Stories from Wednesday, December 2, 2009

In the long and storied history of the Piggott Mohawk football program there were a number of great teams, but few compare to the 1969 2-A district champions. That year's edition of the Tribe was stacked with talent, size, speed and that intangible quality most refer to as heart. It was a recipe for success, and Coach Carl "Zig" Williams was the man with the spoon...

The Piggott junior Mohawks let a game slip away from them last Tuesday at Corning, as the Bobkittens came from behind to post a 37-36 win over the Tribe. This Tuesday the Mohawks were scheduled to take on Harrisburg, but due to the football playoffs that game will be re-scheduled later in the season...

For the third time in a row, the Piggott Mohawk senior boys basketball team traveled to Corning last week and beat the Bobcats on their home floor. Powered by a 17-9 fourth quarter, the Tribe pounded the home team as they outscored Corning in every quarter. ...

1969 First Lt. Alvin Royce Williams indicated that the Piggott National Guard Armory got a good report from their recent inspection. The armory is home to Company A (pt), 2nd battalion of the 153rd Infantry of the Arkansas Army National Guard. ...

When people grow old, they begin to view things in a different way. Though the appearance changes outwardly, often the older person feels young inside. Jokes and bumper stickers speak for the elderly sometimes...

David Wilton Argo, 49, passed away Nov. 24, 2009. A Celebration of Life memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at Chestnut Hill Plantation Clubhouse in Columbia, S.C. Inurnment followed at Bush River Memorial Gardens. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel was in charge of the arrangements. A memorial service will be held in Jonesboro at a later date...

John Seth Ross, age 24, of Tunica, Miss., formerly of Piggott, passed away Nov. 28, 2009, in Tunica as the result of an auto accident. He was born April 4, 1985. He is survived by his parents, Denise Bingham and husband Bill of Searcy, and Don Ross and wife Vikki of Tunica; one sister, Victoria Elizabeth Ross, and one brother, Ethan Robert Earl Ross, both of Tunica; three step-sisters, Stacy Southerland, Amy Dolan and Leslie Clegg; one step-brother Devin Miller; his grandparents, Erma Jean Ross, Lloyd Brown and R.L. ...

Dorothy (Lamb) Dehls of Piggott passed away on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at the Piggott Community Hospital. Dorothy was born in Guion, Ark., the daughter of the late Ernest and Hazel (Bryant) Lamb. The oldest of five children, "Dot" graduated from Guion High School at age 16 and completed her business education at Draughon's Business School in Little Rock...

The Piggott band program will sponsor the annual "Supper with Santa" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Piggott Community Center. The event will include performances by Piggott High School's Swingin' Mohawks jazz band, pictures with Santa Claus, a silent auction and a chili supper...

The Arkansas Department of Health is holding a second round of mass flu clinics beginning Monday, Dec. 7, designed to immunize Arkansans against both the seasonal and the H1N1 influenza. The unprecedented effort will continue through Dec. 18, with a local shot clinic included on the schedule...

The Traditional Ladies of Piggott are hosting the annual Christmas Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. This year's featured homes are the residences of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Staples on Willow Avenue and the home of their immediate neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Schulte, along with the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jon Wellman on North 12th Street...

The city will come to life with the sights and sounds of the holiday season this Saturday, Dec. 5, with the arrival of the annual Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Fest. The festival will be going on from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday around the Piggott court square. The day's events also will include the annual Christmas parade that afternoon...

The Lady Cougars enjoyed their holiday break, and are now working hard in practice in preparation for their return to action later this week. The senior A and B teams will take the court beginning at 6 p.m. ...

With the Cougars slated to visit Trumann Tuesday night, coach Matt Mills has had his team working hard for not only the aforementioned, but the many to follow as the high school basketball season heats up...

When people grow old, they begin to view things in a different way. Though the appearance changes outwardly, often the older person feels young inside. Jokes and bumper stickers speak for the elderly sometimes...

The writer was an 18-year-old sophomore in college when the naval and air forces of Japan made their dastardly attack on Pearl Harbor without justification or warning. Living in Washington, D.C., in that year of 1941, I felt I was in the midst of matters spinning out of control, because of which my life would never again be the same...

"This curious world we inhabit is more wonderful than convenient; more beautiful than it is useful; it is more to be admired and enjoyed than used." Those words easily could be stated by an environmental leader of the 21st Century. But such is not the case...

Velis Ray "Tootie" Bateman, 78, of Marmaduke passed away on Nov. 27, 2009. Mr. Bateman was born on Aug. 11, 1931, to the late Sidney and Stella (Morley) Bateman in Rector, Ark. He was retired from U.S. Pipe...

Naomi Ruth Brannan was born on May 9, 1931, to the late Luther Winslow and Ruby Beatrice (Houston) Clayton, in Rector. She departed this life on Dec. 1, 2009, in the St. Bernards Regional Medical Center at the age...

The holiday season is one of the most beautiful and vivid times of the year. While much of the luster comes from the joyful spirits and natures of those who celebrate the holiday, there is no denying the appeal and attraction Christmas decorations have for so many who enjoy this holiday tradition...

The City of Rector has received a grant for $6,456 for restoration of trees lost in the January ice storm. The award, part of the Ice Storm Recovery Grant Program, came from the Arkansas Forestry Commission...

At just 15, Joseph Hargrave already has formed a fondness for reading and writing which likely will remain with him for the rest of his life. The creative young man, who grandmother Rita Dortch says "has a head full of stories," writes every day, whether in his journal or creating new worlds on paper which may one day serve to delight a whole new generation of young readers...

Rector Elementary Gifted and Talented Students will participate at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in the third annual GT Christmas Talent, Art and Project Show, to be held in the elementary multi-purpose room...

There is a myth that small towns are boring and offer nothing to do for fun. But if one looks at a schedule of holiday events in Rector, well -- it's easy to see this town is anything but boring. In fact, one could easily find something interesting to do almost every day and night -- especially during the holiday season...

A stunning painting of a country church in the woods, by Rector native Joel Boyd, will be auctioned by the Rector Woman's Club during Rector's annual community Christmas party Thursday night following the Rector Christmas parade...