It happened here, years ago

This week in time young Holly Litzelfelner, 14, of Piggott was touted as having "True Grit" after she encountered a man attempting to steal the family car behind Roeder's Ben Franklin Saturday afternoon. Holly dissuaded the man from taking the vehicle by refusing; at a distance, to get in the car or run for help and allow him to escape--other than as he eventually did, on foot. Also in the news, Mayor Ernest "Buck" Thomas has thrown his hat into the already crowded ring as he has announced his plans to seek re-election.

A total of 24 little girls are signed up for the Little Miss St. Francis Pageant, to be held at their picnic Wednesday, July 22. Entertainment will include the Blackwell Trio and the Country Aires. Meanwhile, Lowell Masters, a man billed as "the world's smallest gospel singer" will appear July 17 at the Christian Church. Also in the news, Dr. B.B. Layle is now in his recently-completed colonial style brick office at the corner of North Third and West Jackson.

At the Carolyn Theater this week--"Marooned" and "Anne of the Thousands Days" along with a special showing of Charlie Brown and Peanuts' first movie "A Boy Named Charlie Brown."

Glaub and Holly EHC enjoyed potluck at Auta Curtis' home, and Bruce Wiley and Billy Seal were off to Tokyo for the Baptist Youth Alliance world convention. And don't forget that the Clay County Electric Cooperative's 31st annual picnic meeting is set for July 17 with entertainment by The Rhode's Show.

1980

The oppressive heat wave continued 30 years ago, with only one day below 100 from July 5 to 15. In fact the recorded temperatures for July 11 to 15 were 106, 106, 105, 107 and 106 at Piggott State Bank. Also in the news, Amy Wheeler and Stacey Holcomb were pages for Joe Cole as he served as a delegate to the constitutional convention in Little Rock.

Congrats to Lisa Grimes of Piggott, Miss Pollard for 1980. Her court included alternates Dena Romines and Robin Dudley along with trainbearers Julie Davis and Monte Howell. Former Mohawk Donnie Morrison was highlighted as a key player for the ASU Indians by Coach Larry Lacewell, as the Tribe looked forward to his services at linebacker in the fall. And James Hoggard of Piggott was the winner of the new 1980 Chrysler Cordoba given away at the picnic.

At the Carolyn Theater this week "The Day Time Ended."

Ted Bellers was elected president of the Lions Club, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Cook celebrated their 50th anniversary back on May 12 and Oscar Glenn found several tomatoes growing on the vine of a potato plant.

The U.S. Government agency offices are now open on East Main Street, and they've set an open house for July 17 to show them off. And volunteers were shown beginning work on the St. Francis Community Park. Pictured with Mayor Orville Schultz were Freddie Hicks, David Wagster and Roger Winchester. By the way, the 41st annual St. Francis Picnic will be held Saturday, July 19.

1985

This week included a feature on BRAD Public Transit bus driver Nellie Gossett, who had taken on the job after spending 21 years at Brown Shoe. State Senator Tom Watson of Monette was honored recently by the Arkansas Municipal League, and congrats to Kristy Phares of Piggott, Miss Pollard 1985. Her court included Melissa Guthrey and Tabby Reeves.

A plaque was hung in the cafeteria of Piggott Elementary School recently in memory of Emma Muse, as she was remembered fondly for the 35 years she worked as a cook. Taking part were her children, Norman Muse, Margaret Muse, Millie Muse and Dr. Jerry Muse along with lunchroom supervisor Ray Duty. Mrs. Muse had passed away July 24, 1984 while her husband, Rev. E. G. Muse preceded her in 1977.

On a sad note, Blake Tanner, 19, of Piggott was listed in stable but critical condition after being injured in a rodeo at Dolph, Ark.

At the Carolyn Theater the feature was "St. Elmo's Fire."

Groundbreaking is set for July 21 for the new auditorium at the Piggott General Baptist Church and bids are to be let on the "Star" mail route from Piggott to McDougal and back.

And, this year's ball champs were--Fry International in Little League, City Cleaners in Pee Wee and East Main Body and Service in T-ball.

1990

Arkansas Highway Commission chair Rodney Slater met with a local delegation in the past week, discussing such issues as the need for improvements to Highway 62 from Piggott to Pollard. Slater also addressed the efforts to replace the bridges between Piggott and Rector with wider spans. New Chamber of Commerce officers are--Bob Martin, president, Cord Sutfin, vice president, Debby Haywood, treasurer and Paul Hoggard, secretary.

The annual St. Francis Picnic schedule is out, as the annual event is set for Saturday, July 21. And this week included a feature on Stan, Teresa and Shawn Morris' trip to Spain to visit their former foreign exchange student and his family. Little Caleb Morris, age three, sat this one out. The Presbyterian women have scheduled their annual music program, with entertainment by Tim Hill of Greenway, Virginia Robertson of Holcomb and the Friends of Music Combo of Piggott.

The Marmon Group reports that their L. A. Darling facilities in Piggott, Paragould, Corning and Pocahontas now encompass 1.5 million square feet of factory space and employ a total of 1,350 workers. Congrats to PHS drum major Heather Sneed for top honors at a camp at SEMO, and for being invited to participate in the halftime show of the 1990 Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

At the Kennett Cinema this week the feature was "Another 48 Hours."

In sports, the Piggott John Deere 16 and under girls softball team is headed to state in the coming weeks, and KAIT sports reporter Dick Clay visited the Sugar Creek Country Club as part of his "Toughest Golf Holes in Region 8" tour--visiting hole #3 (an uphill, par 4 with a big tree in front of the green).