It happened here, years ago

Both Piggott and Greenway schools were seeking millage increases 40 years ago this month. Greenway patrons were being asked to approve a 5-mill increase while the Piggott district was seeking a 6-mill bump. If Greenway's was approved it would raise their millage rate from 40 to 45, while Piggott was seeking an increase from 36 to 42 mills.

In an effort that may have been the catalyst for the local pee wee basketball program, a group of young men have been practicing recently under the direction of Burness Dalton.

The guys have been working on their basics as they prepare to move-up into the junior high and high school ranks. The group included Billy Seals, Jackie Whiteside, Johnny Moody, Grant Cate, Mark Cate, Bennie Rogers, Philip Starling, Van Haley, Wayne Mowery, Robin Miller, Charles Minton and Gordon High.

The Rebel Market featured a big sale this week in 1968 with ten pounds of sugar for .99, five pounds of meal for .39, two Banquet TV dinners for .79 and T-bone steak for $1.09 a pound.

Finally, here's a rundown of the local churches and their clergy. First Baptist Church, Kenneth Threet; First Christian Church, Dwayne Hornbeck; Emmanuel Baptist, Eugene Dudley; First United Presbyterian, T. Chandler Burton; Church of Christ, C. Ray Miller; Harmony Baptist, Henry Permenter; First Methodist Church, J.B. Harris; General Baptist, W.F. Cravens; First Church of God, Cleo Keirn; First Assembly of God, B.M. Anderson, United Pentecostal, Narene Miller and Calvary Missionary Baptist, D.E. Preston. There was no one listed for the Church of Christ, and Gaston Matthews was the circuit preacher for Langley, Cummins Chapel, Wright's Chapel and St. Francis.

1978

Political announcements, 30 years ago this week, included Glen "Pee Wee" Rouse for tax assessor and Buster B. Griggs for county treasurer. Meanwhile, the Clay County Red Cross chapter has been re-activated and a meeting was held in Piggott Feb. 9.

Clay County has been awarded a grant for summer workers this year. County officials indicated that the first priority would be work at Chalk Bluff, second would be litter pickup and third would be helping with leveling and sodding the new PHS football field.

Speaking of the schools, there was an immunization clinic held Feb. 8 and over 300 students got shots. School nurse Gwen Duckworth was assisted by county health nurse Sue Rogers and health department staff in the effort.

And in sports the Lady Mohawks fell to Hoxie at the district tournament, Vickie Winton had 16 and freshman Shelby Renfro moved up from the junior high team and finished with 10 points.

The big snow storm of January was still in the news, as residents recounted the impact. The Nimmons area was especially hard hit with outlying farmhouses cut off for days. Eugene Parks, Sammy Landrum, Mark Mann and the Engle brothers were singled-out for their efforts.

At the Carolyn Theater the feature was "Murder by Death" and the late show feature was "The Naked Peacock". Coming soon, a special engagement of "The Late Great Planet Earth". And finally, from the want ads, For Sale, hay $1.25 a bale.

1983

Clean-up continues following the fire that destroyed the main building at Piggott Middle School, and the school board voted to take bids on having the debris removed. The board also voted to retain the principals at the three campuses, Richard Runions at elementary, Don Taylor at middle school and Lendall Vannada at high school. Members of the school board also voted to postpone the upcoming school election to June in light of the situation.

The City of Piggott got a new patrolman 25 years of this week as Jim Bedwell was sworn-in Feb. 11. Bedwell, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Bedwell, was a 1972 PHS grad.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Timerider" while the late show feature was "Princess Seka". Meanwhile, the Home for the Golden Years hosted a "Rock-n-Roll Jamboree" featuring "The Chapel Tones" with help from the Catfish CB Club.

In sports, the Piggott Mohawks closed out their home schedule with a weekday afternoon game Tuesday, Feb. 8 as they hosted the Cave City Cavemen for a 1:15 tip. The game, before a packed house of students, came down to nine seconds to play and the Tribe down by one 52-51. Mike Book brought the ball down but couldn't get off a shot and passed it off to Chuck Hope. Chuck made a last second shot, and was fouled, though most observers at the time noted that he took numerous steps to the basket. Hope made the free-throw and the Mohawks won 55-53 for their fifth win in a row. The celebration was memorable.

1988

About 100 local residents attended a meeting, 20 years ago this past week, to speak with officials from Cable Systems USA on a recent rate increase. The company was expanding the number of channels from 12 to 20, and the rate was increasing from $9.25 to $13.95 a month, which upset many of the cable subscribers.

It was announced that Sheffield Nelson, chairman of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, would be the speaker at this year's chamber of commerce banquet on March 10. Meanwhile, the quorum court approved the Greenway Fire Department's request for $1,000 for beepers.

The Cub Scouts held their Pinewood Derby recently and first place went to John Daniel Smart. Second went to Charles Noles, third to Adam Rodery and Josh Sullinger won for Best of Show.

Mr. and Mrs. LaVan Gates of Hernando Miss. have announced the engagement of their daughter Theresa Lynn to Michael Eugene Book of Piggott. The couple, who were both juniors at ASU, were planning a March wedding.