It happened here, years ago

Carolyn Campbell of Piggott was named Miss Pollard 1968 at the annual pageant in that community, first alternate was Diane Hughes and second was Barbara Batey (now Carrens). Lee Davis won the baby contest, David Brown won the bubble gum contest and Steve Welty finished second.. and according to organizers the event grossed around $4,000. Meanwhile, a work day has been scheduled at the Greenway picnic grounds July 25.

The polls will be open on Tuesday, July 30, as the primary elections will be held across Arkansas. In other news, payment of social security benefits set a new record in February in Clay County as they ballooned to $226,068 among 3,591 recipients. That was up over $42,500 from December of 1967.

On a sad note,tt was reported that Dorothy Blair, 49, of Memphis died July 17 in that city. Her husband Elton (uncle of this reporter) had won the 1968 Plymouth given away at the Fourth of July picnic in Piggott less than two weeks earlier. Also in the news, a Wallace for President Rally is set for Aug. 2 in Walnut Ridge for area supporters.

At the grocery, Rebel Market had Richtex Shortening at three pounds for .49, boneless rump roast was .89 a pound and lettuce was just .15 a head.

1978

Clay County Deputy Darvin Stow and Special Investigator Dewitt Owens of Corning pulled some 200 marijuana plants from a plot along the Titanic Road 30 years ago this past week. The crop, which was valued at nearly $10,000 was later burned in the yard of the jail. In other news, an agreement has been reached between Arkansas and Missouri to build a new bridge over the St. Francis River between Holly Island and Kennett. The plan called for a four-lane from the new bridge all the way to I-55.

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bolton will be celebrating their 50th anniversary on August,6…and contestants are still needed for the Greenway picnic pageants and contests. In other news, attending ASU majorette camp recently from Piggott were Melanie Pogue, Leean Magee and Allison Shanklin.

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Parks of Norfolk, Va. are proud to report the birth of their son, James Robert Parks, Jr., on July 18. He was born at DePaul Hospital and weighed-in at eight pounds and three ounces. And there was a birthday celebration on July 21 for brothers Jason and Lance Holcomb. Lance turned eight that day, and Jason turned three the following day on July 22, everyone had a good time.

At the Carolyn Theater this week "An Unmarried Woman" while the late show was "Julia". And also locally, 75 Cub Scouts and Webelos took an Amtrak train ride from Poplar Bluff to Walnut Ridge recently…while a group of Girl Scouts and Cadettes visited Blanchard Springs.

1983

Clay County voters rejected a proposed one cent sales tax issue July 26 by a final tally of 1517-1358. The measure passed in the eastern district 1093-1001 but failed in the west 265-516. In other news, the Area Agency on Aging offered tips for seniors to try to beat heat in light of the recent heatwave that's gripping the region.

Dr. Stephen White opened his new dentist office in Piggott in the last week, his first patient was Launa Waddle. Also in the news, 31 choir members and six adults from the First Baptist Church of Piggott completed a tour that took them to Nashville, Dallas and finally to Berryville Ark., where they performed before returning to Piggott.

GTE is asking for an increase in phone rates..noting that a residential one-party customer would see their bill climb from $9.15 to $13.80 a month while businesses would go from $22.90 to $34.55. Meanwhile, Hunter Western Wear had Tuff Nut jeans at $8 for boys, $10.50 for men and $12.50 for larger sizes.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Superman III" (the one with Richard Pryor) while the late show was "Heat Wave". (how appropriate) And Main Street Texaco was having a remodeling sale, and offered an LCD watch free with any service job..or for $3.99 with any gas purchase.

Births to announce include a son, Joel Brent Coomer to Mr. and Mrs. Kent Coomer July 10, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center. He weighed-in at a hefty nine pounds and five ounces. And there was a daughter born to Charles and Barbara Carrens on July 24 at Piggott Community Hospital. Courtney Gayle Carrens weighed-in at eight pounds and six ounces.

In sports, the Pollard men's softball team, which is sponsored by Piggott State Bank, has qualified for the state tournament Aug. 5-7 at Hope.

1988

A strong thunderstorm July 25 dumped golf-ball-sized hail on an area west of Piggott, causing considerable damage to a bean field, along with several homes and vehicles. In other news, Glen Collins, 27, of Greenway was arrested in Paragould in connection with the stabbing death of a Kaiser man.

This week's paper also included a feature on Patty McHaffey of Greenway, and her trip to Atlanta as a national delegate for the democratic convention. And another feature, by Rossie Johnson, related the history of the Bertig Store and Gin. The business was formerly on the corner where the Silas Pest Control building is located, and covered the area now occupied by that building, the Chinese restaurant and PayLess rentals.

Winners of the McDonald's coloring contest at the Piggott Public Library this summer were--Kenneth Davis, Tracy Prince, Kristen Gross, Justin Burton, Amber Chavez and Dusty Tinsley. And don't forget that contestants are needed for the Greenway pageants and contests at their annual picnic.

In sports, the AAA Legion team finished third in district after getting beat by Blytheville, while the AA team advanced to the state tournament in North Little Rock. And three girls softball teams made it to their state tournaments, including-- The Crue from Texaco Mini Mart, John Deere and Piggott Florist. And among the ASU majorettes this fall will be both Angela Wright and Candice Poole of Piggott.

From the want ads.. For Rent, three bedroom house on South Taylor..rent was $150 a month and a $50 deposit was required.