2020 FALL GRANITEER I sit here thinking that here we are going into Fall, and right now, we should be wrapping up another successful convention season. Sadly we are not, and I am saddened to say that our industry has not been able to meet in person since the end of February. I know for myself; I miss seeing all of our friends from outside of Elberton. I miss the comradery and socializing that our conventions allow. There is much to be said about face to face relationships whether they be friendship or professional. It is times such as those shared at conventions that leads to much of what makes our industry great. The Convention Camera is one of the features of each Graniteer magazine that everyone seems to enjoy a great deal. It is an opportunity to see the Elberton suppliers with their retail customers, at the various conventions throughout the year. To witness those relationships that grow year by year if you could not attend or to reminisce if you were there. This one section of our magazine took up a good amount of space, and it is sad that we don’t have that to look back on. Reflecting on that, I realize how much we have missed out on this year due to social distancing in order to stop covid-19 from spreading further to those we hold dear. It is times like this that I have to step back and be thankful for social media, otherwise we would definitely be falling out of touch with each other. If you are not on one of the Facebook Monument Builder pages, I would encourage you to look into them, they are a great way to keep up with what is going on in our industry. They are also a great source to ask questions and to get information from others in the monument industry. Another great tool to keep up with in the industry is the EGA Facebook page. Remember to go and like the page, which Mona keeps updated with current information. Another valuable asset is the EGA’s website: egaonline.com. A great feature of the website is the archive of all the past editions of the Graniteer magazine. As I have stated in the past, if you have some time to kill, get on the EGA website and get in to the Graniteer archive and spend some time looking back at the past issues of the magazine. I guarantee that you will be amazed to remember what you thought you had forgotten. Mona spends time each quarter, revising the page to improve search capabilities of the past editions. Looking towards 2021, I am not sure that the prospect of getting together for conventions is going to improve anytime soon. We are hopeful that the situation will improve, however, the reality is that traveling, and conventions may be much different going forward. We may be relegated to virtual conventions and webinars for some time yet to come. Not to say that those methods of communication are a bad thing, they are just different than what we are accustomed to. I would encourage each of you to reach out to each other and your manufacturers. Don’t lose that personal touch that makes the granite industry so special and so unique to other industries. Let’s work to keep the family-like atmosphere that we all enjoy and look forward to alive and well so we can, once again, enjoy these conventions together in the future. Thank you all for being such an amazing part of an industry we, here at the EGA, consider family. New Safety Inspector, Donald Snizaski EGA is excited to announce that there is a new Safety Inspector that will be making annual safety inspection walk-throughs as part of our Risk Management Program. Don will be doing the annual inspections to ensure the safety of EGA member-firm’s workers. Don comes to our program with over 27 years of working experience. He has served the last 23 years at Life & Safety Consultants as President with OSHA Authorized Training. He is experienced in Environment Health and Safety Management Assistance. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Behavior Modification/Industrial Psychology at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. His certifications include OSHA 501 General Industry, OSHA 500 Construction, Basic Safety Standards, Electrical Code Standard, Process Safety Management, Certified Automated External Defibrillators (AED), CPR & First Aid Trainer, Bloodborne Pathogens Trainer, Certified Independent STAR Assessor, and MSHA Mine Safety Health Administration Trainer. Outside of doing the annual walk-throughs, Don will be available for one-on-one safety consultations upon your request. Please welcome Don with a hearty handshake when he makes his rounds. EGA is excited that we can build a great relationship and understanding of safety with Don’s help and the knowledge that he brings to the table. Don is excited to help make a difference. Johnson Machine Shop Builds New Chop Saw This special built chop saw was made by JOHNSON MACHINE SHOP. It was designed to have many features including the ability to cut notches in monuments such as heart and cross shapes. This machine is completely self-contained with a hydraulic cylinder used to raise and lower the blade, left and right movement of the blade along with moving the cart in and out. The cart is fabricated with a pop-up feature to lift the stone and turn its position while on the table. All of the cylinders have a flow control valve to adjust each cycle as needed. The movement of the blade can be controlled with the eight-button cordless remote control to ensure employee safety. Introducing the EGA Board of Trustees 2020-2021 Seated Left to Right; Stan Mills, L & M Granite Company, Trudy King, King’s Monument Company, and Marty Walker of Walker Granite Company; Standing Left to Right; Mark Hill, Hillcrest Granite Company, Bo Rutherford of Pyramid Stone Industries, Nick Fleischer, Eagle Granite Company, Chris Kubas, Executive Vice President, Jake Smith, Central Granite Company, Mark Harper, Harper’s Quarry and Billy Bryant, Gold Eagle Quarries A major reason that the Elberton Granite Association is so successful in caring for our members is because of the hard work and dedication that the members of our board put into their positions. Their steadfast work and their ability to come together for the good of the granite industry is a remarkable feat. In June of this year, the members of the Elberton Granite Association came together for their annual membership meeting. During that meeting, three new trustees were elected to serve for the next three years and the three trustees that have been serving for three years rolled off of the board. The board meeting that followed the annual meeting was where the new officers of the trustees were elected to serve in their positions for the next twelve months. Mark Hill with Hillcrest Granite Company, Trudy King with King’s Monument Company and Jake Smith from Central Granite Company are the new trustees to be elected to the board. Meanwhile, Greg Ruff with River Edge Granite Company, Outgoing-President, Roger Wallace of Wallace Granite Sales and Marty King of King’s Monument Company all finished their three-year term. Thank you, gentlemen, for all that you did for the EGA and the granite industry in whole. The new President of the EGA is Nick Fleischer of Eagle Granite Company. Nick is on his second year on the board of trustees. Mark Harper of Harper’s Quarry will be serving as Vice President. This is also Mark’s second year to serve on the board. Marty Walker with Walker Granite Company will continue serving as Treasurer for his third year on the board. We look forward to another productive year. Thank you to all of the board members that take time from their companies to keep the industry running smoothly. 4TH ANNUAL MUSEUM FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT FALL 2020. ARROWHEAD POINTE GOLF COURSE. All proceeds of the Elberton Granite Association’s Annual golf tournament are used to benefit the renovation and upkeep of the Elberton Granite Museum October 16, 2020. EGA is ramping up and preparing for the Annual Museum Foundation Golf Tournament. William Fain working one September morning in 2017 at Beaverdam Quarry William Fain and Elliott Paul with Eagle Granite Company William Fain outside Eagle Granite Company Eagle Says Goodbye As Long-Time Employee, William Fain, Retires When one thinks about the work ethic that is required to run a granite quarry... surely the name William Fain comes to mind. Mr. Fain successfully ran Quarry Enterprises and then Beaverdam Quarry for a total of thirty-three years for Eagle Granite Company. Mr. Fain began his career in 1960 and found himself a position with Eagle in 1987. He was insistent that he learn all of the jobs that are found in a quarry so that he could lead more successfully. In his years of running quarries for Eagle Granite Company, Mr. Fain did everything from running cranes to doing the blasting. He was a hands-on leader. “I didn’t ask anyone else to do anything I didn’t do. I learned that if it meant a little less work, people would cut corners, so I stayed hands-on to make sure everything was done right.” said Mr. Fain. When asked about his work Mr. Fain responded, “I wasn’t real picky, I just did what I had to do.” Mr. Fain took pride in all of his job. He enjoyed working outside and he enjoyed even more so when he was given a few extra-difficult tasks. When Mr. Fain was told a block of granite larger than the normal was needed.... he stepped up to the challenge and celebrated his accomplishment when he succeeded. During Mr. Fain’s retirement he plans to stay busy with his cattle farm. He believes busy hands are most happy. Mr. Fain has farmed his entire life, when he was not at Beaverdam Quarry. And he has his routine for the days ahead all mapped out. Mr. Fain’s wife of 56 years, Elaine, is happy to have him home and working on the farm. She stated, “not a whole lot has changed, he still stays busy all day.” “This man always had a kind word to say about people. Never spoke a harsh word.” stated James Walters, Foreman of Eagle Granite Company. “I would classify William as an ideal quarry foreman. I have never met anyone who worked harder. His experience in quarrying was extensive. In the over thirty years he worked for us, I don’t remember William every missing a day of work because he was sick. He was a good, loyal employee who looked out for the best interests of the company. We will miss William and I hope that he enjoys his retirement - he very much deserves it.” stated Elliott Paul, Owner of Eagle Granite Company. Design Mart Announces Availability of Cremation Series for Online Design Design Mart recently announced the release of their Cremation monument series in their Online Monument Designer, which creates color proofs, and exports cut files to all popular CAD and illustration programs according to Design Mart president, Mike Fernandez. “Due to the increasing numbers of cremations and requests from monument retailers we formatted this series to be used with our Online Monument Designer,” Fernandez says. “Some people prefer a monument because it provides a sense of place for the family, and it can also provide an alternative where part of the family wishes to be cremated and another may choose traditional burial.” “The Cremation monument series is ideal for families who desire cremation but also want a traditional monument,” Fernandez says. Many retailers use the monument designs to serve families who have a loved one buried traditionally and another cremated with an urn placed in the monument. “This design series is helping retailers assist their customers with more options in a changing death care industry,” Fernandez adds. Most of the urn storage cores are located in the bases of the monuments, or, in some cases, in the monuments themselves. There is a variety of bevels, flats, slants, hearts, crosses, horizontals, verticals, benches and columbaria in traditional and contemporary styles. Technical drawings are included, which show the placement of the urn cores. The Online Catalog makes it easy for those who don’t want to design a monument to browse and search for the design they like. Monuments may be viewed by type, family name, Dmart number, and more. The Online designer features all of the designs from all Dmart books and brochures. The Designer makes it easy to browse and select a monument for personalization. The Online Designer allows work in full color for proofing. Files can then be exported for use with Gerber, Illustrator, Corel Draw, Gerber, MonuCAD and more. Designs may be imported into Gerber, and many other program by saving an AI (Adobe Illustrator) file. For those who prefer CDs most designs are available in AI, CDR, DWG, DXF, EPS and PLT formats for Gerber Graphix Advantage/Omega, Corel Draw, Flexisign, Signlab, Casmate/Inspire, MonuCad, AutoCad, Illustrator and more. Individual designs may be ordered via e-mail. Any series may be ordered on CD ROM. (Contact Design Mart for design availability and prices.) Printed catalogs were prepared and are 11 x 8 1/2” glossy soft cover with 36 glossy pages displaying 37 monument and vase/urn designs in blue/gray granite. Each design has an identification number and sizes for easy ordering from granite manufacturers. These catalogs are ideal for closing sales and creating specifications and finalizing orders with monument manufacturers. Pamphlets are 18” x 14” glossy finish featuring 37 photo-realistic monument and vase/urn designs. Pamphlets are ideal for generating awareness through pre-need or at-need direct mail or in-office use. The pamphlets fit #10 envelopes, and may be personalized with company name, logo, etc. In addition to being available for download from the Online Monument Designer, designs may be delivered by email or CD individually or as a series. Formats are available for all CAD/Illustration applications including Gerber Omega, Corel Draw, Flexisign, Signlab, MonuCad, AutoCad, Illustrator and many more. Please contact Design Mart for a free demo of the program or watch helpful videos at https://designmart.com/online-catalog-and-monument-designer/monument-designer/monument-designer-tutorials/ More information is available at Design Mart’s web site www.designmart.com. A free 30-day trial is available for the Online Catalog & Monument Designer, including the Cremation series. For more information contact Design Mart at 800-736-7455, email d-mart@designmart.com or visit https://designmart.com/online-catalog-and-monument-designer/monument-designer/about-online-monument-designer/. Line drawings appear next to the color rendering to show where the cremation urns are located in the monument. The online designer allows files to be prepared showing full color for proofing purposes and then transformed into cut files flawlessly. Memories. The Story of Elberton Granite. The Elberton Granite Association has put together a video telling the special story of how Elberton granite came to be. It catalogs how the granite is taken from the quarry and sent to a plant for processing. The story continues from cutting and shaping to polishing and sandblasting. Explanations are given for the different ways monuments can be made and finishing touches put on each one individually showcasing Elberton’s finest stonecutters, sandblasters and artist. This video is available to each retailer at a price of $25.00. Contact Frankie Patterson at the Granite Association at 706-283-2551 or email at frankied@elberton.net. The Art of Cleaning Monuments Using The Pressure Washing Technique Have you ever walked through a cemetery and noticed green-like plants growing on different stones or streaks that seem to run down the monument from age, wear and tear? There are times in a monument’s life-span that a good cleaning may just be exactly what is needed. When that time comes and you feel that you are up to the job.... consult a professional. Find out what the latest and greatest cleaning agents are on the market and research its effectiveness on the type of monument that you are in need of cleaning. For instance, a chemical that may be perfectly acceptable to clean a granite monument may not be acceptable to clean a marble, limestone or a sandstone monument. Something more to look at is what services were done on that monument prior to being set? If your monument has laser or hand etching, then you certainly do not want to mess that up. Furthermore, if there is paint on your laser etching whether it be color or white, detergents can likely ruin all of the beautiful paint on that artwork. This article is for basic use only and does not in any way intend to replace a professional opinion as product and processes change depending on technology and times. For general purposes, let’s say that there is an Elberton Gray granite monument that has sandblasted lettering with no litho paint applied. The monument may appear to have black streaks from acidic rains. It may also have Lichens growing on it. Lichen are living organisms that are similar to fungi. They come in many different colors, such as gray, green, and yellow. To preserve the beauty of the granite and to show respect for the ones that monument is honoring, it will need to be cleaned. The general rule of thumb is to plan a good cleaning on a cool and cloudy day. It is never advised to clean a monument in the heat of the day when the stone is hot or the sun is beating down on it. You will want to gather a bucket, a soft bristled 2 fibre cleaning brush or a sponge (natural sponges seem to work best as they are less likely to damage the stone), safety goggles and gloves. A pressure washer is also best to have on hand, especially a portable one that has a generator if possible. The first step is to wet the entire monument completely. You will want to keep the monument wet throughout the entire cleaning process. Dampen your sponge and begin rubbing the surface of the stone to remove the top layer of dirt or debris that may be loose. Since the monument is subjected to natural elements, you may find deposits of lichen growing. You can remove or loosen the lichen with the sponge and/or fibre brush along with water. Once you have washed your monument gently with a brush or sponge, it is time to use the soap or chemical cleaner that you have chosen. Common practice is beginning to spray the cleaner at the bottom of the stone and working your way to the top piece by piece. Clean your base first and then move to the sub base, tablet and/or caps. This process prevents the chemical from causing streaking on the stone. Make sure the stone does not dry off. Once the chemical is applied use the pressure washing wand and rinse the monument from bottom to top ensuring to rinse off all of the soap or chemical that was applied. It is very important, again, that you consult professionals that are well-versed in the different cleaners and different stones used to create monuments, as technique may change for types of stone, finish or service that was done on each individual one. For instance, EGA member-firms, Bicknell Supply Company, Granite Sales & Supply Corporation and Miles Supply (alphabetically listed) can all tell you the latest and greatest product on the market and advise which is best with whatever stone you are wanting cleaned. Matthews Granite Welcomes New Employee MATTHEWS GRANITE welcomed a new employee on September 8th of 2020. They are very excited to announce that Mr. Josh Collier of Elberton joined Matthews Granite as the Information Technology Manager. Josh came to Matthews with more than 16 years of experience, having served as the IT Office Manager for a local bank in Elberton for the past 14 years. He accomplished his bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Emmanuel College and received the Computer Information Systems Leadership Award. As IT Manager, Josh will oversee all of Matthews technology needs for all divisions of Matthews Granite. Josh will be a vital part of their vision and we are excited for them. Congratulations Josh and welcome to the EGA family! Majestic Granite Company Welcomes New Employee MAJESTIC GRANITE COMPANY welcomed a new employee during the month of September to their growing number of staff members. Melanie Guererro comes to Majestic Granite as her very first place of employment. Melanie attends Elbert County Comprehensive High School where she is working on dual enrollment to study Psychology. Melanie’s role at Majestic will be labeled as a customer service representative. This means that she will be one of the voices on the other side of the phone when you call their office. She will also process quotes and take orders along with general office tasks such as filing and running errands. Melanie keeps a very active life style juggling her new work path, dual enrollment, soccer and band where she plays the clarinet. She is excited for this new challenge and is enjoying her work. Melanie is a native of Elberton and is looking forward to everything ahead of her that there is to learn. The Elberton Granite Association would like to welcome Melanie as well. We wish you all the luck and happiness in your new career. 2020 Elberton Granite Association Scholarship Recipients Each year, EGA gives three scholarships to local graduating seniors to help further their education and life goals. Two of the seniors are from Elbert County Comprehensive High School and one is from Oglethorpe County High School. The students must meet a certain criterion consisting of academic excellence and outstanding leadership qualities. Since 1966, the Elberton Granite Association has awarded scholarships on behalf of its members and each year becomes more and more of an honor. From Elbert County Comprehensive High School, EGA awarded Rebecca Caroline Wallis and Brice Noggle. Rebecca will be attending University of Georgia and pursuing a degree in Accounting. Brice is attending Emmanuel College and is studying History Representing Oglethorpe County High School was Ben Beasley. Ben will be attending Point University studying Financial Management. Good luck students! You can go as far in this world as you want with effort and dedication. Rebecca Caroline Wallis Elbert County Comprehensive High School Brice Noggle Elbert County Comprehensive High School Ben Beasley Oglethorpe County High School Elberton Granite Association Held Its Bi-Annual Level III Blasting Class Matthew Pruitt, Elberton Granite Association Alexander Tyson, Dyno Nobel Russ Dunn, CM Dunn Explosives In 2003 The Elberton Granite Association began holding Blasting Qualification Classes each year to assist our quarriers in ensuring that their employees were certified. By the time Spring of 2008 hit, there was a need for further education in the field. For this reason, in January of 2009, EGA taught their very first Level III Continuing Education Blasting Class. This class has been held every year since then to maintain the certifications of quarry employees who work with explosives. This course, mandated by the State of Georgia’s Fire Marshal Office, is to insure persons using explosives maintain a continued emphasis on safety and regulations. EGA Safety Coordinator, Matthew Pruitt along with Alexander Tyson of Dyno Nobel and Russ Dunn of CM Dunn Explosives came together to provide product safety information, best practices and regulation information for the class. At the end of the day, the class is given a test that must be passed with a 100% grade in order to maintain their license. Each participant receives a Certified Blaster’s Certificate that is good for two years upon completion of the class. In Memoriam George William Huguley April 19, 1939 - July 28, 2020 Mr. George William Huguley, 81, of Highway 72 East, Carlton, husband of 61 years to Hilda Franklin Huguley, died on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at his residence. Mr. Huguley was born in Wilkes County on April 19, 1939, son of the late George Phillip Huguley and Lola Mae Gunter Huguley. He was the founder and longtime operator of North Georgia Monument Company, a former EGA member-firm and Tiny Town Minit Mart. Survivors include his wife, Hilda; children and their spouses: Timothy William “Tim” Huguley and his wife Tammy of Carlton and Deborah Lynn “Debbie” H. Stone Crawford and her husband Mark of Carlton; along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings: Eugene Pless and Phillip Huguley. The Elberton Granite Association would like to send our deepest condolences to the Huguley family. A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words EGA Asks You To Send Us Your Photographs! Do you enjoy seeing your monuments published in the Graniteer or even better.... on the cover? Has it been awhile since one of your monuments was featured? One major misconception is that only EGA Members can submit a monument for consideration. That is not the case. The Elberton Granite Association would like to invite retail memorialists that purchase granite monuments from an EGA member-firm to submit their favorite monuments to the Graniteer editor. Monument photographs can be sent to graniteer1@gmail.com. The monument must meet certain criteria. It must be fabricated in the United States and from an EGA member-firm. This means the monument can be made from an imported granite if it was brought here via block and not pre-fabricated shape. Once a monument has been submitted, the editor of the Graniteer will reach out to the EGA member-firm for permission to move forward with featuring the monument. Many times, the member-firms are asked to send monuments to be considered for the Graniteer, but they struggle to have completed photographs of the monuments set in their permanent location. This is something that retail memorialists usually have access to. For this reason, some monuments that should be featured and displayed in the quarterly publication never get that opportunity. EGA is hoping to open that door a little bit and make it easier for the memorialists to be able to see their works of art published. So, when you finish that beautiful monument and it is all set, snap a few photographs, jot down a few details that might help the article be written and pass it along. (Pages 14 and 15 of this edition of the Graniteer offers many tips on how to take that perfect photograph). The Graniteer editor is committed to assisting memorialists and member-firms to obtain the very best photograph possible and if any questions ever arise, please feel free to contact her. She will gladly discuss and/or advise prospective monument photographers on how to obtain the best results. Call 706-283-2551 or email at graniteer1@gmail.com. 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 the 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 You 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 monument’s 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. The Elberton Granite Association Guarantees Quality with Their Certified Memorial Program. In 1964 The Elberton Granite Association began offering a written guarantee. It was backed by the entire membership of the Association and was a major commitment for the individual member-firms. EGA defined quality standards for material and workmanship by establishing the Certified Memorial Program. The strict standards required for the program demonstrated the member’s intent to provide only the finest quality memorials. Today, this program is still in effect and offered with the same strict requirements. More than 65,340 new memorials, monuments, markers and mausoleums have been certified under the Certified Memorial Program. An experienced inspector is employed by the Association to check every component of the memorial to be guaranteed. Inspectors are required to perform a thorough examination of each piece completing a detailed checklist of quality points before certifying the memorial. Once certified, the EGA logo is inscribed into the memorial to mark its certification. The certified memorial is available on most granite memorials manufactured by a member-firm. The guarantee is available on blank monuments and markers as well as those carved and lettered. The guarantee covers all work performed by the EGA member-firm. To receive the guarantee, it must be requested at the time the order is placed. The guarantee offers to correct or replace free-of-charge any certified memorial or a defective part of a certified memorial if the defects are due to material or workmanship performed by the EGA member. Every certificate is registered and inspection documents for each individual memorial are maintained in the permanent records of the Elberton Granite Association. The Elberton Granite Association is the largest trade association of granite quarriers and manufacturers in the United States. Formed in 1951, its members produce more than 250,000 monuments, markers and mausoleums each year for delivery throughout the United States. The Association guarantee really provides double the protection for the customer. The EGA program requires the manufacturing member-firm to be responsible for any memorial it produces and has guaranteed under the program. If the manufacturer is not able to fulfill the obligation for any reason or if the firm is no longer in business, then the Elberton Granite Association assumes responsibility for replacement of the memorial. It has been written several times, and by several editors, that the greatest thing about the Elberton Granite Association’s member-firms is their ability to come together for the common good of the granite industry. This occasion was just further evidence of that factual statement. Our members never disappoint. The late Jerry King, an EGA member and former president of several terms prior to his passing, envisioned a monument at EGA that would honor the men and women that proudly served our nation. Jerry was a veteran himself and never hesitated to give credit to his fellow veterans for their service to our country. The vision came about in a discussion with EVP, Chris Kubas the summer of 2017. Chris and Jerry discussed the perfect location for such a flag pole directly in front of the Elberton Granite Association office on the College Avenue side of the building. Jerry King passed away that winter and Chris decided that he must carry out the vision that was born in the discussion back in the summer. Spring of 2018, Chris approached the members of the board where several quickly jumped into action volunteering different roles and materials. Plans were made as a team and each company that volunteered to play a role, began the work that they do best. Chris Kubas and Matthew Pruitt helped in organizing the monument and keeping the production moving as the members did their parts. Harper’s Quarry donated a granite block that was sent to Eagle Granite to be cut into the block shape. King’s Monument Company polished the monument and sent it to Keystone Memorials to be sandblasted along with having the hole for the pole to be cored and recesses cut into the front for the Porcelain emblems that were donated by Porcelains Unlimited. Pyramid Materials provided the base of the monument. Once all of these things came together, River Edge Granite spent the day setting the monument with the help of a few members that stopped by to assist. Once the monument was set and the flag pole was lifted and set into place it became obvious that another piece was needed to cover the hole that the pole sat into. River Edge quickly went back to their business and designed and fashioned a custom cap to top the flag pole and to cover the hole to secure the metal pole into place. Former EGA member Willis Dimension Stone supplied the pavers to create the area around the flag pole. The Elberton Granite Association would like to thank every person and every company that played a role in making this flag pole a reality. Our members truly give the granite industry a good name and a positive image. Thank you. Photo timeline of events during setting the flag pole monument. This uniquely designed monument was created by KING’S MONUMENT COMPANY in Elberton, Georgia for Mendota Monument Company in Mendota, Illinois. The three dies were shaped separately and cut so that, when put together, they formed two cutout images of crosses. The center die was formed with an oval top while the two end dies continue that shape going across with both forming a round on each end. The base and foundation continues that round on the ends giving the monument a smooth flair. The monument is made with Blue Sable granite. The foundation was made from Georgia Blue granite to add contrast to the monument. This monument was well thought out and well crafted. It can be found in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Peterstown, Illinois. Blue Sable Georgia Blue Blue Ridge Granite EAGLE GRANITE COMPANY created this memorial monument for Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tablet was cut with the unique shape per a design provided by the customer. The bottom ledger is all polished and serves as a base to the tablet and the top ledger. The top ledger is polished on four sides and features a beautiful bevel around three sides, giving it depth and a unique character. The monument is located in the Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana Nestled under a line of oak trees, just inside the entrance of Millen City Cemetery in Millen, Georgia lies a family lot marked with a beautiful monument created by DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY for Fletcher Monuments, LLC in West Columbia, South Carolina. The first impression this monument gives is of the impressively consistent grain of the Dixie Blue granite. The center tablet features an exaggerated serp top with all steeled texture. The tablet is flanked on each side by custom shaped granite pieces. These end pieces are each steel finished on four sides with the inside edges being sawn and nestled against the sides of the center tablet to create a uniquely shaped family memorial. The base is steeled on the top with rock pitched edges all around. The ledger centered with the monument features steel finish along the top with rock pitch edges that match the base perfectly. Bordering the plot is a 12’ x 12’ frame of coping. The coping is steel finish on the top with rock pitch edges all around each outside edge. Sandblasting on this monument and ledger were done per the customer’s design and painted with gray litho. Dixie Blue Granite. This spectacular monument was crafted by KING’S MONUMENT COMPANY for P.L. Gehl Memorial Company in Hartford Wisconsin. The cross is crafted from a solid piece of granite and perfectly shaped to match the cast iron cross that has marked this resting place for the last 163 years. In the middle to late 1800’s, wrought iron or cast iron crosses were erected as burial monuments for German men and women that came to America. Gehl Memorial’s customer requested that her 3rd Great Grandfather’s memorial cross be renovated and made more structurally sound. The old cross was retrieved and cleaned, a rubbing was made and it was sent to Marty King at King’s Monument Company. King’s Monument Company used some of their newest technology to cut and smooth each and every curve in the granite to create the custom shape of the cast iron cross. Dowel holes were cut into the granite cross shape in order to attach the original cast iron cross. The granite cross features a steeled finish on the edges and a polished finish on front and back. The sub base is all polished with the last name, as it appears in today’s time, sandblasted into a frosted box. The last name of German migrants are often changed throughout history as time goes on. The family wanted to keep the original name that is on the cast iron cross and include the spelling of the name as it is today on the granite. The base features a polished top with rock pitched edges on all four sides. The variations of polish, steel and rock pitch textures blend perfectly on this very unique monument. King’s Monument Company and P.L. Gehl Memorial Company did an excellent job reviving this historical cross of a beloved family member. This monument can be found in Saint Boniface Cemetery in Germantown, Wisconsin. This beautiful monument was manufactured by EAGLE GRANITE COMPANY for Brown Memorials located in Florence, South Carolina. Symbolism plays a large part in the creation of this magnificent monument. The Lane family were lovers of the mountains, their nation, each other and Elvis. All of those elements are uniquely identified in their memorial bench. The tablet, support and base were all cut from a block of jet black granite. The tablet features a traditional arch shape with rustic accents that symbolize the mountain they loved. The tablet is polished on both front and back with rock pitch borders that blend straight into the rock pitched edges. The right side of the tablet has a sawn notch for the seat and the support. The support continues the rock pitch surface leaving a small window through the memorial, much like the mountain valley that is mentioned in the Elvis line that is sandblasted onto the seat front. The base of the memorial bench features a two-inch polished margin with the balance of it being rock pitched. Both the seat and the foundation are crafted from Blue Ridge granite, adding contrast and interest to the design. The seat is all steeled finish and the foundation is sawn on the top with rock pitch on the front edge. This monument can be found in Hillcrest Cemetery in Conway, South Carolina. Jet black. Rib Mountain Red Granite. Dixie Blue Granite. This intriguing monument was created by KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. for Palmer Brothers Granite in Holdrege, Nebraska. Keystone made all of the pieces of this memorial to have unique lines and polished pencil rounds. The tablet features a recessed rounded area that was shape carved within the rounded recess on the front left corner. The base was cut to have a vertical round on the front left and a horizontal round on the right. The vase also features pencil rounds with straight ends. The way this monument was made creates something truly memorable and unique. DIXIE GRANITE COMPANY crafted this monument for Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, Alabama. The monument is made from Dixie Blue granite which is one of Dixie’s signature colors. The tablet has a straight top and ends and is all polished with a one-inch check and a two-inch scotia around the top. The front and back of the tablet both feature a frosted outline lettering. The base repeats the beautiful scotia that is on the tablet leading into a two-inch polished margin. The remainder of the edges on the base are rock pitched. Great job to the team at Dixie for an excellently crafted monument! Keystone Blue Granite. This astounding granite family monument was created by KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. for Goose Ridge monuments in Bozeman, Montana. This monument can be found in Sunset Hills Cemetery also located in Bozeman. This almost thirteen-foot long monument has a uniform steeled finish amongst all of the pieces. The remarkable cap features a rounded top with highly detailed scroll-work on each side. This level of detail leaves one in awe of the craftsmanship. Along the front and edges of the cap are several checks and scotia that blend perfectly together. The tablet portion of the monument continues the detailed checks and scotia work along the top and bottom. There are also two square columns carved into the outer edges to give the monument dimension along with style and flair. The base of the monument is actually set into the concrete foundation. Keystone did a phenomenal job with all of the details and different dimensions of this monument. Dakota Mahogany Granite. This beautifully designed pre-need cross monument was created by CHILDS & CHILDS GRANITE COMPANY for Hutton Monument in Clarksville, Tennessee. The front and back of the cross are polished with frosted areas to create the outline of the cross and a frosted area to serve as a banner to hold the names and dates. Shape carved flowers are sandblasted just above the banner within the cross design. The back of the monument holds the family name within a frosted scroll along with a separate scroll holding scripture. The base features a 3-inch polished margin with the balance rock pitched to match the edges of the monument. SOUTHERN MAUSOLEUMS mastered the construction of this side-by-side, two-person mausoleum for Clark Memorials in Macon, Georgia. The mausoleum was crafted from Keystone Blue granite and is surrounded by matching coping that blocks off the family’s lot. The mausoleum is topped with a rooftop cut cap that covers the entire length of the gable top roof. The front of the roof is sandblasted with the family name. Sandblasted on the back wall of the mausoleum is a personal message about Mr. Bishop. A beautiful drop wash tops the base and two base blocks that are placed at each side of the mausoleum. Southern Mausoleums did a great job crafting this mausoleum. This beautiful hand etched monument was completed by KEYSTONE MEMORIALS and JENSON ETCHING for Deer Creek Monuments in West Liberty, Kentucky. The monument is cut from Keystone’s Galaxy Jet Black granite and features an oval top with straight ends. The edges are rock pitched while the front and back are polished. Ann Jenson, owner of Jenson Etching spent hours upon hours personally hand etching this unforgettable scene displayed on the front of the memorial. Hand etching has become a growing trend in the granite industry as it allows personalized artwork to be a prominent feature, more accurately portraying the loved one’s love and passions. The Jordan family chose this artwork because the family’s hobby is horses and the Western look fit the Jordan’s life perfectly. The hand etching details intricate barn wood planks with horses and cowboy gear. The family name is set uniquely sectioned off on a hand etched wooden board with twisted ropes along the ends. Keystone and Jenson both set a superb example of what can be done these days on monuments. Great Job! This monument is located in the Jordan family cemetery in Crockett, Kentucky. Welch’s Dark Blue Granite. This beautiful pre-need columbarium bench was created by WELCH’S GRANITE COMPANY, INC. for Hamric Memorials in Lexington, Virginia. Cremation is on the rise in today’s society and this columbarium bench offers the perfect resting place for cremains along with a place to sit and remember a loved one and all they brought to your life. The bench is all polished Welch’s Dark Blue Granite. GLASS ART and HILLCREST GRANITE COMPANY joined forces to create this remarkable flat marker for Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas. The marker was crafted by Hillcrest as an all polished flat maker. The hole for the vase was cut and capped and then sent to Glass Art where the marker went through a special process to create a beautiful rendition of a beach surrounded by the image of a bronze border. Special touches were added to the design to truly create that “personal touch” that many customers long for. Mrs. Decker’s side features a stack of books sitting next to an apple and topped with a graduation hat as her passion was education. Mr. Decker’s side features a U.S. Navy Anchor and fireman’s crest. A photo is included on each side of the design. This beautiful marker can be found in the Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas. Hillcrest Blue Granite. One can always count on KEYSTONE MEMORIALS, INC. to put forth their absolute best in creating all of their monuments. They create monument after monument with expertise and this group of monuments is no different. Keystone worked with Columbus Monument Company in Columbus, Georgia to create this set of memorials to be placed in Ft. Benning, Georgia. The monuments recognize and honor the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry. The 5th Cavalry Regiment (“Black Knights”) is a historical unit of the United States Army that began its service in 1855, however, on August 3, 1861, an act of Congress enacted that several regiments be recognized as first, second, third, fourth and fifth regiments of cavalry in the U.S. Army. The 5th Cavalry Regiment began during the Formation and the Frontier and has served through Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm and continues to serve today. Made from American Black granite, this group display features polished finishes on all viewed sides with sandblasted details about the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry along with emblems and crests it served under. The benches recognizes appreciation and thanks to committee members and foundations that helped fund the memorial. Each slant features a two-foot drop on the face of the monument. Keystone did a great job bringing this set of monuments together. Lest We forget. The Elberton Granite Association loves to see that our members work so freely together to meet their customer’s needs. Yet again, GLASS ART and HILLCREST GRANITE COMPANY co-conspired to accomplish this spectacular monument for OM Stone in Hillsboro, Oregon. The monument honors graduates of Seaside High School in Seaside, Oregon that went on to serve in the Vietnam War. The stone is all polished to a shine. Glass Art is featured on both front and back of the monument with one side sporting a grayscale image while the other side features full color emblems of each branch of the military along with the flag and Vietnam ribbons. It also displays the names of 103 veterans that graduated and served in Vietnam. Jenson Etching never leaves one hanging when detail and quality are in order. This masterfully created war scene was hand etched with a diamond tipped tool that scratches the surface of the granite. After each line was sketched, the artist went further to paint the scene in full color whisking one’s imagination right to the scene at hand. Jenson Etching meticulously crafts memorable pieces of art every day. Great job Jenson. This scene is portrayed beautifully. Convention Camera. Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, Georgia 8-30 thru 9-1, 2020 The SCCFA held their annual convention and exhibits at the Hyatt Regency in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia this year. Many hoops had to be jumped through to meet the Covid-19 guidelines, but a good time was had by all that attended. The convention was shared with Georgia Cemetery Association, Cemetery Association of Tennessee, North Carolina Cemetery Association and South Carolina Cemetery Association. Hayden Sipe, STAR GRANITE; Jennifer Willis, MATTHEWS GRANITE; David Brown, Florence, SC; Jason Riggins, Lancaster, SC and Patrick Mallard, Mt. Pleasant, SC Yvonne Slonaker, Madison WI and George Arnold, GLASSART IMAGING, LLC