FALL 2006 GRANITEER MEMORIAL HONORS POLICE OFFICERS WHO GAVE ALL This is the second of a three-part story on the development of the ELBERTON GRANITEER in recognition of its 50th year of publication. A New Team for the GRANITEER. Through the 1970-80's the GRANITEER grew in circulation, telling "the Elberton Story" in a growing number of foreign markets. It was 1990 when the responsibility for publishing the GRANITEER was turned over to a new team. The team saw both challenge and opportunity in this assignment. The challenge was to attempt to improve on a publication that had established credibility and appeal within the stone industry. But the lure of new opportunities was greater than any feeling of apprehension. We want the GRANITEER to always reflect the dynamic and progressive attitudes of the men and women who are the Association. It is their story we want to tell. The new team had the advantage of working on the magazine as it developed. Hudson Cone, a former newspaper editor before joining E.G.A., had been working with the magazine since 1974. Collecting news and taking photographs and writing the copy, he brought good journalism experience to the team. Another key member was Tommy Baggett who had been helping A.C. Castleberry of Tucker/Castleberry Printing Company in Atlanta, with the magazine for a number of years. Mr. Baggett's experience and knowledge of design, style, photo reproduction, and many technical aspects of getting the magazine published has been invaluable. The third member of the new team was its current Editor, Tom Robinson. He worked closely with Bill Kelly for ten years before being charged with the full responsibility for the magazine. Soon the Graniteer team will be calling a new member. E.G.A. is excited about John Pence joining our staff as the Director of our Advertising and Promotion. We invite everyone to "Meet John Pence" in the story below. The team, of the 70's through the present, established a number of specific goals, many of which have been reached, some still remain; "the perfect issue" is yet to be published. However, "the new team" made significant changes in the style of the magazine, its layout and increased use of color. The mission of the team remains the same, tell "the Elberton Story". We recognize there are many ways to send that message and the team will always be looking at those options and their possible application to the GRANITEER. MEET JOHN PENCE As many of you know, E.G.A.'s Advertising and Promotions Director, Hudson Cone, retired this September. After a long search, the Association has found someone to take on the challenges of the position. Please join us in welcoming John Pence, who joined the staff in August. John comes from a background in publishing, marketing, and public relations, and will use these skills to help update the Association's pro motional materials and ads, and in producing the Graniteer. He will also be out and about, meeting members, collecting news for future issues of the Graniteer, and attending industry events. E.G.A. 's Executive Vice President Tom Robinson said, "John will be a real asset to our Association. He is extremely qualified for the responsibilities as Director of E.G.A.'s advertising and promotion activities. We are fortunate to have someone with John's experience join our E.G.A. staff". A native Virginian, John graduated from the University of Virginia in 1994. His wife Shelley is a professor at the University of Georgia, and they have one son. Please feel free to call or email pence elberton.net. TRUSTEES NAME NEW OFFICERS TO LEAD E.G.A. FOR 2006-2007 YEAR. ELBERTON GRANITE ASSOCIATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 2006-2007 Front row, left to right, E.G.A. President John Mclanahan, ELBERTON GRANITE INDUSTRIES; Vice President, John Campbell, DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY; second row, Gregory Ruff, RIVER EDGE GRANITE COMPANY; David Giannoni, ROME GRANITE; Randy Smith, CENTRAL GRANITE COMPANY, third row, E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson; Marty Walker, WALKER GRANITE COMPANY; Jim Boyd, BOY D GRANITE COMPANY; and George Oglesby, KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY. Not pictured: Mark Hill, HILLCREST GRANITE COMPANY. The E.G.A. Board of Trustees continues to choose proven, experienced leaders to head the nation’s largest Monument Industry trade association. Meeting to elect 2006-2007 officers on July 24, the Board named John McLanahan of ELBERTON GRANITE INDUSTRIES, INC., as President. He succeeds George T. Oglesby III of KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., as President. Other new officers are John Campbell of DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Vice President; Marty Walker, WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Treasurer; and Thomas A "Tom" Robinson, CM, Secretary and Executive Vice President. Mr. McLanahan served successive terms as E.G.A President from 2000 to 2002. Mr. Walker served two terms as President in 1989-1990. Mr. Campbell served as the 1999-2000 President. Fourth Generation Mr. McLanahan is a fourth-generation member of an Elberton Granite Industry pioneer family. He succeeded his grandfather, the late Clarence McLanahan, as director of operations for a number of Elberton area granite companies. He cur­rently directs operations at the "High­point Blue Granite" Quarry, which is involved in a massive expansion program. The election of new officers followed the June 21 E.G.A. Annual Meeting at which three new Board members were selected by the membership to serve three-year terms. They are Randy Smith, CENTRAL GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Greg Ruff, RIVER EDGE GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; and Marty Walker. Carry-Over Trustees The new Trustees join carry-over Board members David Giannoni, ROME GRANITE, INC.; Mark Hill, HILLCREST GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Jim Boyd, BOYD GRANITE COM­PANY, INC.; John McLanahan, John Campbell, and George Oglesby. Mr. Robinson is completing his sixteenth year as E.G.A. Executive Vice President. He joined the Association managerial staff in 1980 after an outstanding career at both the wholesale and retail levels of the Monument Industry. He is responsible for daily operations, implementing policies and programs, and representing the Association at local, state, and national levels. Outgoing E.G.A. President George T. Oglesby III, left, receives an honorary plaque and gavel from former E.G.A. President Bob Paul for his outstanding service to the organiza­tion. Mr. Oglesby served as President for the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 years. E.G.A. Members Review "A Year of Involvement" At 55th Annual Meeting. Representatives from E.G.A.'s 137 Member-Firms met at the Elberton Civic Center on June 21 for the Association's 55th Annual Membership Meeting. The attendees reviewed the organization's operations for the 2005-2006 year and conducted new business. The theme of the meeting and the voluminous E.G.A. Annual Report was "A Year Of involvement". Executive Vice President Tom Robinson explained that the theme reflected E.G.A.'s programs and activities geared to meet the diverse needs of the Membership. They included a number of internal member services -including several programs to help members deal with the myriad governmental regulations; service to member retail customers; the development of new markets for granite products; involvement in inter-industry relations; and community relations. Mr. Robinson noted that E.G.A.'s self-insured Workers Compensation Program continued to be successful - serving 125 Member-Firms. He also mentioned that as part of the Workers Compensation Program, E.G.A. is working with the Athens Safety Academy, a division of Athens Technical College, to pro­vide courtesy safety inspections to help members comply with Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Graniteer, Museum Recognition Mr. Robinson also recognized that the ELBERTON GRANlTEER was in its 50th year of publication and that the Elberton Granite Museum & Exhibit has been operating 25 years - attracting more than 95,000 visitors. Outgoing President George T. Oglesby III, of KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., thanked the members for their continued support and cooperation making E.G.A.'s operations and many programs successful. He also thanked the E.G.A. staff for their efforts to carry out the organization's policies. Treasurer Rose Walker of WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC., reviewed the Association's finances and reported that the organi­zation is in sound fiscal condition. During the business session, attendees elected three new mem­bers to the E.G.A. Board of Trustees. They are Randy Smith, CENTRAL GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; Greg Ruff, RIVER EDGE GRANITE COMPANY, INC.; and Marty Walker, WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC. New Members Following the election of new Trustees, the member representatives recognized the Association's newest members and those present received their membership plaques. The new members are AMERICAN BLUE GRANITE QUARRY, INC., TWI-LITE BLUE QUARRY, INC., and TYLER GRANITE SALES. Following the business session, the crowd enjoyed the traditional Annual Meeting Cocktail Buffet. The following photographs depict some of the fellowship at what is annually the largest gathering of Elberton Granite Industry personnel. Identifications are from left to right. Treasurer Rose Walker reported on Association finances. Outgoing President George Oglesby thanked the Membership and the E.G.A. staff for their cooperation throughout his administration. Officials from new Member-Firms receiving membership plaques at the Annual Meeting were, left to right, Chris Helms, AMERICAN BLUE GRANITE QUARRY, INC.; Robbie Worley, TWI-LITE BLUE QUARRY, INC., and Louis Tyler, TYLER GRANITE SALES. Mr. & Mrs. William Huguley, NORTH GEORGIA MONUMENT COMPANY, and their son-in-law, Mark Crawford, of NORTH EAST GRANITE QUARRY, INC. Mr. & Mrs. Garland Burton, left, BURTON MONUMENT COMPANY, INC., and Glenda Turner, TURNER GRANITE INTERIORS, LLC. Mr. & Mrs. Chris Helms, AMERICAN BLUE GRANITE QUARRY, INC. George & Patsy Tyler of CENTURY GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Todd Mercer and Melissa Mills of AGM MEMORIALS, INC. John Mitchell, left, SPARTAN TOOL COMPANY, INC., Mike Beri, BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY, and John's wife, Barbara. Mark Hill and his father, Calvin Hill, HILLCREST GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Paul Albertson and son Ryan of HENRY & HENRY, INC. Mr. & Mrs. Louis Tyler, TYLER GRANITE SALES, and Mrs. Tyler's parents, Mrs. Shirley McNeely, GRANITE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, and Walter McNeely, a retired Granite Industry Sales Representative. George Gaines of the E.G.A. staff and Nita Boyd, BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mr. & Mrs. E.O. "Junior" Smith, SMITH BROTHERS MEMORIALS, and Mr. & Mrs. Wilton Slay, TRINITY MACHINE SHOP, INC. Mark Crook & Jim Gulley of MILES SUPPLY OF ELBERTON, and Nick Fleischer, EAGLE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Johnny Burton, his wife, Janet, and brother, Ricky Burton, all of BURTON MONUMENT COMPANY, INC. Pam and Barry Brown, CROWN MACHINES, INC. Keith Harper of HARPER'S QUARRY, INC., David Giannoni, ROME GRANITE, INC., and Tom Oglesby, KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Adams, AMERICAN BLUE GRANITE QUARRY, INC., and son Tyler Adams. Elliott Paul, EAGLE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Bobby Worley, MAJESTIC GRANITE COMPANY. Rose Walker, WALKER GRANITE COMPANY, INC., George Oglesby, KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and Marty Walker of Walker Granite. Allen Herndon and Jim Welch of WELCH'S GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Jim Boyd, BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC., Mark Wallace, WALLACE GRANITE SALES, and Waymon Worley, S & W GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Rhea Wiles, GEORGIA CLASSIC MEMORIALS, INC., and Mr. & Mrs. John Campbell, DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Jaudon of B & B QUARRIES, INC. Rhea Wiles, GEORGIA CLASSIC MEMORIALS, INC., and Mr. & Mrs. John Campbell, DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Dwain Harris and James Turner of BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY and Mr. & Mrs. Barry Anderson of COLONIAL GRANITE MEMORIALS. Mr. & Mrs. Ray Wilson of WILSON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC, INC. Elberton Granite Festival… Hot and Successful. The Annual Granite Festival was held June 10th at the Elber­ton Fair Grounds. The event was well-publicized and attracted visitors from South Carolina, North Carolina and all over Northeast Georgia. There was also a number of people from all over the U.S. who were vacationing in various state parks in the area. The event is jointly sponsored by the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce and the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. E.G.A.'s display included everything someone would want to know about quarrying and finishing granite products. The display was right in the front at the entrance to the exhibits and welcomed visitors to the "Granite Capital of the World". The 40-ft. x 60-ft. area was covered by a white tent that proved to be a welcome shelter from a blistering sun. At E.G.A.'s display were facts about the Industry and its eco­nomic impact on the area as well as facts about the physical properties of granite. The stone products displayed included memorials in a variety of styles, turned vases, sculptures, and specialty items such as mailbox posts, stone pieces for house numbers, bird baths, and other ornamental applications. On display was an impressive 12-ft. diameter, diamond tipped saw blade supplied by NED-KUT. Equally amazing to the visitors was a completely assembled three-crypt, walk-in mausoleum fur­nished by SOUTHERN MAUSOLEUMS, INC. Granite counter tops are showing up everywhere and Baston Monuments and Custom Interiors displayed a number of granite counter top configurations and with different edge treatments. Variety tops as well as samples of the many colors available were also displayed. Stone carving demonstrations by sculptor, AC. Button drew a crowd all day. A busy exhibitor was BASTON MONUMENTS who brought a variety of countertop displays and samples of the colors avail­able. "We had a lot of inquiries and some questions about caring for the granite", said Mike Baston. NED KUT diamond products got the "wow" looks with the firm's massive 12-ft. diameter saw blade on display. The blade is painted with a red, white and blue Americana theme. A trip to see one of Elberton's famed dimension stone quarries was provided by E.G.A. with the help of EAGLE GRANITE COMPANY who opened their Beaver Dam Quarry for the tours. More than 150 people took advantage of the tour in spite of the 100-degree temperatures. Member Support Items that captured a great deal of attention were tours of a local quarry made available by EAGLE GRANITE COMPANY, and a three crypt, walk-in mausoleum provided by SOUTHERN MAUSOLEUMS, INC. The quarry tours were made to the Beaver Dam Quarry located just a few miles from the Fair Grounds. Tours were offered every 45 minutes and the two, 12-passenger vans were filled for every trip. The imposing walk­in mausoleum was an interesting display and lots of questions were asked about how it was made. The E.G.A. display included a massive quarry block and tools used to extract the stone. Video tapes featured the entire quarry and manufacturing process, numerous monuments and ornamental granite products. Visitors could also receive printed information as to the properties and characteristics of Elberton Granite and how it compares with other types of stone. To collect information about the attendees, E.G.A. offered prizes for those registering to guess the number of granite chips inside a large glass jar. The winning guess was made by a former long-time E.G.A. Member, Chester Almond, a partner in Puritan Granite Company. The prize was a floating ball water feature for home or office. The E.G.A. Staff worked at the exhibit throughout the day. They filled helium balloons for the kids of all ages and provided printed materials to those interested in different facets of the industry. "Overall, it was a great day because many people left the festival with a better understanding and appreciation of the Elberton Granite Industry", said E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson. Three generations operate Burton Family Firm. The Garland Burton Family, owners and operators of BURTON MONUMENT COMPANY, INC., are a close­knit group of entrepreneurs in every sense of the word. Garland and his wife, Jerri; their sons, Johnny and Ricky; their grandsons Brad and Blake; and Johnny's wife, Janet, all work at the monument finishing company. The firm's plant facilities are located behind Garland's home near Clark's Junction on the Hartwell Highway three miles north of Elberton. Although Garland has retired, he and Johnny are Co-owners of the company. Jerri is Secretary-Treasurer and keeps books and Janet is Sales Manager. Ricky operates the firm's well­equipped machine shop and has built much of the company's equipment. Johnny's sons, Brad and Blake, work in the plant and are learning all phases of manufacturing. "The fact that so many of us are involved in all phases of monument finishing, from taking the orders right on through the final production, provides the opportunity for more atten­tion to detail and a higher standard of quality," said the com­pany's founder and family patriarch, Garland Burton. "It takes all of us working together, as it has since Johnny and I started this company back in the early 1980's". Community-Minded Family. The men of the family are also very community-minded and have been leaders in Elberton's Philomethea Masonic Lodge and the Eliam United Methodist Church. The church recently recognized the family for their accomplishments as Masons and Shriners. Garland, Johnny, and Ricky are Past Worshipful Masters (Presidents) of the Lodge. Garland is also a past Chief of the Centerville Community Volunteer Fire Department, a post now held by his grandson, Brad. Under Garland and Johnny's management, the company has experienced substantial growth during the past few years. Gar­land worked in the Granite Industry all of his adult life and worked for years at one of Elberton's largest quarrying and monument finishing companies - eventually becoming Foreman. Johnny worked with his father at that company. Garland founded Burton Monument Company in 1981. The original plant had 5,736 sq. ft. of work area and was also a custom sawing and polishing operation. A 3,600 sq. ft. sawing plant was built in 1995. In 2004, a 7,500 sq. ft. plant was constructed in what was formerly a part of the block storage yard and now houses all stone cutting and sandblast engraving operations. Well-Equipped Plant The company has four large automatic diamond block saws with blades ranging from 5 ft., 4 in. to 11 ft., 6 in. in diameter, a gantry-type automatic slab polishing line, new diamond bit coring drill and other equipment necessary for complete monument manufacturing operations. The company primarily markets Georgia Marble and "Ruck­ersville Blue", "Jet Black", "Flash Black", "Ebony Mist", "Morning Rose", "Red Deer Brown" and most other colors of granite marketed in the Elberton area. Johnny's wife, Janet, has numerous years of experience in selling granite and designing monuments and is in charge of sales for the company. In addition to Garland and Johnny's extensive participation in Masonic and other community activities, Jerri is involved in the Rose M. Ashby Order of the Eastern Star organization. Johnny's wife, Janet has been recognized for years as one of the area's most accomplished horse trainers and riders. ANET BURTON Sales Manager Three generations of the Burton family are involved in the family's monument manufacturing operation. They are Garland Burton, his son, Johnny, and Johnny's sons, Brad and Blake. Ricky Burton, Expert Machinist The original Burton Monument Company monument plant. A new 7,500 sq. ft., all-metal monument plant was built in 2004. This is Garland and Jerri Burton's bench-type family memorial - symbolizing their religious faith and involvement in Masonic and Order of the East­ern Star organizations and also the quality of craftsmanship available from the company. Keystone Crafts Magnificent Salute to South Carolina Lawmen. One of Elberton's most magnificent - and complex - memorials was recently fabricated by KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., to honor South Carolina law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The monument, sponsored by the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, is on the scenic grounds of the State Capitol in Columbia. Manufactured from steeled "Topaz Blue Granite" quarried by Keystone, the memorial is composed of numerous large pieces and weighs over 168,000 pounds. "It was a challenging project," said Keystone President Tom Oglesby, "but due to excellent cooperation and everyone pretty much working on the same page, including the personnel in our plant - we produced something that we are all extra proud of. It obviously is for a very worthy purpose." Mr. Oglesby cited retired memorialist Max Dale, Vernon Todd Memorials, Anderson, South Carolina; the noted designer, Bob Young, Canton, Georgia; and Mike Loftis, Anderson, South Car­olina, Executive Director of the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, as key people in the development of the project. Key Elements The key elements in the circular memorial include a center planter formed by a bench-wall and a 14-ft. high column supporting a large American Eagle sculpted in relief. The words "Lest We Forget" and a dedication message are on the column produced by Keystone's computer-controlled turning lathes. The perimeter of the memorial is defined by a I-ft. high wall with caps and five panels 8-ft. long and 6-ft., 4-in. high on which the names of 305 fallen lawmen are engraved. The panels have ridge-shaped caps. The entrance to the circle is framed by two 16-in. high posts with caps. Pie-shaped granite pavers emanate from the center planter to each of the upright perimeter panels. The pavers have a lighter-colored, extra-heavy steeled finish providing Disc and "Thin Blue Line" A unique feature is a 7-ft. diameter granite disc inset in an ellipse at the top of the walkway leading to the memorial. A blue line is formed by narrow glass bricks leading from the disc to the center planter. This represents the "Thin Blue Line" of law enforcement officers which protect society from crime and anarchy. The large, single-piece disc was shaped by Keystone's computer-controlled contour diamond wire saw. The name of the memorial is engraved on the disc. Mr. Oglesby said that in addition to precision-producing the many components, installation was a challenge because the site was situated over a parking garage underneath that portion of the sloping State Capitol grounds. The names of 305 fallen lawmen are engraved on the five large panels on the outside perimeter wall of the memorial. The center planter, formed by a bench-wall, and 14-ft. high column and sculpted eagle, are the centerpieces of the monument. A "Thin Blue Line" of glass bricks leads from the disc identifying the memorial to the center planter and column. The State Capitol is in the background. Specialty Saw Produces Unique Blue Sky Quarry Sign. A unique granite sign was recently produced by high tech equipment to mark the entrance to the BLUE SKY QUARRIES, INC., quarrying and saw plant facilities in Oglethorpe County. "We have one of the more advanced quarrying and sawing operations in North America and we wanted an appropriate sign promoting our product and reflecting our image as a progressive company," said Owner Massoud Besharat. The sign, displayed on the back cover of this issue of the ELBERTON GRANITEER, was designed by Mr. Besharat. It was produced from "Blue Sky Granite" from the company's quarry. The base is a 12-ft. long block of granite and the most unique feature, 3-ft. high letters, were cut from two smaller blocks. The quarry, located off the Hearthstone Road approximately 15 miles south of Elberton, employs modern quarrying methods. Diamond wire saws are used extensively to extract large amounts of granite used mostly for curbing. A computer-controlled contour diamond wire saw at KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., was used to shape the large, intricate, curvilinear letters. The machine was produced by the Granlroc Company of Spain and is marketed in the U.S. by IMEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., also owned by Mr. Besharat. Investing in the Future. E.G.A. Donates $3,500 to Elbert County's "Read at Home” Program. “Giving back to the community is the responsibility of every business. said E.G.A. President George Oglesby as he presented a check for $3,500 to Laura Evans the coordinator for the new "Read at Home Program". This initiative is an attempt to get children interested in reading and better prepared to start school. The Elberton Granite Association recently demonstrated its community support by providing the funds to enroll 100 children in the "Read at Home Program". These children will have a book mailed to their home every month until they are five years old. Faced with staggering statistics about childhood illiteracy, educators are reaching out to pre-school children trying to get them interested in reading before they start school. The first step in helping children get interested in reading, is having quality books to read at home. Research has found that early childhood programs offer the greatest rate of success. In presenting the donation, E.G.A. President George Oglesby praised Community Partnership for their efforts in getting the program up and running. Oglesby said "Today's children are tomorrow's leaders. We must help them be better pre­pared to compete successfully in this global market; we think this is a good investment". E.G.A. Trustees present a donation to Laura Evans from Elbert County Community Partnership and coordinator for the "Read At Home Program". Left to right, front row, George Oglesby, Laura Evans, and John Mclanahan. Second row: Randy Smith, John Campbell, and David Giannoni. Third row: Marty Walker, and Greg P. Ruff. E.G.A. Assistant Director Doy Johnson advises the Japanese visitors about safety and hazards at the Keystone Blue Granite Quarry. The visiting student view the Royal Blue Granite Quarry which formerly shipped large quantities of granite to Japan. Tom Robinson presents gift tote bags to each of the students. The visitors were fascinated by the Georgia Guidestones mystery monument near Elberton. Mrs. Twyla Lovinggood, left and chaperone Mario Seki with the six students in front of the large Elberton Granite Museum sign. Eagle Granite Company President Bob Paul and chaperones Twyla Lovinggood left and Arma Jones guide the students through the Eagle plant where they saw the unique monument production equipment and processes. For the 23rd consecutive year, E.G.A. Member Firms hosted a group of high school students from the Japanese granite-producing center of Mure Cho. The students participated in the annual Sister City Program in which Japanese and Elberton students and chaperones exchange two-week visits. A tour of E.G.A.'s Granite Center and Museum and local granite quarries and monument plants was a highlight for the Japanese visitors. The visiting six students and their chaperone, Mario Seki, toured the huge SWEET CITY QUARRIES, INC. "Royal Blue Granite" and KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. "Keystone Blue Granite" quarries and Keystone's block sawing plant. They then toured the large EAGLE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. monument manufacturing plant and concluded their tour with a visit to the Georgia Guidestones. The group was accompanied by Mrs. Twyla Lovinggood of BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Mrs. Lovinggood and E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson are members of the Sister City Committee which oversees the program locally. She has hosted several of the students and adult visitors in the past and has chaperoned Elbert County Compre­hensive High School students visiting Japan. Granite exporter-importer Tom Evans is the longtime Chairperson of the committee. Get Local Information. E.G.A. treated the visitors and their American hosts to an All American-type luncheon at the Elberton Civic Center. Mr. Robinson welcomed the students and presented each with a gift tote bag containing information and mementoes about the Granite Industry and Elberton. Five local students and a chaperone spent two weeks in Mure Cho prior to the Japanese group's stay in Elberton. The Sister City Program is spon­sored by the Town Affiliation Of The U.S.A., Inc. to promote cultural exchange and peace between nations. E.G.A. has been a major supporter of the program which is one of the nation's longest continual student exchange projects. The fact that both Elberton and Mure Cho are granite producing centers was a major factor in the establishment of the program. Hudson, seated, with some of the E.G.A. Member-Firm representatives at the reception. Cone thanked the members for their support over the years and said they epitomize "the American Free Enterprise System". E.G.A.'s Hudson Cone Retires. Members of the E.G.A. staff, which Hudson, seated, described as "family", pose with the retiree at the reception. Former Executive Vice President Bill Kelly, who spoke, and wife Frances are at right. Hudson Cone, E.G.A.'s Promotions Director and Associate Editor of the ELBERTON GRANITEER, retired on September 29 after 32 years of service with the organization. "It was one heck of a ride," said Cone while reminiscing about his many varied experiences and the growth of E.G.A. into the nation 's largest association of quarriers and granite products producers. "There could not have been a more personally satisfying profession than promoting the Elberton Granite Industry and my involvement with its people," said Cone. "The wide range of activities and personalities - both here in Elberton and in the Monument Industry nation­wide, plus the places I have traveled to, have made my career most enjoyable and rewarding." At a retirement reception at the Elberton Civic Center September 19, E.G.A. Member rep­resentatives, staff colleagues, family, and friends some of them out-of-state retailers - gathered to salute Cone and present gifts and best wishes. Among those paying tribute were E.G.A. President John McLanahan, E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson, and retired Executive Vice President William A. "Bill " Kelly. Thanks, From Officials "On behalf of E.G.A.'s members, I want to thank Hudson for his loyal service," said Mr. McLanahan. "He has been a capable ambassador for the Elberton Granite Industry for many years and has made many friends throughout the country. He has done an excellent job of publicizing the people and activities of E.G.A. Member-Firms. He will be missed." Mr. Robinson commented: "As his employer and working associate, I know of his commitment and loyalty to E.G.A. and all its Members. His 32 years is a long-time, almost unheard-of tenure these days. The GRANITEER has been his passion and he takes great pride in its position as a leader in stone industry publications. He has been a part of momentous changes made to upgrade and modernize the magazine. We thank you Hudson for stick­ing with us and working to tell the Elberton Granite story." Mr. Kelly recalled how he had been through a succession of staffers working on the GRANITEER and in promotions at E.G.A. before he hired Hudson. "We hesitated about running his picture, for we wanted to make sure he would stay. I told him to get the news from our members and not just talk about his beloved Georgia Bulldogs," he humorously added. "I enjoyed working with him and commend him for the many changes he has helped bring about, particularly in modernizing the GRANITEER." Cone responded by thanking Mr. Kelly for "teaching me standards of excellence that have guided me throughout my career." He expressed appreciation to Mr. Robinson for his compas­sion for those who work for him. "Thank you, Tom, for your loyalty, unquestioned integrity, and the example you set." Cone also thanked his colleagues on the E.G.A. staff. "You are like family. You have been there through both the good times and bad times. If there has ever been a group which worked as a team, it is the E.G.A. staff." He also thanked the E.G.A. Members for their support and friendship while facing the constant challenge of surviving in a highly­competitive environment. "You are what the American Free Enterprise System is all about!" He also thanked members of his family "whose unwavering support has been vital. Hudson is awe-struck as he receives a souvenir football from longtime friend and University of Georgia Athletic Association official Barbara Hartman. A congratulatory message was on the ball signed by Coach Mark Richt, former Coach Vince Dooley, and Athletic Director Damon Evans. E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson, center, and President John Mclanahan, right, lead a champagne toast to the retiree, left, at the reception. Hudson makes a "Hook'em Horns" gesture as Monument Builders of 1 the Southwest Secretary Sammie Peters reads a proclamation naming him "an Honorary Texan". MBSW President Mike Brenner, right, heartily approves. The group honored Cone at their recent convention's banquet in Corpus Christi and presented him with several nice gifts. The Mid-America Monument Builders Association extended the E.G.A.’s Happy Hour during their recent meeting in Oklahoma City to. Include a “roast”, testimonials, and gifts for Hudson, seated. The chief “roaster”, Tom Oglesby, standing, of Keystone Memorials, obviously relished recalling some of Cone’s more embarrassing moments. Ownership Changes At Miles Supply Of Elberton. Charlie Martin, President of Miles Supply of Elberton, Inc. announced significant changes in the ownership structure of the E.G.A. Sustaining Member-Firm. "I am very confident in the future of Miles Supply because of the new level of ownership and organization," said Mr. Martin. He will continue as President and his wife, Doris, will remain as Treasurer. Mr. Martin said the ownership and managerial changes include the naming of Mark Crook of Elberton as Vice President and General Operations Manager; the Martin's son, Adam, as Vice President of Marketing & Sales; their son-in-law, Kevin Spaulding, Vice President and Comptroller, and Kevin's wife, Sonya, Vice President of Payroll and Special Projects. Both Adam and Kevin have managed the company's Barre, Vermont, service center for several years. The company was founded in Barre in 1954 and purchased by the Martins in 1985. Mr. Crook was one of the original staff members when Miles Supply opened their Elberton facility in 1989. The company, located on the Hartwell Highway, three miles north of Elberton, has doubled the size of its Elberton operation. The firm also has facilities in Barre, Vermont; Montrose, Pennsylvania; and St. Cloud, Minnesota. The new ownership team at Miles Supply includes, left to right, Kevin Spaulding, Charlie Martin, Mark Crook, Doris Martin and Adam Martin. Elberton Chamber Honors AGM. The Elbert County Chamber of Commerce is continuing to honor E.G.A. Member-Firms for their substantial contributions to the local business community. The latest recogni­tion was the Chamber Community Pride Committee designating AGM MEMO­RIALS, INC., as the Industry Of The Month. The committee makes the selec­tion monthly and a sign noting the designation is placed at the business. Chamber officials visited the AGM facilities on the Hartwell Highway, six miles north of Elberton, and assisted members of the Tom Mercer Family and office staff members with the placement of the sign. Mr. Mercer was a founder of the business and has since retired. His sons now operate the firm. Businesses such as AGM are recog­nized for their general contributions or special activities improving the image of their industry, the county, and the city. Elbert Countians are urged to appreciate and support the firms. "We are honored by this special recognition and proud that our company can con­tribute and give back something to the community. However, any credit should go to our employees," said AGM Presi­dent Todd Mercer. Proudly displaying the Industry Of The Month Sign are, front row, left to right, Susan Davis, Sue Hall, Tricia Comolli, and Tiffany Mercer Fleeman, all of AGM, and Community Pride Committee Chairperson Michael Davis, back row, Chamber Chairperson Jim Loyd, AGM President Todd Mercer, Chamber Chairperson-Elect Steve Howe, Sandy Thornton of AGM, Chamber Committee member Allen Lee, and AGM staffers Alison Reeder and Tracy Mercer. Not pictured, Tom Craft of AGM. Coggins Family Donates Funds For Local Tennis Complex. The children of the late B.F. Coggins, Sr. recently donated $250,000 for construction of tennis facilities at the Elbert County recreation complex, Mc Williams Park. Mr. Coggins' vision and leadership in the 1920s and '30s helped develop the Elberton Granite Industry from infancy to the nation's leading producer of granite products. His children are among Georgia's most generous philanthropists and have made numerous sizeable donations to local institutions and causes. The recent donation from B. Frank Coggins, Jr., of E.G.A. Member GRANITE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, a Division of Coggins Granite Industries, Inc.; his brother, John Coggins; and their sister, Mrs. Anne Coggins DeBorde of Atlanta; prompted local officials to designate the tennis facilities as the B.F. Coggins Sr. Tennis Complex. County Manager Bob Thomas stated: "Because of this very generous gift, the county can honor and acknowledge Mr. Coggins for his contributions to making Elbert County the 'Granite Capital of the World"'. The tennis complex will be a major new addition to the recreation facility used for youth baseball, football, soccer and a planned senior citizens center. 'The tennis facilities will make our park one of the most com­plete recreational parks in Georgia," added Mr. Thomas. The tennis courts will have locker rooms and dressing facilities and will provide local schools and organizations with a first-class facility for tennis lessons and competition, local officials concluded. The Coggins family, left to right, John, Frank, and their sister, Mrs. Anne Coggins DeBorde, in front of a portrait of their late father, B.F. Coggins, Sr., for whom the new county tennis complex will be named. Ross Oglesby Joins Keystone Staff Tom Oglesby, President of KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., announced that his son Ross has joined the quarrying and monument manufacturing firm’s staff. Ross recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Agricultural Economics. Ross has worked at the firm part-time learning all phases of the business since he was 13. He worked during the summer months between school terms and from 12 to 20 hours per week while attending college. He is especially adept in laser etching procedures, monumental design, developing sales and advertising materials, and related activities. He currently works one week per month at the company's "Missouri Red Granite" Quarry near Granite, Missouri. Ross is the third generation of his family to work in the granite business. Ross's grandfa­ther, the late George T. Oglesby who founded Keystone, was a Monument Industry leader and served as the first President of the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. Ross's father has also been a progressive quarrier and monument manufacturer and served several terms as E.G.A. President. The family's granite companies in addition to Keystone Memorials include KEYSTONE GRANITE COMPANY, SOUTHERN MAUSOLEUMS, INC., and quarries in Elbert and Oglethorpe counties in Georgia, and in Missouri and Oklahoma. Mize Sisters Working At Family Firm. Sisters Jennifer and Kelly Mize have joined their parents, Robert Mize III and wife Eva in the operation of their family-owned granite interests. The girls are working part-time in sales and customer relations and doing general office work. The family operates MIZE GRANITE SALES, INC., MIZE GRANITE QUARRIES, INC., APEX-MIZE GRAN­ITE COMPANY, INC., and CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY. Jennifer attended Lanier Technical College at Oakwood, Georgia. Kelly received her high school graduate degree and plans to attend Athens Technical College and study business and paralegal work. The girls are the third generation of their family to work in the Granite Industry. Their late grandfather Robert W. "Bob" Mize founded Mize Granite Sales. Their father later took the reins of the company and substantially expanded his Granite Industry holdings, including the purchase of the Apex and Childs & Childs firms. A leader in the local Granite Industry, he served two terms as President of the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. KELLY, left, and JENNIFER MIZE with their father, ROBERT W. MIZE, Ill. ROSS and TOM OGLESBY. DONNIE BELLEW has been named Plant Foreman and is in charge of all phases of monument finishing operations at the large company. Mr. Bellew was formerly in charge of the Shipping Department. He has over 20 years of experience in granite quarrying and monument manufacturing and is experienced in most aspects of production. A native of Elbert County, he is married and has four children. "We are fortunate to have someone with Donnie's experience and management skills in charge of our plant," said Company President Allen McCannon. "He knows how to deal with people and is a man of integrity," added Mr. Mccannon. WANDA YOUCHIM and MARION BANKS have joined the office sales staff at CENTRAL GRANITE COMPANY, INC. Ms. Youchim is a sister to Central Office Manager Peggy Smith, the wife of Owner Randy Smith. She is from nearby Wilkes County and was formerly General Manager of an industry there. She will be doing general office work as well as sales and customer rela­tions at Central. Mr. Banks is a long-time, well-known Elberton Granite Indus­try sales representative and has worked for some of the area's largest monument manufacturers. He will be involved in sales exclusively at Central. GRANITE CENTER VISITORS. Willie Simmons, second from right, front row, is shown with his son, Bill, during a recent tour of the ELBERTON GRANITE MUSEUM & EXHIBIT. His wife, Annie Lou, is second from right, stand­ing. Mr. Simmons, who founded SUPREME GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and SWEET CITY QUARRIES, INC., is a resident of the Arbor Terrace Retirement Center in nearby Athens and recently treated some of his friends at the center to a tour of the granite production facilities, the Museum, and a luncheon in Elberton. Bill Simmons operates the quarrying company, and his brother, Mike, the monument firm. E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson, left, greets retired Monument Builders of North America Executive Vice President John Dianis and wife Mary to the Granite Center. Mr. and Mrs. Dianis were in Elberton to visit retired E.G.A. Executive Vice President and Mrs. William A. Kelly and other friends in the "Granite Capital". KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. - Modern equipment and ages-old crafts­manship combined to produce this memorial reminiscent of the opulent monu­mental designs of yesteryear. Steve Oliaro, President of Baker Memorials, Inc., Lexington, Missouri, said he duplicated Mr. Gorham's grandfather's monument. The "Wausau Red Granite" memorial includes the family name in polished raised letters on a 1-ft. diameter, turned, granite cylinder. The cylinder is set in a notch carved in the steeled tapered panel atop the tablet. Keystone used hand tooling, a contour diamond wire saw, turning equipment, and sand sculpture techniques to produce the design which includes ornamental curlicues and ovals. The tablet is on a steeled, 1-ft. high, "Barre Gray," base which has a steep drop wash. The monument is in the Lawson, Missouri, Cemetery near Lexington. AGM MEMORIALS, INC. - This exceptional memorial honor one of the State of Texas's most eminent statesmen, the late James Jarrell "Jake" Pickle who served in the U.S. Congress for more than 30 years. Fabricated from "Dakota Mahogany Granite", the memorial fea­tures a bas relief sand sculpture of the U.S. House of Representatives Seal against a bevel on the steeled apex top. The family name is formed by polished raised letters in a recessed panel. The 8- ft. long steeled base has a drop wash, and the sub-base has decorative scotias and rounds. The monument, designed by Brendon Moore and Steve Gilbert of Dietz Memorial Company, Austin, Texas, is in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. Only distinguished citizens or governmental officials are permitted interment there. SUPREME GRANITE COMPANY, INC. - Several elements enhance the appeal of this outstanding memorial. In addition to the family name in distinct Old English lettering and the bas-relief sandsculptured lamp and flame carving on the recessed wing panels, the design exploits the natural beauty of the steeled finish "Royal Blue Granite". The memorial is in the Plum Branch Baptist Church Cemetery near McCormick, South Carolina. It commemorates the late James Frank Freeland, the father of E.G.A. staff member Frankie Dove. WELCH'S GRANITE COMPANY, INC. - This elegant memorial, designed to symbolize the family's ancestry and cultural heritage, required extensive hand tooling. The combination-finish, "Absolute Black Granite" is distinguished by the deep checks with rounds and sandsculpture bracketing the oval top. A Celtic Cross and stylized lettering denotes the family heritage. Both the tablet and base have rounded ends. The monu­ment was erected by Artistic Memorials, LTD., of Perrysburg, Ohio, in the Centerville Cemetery at Swanton, Ohio. OLD SOUTH GRANITE COMPANY - Old South Granite recently fabricated a unique 3-ft. long, "Perennial Blue Granite" memorial commemorating the late Edmond Ansley of Hugo, Oklahoma. For 27 years, he was one of five people traveling the U.S. dressed as "Buster Brown", who with his dog, "Tige", represented Buster Brown children's shoes. Mr. Ansley was 4-ft., 2-in. tall. He died in Texas in 1972 and was buried in Hugo. When Allen Parsons of Allen's Monuments in Ringold, Oklahoma, learned that the grave in Mt. Olivet Cemetery was identified only by a flat marker, he designed a monument shaped like a Buster Brown baby shoe and duplicated a logo from a shoe box. "Once, almost every kid in America knew who Buster Brown was; and it wasn't right for him not to have a nice memorial," concluded Mr. Parsons. DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY, INC. - The talents of Elberton area sculptor A.G. Button are evident in this magnificent memorial erected by Clayton Huff Monuments of Lonedell, Missouri. Clayton Huff, owner of the retail firm, modified a previous Victorian Weeping Seraph design sold by his firm for a family estate lot in Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. The steeled "Barre Gray Granite" memorial is 4-ft. long, 1-ft., 8-in. wide and 6-ft., 2-in. high overall. Mr. Huff said the 1-ft., 8-in. high base had to be large enough for eight individual names and death dates, as per cemetery regulations. A distinguishing feature in addition to the exquisite sculptured detail of the weeping angel is the family name engraved in Old English lettering. CENTURY GRANITE COMPANY, INC. - This "African Jet Black Granite" bench memorial is a design from Century Granite's popular cremation bench brochure previously featured in the GRANITEER. The family name is on the 4-ft. long bench seat. A polished Cross and floral carvings are on the steeled-finish bench support in which two cremation urns are placed. The design has an extra-long, 5-ft., 6-in. base providing space for the vase. The bench is in the Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas. SOUTHERN MAUSOLEUMS, INC. - This impressive, 10-niche, pre-need columbarium is for the cremains of Mrs. Meredith Weirick and her children and their families. Fabricated from polished and steeled "Barre Gray Granite", the 6-ft., 2-in. high design includes Mrs. Weirick's first name engraved on the cap and individual names on the steeled-finish niche doors. Cultured roses are sand sculptured on the vertical wings which taper to bottom nosings. Tony Loyd, President of Patten Monument Company of Indiana, Warsaw, Indiana, said he modified an original SMI design to conform with size regulations in the Culver Masonic Cemetery, Culver, Indiana. A towering, obelisk-type memorial demonstrating the production capabilities of DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY was recently erected at Evans, Georgia, in honor of Columbia Countians who served in the Confederate Army. The four-piece memorial, fabricated from steeled "Dixie Blue" and polished "Select Jet Black" granites, is approximately 17-ft. tall. Located at the Columbia County Library, the nine-ton memorial includes a tapered, 9-ft. high column with an apex top on a series of pedestals and bases. The polished black granite pedestal is 2-ft., 6-in. high. The emblem of the Confederate States of America is sand carved and etched on the front and a multi-colored CSA flag is etched on the back. The etchings are by Elberton etching artist Anne Jenson. A dedication statement is on a 1-ft., 2-in. high granite sub-base and an inscription on the 2-ft. high bottom base notes that the memorial was erected by the Maj. Gen. Ambrose Ransom Wright Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp No. 1914. Most of the unit's members, many of them Civil War re-enactors, live in the Columbia County area. Numerous checks were precision-sawed in the bases and pedestals to provide a distinct, more unique appearance. Monument retailer Galen Mills, of Galen Mills Monuments in Elberton, said John H. Partridge, Jr., the Commander of the SCV unit, provided the basic design concepts which were refined and final­ized by the Graphics Department at Dixie Granite. The dedication on April 22, 2006, attracted a large number of persons, many descendants of Confederate soldiers in CSA uniforms. AGM MEMORIALS, INC., manufactured a monument in memory of Hunt County, Texas, peace officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. The polished "Rosewood Granite" memorial was designed and donated to the county by Don Christopher, Owner of the D.E. Narramore Memorial Company in Greenville, Texas. It is located at the County Justice Center in Greenville. The contemporary-shaped memorial has an overall height of 7-ft., 3-in. and is on a 5-ft. long base. Inscribed are the names of nine officers, their ranks, and the dates they were killed. The offi­cers were from municipal police departments or the sheriff's office in Hunt County. A sandcarving duplicates a Texas Depart­ment of Public Safety badge - symbolizing peace officers of all agencies in the state. The memorial was dedicated on May 15, 2006. "I think every­one owes a debt of gratitude to our law enforcement officers, irregardless of where we live, and most especially to those who have made the supreme sacrifice," said Mr. Chandler. He added that Luckett Crane Service and Perry Wrecker Service of Greenville should receive special credit for donating transportation and installation of the monument. Greenville Police Sgt. Dan Cooper, left, and Texas Depart­ment of Public Safety bugler, Cpl. Randall Conarroe with the Hunt County Law Enforcement Memorial. Exceptional Public, Historical Memorials By E.G.A. Members The impressive memorials on these pages are examples of creative "non-cemetery" memorials produced by E.G.A. Members for a variety of purposes including honoring law enforcement officers, a large historical monument - and two commemorating the victims of the 9 / 11 Terror Attack. These designs - along with scores of others - will be featured in E.G.A.'s REFERENCE LOAN NOTEBOOK SERIES which may be obtained for a $50 deposit. Contact E.G.A. for details. One of the most intriguing memorials to 9/11 victims is in Oldsmar, Florida, where the fire department, with widespread community participation, sponsored a monument whose granite components were manufactured by two E.G.A. Members. They are RELIANCE GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and BASTON MONUMENTS, INC. The monument, located at the Oldsmar Fire & Rescue Unit's headquarters, includes part of a steel girder from the World Trade Center ruins. A steeled "Reliance Blue Granite" base and pedestal support large stainless-steel numbers "343" - the number of New York City fire­men who died when the Twin Towers collapsed. The steel numbers, which are painted red, support the large girder segment. The granite base is 3-ft., 6-in. x 3-ft., 6-in. and 8-in. high. The pedestal is 3-ft. x 3-ft. and 1-ft., 6-in. high. A polished black granite cap is atop the pedestal. A separate part of the memorial includes a polished "Flash Black Granite" slant marker from Baston Monuments. The inscription relates how a local Christian Praise Band, Seaven, wrote a song, "Canyon of the Souls", within days of the attack and recorded it on a CD. Proceeds from the CD sale were sent to New York to help preserve Ground Zero - resulting in Oldsmar receiving the steel girder. A colored etching of the CD is on the marker. Cycadia Monument Company, Palm Harbor, Florida, installed the memorial. Owner Kevin Cantrell finalized the design with input from the firemen. He praised Greg and Dawn Noggle of Reliance Granite and Mike Baston of Baston Monu­ments for their cooperation with the project which he said was "a real community effort in Oldsmar, with a lot of volunteer time and money." An imaginative series of memorials to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terror bombing attack on the U.S. is near Athens, Georgia, where a wooded trail and garden incorporates granite pieces in several of the central features. The memorials are the creation of artists Bob and Nancy Hart and the "Millstone Granite" was supplied by SMITH BROTHERS MEMORIALS. The memorials include three, free-form expressionistic sculptures - two of them involving granite. The first honors the dead from the World Trade Center in New York. Random granite stones of various sizes are ringed by nine upright columns representing nations that lost citizens and the stones symbolize the rubble of the collapsed WTC towers. The second sculpture symbolizes the Pentagon attack and consists of eight upright black beams representing the sides of the building. A ninth, fire­like, red beam assembly is inside the "walls" amid the granite interior rubble. The last sculpture, honoring the Flight 93 victims, includes nine poles and white brook stones simulating a crater. Smith Brothers Memorials also produced nine granite benches for the site which includes each of the 9/11 victims' names on wooden shingles on poles throughout the area. This is the New York City skyline and WTC rubble exhibit. The granite columns range from 5-ft., 6-in. to 8-ft. high. Nine granite benches were produced by Smith Brothers Memorials. The names of all 9/11 victims are engraved on wooden shingles. "Flash Black Granite" was the medium selected for this intriguing, combination-finish sign manufactured by KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. Designed by Steve Oliaro, President of Baker Memorials, Inc., of Lexington, Missouri, the sign is at the entrance of a large ethanol production plant at Malta Bend, Missouri. The sign, including the brick pedestal, is approximately 7-ft. high overall. The 10-ft. long sign panel features the company name in polished, stylized letters and a polished replica of the State of Missouri with an attachment representing a yellow ear of corn with green shucks. The lettering and carving are on a steeled background. The panel is on a polished black granite sub-base. The 12-ft. long brick wall pedestal has a decorative masonry capstone. A noteworthy granite sign was recently manufactured by LANDMARK GRANITE COMPANY, INC., for the Quiet Oaks Healthcare facility at Craw­ford, Georgia, near Elberton. Crawford is in Oglethorpe County which adjoins Elbert County. Landmark President Vince Fernandez said the sign was fabricated from "Millbank Gray Granite". Mr. Fernandez designed the sign which includes the facility's name and an oak tree carving symbolizing the facility. A distinct oval in the top accents the tree carving. The sign has a sub-base and 5-ft. long base. The overall height is 3-ft., 4-in. Granite Signs Serve A Variety Of Purposes Highly functional, eye-catching signs produced by E.G.A. Members have become popular as mediums to identify and project an upscale image for almost any type of locale, business, or institution. Elberton's skilled craftsmen and modern equipment can produce colorful, enduring, low-maintenance signs in almost any shape or form. The following signs may be found in E.G.A.'s REFERENCE LOAN NOTEBOOK OF GRANITE SIGNS which is a leading source of sign designs. The Notebook may easily be borrowed by contacting E.G.A. BOYD GRANITE COMPANY, INC. recently produced the granite components for a spectacular, estate-type sign/planter mark­ing the site of an upscale, lakeside housing development in Lincoln County near Elberton. The 20-ft. long sign/planter, for the Provi­dence Ferry development on Lake Thurmond, includes a large pol­ished "Chapel Rose Granite" sign panel and numerous split-face ashlar -finish "Desert Rose Granite" pieces. The two-piece, lettered sign panel, 9-ft. long and 3-ft. high, is framed by split-faced ashlar pieces composing a border. The massive 15-ft. high columns have 3-ft. high caps formed by five layers of "Desert Rose Granite" of varying sizes stacked atop each other. The long planter beneath the sign panel has split-face-finish cap section. Truckloads of field-rock pieces of stone native to the area were also used in the structure. The 800-acre, lakefront, homesite property development is off Highway 79 in Lincoln County south of Elberton. Ciro Piccirillo, an Elberton native who is Director of Sales for the development, said the owners recognized that an impressive, upscale-image entrance sign could be a key to marketing the property. Members of the Elberton Granite Association, Inc., recently donated an outstanding granite sign for the new headquarters of the Georgia Mining Association in Macon, Georgia. The steeled and polished "Keystone Blue Granite" sign was produced by KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., and erected by E.G.A. Associate Member 3-D STONEWORKS, INC. The sign panel, encased in red brick, is 6-ft., 6-in. long, 2-in. wide, and 3-ft., 6-in. high. The lettering and carving, a reproduction of the OMA letterhead and logo, are on the upper, steeled portion defined by a 3-in. deep groove. The bottom portion includes a 4-ft. long detachable panel on which the name of the OMA building's tenants can be inscribed. GMA is a statewide organization whose membership is open to all types of mining operations. E.G.A. has been a member for more than 30 years. The mining organization is very active in the State Legislature and works with E.G.A. on many issues emanating from various regulatory agencies. Noteworthy Religious Monuments By E.G.A. Firms E.G.A. Member-Firms are continuing to produce outstanding religious memorials, including Ten Commandments Monuments which became popular after controversy generated by a Federal court ruling banned them from public property. The following are among the latest religious monuments and will be included in E.G.A.'s LOAN NOTEBOOK SERIES. A huge "Topaz Blue Granite" tablet replicating the Bible was recently manufactured by KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., as part of a feature in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. It replaced a version from another type of stone which had deteriorated. Keystone President Tom Oglesby said the tablet is composed of two 4-ft. long tablets jointed for a total of 8-ft. in length. The panels are 5-ft. high. Mr. Oglesby said Keystone's automatic contour diamond wire saw was used to produce the curvatures duplicating an open Bible with facing pages. Old English and stylized letters were used to inscribe the John 3:16 verse in undulating lines. The ends are sand carved to simulate separate pages. The tablet is mounted on the feature's original flagstone pedestal. Mt. Hope President Barry Litzsinger said the feature is a prominent landmark often referred to when providing directions to lots and sections. It is in the Hilltop Of Memories section. MAJESTIC GRANITE COMPANY, INC., has produced components for an exceptional Ten Commandments monument erected on the grounds of the First Baptist Church in Paris, Tennessee. The steeled "Majestic Blue Granite" memorial is 7-ft. long and has an overall height of 5-ft., 4-in. It was installed by Henry County Monument Works of Paris. The memorial is comprised of two tablets, duplicating the traditional concepts of the stone tablets cited in the Bible. The Commandments are engraved on the memorial's 4-ft. high tablets and the Ten Commandments title and the book in the Bible where they are found are in large letters on a sub-base. David Travis, Owner of the monument retail firm, said staff member Marge Barrows designed the memorial. It has a combined total weight of approximately 3,500 lbs. Forest Hill Memorial For 119-Year-Old Former Slave. A man whose life spanned parts of two centuries and witnessed some of the most profound events in U.S. history has been appropriately memorialized - due, in large part, to the efforts of FOREST HILL GRANITE COMPANY, INC., a Florida memorialist, and an anonymous benefactor. Forest Hill Granite recently produced the memo­rial to properly mark the grave of 119-year-old former slave Ike Ward of Seville, Florida, who died in 1982. The modest monument replaced an original, badly deteriorated, marker in the Seville Cemetery. The "Elberton Blue Granite" monument features Mr. Ward's name in a frosted panel and carvings of the Cross imposed over replicas of cattail plants which are native to the area. An epitaph notes that Mr. Williams was "born into slavery, outlived 16 wives, died a free man." The replacement monument was erected by Rick Stam of American Monument & Sign Company in Pierson Florida. Pierson is near Seville in west central Florida. Benefactor Knew Deceased According to Mr. Stam, an anonymous businessman in the Seville area knew the legendary Mr. Williams and decided on a replacement monument following press accounts about how the original stone was sunken and discolored. The benefactor wrote the epitaph for Mr. Ward who survived slavery, wars, economic depressions, segregation, and two dozen presidents. A story in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper said Mr. Ward was listed in Social Security records as being born in 1862. He died in Deland, Florida, on January 22, 1982 at 119 - making him one of the world's oldest per­sons. He reportedly moved from Virginia to a Georgia plantation before the Civil War ended, and to Seville in 1913. He claimed to have outlived 16 wives, though the story said "some suspected him of telling an occasional tall tale." He worked in a sawmill until an injury handling tree stumps in a railroad car forced his retirement at 110. Dawgs Basketball Coach Gets Penset From E.G.A. Members. Granite pen sets are highly­prized mementoes often presented to dignitaries and other special visitors to the "Granite Capital of the World". Many E.G.A. Member-Firm owners and officials are graduates of the University of Georgia and are active in alumni organizations such as the Elbert Elbert County Bulldog Club which recently presented a handsome "Jet Black Granite" pen sets to UGA Head Basketball Coach Dennis Felton. The set was co-produced by LANDMARK GRANITE COMPANY, INC., and KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. Coach Felton was the guest speaker at a combined meeting of the Bulldog Club and local Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. A highlight of the meeting was when Bulldog Club President Vince Fernandez pre­sented the penset to Felton. The set included the coach's name on the beveled front. Other engravings included the UGA "G" logo interlocking with a red basketball on the top. The set was 18-in. long, 6-in. wide, and 2-in. high and combined red, black, and silver color traditionally identified with UGA. Mr. Fernandez is President of Landmark and Keystone's President is Tom Oglesby, who is on the local Bulldog Club's Board of Directors. UGA Basketball Coach Dennis Felton beams as he proudly accepts his pen set manufactured by Vince Fernandez, left, and Tom Oglesby, second from right. Others in the group are Barbara Hartman, the UGA Athletic Association's Assistant Director of Development, and Elberton native Steve Bryant, UGA Director of Physical Rehabilitation. New CNC System At Bobby Moon Interiors Plant Bobby Moon, Owner of BOBBY MOON GRANITE that the firm's interiors division, Granite Counter Tops Unlimited, has installed a new computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine. "This unit will give our production capabilities a really big boost and help us to better serve our customers quicker and more efficiently," said Mr. Moon. "It provides us with a wide range of options, and hardware and software for a broad range of production procedures." Egon Hinss, President of E.G.A. Sustaining Member HIGH TECH STONE, INC., which provided the German-produced system to Bobby Moon, said the machine is a Hensel 595 4-axis unit. It is a closed unit with a magazine for 24 toolbars for doing various edging details for counter tops. It is computer controlled and moves up to 45 meters per minute, continued Mr. Hinss. Because of automatic tool-change capabilities, the machine can be programmed, the granite components set up, and operate with no personnel required for overnight usage, said Mr. Hinss. Blue Sky Quarries Adds More Equipment. Massoud Besharat, Owner of BLUE SKY QUARRIES, INC., reported that additional high-tech equipment is being added at his granite curbing quarrying and sawing facility in Oglethorpe County. He said the latest major machine is a large, contour diamond wire loop saw to cut granite curbing blocks into slabs. The system is a Granlroc saw produced in Spain and marketed in the U.S. by IMEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., also owned by Mr. Besharat. He also owns the TECHNOWIRE COMPANY, INC., which produces diamond wire strand for such systems. The new saw was installed in the Blue Sky firm's newest, 9,000-sq.-ft. saw plant. The company also operates two adjoining saw plants. The company operates a total of seven diamond block saws, including four rotary saws and three wire saws. Mr. Besharat announced plans to add a fourth wire saw in the near future. The Blue Sky quarry and saw plants are in Oglethorpe County approximately 15 miles south of Elberton. The facilities are among the best-equipped such operations in the U.S. and revolutionary quarrying techniques are being used to extract large numbers of curbing blocks. Advanced Sandblast System By Bicknell Supply. James Turner, Manager of BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY, announced that the firm has designed and is manufacturing a revolutionary new sandblast system which he says is a "packaged abrasive blasting system which is not only state-of-the-art at high qual­ity and cost saving, but is also designed for easy installation." Package components include a fabricated metal room, auger feed, roller conveyors, abra­sive pickup and Bicknell's ABC Electric Auto­matic Blaster. The 10-ft. x 5-ft. x 8-ft., 6-in. high room is made of 11-guage sheet metal and includes a door at each end with stops to pre­vent overawing. A baffle at the top permits users to install dust collection ducts. Door-to­door conveyors allow easy movement and positioning of units to be processed. Mr. Turner said the "mainstay of the package" is Bicknell's ABC Electric Automatic Blast Curtain. "This sophisticated, yet simple­to-use machine features quick change stops for setting blast parameters and AC drive with variable speed control for nozzle movement. All moving components of the curtain are outside the room to minimize wear. Drive mechanisms and electric motors are shielded and sealed, and all electrical controls exposed to the atmosphere are rugged, industrial-quality, and oil and dust-tight. The entire control system is prewired and factory-tested." Abrasive Reclamation Sloped front and rear walls channel reusable abrasive to the auger at the bottom. The 10-ft. long auger is turned by an electric motor and moves the abrasive for reclamation by a pickup system. Bicknell's technical shop team designed the auger flow to match the pickup retrieval rate so that 700-pounds of grit can be reclaimed in 10 minutes, said Mr. Turner. The pickup system includes a 7-cubic-foot storage tank; high-velocity, Venturi-type vacuum head attached to a compressed air line and a 15-ft. length of 2-in. diameter hose connected to a Bicknell pickup box. The tank rests on standard blast tanks 22-in. in diameter or larger. A key feature is that the curtain, conveyors, auger, and sloped floors are preassembled, making installation much easier, said Mr. Turner. It requires no holes or pits to be dug in the customer's floor, he added. He noted that Bicknell offers Micro Air dust collectors, Empire and Marco abrasive blasters, and Ingersoll-Rand and Kaeser air compressors. A key feature of the new sandblast system is that all electric motors such as this unit outside the blast room are shielded and sealed and all electrical controls are oil and dust-tight. Bicknell personnel instrumental in the design, production and marketing of the revolutionary new sandblast system are, left to the right, Bill Skelton, Leslie Turpin, Allen Wilson, and Manager James Turner. New CAD Program At Burton Monument. A new Signlab computer-assisted-design system (CAD) is online at BURTON MONUMENT COMPANY, INC. Johnny Burton, Vice President monument finishing firm, said the machine will speed sandblast engraving production and also improve general service to customers. The new CAD system enhances Burton Monument's design capabilities, including the ability to quickly modify the many designs in the machine's storage. The machine also quickly prints drawings which may be emailed or faxed to customers for approval. The system also has a high-speed plotter for cutting­rubber stencil used in sandblasting. Tosha White operates the new CAD program. Johnson Machine Saw Aid To Counter Top Production. Steve Johnson, Owner of JOHNSON MACHINE SHOP, INC., announced that he has designed an automatic diamond sawing system with a number of features which will improve the speed and efficiency of granite counter top production. Mr. Johnson noted that the system's capabilities are especially suited for processing thin, 1.25 to 1.25-in. thick countertop slabs which are susceptible to breakage during handling for sawing setups. He added that counter top slabs are usually handled and stored in an upright position as much as possible; therefore, the new system's slab cart table will tilt upright to 85 degrees. This allows the slabs to be transferred from cranes or forklifts in a vertical position. The table's hydraulic system then lowers it to a horizontal position for sawing. The table rotates for sawing angles and the blade also tilts to a 45-degree angle for horizontal cuts. The saw is also equipped with a laser light system which projects a red line indi­cating the path that the saw blade is to follow. The unit will accommodate blades from 18 to 28 inches in diameter. Bicknell Supply Co-Hosts Golf Tourney/Luncheon. BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY and one of its chief product suppliers, Tenax USA, recently co-hosted their Second Annual Customer Appreciation Day which included a golf tournament and luncheon at the Cateechee Golf Club at nearby Hartwell on May 12. "The occasion was to express appreciation to our many Tenax customers," said Bicknell Manager James Turner. Tenax, based in Verona, Italy, provides resin and diamond polishing bricks for automatic polishers and also epoxy compounds. The firm is represented locally by James Oglesby who participated in the golf tournament with Filippo Emanuel, North American Representative of Tenax USA in Char­lotte, North Carolina, Alberto Bombana, part owner of Tenax, of Verona, Italy, and Mike Beri of Bicknell as a non-competitive foursome. Approxi­mately 50 granite company owners, managers, and employees participated in the Appreciation Day. The 18-hole tournament included a scramble format of four-man teams. The winning team was comprised of David Baston, Baston Granite Interiors, a division of BASTON MONUMENTS, INC., Matt Henderson, MARTIN GRANITE COMPANY, Kevin Rice, Keystone Granite Interiors, and Jake Baker, Director of the Elbert County Comprehensive High School Granite Lab. David Baston, left, center, and Kevin Rice hold the trophy awarded to the winners of the Bicknell-Tenax Golf Tournament. Also participating were, left to right, James Oglesby of Tenax, Bicknell Manager James Turner and, next to the tourney winners, Luca Bombana, the son of Gino Bombana, part owner of Tenax, Felippo Emanuel, of Tenax, and Mike Beri of Bicknell. MBNA IN CINCINNATI. Large Attendance Potential For MBNA Meet In Cincinnati. Cincinnati's central location is expected to make atten­dance at the 2007 Monument Industry Show convenient to a large number of people. Within a four-hour drive of Cincinnati, there are hundreds of monument retailers who will have an opportunity to join their peers in MBNA's Annual Meeting and Trade Show, January 19-22, 2007. Applications for Exhibit space are now being accepted. The Cinergy Center will be the site of the exhibit as well as the vari­ous educational sessions. Executive Director of MBNA Ernie Stewart said, "The meeting is off to a good start with a large group of exhibitors submitting applications early to take advantage of early bird discounts". Because there is a variety of exhibitors, we expect to see good numbers on the retail segment of the business. Exhibit Hours Set. There will be no other activities planned while the exhibit hall is open. This will maximize the time with customers and prospective customers. Exhibitors booth fees include a 10 x 10 draped exhibit booth, an identi­fication sign, booth carpet, and labor to install and dismantle monument displays. Exhibitors will also receive an advance reg­istration list and a listing in the show Directory. MBNA offers exhibit opportunities for manufacturers to show full size monuments of all types every other year. This means that anyone in the greater Cincinnati area has the opportunity to network with suppliers as well as other monument retailers from throughout the United States. Hyatt Regency Host Hotel. The excellent facilities of Hyatt Regency Cincinnati will be available to convention participants. It is suggested that those planning to attend should make room reservations as soon as possible. Contact the Monument Builders of North America at 1-800-233-4472 or go to www.monumentbuilders.org. E.G.A. Well Represented The members of the Elberton Granite Association have always supported the MBNA Exhibit and Convention. Again this year, EGA will welcome its many friends to an exhibit displaying the various materials available to help you increase sales. In addition to the exhibit by E.G.A., there will be a number of E.G.A. Members presenting their memorial products and many suppliers of tools and equip­ment. E.G.A. encourages wholesalers and retailers to mark these dates on their calendar and make plans now to be a part of one of the biggest monument exhibits in years. E.G.A. Cemetery Planning Grows In Popularity The E.G.A. CEMETERY PLANNING SERVICES program is continuing to grow in popularity as cemeterians and others realize the cost savings and prof­itability of attractive, well-planned cemetery property utilizing space to the maximum. The program incorporates professional cemetery planning and cost sharing by E.G.A. E.G.A. Assistant Director Doy Johnson, who directs the program, said that so far in 2006, the planning is responsible for five comprehensive cemetery plans with 37,878 grave spaces. Two more proposals are pending. E.G.A. has paid out $9,540 as part of the cost sharing agreement. The total value of the plans developed is $46,900, according to Mr. Johnson. E.G.A. will pay fifty per cent of the development costs up to $2,000 for general cemetery plans, cremation gardens, traditional section and garden planning, and columbarium plans. Grever & Ward One of the nation's foremost cemetery planning firms, Grever & Ward, Inc. of Orchard Park, New York, is E.G.A.'s partner in the program. This firm has more than 50 years of design experience. The planning service will provide a detailed section design, illustrating burial lot arrangement, lot numbering system, suggested planting plan, and road design. A free analysis and a customized plan proposal are available from E.G.A. More Help Another publication offering help in cemetery design is "Suggestions for Planning the Small Cemetery". This booklet illustrates a variety of lot arrangements, has sug­gested grave sizes and many other helpful tips. Request your copy by completing the coupon below. These comprehensive cemetery plans for the Maplewood Memorial Cemetery and Geneva Union Cemetery in Geneva, Ohio, are the latest developed by the E.G.A. Cemetery Planning Services. The scaled plans include 20,747 grave spaces in attractively laid-out sections complete with roads, trees, and floral groupings. Section Plans Maplewood memorial cemetery Geneva union cemeteries Geneva, ohio. The cemetery planning services booklet fully explains how to become included in the program, many of its benefits and costs, and examples of various plans. Professional Planning Assistance For The Development of Cemetery Sections Offering Freedom of Choice Memorialization. StonExpo Heads East in 2007. After the record-setting success of StonExpo 2005, and the strong interest in StonExpo 2006, it became obvious that there was a need for separate east- and west- coast exhibitions. In response to the demand, StonExpo has announced the start of an east coast show beginning in 2007. The exhibit will be held at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, March 22-25, 2007. The Elberton Granite Association has been involved with StonExpo since its beginning and has had a number of its members serve as Expo Board Members. E.G.A. Executive Vice President Tom Robinson is a past Chairman of StonExpo and has served on its Board continuously since 1987. "E.G.A. Members who have participated as exhibitors in StonExpo shows have been very pleased with the results", said Robinson. "We believe the show has encouraged diversity in products now available from E.G.A. Firms" he concluded. It is the hope of StonExpo that establishing an east - west arrangement will make it more convenient for people to attend. StonExpo continues to be rec­ognized as "The Show" for the U.S. Stone Industry. Those interested in exhibiting should contact Hanley-Wood, the show management company, right away at 866-550-6808. Marine-Aquatic Images From Creative-Premier E.G.A. Associate Member CREATIVE-PREMIER DESIGNS is offering a comprehen­sive selection of marine and aquatic images suitable for carvings on memorials or signage. "We have created a wide range of marine images which are appropriate symbols for lovers of the ocean, commercial and recreational boating and fishing, water sports, the seashore, and related activities," said Creative-Premier Owner Pat Wallis. The CPD Marine Collection I includes 63 drawings ranging from from specific types of fish to boats and ships, lighthouses on beaches, and marine symbols such as anchors. Mrs. Wallis said the images may be purchased individually or in packages and are available in both CD and floppy disk software or on stencil. The software is available in .PLT, .AI, .CDR, .DWG, .EPS, and .GCD formats. For more information, contact Creative-Premier Designs at P.O. Box 1118, Elberton, Geor­gia 30635, phone 706-283-5064, 800-542-4295 or email at designs creative-premier.com. Design Mart Releases New Cross Artwork E.G.A. Sustaining Member DESIGN MART has announced the release of an all-new collection of monument cross artwork. Company President Mike Fernandez said "all the artwork is available in formats compatible with most CAD and illustration programs Including Gerber, Corel, Signlab, MonuCad, Flexisign, AutoCad and more." According to Mr. Fernandez, the collection features 137 panels in various sizes and types including Botonnee (budded), Fleurette, Greek, Jerusalem, Latin, Celtic and more. The crosses may be purchased as a set or individually on CD or via email for immediate use in stencil cutting or presentation drawings. All artwork may be previewed online at http://www.designmart.com/misccros.htm. For more information or a free demo file please contact Design Mart at d-mart@designmart.com or call toll-free (800) 736-7455. In Corpus Christi, Texas. At the Monument Builders of the Southwest Convention. The scenic and historical coastal city of Corpus Christi was the scene of an information filled session with ample fun and fellowship during free time. Heading the excellent program were Ronnie Brown, Miles Supply of Elberton, who spoke on equipment advances and memorialists Jim Bell, Beloit, KS, and John Scott, Beaumont, TX, who illustrated how to use computer imaging programs and digital cameras in the monument business. The E.G.A. Happy Hour, depicted below, was a social highlight held prior to the banquet. PRESIDENTIAL SOLIDARITY! MBSW Past President Sid Bergoon, left, Monument Builders of North America President Ruth Bell, Beloit, Kansas, and MBSW President Mike Brenner. MBSW President Mike Brenner, Crockett, TX, David Sadler, Hobbs, NM, Curt Coggins, BROWNSTONE MEMORIALS, Chris Triska, El Campo, TX, and Bobby Schlitzberger, Houston, all enjoy a laugh. Beauty abounded at the Happy Hour! Sammie Peters, left, of Ft. Worth, Gloria Matthews of Cooper, Bridget Rucker, - RUCKER TRUCKING & LEASING, and Sharon Johnson, Marble Falls, TX. Program guests Jim Bell, left, Beloit, KS, and his wife, Ruth, who is MBNA President, congratulate their friend Hudson Cone who is retiring after more than 30 years as E.G.A. Promotions Director. Ronnie Brown, left, of MILES SUPPLY OF ELBERTON, Mr. & Mrs. Sid Bergoon, Rockport TX, Dennis & Sammie Peters, Ft. Worth, TX, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Brenner, Crockett, TX. Mike succeeded Sid as MBSW President and Sammie is the organization's long-time Secretary. Dwain Harris, left, BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY, Joe Thomas, Kim Thomas, "Tall Texan" Bobby Schlitzberger and wife, Dianne, Maria Davidson More­land, James Moreland, and children, all of Houston. Dianne was honored as "Memorialist Of The Year" for her dedicated service to MBSW and the Monu­ment Industry. In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At the Mid-America Monument Builders Association. This always-dynamic group met at the luxurious Renaissance Convention Center Hotel for an informative program and ample fellowship and entertainment. A highlight was a sobering and thought-provoking tour of one of America's most impressive and beauti­ful monument complexes and museums at the site of the Murray Federal Building terrorist bombing which killed scores of Oklahomans of all ages. The following convention photos were taken at the E.G.A. Happy Hour which was extended for a special "roast" of retiring E.G.A. Promotions Director Hudson Cone. Tom Oglesby, left, KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., Ken & Sharon Dodds, Ottawa, KS, MBNA Executive Vice President Ernie Stewart, Chicago, IL, Steve & Charlotte Oliaro, Lexington, MO, Josh Bell, Natalie Parker, Josh's father, Jim Bell and wife, Ruth, who is president of MBNA, and Karri McCoy, all of Beloit, KS, Marty and Brigette Loyd, Clinton, MO, Ruth & Alan Johnson and Janet Clark, all of Clay Center, KS. Outgoing MAMBA President Allen Parsons, right, enjoys "roast" E.G.A.'s Hudson Cone at the E.G.A. Happy Hour. Mr. Parson thanked Hudson and E.G.A. for their assistance to the Monument Industry through the years. Dwain Harris, left, BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY, Buddy Sams of Alva, OK, Jonna Bostian, Perkins, OK, Connie & Harry Smith, Lewisville, AR, brothers John and Boadie Anderson, Ada, OK, and James Oglesby of Bicknell. MAMBA Past President Allen Parsons, left, Ringold, OK, Jim Bell, Natalie Parker, Josh Bell, and his mom, MBNA President Ruth Bell, all of Beloit, KS, Sharon & Ken Dodds, Ottawa, KS, and Ronnie Brown, MILES SUPPLY OF ELBERTON. Marla Scarborough & son Alex, and Marla's mom, Linda Willis Morris, all of Granite, OK, Mr. & Mrs. Brent Slatton, St. Louis, Missouri, Brent Holt, KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., Eric Roberts and parents Tamara and Eldon Roberts, Harrison, AR, and Vaughn Barnes, Crossett, AR. Mr. Roberts is the new MAMBA President. Lynnette Oubre, left, New Iberia, Louisiana, Kent King, MILES SUPPLY OF ELBERTON, INC., Lynn Oubre, New Iberia, Louisiana, Curt Coggins, STANDARD GRANITE COMPANY, Brianne, Cyndi and Steven Frawley, New Iberia, Louisiana. Jesse Pace, left, Davis Pace, Mary Margaret Rich, Brookhaven, Mississippi, Ross and Tom Oglesby, KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC., Lara Carson, Dave and LilAnn Pace, Brookhaven, Mississippi. Louisiana - Mississippi Monument Builders Converge On Natchez, MS. A fine group of Louisiana - Mississippi Monument Builders gathered at the Eola Hotel in Natchez, MS, July 20-22, 2006 for their annual convention. As always, the Elberton Granite Association was well represented. Eleven Member Firms made the trip to the Delta Region. Quinn Floyd of Stone Graphics and Brian Seymour of The Drafting Shoppe made two excellent presentations on Gerber and Monucad Computer Applications. The 2007 convention is scheduled to be back in Louisiana. Bobby and Ginger Landry, left, Amite, Louisiana, Kerry Russ, Verna Lee Todd, Covington, Tennessee, Alma Pairmore, Covington, Ten­nessee, Adolph Ingram, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Vernon Pairmore and Emily Todd, Covington, Tennessee, Bridgett and Richard Rucker, RUCKER TRUCKING & LEASING, INC. Reggie and Joyce McIntosh, left, Foxworth, Mississippi, Kelly Mize, Eva Mize and Robert Mize, MIZE GRANITE SALES, INC. Joyce and Reg­gie McIntosh, left, Foxworth, Mississippi, Curt Coggins, STANDARD GRANITE COMPANY, Rebecca and Ronnie Loving­good, GRAN­ITE SALES & SUPPLY CORPORATION. Joyce and Reggie McIntosh, left, Foxworth, Mississippi, Curt Coggins, STANDARD GRANITE COMPANY, Rebecca and Ronnie Loving­good, GRAN­ITE SALES& SUPPLY COPORATION. Bonnie and Shelly Roy, left, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kent King, MILES SUPPLY OF ELBERTON, INC., Ronnie, Melissa and Ryan Rodrigue, Gonzales, Louisiana, Curt Coggins, STANDARD GRANITE COMPANY, Mona Rodrigue, Gonzales, Louisiana. Cullen Bowman, left, Dan Bowman, Amy Bowman, Winona, Mississippi, Mary and James Turner, BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY, Eryn Claire Bowman, Sue and Jason Campbell, Provencal, Louisiana, Ben Bowman, Winona, Mississippi and Dody Campbell, Provencal, Louisiana. John Scott, left, Beaumont, Texas, Sharon Johnson, Marble Falls, Texas, Jason Campbell, Provencal, Louisiana, Patti Russell, St. Paul, Minnesota, Rachel and Quinn Floyd, STONE GRAPHICS, INC., Priscilla Broadwell-Smith, ELBERTON SHEET METAL WORKS, INC., Dody Campbell, Provencal, Louisiana, Mary Turner, BICKNELL SUPPLY COMPANY, Sue Campbell, Provencal, Louisiana, Shirley Friday, Birmingham, Alabama. POW-MIA MEMORIAL. Two E.G.A. Members have produced several outstanding monuments for a Veterans Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The monuments were produced by GEORGIA CLASSIC MEMORIALS, INC., and WELCH'S GRANITE COMPANY, INC. and erected by Worthen Memorials, Inc., of Albuquerque, who has installed numerous public monuments in Albuquerque. Memorials by E.G.A. Members Honor Albuquerque Vets. Georgia Classic Memorials manufactured three of the monuments from "Classic Blue Granite". They include a monument honoring Prisoners Of War and those classified as Missing In Action, a memorial from the New Mexico Eighth Air Force Society commemorating the mission and sacrifice of the unit in Europe in World War II, and a monument from the Albuquerque Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Mrs. Mary Worthen, who operates the retail firm, said her husband, the late Bill Worthen, designed the Eighth Air Force memorial only a few months before his death. The Society’s logo is cast in bronze, wing-like configuration and attached to a granite tablet whose upper portion is shaped like the logo. A large bronze plaque relates that over 350,000 men and women served in the unit and that over 26,000 were killed in action and 28,000 were POW's in Germany. POW-MIA Memorial The POW-MIA Memorial was designed by mem­bers of the Albuquerque Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners Of War organization to depict a column of POWs leaving a prison compound - com­plete with guard tower - with the lead prisoners carrying an American Flag. The scene was created by sandblasting the background and then polishing the images to provide a three-dimensional look. The Pearl Harbor Survivors Memorial, dedicated to those who died and to those who survived, the Pearl Harbor attack to begin World War II, includes four different colors. The focal point is a large reproduction of the organization's logo. The submarine monument by WELCH'S GRANITE CO. INC., salutes U.S. submarine veterans of World War II, includes a polished outline, sand sculptured submarine and two submarine insignia. Another carving depicts the Submarine Veterans organization's logo which has white lettering panels on a recessed gold background. The memorial lists more than 50 submarines sunk or heavily damaged and the corresponding loss of life. 8th AIR FORCE MEMORIAL. Pearl Harbor Memorial. Computer-Age Equipment Produces Unique Granite Sign "Memorial Honors Police Officers Who Gave All"