It happened here, years ago

The Piggott Chamber of Commerce hosted a meet the candidate's night 40 years ago last week, and heard from all eight men running for the first district congressional seat. Meanwhile, news of the annual Fourth of July picnic will be found in next week's paper due to an early press date.

In related stories, there's still room for entries in the annual Miss Pollard pageant, as that community prepared for their picnic. And, the annual Crockett Picnic was set for Wednesday, July 10 to benefit the Mars Hill, Hardin's Chapel, Johnson's Chapel and Roger's Chapel cemeteries.

In other news, the USDA reports that 55-percent of Clay County's cotton crop this year is from the Stoneville 213 variety of seeds…14 members of Piggott Boy Scout Troop #46 attended the district camp at Viola..and Mark Kelso of Piggott attended Dixie Band camp at Arkansas State recently.

Carl Williams has purchased the former Grisham's Department store, and changed the name to "Carl's". Earl Porterfield made a new sign for the building, and it was installed in the past week. Meanwhile, Rebel Market featured five pounds of sugar for just .29 with a five dollar purchase…and Gerber Baby Food was just eight cents a jar.

The Jaycees report that they'll hold their annual auction on July 6, with the proceeds to benefit improvements at the Piggott Air Park..and in political announcements; Frances "Pacer" Underwood has announced his candidacy for Clay County sheriff in the upcoming primary election.

1978

Another Fourth of July picnic is history, 30 years ago this week, but due to an early press date the details would be in the next week's copy of the Times. Meanwhile, the Pollard picnic is set for July, 8. The Lion's Club reports that the press box fund for the new Parker Field is up to a little over $5,800 of the $7,500 needed. Jim Holland was the speaker at a $100-a-plate dinner at Sugar Creek Country Club that drew 48 supporters of the cause.

Births to report include a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Dale Crawford on June 12, at Dunklin County Memorial. Little Misti Lynae weighed-in at seven-pounds-four-ounces.

At the Carolyn Theater the feature was "HighBallin'" while the late show was "Teenage Seductress"..and next door at the Rebel Market they had Banquet TV dinners at two for $1.09 and Campbell's Tomato Soup was five cans for .99.

PJHS cheerleaders attended camp at ASU recently, the squad included--Karen Williams, Sherri Galyean, Janice Harris, LaTraca Webster, Donna Burris, Penny Rogers, Becky Latimer and Polly Vaughn.

Among the ads this week included an offer of sweet corn at .60 a dozen…red plums at .65 cents a gallon..(you pick) and 20 wooded acres 13 miles from Piggott for a total of $5,000.

And the Arkansaw Traveler Theater at Hardy advertised that they were now in their 11th year of entertaining the region.

1983

Another Fourth of July Picnic was history 25 years ago this week, though the annual Miss Piggott Pageant was postponed until Friday, July 8 due to rain.. 25 girls will compete for the crown. Meanwhile the annual Community Spirit Day was held Saturday, July 2..and the annual Pollard picnic is set for Saturday, July 9.

In other news, the PHS class of 1948 collected over $350 at their recent reunion and donated the money toward helping re-build the library destroyed by the fire at the middle school. A total of 35 members of the class joined in the occasion at the Sugar Creek Country Club. Meanwhile, a party was held at the community center for Vernon "Stub" Crossfield. He retired from the city street department June 1, after working there since 1968. Prior to that Stub had worked at Piggott Tractor and Equipment for 18 years. He got a gold watch from Mayor George "Cookie" Cook.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, the feature is "Psycho II" while the late show was "Saturday Night Special"…and the winners in the Cystic Fibrosis Bike-A-Thon were--Craig Duckworth, Derry Ebert, Sean Martin, Brian Duckworth, Todd Doty, Jonathan Cooper and Patrick McNatt.

Smith's Shoe Store,was holding their 36th anniversary sale this week in time..and don't forget "Up With People" comes to town July 19! Winners of last week's demolition derby were--first place was Kevin Adams in only his second derby, second was Ronnie Dixon and third went to Gary Dunlap.

1988

A large crowd was on hand at the annual Fourth of July picnic, 20 years ago this week, and had a chance to see Sheila Blume crowned Miss Piggott. First alternate was Kee Estraca and second was Tonya Simpson. This year's truck winner was Jerry Brady of Blytheville. Meanwhile, Mayor George Cook and Clay County Judge Harry Niewald handled the honors as the new bandstand was dedicated with a ribbon-cutting on July 2. Chamber of Commerce president Ronnie Dixon served as MC, while Kevin Rouse sang several songs. Oh, and don't forget the annual Pollard picnic will be held Saturday, July 9.

Dale Parks brought in the first cotton boll of the season on June 30. Dale noted that the boll, which was grown near Nimmons, was from DPL 50 seed planted April 25..and that it was not irrigated. In other news, Junior Wiley has begun work on renovating and expanding the old Rebel Market..which was damaged by fire back in March. After about seven weeks of work the expanded building will re-open as Stewart-Hinkle Value Market.

Rain forced the outdoor fashion show "New York-New York" inside the community center last week… the event featured 30 models from eight stores. (were you a model? There are photos you know)

In sports, the spring turkey season set a record with 8,074 gobblers killed, up from the 7,653 recorded in 1987 and nearly double the 4,330 killed back in 1978. At the grocery store, Taylor's Grocery had Fluffy brand bread at four loaves for a dollar…Turner milk was $1.99 a gallon and four rolls of Northern bathroom tissue were just .99.