It happened here, years ago

Construction is underway on the new H.W. Gossard plant on the east edge of Piggott, with the work being done by contractor Earl Kirk of Paragould. Also in the news, Ida Mills, 75, of Rector was killed in a crash in that city in the past week when the car driven by her husband, William, pulled into the path of a car driven by a Lafe man. The mishap occurred at the intersection of Fifth and Woodland Heights.

On the political scene, Deputy Liddell Jones has announced his candidacy for Clay County Sheriff. Meanwhile, six carriers of the Memphis Press Scimitar won trips to Nashville during a recent contest. The group included Jerry and Barry Broadway, Kevin Book, Dewayne Metheney and Ricky and David Brown.

At the Carolyn Theater this week "Paint Your Wagon" was featured while the late show was "Fanny Hill."

Seven young ladies are taking part in the new candy striper program at Piggott Hospital and the Home for the Golden Years. The group includes Gayla Nichols, Suzan Daffron, Debra Reagan, Marsha Haywood, Diane Lack and Deborah Meade.

An ad for Gov. Rockefeller showed the polling locations for the Republican Primary election, which were--the old Ray's Drive-In on Highway 62 west of Piggott, Northern Propane in Rector and the P.L. Oliver Cotton Gin in Corning.

The A&W Little League team took first place under Coach Roy Hicks this year. The roster included Mark Tanner, Terry Jones, Greg Reeves, Tony Neeley, Gary Garrison, Eddie Thomas, Gordon Pike, Jeff Reeves and Phil Daffron.

1980

The Wayne and Linda Allmon family of Pollard was named Clay County Farm Family of the Year for 1980. Also in the news, with school set to start there were several new teachers at PHS, including--Judy Gossett, Deanna Webster, Diann Williams and Barbara Hope. New teachers at Greenway included Julia Wells, Pamela Hoggard, Randy Deaton and Wilburn Griggs.

Joe Cole, delegate to the Arkansas Congressional Convention, reported at the recent Lion's Club meeting. Meanwhile, J.D. Wagster presented Bro. Elbert Henry Cummings with his 50 year pin from Eastern Star Lodge #207 F&AM at St. Francis. Cummings had been a member of the Wisdom Lodge #343 at Greenway.

At the Carolyn Theater this week--"The Island."

Wayne Ingram of Rector brought in the first open cotton boll of the season, noting that the drought had likely caused it to open early. The cotton was grown in a test plot of Cam-D. And, the Clay County Fair is underway in Piggott with the annual Kid's Night set by C&C Amusements with rides for 50 cents each.

In sports, a total of 32 teams took part in a men's softball tournament in Piggott--and in game number 63 the Langley Dodge team took the title despite battling back from the loser's bracket. Meanwhile, at the Little League Awards ceremony President James Pollard made special presentations to Billy Lewis and Bill Thompson for service above-and-beyond the call of duty. And the Piggott All-Stars took second place in a tournament at Marmaduke.

1985

Judge Harry Niewald told the quorum court that due to a shortfall of funding, the county could not afford to do any more upkeep on roads and bridges for the remainder of the year.

School officials estimate that 1,050 to 1,100 students will be on hand for the first day of classes in Piggott. Overcrowding will be aided by the availability of the recently-finished middle school building that had been destroyed by fire. Also in the news this week, the fair board is estimating that some 6,000 people will go through the gates at this year's event.

Hiromi Takeuchi, 12, of Japan is one of 36 students staying with American families through the 4-H, and has been residing with Mr. and Mrs. Frankie Turner and their daughters. Hiromi was pictured with her hosts, Ashley and Valerie Turner, along with Trae and Elizabeth Sale.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Fright Night."

Mr and Mrs. George Rupe recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the Emmanuel Baptist Church. And, the annual Old Timers Day at Nimmons will be held Sept. 1 at the city hall. Plus, congrats to Carol Crowson of Piggott--she was named queen in the Miss Hornersville Watermelon Festival pageant.

Over 300 area farmers took part in a field day sponsored by Dekalb-Pfizer Genetics, with stops at the Loran Holifield farm at Pollard and the Jack Ballard and Carroll Duckworth farms near Piggott. The participants also enjoyed a steak dinner served in the Ballard Nursery Shed.

1990

School will begin Aug. 27 in Piggott, and this year students will be able to use the new CCVE computer lab that now occupies the old Home-Economics building. The school board also held a special meeting to hire a new basketball coach, and have tapped Brian Hamm of Poplar Bluff for the job.

As work continues on the new jail, the cornerstone from the old jail was placed in the structure. Officials indicate that the job is ahead of schedule, and may be complete by Thanksgiving. The annual Clay County Fair is underway, with Julie Moore of Corning crowned Miss Clay County. Locals among the alternates included Sheila Blume, Stephanie Staples and Kee Estraca. Other pageant winners were--Tina Piland, Camista Coyle, Sarah Moody, Brandi Stephens and Jessica Hager.

Renovation of the chapel at Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home is near complete, as workers have renovated the vaulted ceiling constructed in 1948, and removed the choir loft. The Hoggards are working hard to keep the original look of the structure, which was built in 1934.

The Phillips 66 sign came down from the former Vernon Willie gas station (just east of the railroad on Main Street) to make way for a new Union 76 sign as the station has been purchased by Veal Oil. By the way, regular gas was $1.26 a gallon according to the photo.

In sports, volleyball will get underway soon under coach Phyllis Morgan and assistant Mike Book. Ed Winberry welcomes first-time coach Robbie Moseley as his assistant for senior football--while Wade Williams will be assisted by Brock Swann in coaching the junior football squad this fall.