billingsley Mize Mrs. Eva Billingsley Mize, 62, of Elberton, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2015, at her residence. Mrs. Mize was born in Jackson County, TN on September 20, 1952, to the late Willie Lee Billingsley and Ruth Long Billingsley. She was a homemaker and a member of Fortsonia Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband, Robert W. “Bubba” Mize, III, owner of Childs & Childs Granite Company, Inc., to whom she married on August 31, 1979; three daughters and their husbands: Christy and Alan Purcell of Jefferson, Jennifer and Zach Watts of Elberton, and Kelly and Brandon Barrett of Elberton; grandchildren: Brody, Masen, Stella, and Asher; siblings: Alton Billingsley, Rayburn Billingsley, and Louise Gore, all of Cookville, TN; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her brother, Willie Lee Billingsley, Jr. Graveside services were held Sunday, August 9, at 2:00p.m. in Elmhurst Cemetery with Rev. Al Butler officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or to the Lupus Foundation. James Edward Smith Mr. James “Dink” Edward Smith, 83, of Spring Valley Nursing Home, husband of Sybil Ruff Smith, passed away Monday, November 23, 2015, with his family by his side. Mr. Smith was a family man and avid outdoorsman who taught numerous children how to hunt, fish, camp, and anything that involved nature and the outdoors. He was born August 26, 1932 in the Glade Community to the late L.M. Smith and Ablena Slay Smith and was a member of Falling Creek Baptist Church, owner-operator of Blue Stone Granite, and was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving in the Korean War. Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 58 years, Sybil Ruff Smith; daugher and son-in-law Cathi and Tommy McGarity of Elberton; sister Alma Anderson of Savannah; granddaughter Lauren McGarity of Dahlonega; sisters-in-law Wadene Smith, Harriet Ruff and Frances Moss and numerous nieces, nephews, close friends and extended family. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by siblings Julian Smith, Cody Smith, Bud Smith, Aleen Jackson, Doreen Franklin and Eloise Almond. Memorial services to celebrate his life were held Wednesday, November 25 at Falling Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Dwight Morgan officiating. Inurnment followed in Falling Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be made in his honor to Falling Creek Baptist Church, 1020 Jack McVeigh Drive, Elberton, GA 30635, or to a charity of one’s choice. James Hubert Burnette Mr. James Hubert Burnette, 81, of Melody Lane, husband of the late Hollis Ashworth Burnette, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at Country Manor Personal Care Home in Tignall. Mr. Burnette was born in Hart County on June 16, 1934, to the late Roy and Myrtle Sewell Burnette. He was the owner/operator of Burnette Granite Company and a former truck driver, and was a member and former deacon of Elberton Christian Church. Left to cherish his memories are his son, Ray Burnette of Elberton; grandchildren and their spouses, Beth and Kevin Eavenson, Jonathan and Heather Burnette, and Julie and Tony Taylor; several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Barbara Simmons, Gladys Lunsford, and Charles Burnette. Prayer services were held at Berry Funeral Home Sunday, November 29, and a private burial was held in Elmhurst Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Elberton Christian Church, 1128 Calhoun Falls Highway, Elberton, GA 30635. This beautiful monument, produced by Southern Granite Company for Bentley Monument Company of Mount Eden, KY and created in memory of a local Shelbyville physician, sits in Grove Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville, KY. It features shaped carved roses, a frosted caduceus on both sides, and steeled borders. Ms. Shannon Robbins came to Appalachian Monuments, LLC with a vision and dream of a monument for her recently-departed husband, who was a longtime fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team. She wanted something that would convey to all what a dedicated and true fan he was. Childs and Childs Granite Company, Inc., worked with Appalachian Monuments, LLC located in Jasper, GA, to create the perfect monument for the Robbins family. Located in the First Mountain City of Jasper, GA you will find this stunning and eye-catching monument at Sunrise Memorial Gardens, also located in Jasper, GA. Granite City Arts perfectly matched the Cowboys team colors on both sides of the monument. Also featured on the front of the monument is an etching of the couple’s beloved pets. Two classic square vases, each sandblasted with the family initial, complete the memorial. This stately monument was fabricated by Reynolds Granite & Marble Company for Sparkman Marble & Granite Works of Huntsville, AL. This monument features shape-carved and sculpted elements and is also embellished with the family initial on one side and a star on the other. This memorial is located in Charity Baptist Church Cemetery in Hazel Green, AL. Stunning in its simplicity, this stylish and contemporary monument was created by the Johns-Carabelli Company located in Brook Park, OH and was manufactured and sandblasted by King’s Monument Company. It features a custom cut die atop an all polish base, and is located in Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. Set against the lush green background of the cemetery, this monument certainly makes a unique and elegant statement. This beautiful family memorial was created by Century Granite Company, Inc., for Dallas Monument & Design in Dallas, TX. It features a Celtic cross design, frosted lettering, and a curved bench with rock pitched sides. A closer look at the panel behind the cross reveals a diminishing taper ¾” deep that runs flush to the bottom. As is typical of monuments found in the McNeel design book, it features classic lines and details characteristic of McNeel’s nostalgic and eloquent components. The Crane family selected the cross and other symbolic elements as a meaningful tribute to their son, Jason, who was very active in his church and who cherished the symbols of his faith, including the Celtic cross design. According to Mark Peterson of Dallas Monument, “The family went through a lengthy selection and design process, looking at many different McNeel designs. They ultimately selected something that reflects the life of their son and his impact on those around him.” This expressive memorial is located in Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas, TX. This magnificent memorial is located in historic Greenwood Cemetery in Dallas, TX. According to Tim Spradling of Spradling Monument Service, Inc., in Dallas, TX, this elaborate design is an “open air” mausoleum that the family requested because of “how hot it gets in Texas, and this would provide a nice place to sit and reflect and be comfortable”. Tim contacted Southern Mausoleums, Inc., to fabricate the pieces that make up the memorial. The design is based on a similar one found in the McNeel book, but is larger and has more detail. Spradling stated that, “Dr. Cattorini is a retired engineer who participated in the design work, and he added features to it that enhance the overall appearance of it. He thoughtfully matched up the roof cap with the caps on the tombs, and added the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary to the inside roof of the frieze above the sitting bench”. The design work took over a over year to complete, and the entire memorial takes up 21 spaces in the cemetery. “We knew it was going to be a challenge, but we also knew we could count on the folks at Southern Mausoleums to get it right. And they did. They did an excellent job”. Once it was fabricated, the project took eight days to set in the cemetery. The granite weighs over 97,000 pounds and required two oversized loads to deliver. Because of the age of the cemetery, it demanded some clever thinking to get it in place, including closing a road leading into the cemetery to facilitate the delivery. It is situated on over 72,000 pounds of concrete. Once the final pieces were in place, Spradling stated that, “The customer is extremely satisfied with how the project looks. Everyone at Southern Mausoleums always does a great job. Always.” This stunning memorial, created in Georgia marble, was designed by Mastercarved Memorials in Clay Center, KS, and is located in Greenwood Catholic Cemetery in Clay Center, KS. Keystone Memorials, Inc., fabricated the memorial, and it features an angel that was created from a photograph, utilizing Keystone’s Shapemill CNC machine to produce the sculpture. According to Mastercarved’s Janet Clark, “Mr. Slingsby wanted something in marble that would reflect his wife’s love of angels, something that would show that she was pure in heart.” After looking at hundreds of photos and on the internet, he selected this design, in part because “he liked the older, antique look of it.” Janet called Tom Oglesby at Keystone, and they discussed Keystone’s new machine, known as the Shapemill, as a way to produce the angel sculpture “without breaking the bank”. Janet said, “Tom was able to produce it exactly the way Mr. Slingsby wanted it, and it turned out to be a very pretty memorial. He is very happy with it.” This lovely memorial was designed and sandblasted by Johns-Carabelli Company in Brook Park, OH, and is located in Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. According to Monica of Johns-Carabelli, the family wanted a classic Celtic cross design, but “wanted something unique”. Monica contacted King’s Monument Company to manufacture the monument. Monica stated that “the knotwork is continuous, and where you’d normally find a rosette in the center, the family instead selected a sun to symbolize their interest in astrology.” The design is complemented by rock edges and features symbols within the cross that reflect the family’s faith, including the Alpha and the Omega, and the chalice and host. Monica said the family was very pleased with the design, and that “Trudy and everyone at King’s did a great job making it look exactly the way the family wanted.” This beautiful classic design monument was fabricated by Dixie Granite Company, Inc., and sold to St. Joseph Cemetery located in Lockbourne, OH. It features an intricate cross design on each end and Old English-style lettering on the front. It’s been said that everything’s bigger in Texas, and this beautifully detailed monument proves it. Created from a the McNeel design book, this magnificent memorial was fabricated by Century Granite Company, Inc. for Dallas Monument & Design located in Dallas, TX. The monument was selected by the Carroll family as a tribute to a beloved wife, mother, teacher, and businesswoman whose life touched many hearts and minds. Its massive size reflects the enormous influence Mrs. Carroll had on those around her, not just her own beloved husband, son, and daughter, but also her extended “Spring Creek family”, a large group of past and present employees of the family restaurant enterprise. The monument features detailed scroll work on the top corners, an apex top, and a large graduated base. It is located in Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas, TX. The Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial, located on the grounds of the state capitol, is a tribute to the 271 law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty while in service to the state. Originally dedicated in 1987, a revised memorial was envisioned, and in 2006, a rededication ceremony was held that included the additional improvements to the memorial. Lardner Monuments located in Topeka, KS, was commissioned to produce the new additions, and they contacted Keystone Memorials, Inc. to help create the project. It is comprised of three colors of granite, and is an elaborate design that required careful and precise fabrication and placement. Keystone produced the new components that include benches, markers, and the majestic center star. The star is surrounded by tablets, and each tablet bears the names of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty since Kansas statehood. The inscription on the plaque reads: “TO THE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS - MAY THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES SACRIFICES NEVER BE FORGOTTEN” A close-up of the detailed scroll work on top of the monument The Phi Beta Sigma International Fraternity Centennial Monument was dedicated on July 19, 2014 in Washington, DC on the Lower Quadrangle of the Howard University campus. The fraternity was founded at Howard University on January 9, 1914 by three young African American male students, the Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown. Phi Beta Sigma International secured the services of a Washington, DC urban design firm to design the centennial monument based on the fraternity themes of ‘Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service’; the final design reflects these fraternity values. Rick Burroughs of Kline Memorials, located in Manassas, VA, was engaged to join the design team to provide expertise related to the selection of monument materials and the design and construction of the final monument. Kline Memorials selected Georgia Gray granite for the monument, which was cut and fabricated by L&M Granite Company. The major elements of the monument design include the following: The Brotherhood Wall, the signature element of the design. The front of the wall includes carved quotations, the fraternity symbols and Greek letters, and images of the three fraternity founders etched on Jet Black Granite and surface mounted onto the wall. The back of the gray granite wall is comprised of Jet Black Granite veneer sections with extensive laser etching. The Scholarship Bench provides a place where fraternity brothers and others may visit the monument and rest, reflect, and honor the values of their fraternity. The Service Pedestal and Centennial Plaque symbolizes the service activity of the fraternity members and houses the official Centennial Seal. The seal is laser etched on Jet Black Granite and surface mounted on top of the granite pedestal. The Bluestone Plaza provides a gathering place for fraternity activities. The Phi Beta Sigma fraternal symbols of three Stars and a Crescent Moon are made of steeled Georgia Gray Granite and inset into the field of bluestone paving. A local Elberton firm provided the laser etching for the memorial elements. All granite carving and installation of all memorial elements was completed by Kline Memorials. A plaza memorializing fallen educators was placed on the Emporia State University campus located in Emporia, KS. On the plaza, two large black granite monuments, shaped like open books, are inscribed with 113 names of teachers who lost their lives while working with students. Educators from 36 states are listed. The National Teachers Hall of Fame, located on ESU’s campus, coordinated the effort to place the 10 foot square memorial plaza. The memorial is placed near a one-room schoolhouse located on the north end of ESU’s campus. A walkway, benches, special lighting, and a donor wall are part of the plaza. The project was brought to East-Central Monument Company in Lebo, KS, who then contacted Welch’s Granite Company, Inc. Welch’s fabricated the two large books, the benches, and the donor block. Both the “books” and the apples were carved by Welch’s. Welch’s was also responsible for the lettering and litho. The memorial was developed after six educators were murdered in Newtown, CT, in December 2012, and an Alabama teacher was murdered in January 2013. It was then decided the many educators who had lost their lives “in the line of duty” needed to be remembered in a permanent way. State affiliates of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers provided the names of educators who had died in their states, and many made financial contributions to help build the memorial. Donations for the memorial also came from corporate sponsors, foundations, retired teachers and schoolchildren. Located in Meterie Cemetery in New Orleans, LA, this beautifully detailed and expressive mausoleum was fabricated by Eagle Granite Company, Inc. and is based on a design created by Metarie Cemetery’s Gil Bonnaffons. According to Bonnaffons, this design is modeled after an existing marble tomb located within the cemetery. The family requested “something larger than normal, but would still have the same two-person capacity.” After many design changes and modifications, this design was selected. “We originally were going to place it in the newer ‘annex’ part of the cemetery, but I found a spot in the older area where it fits in nicely and integrates well with the older tombs” said Bonnaffons. “Metarie Cemetery was once a racetrack, and we found a location on an older grassy drive in the footprint of the racetrack, where it fronts the driveway. It is in a truly unique location”. Another unique feature of this tomb is that the urns, provided by the family (along with the eagle and bench), have a water line run to them to maintain the plants. Bonnaffons emphasized that “Eagle did such a great job with this design. They did it exactly the way it was requested, which made my job easier. Even though it was a challenge to get it the way the family wanted, Eagle found a way to make it right, and they did a great job cutting it. The family could not have been more satisfied with how it turned out.” Kentucky/Tennessee Monument Builders Joint Convention Pigeon Forge, TN (L-R): Eric Vaughn, Cookeville, TN; Machana & Jonathan Rhodes, Quality Monument Sales; Margaret & Earnest Hillman, Memphis, TN. (L-R): Quinn & Tammy Floyd, A.Q. Stone Design Company; Richard & Pam Schultz, Madison, TN. (L-R): Quinn Floyd, A.Q. Stone Design Company; James Walters, Eagle Granite Company; Tammy Floyd, A.Q. Stone Design Company; Bob Barton, Marble, NC. (L-R): John Hamilton, Palfleet Truck Equipment; Donna & Steve Anderson, Somerville, TN (L-R):Michael Hughes, Bicknell Supply Company; Eric Vaughn, Cookeville, TN (L-R): Ronnie & Joanne Brown, Miles Supply Company; Derwin & Brenda Merion, Martin, KY; Bev & Penny McGuire, Martin, KY; Richard & Verna Todd, Covington, TN; Bob & Joyce Barton, Marble, NC; Don & Judy Bentley, Mt. Eden, KY. (L-R): Linn & Stanley Mills, L&M Granite Company, LLC; Tammy Barnett, Union City, TN; Connie Curtis, McKenzie, TN; Philip Crocker, McKenzie, TN; Connie and Tony Mills, L&M Granite Company, LLC; Susan Brimer, Knoxville, TN; Ann Baker, L&M Granite Company, LLC; Madison Evans, Knoxville, TN; Jerry Davis, L&M Granite Company, LLC; Bobby Barnett, Union City, TN. (L-R): Bill & Charlotte Fox, Henry & Henry, Inc.; Richard & Pam Schultz, Madison, TN; Joan & Bill Fox, Henry & Henry, Inc.; Brenda and Jim Defrietas. (L-R): Jason Edwards, Southern Granite Company, Inc.; Don & Judy Bentley, Mt. Eden, KY; Missy McKinley, Campbellsville, KY; Vicki Edwards, Southern Granite Company, Inc.; John McKinley, Campbellsville, KY; Melissa Dias, Southern Granite Company, Inc.; Andy, Diane, and Bradley Futrell, Louisville, KY. (L-R): Daniel, Ryleigh, and Autumn Raper, Bethel Springs, TN; Anthony & Vickie Rowland, Bethel Springs, TN; Kevin & Jill Mayberry, Dickson, TN; Kim Rowland & Matt Felt, Bethel Springs, TN; Vada Walker & Rose Walker, Walker Granite Company, Inc.; Earnest & Margaret Hillman, Memphis, TN; Kaitlin Walker, Walker Granite Company, Inc.; Donna & Steve Anderson, Somerville, TN; Luke Walker, Walker Granite Company, Inc. EGA Training Institute Monument Retailers Basic Course Seen here are some photos of activities that took place at EGA’s 2015 Basic Retailer Course. The participants spent five days visiting a quarry, a production plant, the Georgia Guidestones, and the Granite Museum. They also visited several member locations to learn about designing, setting, and selling monuments and watched monuments and bronze being fabricated. All the students were enthusiastic and very interested in the granite processes that take place in Elberton, and commented about how much they enjoyed the experience. It was yet another successful year for the Training Institute! We’ll have a 2016 class September 19-23. Look for more information in the coming months. Michael Baston of Baston Monument Company discussed cutting and polishing techniques. Greg Ruff of River Edge Granite talked to students about proper setting of monuments, and then the students got an opportunity to see how it’s done. The students visited the production facilities at Keystone Memorials. Rusty Adams of Star & Granite & Bronze introduced the students to the Donatoni CNC machine, and then they took a group photo. While at Star Granite & Bronze, students had a chance to see the bronze foundry in action. Pat Wallis of Creative-Premier Designs instructed students on design and stenciling. At Porcelains Unlimited, Tanner Lewis discussed porcelains and their application. A visit to Miles Supply Company, where Larry Bessinger discussed granite supplies and application techniques. The participants got a special treat when they encountered the legendary craftsman Steve Mooney, who talked about sculpting techniques and challenges. Brian Jenson of Jenson Etching gives a hands-on presentation about etching and design. The students made a trip to a quarry, which always generates a lot of discussion. Mike Fernandez of Design Mart instructed the students on various computerized design methods, and then gave them a tour of Elmhurst Cemetery for a discussion about the elements of symbolism seen on different monuments and memorials. Thank you to all the students who participated, and to the members who offered their time and services to help the Training Institute give these students a week full of learning and fun. Congratulations, Class of 2015!