It happened, years ago

A total of 49 campers attended MOARK Youth Camp near St. Francis recently; camp director was Rev. Otto Freeman. Also in the news, Gerald Vaughn, Thelbert Holifield and Darrell Binkley attended the state FFA leadership conference from the Piggott chapter. And it was reported that Everett Lancaster, 56, of Reyno and his brother-in-law, Herbert Masterson, 72, of California, drowned when Lancaster's pickup ran off the Reyno ferry and into Current River in the past week.

The PHS class of 1964 held their first reunion over the holiday weekend, getting together at Nettie's Café. Meanwhile, the annual St. Francis picnic will be held Wednesday, July 23 in that community.

Dr. Jerry Muse, Junior Jackson, Tina Blackshare and C.W. Knauts took first in an 18-hole scramble at Sugar Creek Country club. Second place went to the team of Jim Crittenden, Dolph Moffitt, Junior Skelton, Van Winton and Carl Williams. Also in sports, the Piggott Connie Mack team split a pair of games with Corning in the past week. Teddy Bellers pitched both games, with relief from Monty Bellers in the second contest. Monty also went three-for-four in the win.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included "Dr. Dolittle" along with "Hannibal Brooks" and "2000 Years Later."

Jane's Department Store had a July clearance sale, with men's summer suits that were $35-65 now just $25.49 to $47.99. And Neil Palmer was the winner of the new "buzz bike" given away at the Rebel Market.

1979

Effective July 1, 1979 Arkansas State Highway 1, between Paragould and Piggott, was officially re-designated as U.S. Highway 49. The change, which was endorsed by the Paragould Chamber of Commerce, allowed federal funds to be used to maintain the highway. A new law also went into effect on that date that makes it illegal to keep skunks as pets in the state, a move made at the urging of the Health Department due to concerns about the spread of rabies.

Terri Cordelia Cato, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Don Cato, was the first baby born in the new Piggott Community Hospital. She was delivered by Dr. Jerry Muse, with lead OB nurse Peggy Statler, July 12. Also in the news, Donna Ring, PHS class of 1975, is now doing her intern work at Seal's Pharmacy as she attends pharmacy school in Little Rock.

Tracy Ozbun was crowned Miss Pollard 1979, with alternates Sandra McCrory and Tammy Duncan. Jerry Morgan won the bubble-blowing contest and was pictured with runner-ups Lorre Johnson and Scott Harris. Don't forget, the annual St. Francis picnic is set for Sat. July 21.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Rocky II" while the late show was "Sensuous Suzanne."

The PHS class of 1929 held their first, and 50th, reunion with 12 of the classmates on hand (10 women and two men). And pictured in this week's paper were an odd tomato brought in by Margie Vardell, and a couple of lengthy cucumbers shown by Mr. and Mrs. William Jordan.

1984

Groundbreaking for the new Piggott Library was held July 10, with Mayor George Cook and Library Board chairman Don Roeder handling the chore. Prep work on the site was already underway, and city street department worker Jerry Green was pictured with Street Superintendent Bert Watson and a cannonball he dug-up at the location (which had the site of the old ice plant). Meanwhile, bids on re-building the Middle School building that destroyed by the fire of 1983 will be opened July 19.

This week's paper also included a photo of little Eric Baker being strapped into his child safety seat by his Mom, Shirley. The story noted that the fine for not complying with the new state law is $25. Meanwhile, Melissa Hardcastle and Regina Thompson attended Girl's State at Arkadelphia.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone in "Rhinestone" while the late show was "Satin Suite." Oh by the way, the annual St. Francis picnic will be held Saturday, July 21.

In a related note, little Andrea Dawn Slaton won the baby contest at the annual Pollard picnic..her mom, Lana, won the same contest back in 1967. Meanwhile, oldest person at this year's event was Sadie Thomas, 94, of Piggott. And the Greenway High class of 1944 had their 50th reunion, which was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Martin. A total of 14 of the 18 class members were on hand.

1989

The state reported that the Piggott School District was the 110th largest during the 1987-88 school year, with an average of 968 students. Corning had 1,410 students and Clay County Central had 817. The local district was 299th in per student spending at $2,168, while CCC was 167th at $2,395 and Corning was 261th with an outlay of $2,250. Piggott came in at 273rd in average teacher salary at $18,534. The Pulaski County district was the biggest in the state, Newark topped expenditures per student at $5,185 and the Ft. Smith district had the highest pay at an average of $26,583.

New Piggott Chamber of Commerce officers for the coming year are, President Marshall Wheeler, Vice President Suzy Baldwin, Secretary Ron Kemp and Treasurer Debby Haywood. Meanwhile, Grover Baker reported that the annual Pollard picnic netted over $13-thousand for the upkeep of the New Hope Cemetery after expenses.

Ashley Taylor was crowned Junior Miss St. Francis at their annual picnic, while Sarah Moody was crowned Little Miss. The picnic also included a history of the event presented by Bill Holifield, Ernest Hanna and Curt Daffron; the only survivors from the original association meeting that was held Aug. 12, 1940.

Local 4-H members who were winners at the district competition included--Nathan Wells, Michael Hollis and Heather Luff.

In sports, the Tri-County Junior Babe Ruth team is one win away from a trip to the state tournament. The team is made-up of players from across Northeast Arkansas and the Bootheel.