It happened here, years ago

Sue Rogers, R.N. administers vaccine to Gayla Broadway at the immunization clinic held at the Piggott Schools in the early spring of 1978.
(Times file photo)

[Click to enlarge]

Big news out of Memphis 40 years ago this past Friday as Piggott's own Deborah M. "Debbie" Sale won the Miss Memphis pageant, taking the crown over 25 other Midsouth beauties. In other news, members of the local citizens band radio club have joined together and are forming a Civil Defense unit. The effort will be coordinated by sheriff Burness Dalton.

Piggott superintendent J.B. Swift offered-up an update on improvement efforts as the school year drew to a close. The district had added three portable classrooms, moved the lunchroom in Pollard and improved some classrooms, blacktopped the playground at Piggott, purchased 150 new desks, 1,644 new library books, 22 sets of encyclopedias, 36 globes, 12 sewing machines and new bleachers at the football field. Other improvements included the addition of fluorescent lights, lockers, clock and bell system for the junior high and bell system for the St Francis campus, remodeling the home-ec room and construction of a new science lab. The school also purchased an additional block of property, built a new administration office on that block and shelled-out over $31,000 for supplies just to mention a few items.

Piggott Explorer Post #46 attended the spring camporee at Old Davidsonville recently. Making the trip were Larry Causey, Dennis Jordan, Steve Parker, Joe Cole, Tim Huffman, Jimmy Blair, Marvin Harris, Larry Martin, Ricky Rodery, David Varvell and advisor Bob Martin. Henry Parker and J. B. Harris drove the boys over for the event while James Blair and Jewell Causey handled bringing them home.

Congrats to David Cannady of Datto, winner of the 1968 Clay County spelling bee. Second went to Alvin Vangilder of Rector (although he was listed as Alton) and third was Henry Burns of Corning.

1978

Progress continues on construction of the new Piggott Community Hospital 30 years ago this week. Work on the new facility was halted in the fall when the west end of the foundation began to sink. In other news, the recent immunization program at Piggott schools was a success. The effort was headed-up by school nurse Gwen Duckworth and county health nurse Sue Rogers.

Landowners met recently and agreed to re-activate the Big Slough watershed, gathering with local officials and representatives of the St. Francis Drainage District. Meanwhile, congratulations to the Greenway FFA dairy cattle judging team for placing third in the state competition at Fayetteville. Team members are Alan Copelin, Mark Benson, Vance Madison and Bill McHaffey. In a related note, the Greenway senior class will sponsor donkey basketball May 1 with featured riders Sheriff Cloyce Pierce and Deputy Darvin Stow.

Finally, at the Carolyn Theater the feature would be "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on Thursday, April 27. The feature beginning Friday would be "Five Days from Home", while "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" would be the late show feature. (What, we're having Meatloaf again?)

1983

The board of the Piggott Chamber of Commerce met 25 years ago this past Saturday, and heard an update from President Don Roeder on several projects including the "Piggott Slogan Contest". The chamber also voted to sponsor a visit by "Up With People" for July. In other news, Sugar Creek Country Club has new tee box signs, which were handcrafted by Norm Gossett. Holes 1-8 have various sponsor ads and number nine is: In memory of Everett "Shorty" Stewart.

The spring sports banquet was held at PHS with several athletes honored. Melissa Berry and Sherri Watson were All-District picks, while the boy's team placed Jerry Jordan, Mike Book and Joe Smith on the All-District roster. Jordan was also an All-State, early round, pick while Smith was also named as Mr. Mohawk for 1983. Also in sports, the Powder-Puff football game between the junior and senior girls was called-off early in the third quarter due to rough play. The senior girls took the win by a final of 6-0.

In other school news, the PHS junior-senior banquet and prom will be April 29..meanwhile Greenway High School will graduate a class of nine seniors on Sunday, May 1.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Tootsie" while the late show is "Italian Stallion". And finally, Veal Oil/Piggott Shell had a big tire sale with 6.78x15 tires at $45.50 each….and you got a free car wash with every tire purchase.

1988

Joe Cole, chairman of the bandstand committee, reports that work is near complete on the new structure with the Boy Scouts scheduled to do the painting. Cole noted that the new bandstand sits slightly farther west than the original and is facing a different direction. (on the original the steps were on the southeast side) The new bandstand will be complete well before the annual Arts and Crafts festival on May 28.

A group of 12 local Boy Scouts attended Space Camp in Alabama recently, they included--Patrick McNatt, David Mallard, Jason Howell, Danny Brawner, Chris Brawner, Brian Shaw, Jon Huffman, Wade Smart, Tim Mowery, Jason Smith, Shane Hogard and Michael McNatt.

In other news, members of the Piggott Community Hospital Auxiliary were recognized for their volunteer efforts at a banquet.

In sports, the Mohawk baseball team stands at 3-11 with two games to go before the district tournament at Highland. The Tribe is slated to play Biggers-Reyno in the first round, and with a win will take on top-seeded Corning. And former PHS standout Amie Binkley has signed to play basketball at ASU. Binkley left Piggott after her junior year and helped Nettleton to the state volleyball title. While playing hoops for the Lady Raiders she averaged 16 points, three assists and two steals per game.

Finally, at the Kennett Cinema this week; "Moonstruck" thru Thursday, starting Friday: "Good Morning Vietnam".