Summer 2018 Graniteer

Volume: 
62
Number: 
2
Page: 
Search Text: 
Downtown Display Southern Monument Builders Association SMBA, PNMBA California Monument Association CMA Convention Camera Notes from the Executive V.P. f you are a business owner, no matter what type of service or product that you provide, then you are in competition with other companies. The same is true for all of the members of Elberton Granite Association. With Elberton being the “Granite Capital of the World”, there are over 100 companies in our area that are engaged in some phase of granite manufacturing or quarrying or the firm provides a service for the granite industry. With so many firms involved in the same type of work, you would think that competition would be fierce and there would be little cooperation between companies. However, the great thing about our Association is that there is nothing further from the truth. Our members work together as a team. If they didn’t, our Association wouldn’t exist. They are all willing to work together for the good of the industry. To see examples of this teamwork, you can look at past issues of this magazine and flip through the pages to see countless memorials that were produced by several companies performing a specific part of the production and work. You can also see memorial parks where several members have come together and have donated portions of the work to improve the community. This is nothing new. Our Association has operated this way for generations. The perfect example of this was displayed in 1992 with the creation and donation of the Veterans Memorial Spire now standing at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Over 20 Elberton Granite Association members came together for this monument and worked as a united team. If one member is given a specific job and they know that another member has a particular strength in a portion or part of that job, they do not hesitate to reach out to that member and shoulder up alongside them to get the job done. Yes, teamwork. Teamwork takes our Association to a level above and beyond what one would imagine. It is all for the benefit and overall good of the industry and its customers. We are fortunate to have this type of teamwork and cooperation among our members. So remember, there has to be some competition among companies that are involved in the same type of business, but there also has to be a balance of teamwork also. I, for one, am proud to be a part of such a great group of people that make this concept work in not only their companies, but in their lives. Memorial to Fallen Educators Created By Welch’s Granite in 2013 Recognized As A National Memorial Welch’s Granite Company worked tirelessly in 2013 to create the granite pieces of this memorial plaza that is located on Emporia State University near a one-room schoolhouse at the north end of campus. The pieces consisted of two absolute black granite pieces shaped like open books holding the names of men and women who gave their lives in the efforts of educating or working with children in the school systems across America. The books were originally inscribed with 113 names from 36 different states. There are two benches with a granite piece in the shape of an apple attached along with a tall slant with donor names engraved. As of June 2016, there were 117 names engraved and the total is growing more and more. Following President Trump signing the bill recognizing the Memorial to Fallen Educators as a national site, Emporia State University and the National Teachers Hall of Fame decided to add 10 more names to the memorial. These names include the names of teachers and staff members from Parkland, Florida and Santa Fe, Texas, victims of recent school shootings. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) with bipartisan support from representatives and senators from 20 different states. President Donald Trump has signed legislation championed by Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Roger Marshall to give the facility national designation. Emporia State University and the National Teachers Hall of Fame had advocated for this designation because the memorial is the only one of its kind to honor teachers, administrators and support staffers who have died shielding students from all forms of harm. Star Granite & Bronze Announces The Retirement of Their General Manager, Randall Moore After serving Star Granite & Bronze for twenty-six years, Randall Moore recently retired from the company. Randall worked at Star in the capacity of General Manager and was instrumental in the growth of the company. In a luncheon given in his honor, Rusty Adams thanked Randall for his many years of service and dedication to the company. Rusty and Randall, as well as their wives Cindy and Ann, have been close friends since their early high school years. Mr. Adams said, “Our friendship is what we value the most as we have raised our families together and worked together. We have many fond memories that we will always cherish.” Randall has always been an avid fisherman, so now we hope he has more time to enjoy his favorite hobby! Everyone at Star Granite and Bronze/Matthews International wishes Randall and Ann the very best in their retirement. New Forklift at Johnson Machine Shop Johnson Machine Shop retired their forklift after 40 years and purchased this brand new Doosan 6,000 lb. capacity. This forklift was designed to minimize downtime and reduce overall operational costs. This model was built with dual wheel and a 3.3 liter diesel engine. The optimized engine is also designed with CAE techniques to provide low noise. The operator’s station has been designed to enhance the long hours of operation. The rubber floor mat reduces noise and vibration for the operator’s comfort. The pedal system is designed for minimal operator effort and provides better control with spacious foot room for the driver. The Elberton Granite Association is excited to welcome two new quarries to our membership. Sterling Gray Quarries, LLC (shown above) and Pink Pearl Quarry, LLC (shown below) are owned by Rusty Adams. Rusty has owned Sterling Gray Quarries, LLC since 2013 and Pink Pearl Quarry, LLC since 1980. They both became members February of 2018. The 2018 Elberton Granite Association Annual Meeting Each year the members of the Elberton Granite Association meet for an evening of business, mingling, reflection and eating. The meeting was held June 13, 2018 at the Elberton Civic Center. As the members entered the banquet room, the EGA welcoming committee handed them their packets containing the information that would be discussed along with their ballots to be used for the voting later to come. The meeting was called to order and roll call of membership was called by President George Oglesby of Keystone Memorials, Inc. Following this, Vice President Roger Wallace of Wallace Granite Sales performed the memorial service for the members and former members that we lost throughout the last year. Three new board members were voted in while three others stepped down. Elberton Granite Association would like to thank Mark Hill of Hillcrest Granite Company, Rose Walker of Walker Granite Company and Jim Welch of Welch’s Granite Company for their three years of dedication to the Board. We would also like to welcome Nick Fleischer of Eagle Granite Company, Stanley Mills of L & M Granite Company and Marty Walker of Walker Granite Company. The meeting continued with welcoming of new members that were present; Travis and Mendy Christian of Travco Metal Works, Eddy Higginbotham of Memorial Art and Greg Gunter of Matthews International. Roger Wallace of Wallace Granite Sales took a few moments to list the names of 14 members of the association that passed away this past year. A moment of silence was spent as a candle was lit in their honor. It is important to remember those we lost and to continue to improve life as best we can in their stead. It is the hard work of those before us that help us to move forward in today’s world. Listed Alphabetically Mark Carrington, Blue Steel Quarry (Former Member) Joyce Edwards, J & L Enterprises, Inc. R. L. Erwin, Erwin Granite Company (Former Member) Tom Evans Sr., EvansWinn International William C. “Bill” Fox, Henry & Henry Mike Herndon, Herndon Granite Company (Former Member) E.G. Higginbotham, United Granite Company (Former Member) Calvin Hill, Hillcrest Granite Company (Past EGA Trustee) Jerry King, King’s Monument Company (Past EGA President) Thomas Mercer, AGM Memorials (Former Member) Jimmy Parham, Jim Parham Originals (Former Member) Randy Peppers, Veribest Blue Quarries (Former Member) Priscilla Broadwell Smith, Elberton Sheet Metal Works (Former Member) Hugh Wilhite, Wilhite Brothers Granite Company (Former Member) Johnson Machine Shop Designs & Builds New Gantry Diamond Saw In only a three month time-frame, Johnson Machine Shop, Inc. has designed and built a new gantry diamond saw. The saw is fed by a motorized heavy duty conveyor that measures 20’ long and 36” wide. The conveyor and gantry has an AC variable speed for controlled production. It has a motorized tilt arbor to cut angles and a cordless remote control push button station. Raise & Lower, Forward & Reverse, Left & Right along with Start Arbor can all be found on the cordless controller. The saw also has a laser light to assist lining the stone where it needs to be and runs off of a 15 hp motor. This saw was designed and fabricated for Old Castle Architectural, Inc. out of Texas to saw precast cement blocks. The use of this gantry diamond saw will increase production by a large margin. Keystone Memorials, Inc. is responsible for the creation of this stunning monument commemorating the late Ernie Banks. This monument was created for Gast Monuments, a generations-old Chicago company using Colonial Rose granite with a steeled finish. The Ernie Banks memorial can be found in one of Chicago’s finest hidden treasures, Graceland Cemetery where many prominent Chicago figures are laid to rest. Graceland Cemetery is only a half-mile north of Wrigley Field where so much of Ernie Banks’ career was spent. Mr. Banks’ monument stands tall and encompasses the old-time “take me out to the ball park” feel that defined the life of the man it was made for. In the world of memorials, detail is everything and this monument lacks nothing in detail. Sitting atop the monument is a baseball base along with a ball and glove. The detail of this carving is so defined that even the threads of the baseball and leather straps of the glove are well seen. All four sides of this memorial are covered with achievements, awards and facts of Ernie Banks’ life. The front of the monument features the infamous baseball pose of Ernie Banks holding his bat carved perfectly using bas-relief. The right side shows a panel with the popular nickname “Mr. Cub” along with showing the lifelong stats of notorious Ernie Banks. The back of the monument shows two bats crossed with a ball and Ernie’s retired number in bas-relief along with one of Ernie’s favorite sayings. The back face of the monument notes Mr. Banks’ being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama. All parties took such care with this project involved. Gast Monuments worked endlessly with Mr. Banks’ family to ensure that his final memorial was a tribute worthy of such a man. The baseball glove on top is a replica of Ernie Bank’s actual glove that he wore. Ross Oglesby of Keystone Memorials, Inc. was able to use a 3D scanner to scan the glove, an actual 1950’s base and the Louisville Slugger baseball bat. He then used those 3D scans with his 5-Axis CNC Shapemill to carve the different elements on the monument pieces. Ross took a trip to Chicago to visit the Chicago Hall of Fame so that he could scan the actual Medal of Freedom that Mr. Banks was awarded. Tucked against the dense tree-line behind Dewy Rose Baptist Church is this beautiful memorial done by River Edge Granite Company. This monument is made from Flash Black Granite and fully covered in a special laser etched scene. The laser etching highlights a pair of deer by a stream and cabin quaintly situated against the base of a mountain ridge. The family name is sandblasted between the foliage of the trees and again on the back of the stone. The special base has a sleek polished bevel front with a rock pitched nose. To make the monument extra special, a flower base is placed directly in front of the base and tablet with a core hole drilled out for a flower vase to sit. The site is outlined by coping with a polished top. The coping is sawn on the inside panels and rock pitched on the outside. At the foot of the site is a step with the family name sandblasted. This beautiful monument was created by Dixie Granite Company for North Carolina Marble & Granite Co. in Clinton, North Carolina. Featuring an array of textures and shades, this monument certainly stands out amongst the crowd with a unique and prominent presence. This intriguing and dynamic monument was tooled by Keystone Memorials, Inc. for Watson Signs & Memorials out of College Station, Texas. This unique memorial was made from Keystone Blue granite and created in the memory of a Master Bladesmith. The original design was fashioned with a completed anvil but as Mr. Ray passed away rather suddenly, Tony Watson, President and Memorial Artist of Watson Signs & Memorials suggested to leave the anvil carved but unfinished to symbolize Mr. Ray’s fast and untimely passing. The anvil was carved so true to life that even the inscription matches what one would see on an anvil. The sword lodged in the top of the anvil is an exact replica of the first sword that Mr. Ray’s made. Ross Oglesby of Keystone Memorials, Inc. used their 5-Axis CNC Shapemill to carve the anvil merging from the granite rock. The pedestal cap is steeled on the top with rock pitch on the edges. Another unique twist to this creative memorial is that the pedestal part of the monument was created by stacking shaped grass markers to give the appearance of stacked bricks and is hollow to allow for storeage of cremains. Welch’s Granite Company and Jenson Etching worked together to create this fantastic monument for Bluegrass Monuments in Franklin, KY. Frederick and Deborah Gilbert stated “Through our grief, we struggled to put together a monument that would be a tribute to his life, but also celebrate his loving relationship with his daughter. Through many months, and ideas tossed around with Betty Bailey from Bluegrass Monuments, we were able to put together what you see.” Welch’s Granite, Jenson Etching and Bluegrass Monuments worked tirelessly to ensure that this monument was exactly what the Gilberts would need to honor their son’s life and they did a magnificent job. The monument is made from Absolute Black granite and stands 5’ 6” tall. The photograph, etched by Jenson, was created by them by merging two photographs together. “The realism is stunning, and so detailed, I see the tenderness of our boy when I look into his eyes,” stated Frederick and Deborah Gilbert, Michael’s parents. This family monument is all polished and consists of 4 pieces. The base has a 2” polished margin with the balance being rock pitched. Jerry & Terry Bailey of Bluegrass Monuments erected the memorial in Woodburn Cemetery in Woodburn, Kentucky. Keystone Memorials, Inc. created this family estate memorial for Weiss Monument Works in Belleville, Illinois. Made from Medium Barre granite, this memorial stands out amongst the crowd. The cap is all steeled with raised carving on the top and around all four sides. The tablet is steeled with concave faces with carved raised lettering in full relief for the family name. The sub base continues the concave sides and has nosing along the bottom. The base is all steeled and features a 3” drop wash. Ten slants are placed around the family monument. Each slant has a polished face and rounded edge along the top. Scrolls are carved on each end. This beautiful monument was done by Dixie Granite Company using their Dixie Blue Granite. From the cap to the base, this monument demonstrates class. The sloped cap flawlessly flows into the freeze with an ogee and rounded member. The freeze features raised apple blossoms carved by Elberton’s own, Steve Mooney on the front and the back. The tablet and sub base display raised letters flowing into the base with a drop wash and 2” polished margin and brp. This monument can be found in Rich Hill Cemetery, Liberty, Kentucky. This magnificent Veterans monument was created and erected by Matthews Granite, one of Elberton Granite Association’s newest members. This monument began as a dream for a local Veteran of Williston Florida. This citizen approached the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and petitioned for a monument to honor men and women who served their country in the services. He stated “We signed a blank check to Uncle Sam to fight for freedom and democracy.” The request was approved and they began fundraising to bring the memorial to life. Once funds were raised the CRA reached out to Matthews Granite and sales representative, Jeremy Owens began working to get the design for the Veterans Memorial just right. After a decade of planning, fundraising, designing and constructing, the Veterans Memorial was completed. The dedication ceremony was on May 19th, 2018, Armed Services Day in Heritage Park of Williston, Florida. The monument is 5 sided in the shape of a pentagon. Each side features 1 bronze medallion 3 foot in diameter for each branch of the armed services, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The top of the base features 5 core holes to sit potted plants in. The entire monument is polished and made from granite quarried in Elberton, Georgia. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. There is an unmatched Honor to be given to men and women who hold this award. Majestic Granite Company along with O.T. Davis Monument Company did a superb job demonstrating that with this Purple Heart monument located in Gainesville, Florida. This monument was unveiled on Sunday, August 6, 2017. This monument was designed and created by Pyramid Materials. It will serve as the sign for Lanes Creek Alpacas in Marshville, North Carolina. The front of the sign is polished with the company’s logo sandblasted and painted with black lithochrome. The sides of the monument were left with a rock pitch to give it the natural stone look while the back is sawn. Coverings 2018 featured a unique addition to its agenda. It offered a Women and Stone Tour. Women were encouraged to spend some time with several vendors to allow a demonstration of new product and capabilities. Mark Crook and Eric Chaloux of Miles Supply are shown to the left discussing the capabilities of diamond blades and tooling. William C. “Bill” Fox, 83, of Marion, KY. died Sunday April 29, 2018 at Crittenden Health Systems. He was a member and Deacon of Marion Baptist Church, multiple Past Master of Bigham Lodge No. 256, owner of Henry and Henry Monument Company and Chairman of the Marion Cemetery Association for many years. Bill was an EGA member since 1992 with Henry & Henry Trucking located in Elberton, Georgia. Henry & Henry Trucking was begun in 1971. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Joan Henry Fox of Marion, KY.; daughter, Dianne (Virgil) Newcom of Marion, KY.; son, Wm. A. “Billy” (Charlotte) Fox of Marion, KY.; grandchildren, Perry (Tina) Newcom of Marion, KY., Angie (Randy) Head of Henderson, KY., Julia (Tim) Dean of Ithaca, N.Y., Mandy (Kent) Curnel of Marion, KY. and Abby Fox of Marion, KY.; 7 great grandchildren, 1 great great granddaughter; brother, Jimmy (Jennifer) Fox of Paducah, KY.; sister, Elizabeth Campbell of Kissimmee, FL. and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Collin Fox and Edith Winters Fox Russell; brothers, Tommy and Doug Fox and sister, Lois Hicks. Bill was warmly thought of and well known throughout the granite industry and EGA family. He is missed immeasurably. Mrs. Priscilla Broadwell Smith, 71, of Elberton, wife of the late J.A. “Smitty” Smith, Jr., entered into rest on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Smith was born in Anderson, SC on October 25, 1946, daughter of the late Marvin Leroy Broadwell and Dorothy Mae Dewberry Broadwell. She was the former owner of Elberton Sheet Metal Works and was currently employed with her son at A.Q. Stone. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church and a former member of the Elberton Granite Association. “Grannie” was happiest when with her grandchildren, at the beach, or working in her flower gardens. She loved hummingbirds and was an excessive collector of McDonald’s Happy Meal toys. Survivors include her children: Adam Quinn Floyd and his wife Tammy and Jerrie Marie Floyd, all of Elberton; grandchildren: Rachel Nicole Floyd and Cruz Floyd; step-granddaughters: Toni “Boozie” Evans and her husband Josh and Erica Burden; seven step-great-grandchildren; and special friends: Donnie and Harriet Haston, Jean Floyd, Lynn Jones, and Revonda Sartain. Mr. Ezra Calvin Hill passed away and gained his Heavenly home Wednesday, May 16, 2018. A native of Elbert County, Mr. Hill was one of eleven children of Jim W. and Annie Vaughn Hill. He was a faithful member of Bethel E Baptist Church where he had served as Deacon for many years. He loved his church and loved working in the church. Calvin also loved the outdoors and spent much time farming. Mr. Hill was a veteran on the United States Army Medical Corps. In addition to Calvin’s many devotions throughout his church, family and community, he was also devoted to the granite industry where he served on the board of the Elberton Granite Association for multiple years throughout his membership. Calvin became a member at the EGA in 1982 shortly after he founded Hillcrest Granite Company alongside his wife Nita. Calvin’s presence is greatly missed in the granite industry and the EGA family. Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Russell Hill, and seven brothers and two sisters. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Juanita “Nita” Brown Hill; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Monica Hill; daughter and son-in-law, Patsy and Andy Johnson; five grandchildren, Mylie Hill, McKay Hill, Max Hill, Bentz Johnson and his wife, Jillian and Bain Johnson; and one great grandson, Sawyer Johnson, all of Elberton; one sister, Margaret Nelms, of Flowery Branch, GA. (L-R) George Oglesby, Keystone Memorials, Inc.; John Scott, Beaumont, TX; Sue and Dody Campbell, Provencal, LA; Emily & Tony Watson with children Kylie & James Watson, College Station, TX; Matt & Ryan Worthington, Arlington, TX; Jason Campbell, Provencal,LA and Dave Pace, Brookhaven, MS (L-R) Susan Kubas, Elberton, GA; Matt & Ryan Worthington, Arlington, TX; Tanner Lewis, Porcelains Unlimited LLC and Lee & Dana Richard, Sulphur LA (L-R) Trevor & Tabitha Temple, Doug & Mary Russell, Lufkin, TX; Charles & Beth Starr, Elkhart, TX; Ronnie Brown, Miles Supply of Elberton; Ryan & Matt Worthington, Arlington, TX and Dave Pace, Brookhaven, MS (L-R) Mike & Pat Rutherford, Pyramid Stone Industries; Jonathan, Michael, Breanna and Ayden Evans, Pyramid Materials, Inc.; Bo & Amanda Ruterford, Pyramid Stone Industries; and Steven & Cyndi Frawley, New Iberia, LA (L-R) Beth Starr, Elkhart, TX; Mary Russell, Lufkin, TX; Case, Charles, Cade & Cale Starr, Elkhart, TX; Hunter Douglas, Elkhart, TX; Holten Ruff & Mckenna Comstock, Hunter Granite Sales, Inc.; Doug Russell, Lufkin, TX; Gloria Matthews, Sulphur Springs, TX; Phillip Bennett, Brownwood, TX, Christina Blumerich, Bentley and Hayden Ruff, Hunter Granite Sales, Inc. (L-R) Matt & Ryan Worthington, Arlington, TX; Billy & Charlotte Fox, and Kristen & Ryan Albertson of Henry & Henry, Inc. (L-R) Lindsey, Brandon & Henry Hallman, Wills Point, TX; Bobby & Ginger Landry, Amite LA and Leslie & Dylan Turpin of Bicknell Supply Company (L-R) Andrew & Sherrie McLennan,Hayward, CA; Evan Storrs, Miles Supply and David McLennan, Hayward, CA (L-R) Adriano Soso, Daniele Dalla Costa and Marco Meggiorin of Italdiamant USA, Inc. Coverings 2018 featured a unique addition to its agenda. It offered a Women and Stone Tour. Women were encouraged to spend some time with several vendors to allow a demonstration of new product and capabilities. Mark Crook and Eric Chaloux of Miles Supply are shown to the left discussing the capabilities of diamond blades and tooling. Coverings PNMBA SMBA
Date: 
SUMMER 2018
Year: 
2 018
Season: 
SUMMER
Description: 
GRANITEER SUMMER 2018