It happened here, years ago

Plans continue for the Piggott Fourth of July Picnic, with entertainment scheduled by "The Collection" of Caruthersville, and "The Country Airs" featuring Brenda Palmer, from Bernie. Ernest Webster also was pictured with the 1970 Chevrolet Impala to be given away. And Dallas Johnson reminded everyone that the Pollard picnic would be held Wednesday, July 15.

Political announcements include Guy Brinkley for municipal judge and Norris Cate and Frank Knuckles for mayor. Meanwhile, Rex and Joyce Watson were recognized for five years with MFA Insurance and Tommy Leggett received his Doctor of Law degree from the University of Virginia.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included--Elvis in "Charro" along with Goldie Hawn in "Cactus Flower" and "The Great Bank Robbery."

Debbie Sale has returned from Germany, where she spent the final trimester of college at the University of Munich. And junior high cheerleaders this year include Diana Darnell, Angie Gray, Gwen Mann, Vickie Donner and Mona Conley.

Strong storms resulted in damage in both the Nimmons and Blue Cane areas in the past week. And the most popular variety of cotton planted in Clay County this year is Stoneville 213, accounting for 43 percent of the acreage. Stoneville 7A, Deltapine 16, Rex Smoothleaf and Dixie King rounded out the top five.

In sports, Steve Lomax took the loss as the local Connie Mack team fell to Poplar Bluff 8-2; and Sammy Potter was the losing pitcher as the local team dropped a 5-2 decision to Corning.

1980

Grand opening of the new Piggott municipal swimming pool is set for noon, Saturday, July 21. The new pool is under the management of Cindy Camp. Meanwhile, contestants are needed for the annual Miss Piggott Pageant; Terryl Almond is the new preacher a the First Baptist Church; the Home for the Golden Years will host an open house June 24 and Linda Markel and Sue Suvan of Poplar Bluff won the championship flight in the ladies tournament at Sugar Creek Country Club.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features include "Lady and the Tramp" and "Fastbreak."

Births to report include a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Keith Woolverton of Pollard June 6 at St. Bernard's in Jonesboro. They've named their new addition Lindsay Elise. And Mr. and Mrs. Danny Gatewood welcomed their first child, also a daughter, June 10 at Piggott Community Hospital. They've named their new arrival Felicia Renee.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Mann will mark their 25th wedding anniversary June 22 with a get-together at the Piggott Community Center; and the Osage District Cub Scout day camp was held at the Piggott Park (picnic grounds) June 9 to 13.

Piggott Florist softball team took second in a tournament at Monette, and team members are--Joyce Bozark, Valecia Moore, Sherry Watson, Shawna Tate, Melissa Berry, Debbie Myers, Sherry Galyean, Laurie Davis, Janice Harris, Teresa Spinks, Lynette Sutfin, Kim Stewart, Lorrie Beaver, Lisa Grimes, Kim Parton and Lisa Beaver. They're coached by Paul Garrison and Dale Grimes.

1985

The last load of furnishings left the former Brown Shoe factory in Piggott Friday, June 14, ending 38 years of production. Office manager Joyce Tanner, who had been there 18 of those years, was pictured standing in the empty office waiting for the telephone company to disconnect phone service. Sad news this week, as local businessman Earl Wood died June 17 at the V.A. Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Wood and his wife Lora first purchased the local frozen food locker in 1961.

Plans continue for the Piggott Fourth of July Picnic, and first annual Hemingway Days. This year will feature four cash drawings--two for $500, one for $1,000 and one for $1,500. This week also included a feature on Joe Cole and his hobby of carving wooden ducks. And residents were reminded that as of June 28 it will be illegal to operate ATV's on public streets and roads in Arkansas.

At the Carolyn this week--John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis in "Perfect."

Donald "Doc" Johnson was featured for his 30 years as agriculture instructor at PHS; and Lee Ann Reams is serving as a pharmacy intern this summer at Holcomb's Pharmacy. Meanwhile, over at Seal's Pharmacy--Sharon Seal Lingle was pictured with one of her displays of photos in the store window. Currently fathers and grandfathers of the family were featured for Father's Day--including an article on her grandfather, Bro. Sam Pillow.

The Junior Babe Ruth team remains undefeated after beating Rector 19-4 on Friday the 13th behind Todd Self's pitching. The 13 year old team moved to 1-1 as Bryan Allman and Nat Finley combined for a 13-11 win over the Rector squad.

1990

The identity of a man who drowned in the St. Francis River in the past week has been released. Junior David Lewis, II, 25, of Piggott drowned June 12 near Brown's Ferry. Meanwhile, Aunt Sadie Thomas was honored with a 100th birthday party June 17 at the First Baptist Church.

The quorum court got an update on the county road sign project, learning that the signs would cost $25 to $50 each. Plans called for shield shaped signs on county roads, and square or rectangular signs on dead end roads. This week also included a feature on Piggott Postmaster Bobby Hoskins, as he restored a 1958 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 convertible.

Richard and Laverne Throgmorton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 8 with a party at Beaver Lake; Logan Hudson Moore marked his first birthday with a party featuring a clown cake and Melissa Minton won the Youth Achievement award this year at Piggott Middle School.

At the Kennett Cinema this week the feature is "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Elizabeth Sale, with the Gavel Hill 4-H Club, will be spending several weeks in Germany this summer as part of a student exchange program.

The Babe Ruth squad split a doubleheader with Rector, losing the first game but winning the second on Monte Howell's two-run double over the right fielder's head. The team then swept a doubleheader from Marmaduke, 13-1 and 14-4 as they moved to 5-6 on the season.