It happened here, years ago

Plans continued for the Piggott Fourth of July picnic 40 years ago this past week, as committee members were named. Heading-up the barbecue preparation this year will be Elmer Stewart, Jessie Crow and Andrew Clayton. Meanwhile, plans also continued for the annual Pollard picnic on July 17 and the St. Francis picnic which is set for July 24.

There was a correction from last week's story about the opening of the Piggott Swimming Pool. The story should have read that Adelia Packwood is also working as a lifeguard at the pool this year. In other news, it's been announced that Cecil and Maredia Dalton have sold Dalton's Sundry to Oather Polsgrove and Margaret Abernathy. The business, which was in the former McMurray Office Supply location, will be known as The Brother and Sister Shoppe. (we called it Cecil's Sundry)

Local rock group "Master Link and the Connections" claimed second place at a talent show in Steele, Mo. recently. Members of the group include--Ricky Latta on rhythm guitar, Link Fuller on lead, Mackey Donner on bass, Ronnie Payne was lead singer, Steve Pace played the coronet, Craig Stewart on saxophone, Damon Jeffrey played the organ, Tony Pace was the drummer and the band manager was Larry Martin.

And in sports, Cates Grocery remained unbeaten in Little League play after a come-from-behind win over Cargill and Sons. Roy Sutfin drove in Robbie Duckworth and Steve Rodery to notch the win, Scot Sale pitched a two-hitter and struck out 14 while Neal Mayberry and Kim Eskew combined for the loss.

1978

Winners of the run-off elections 30 years ago this past week were Cupie Mack over Troy Graddy, Buster Griggs past Audia Niewald and Berlyss Holifield downed Joe Litz. In other political news, the Clay County Democratic convention will be held June 16 at the courthouse in Piggott.

Two PHS grads were in the news for their accomplishments. Stephen C. Daffron, a 1974 grad, was honored as he graduated West Point, while 1977 grad Angie Donner was chosen to receive the Louisiana Tech University basketball team's scholastic award. Donner appeared in 21 games as the team went 20-8, she scored 32 points and grabbed 52 rebounds while maintaining a 3.5 GPA.

Action by the Piggott City Council at their regular June meeting officially marked the beginning of the Piggott Parks and Recreation Commission. The commission was formed on a motion by Jim McKenzie and a second by Donald Foster. It was Foster who had originally introduced the idea of forming such a group the previous year.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Saturday Night Fever", while the late show featured "Let's Make a Dirty Movie".

1983

The belated school election was held 25 years ago this past week, as Sam Woodruff retained his seat with a win over Mike Ebert. The local school tax issue was defeated by 73 votes with around 1,000 votes cast. The election had been pushed-back following the fire at Piggott Middle School.

Members of the quorum court discussed the possibility of a county-wide sales tax at their recent meeting, with Judge Harry Niewald citing the rise in operating expenses. Niewald told the JP's that diesel fuel was .58 in 1978, but had recently climbed to $1.14 a gallon. County attorney Joe Calvin was instructed to draw up the paperwork. Meanwhile, the Piggott City Council voted to loan the Parks and Recreation Commission $6,500 to build new tennis courts next to the swimming pool.

The Piggott Public Library continues to hand out the new library cards, which must be used after July 1. The three county libraries boasted over 20,000 patrons, and it was noted that over the past five years over 3,500 overdue books were never returned at a cost of more than $56,000.

It was announced that the cost of marriage licenses will be going up July 1, as they climb from $10 to $20. State officials also added that a blood test would no longer be required to obtain a license after that date.

The PHS class of 1931 held a reunion June 10 at Chalk Bluff Park with 15 of the original 35 members of the class in attendance. And in sports, some 37 young people took part in a basketball camp recently put on by PHS coach Ted Box and Marmaduke coach Chester Barner Jr.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was Cheech and Chong in "Still Smokin" while the late show was "French Teens". And it was announced that the old Marine Station has re-opened as Crockett's and is being managed by Joe Davis.

1988

The Piggott School board met in regular session 20 years ago this past week and approved the purchase of a new bus. The total purchase price was $23,795 from Ward School Bus of Conway. In other action; Karen Coomer was hired as a Home Economics teacher and Mark Book was hired as a special education resource teacher.

Congrats to Audia Niewald of St. Francis, she won a new Chevrolet Beratta from Morris Chevrolet as part of a Proctor and Gamble promotion. She won the car after finding a key in a can of Folger's coffee, but was too ill to accept her prize. Husband Harry accepted the keys to the vehicle from James and Stan Morris.

A large crowd gathered recently as local Girl Scouts were honored. The local troops hosted their annual Court of Awards and their "Flying Up" ceremony for scouts from several age groups.

The Clay County Fair Board met recently and agreed to continue their "pre-fair" activities this year with a wrestling show on July 2. The previous year the group had held a demolition derby.

The Piggott Public Library's summer reading program is underway, and over 80 kids were on hand for a puppet show on Monday, June 13. Meanwhile, Arkansas' winter wheat production is forecast at 41.8 million bushels, up about 21-percent from the previous year.