WINTER 2011 Which mind are you? I’m not sure who originally penned this phrase, but when I read it, it made an impression on me. “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people.” When I think of great minds, I think about people like James Madison, George Washington and the other great men that had the foresight to write the United States Constitution. They were visionaries. They developed their ideas with the anticipation of what might lie ahead. At the same time, they knew that they would have to think and write in a broad sense so the power of their words would endure time and could not be diluted. For more than two centuries the U.S. Constitution has provided guidance for those in power. Its creators paved the way for other great idealists to be able to build upon their foundation. Without new ideas from great minds, progress would be lost in the dark ages using square wheels. If I were asked to put myself in one of these groups, I would have to say that I best fit into the group of average minds. Probably one of the strongest characteristics of the average minded person is their ability to rationalize. They use a combination of logic, experience and knowledge to help anticipate future events but more importantly to avoid past mistakes. They may not possess the most brilliant minds, but they aren’t the dullest knife in the drawer either. Surely the good Lord has allotted a substantial amount of room on this old earth for the people in this group. If we woke up in the morning and all was well in the world, the small minded people would have the least amount of space available. Without a doubt, if the amount of space provided was directly proportionate to the degree of global contributions to any plan of action, the small minded people would have to stand on one leg it would be so crowded. They have no likeness to the idealists. There is no similarity to the rationalists. They best resemble a compass at the North Pole. They have absolutely no sense of direction. “Small minded people discuss people.” In other words, they talk about one another. What can a person gain by doing this? If we were talking about our competition or their products, would it make us or our products any better to participate in such a practice? NO! If it does anything it makes us appear unscrupulous and our product quality suspicious because we’ve lowered the bar of business ethics. By lowering ourselves to this level, we’re basically trying to prove that the competition has flaws and we don’t. Who’s going to throw the first rock there? What we should do is promote our advancements, the quality of our personnel, how we separate ourselves from the pack. It all goes back to the saying you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. What troubles me even more is the fact that this epidemic is probably more prevalent in our personal lives than it is in our professional lives. Have you ever met someone and gotten the impression that they would rather see you fail than succeed? I don’t quite follow the logic there unless it’s that they feel superior to you because you’re down. It’s not an admirable trait and one that I hope we can all avoid, both professionally and personally. I would say that great ideas most often come from great minds. If you have an epiphany or a great idea, give it a try. Chances are you will be as likely to succeed as you will to fail. It could prove to be the best move you’ve ever made! The possibility exists that you may receive helpful advice from an average minded individual. If so, welcome it with opened arms! Their suggestions most likely have been generated from valuable experiences. If you use it you may very well improve yourself if not your attitude. Lastly let us not forget the simple minded folks. I guess the best advice that I can give about them came from my mama, “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all.” We belong to the largest dimension stone association in the United States of America. Let’s kick off 2012 on a good note, maintain a high degree of ethics and KEEP CLIMBING! Southern Mausoleums, Inc., recreated an original design they first did over 15 years ago for the son of the original client. When the company went above and beyond to make sure the first mausoleum was perfect, the son knew he would be back to order his from the same folks. Kay Rhodes Quality Monument Sales The Ups and Downs of a Family Business I am often asked the question “What is it like to have your family working for you?”. My answer is that it has some good points and some bad points. You have to find a happy medium and leave work at work and home at home. In most cases, that is a hard thing to do. Did you know that 50% of all small businesses in the United States extend to the second generation? It is sometimes hard to let the children that you watch grow into adults take responsibility . You often find yourself treating them like they are still children and not the mature adults they have grown into. It is easy to think they should still be playing with toys and making mud pies, not paying bills and helping you run your business. It is also difficult to leave work issues at the office and home issues at the house. When you work for a non-family business, you have a business role whether it is the secretary, the salesman or the vice-president. Your coworkers do not know your personal life. They usually won’t call you to ask if you put that piece of granite on the truck or if you talked to “Sam” before you left the office. When you’re a member of the family and work for the family business, you never “leave your job” at the office. You have to focus on what is work time and what is family time. This can be the biggest challenge with a family business and can lead to emotional burnout if you aren’t careful. Separating business from family is often hard to do. You have to treat your family the same as you treat your other employees. Showing favoritism can disrupt the family and it can disrupt your business. It’s always a challenge. Everyone has to be treated equally. As said before, a family business can be frustrating, but it has its good points as well. Your family will do things for you that some of the other employees will not do. Family members see the business as more than just a paycheck. They are willing to put in the extra time and effort to make the business a success. My best advice is to hang in there, take time for yourself, keep your perspectives in order and you will survive the stresses that come with the territory. Then you will enjoy all the rewards a family business has to offer. Rotary District Governor presented with granite nameplate Georgia District 6910 Governor Bill St. Clair visited the Elberton Rotary Club on September 27, 2011. Tom Oglesby of Keystone Memorials, Inc., presented the Governor with a granite nameplate featuring the rotary symbol made of Keystone Blue granite. Pictured left to right: Doy Johnson of EGA, Tom Oglesby, Georgia District 6910 Governor Bill St. Clair and Elberton Rotary Club President Jackson McConnell. Photo by Nancy Seymour McCannon Granite employee receives reward EGA awarded a $500 reward to Wendy McGee of McCannon Granite Company, Inc., for her assistance in catching a thief plaguing our industry. In September 2010, McCannon Granite Company’s quarry, Crystal Blue Quarry, was broken into and several items were taken. With the description of the items, Wendy and Tammy McCannon called numerous recycling centers in the area in search of the goods. Wendy located the stolen items and contacted the local sheriff department to investigate. The name of the thief was turned over to authorities and the issue was handled accordingly. We would like to thank Wendy for her continued effort to catch this person, preventing any future incidents at other locations. Bill Hood of EGA presents Wendy McGee with her $500 reward. Monument Retailers Basic Course. The 98th session of the EGA Training Institute was held on September 26-29, 2011. The Monument Retailers Basic Course has been the most popular course in the 28 years that EGA has provided training. Sixteen memorialists, from as close as Wrightsville, Ga., to as far as Albuquerque, N.M., traveled to Elberton to tour the industry and see what exactly goes into manufacturing the monuments they sell. The group had three and a half days to cover the entire industry, touring quarries, plants, design studios and supply houses around town. Participants were amazed at the time and hard work that goes into each memorial produced in Elberton. Most of the students were relatively new to the industry, so this was the first time most had an opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look. Students also spent time in the classroom, learning pricing techniques, monument nomenclature and sales tips. Jim Welch of Welch’s Granite Company, Inc., gave an opening lecture on industry terminology and Jack Vickery of Apex-Mize Granite Company, Inc., explained the wholesale pricing guide. We were also fortunate to welcome Karen Gillespie of Gillespie Monument Company in Marion, Va., and Bobby Schlitzberger of Schlitzberger and Daughters Monument Company in Houston, Texas, to give their insight from a retailer’s perspective. EGA would not be able to host these classes without the approval and cooperation of our member-firms. Along with Jim Welch and Jack Vickery, we would like to extend a big thank you to the following for allowing us to tour their businesses: Elliott Paul, Beaverdam Quarry; David Giannoni, Rome Granite, Inc.; Tom Oglesby, Southern Mausoleums, Inc.; Mike Fernandez, Design Mart, LLC; Greg Ruff, River Edge Granite Company, Inc.; Quinn Floyd, A.Q. Stone Design Company; Mike Dodson, Stone Graphics, Inc.; Mark Crook, Miles Supply of Elberton, Inc.; James Turner, Bicknell Supply Company; Ronnie Lovinggood, Granite Sales and Supply Corporation; Paul Albertson, Henry and Henry, Inc.; Mark Adams, Star Granite and Bronze; and Pat Wallis, Creative-Premier Designs, Inc. Over the last 28 years, EGA has trained over 1,500 memorialists. The classes have gotten great reviews, and we have had many students say they hope to return for more training. EGA believes that by teaching the retailers better selling techniques, we are promoting the future sales for our member-firms. Top: Jesse Hernandez of Southern Mausoleums, Inc., gives a tour of the plant. Bottom: A student takes a photo of a saw at Rome Granite, Inc. Left: The group looks down into Beaverdam Quarry. Top: Mike Fernandez discusses symbolism in Elmhurst Cemetery. Above: Rebecca Beggs of Creative Premier Designs demonstrates a rubbing. Top right: Students shop at Granite Sales and Supply. Right: The group visits the Guidestones. Participants pose in front of the Elberton Granite Museum and Exhibit holding their certificates. Kneeling: Aaron Miller, La Crosse, WI; Melisha Francis, Muskogee, OK; Gloria Williamson, Florence, SC; Debbie French, Bardstown, KY; Loren Worthen, Albuquerque, NM; Les Pinkerton, Fort Worth, TX; Gene McCullough, Eustis, FL. Standing: Tom Hernandez, Linden, NJ; Michael Shanley, Royal Palm Beach, FL; Edvardo Mata, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Steve Cone, Ovilla, TX; Allen Kyzer, Wrightsboro, GA; Marinell Giles Bell, Cairo, GA; Roy Griffith, Bardstown, KY; Tom Kolias, Florence, SC; Nicholas Day, St. Louis, MO Top corner: John Murray shows finished bronze plaques at the Star Granite bronze foundry. Top: One of the students tries his hand at stonecutting. Above: Participants listen diligently during a session. Far left: Jim Welch of Welch’s Granite gives a lecture. Left: Paul Albertson of Henry & Henry, Inc., explains the trucking process. Below: David Benson of River Edge Granite Company, Inc., demonstrates monument setting techniques. Above left: Bicknell Supply Company has lots to offer the group. Above right: Mike Dodson of Stone Graphics talks with the participants. Left: Jack Vickery of Apex-Mize Granite Company, Inc., gives tips on pricing. Right: Mark Adams gives a tour of the Star Granite Interiors countertop plant. Top left: Quinn Floyd of A.Q. Stone Design Company discusses the process of designing. Top right: Students shop around at Miles Supply Company of Elberton. Below left: Karen Gillespie gives her take on the industry. Below center: Brad Ruff shows the group how to remove stains from monuments. Below right: Bobby Schlitzberger entertained the crowd with his stories of the business. AMA Technology year, members of the American Monument Association rotate visiting one of the three largest dimension stone producing towns in the U.S. – Elberton, Barre, Vt., or St. Cloud, Minn. – to tour the local facilities. This year, twenty-five members of the AMA took a two-day tour around Elberton visiting a quarry and plants to see what was new in our industry. AMA Members Tom and Ross Oglesby of Keystone Memorials, Inc., led the tour with the help of EGA staffers Doy Johnson, Bill Hood and Kellyn Willis. The group was also joined by AMA members Marty and Luke Walker of Walker Granite Company, Inc., Jerry King of King’s Monument Company, Inc., and Mark Hill of Hillcrest Granite Company, Inc. Sunday night before the tour, Tom Oglesby of Keystone Memorials, Inc., hosted dinner at the McIntosh Coffee Shop. James Turner and the staff of Bicknell Supply hosted a luncheon at McIntosh Coffee Shop on Monday and the staff of Miles Supply Company hosted a dinner on Tuesday at Cateechee Waterfall Grille in Hartwell. Above: AMA members tour Imex International, Inc., Top right: Two members look over the large equipment at a sawing plant operated by Keystone Memorials, Inc. Right: Mark Hill leads the tour at Hillcrest Granite Company, Inc. Far right: Trudy King speaks with AMA members. Below: The participants check out the finish on a slab of granite. Bottom right: Ross Oglesby of Keystone Memorials, Inc., speaks with the group. Husqvarna adds new equipment Husqvarna Construction Products has added two new machines to their Elberton location. The first is an auto-debrazing machine, used to remove existing segments off of saws in order to replace them with new segments. Before, the staff was removing the segments with a hand torch, a time consuming process. The debrazing machine can be set to run automatically, freeing the staff to work on other projects. This is the first machine of its kind at the plant. “This machine speeds production by 50%. We have tremendous yearly savings because we are not using saline and oxygen in the torch anymore, and it runs off of electricity instead of gas,” comments Jeffrey Yeargin of Husqvarna. They have also added a segment splitter to their inventory. The splitter saves time and labor; before the machine, the staff was splitting segments with a custom machine that would split one at a time, or with bolt cutters. The splitter runs automatically as well. Jeffrey says this will help with their local market; the block saws used in Elberton run more efficiently when the blocks are lined with whole and partial segments. Wilson Industrial Electric designs 8ft. gantry saw Wilson Industrial Electric, Inc., has designed an 8ft. version of their newest gantry wire saw. They have done a total redesign on the machine, lowering costs of wire and diamonds, increasing production and fixing numerous problems with typical wire saws. Ray Wilson and the team worked with engineers around the country to perfect the design of the saw. They have cut the rate of wire breakage down significantly as well as the time it takes to cut a block – for example, the test block that would normally take 5-6 hours took less than an hour with the new saw. The team designs and manufactures the wheels, which have a replacement rim. If the rim of the wheel breaks, instead of replacing the entire wheel, the outer rim of the wheel will come off and can be replaced, cutting repair costs. Design Mart now offering QR Code Imprinting On Brochures Design Mart, LLC, is offering imprinting of QR Codes on brochure orders. These codes allow people with smart phones to take a photo of the bar code, which often has a web address embedded in the code. Real estate signs often feature codes that take users on a virtual tour of a home; codes in magazine and newspaper advertisements often take users to a web site; codes on movie posters allow users to view a movie trailer; and monument companies are starting to use the codes on the covers of their brochures to lead users to their web sites or to their Online Catalog & Monument Designer. Design Mart will help clients generate code for their brochures and send a proof with the code for approval. They will also help with generation of QR codes to be sandblasted on monuments in cases where families would like visitors to be able to read the code in the cemetery and visit a web site with information about their loved ones. For more information on QR Codes and custom brochure imprinting call 800-736-7455, visit www.designmart.com, or visit Design Mart on Facebook. Creative-Premier Design’s new collections, new format Creative-Premier Designs, Inc., has added two military collections to its Software Catalog and has changed its format. The new format has a 3-hole punch so that users can put the pages in their own loose-leaf binders and add new pages as they are published. “This will alleviate the problem of receiving a bound book and having to deal with loose pages whenever new ones come out,” said Pat Wallis, owner of Creative-Premier. The new collections, the Military Collection and the Military Insignia Collection, include many emblems from the various services as well as badges, patches, and other insignia of different service divisions, brigades, companies, etc. Also featured are medals and honors for military service. In addition to being available in software, either as a package or as individual files, CPD can cut any of the emblems on stencil to send to those who cannot cut their own. The software can also be viewed under Clip Art on their website: www.creative-premier.com. For more information, call 800-542-4295 or email designs@creative-premier.com. Bobby Moon Granite Sales installs new head on profiling machine Granite Countertops Unlimited, a division of Bobby Moon Granite Sales, is the first in town to operate a new texturizing head and brushes on their Northwood CNC profiling machine. Robbie Tidwell and Cliff Nichols of Northwood traveled to Elberton to install and test the new additions. This new head allows them to texturize the countertops using the already installed profiling machine. “It’s big, being able to profile, polish edges, cut sinks and texturize on one machine,” comments Greg Moon of Granite Countertops Unlimited. Since the new head fits on a profiling machine, which all countertop manufacturing plants have, the manufacturers do not have to purchase a new machine, in turn not passing on additional expenses to their customers. The new head operates with Tenax brushes; North American Sales Technician James Oglesby was on hand during the testing process showing the different brushes and techniques. “It can do pretty much any finish – antiquing, leathering, river washing, aging, caressing – any finish you could want,” James said. The machine will save the staff time and money. Before, they had to transfer the countertops to another shop in Elberton and pay to have the slabs texturized. Now, they are able to create these finishes in house, expanding their skills and saving money for their customers. Johnson Machine designs new chop saw Steve Johnson and the staff of Johnson Machine Shop have fabricated a new chop saw, designed to cut small or round pieces of granite, sandstone, limestone and other products. The saw features an air vise to lock the stone in place. The table features 3” increments to allow the cylinder to hold many shapes and sizes of rock. This original design is the first of its kind to be built. The saw is easy to operate and has AC variable speeds on blade travel. Steve and his team are in the planning stages of another saw with these features that will also raise and lower the blade. Southern Mausoleums, Inc., installs new saw Southern Mausoleums, Inc., has installed a new Grani Roc diamond wire saw. A much faster option than the blade saws, this wire saw will increase productivity and allow the company to saw large slabs for their larger mausoleums. Their biggest advantage, according to owner Tom Oglesby, is that they can now saw large slabs for mausoleum tops and floors without having to stand the block up vertically, saving time and effort. Produced by Imex International, Inc., the saw is the same as the saw purchased by SMI’s sister company, Keystone Memorials, Inc. It runs automatically, giving the operator the option of working on other projects or leaving the saw overnight to make the cuts. Blue Ribbon Quarries, Inc., expands Blue Ribbon Quarries, Inc., announces two expansions to their Oglethorpe County quarry site. They have moved two walls back, exposing approximately 75’ x 50’ of new stone. Foreman Joe Droll expects great things from their new expansions. “This quarry has gone from almost nothing to a really good quarry,” he says. “We hope to keep making it better. We will be able to drill down further the more we spread out.” Central Granite now offering new colors of marble Central Granite Company, Inc., introduces a new line of marble that they will offer for monumental stone. Pearl White marble is a very consistent white color with no veining or variegation. The Pink Cloud marble is a pink marble with light grey veining. Both colors are beautiful stones for monuments or mausoleums; they can also be used together in a design to create a unique look. Central has created a beautiful memorial for our Downtown Display using both new colors of marble, featured in the Memorials in Review section of this issue. King’s Monument Company, Inc. Jerry and Trudy King have worked in the granite industry all their lives. Jerry started at Argo Trucking, and Trudy started as a DOT student at age 16. They both began working in the plant of a large granite manufacturing company, Jerry as the plant foreman and Trudy as the shipping supervisor. “We got burnt out with the big company,” Jerry says. “It became too much of a hassle.” They decided to go out on their own and start a smaller company that they could run themselves. Today, the King’s have a company with more employees and a larger customer base than they had at the large company they once worked for, but they’ve kept their business, King’s Monument Company, Inc., small enough to remain family owned and operated. Their son Marty joined the business in 1991. He works as head of production, while Trudy runs the office and Jerry is the self-proclaimed problem solver. The family runs a full monument manufacturing plant, priding themselves on their quality control and their array of colors and designs. Just looking at the King’s library of photos on their computer will give some insight as to what this company is capable of; hundreds of pictures show a multitude of colors, shapes, sizes and intricate details in their memorials. “We try to create our own competitive advantage against the importers with our custom designs,” Marty says. “We put our quality against anyone. That’s how we have the business we have today – our quality. When you get something from KMC, you know it’s right.” Their resume of work includes war memorials, personal monuments and granite signs around the country. They made a large veteran’s memorial that now stands in Wisconsin and were part of a tribute memorial in honor of Flight 93, the flight that was hijacked and intended to be a part of the 9/11 attacks but was brought down by the passengers on the plane. King’s produces monuments from numerous colors, including the Wisconsin Red granite that is not used much in Elberton. “We’re continuously trying to think of new ideas for our designs,” Trudy says. “After being in business so long, we feel like we’ve done it all.” The King family credits their success to customer service, quality and good old-fashioned hard work. “We built a business from scratch. We manufacture everything we sell,” Jerry says. “We are always looking to improve our sales, but we will never expand to a position to be a detriment to the quality we’ve worked so hard to build.” Both Jerry and Trudy have served on the Board of Trustees of EGA, Jerry as President for one year and Trudy as treasurer for three years. Carefully designed by a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart Recipient, this beautiful memorial was created to honor those who have been injured or killed in the line of duty. Coy Turner and the staff of Turner Granite Interiors, LLC, brought one veteran’s dream to life. Lloyd King of Lafayette, La., is a Vietnam Veteran and a Purple Heart recipient. A few years after he returned home from Vietnam in 1969, he was on a trip to Washington, DC, and he realized that, of all of the memorials in our nation’s capitol, there was not one monument honoring the nation’s combat wounded veterans. “My gears started turning forty-two years ago, to be exact,” he says. It wasn’t until 2009 that Lloyd finally put his ideas on paper. Using his background in industrial design, he knew exactly what he wanted in the memorial. “It was so easy to do, like I had the picture in my mind the whole time. You have to be able to see it and feel it, then put it on paper and make it become a reality,” he comments. Lloyd wanted more than just the standard design for Purple Heart monuments traditionally used around the country. His design, fabricated by Turner Granite Interiors, LLC, was thoroughly planned, with each detail having a purpose. First, the striking India Red granite was chosen to signify the bloodshed that each Purple Heart recipient sacrificed. The large Purple Heart represents the actual medal, as well as strong leadership skills. It also honors General George Washington, who established the original Purple Heart in 1782. Then called the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart was only awarded to three soldiers after the Revolutionary War. Although the idea was never abolished, the award of the badge was not proposed again until after World War I. The two smaller Purple Hearts symbolize the soldiers under General Washington’s command. They also represent the loyalty of those who voluntarily served with or beside their leader, and their devotion to the cause. The three hearts are connected, depicting the unity of purpose and service to the country. The two soldiers etched on either side honor past, present and future recipients of the Purple Heart who have given so much for our country. The tablet of the monument measures 7-4 x 6-7 x 0-8, polish two with the balance rock pitched. It stands on an all polished base measuring 8-0 x 1-4 x 0-8. Six bronze plaques are set in the monument honoring each branch of the U.S. military. A dedication ceremony was held on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011. The monument was unveiled at 11:11a.m. “We had a tremendous response from the city,” Lloyd says about the dedication. Around 250-300 people attended, including veterans, community members and media personnel. Coy and Glenda Turner of Turner Granite Interiors were able to attend the dedication in Lafayette. “Coy drove from Elberton to Lafayette, La., and made sure that the monument was erected properly, supervising the erection and directing the crane operator,” Lloyd comments. “My personal goal was to have the dedication and unveiling on 11-11-2011 at 1100 hours 11 minutes and 11 seconds after the hour. Coy and his employees made this happen and my dream finally came to fruition.” With Lloyd as commander, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 504 held fundraisers to commission the memorial. “I am so excited that it’s come to pass and it’s a reality. The reaction from the crowd brought tears to my eyes,” he says. As of 2010, the approximate count of Purple Heart recipients had reached 1,910,162. Lloyd King, as well as the staff of Turner Granite Interiors, have not only honored those living with the physical and emotional scars of battle, but those who have come before us and those that will come after us to dedicate their lives to one cause: our freedom. I owe everything to Coy and his employees for reproducing an exceptionally finished monument Ninety-three-year-old Purple Heart recipient Rodolph Fabre points to the Army seal on the memorial. Fabre was the oldest recipient in attendance at the dedication, one of two attendees who was wounded in World War II. Unique family memorial by Dixie Granite Company, Inc. Dixie Granite Company, Inc., manufactured this beautiful Dixie Blue granite memorial to rest in the Olive Cemetery in Elkhart, Ind. The family saw a monument of similar size in the showroom of Elkhart Memorials, but wanted to customize it by making two tablets and the center cross. They worked closely with Dan Beck of Elkhart, who translated their request to Dixie. “They wanted the cross to match the two tablets exactly; the scalloped ends and rock pitched edges were difficult to match because the cross is so small, but Dixie was able to do it.” The two tablets measure 2-0 x 0-6 x 2-6, polish two with a rock pitched scalloped straight top and edges. Each has a 2.5” shell rock border on the face. The center cross stands 1-6 x 0-6 x 2-0, polish one, steel one with a scalloped straight top and ends, and a 1” shell rock border on the face. The base, 6-6 x 1-0 x 0-6, has a polished top with rock pitched sides. It features a steeled scooped chamfer in the center for the family name. King’s Monument Company creates cemetery feature King’s Monument Company, Inc., worked with DOH Services of South Holland, Ill., to produce this stunning cemetery feature for the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio Calvary Cemetery. The feature was designed by Inspired Artisans of Milwaukee, Wis. The center tablet measures 2-4 x 0-8 x 5-10, polish five with a roof top. The two wings stand 0-10 x 0-8 x 3-8, all polished. The sub base, 6-0 x 1-2 x 0-6 and base, 7-0 x 1-6 x 0-8 both have polished tops with the balance steeled. All pieces are made of Impala Black granite. Large obelisk made of Keystone Blue Standing a massive 10ft. tall, this beautiful obelisk was manufactured by Keystone Memorials, Inc., out of their signature Keystone Blue granite. The obelisk was designed by the Moore family, with the help of Dorsey Clark at Clark Memorials in Versailles, Ky. “The family knew what they wanted, it was just a matter of deciding on the sizing, color of granite and the types of carvings,” Dorsey comments. “The family had seen this shape in other cemeteries, and before Mr. Moore passed away, he knew this is what he wanted. Mrs. Moore made sure he got it.” The all-steeled obelisk measures 1-0 x 1-0 x 10-0. It stands on an all-steeled, 1-6 x 1-6 x 2-0 tablet with raised rounded letters. The bottom base is also all-steeled and measures 2-0 x 2-0 x 1-0. The memorial is set in the Ebenezer Cemetery approximately 15 miles outside of Versailles. L&M fabricates beautifully carved memorial Resting in the Forest Hills Cemetery in Elberton, Ga., this stunning memorial makes a statement with its detailed carving and all-polished Flash Black granite features. Ronald Hall of Elberton did all of the sandblasting. L&M Granite Company, LLC, created the monument using an EGA design, but making slight modifications to suit the family’s needs. The tablet, 7-1 x 0-8 x 3-11, features an apex top and a polished scotia. An all-steeled sub base measuring 8-0 x 0-10 x 0-4 stands on a base, 10-0 x 1-2 x 0-8, with a polished flat top and a 2” polished margin and the balance rock pitched. J&L makes detailed cross for Macon cemetery Marshall and Jane Butler selected a family estate lot in the Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Ga., as the home for their family’s memorial. They wanted a large cross, but did not want a ‘standard’ design. Shannon Fickling, an architect and member of the cemetery board of directors, offered to design a cross for the Butler family. She worked alongside Cecil Coke, sexton of Riverside Cemetery, and Braxton Markert of Southern Granite & Marble Company to finalize the details and proportions. Shannon’s vision was to, “create a design that was simple, classical, well-detailed and primarily well-proportioned for the size of the Butler’s large lot.” The monument was produced by J&L Enterprises, Inc., long-time associates of SGMCo. The total height of the monument reaches 8-10; the cross stands 3-6 x 0-10 x 6-4 on a 2-2 x 1-4 x 0-6 top base, a 2-10 x 2-0 x 0-10 sub base and a 4-6 x 3-8 x 1-2 base. All pieces are crafted from J&L Select Blue granite and have a velvet finish. Reynolds Marble & Granite creates stunning marble memorial After hours of research and plenty of trips to local cemeteries, the Ikard family of Huntsville, Ala., approached William Sparkman of Sparkman Marble and Granite Company with their exact design. The family combined details from three or four different monuments into one cohesive design. Reynolds Marble and Granite Company fabricated the memorial, perfecting each of the intricate details the family requested. The tablet, carved on the front and back, measures 4-0 x 1-0 x 4-2. It sits on a sub base, 5-0 x 1-4 x 0-6 and a base, 7-0 x 1-10 x 0-10. The cap measuring 4-6 x 1-4 x 1-2, is also carved on the front and back. Each piece is made of Cherokee Marble and has a sand finish. Salisbury Pink replica by Welch’s Granite Welch’s Granite Company, Inc., worked closely with the Teague family to create a memorial identical to their parents’ to rest in their family plot in Jasper, Ga. The beautiful Salisbury Pink granite is the perfect canvas for the intricately cut design. The two wings are carved on both sides and measure 3-8 x 0-8 x 2-6 with notches cut to fit around the pedestal. The center pedestal, 3-0 x 1-0 x 0-8, is lettered on both sides and holds a turned vase, 0-8 x 1-2. The pieces stand on an 11-6 x 1-6 x 0-8 base. There are two slants featuring serpentine tops in front of the monument measuring 2-0 x 1-0 x 1-4. Each piece of the memorial is all-polished. Childs & Childs honors fallen Navy SEAL On June 28, 2011, approximately 50 people gathered on the University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville, Fl., to celebrate the life of James Suh, a Navy SEAL and UF alumni who was killed six years earlier in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan. Petty Officer Second Class Suh was on a voluntary rescue mission to save his teammates. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart for his actions. Childs and Childs Granite Company, Inc., produced the American Black granite memorial, which stands in front of Van Fleet Hall, just off the busiest intersection of the UF campus. Childs and Childs worked with Davis Monument Company in Gainesville. The pedestal measures 1-0 x 1-0 x 2-7, polished four with a sawn bevel top. It stands on a 1-6 x 1-6 x 0-6 base with a polished top and the balance rock pitched. They also fabricated a grass marker measuring 1-6 x 1-6 x 0-1 with a polished top and the balance sawed. The pedestal features a short biography of Petty Officer Suh. The dedication ceremony guests included family, friends, teammates, SOCOM, the UF Navy ROTC, the NSW community and members of the community. It was hosted by the UF Navy SpecWar Club, a group of dedicated midshipmen and underclassmen who are preparing for a career in the NSW. Generous contributors paid for the memorial, teammate and family expenses along with the reception. The staff of Childs and Childs felt privileged to create this memorial in honor of Petty Officer Suh. Although they were pushed for time, the staff was determined to finish the project, their second in a year’s time for a Navy SEAL. Officer Suh’s sister sees the memorial for the first time. Keystone Memorials, Inc., celebrates town’s veterans Although the city of Mt. Jackson, Va., is not big in size or population, the people there are very big in community pride. When the original town office was torn down, the city officials wanted to fill the vacant quarter-acre lot with something that would represent the town. They decided on a veteran’s memorial, using hometown monument company Rinker and Frye Memorials. Mike Rinker worked closely with the staff of Keystone Memorials, Inc., to fabricate each piece of American Black granite for the monument. The city officials hired an architect to design the monument. “It was pretty intricately designed,” comments Mike. “Each piece had to fit together like a glove.” Eleven American Black panels line the main brick structure of the memorial. Each panel, measuring 2-6 x 0-2 x 2-3, features a branch of the military or the motto of one of the branches. Three 4-0 benches create a sitting area around the monument, which is lined by 13 bevels, 0-8 x 0-8 x 1-6, representing the original 13 colonies. Each piece is all-polished. The monument was dedicated on Veteran’s Day, 2010. Baston Monument, Inc., creates new memorial, restores existing monuments In 1911, the United Daughters of the Confederacy dedicated a marble memorial topped with a bronze statue in honor of the Civil War Veterans of Jackson County, Ga. Years later, the statue was badly damaged after it fell off the base. For years, the marble monument standing in the Jefferson Town Square had no statue. The local Sons of the Confederacy Veterans, Camp 94, was reactivated in 2006 and took on their first project of rebuilding the bronze statue. The group presented their ideas to the City of Jefferson and to the local Historical Society for approval, but someone forgot to ask the State United Daughters of the Confederacy. Before installation, the group said the original memorial could not be changed. After a small hiccup in the plans, Mike Bowen of the Sons of the Confederacy approached Michael Baston of Baston Monuments, Inc., to fabricate a new base for the statue. Baston created a beautiful Baston Select Blue granite base, the perfect pedestal for the Civil War statue. Five pieces of all steeled granite make up the memorial. The bottom base, 5-0 x 5-0 x 0-10, holds a sub base, 4-0 x 4-0 x 2-0. The center tablet stands 3-0 x 3-0 x 6-0, with a sub cap at 3-4 x 3-4 x 0-6 and a cap measuring 3-8 x 3-8 x 1-6. An unveiling and dedication ceremony for the new statue was held on October 1, 2011 in the Jefferson Town Square. After finishing the new statue, Michael Baston and his team offered to repair and restore one of the other two statues in the Square that had been broken. When they were done, the statue looked good as new, and made the third statue look a little dated. Baston also restored the third statue, bringing it back to life as well. The Jefferson Town Square now has one new and two like-new statues to commemorate their veterans. Mike spoke highly of the Baston crew. “Michael Baston and his staff were so easy to work with. They have a great company.” Childs and Childs Granite Company, Inc., honors the original Lone Star State Although Texas is often referred to as the “Lone Star State,” history shows that it was not the first state to use the Lone Star Flag. The Lone Star Flag originally served as the flag for the Republic of West Florida, which included what is now the Florida Panhandle, plus parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Southeastern University Professor and chairman of the West Florida Republic Bicentennial Commission Sam Hyde decided to leave a legacy exposing the truth – even though the Republic lasted only 74 days, it was still the first Lone Star State. Childs and Childs Granite Company, Inc., worked with Amite Marble and Granite in Amite, La., to produce the Caprice Blue granite monument. The center tower stands 1-0 x 1-0 x 6-0, all-steeled with a 4” beveled top. It holds an all-steeled star that was cut by Amite Marble and Granite. Two all-steeled wings flank the center column and measure 2-10 x 0-8 x 5-6. A base holds the monument, measuring, 7-6 x 1-4 x 0-6, also all-steeled. The monument stands at the Louisiana State Visitors Center in Slidell, La., which marks the spot of the beginning of the historic West Florida Republic Trail. On September 10, 2011, the city’s bicentennial celebration was brought to a close with a dedication of the monument. Vibrant colors stand out in sign by Keystone Memorials, Inc. Keystone Memorials, Inc., worked with Booth Memorial Company in Richmond, Va., to fabricate a beautiful sign for the new offices of Whitlock located in Richmond. David Booth, in conjunction with Whitlock officials, created the design using the company’s new logo. Since the design included such intricate details involving the logo, David and the Keystone staff worked diligently to get everything exact, down to the shades of blue used on the project. “We went back and forth on the colors to make sure they were exact. The Oglesbys were, as usual, completely patient with us and the customer,” he says. The sign is made of one large piece of Galaxy Black granite. It measures 6-0 x 0-8 x 3-0 with a 6” steeled band across the bottom. The staff of Whitlock is thrilled with the results. “Everyone is elated, even up to the highest boss,” David says. “Keystone did a beautiful job on the sign.” M&S Electric, Inc. David Maxwell and Steve Sanders took completely different routes to their electrical careers, but the ended up working at the same shop in the 1980s. After working together for seven or eight years, they decided to take a chance and start their own shop. Now, the two run M&S Electric, Inc., a business they started together in 1990. The business is located on North Oliver Street in the original building, but over the years they have added a new warehouse, a new shop, and new buildings at their second site on Whiteside Drive. Their main source of business is the local granite industry, but they have done work on machines across the country. The team builds custom control panels and are now starting to build their own equipment. M&S also has a large inventory of new items on hand, as well as a large selection of surplus items in stock. “We to try to cover the full spectrum of electrical work - not just repair, but new construction and inventory,” Steve comments. David and Steve refurbish used machines to give them new purpose. “We try to create as much value for our customers by repurposing machines,” Steve says. David’s interest in building and refurbishing equipment is taking off; they offer new and used end trucks for cranes, refurbished cranes, and they are in the process of working on a refurbished polisher. Even with their new ventures in equipment building, Steve and David are always willing to drop what they’re doing to help their customers. “We’re always at our customer’s beck and call,” Steve says. “We know their down time on their machine’s is bad for their business, so we don’t want to keep them waiting,” Design Mart, LLC, began in 1969 when Joe Fernandez took his drafting and design experience to the next level. Joe saw that monument sales were changing from door-to-door sales to direct mail and from prints to catalogs. Design Mart was one of the first companies to offer brochures with monument designs. In the mid to late 1980s, the company began offering software to go with their brochures. Until this point, manufacturers were required to purchase a new machine to have the designs, and then they were limited to the designs that were compatible with their one machine. Design Mart made it possible for companies to purchase a variety of designs that would work with any machine, saving the companies the money and hassle of purchasing all new hardware. Joe’s son Mike joined his dad in 1995 after working with an advertising agency in Atlanta. The two have built Design Mart into a common name here in Elberton and around the country; manufactures around town use the popular D-Mart designs in much of their production. One of Design Mart’s most helpful tools is their strong web presence. They have created the Online Monument Designer, a site that retailers can subscribe to and use to help create custom monuments with their customers online. They are always working on a new series of designs; their collection is now up to 30 series with anywhere from 40-100 designs per series. Mike Fernandez shows off the Online Monument Designer to the students of the EGA Training Institute. Downtown Display Another round of stunning memorials have hit the Elberton Downtown Display. Our members have pulled out all the stops using mixes of colors, finishes and shapes. Each piece has unique details and shows exemplary craftsmanship. Make sure to check out the Display next time you roll through town! Keystone, Reliance, King’s Brownstone, Eagle, Central, Childs and Childs Hunter Granite welcomes new office manager Hunter Granite Sales, Inc., announces the hiring of their new office and customer service manager, Tricia Fortson. Tricia comes from a background in the industry, boasting 25 years of sales and customer service experience. She is in charge of processing orders, giving quotes and working closely with the customers. Tricia started her work in the industry when she was commuting to Athens for work, and decided she would try a job in Elberton to eliminate the driving time. She has been with Hunter since April of 2011 and loves it. Tricia has a daughter and two grandchildren, and she is a member of Dewy Rose Baptist Church in Elberton. New salesman at Rome Granite, Inc. Tommy McGarity of Elberton has joined the sales staff of Rome Granite, Inc. Tommy is a third generation granite employee, with 26 years of experience under his belt. He has worked in every aspect of the industry, starting in the quarries and plants when he was just a teenager. During his first months at Rome Granite, Tommy has been selling granite across the country and has traveled to conventions representing the company. “It’s a great company. I work with some good people who believe in doing quality work and producing a good product,” he comments. Southern Mausoleums, Inc., recreates classic design They say history repeats itself – so does monument design. Southern Mausoleums, Inc., worked with Brookhaven Monument Company to recreate a mausoleum design that they first fabricated over 15 years ago. SMI still had the original contract and used that to replicate the design for the couple’s son. When the first mausoleum was delivered, the top piece was slightly cracked. Tom Oglesby and his staff traveled to Midville, Miss., where it was set and replaced the top. The couple’s son remembered this, and said it’s the main reason he came back to the company. The mausoleum is fabricated from American Black granite with Keystone Blue granite columns. It features two turned vases and steps leading to the doors, each with a different Bible verse. The original design was modeled after another mausoleum in the cemetery, but modified for the family. It is now a design featured by SMI. “This is the nicest one I’ve ever sold,” comments Dave Pace of Brookhaven. EGA welcomes new members: Greene County Quarries, Inc., and Elite Stone Solutions, LLC Greene County Quarries, Inc, a division of North Carolina Granite Corporation, has joined EGA. NC Granite Corporation has been in business since 1889. They currently lease and manage the Greene County Quarries, located seven miles south of Greensboro, Ga. The 60+ acre drive-in quarry produces a light grey, large grained stone used primarily as dimensional stones for building work. Currently, they have contracted with Eric Higginbotham of Specialty Stone Services to run the quarry. Johnny Beamer of Greene County Quarries David Dye of Echols Mill Quarry and Greg Noggle of Reliance Granite Company, Inc., have teamed up as co-owners to start Elite Stone Solutions, LLC, located on Stinchcomb Road in Elbert County. The company specializes in domestic building materials. Their main focus is to capitalize on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, an internationally-recognized green building certification system. Their main product is the Silver Cloud granite, quarried in Lithonia, Ga., but they offer an array of domestic stones. They also sell colored monumental slabs and offer slabs in ¾ and 1 ¼ inch thickness. David has 25 years in the business, and Greg has over 30, so the two are very knowledgeable in the field. During their first year in business, Elite Stone has constructed many large building projects including flooring and walls for a park in Gainesville, Ga., and a wall in Atlanta in which they mixed many colors and finishes of granite. Keep a lookout for their upcoming website which is in progress now. Elite Stone’s plant is full of top-of-the-line equipment Allen “Gene” Eugene Roberts Allen “Gene” Eugene Roberts, Sr., 61, of 2869 Deep Creek Road, Bowman, Ga., husband of Lori Manning, passed away Tuesday morning, October 4, 2011, at his home. Mr. Roberts was born in Madison County, Ga., August 9, 1950, son of the late W.C. Roberts and Inez Todd Roberts. He was the owner/operator of Granite Brokers, Inc., of the Baptist Faith and a member of the Elks Club in Mangum, Oklahoma. Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Lori Manning Roberts of the home; sons and daughter-in-law, Joey and Leanne B. Roberts of Bowman, Ga., Al Roberts, Jr., of Jacksonville, Fl., and Cody Roberts of the home; brothers Billy Roberts of Homer, Ga., and Charles Roberts of Royston, Ga.; sister Mildred Wells of Waco, Texas, and four grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a brother, Henry Roberts and a sister, Lettie Pearl Black. Funeral services celebrating his life were held at 1p.m., Saturday, October 8, in the Elberton First Baptist Church with Rev. Gary Purvis officiating. Burial followed in Elmhurst Cemetery with Tony Maxwell, Chuck Almond, Timmy Erwin, Jerry King, Dwayne Yeargin and Sam Jackson serving as pallbearers. The family received visitors at Berry Funeral Home on Friday, October 7. Mel Fleischer Mr. Mel Fleischer, 76, of Elberton, Ga., passed away Monday, October 3, 2011, at Athens Regional Medical Center. Mel was born August 19, 1935 in Sanford, Fl., son of the late Irvin and Mary Buford Powell Fleischer. Mel graduated from Florida State University where he met his bride of 52 years, Angela Ambrosini Fleischer. Mel served his country in the United States Marine Corps then moved to Elberton and enjoyed working in the granite industry. While attending FSU, Mel lettered in both golf and baseball. He was captain of the FSU Golf Team, and a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity where he received the distinguished Garland Allen Award. While in the Marine Corps, Mel won the All-Marine Corps Golf Classic and came in 4th place at the All-Armed Services Golf Classic. He spent his life here in Elberton helping many young people as a Little League coach, then coaching the ECCHS Golf Team. Many young people were fortunate to have Mel as their coach and mentor. Mel was also very active in community organizations, having served as Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Elberton Country Club, and as a member of the Georgia State Golf Association Board of Directors. Mel was a member of the Elberton First United Methodist Church and attended the Mary Freeman Sunday School class there. In addition to his wife, Angela, Mel is survived by a son, Greg C. Fleischer and his wife, Leanne; a grandson, Nick Fleischer and his wife, Jessica; one great-granddaughter, Shiloh Fleischer; and a sister, Diana Fleischer. A service to celebrate Mel’s life was held Thursday, October 6, 2011, at 11:30 a.m. at Elberton First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Wayne Smith officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends was held Thursday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the church. Internment was at Elmhurst Cemetery. Monument Builders of the Carolinas Annual Convention September 15-17, 2011 Myrtle Beach, SC The Monument Builders of the Carolinas held their annual convention at the Crown Reef Restor in beautiful Myrtle Beach, SC. Although we did not have the perfect beach weather, we still had a great show. The facilities at the Crown Reef were wonderful, and we are already marking our calendars to attend the show there next year. The programs and booth spaces were informative and the ending entertainment was definitely a highlight of the weekend. Thanks to everyone for a great convention! Dobby and Claudia Grossman, Florence, SC; James Walters, Eagle Granite Company, Inc.; John Conway, Jr. and John Conway, Sr., Greenville, NC; Kathy Coggins, Eagle Granite Company, Inc.; Lauren Kennedy, Greenville, NC Bruce Bicknell, Bicknell Supply Company; Jim Bell, Beloit, KS; Beth and Steve Carroll, King, NC; Mike Beri and his son, Bicknell Supply Company; Kenneth and Anne Dyal, Summerville, SC; Randy and Jill Bright, Wake Forest, NC Jeff Reynolds, Newland, NC; Barbara and Robert Worley, Majestic Granite Company, LLC; Beth and Steve Carroll, King, NC Bob Barton of Marble, SC, was the winner of the EGA door prize, our Creating Memories DVD and a set of EGA Art Prints. Pictured with Kellyn Willis of EGA. Kathy Coggins, Eagle Granite Company, Inc.; Cathy Batts and her daughter, Rolesville, NC; April and Brad Myers, South Boston, VA; David and Patricia Myers and their grandaughter, South Boston, VA; Matthew, Ann and Greg Campbell, Silver City, NC; Chris and Melena Cochran, Rutherfordton, NC; James Walters, Eagle Granite Company, Inc.; Bob Barton, Marble, NC; Cathy and Ron Ledbetter, Shelby, NC; Anne and Kenneth Dyal, Summerville, SC; Sharon Revis and Jimmy Droze, Florence, SC Ron and Cathy Ledbetter, Shelby, NC; Chris and Melena Cochran, Rutherfordton, NC; Lu and Mike Loy, Mt. Airy, NC; Ronnie Brown, Miles Supply of Elberton; Bob Barton, Marble, NC; Ric Dixon, Miles Supply of Elberton Rebecca Beggs, Creative-Premier Designs, Inc.; Cathy and Ron Ledbetter, Shelby, NC; Kathie Bell, A.Q. Stone Design Company Tennessee Monument Builders Association & Kentucky Association of Monument Dealers Joint Convention October 20-22, 2011 Memphis, TN The 2011 Tennessee Kentucky Monument Builders Convention was a great event. The exhibit hall was full of wholesale exhibits and the retailers were extremely well represented. Memphis is a great convention town. The downtown Double Tree Hotel offered spacious meeting rooms, service that was second to none and with its central location, it allowed convention goers a chance to sightsee without having to go very far. Richard Todd did a fantastic job setting up the educational sessions, the tours and the entertainment for the closing banquet. I’ve known Richard for a number of years, but I had no idea that he was friends with ELVIS! Ann Mincey, Ronnie Mouchet, L&M Granite Company, LLC; Tammy and Bobby Barnett, Union City, TN; Connie and Tony Mills, L&M Granite Company, LLC; Mark and Anna Mosley, McKenzie, TN; Stanley Mills, L&M Granite Company, LLC; Connie Curtis, Phillip Crocker, McKenzie, TN. Barbara Worley, Majestic Granite Company, LLC; Ronnie Lovinggood, Granite Sales and Supply Company; Cindi Worley, Majestic Granite Company, LLC; Joe and Diane Davison, Dyersburg, TN; Rachel and Steven Stover, Dyersburg, TN Andy Futrell, Louisville, KY; Ricky Robertson, Henry and Henry, Inc. Ronnie Brown, Miles Supply Company of Elberton; Derwin and Brenda Merion, Martin, KY; Bev and Penny McGuire, Martin, KY; Don and Judy Bentley, Mt. Eden, KY; Mark and Anna Mosley, McKenzie, TN; Phillip Crocker, McKenzie, TN; Leigh Nash, Miles Supply of Elberton, Connie Curtis, McKenzie, TN Mike Beri, Bicknell Supply Company; Donna and Bob Bratton, Dickson, TN; Marty and Rose Walker, Walker Granite Company, Inc.; Earnest and Margaret Hillman, Memphis, TN; Daniel and Autumn Raper, Henderson, TN; Anthony and Vicki Rowland, Bethel Springs, TN David Edwards, Southern Granite Company, Inc.; Don Bentley, Mt. Eden, KY; Vicki Edwards, Southern Granite Company, Inc.; Andy Futrell, Louisville, KY; Kelli and Greg Klaiber, Ashland, KY; Judy Bentley, Mt. Eden, KY; Melissa Dias, Southern Granite Company, Inc.; Steve and Leslie Hoskins, Marion, KY