It happened here, years ago

The annual Boy Scout Court of Honor was held Feb. 2 at the First United Methodist Church. Two members were named as Eagle Scouts, as both Robin Miller and Stephen Daffron earned the coveted distinction. They were joined by current Eagle Scouts Larry Martin and Jim Richardson. Others earning awards were Lewis Sells, John Payne, Joe Cox, Paul Hoggard and Bert Watson.

Walter Schaller reports that he has taken a job with the ASCS office in the capitol city, and that the family will be leaving Piggott in the coming weeks and will move to North Little Rock. Meanwhile, the 15th annual Girl Scout cookie sale is underway. This year's varieties included--mixed sandwich, peanut butter, butter shorties, mints and pecanettes. Cost is just 50-cents a box.

At the Carolyn Theater the features included a double-bill of Clint Eastwood--"A Fistful of Dollars" and "For a Few Dollars More" along with "Dr. Zhivago."

Births to reports include a son to Mr. and Mrs. Dale Chronister of Piggott on Feb. 2. They've named the new "Groundhog Day" baby Gary Dale Chronister. Also in the news, the annual Clay County cotton production meeting will be held Feb. 9 at the Piggott Courthouse with featured speaker Murray Wallace of Gideon.

The Piggott Jaycees announced that they'll host a visit from the Southern Belles, women's pro basketball team Feb. 6. The fundraising game would be played in the old PHS gym on South Garfield.

1980

Lisa South was PHS basketball homecoming queen for 1980, her court included Rexanna Montgomery, Liz Statler, Sarah Johnson and junior high sweetheart Sherri Watson. Little Mr. and Miss Basketball served as attendants--they were April McCoy and Mark Winberry. Meanwhile, Police Chief Leonard Bell reminded kids that the school house hill is the only authorized area for sledding--and only while the barricades are up restricting the flow of traffic.

The annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby was held, and this year's winners were--Kelly McKenney, Lloyd Besserman, Gary Swift and Scottie Nettles--with Allen Wylie taking Best of Show. And the annual Extension Service cotton meeting will be held Feb. 7 at the National Guard Armory in Piggott.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" while the late show was "Crimebusters."

Rep. Jim Holland of Knobel offered explanations of the three proposed amendments being considered by the legislature in this week's paper. One dealt with the reassessment of property within the state, another adjusted usury laws that set interest limits on loans and the third would refurbish the state's juvenile court system. That measure was intended to move control from the local courts, and set up a statewide system.

1985

The negative factors currently affecting America's farmers was reviewed this week in time, featuring interviews with local producers Keith Woolverton, Darrell Dalton and Larry Weideman. A separate article dealt with the impact the weak farm economy has had on the region's farm lenders. Also in the news, local students have now missed 10 days due to winter weather, and according to school officials that's three more than can be offset with re-scheduling.

The Piggott City Council learned that Prier Brass will be moving out of the city-owned building they currently occupy (next door to the current community center). Meanwhile, local spelling bee winners this year were Rebekah Parker, LaRhonda Permenter and Curtis Fuller--with Pam Barker as the Piggott alternate to the county bee. Piggott schools were set to host that event Feb. 21.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Starman."

Winners of the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby this year were James Harlan, Larry Don Smith and Kyle Chasteen with best of show honors going to Brian Watson. Also featured were Boy Scouts David Duncan, Jason Howell and Bryan Samples as they showed off their Indian dance costumes.

The children of Roy and Mabel Benson of Piggott hosted a special 60th wedding anniversary celebration Dec. 30 for the couple. The pair was married Dec. 28, 1924.

And, due to the bad weather, the grand opening event at The Movie House in Piggott was extended.

1990

Members of the Clay County Fair Association attended the annual convention in Hot Springs in January. Those making the trip were--Gary Howell, Leon Tate, Darrell Dalton, Brent Wellman, Carol Tate and Rodney Foulk. Meanwhile, Carrie Moffitt was crowned basketball homecoming queen at PHS for 1990 and her court included--Lara Featherston, MeChelle Conley, Julie Carman, Tab Erwin, Elizabeth Sale, Kathy Eubanks and Angie Stewart. Chris Lewis was senior basketball beau, while Tim Fair was junior beau.

A total of 36 Cub Scouts took part in the annual Pinewood Derby, and the winners were--Adam Rodery, John Daniel Smart, Chris Warbritton and Phil Pollard. Best of show honors went to Mike Conner. It was also reported that local Cubmaster Jim Duty had been chosen as Cubmaster of the Year for the Osage District.

Another part of Clay County history was destroyed in the past week, as a Doniphan company razed the old county jail at Corning. The facility had not been in use for several years, and the company tore it down for the brick and other components they could salvage.

Births to report include a daughter to Eddie and Penny Poole of Piggott on Jan. 27 at the Med E.H. Crump Women's Hospital in Memphis. The new arrival, who came into the world at just three-pounds and two-and-a-half ounces, has been named Courtney Michelle.

Clay County has a new sheriff's deputy in the western district, as Johnny DeBord, 35, of Corning has been hired to that position.

And in sports, there were some tense moments at the conclusion of a recent Lady Mohawk basketball game at Pocahontas as Tammy Belote suffered a head injury. Belote fell during the Mohawk loss to the Redskins, and was taken to the Randolph County Medical Center where she was diagnosed with a concussion. Later she made the trip back to Piggott Community Hospital, and spent the night as a precaution. Coach Mike Book estimated that she would be to normal in time for the conference tournament.