It happened here, years ago

Over 70 local people attended a meeting 40 years ago last week with personnel from the Missouri Association of Migrant Opportunities Services of Kennett. The meeting concerned the possibility of starting an adult education program in the community. In other news, Climon Redmon, 47, and Minnie Bell Busby, 68, both of Nimmons were killed in a traffic accident near Marion, Ind., in the past week. Busby's husband Bill survived the crash but was injured.

Construction on the new East-West Industries building on U.S. Highway 1 South is continuing. The facility, which was located in what is now Print City next to the Piggott Community Center, will manufacture industrial machine parts.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features include--"The Yellow Submarine", "Paper Lion", "The War Wagon" and "Petulia."

Western Auto in Piggott had a special on three horsepower Briggs and Stratton tiller motors, regular $52.80 and now just $39.95. Meanwhile, State Line Texaco reminded everyone that regular gas was just .28.9 cents a gallon and premium was .32.9.

In service news; Capt. Clarence Searles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Archie Searles of Greenway, was awarded the Bronze Star; Sgt. Don Norris, nephew of Leona Allen of Piggott, was cited for outstanding service; PFC Joe Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Johnson of Piggott is now serving in Korea; Airman John H. Crittenden, son of Mr. and Mrs. John V. Crittenden has completed basic training and Pvt. Glen Midkiff, son of Mrs. Johnnie Midkiff of rural route Rector, has completed weapons testing with an "expert" rating.

1979

The Clay County quorum court voted 30 years ago last week to reduce their funding for the county-wide ambulance service from $35 to $25-thousand in light of budget considerations. In other news, the PHS Alpha Club held induction and the city of Piggott was informed by the SWPA of an impending rate increase.

FFA and FHA members competed at Black River Vo-Tech recently, with Debbie Haywood, Penny Williams and Renae Landrum taking top honors from the FHA and Marty Hoggard taking a first place in FFA competition. Meanwhile, ASU is offering several non-credit courses in the coming weeks, including--wallpapering, breadmaking and beginning canoeing.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Young Frankenstein" while the late show was "Beneath the Sheets."

In births to announce, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Tim Fair March 25 at Dunklin County Memorial Hospital. The new addition to the Fair family was named Derek Christopher. And General Telephone reports that the number of phones in Piggott climbed by 130 during 1978 to 2,715. In fact, since 1968 an additional 1,428 phones have been installed in the city.

In sports, former PHS football coach Carl "Zig" Williams has stepped down from his job at Mt. Grove, Mo. after leading the Panthers to a record of 74-17-1. Williams coached the Mohawks for 12 years, 10 as the head coach.

1984

ASU kicked-off a year-long 75th anniversary celebration 25 years ago this week. Meanwhile, the deadline for filing for the May primary election is April 3, and so far there are no local contested races. This week's paper also included a feature on McDougal inventor Joe Little.

Work is underway on drilling wells for the Central Clay County Water District, and service to some customers should begin by December. Meanwhile, the proceeds from the annual Piggott Lions Club Pancake breakfast will go toward the construction fund for the new Piggott library.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Silkwood" and coming soon "Footloose." Meanwhile, the PHS cheerleaders for the coming year were announced, they include--Melissa Brawner, Tammy Gordon, Latraca Tanner, Angie Potts, Connie Proctor, Cynthia Duncan, Frankie Rester, Tammy Donner, Roxanne Gower and Renee Bland.

In other news, the Piggott Pee Wee athletic banquet has been set for April 2, and the Greenway gym will be the site of a donkey basketball game March 30, featuring the Circle A Donkeys from Henry, Tenn. And kids from Wonderland Pre-School visited the Home for the Golden Years recently with their teacher Pat Berry and her helper Carlyne Bland.

It was also announced that the Rug Doctor is now available for rental at Roeder's Foodland and City Cleaners in Piggott and Harp's in Rector.

1989

The Piggott school board was informed 20 years ago this week that Herschel Smith, who had been hired as the district's new superintendent the previous week, had declined to accept the job. This week's paper also included a feature on Piggott Community Hospital and how it, and other rural hospitals, is dealing with Medicare woes. The story indicated that 81 hospitals in 28 states closed their doors in 1988, up from a total of 79 that closed during the previous year.

In other news, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" will be staged in the coming week at PHS; meanwhile the local Brownies and Daisy Girl Scouts held their annual Girl Scout banquet. Downtown Piggott was scheduled to host "Fun Time Shows" 20 years ago this week, a carnival sponsored by the Piggott Girls Softball Association. In a related story, sign-up for girls softball will be held Saturday, April 1.

Winners of the Easter coloring contest sponsored by Taylor's Grocery in Piggott were Tyler Crittenden and Dana Smart. Meanwhile, residents were reminded that Hartsfield's Income Tax Service has moved and is now in their new location on West Clay Street.

Residents of Greenway who had complained about the conditions created by construction of the sewage project got a letter of reply in the past week. The residents got an apology from the FHA, but no promise that conditions would be any better during rainy weather.

Several promotions were reported by the local National Guard detachment, and included--Steve R. Holcomb and Stanley H. Warf of Piggott to the rank of Sergeant First Class and John T. Lawrence of Rector to the rank of Sergeant.