November 2023

The Clay County Department of Human Services is now accepting applications from families for their annual Christmas assistance project. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, Nov. 30, at the DHS office in Piggott or at 1st Choice Healthcare in Corning.

The annual Rector Christmas Parade sponsored by the Rector Chamber of Commerce will be held Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m., with the parade traveling down Main Street, ushering in the Christmas season. Prizes for floats will be increased this year to encourage more float participation. Prize money will be first place $150, second place $100, third place $75, fourth place $50 and fifth place $25, recognizing fun, faith, and the festive season. No prize money will be awarded to go-carts and side-by-sides, but they are appreciated and encouraged to participate. The Chamber reminds all participants that age 18 is the minimum age with a driver’s license and a permit from the City of Rector for operating the side-byside or golf cart.

Plans are complete, as the Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to host their annual Christmas Fest on Saturday, Dec. 2. Activities are slated from noon to 4:30 p.m. on the square in downtown Piggott, followed by the annual Christmas Parade at 5 p.m. Entries are being sought for the parade and do not have to preregister.

Piggott Public Library and Rector Public Library in conjunction with Arkansas PBS are hosting a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. The local libraries will be collecting new and gently used sweaters and other cold weather items. Collection boxes are available in Piggott at the library and the Chamber of Commerce office and at the library in Rector. Piggott Public Library will distribute items to the community on Dec. 2 at the Christmas on the Square event.

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center will host a fruit cake workshop at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 4. Instructor for the workshop will be Suzie Morris. Fee for the class is $10 and has limited spots avail-able. Persons interested may register by call the museum at 870-598-1637. “This is a family recipe and Suzie says she gets in trouble with other family members when referencing where the recipe comes from. Her Aunt Ruby Wellman and Aunt Opal Rodery both made this delicious treat. Suzie also added that her mother used to make the cakes every year for the customers at the oil company,” stated HPMEC Director Shannon Williams.