It happened here, years ago

Four members of the Piggott FFA received the State Farmer Degree at the 42nd annual state convention at Hot Springs, including--Gary Nichols, Steve Latta, Eddie Flanigan and Steve Champ. Larry Moody also attended as a voting delegate. Also in the news, 27 young ladies have registered so far for Miss Piggott 1969.

Fire gutted the residence of Guy Brinkley, on West North Street, the night of June 10, though he was not home at the time. Neighbor Robbie Camp spotted the flames and reported the fire around 11 p.m. And, as a convenience to residents, it was announced that unemployment claims can now be filed by mail.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included "2001 A Space Odyssey" and "The Game is Over." Meanwhile, Aunt Amelia Hogard celebrated her 85th birthday June 4, with a party at the picnic grounds.

Cecil and Maridia Dalton have purchased the Brother and Sister Shoppe from Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Polsgrove and the business will now be known as Cecil's Sundry (currently The Movie House). Meanwhile, the A&W Drive-Inn offered their famous root beer at 25-percent off. The sale price was just 50-cents a gallon, but please bring your own containers.

Clean-up day at the Crockett picnic grounds has been set, with the annual picnic to benefit the Mars Hill Cemetery scheduled for July 9. And from the want ads, For Sale, 10 acres on level tillable ground, six room house with bath on mail and bus route, $8,000.

1979

Sad news this week, as James Flanigan of Pollard died June 8, from injuries sustained in a crop duster crash that occured May 5, south of Pollard. He is survived by his wife and four children. Meanwhile, Charles Tate, 44, of Piggott walked away un-injured when his crop duster crashed in a field on the Melvin McCord farm June 11.

Dedication and open house for the new Piggott Community Hospital was set for June 17, with officials hopeful that the new facility will be open to the public by July 1. In a related note, the history of the Piggott Hospital (now clinic) was reviewed. The first clinic was started when Dr. Wylie Turner Sr., and his family, moved to Piggott in 1939. The former hospital was opened as a clinic in 1947 and later purchased by the city.

Also in the news, Paula Blackwell has been named Vice President of Piggott State Bank, after serving as an officer the past 11 years. Meanwhile, the contract for construction of a new bridge over the St. Francis River on Highway 90 should be let in the coming days.

At the Carolyn Theater this week "Superman" was held over.

In births to announce, Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Johnson of Piggott had a son June 11, at Lucy Lee Hospital in Poplar Bluff and named the new arrival Kyle Brent Johnson. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Duane Dutka of Verona, Miss. report the arrival of their new son, Adam Raso Dutka, who was born May 23 in Tupelo.

1984

Bids were opened on the construction of the new Piggott Library 25 years ago last week, with Maco Construction the low bidder at $144,850 for the 5,180 square-foot facility. Meanwhile, details of the new Piggott Middle School building were reviewed at the school board meeting, and bids on the project will be opened July 19.

Safety award winners at Brown Shoe Company included--Bonnie Finch, Karen Risinger, Robert Causey, Ken Setzer and Jerry Featherston. And this week's paper included a feature on the Piggott Post Office and the 13 people that are employed there.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Romancing the Stone" while the late show was "Cry for Cindy."

The local RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) held their annual recognition banquet at the Piggott Community Center, and two residents of the Piggott Home for the Golden Years took part in the Senior Olympics at Batesville. Alverda Ward took first in the shot put and bean bag thrown, while Hubert Garrison came in second in the horseshoe pitching after tying for first and losing the pitch-off.

The Piggott Babe Ruth 14-15 year old team is now 4-0 on the season, and the roster includes--James Carmen, Nicky Burns, Tim Milburn, Sam Williams, Blaine Cooper, Todd Self, David McNabb, Britten Hardin, Brian Sample, Jason Schmidt, David Whitlock, Whitney Thompson and Deron Pollard. Burns has given up just two earned runs in 43 innings, while Self is leading the team in hitting with an average of .384.

1989

The Piggott School board voted to hire Wade Williams as assistant football coach at their meeting 20 years ago, along with Paulette Linam for Special Education and Kim Wilson for second grade. This week's paper also featured stories on Bea (Rhodes) Hitt and her long musical career playing the fiddle, and on the Corning Fish Hatchery.

In honor of Father's Day this week's front page featured a photo of little Ronald Burr (with his curly blonde hair) helping his dad Billy Burr wash his truck at their home on North Garfield.

In the news, the Piggott Nursing Center is one of 37 facilities that have been sold by Beverly Enterprises to Britwell Co. of Amarillo, Tex. Meanwhile, Betty Book and Narene Simpson of the Piggott Community Hospital Auxiliary were shown presenting a check for $1,500 to hospital administrator Betty Reams to help pay for a new fax machine. The money was part of nearly $5,000 raised by the group in the past year.

The third annual Brown Shoe Company reunion was held recently at the War Memorial Building in Piggott. And a feature on Roger's Farms at Pollard included an interview with Paul Harrell, who had retired from the company after 38 years. The farms, which were managed by Paul's son David and Norris Reeves, produced 55-58 thousand eggs per day. Also pictured were egg-gatherers Homer Melton and Betty Shaw. The farms were a division of Roger's Produce of Piggott.