It happened here, years ago

Funeral services for noted educator Dr. Ralph McNeil, Dean of Adelphia (N.Y.) College were held March 30 at the First United Methodist Church of Piggott. A native of Rector, McNeil moved to Piggott when his father George was elected sheriff. He later taught at Piggott until 1939, and then became postmaster. After a three year stint in the Navy in World War II he returned to work for the State Board of Education, and later attended ASU and Columbia University to gain his masters and doctorate. Flags at both the local post office and Piggott schools flew at half mast the day of his funeral.

Diana Glass of Corning took first place in the Clay County Spelling Bee, with Lynn Dehls and Brent Rogers of Piggott taking second and third. John R. Lingle of Piggott has announced his candidacy for State Representative. A 1960 grad of PHS, Lingle attended ASU and later law school at the University of Arkansas.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included "Darby O'Gill and the Little People."

Charlie Wells Discount Furniture is now in its new location on West Court Street, across from Wood's Frozen Food Locker. The manager is Gayle Garver and he's assisted by Carl Brown. It's Census time and postal worker Frank Seal was shown with a stack of the reports. Postmaster Jerry Sale reported that over 2,000 were returned the first day.

1980

The Clay County Quorum Court continued to seek a solution to their 1979 budget shortfall, noting that the county had also suffered from three straight bad winters. The Census Bureau reported that 212,000 forms were mailed March 28, and any local resident that didn't receive theirs by April 7 should call.

A $90,000 matching grant has been secured for improvements at Chalk Bluff. The plan calls for a pavilion, walking trail and walk bridge, grills, well and 12 picnic tables along with a paved access road and parking area. Sharleena Staples is the chair for this year's Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fundraiser, and will be seeking volunteers to man a road block.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, the comedy spectacular "1941."

The new 42x75 foot Piggott municipal pool will open in early summer. The pool was paid for by a 50/50 matching grant of over $217,000. The old pool, which belonged to the Cemetery Association, has been permanently closed. Parks and Recreation Commission members are Frank Smith, Bobby Baker, Jerry Reams, Lester Edwards, Jr. and James Wallis. Meanwhile, R.L. Ross reports that he has partnered with Otis and Edward McFarlin in the local Ford dealership, and it will now be known as Ross-McFarlin Ford Inc.

The Piggott Elementary School recently staged a production of "The Wizard of Oz" and the IRS reminded local taxpayers not to send cash for their tax payments. Dixon Radio and TV also had a sale on RCA televisions, and you could pick up a new VCR for just $795.

1985

The new Piggott Middle School building has opened to students, replacing the structure that burned in Feb. 1983. Final expansion plans at Piggott Elementary were approved by the school board at their meeting. The board also heard from 11 Mohawk football players, who objected the recent firing of the head coach.

Sen. Dale Bumpers will be the speaker at the annual Piggott Chamber of Commerce banquet set for April 19. This week also included a feature on trucker Gary Howell, who at the time had been with North American Van Lines 25 years. A Nimmons native, and youngest of 12, Howell had started trucking at age 18 for $25 dollars a week for his brother-in-laws Jack Schrader and Paul Houser. Looking back on his career he noted, "it sure beats pickin' cotton."

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Porky's Revenge--The Pig Strikes Back."

The St. Francis 66 station is under new management, owned by J. B. Brawner and managed by Rickey Heffner. The 11th annual FFA farm equipment auction drew a big crowd, and Piggott sixth grader Stuart Turner competed in a speech contest at Clarkton.

The Mohawks played their worst game of the year, getting pounded by Marmaduke as Derron Pollard gave up 19 hits over five innings. Despite a double by Steve Franks, the Tribe held the Hounds scoreless in the first inning--but Marmaduke pitcher Kevin Murray retired the side in the home half. Lee Jamieson scored the first Marmaduke run on a Pollard wild pitch past Piggott catcher Sam Williams in the second inning and the visitors never looked back.

1990

"Oliver" was staged at PHS in the past week with big crowds enjoying the production. Pictured was Nancy (Lisa Swift) as she attempted to keep street thief Bill Sykes (Gary Swift) from kidnapping Oliver (Craig Winberry). Piggott State Bank recently named several new officers, including--Gail Henderson, Verna Blake, Elaine Wright, Shirley Haywood, Barbara Harmon, Sheila Mayberry and Penny Morris.

The Gravel Hill 4-H Club, and several local merchants, sponsored the annual Easter egg hunt in the past week. Meanwhile, Marcia Williams has been appointed by Municipal Judge Guy Brinkley as his clerk for Piggott. This week also included a feature on coon hunter N.O. "Bo" Gray of Nimmons, who despite his advanced years continue to work his black and tan coon dogs Mike and Ace nearly every day.

Top cooking sellers from Girl Scout Browning Troop 97 were Kara Bedwell, Chylon Fraser and Nicole Roberts. And Harp's Food Stores reports that Piggott native Kim Eskew has been promoted to district manager for their western division. A 1975 grad of Piggott High, Eskew had worked for the company since 1977--joining the firm while still in college.

The Mohawks played their first game on the new ball field at Independence Park, beating the Stanford Razorbacks 14-4 April 9. Chris Morris pitched the first four innings, with Kevin Blascoe working the last two. But, the Tribe went on to drop the next four games in a row, including a lopsided loss to Corning that prompted Coach Ted Box to note of the Bobcat's pitcher. "That Pete Prater is one of the best I've seen in this area."