It happened here, years ago

Kindergarten Headstart graduation for the first session was held in the past week, with speaker Virginia Adkinson of Corning. Meanwhile, the Clay County Farm Bureau board of directors met with vice president Lloyd Vangilder presiding and secretary G.C. Flanigan presenting the budget.

Fire caused an estimated one million dollars in damage at the Dunklin County Compress in Kennett. The compress was destroyed along with two sheds and 8,000 bales of cotton. The Veterans Administration reports that $956,043 was distributed in Clay County in 1969, of which $774,221 was in compensation and pensions.

At the Carolyn Theater this week: "The War Wagon" along with "Krakatoa East of Java" and "Shenandoah." The Friday late show was "Psych Out" and Saturday's featured ""All Neat in Black Stockings."

Winners in the Jaycees Christmas lighting contest in the over $50 category were Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Crittenden. Bob and Billie Martin took first in the under $50 competition, a category they also won in 1966 and 1967. There was also a feature on Billie Martin's art work, as she made pictures using pins, earrings and other odd pieces of jewelry.

In service news: Airman Danny Haywood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Doyne Haywood (and former Piggott Times employee) has completed foreign language training in Washington D.C. specialized in Bulgarian. And USAF Tech. Sgt. Don W. Kemp (PHS class of '54), son of Mrs. Juanita Vernon of St. Francis, is now stationed in Thailand.

1980

Three teens were arrested in Jonesboro in connection with the burglary of the Darrell Holifield home near Pollard Jan. 10. Meanwhile, Charlie Gardner, 49, of Michigan was arrested by Dep. Darvin Stow on a warrant from that state. After Gardner had stayed in the Piggott area for a time, doing odd jobs for several residents, it was discovered that he had escaped from prison in Michigan in 1978.

The number of phones in Piggott increased by 158 in 1979, and is now 2,873. The increase in 1978 was 130--and over the past 10 years the number of phones in the city increased by 94-percent as 1969 ended with just 1,482 local customers. This week also included a feature on the Payne family, and their impact on the region. The history of Charlie Payne, and his wife Amanda, and family included the efforts of son Laud and daughter Mary Gambill. Both Charlie and Laud had been publishers of The Piggott Banner, while Gambill had a long career as an educator.

At the Carolyn Theater this week--"Yanks."

In sports, Ray Stow has been named as a Top Prospect by the Arkansas Gazette, and invited to play football at Henderson. Meanwhile, the junior Lady Mohawks took the championship in the Clay County Tournament.

1985

Candidates for the Clay County School board include Harry Niewald, Jr. and Dale Grimes while Bill Hancock is seeking re-election. Sugar Creek Country Club welcomed new board members Betty Russell and Frances Brady and elected officers. Sam Jones was re-elected president, Russell was V.P. and J.B. Swift was re-elected secretary. Other board members were Sonny Hommel, Charles Smart, Loran Wallace, Brauton Seal and Scot Sale.

This week included a feature on the newly-completed Patterson Apartments II on 12th Street. Pictured walking from their new unit were Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wood and daughter Natasha. Rent was $169 for one bedroom and $198 for two. Meanwhile, The Treasure Chest is now owned and operated by Sue Cole and Susie Baldwin.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Beverly Hills Cop" while the late show was "Daisy Mae."

First baby born at PCH this year was Minnie Marie Steen, daughter of Charlie and Linda Steen of Campbell. Dr. Muse brought her into this world Jan. 19.

In sports, the Mohawks stunned the Clay County Central Cougars 65-55 to take the Clay County Tournament title. Dane Coomer had 21 and Jeff Benbrook 14, prompting Coach Ted Box to note--"Benbrook kept us alive in the first half with the inside scoring, and Coomer did it in the second half from outside." Jerry Johnson had 14 for the Cougars in the loss. Meanwhile, both the senior and junior girls lost to the Cougars in their title games.

Anne Winchester reported that the PHS Mohawk News program on KTEI FM-106 was being revamped, and is heard 7:05 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. each Friday.

1990

Edward C. White, retired PHS band director died Thursday, Jan. 18 at St. Bernard's in Jonesboro. He was 72. The Girard, Ohio native came to Piggott in 1955 and served as band director for the Marching Mohawks until 1979. Highlights of his local career included directing a band of 300 musicians, from five different units, for the filming of "A Face in the Crowd" in 1956 and leading the band in the 1966 Cotton Bowl parade in Dallas, Texas. The band room at PHS is named in his honor.

Also in the news, Jerry Sale has been re-appointed to a state commission he's served on since 1983; "Oliver" will be staged at PHS this spring and Seal's Pharmacy reported that they're now computerized. The new technology will allow customers a print out of purchases, keep an up-to-date profile and avoid drug interactions.

At the Kennett Cinema this week (where all seats are $1.50 all the time) the feature is "The Little Mermaid."

1989 farm production numbers are in--cotton production was 850,000 bales, down 19-percent while the yield of 686 was down 56 pounds per acre. Beans were 76.8 million bushel, down eight percent with an average of 24 bushel per acre. That was down two bushel from the previous year. Rice was 63.8 million hundredweight, down one percent. The yield of 5,660 pounds per acre was up 250 pounds. Wheat came in at 52.8 million bushels, down seven percent, and the yield of 44 bushels per acre was down from the record yield of 1988.

In sports, for the first time since 1985 (see above) the Mohawks won the Clay County Tournament with a 47-44 win over Corning. Mark Box had 24 points in the victory, while Scott McCrillis finished with 10. The Tribe advanced to the final in an exciting overtime win over Clay County Central.