SPRING 2019 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY The Elberton Granite Association was born out of a need for solidarity within the Elberton granite market. Since 1951, the EGA has been defined by its members and the strength they bring as a collective group. Back in 1951, the focus was to use the association as a way to promote the granite industry outside of Elberton, and to address governmental regulations. The manufacturers realized that they could reach a larger market and operate in a more efficient manner if they all worked together. Bringing a group of competitors together and getting them all focused on a common goal for the greater good, is not without its challenges. However, the spirit of American manufacturing and a can do attitude prevailed and 68 years later the EGA is going stronger than ever! EGA has moved far beyond its original mission, and now offers a variety of services, all aimed at keeping its members in operation and helping them to be more efficient. From workers compensation and 401k programs, to health testing, safety and education, the EGA is constantly working for its members. The granite quarriers, manufactures and support industry in Elberton are the EGA. They make up the membership, they create the programs and they serve on the boards that oversee the operation. Although you may not see all the members at every convention throughout the year, be assured, they are all part of the EGA, and they are all supporting its mission. We hope you find this membership guide helpful and will put it to good use. We have tried to incorporate into it features and information that will aid you in working with our members. We have provided space for notes to be made, and the paper itself is such that you should find it quite easy to write on. Over time, this directory should become your go-to source for your granite needs. For the last 68 years, EGA and its members have been providing superior granite products and services; we look forward to continuing that tradition as the leader in the granite industry. As always, we thank you for the support and loyalty you give to our members, and for buying Elberton granite products. If you ever have questions or concerns, or just need additional help or information, just remember that the staff of EGA is here to assist you. Thank you Monument Photography Suggestions Get Down & Dirty with Your Subject. There is a distinct difference between a monument photographed standing up angled down and a monument that you have taken the time to get down on its level. The monument shot while standing up and angling your camera down all of a sudden appears to be disproportionate. The sides appear to be angled and depending on the height and angle the photo is taken from it appears to make the top of the monument wider than the bottom of the monument. This also distorts the artwork that is put onto the monument as well as the fact that it shows a great deal of background clutter that makes the photograph look busy. This image, while still accomplishing the mission of photographing the stone, does not honor the work and time put into the monument. The monument shot from a position at its own level with the photographer kneeling, appears dimensional and proportionate just as it was created to be. The images on the stone appear correctly and nobody’s face or name is contorted. This style of photography also removes a great deal of background images that can make the photograph appear messy and busy. Though it takes more attention, time, and effort, this image honors its purpose so much more. It also allows the beauty of the stone and craftsmanship that was put into it to shine through. Take Lots Of Photos. In today’s world it doesn’t cost anything extra to take 5 or 6 more photos than needed. This practice is a wonderful one to adopt. There is absolutely nothing more disheartening than getting back to your office or home and excitedly opening up your new photos only to realize that they are out of focus and blurred. If you have taken multiple shots, you are allowing room for error. It is beneficial to get into the habit of taking multiple shots and saving yourself time and frustration. This practice also offers different options for the ad or layout designer to work with. For Graniteer purposes, it is much easier to showcase a monument when different photography can be shown. Variety Is The Spice of Life In Photography As Well. In the same regard as taking multiple photos, it is wise to also take multiple angles. It will only take a few moments extra to photograph the front, back and an angled shot of a monument as opposed to just a front view. Readers absolutely love to see the entire monument that has been created. You have worked hard on this monument. Show it off! Let the reader see how the lines and shadows play on the stone. Weather Plays a Role. Remember that in many situations, the stone may not be ready to be photographed. For instance, plan your trip to take the photograph carefully. Look for the position of the sun and judge from its position whether shadows or reflections may be easier to avoid at a different time of day. If you are photographing a polished stone, you may want to wait to photograph it when the sun is either rising or setting to alleviate or lessen shadows or reflections. You also want to look for a day that may be a little overcast to offer a soft light for photograph instead of a strong sunny day. Wait for a time that the stone is dry. If it has recently rained, your camera will pick up wet spots in the stone even if your eye does not. Moisture spots in a photograph can make the granite in the monument appear uneven and unpleasing. Reflections Are For Remembering, Not Photographs. The nemesis of photographing monuments are the reflections that often appear on any polished surface. Black and darker colored stones, especially, are notorious for telling a story of its surroundings. Though sometimes reflections are unavoidable, there are several ways to accomplish photographing the stone as best as possible. When taking the photograph from the front and you are properly positioned directly down in front of the monument and on its level, you may want to think about turning off your flash. If the monument is polished, your flash will appear as a bright circle on the front of the monument. Often the flash will cover some of the verbiage, or worse, a photograph put onto the stone. If the flash is absolutely necessary, then try off centering the stone in the frame on the camera. This will put the flash off center also and hopefully avoid covering up important details about the stone. The same result could also be gained by maybe stepping back from the stone somewhat. Technology has come a long way in today’s day and age and often, you can gain a good effect by stepping back just a little and giving the photograph a little bit of background. (Just make sure that the background is not littered with trucks or unsightly objects.) You can also consider wearing clothing that may resemble the same shade of monument that you are photographing. This can help with getting your own reflection in the stone. Another saving grace to photographing stones is the minor purchase of a black sheet. In my own experience, if I am attempting to photograph a polished stone and continue to get images showing up, I will ask someone to hold up a black sheet between the monument and whatever image is being reflected. As shown in the photo above, it works wonders to alleviate distracting reflections that take away from the stone’s beauty and purpose. Look At What Your Are Photographing. When you are preparing to photograph your monument. Get into position and look at your viewfinder. It will show you a digital version of what your photo will look like. Ask yourself a few questions; Can you see the entire monument? Photographs are most pleasing when the entire monument is shown, including the base. It is very easy to get in a hurry in today’s world and snap a photograph thinking all is fine. But slow down. Take your time. Look at your viewfinder. It is important to show the entire monument. Is the Monument Clean? If you can see debris on the monument such as leaves, grass clippings or bird droppings, grab some paper towels and brush the monument off as best as possible. It is not a bad idea to keep paper towels and a water bottle stored near your camera so that it is easily available. Are the Lines of the Monument Straight? When you are looking into the viewfinder, are the lines of the edges of the monument as straight as possible? This can be easily adjusted with very mild changes to the angle that you are holding the camera. What Does My Background Look Like? If you have traveled to a cemetery or park, there is likely things like other monuments or vehicles behind your monument. You want to try to position yourself so that those things are not a part of your photograph. This can be accomplished by getting down on the monuments level so that the face of the monument covers a great deal of the background images. Also, park away from your monument so that the reflection of your vehicle does not compete with attention in the face of your monument. The Good News. Photoshop will fix many of these photography issues. However, as with any work of art, the less digital enhancement used, the more true the beauty of the monument can be. Baston Monuments, Inc. Michael Baston Sarah Baston Blue Ribbon Quarries, Inc. Larry Cook, Amanda Stepp Blue Sky Quarries, Inc. Massoud Besharat Boyd Granite Company, Inc. Jim Boyd Broad River Quarries, LLC Ivan Cescatti Brownstone Memorials, Inc. DBA Standard Granite Company Chadwick T. Brown Chad Brown Burton Monument Company, Inc. Johnny Burton, Janet Burton, Rick Burton, Black Burton Central Granite Company, Inc. Randy Smith, Jake Smith Century-Harmony Company George Tyler, Patsy Tyler, Maranda Smith, John Corey, Cathy Dennis, Mandy Bastyr, Shane Johnson Childs & Childs Granite Company, Inc. Robert W. Mize, III, Kenneth Brown, Brandi Brown Dixie Granite Company, Inc. John Campbell, Kaye Campbell Eagle Granite Company, Inc. Bob Paul, Elliott Paul, Nick Fleischer, James Walters Flatwoods Granite, LLC Matt Henderson Geneva Granite Company, Inc. Rocky Fratto Georgia Stone Industries, Inc. Division of New England Stone Industries, Inc. Tony Ramos, Ann Mari Ramos Glass Art Imaging, LLC George Arnold, Braydon Seymour Gold Eagle Quarries, Inc. Billy Bryant, Rick Rice Harmony Blue Granite Company, Inc. Allan McGarity, Michael McGarity Harper’s Quarry, Inc. Mark Harper, Horace Harper Hillcrest Granite Company, Inc. Mark Hill, Patsy Johnson Hunter Granite Sales, Inc. Bentley Ruff J & B Granite Company, LLC J&B Mark Pharham, Tammy Parham J & L Enterprises, Inc. J&L Larry Edwards, Terry Fortson J & R Finishing Company, Inc. J&R Scott Perry, Rita Brown, Dwayne Brown Keystone Granite Company, Inc. Ross Oglesby, Laura Hernandez Keystone Memorials, Inc. Tom Oglesby, George Oglesby, Elaine Oglesby King’s Monument Company, Inc. Trudy J. King Trudy King, William King, Marty King, William Marty King L & M Granite Company, LLC L&M Stanley Mills Tony Mills Stan Mills Majestic Granite company, LLC Robert W. Worley Barbara Worely Katie Estep Matthews International dba Matthews Granite Greg Gunter, David Sayer, Alex Duck, Patt Huff, Amy Brown, Randi Davis, Chris Floyd, Robbie Haygood, Milton Neal Star Granite Rick Adams, Mark Adams, Myra Woodall, Rusty Adams Mize Granite Sales, Inc. Robert W. Mize, III Brandi Brown G.B. Moon Granite Memorials, Inc. Gerald Moon, Reba Moon, Scott Moon North Carolina Granite Corportion William Swift Pink Pearl Quarry, LLC Rusty Adams, Mark Adams, Rick Adams Pyramid Materials, Inc. Robert R. “Bo” Rutherford, Gara Andrews, Amanda Rutherford, Mike Rutherford Pyramid Stone Industries, Inc. James M. “Mike” Rutherford Mike Rutherford Quality Monument Sales, Inc. Kay Rhodes, Jonathan Rhodes, Andie Bonds Reliance Granite Company, Inc. Dawn Noggle, Blake Noggle Reynolds Marble & Granite Company Hal Reynolds River Edge Granite Company, Inc. Gregory P. Ruff, Shannon A. Ruff, Shannon Ruff, Greg Ruff Brad Ruff, Buddy Ruff, Kyle Ruff Robin Blue Quarries Division of Boyd Granite Company, Inc. Jim Boyd Solid Rock Granite Interiors Chad Booth, Kari Booth Southern Granite Company, Inc. Vicki Edwards, Jason Edwards, Melissa Dias T.J. Dias Southern Mausoleums, Inc. Division of Keystone Memorials George Oglesby, III Terrell Guinn Specialty Granite & Supply Company, Inc. Mark Harper, Horace Harper Star Granite Interiors Rusty Adams, Mark Adams, Rick Adams Sterling Gray Quarries, LLC Rusty Adams, Mark Adams, Rick Adams Superior Granite Company, Inc. Mary D. Worley, Charles L. Worley Tri-Star USA, Inc. John Mercer John M. Mercer Turner Granite Interiors LLC Coy Turner Walker Granite Company, Inc. Marty Walker, Rose Walker, Luke Walker, Rhett Walker Wallace Granite Sales Roger Wallace Mark Wallace Welch’s Granite Company, Inc. Jim Welch Willis Dimension Stone, Inc. Dale Willis, Wanda Willis Comet Machine & Hydraulics, LLC Jamie Dove Diamond Cut & Polish Company, Inc. Mo Mehrabi Design Mart, LLC Mike Fernandez Granite Sales & Supply Corporation Stacey Drake Hulmes Tool Shop Derek Dye Imex International, Inc. Massoud Besharat Italdiamant USA, Inc. Adriano Soso Johnson Machine Shop, Inc. Steve Johnson, Clark Johnson Don Jones Enterprises, Inc. Don Jones Miles Supply of Elberton, Inc. Adam Martin, Mark Crook Spartan Tool Company, Inc. Ray Mitchell, Lisa Mitchell Technowire Company, Inc. Massoud Besharat Wilson Industrial Electric, Inc. Matt Wilson, Ray Wilson, Melissa Black A.Q. Stone Design Company Quinn Floyd, Kathie Bell Ben Brubaker Trucking, LLC Blake Duncan Bicknell Supply Company Mike Beri, Bruce Bicknell Darica Trucking Company, Inc. Richard L. Willis Richard Willis, Craig A. Willis, Craig Willis Elberton Industrial Electric, Inc. Terry Maxwell Evanswinn International, LLC Tom Evans, Brian Winn Flat Creek X-Press, LLC Mitchell Boone Henry & Henry, Inc. Paul Albertson, Ryan Albertson Husqvarna Construction Products Dimas / Diamont Boart Jeffrey Yeargin, Jody Howell, Gregory Yeargin Jenson Etching, LLC Brian Jenson, Tom Jenson, Anne Jenson, Audrey Jenson Memorial Art Eddy Higginbotham Nelson Granite, Inc. Frank Eaves Cathy Bradford Palfinger USA, LLC Jason Jankowski Porcelains Unlimited, LLC Tanner Lewis Roberts contracting, Inc. Danny Roberts, Keri Roberts, Savannah Roberts Rucker Trucking & Leasing, Inc. Russell L. Rucker, Russell Rucker Stone Graphics, Inc. Vanessa Evans, Mike Dodson, Tracy Bellew Travco Metal Works, LLC Travis Christian, Mendy Christian Guaranteed Quality Certified Material & Craftsmanship What is an EGA Certified Memorial? An EGA Certified Memorial is guaranteed against any defects in workmanship or materials by the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. of Elberton, Georgia. EGA is the largest trade association of granite quarries and manufacturers in the United States. Carefully checked throughout every step of production, an independent, quality-control inspector verifies that the material and workmanship of every Certified Memorial meets the most demanding standards of quality in the industry. Standards of Quality To receive the EGA written guarantee of quality, each certified memorial must meet specific standards related to materials, workmanship and design. MATERIAL: Fabricated from top-grade granite as determined by established industry standards. WORKMANSHIP: Performed to meet rigorous inspection of specified dimensions, finishing of all surfaces, and quality of carving and lettering. DESIGN: Completed in well-proportioned symmetry. The Elberton Granite Association guarantee is available on most memorials manufactured by a Member-Firm. The guarantee offers to correct or replace free of charge any certified memorial or defective part of a certified memorial if the defects are due to material or workmanship of the granite. The EGA Certified Memorial Program has been in place since 1964. Certificates of guarantee are issued on more than 1,500 memorials each year. Every certificate is registered and maintained in a permanent file. The program is supported by the Membership of the Elberton Granite Association. Guarantee of Quality Monuments produced from Georgia Blue/Gray granite quarried in the Elberton Granite District may be certified for the life of the memorial providing the requirements EGA Certified Memorial Program are met. All other domestic granites quarried in North America may be certified for a period of twenty years.