It happened, years ago

Superintendent J.B. Swift reports that Piggott School will open Tuesday, Sept. 2 with first through fourth grades attending Central Elementary, fifth graders attending classes at St. Francis and the sixth graders attending at Pollard. Buses would pick up those students at Central Elementary and the old gym each morning, and drop them off there in the afternoons.

Also in the news, Brenna Hill was crowned Miss Greenway at their annual picnic and her court included Teresa Featherston and Judy Potts. Teresa Whaley was Little Miss Greenway and her alternates were Shaunda Bond and Kelli Benson.

An open house was held at Piggott Video Cable, and several local residents were interviewed and appeared on TV. In a related note, the First Baptist Church will begin their television ministry Sunday, Aug. 17 as they begin airing weekly services.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included--"True Grit", "Our Man Flint" and "The Touchables." And next door at the Rebel Market they held a western wear contest that was won by Keith Crittenden. He beat-out Phillip Sheffler, Tony Crittenden, Sheila Ray Clemons, Lisa Hinkle, Thad Hinkle, Carl Alfred Clemons and Dennis Ray Duty.

This week's paper also included a photo of the 1932 Piggott Mohawk football team, which claimed the county championship that year.

From the want ads, hay for sale for 65-cents a bale, behind the baler. See Oran Nicholas, Pollard.

1979

Classes at Piggott Schools were getting underway 30 years ago this week, and new teachers included--Billie Hulett, Pam Morris, Penny Veal, Robin Smoot, Ed Winberry and Tony Conley. Also in the news, the H.A. Wellman family of Route 2 Piggott were chosen as the Clay County Farm Family of the Year.

The annual Clay County Fair was set to get underway in the coming week, and for the first time will be sponsoring a demolition derby as part of the activities. Meanwhile, Karen Bridgeman was crowned Miss Greenway 1979 and her alternates were Patricia Small and Jackie Clayton. Little Miss Greenway was Lora Lynn Midkiff and her court included Nicole Speer and Robbie Wells.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included "Nightwing" and Chuck Norris in "A Force of One." Meanwhile the late show was "Disco Sexpot." Meanwhile, the grand opening of the new Jr. Food Mart on East Main in Piggott was set, and the store will be open 24/7 (new terminology, but you know what I mean).

The PHS class of 1959 held their 20th reunion back on July 3, at the Piggott Community Center with 37 classmates and spouses on hand. Meanwhile, the third annual Wright reunion will be held Sept. 2 at the American Legion Building in Piggott.

The annual Clay County Electric Cooperative meeting will be held Aug. 24 in Corning, and this year's entertainment will include The Rhode's Show along with the Red Eye Band.

1984

The Piggott School board approved a budget of over $1.73-million at their recent meeting, and heard that a drop in students will impact state funding. The district saw a drop of 78 students from 83-84 and will begin with 977 enrolled. The district gets around $1,600 per student. Classes will start Sept. 4. Also, work is underway on the new Piggott Public Library as the trusses are being set for the new building.

The Clay County Fair is set for a three day run, Aug. 23-25 and will feature a demolition derby, two nights of rodeo and three-wheeler races. Meanwhile, at the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Gremlins" while the late show is "Delicious."

The Piggott P.D. has a new officer, as Richard Tippitt recently joined the force. Meanwhile, an 85th birthday party was held for Cora Bratcher at the Home for the Golden Years; and the First Methodist Church held Vacation Bible School with Barbie Johnson as the director. This year's theme was "Share the Good News" and the VBS wrapped-up with a balloon launch with scriptures attached.

Piggott State Bank treated the members of the girls softball team they sponsor to a pool party to celebrate the end of the season, and this week's paper included a photo of the Fry International 10-12 year old boys team that took the city title. Team members included--Mark Cox, Mark Samples, Ronnie Culp, Rick Shaw, Bert Wagster, Scott McCrillis, Sean Martin, Eddie Wofford, Nat Finley, Jamie Thrasher and Dale Williams. The team was coached by Larry Martin and Darrell McCrillis.

1989

The tax issue to fund construction of a new county jail passed by a vote of 2,445 to 843, although the western district voters tallied only 318 in favor of the plan and 688 against. In the city of Rector the count was 497-15 in favor, and in Piggott the vote stood at 1,026-55 for the jail tax issue.

Also in the news, the first day of school for Piggott students will be Monday, Aug. 28; and the 58th annual Clay County Fair will get underway this week. Activities include rodeo, four-wheel-drive pulls and mud races and a visit from the "Undertaker" monster truck.

Herb Vannada ran an ad reporting that he would no longer serve hamburgers (or Herb-burgers), cheeseburgers, soup, chili or stew..but that he would be serving breakfast seven-days-a-week. Meanwhile, an ad for Irby's Super Saver offered back-to-school specials such as, Trapper Keepers for $4.66, backpacks for $3.99 to $5.99 and Crayola crayons were two for a dollar for the regular eight count box.

200 people were on hand for Elmer Johnson's 90th birthday party Aug. 6. Johnson, who was born Aug. 11, 1899 at Piggott owned a store and later a gin at Pollard and served as the town mayor for a time.

At the Kennett Cinema this week in time the feature was "Turner and Hooch" and at the State Theatre in Corning they featured "Friday the 13th VIII, Jason Takes Manhattan."

Soybean production is estimated at 70.4-million bushels this year, down 12-percent. Projected yields are 22-bushels per acre, down three bushels from 1988.