It happened here, years ago

Longtime Ballard Nursery bookkeeper Mabel Hughes and David Ballard stand in front of the office and main barn in the summer of 1983. The Ballard family had operated a nursery in the area since 1895 and had been in the south Piggott location 70 years.
(file photo)

[Click to enlarge]

Greenway High School held graduation ceremonies 40 years ago this past week, this year's valedictorian was Ronnie Benson and the salutatorian was Ricky Smart. Meanwhile, the PHS cheerleaders for the coming year have been introduced, they are--Donajo Cluck, Rhonda Wiley, Brenda Cate, Barbara Featherston, Linda Stidham and Donetta Hughes.

The Jonesboro area continued to dig-out from a killer tornado that tore through the region in the past week. Destruction was widespread and centered in the Nettleton area.

Bad weather has been blamed for a fall in the number of turkey harvested in the spring of 1968, as the 11 day season netted just 752 birds..down from the 953 taken during a ten day season in '67. On the other hand, this year's strawberry crop is large and the berries are now ripe for the picking.

In state news, Arkansas had 506 sawmills operating in 1968…plus 19 wood treatment plants, 11 veneer plants, 32 stave mills, seven paper mills, 34 furniture plants and 151 miscellaneous wood plants. And May 18 marked the grand opening of Dogpatch U.S. A., south of Harrison, as the 825 acre theme park is now open to the public.

Finally, the Jaycees report that the swimming pool will open May 30 and passes are now on sale. Single passes are $7.50..family passes are $10 plus four bucks for each additional child with a max of $30.

1978

Memorial Day services were scheduled at Piggott Cemetery 30 years ago. This year's service will be offered by Elder Danny Self. Meanwhile, the natural gas properties for Ark-Mo power are being sold to Associated Natural Gas effective May 17.

Arkansas Attorney General Bill Clinton visited Piggott as part of his Clinton for Governor Campaign, meanwhile The Piggott Times officially endorsed Frank Lady for the job, asking if the public really wants a 31-year-old Clinton in charge of the state.

Due to a lack of participation, and new government regulations, the annual Crockett Picnic has been cancelled. Sec. Laymon Harris indicates that the Mars Hill Cemetery board will be looking for other ways to help pay for upkeep.

Lola Gibson, chair for the local Cancer Fund drive, reports that over $1,730 was raised this year. And at the Carolyn Theater this week in time the feature was Mel Brooks in "High Anxiety" while the late show was "Le Sex Shop".

1983

There was tragic news 25 years ago this week, as 11 year old Patrick Edwards died in a Memphis hospital from injuries he sustained the previous week when he was struck while riding his bicycle. Patrick, who was the son of Phares and Peggy Edwards, sustained the injuries Saturday, May 14 on West Clay Street as he was en-route home from baseball practice.

Voters in the Piggott School district will be deciding a millage issue on June 14, with a portion of the money going to build a new energy-efficient middle school building to replace the structure that burned. The district's insurance policy only paid about $379,000.

Memorial Day weekend will bring the annual ceremony at the Piggott Cemetery, and this year's service will be offered by Bro. Mike Ebert of the First Church of God. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce will also be hosting the first-ever…first annual… Arts and Crafts Festival.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Flashdance" while the late show was "Desires of Gail Palmer".

And finally, this week's paper recounted the history of the Ballard Nursery, as the business officially ended with an auction of the nursery equipment. The Ballard family had operated a nursery in Piggott since 1895 when Alfred H. "Alf" Ballard and his wife Tennie moved here from Camden Tenn. with four year old son Elmer. The first Ballard Nursery was on the Crockett Road, then on West Clay Street, before locating on the southeast edge of town. The 400 acre nursery operated in that location for over 70 years and was handed-down from Elmer to Jack Ballard..and later to David Ballard. Longtime employees included foremen Richard Keith, Raymond Mowery and later Gerald Graddy. And Mabel Hughes was a stockholder and worked for the company for over 25 years.

1988

The PHS class of 1988 would graduate Sunday, May 29 with valedictorian Taniya Gill and salutatorian Laura Dalton. Meanwhile the fifth annual Chamber of Commerce Arts and Crafts Festival was set for Sat. May 28 on the Piggott square.

The U.S. Postal Service is seeking bids for the construction of the new Greenway Post Office and will open bids June 22 as they look to build a 1,375 square foot facility.

In school news, PHS held their annual awards and sports assemblies. Scholar-athlete honors went to Tim Muse and Deanna Conley. The seventh period middle school history class retired the American Flag at PMS, holding a proper ceremony under the supervision of instructor Kevin Vannada. The new flag was once flown over the U.S. Capital building in Washington.

In other school news, resource teacher Mary Jess Greene has retired after 26 years with the district. The Rector High School grade also taught at Boydsville, Greenway and Holcomb during her career.

And five years after fire destroyed the old middle school, an effort was underway to replace all the class composite photos that were lost in the blaze.

Finally, among the senior profiles of 1988 was that of current Piggott School Board president Shawn Parker. Shawn noted that he was a member of the football and baseball teams, FFA and Student Council. Highlights of his time at PHS included winning the district baseball title in 1987, and being named All-District and All-State Honorable Mention for the Mohawk football team. His career plans were to become a History teacher.