It happened here, years ago

The annual Chamber of Commerce dinner was set for Sept. 25 at the War Memorial Building in Piggott, with speaker Jim Johnson of Jonesboro; executive director of Boy Scouts of America in Northeast Arkansas. Also in the news, a HeadStart training class was held at the First Baptist Church of Piggott for 25 educators from across the region, including local teachers Bertha Edwards and Fern Looney along with their aides Glenda Holifield and Eunice Howard.

Dwayne Allen has been selected to head-up the Boy Scout fundraising drive this year, and news out of Texas reports that Larry Ross Norred will be playing the piano for the Baylor University stage band this year. The PHS grad is a freshman and also played piano for the Mohawk stage band.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included--"The Impossible Years", "Rowan and Martin's The Maltese Bippy" along with "Anyone Can Play", "Waterhole #3" and "100 Rifles."

In sports, the Mohawks rolled over Gosnell 36-0 to remain unbeaten on the season. Scoring TD's were Richard Robinson, Rick Rodery, Jimmy Johnson, David Williams and Monty Bellers. Up next will be the undefeated Malden Green Wave. Meanwhile, the junior "Papooses" will host Gosnell in their season opener.

At the grocery store; Greene's Market had ground beef at two-pounds for 98-cents; Taylor's featured 16 slices of Kraft individually-wrapped cheese for 55-cents; Rebel Market had T-bone steak at $1.28 a pound and Morris IGA had pork roast at 37-cents a pound.

1979

Mayor James Morris reported that local police would crack-down on underage drivers beginning Oct. 1, noting that the state law had not been enforced for many years. In other news, Vickie Winton was crowned Homecoming Queen at PHS as they prepare for Friday's contest against the Salem Greyhounds. Her court included--Lisa Kirk, Laura Duckworth, Penny James, Chris Parker, Karen Williams and Allison Irby.

This week's paper also included a feature on Herb Vannada, which was re-printed from the new "Mohawk Daze" publication of the PHS journalism class. Also in the news, championship rodeo action will be featured Oct. 5-6 at the McDougal Jaycees Arena in that community.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "The Villain" with Kirk Douglas, Ann Margret and Arnold Schwarzenegger as "Handsome Stranger."

In sports, the Mohawks pounded the Rector Blackcats 25-0; players of the game were Brent Simpson and Jay Blackshare. Meanwhile, the volleyball girls took a pair from Twin Rivers and will face Paragould and Caruthersville next. It was reported that Marquetta Tinsley, PHS class of 1979, is now a member of the Arkansas Tech. Golden Suns volleyball squad, she's the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Tinsley. And winners of the four-ball tournament at the Sugar Creek Country Club were Scot Sale and Terry Crawford with a 121.

And the Arkansas State Fair is set to begin, with entertainment from the Nashville on the Road show featuring Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius along with Jerry Clower and Wendy Holcombe.

1984

With the general election approaching it was reported that Jim McKenzie is challenging incumbent alderman Tommy Hardcastle this year, the only local contested race. Meanwhile, a countywide Democratic rally has been scheduled for Oct. 7. Also in the news, a total of $500 in prize money is up for grabs in the float competition in the upcoming Piggott Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade.

This week's paper also included a feature on local barber Doyce Benson, who had taken up the trade in 1959 when he retired from farming in the Greenway area. Benson, who had bought out Ben Joiner, was sharing a shop with Troy Howell. Along with the story was a picture of him cutting the hair of Pete Spicer, one of his original customers. Winners of Savings Bonds from Brown Shoe for their monthly safety awards was Pat Williams of the office and Richard LeMarr of the lasting room.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Karate Kid" and starting next week "Ghostbusters."

In sports, the Mohawks fell to Clay County Central 7-35, with the only Piggott TD coming on a 30 yard pass from Stacey Wade to Kirk Redman...Trent Holcomb then added the PAT. With Brian Tate and Lee Holifield already injured the Tribe was saddled with injuries to starters Randy Lowe and Paul Stowe. Coming off the bench were Sam Williams and Stacey Bradshaw to earn defensive player of the game honors, on offense it was Jerry Massey, Redman and Wade. Meanwhile, the junior team fell to Westside 12-20 with Tim Muse scoring both TD's. Players of the game were Neil Parrish, Dave Mallard and Dale Wofford.

1989

State Highway Commissioner Rodney Slater will be the featured speaker at the Piggott Chamber of Commerce annual dinner meeting Oct. 17. This week's paper also included a feature on longtime educator Lola Gibson, who had first started teaching in1924. Gibson spent her final 24 years in the Piggott system, retiring in 1971.

In a related note, new teachers at Piggott High School are--Mike Book, Kim Gower and John Daughetee; at Piggott Middle School, Paulette Linam, Wade Williams and Theresa Book and at PES, Jan Hill, Kim Wilson and Kathy Coyle.

In births to announce, a son, Hunter Kevin Strickland, was born to Lori and Scott Strickland of Piggott Sept. 19 at Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould. Meanwhile, fourth grader Jason Causey won the Red Ribbon Week poster contest.

Three warehouses and an old house north of Sue's Flowers and Gifts (now the back part of Jones Furniture) were torn down in the past week. The structures were razed to make room for a new building for the flower shop and additional parking for Hoggard and Son's Funeral Home. Meanwhile, a groundbreaking is set for Oct. 1 for the new fellowship hall and education building at the St. Francis Baptist Church.

The Mohawks fell to Clay County Central 20-25 in the past week, and will visit the winless Hayti Indians for their next contest. Meanwhile, the junior girl's volleyball team took second in the Cyclone Classic at Jonesboro with Kim Henson and Nikki Pounds named to the all-tournament team, and Brande Chronister was an honorable mention.