It happened here, years ago

The Piggott school board advertised for bids on two pre-fabricated classrooms at their regular monthly meeting, the annual PHS band concert was set for May 17 and the Gladys Jones kindergarten at the First Baptist Church was set to begin May 19. Political announcements included Clarence Rodery for circuit clerk, Vaughn Webb for tax assessor and Liddell Jones for sheriff.

The Piggott pool was set to open June 2, and will be in operation from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. And manager Steve Besserman announced the first practice for the Brown Shoe Little League team, which included--Jimmy Mann, Steven Conley, Roger Stokes, Rodney Besserman, Jerry Bedwell, Steve Edwards, Larry Beaver, Kenneth Foster, Mark Janes and Jay Blackshare.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included "Hell's Angels 69" along with "Hard Contract" and "Bloody Mama."

Both PHS and GHS held their junior senior proms, and for Mother's Day the First Christian Church chose Judy Parker as Mother of the Year. She's Mom to two, Christine Renee and Allen. Births to announce include a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Danny Miller of Piggott May 2 at Dunklin County Memorial. They've named the new addition Paige Chylon.

Taylor Robo Car Wash took first in the ladies Thursday night bowling league at Thorntown Bowling Lanes. Members were Joan Dyson, Anita Allman, Mary Taylor, Naomi Orey and Betty Hartwell. Roeder's Ben Franklin won the Friday night title, with members Edith Ezell, Linda Whitehorn, Alene Vaughn, Lorene Mann and Joyce Criswell (who had since moved away).

1980

Perry D. Hope, late of the Yellville Summit School District, was hired as the new superintendent of Piggott schools. Hope, a retired military man, is a native of Pine Bluff. Meanwhile, 1SG Willard Hughes retired from the Arkansas National Guard after more than 30 years of service. Hughes joined the guard June 1, 1949 and officially retired April 14, 1980. He was pictured handing over the keys to the local armory to Commander Gary N. Kibner.

PHS honor grads for the class of 1980 include valedictorian Kerry Smith and salutatorian Faith Conley. Top students at Greenway High were Kelli Benson and Tammy Lynne Harris. It was also reported that the old Hogard home, formerly known as the Potter house, was being torn down on West Jackson Street. At the time the home was nearly 100 years old.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Mad Max."

PHS juniors Mark Masters and Tom Roberts were pictured with art work they had painted on the walls of the Wee Care Lean and Play School--which was owned and operated by Willie Jo Williams and Sharon Hogue. And Junior Wiley announced an open house for the recently renovated Victor Wright property on West Clay. The local contractor had completely re-done the old house, also known as the Royce and Hester Robbins property.

The Mohawk baseball team qualified for the state tournament after upsetting the Highland Rebels and getting by the Salem Greyhounds to win the district in their first year of existence. Meanwhile, the two-man team of Joe Gregory and Jeff Peace competed in the state golf tournament, and lost by one stroke to Jefferson Prep of Pine Bluff as they took second statewide in AA.

1985

The Piggott school board voted to name the new middle school for longtime superintendent J. B. Swift at their meeting. Swift was with the local district from 1938 to 1975, spending 12 years teaching vocational agriculture and 25 as superintendent. Charles Wright was also pictured erecting the brick sign for the new campus. Wright donated his labor to complete the project prior to the upcoming open house.

In a related note, the search for a new superintendent continues after the McRae school district refused to allow David R. Cook to resign from his position with that district to assume the same at Piggott. The Chamber of Commerce will hold an arts and crafts fair Saturday, May 25. And around 100 Brown Shoe employees attended a workshop with the Governor's Displaced Worker Task Force.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Police Academy 2--Their First Assignment."

Joseph W. "Joe" Gregory has been named recipient of the Dean Robert Moore Scholarship presented by the ASU Alumni Association. And it was reported that 70 percent of Clay County farm acreage is in the USDA acreage reduction program. A cut of 30 percent on wheat and cotton; 10 percent on feed grains and 35 percent on rice and soybeans could equate to more than 51,000 acres remaining idle.

The Tribe came in last at the district track meet at Corning, with participants Lee Holifield, Kenny Smith, Stacey Bradshaw, Ricky Wheat, Gary Moody, David McNabb, Rex Jordan and Matt Hopkins.

1990

The official dedication and ribbon cutting for Independence Park was held Friday, May 11 with about 65 people braving rainy weather. The four-field complex was the result of the efforts of Parks and Recreation commissioners Dr. Larry Winberry, Fred Ort, Ted Bellers and Michael Mack. Meanwhile, three teens were arrested in connection with a bomb threat phoned in concerning PHS that same Friday.

Laura McKenney's fourth grade class held a geography essay contest, and the winners were Melissa Johnson, Jason Gurley and Bill Smith. And the first Teens Coaching Kids anti-drug presentations were made--pictured were Elizabeth Sale and Mike Harrell. And the PES team that took part in the Arkansas Gazette stock market game were, J.P. McComb, Jason Cluck, Sara Scott, Angie Beck and Tabitha Herren.

With the arrival of the new decade PES students were given shirts designating them as members of the classes of 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Representing those classes and modeling the shirts for their respective years were Brooke Cole, Ashley Poole, Eric Fuller and Julia Morrisett.

The Mohawks fell to Highland in the district championship game, but qualified for the state tournament at Conway. Jason Beck and Scott McCrillis both had home runs, Chris Morris started the game and Kevin Blascoe came on in relief.