Summer 2017 Working with granite is an occupation that can present many dangerous environments and situations. From the quarry operator to the manufacturer to the retailer, the granite industry is filled with situations that shout WATCH OUT! I am very often encouraged, however, by the small number of serious accidents we have each year. Granite deserves a healthy amount of respect; it is unforgiving. Your first mistake could also be your last. I think this knowledge, more than anything else, is what helps us keep serious accidents to a minimum. We strive to promote safety training and working safely in the granite industry. Sadly however, even with the best safe working practices and policies, accidents can still occur. The adage of “I have been doing this for the last 20 years” is not acceptable when it comes to safely working with granite. Think about it: how often do you just “take it for granite” that because nothing happened yesterday, nothing will happen today? Situations and circumstances change without notice, and so how do we combat that? We continually update and evaluate our safety training and the methods of delivering that training. We stay aware and look for indications of a change in conditions. We don’t put ourselves in a dangerous position that compromises our safety. Complying with safety practices and procedures can sometimes seem frustrating because they can have an impact on the efficiency of your operation. However, stop and think, how much is my safety worth in trying to bypass a safety feature or procedure? More than likely, even though you may be frustrated or not understand the need for a certain safety feature or procedure, realize that it was more than likely born out of an accident to someone else. Now might be a good time to review your company’s safety policies and refresh a safety attitude with your employees. Evaluate your company’s safety environment and make necessary changes and adjustments. Do some housekeeping and correct any safety issues that may exist. Make safety a priority, and be proactive, not reactive. Ensure that everyone goes home safe each day. It is the deepest desire of the EGA that everyone stays safe and accident free. Be safe my friends. Inaugural Class Completes MonuCad Seminar The previous issue of The Graniteer featured a story highlighting the cooperative efforts of Elbert County Comprehensive High School’s Career, Technical, and Agriculture (CTAE) department and the Elberton Granite Association to offer a program that creates career opportunities for students interested in learning CAD design. Quinn Floyd of A.Q. Stone Design generously offered his time to instruct a group of students in learning the creative and technical processes associated with the digital design. The first group of students to enroll in the schools “Applications in Granite Technology” class recently completed their studies. According to Kim Fuller, AP/CTAE Director at ECCHS, “The CTAE Department at ECCHS is so proud of our Applications in Granite Students who recently completed the MonuCad seminar through AQ Stone and Quinn Floyd. Each student received a completion certification, as well as some also receiving the credential of Work Readiness for Employment in Monucad for our granite industry. ECCHS is so thankful of the Elberton Granite Association for their industry partnership in helping us prepare our students for after graduation!!!” Students pictured are (Front, L-R): Wendy Espinosa, MariCruz Villegomez,-Gonzalez, Megan Cawthorn, Dorian Phelps, O’Detric Rucker, Autumn Scarborough, Jana Anderson. (2nd row, L-R): Luke Wilson, Rey Rete-Ramirez, Isian Blackwell, Rod Hamm, Chris Martinez, Tarodrick Stanley, Ali Johnson, Emily McCurley. Not pictured: Dishae Blackwell, Kaitlin Turner, Camryn Donald, and Chris Martin APEX GRANITE COMPANY ADDS NEW TALENT Apex Granite Company recently welcomed Amber Carroll to its team! Amber assists with Customer Service and helps take and process orders. An Elberton native, Amber says she enjoys working with people and talking with the customers. Although she had no prior granite experience, Amber said, “I love learning new things, and everyone here [at Apex] has helped me.” Brenda Brown with Apex stated, “Amber has done a phenomenal job and picked up on things easily. She is a joy to work with and I am very proud to have her here.” Welcome to Apex, Amber, and we here at the EGA wish you continued success at your new endeavor! Prime Timers Mystery Trip Leads to the Elberton Granite Museum The EGA had a wonderful group come by for a visit to the Elberton Granite Museum in June, 2017. These senior adults are actively involved in life and work at Boulevard Baptist Church located in Anderson, SC. In addition to volunteering in their community, the “Prime Timers” participate in monthly local events and take extended trips for retreats and fellowship several times yearly. This annual event, known as the “mystery trip”, included a stop at the museum. The group spent quite a while excitedly looking through the various tools, artifacts, and photos. They also watched the museum video, “Creating Memories...the story of Elberton Granite” All were very impressed, and we were very happy to have them select the museum as a stop on their memorable, ‘mysterious’ journey. Eagle Granite Golf Team Snags First Place Win Lake Russell Baptist Church held a golf tournament in May, 2017 at Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course at Richard B. Russell State Park in Elberton, GA. Among the many teams competing, the Eagle Granite Team, seen pictured at left with their First Place trophies, finished the day as the winning team. The last place team also won a trophy, but a photo of it is a tad inappropriate for publication. Ask EGA’s Matthew Pruitt about it...he had the dubious honor of being part of that losing team. Wilson Industrial Electric has added new equipment to its lineup...the Fryer Easy Turn-30 CNC Engine Lathe with a 120” center distance. The new lathe will allow Wilson to turn shafts and other parts much faster and can handle larger parts due to the machine’s capacity. Wilson has been eliminating a lot of their older machinery and making upgrades within the company, both to increase production rates and to attempt having 100% of their machined parts in house, instead of depending on other machine shops to make things for them. Wilson also plans to add add another machine later this fall and will be upgrading two more machines in their plant. According to Melissa Black of Wilson, “All of these things will vastly improve our production rates on parts. We will also start our parts and office expansion soon, so look for ongoing changes at Wilson to take place so that we can better serve our customers.” ITALDIAMANT USA INTRODUCES NEW HIGH-TECH TOOL LINE Present in Elberton since 1986, Italdiamant USA has always seen the future of natural and engineered stones with a particular eye towards excellence in innovation while providing outstanding customer service. Quality is Italdiamant’s main priority, with particular attention paid to servicing the needs of customers and tailoring their products and services to each customer’s specific requirements. With this in mind, Italidiamant USA has developed a line of tooling for engineered porcelain slabs. These tools are particularly useful in the fabrication of granite production equipment, and provide optimum accuracy and reliability in the use of various production equipment and CNC machines. These cutting and drilling tools, among others, are stocked and serviced in Elberton. GA. From this location, Italdiamant delivers to all fifty states. With every delivery throughout the USA, Italdiamant proudly calls attention to Elberton, GA, The Granite Capital of the World. For more information on these new products, as well as many other fine products produced by Italdiamant USA, call 706-283-4104, or visit www.italdiamant.com. As always, Italdiamant’s technical support is at your disposal to provide all the working parameters necessary for the best tool performance. These high-tech blades are available in diameters ranging from 115 to 500 mm. The discs are very flexible and adaptable to any machinery, both automatic and manual. These CNC-specific diamond tools are specifically designed for numerical control machines to grant the utmost accuracy and reliability during any working step. Italdiamant’s drill bits and finger bits offer an optimum material finish with a working rate exceeding the average. Design Mart Adds Laser Etchings to Online Designer For those who laser etch monuments or sell etched monuments Design Mart’s Online Designer has an exciting new feature. For two years Design Mart’s Online Monument Designer has allowed users to export vector designs that can be opened in CAD systems for sandblast, without having to track down components or create drawings that aren’t what the customer had in mind. Now Design Mart has added the capability of exporting high resolution etching files for laser and impact etchers. Design Mart is in the process of adding more than 1,800 laser etching designs which were only available via email or CD/DVD. Users can add spot etchings to their monuments or create entire scenes. Etchings are available in the following categories: Angels, Animals, Buildings & Structures, Children, Crosses, Emblems, Faith, Floral, Hands, Hobbies & Leisure, Landscape, Marriage, Music, Other Art, Patriotic, Poems, Scenes, Sports, and Transportation. Components make the Designer unique. All of the etchings being uploaded to the Designer have transparent backgrounds, which means that users may create and customize their own etching scenes like the one shown below. In the image shown above, the deer, trees, cabin and other components were combined to build a custom scene in Design Mart’s Online Monument Designer. This scene was composed using a buck, doe, fawn, and duck as well as trees, water, and drop shadows. It’s as easy as clicking and dragging. The Online Designer is cloud-based, which means users can access their work anywhere at any time. Users do not have to be in front of a PC or CAD program in a back room. They may work from a showroom, outdoor display, cemetery or an office to create and customize monuments that can be sent to any CAD or photo editing and laser application. All of a user’s work is saved on the cloud and can be opened, edited or downloaded at any time. The image to the left shows the new interface of the Online Designer with an etching composition. A lot of effort goes into ensuring that the app is easy for everyone to use regardless of the type of device or browser. Browsers are constantly changing and evolving, and these changes require constant vigilance to ensure that we are compatible across the board. This app can be used on Macs and any PCs with Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, Firefox, and Chrome. A free 30-day trial is available at www.designmart.com. Please call Design Mart at 800-736-7455 or email d-mart@designmart.com for more information. Final output is compatible with any laser etcher or impact etcher, and may also be used with sandblast photo resist mask as shown in the two photos above. Apex Granite Company recently purchased a custom-designed wire saw from Wilson Industrial Electric. According to Brenda Brown of Apex, “We have probably the oldest wire saw in Elberton, and it has been (and still is) a workhorse. But we needed something additional to increase our productivity, and this saw does a great job. Wilson Industrial fabricated it for us and it is exactly what we needed. We are really happy with the output and how easy it is to operate.” The saw is a 5 ft. stationary wire saw with an 8’ x 8’ Cart. It has the capability to make cuts that are 5’ tall x 10’ wide. Because the saw is automatic, when cuts are programmed, it will saw the block automatically without an operator having to stay with the saw, and can run at night automatically. The saw can be set up with two different programs: Variable width, where the cuts can be various different sizes, or Repeating width which allows the operator to program in the same size cut throughout the entire block, and a bonus cut at the end to finish out the block. According to Melissa Black of Wilson Industrial, “The wire walk circuit developed by Ray and Matt Wilson definitively increases the cutting time of the single strand wire saw. This wire saw is now able to cut at speeds comparable to blade saws (in some stones) and actually makes for a nicer surface to polish on. Wire saws have come a long way over the years and are gaining in popularity, especially with large slab sawing for building stone and countertops.” Miles Supply Company’s Ronnie Brown Receives Bob Johnson Award at Southern Monument Builders Conference At this year’s SMBA conference, Ronnie Brown of Miles Supply Company was bestowed with the Bob Johnson award for his dedication to wholesalers and retailers in the industry. This award also recognizes his support of the SMBA, and for the integrity and honesty with which he conducts business. According to Tony Watson, AICA, and President/Memorial Artist of Watson Signs & Monuments, “The Bob Johnson Award is awarded to the most outstanding wholesaler for the Southern Monument Builders Association. The award is not intended to be handed out annually, but to honor the hard work and dedication our wholesale suppliers put into taking care of us as retailers and us as the SMBA. It is named for the late Bob Johnson of Coldspring Granite. Bob Johnson was more than a Sales Representative to many of the then Monument Builders of the Southwest and Louisiana/Mississippi Association members; he was a great friend. The idea for the award was created by some of his closest friends; Dody Campbell of Campbell Monument in Provencal, LA, Perry Giles of Giles Monument in Waxahachie, TX, and Dave Pace, AICA of Brookhaven Monument in Brookhaven, MS. We set forth from there to create the award as a way to say “Thank you” to those in our industry who help us to go above and beyond to help take care of our families. This is more than just a ‘Thank you’ though. It is our way of showing our deepest gratitude to those who support us as a group, as individuals, and as friends. Ronnie Brown, this year’s recipient, has always been a friend to anyone who he spoke with regardless of whether or not he has sold them a tool or sand, or sand handler. He will answer any questions thrown at him. As life has gotten difficult for him and his family, he has done everything he can to be a part of our association meetings and is truly a part of our SMBA family.” For more convention photos, see page 29. Ronnie Brown with at left: Sammie Peters (2013 SMBA); bottom: Monument Retailers Course participants (2016); top right: TN/KY convention (2011); bottom right: with Matt & Ryan Worthington, MAMBA (2014) Each year, the EGA awards three scholarships to local graduating seniors to help further their educations. As a way of giving back to the citizens of the Elberton Granite District, the EGA, through its members, provides $1,000 scholarships each to three students who wish to continue their education beyond high school. Two scholarships are given to seniors from Elbert County Comprehensive High School, and one to a senior from Oglethorpe County High School. The EGA is proud to help these students and wish them the best of luck on a successful college career. Lexi Bryant University of Georgia Early Childhood Education Kinsley Moon Georgia College & State University English Marvin Sagastume-Elias University of North Georgia architecture This family memorial was produced by Baston Monuments, Inc., for Vanover Monument Works located in Clay, KY. Todd Vanover states, “This is a family stone, consisting of a large die and two bevels [bevels not pictured at the request of the family]. It is a sort of reproduction of a smaller stone, selected to mark the lot. It turned out to be a really pretty job.” When asked why Vanover chose Baston to do the work, Todd replied, “Baston does all my work. Michael and Sarah do good work and we stay loyal to them. I can always count on them to produce really great work.” This monument is located in Oak Grove Cemetery in Dixon, KY. Located in a cemetery near Akron, OH that is managed by the Catholic Diocese, this lovely monument was fabricated by Central Granite Company for Summit Memorials in Akron, OH. A few weeks after it was set, Summit received a thank you note from Mrs. Bochette. It reads in part, “It looks beautiful along the hillside just above the trees and below the cemetery cross. The piece is majestic and [Summit] did a masterful job all the way around.” According to Barbara Freeman of Summit Memorials, “After seeing a similar monument in another part of the cemetery, Heys Wade of Central Granite worked with us to bring the family closure.” Glass Art Imaging provided this amazingly detailed color rendering of St. Teresa for a project being fabricated by Walker Granite Company. Glass Art’s patented process melts the stone and fuses pigments into it, thus creating a strong, lasting bond. As with all of Glass Art’s imaging projects, this beautiful example will not fade out or erode over time, meaning this unique portrait of St. Teresa will endure throughout many generations. This contemporary memorial was fabricated by Eagle Granite Company, Inc., for Brown Memorials located in Florence, SC. According to Bran Oswalt of Brown Memorials, “Ryan was a physics major at our local university, tragically killed in a work related accident. His love for physics is told through the atomic emblem, and his dates of life are displayed in the manner of an equation.” Brown Memorials relies on Eagle to produce high quality granite, and this memorial is no exception. This monument is located in the cemetery of Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC. This beautifully detailed cross was produced by Keystone Memorials, Inc., for Rolf Monument Company in Newport, KY as part of an estate monument. It features an intricate sculpted oak wreath on the front of the cross, which rests on two stacked sub bases with ogee ends. According to Tim Rolf of Rolf Monuments, “Keystone provided us with a series of vintage cross designs, and we settled on this one. The relief raised letters are striking, and the family really like the beautiful oak wreath on the front. It sits on a huge hillside, and makes quite an impression. Keystone did a great job, and they are really great to work with.” The cross is located in Evergreen Cemetery in Southgate, KY. This magnificent family estate monument was fabricated by Eagle Granite Company for the Koenig estate. Mr. Koenig is the CEO of City Furniture in South Florida and a devout Catholic. He purchased a family estate to set a place of honor for his beloved wife and to ensure the legacy of their family. The Koenigs made the Catholic Church a large part of their lives, raising funds for the Archdiocese and their parish. Doreen was a driving force behind many community causes in the Fort Lauderdale area, especially those that benefitted women and children. Keith is highly respected for living by his company mission statement and remains an advocate for both the Church and the community. Mr. Koenig requested a very simple monument that would encompass his love of his family and his Catholic faith. He wanted it to reach across as many of the 12 graves in the estate as possible but insisted that it reflect the modest and unpretentious nature of his family. This decision was focused on the passing of his wife whom he lovingly refers to as the family matriarch; she is interred in the center. Coincidentally, members of Doreen’s family have small monuments of a very similar stone within walking distance of the Koenig estate. Despite its seemingly simple design, the monument features an impressive amount of detail and craftsmanship. According to Kevin Brown of Eagle Granite, “I decided to do the back ground of the name and carvings as a stipple finish so you could see the difference in contrast of the polish, frosted carvings, and the stippled background. The stipple finish is more white & textured than the frost, so it gives a very subtle difference in contrast.” The family estate is 12 graves, side by side in a quiet section of the cemetery bordered by a private hedge. It is located at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery in North Lauderdale, Florida. Southern Mausoleums fabricated this stately mausoleum for Baer & Sons Memorials located in Lynchburg, VA. According to a representative from Baer & Sons, “Mr. Stroobants was a well-respected philanthropist in Lynchburg, and donated property to Lebanon United Methodist Church; his mausoleum is located across from the property. He was an exacting and very particular individual, and the design of his monument was very important to him. He wanted high quality granite and a European-looking design. We knew that Southern Mausoleums could create what he was looking for, and they did. Nobody else could have done this project like they did. It was a long, time-consuming project demanding extreme quality and rigid details, and Southern Mausoleums got it right.” This mausoleum is located in the Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery in Forrest, VA. This distinguished monument was fabricated by Dixie Granite Company for Preferred Memorials located in Elizabethtown, KY. Jerry Shipp of Preferred Memorials stated that, “Jerry Smith spent 30 years in the monument business, and this was the design he and his wife Cindy came up with. He worked with us here at Preferred for over ten years, and we are very proud to have been a part of fulfilling his wish. Dixie did a great job with it.” The monument is located in Red Hill Cemetery in Hodgenville, KY. This eye-catching monument was created by Keystone Memorials, Inc., for Lardner Monuments located in Topeka, KS. It was designed by Diane Westling, owner of Lardner Monuments, for her father. “My grandfather came over from Ireland, and was the owner of Cottonwood Falls Limestone Quarry. My dad worked with him for years, and eventually took it over as owner. Then he later began Lardner Monument Company, and it is still a part of our family. That being said, this monument is very special to us, both in the design and the details. With my parents being devout Catholics, we wanted certain symbols on the monument, such as the Alpha and Omega designs that are also a part of my grandfather’s monument. We called Keystone because they do good work. This turned out great, like we knew it would.” Glass Art Imaging can apply any design to virtually all types and colors of granite. This beautiful nature scene is displayed on blue/gray granite as part of a project produced by Henry & Henry Monuments located in Marion, KY. SIGNER OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION TO BE HONORED IN EDENTON, NC Dr. Hugh Williamson was born in Pennsylvania in 1735. He was a resident of Edenton, N.C. at the time of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. It is his signing of the U.S. Constitution for which he is being honored with this beautiful and esteemed monument. Over a decade ago, local residents, historians and politicians formed a committee and began searching for funding, steadfast in their belief that Dr. Williamson deserved a monument befitting his contributions to our country. Ultimately, in Summer 2016, N.C. Representative Bob Steinburg was able to assist in securing the necessary funding through a grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce. After obtaining the necessary approvals, the Town of Edenton received the funding, and building the monument began. Edenton natives Frank and Suzanne Parker, owners of Parker Monuments, Inc. were eager to be part of such a historical event in their hometown’s history, and with the guidance and expertise of Frank Parker, a design was created and chosen. Parker Monuments turned to L & M Granite Company to fabricate this prestigious monument. These two companies had previously collaborated on a unique memorial that was featured on the cover of the Graniteer magazine in Fall 2010. According to Suzanne Parker of Parker Monuments, “Tony and Stanley Mills and their staff proved to be instrumental in the success of this project. The monument consists of five pieces of Georgia Gray granite; completed it stands 10 feet tall. There are checks, scotias, joints, etc…L & M Granite did an impressive job over the 5 months it took to fabricate and engrave this monument.” All four sides are engraved, including the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. The other 3 sides include information about Dr. Williamson’s personal and public life, including that he was a framer and signer of the U.S. Constitution while a citizen of Edenton, N.C. Eddy Higginbotham of Memorial Art, located in Elberton, GA, was selected by L & M Granite to cut the stencil for the monument. According to Eddy, “This one was a challenge because it has so much lettering on all four sides, and every side needed to be centered perfectly so all the sides complement each other.” The end result is very impressive. In true Edenton style, a police escort was arranged for this important monument, and a procession of trucks, trailers, crane and committee members paraded through downtown Edenton with bystanders and spectators cheering it on. Tony Mills, Jr. humorously stated that it was his first time delivering a monument with a police escort. The memorial is located in Queen Anne Park in Edenton, N.C. A grand celebration is planned in Edenton, N.C. on September 17, 2017, 230 years after the signing. Dr. Hugh Williamson, along with 38 other men, signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. On April 20, 2017, the Law Enforcement Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held an open house at their facility in Social Circle, Georgia. During this event, a memorial dedication was held in honor of eight fallen Game Warden officers who lost their lives in service over the past 106 years. Although the Georgia DNR was not officially created until 1972, its origins can be traced to as early as 1911. With an over 100-year history of natural and cultural resource management, DNR has forged a legacy of cleaner water and air, a sophisticated management of Georgia’s wildlife, and one of the best protected coastlines in the United States. Today, there are six divisions within DNR, the oldest originating with the game wardens who served as the state’s first organized law enforcement. Fabricated by River Edge Granite Company, “The memorial is the first thing you see when you pull into the parking lot; it is the focal point of our facility, and that was our intent,” stated Lt. Col. Jeff Weaver. “It was not just an open house, it was an opportunity to remember those fallen game wardens who lost their lives in the line of service. The memorial is a beautiful tribute to those men, and we are very happy with it.” This monument, fabricated by Majestic Granite Company, is located in the town of High Point, Missouri, a farming town of less than a hundred people about 25 miles south of the Capital of Missouri (Jefferson City). Charles Allen and Marlene Snyder, who live and work in the community and with the High Point Renewal Association, worked with Capitol Monument Company in Jefferson City, MO to design the memorial. The project was funded by The High Point Renewal Association and many individual donors and was placed at the community school, which is considered the heart of the town. It is located on the main street that runs in front of the school, a school that services 80-100 students annually. According to Jerrod Atteberry of Capitol Monuments, “We chose Majestic because they have always provided us with quality material and workmanship. We have a long standing relationship with the company and they are always accommodating of our designs and requests.” This public sign was fabricated by Keystone Memorials, Inc., for The Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company for placement at the Bartow County Court House in Cartersville, GA. According to Jay Murdock of the Georgia Farm Bureau, “In 1937, the Bartow County Court House became a meeting place for 50 farmers from several Georgia counties. They decided they needed a voice and a lobby for farmers, and so the United Farmers Association was formed at that time. It later became known as the Georgia Farm Bureau. On the 80th anniversary of this union, on June 17, 2017, we placed this sign at the Court House in honor of those farmers.” What began as a group of 50 farmers now has a membership across the state of more than 300,000. “One of our agents saw a project that Keystone had done for the Sunbelt Expo, and contacted Ross Oglesby at Keystone,” said Murdock. “The monument includes more information about the bureau on the back and top, and it looks great with the logo and plow and mule, sitting at the place where it all started. We are very happy with the way the monument turned out and with the work that Keystone did.” Museum Foundation Golf Tournament Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course at Richard B. Russell State Park The Elberton Granite Association Museum Foundation is proud to announce its first annual golf tournament fundraiser for the Elberton Granite Museum! This special event will be held at Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course at Richard B. Russell State Park in Elberton, GA on Friday, September 15, 2017. Proceeds from participation and sponsorships provide valuable funding for structural and asthestic improvements to the Museum, and for improvments to exhibition display of the many valuable artifacts and collections the Museum has acquired over the years. Events will include three-man scramble, putting & driving contests, longest drive, and more. Shotgun start at noon. Event will end with a buffet meal and awards ceremony. Prizes galore, including door prizes. Don’t miss out on this fun event that benefits our Museum and our community. For more information about enrolling your three-man team, or becoming a sponsor, contact Matthew Pruitt at 864-617-8883 or Chris Kubas at 706-498-4220, or visit our website at www.egaonline.com. The Elberton Granite Museum & Exhibit was originally designed in 1979 and opened to the public in March, 1981. The goal of the Elberton Granite Association is to provide a resource to the public that relates the history of Elberton’s granite industry, to preserve its traditions, and to explain the quarrying and manufacturing processes. Over the years, our museum collection has grown, and the facilities are in need of improvements. Your participation in our golf tournament will help us achieve that goal. The Elberton Granite Association Museum Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 entity. For more information, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact Matthew Pruitt at mpruitt.ega@gmail.com or 864-617-8883; or Chris Kubas at cjkubas@gmail.com or 706-498-4220 Training Institute Keynote Speakers focus on Art, Design, & Marketing Bobby Mattos, AICA, Bras & Mattos Monument Co. Bobby Mattos is a 5th generation Memorialist from Bras and Mattos Monument Company Est. 1897 in Hayward California. He was raised in the business but began working full time in the industry after earning his B.A. in History in 2003. Like many others in the monument industry, he sells, designs and does just about anything else needed at his shop on a daily basis. He has owned and operated his own stone carving gallery as well as instructed and taught creative stone carving techniques at workshops and conventions. Bobby continues to teach stone carving at The School of Hard Rocks with business partners Charlie Hunt FAICA (Hunt Memorials) of Nashville Tennessee and Scott Luken PITA (Luken Memorials) of Yankton South Dakota. Charlie Hunt, FAICA, Hunt Memorials, Inc. Charlie Hunt began working in the family business in 1982 after graduating from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee with a degree in History. Within a year, he was asked to do some sketches of monuments and quickly found his niche. This inspired him to return to school for art and drafting classes including traveling to Vermont to train with traditional stone craftsmen and learn the stonecutter methodology that has been in practice for over two centuries. Charlie is the first recipient of the Eugene H. Faehnle Award from The American Institute of Commemorative Arts (AICA), the highest place award of its kind in the monument industry for design. Other prestigious 1st Place Awards include MBNA’s Biondan Bronze-Bert Gast Memorial Award, The Harold J. Shaller, AICA Conceptual Design and Rendering Award, MBNA’s Design Contest People’s Choice Award and the MBNA Award for Outstanding Excellence in Monument Design. Scott Luken, PITA, Luken Memorials Scott Luken, a 3rd generation stone sculptor/memorialist was born and raised in Yankton, South Dakota. At a young age, he discovered a box of old chisels at the family business and started on the path to becoming a stone sculptor. While growing up, Scott took every opportunity to learn his craft from the “old timers” that carved at the various quarries he visited. Scott attended the Colorado Institute of Art for a commercial art degree. Once finished, he began designing and sculpting full time. His sculpture is graphic in nature and the granite dictates what it ultimately becomes. Scott also shares his passion instructing at seminars he holds. He has works throughout the Midwest in private collections and public installations such as his latest Installation in the Benson Sculpture Garden’s permanent collection in Loveland, Colorado. This course is designed for those who are new to the business who are looking for the best advice, tips, and tricks straight from the experts. It will give you all the information you need to get your business started in the right direction, and to help you increase your productivity and sales. Hundreds of successful memorialists have participated in the Retailers Course through EGA’s Training Institute. Join us for a 5-day class featuring tours of various facilities and quarries, classes on pricing and industry terminology, and much more! Cost is $250 per person. Limit two people per company. Participants must be sponsored by one of our members. Lunch provided throughout the course. Visit www.egaonline.com for more information, or contact Matthew at 706-283-2551 or mpruitt.ega@gmail.com Located in Elberton’s historic Elmhurst Cemetery, this dignified memorial is a tribute to an Elberton native and granite industry leader, David Edwards of Southern Granite Company, Inc. David is remembered by many in the industry as a man with many innovative ideas, impressive talent, and thorough knowledge of granite processes and business acumen. In addition to being an industry leader, David is recalled as being a good, hardworking man who grew up in Elberton, playing saxophone in the Elbert County High School’s Blue Devil Band and as Drum Major. Throughout his life he was respected for his determination, hard work, and his loyalty to his friends and family. David began working in the industry with his father in 1971, and became owner in 1984. He is credited with building one of the most modern monument manufacturing plants in Elberton, and was one of the first to embrace the concept of converting from wire saws to diamond saws, leading the way in economical and efficient production methods. His loss was felt by many, and his family continues to pay tribute to him by carrying on the business in a way that they feel would make him proud. Melissa Edwards Dias explains the concept and manufacturing of the monument, “As hard as it was to begin on our parents’ memorial, Jason & I wanted to honor them by using the machinery that David worked so hard through the years to install at Southern Granite Company such as the Eco contour wire saw, Fickert tilt saw, and the Natale turning lathe. It took us some time to come up with the design. Mom wanted an open concept so that her grandparent’s memorial, which is set directly behind their burial plot, was still visible. David manufactured it many years ago and we did not want to block the view of it. There were cemetery restrictions so we had to stay within their guidelines as well. The decision was made after a few drawings to go with a colonnade design. It allowed us to use all the machinery and to achieve the open concept that mom wanted. We also wanted to keep our parents memorials similar to our great grand-parents by using steeled Elberton Blue granite. I’ve always loved the classic look of steeled blue mixed with polished black granite. Because David was an American Manufacturer, I chose Elberton Blue and American Black. Jason manufactured each piece and followed it through the entire finishing phases. Jason, along with Greg, Brad, & Kyle Ruff from Riveredge Granite, set the memorial right before David’s birthday in late March of 2017. Jason & I would like to thank the Ruffs for helping set our parent’s memorial but also for being wonderful friends during the loss of our dad. We would also like to thank our employees for their hard work and dedication to Southern Granite Company and for helping to make David & Vicki’s memorial a beautiful tribute to their lives. Jason and I miss our dad tremendously. He taught us so much from the business world to everyday life in general. A price tag can’t be put on the education that he gave to us. We will forever be grateful for all that our parents have done for us. This memorial represents how special they are to us.” A few words from Vicki Edwards: “I would like to start off by saying that this memorial is a wonderful tribute to my late husband David, who was a wholesale manufacturer for 43 years. David joined his father’s firm, Southern Granite Company, Inc., in late December of 1971. Then in 1984, David and I purchased the company and the second generation of the Edwards family began. David was among some of the first in the industry to purchase computerized machinery for the plant. He knew for the future that we needed to manufacture with more efficiency, accurately, and with speed, so for the next fifteen years, he redesigned and modernized our plant. The Edwards memorial showcases some of the capabilities of Southern Granite Company’s manufacturing potential. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our children for the design and manufacturing, along with our employees, for our beautiful memorial. Southern Granite Company, Inc. is currently in its third generation of leadership with our children, Melissa Edwards Dias and Jason Edwards. They both have been with the company for approximately 20 years.” Front Row (L-R): Melissa Edwards Dias & Vicki Edwards Back Row (L-): T.J. Dias, Jason Edwards, David Edwards Southern Monument Builders Association Convention Rockwall, TX (L-R): Samie Peters, Ft. Worth, TX; J. & Gina Worley, Jack Worley, Marshall, TX; DeeAnn & John Fitch, Mt. Pleasant, TX; Carter Worley, Marshall, TX; Ryan Fitch, Mt. Pleasant, TX; Dennis Peters, Ft. Worth, TX; Bentley Ruff, Hunter Granite Sales Charlotte & Billy Fox, Henry & Henry, Inc.; Joan & Bill Fox, Henry & Henry, Inc.; Cathy & Sam Flocks, Ft. Smith AK. Matthew Pruitt, Elberton Granite Association, speaks to an assembly at the SMBA convention. (L-R): Cade Starr, Elkhart, TX; Bentley Ruff, Hunter Granite Sales (L-R): Tanner Lewis, Porcelains Unlimited; Matt & Ryan Worthington, Arlington, TX; Jason Campbell. Provencal, LA; Maria & Kim Schlitzberger, Houston, TX; Ian Turpin, Amite City, LA; Tony & Emily Watson, College Station, TX (L-R): Holton Ruff, Hunter Granite Sales; John Bennett, Phillip Bennett, Brownwood, TX; Bumper & Crystal Clayton, Groveton, TX; Case Starr, Beth & Charles Starr, Cade Starr, Elkhart, TX; Bentley Ruff, Hunter Granite Sales; Hayden Ruff, Hunter Granite Sales (L-R, Front Row): Dylan Turpin, Bicknell Supply Company; Jack Worley & Carter Worley, Marshall, TX. (L-R, Back Row): Henry Hallman, Wills Point, TX; Leslie Turpin, Bicknell Supply Cmpany; Gine & J. Worley, Marshall, TX; DeeAnn & John Fitch, Mt. Pleasant, TX; Cade Starr, Elkhart, TX; Ryan Fitch, Mt. Pleasant, TX (L-R): Page Turpin, Amite, LA; Ronnie Brown, Miles Supply Company; Ryan Worthington, Arlington, TX (L-R): Melissa Rodrique, Gonzales, LA; Tony & Emily Watson, College Station, TX; Ross, Lily, & Amy Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc.; Jason Campbell, Provencal, LA; Lynette & Lynn Oubre, New Iberia, LA; Dody Campbell, Provencal, TX (L-R): Ian & Page Turpin, Amite, LA; Ryan Kilby, Ada, OK; Ronnie Brown, Miles Supply Company; Ryan Worthington, Arlington, TX; Jon Anderson, ADA, OK; Matt Worthington, Arlington, TX; Duff Morrow, Waxahachie, TX ICCFA Annual Convention & Expo Nashville, TN (L-R): Jason Storm, Mike Fernandez, Kelly Storm; Design Mart, LLC (L-R): Sanford Butler, Bob Paul; Eagle Granite Company (L-R): Tim Bronleewe, George Arnold; Glass Art Imaging (L-R): Mark Crook, Brady Turner; Miles Supply Company In our previous issue, we incorrectly identified attendees at the Monument Builders of North America convention. The corrected photos are below. We apologize for the error. (L-R): Anita Nelson, St. Joseph, MO; Leslie Wolsleben, Fremont, NE; Bob Nelson, St. Joseph, MO; Matt Worthington, Ft. Worth, TX; Elaine & Tom Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc; Linda Abramson, Keystone Memorials, Inc.; Chris & Alicia St. John, Jackson, MI; George Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc; Laura Hernandez, Keystone Memorials, Inc; Eric Zabel, Manitowoc, WI (L-R, Front): Brent Holt, Keystone Memorials, Inc; Ronnie, Mona, & Melissa Rodrique, Gonzales, LA; Steve Ryan, Peebles, OH, Laura Hernandez, Keystone Memorials, Inc. (L-R, Rear): Amy & Ross Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc; Reid & Lisa Mudgett, Zanesville, OH 2017 ANNUAL MEETING Outgoing President of the Board of Trustees, Trudy King, (King’s Monument Company) delivers her remarks to the attendees. Executive Vice President Chris Kubas presents an overview of 2016 events and a look forward to 2017. Board of Trustees Treasurer George Oglesby of Keystone Memorials reports on the financial status of the Association. Executive Assistant to the Vice President Matthew Pruitt delivers a memorial for members who passed away in 2016. Tom Oglesby of Keystone Memorials presents outgoing Board President Trudy King (King’s Monument Company) with a commemorative plaque. Matthew Pruitt and Chris Kubas display New Member plaques for Tri Star USA and Broad River Quarries. Tom Evans, Sr. A memorial service for Tom Evans, Sr. 85, of Clarkesville, GA, formerly of Elberton, was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville on Sunday, July 16th. Mr. Evans died Thursday, July 13th. Tom was born on May 23, 1932 in Lupton City, TN to Eva Curtis and William ‘Slim’ Evans. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Ray Evans and his stepson, John Upchurch. Tom served his country in the Navy during the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee with a Master’s Degree in Geology. Tom was a geologist who spent his life in the stone business. Tom was involved in his church and community. He was a co-founder of Evanswinn Company in Elberton, Georgia. He was chair of the Elbert County School Board for many years. He was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville. He was instrumental in starting the Sister City program between Elberton, Georgia and Mure-cho, Japan. This year the program celebrates its 35th anniversary this October – one of the longest active programs in the U.S. between a U.S. city and a Japanese city. Tom loved his family. Survivors include his wife, Tina Courson Evans, son and daughter-in-law, Tom Jr. and Valerie Evans of Elberton, daughter, Beth Evans and Tom Tedrow of Snellville, GA, Bill Evans of Atlanta, GA, and step daughter-in-law, Carey Upchurch of Cumming, GA, sister, Betty Evans Allmon of Hixson, TN, sister-in-law, Beth Courson Kraps and Kent of Watkinsville, GA. Tom was blessed with 7 grandchildren – Thomas Evans, Jessie Evans, Kate Evans, Libby Evans, Evan Tedrow, Courson Upchurch and Caitlin Upchurch. The family requests that memorials in honor of Tom be given to First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville (PO Box 354 Clarkesville, GA 30523) or to the Sister City Program, Elberton (Elberton Sister City Committee,1628 Melody Lane, Elberton, GA 30635). Tom is fondly remembered by many Japanese students, several of whom had known him most of their lives. “He was so great [a] person. He was so kind to me since we met when I was a little girl”, remembers Sayoko Kagawa, a participant in the Sister City program. “I felt he was like my grandpa across abroad.” John Edwards Willis Mr. John Edwards Willis, 87, of Elberton, GA went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 11, 2017. He was the son of the late Haney E. Willis and Minnie Lee Carlton Willis. He was preceded in death by his brother Donald J. Willis, his sister Ms. Sara Thomas Willis Whidby, and his grandson Matthew Evans. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Dolly Jeanette Shaw Willis of the home; his son Jeffrey John Willis and wife Trisha and their children Jonathan Willis, Jordan Willis and Anna Willis of Elberton, GA; his daughter Donna Kay Willis Brown and husband David of Mansfield, TX and her children, Kristin Alvarado (Homero), Marc Evans (Shelby) and Tyler Evans (Lynne); and great-grandchildren Gabriel, Nicholas, and Sophia Alvarado; McKenzie and Maddox Evans; Maggie and John Evans. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was devoted to the churches he attended and showed this through serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He served his country in the United States Army where he was stationed in Korea. Upon returning home he began a long career in the granite industry starting out as a big mill polisher and obtained the reputation of creating the “perfect shine”. Later in life he started his own business, Willis Granite Company, achieving a name for honesty and dependability. Over 35 years later the company is still in business under the direction of his son Jeff. In addition to work and business John had a love of fixing anything, riding the lawn mower with his grandchildren and creating a fabulous meal for all his family. He would always give you a smile, he could make you laugh in his own special way, and he will be greatly missed. Hugh Dorsey Wilhite Mr. Hugh Dorsey Wilhite, 79, of W. Church Street, Elberton, finished his course in faith on Thursday, June 22, 2017, just one day after celebrating 60 years of marriage to his beloved bride, Kathryn. Mr. Wilhite was born in Hart County on April 20, 1938, son of the late Lloyd Alton Wilhite and Janie Mae McCurley Wilhite. He, along with his brothers Poo-Pup and Joseph, owned and operated Wilhite Brothers Granite Company for many years. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church and a charter member of Elbert County Rescue Unit. Surviving are his wife, Kathryn Frances Vinson Wilhite; daughter, Denise and Hueston Mills; siblings and their spouses: Nanci Brown, Jimmy and Deanie Wilhite, and Eddy and Kay Wilhite; sisters-in-law, Donna Wilhite and Debby and Pete Haynes; grandchildren: Derek Mills and Brock Mills; great-grandson, Brantley Mills; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Gregory Hugh Wilhite; brothers: Alton “Poo-Pup” Wilhite and Joseph Wilhite; and brother-in-law, Chuck Vinson. The EGA’s website has a database of our Graniteers, all the way back to the first issue from 1957. You can find this wonderful archive at www.egaonline.com/ graniteer-magazine. Using the search feature, you can locate specific issues and content. Check back every quarter to see our EGA Members Elect New Board of Trustees Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Front Row (L-R): Randy Smith, Central Granite Company, Inc.; Rose Walker, Treasurer, Walker Granite Company, Inc.; Greg Ruff, River Edge Granite Company, Inc. Middle Row (L-R): Jim Welch, Welch’s Granite Company, Inc.; Roger Wallace, Vice President, Wallace Granite Sales; Jerry King, King’s Monument Company, Inc. Back Row (L-R): Mark Hill, Hillcrest Granite Company, Inc.; Rick Adams, Star Granite & Bronze; George Oglesby, President, Keystone Granite Company, Inc.; Chris Kubas, Executive Vice President, Elberton Granite Association most recent issue.