It happened, years ago

Six people were injured in a two vehicle accident on Highway 90 west of Rector 40 years ago last week. The incident occurred as a pickup, driven by Love Cate of Rector, turned into the path of a station wagon driven by Jan Rockwell of Corning. The injured included several kids in the Rockwell car, though none of them were serious.

Little Miss St. Francis for 1969 was Barbara Ann Gilbert of Piggott, and her alternates included Debbie Hughes and Teresa Whaley. Meanwhile, contestants are needed for the annual Miss Greenway pageant and those interested should contact Joyce Bond or Belinda Simpson. Also in the news, General Telephone will begin direct dial long distance service on Aug. 3 for local customers. Party line customers were also reminded that beginning Aug. 1 they had to dial 4103, and then the number, to reach customers on their own party line.

Gravel Hill Church held its 112th birthday celebration, with Rev. E.C. Johnson speaking that morning and Rev. D.M. Morris speaking in the afternoon. The church was started around 1857, and some of the first people buried in the cemetery were soldiers from the battle of Chalk Bluff. The church moved to its permanent location in 1886 and the current church was built in 1903.

The PHS class of 1927 held their reunion July 26 at Corene's with 21 of 28 members and four teachers in attendance. Meanwhile, Donetta Hughes was chosen as Miss Rector Speedway 1969.

1979

"Areas of disagreement" have delayed the final payment to the contractor for the construction of the new Piggott Community Hospital, prompting a meeting involving the company, the city and their lawyers. Meanwhile, 11 cars of a freight train derailed at Corning causing a big mess and destroying several parked vehicles.

A total of 37 Scouts, along with other kids and 15 adults, traveled to Poplar Bluff recently where they caught the Amtrak train for a ride to Walnut Ridge. Meanwhile, the new Lions Club officers are--president Dr. Larry Winberry, first vice president Ted Bellers, second vice president Willard Hughes, secretary/treasurer Leon Tate, Lion tamer Norman Muse and Tail twister Junior Rouse.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Escape from Alcatraz" while the late show was "Van Nuys Boulevard."

The PHS classes of 1949 and 1954 were among those holding reunions recently, both at the Sugar Creek Country Club. And don't forget that workers are needed for the annual Greenway picnic, which is set for Aug. 11 in that community.

A total of 60 teams took part in the Sugar Creek Country Club mixed scramble, with Ed and Pat McCarroll of Piggott taking the "Super Championship" flight with a 124.

Also in sports, Joe Gregory, Jeff Benbrook, David Benson, Joe Mowery and Scott Parton attended Marvin Adams basketball camp at ASU...while Kevin Morris, Jon Montgomery and Robbie Johnson attended the Eddie Sutton basketball camp at the University of Arkansas.

1984

Groundbreaking on the new 11,000-square-foot Piggott Middle School was held recently, with Piggott Mayor George Cook and school board president Raymond Dismukes handling the honors. Also in the news, chair Gay Johnson reports that the Cancer crusade during the month of July raised $1,249. And don't forget that contestants are still needed for the annual Miss Greenway pageant, to be held at their picnic Saturday, Aug. 4.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Conan the Barbarian."

The PHS class of 1934 held their first reunion, on their 50th anniversary, and those on hand included--Earlene (Wilson) Patterson, Pauline (Campbell) Ort, Veda (Call) Crowson, Delcie (Vaughn) Hargett, Pauline (Evans) Abney, Fred Brady, Charlene (Throgmorton) Weigle, Stella (Call) Coomer, Daisy Pearl (Martin) Lightfoot, Nedra (Lawrence) Stinson and Vernon Grider.

In sports, Betty Russell of Piggott and Kurt Knauts of Fayetteville (formerly of Piggott) won the mixed scramble at SCCC with an 11-under-par 133. And the Mohawk football schedule was released with the first game at Westside Aug. 31. The remainder of the schedule included--at Pocahontas, Gosnell, at Clay County Central, Harrisburg for homecoming, Paragould, Highland, at Walnut Ridge, Hoxie and at Corning.

1989

The quorum court reviewed plans for the new Clay County jail at their recent meeting, some two years after the state ordered the old jail closed. Sheriff Darvin Stow noted that the new jail, which was fashioned after the new Logan County jail, was a "bare minimum" design and not a "Holiday Inn for prisoners" as some had portrayed the facility.

Also in the news, the Nelson and Mary Lou Scott family was chosen Clay County Farm Family of the Year for 1989. Their farming operation involves three of their five sons, Michael, Roger and David. Meanwhile, an open house was held at the new Greenway Post Office...and don't forget that the annual Greenway Picnic will be held Saturday, Aug. 5.

June Williams was honored by the local ASCS office on her retirement; she'd been working at the office since June 1968. Alec Michael Watson, son of Todd and Liz Watson of Piggott, got his first haircut from Ronny Graddy...and Elmer Johnson will celebrate his 90th birthday with a party at the Piggott Community Center.

1st Lt. David Bell of Piggott, PHS class of 1978, was recently promoted to Captain by the U.S. Air Force. Bell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Bell, is stationed at Eaker AFB at Blytheville. Meanwhile, the Piggott Arkansas Army National Guard Armory has scheduled an open house for Sunday, Aug. 6.

In sports, Joe Cole and Ron Kemp won the Muscular Dystrophy golf tournament at Paragould and each were awarded go-carts that resembled the Citgo NASCAR race car by sponsor Bill Russell. Winners of the mixed scramble at Sugar Creek Country Club were C.W. Knauts of Piggott and Pat Austin of Paragould with a 17-under-par 127...and volleyball practice and football physicals are at hand as the summer begins to wind down for local athletes.