August 2022

The American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

All poultry to be entered in the 2022 Clay County Fair beginning Sept. 14 must be tested negative for Pullorum Typhoid to comply with Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission regulations. Testing and pre-registration will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 only in the show barn at the fairgrounds. For more information or to schedule testing contact Marty Conley at 870-598-4369.

The Clay County Fair is set for Sept. 14 to 17, and commercial booths are now available for rental. The booths are indoor, air conditioned and include electrical hook-ups in some spaces. Rental rates are just $50, which covers the full run of the fair. Those wanting additional information, or to reserve a booth, may contact Barbara Collier at 870-598-7311.

Organizers of the annual Nimmons Old Timers Dinner are happy to announce the dinner will once again take place. This year’s dinner will be held beginning at noon on Sunday, Sept. 4, at the community center. Current, and former, residents of the Nimmons area are invited to attend, and bring a dish for the potluck meal. They’ll also be accepting donations at the door, with the proceeds going toward the continued upkeep of the Nimmons Cemetery.

In keeping with event tradition, a full slate of pageants will be held in conjunction with the 2022 edition of the Rector Labor Day Picnic. This year’s pageants are scheduled for both Sunday, Sept. 4, and Monday, Sept. 5, on the beauty revue stand of Memorial Park. And, with the exception of Monday night’s Miss Rector Pageant, the events are open to all.

Plans are underway for a reunion of all descendants and relatives of the late Newton Jasper McCoy and Arthur Collier. The event will take place from 12 noon until 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Rector Community Center. Everyone is asked to bring a dish and enjoy the fellowship. Those having questions may contact Donna Burkheart Campbell at (248) 437-- 0833.

The Clay County Fair Association will present The Kentucky Headhunters at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Clay County Fairgrounds Arena. Special guests will be The Comancheros and Joe Bateman and the Dream Killers will be the opening act. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at Turner Auto and Tire or by calling 870-598-- 4524 or 870-598-4376. The fairgrounds are located at 658 East North Street in Piggott at the corner of East North Street and Garfield Avenue.

The Clay County Genealogical and Historical Society recently voted to sponsor the writing and publishing of a book length history on Clay County. The primary content of the book will be family histories.

JENNIFER CAROLLO FISCHER Can you believe it is just about the end of summer? If your kids are anything like mine, the battle cries of, “We are bored!” and “What are we doing today?” have started to fill the time between waking up and finishing my first cup of coffee. I always like to hold out on some tricks up my sleeve for August.