It happened here, years ago

A total of 70 seniors graduated Piggott High 40 years ago this past week; keynote speaker was Dr. H.E. Williams, President of Southern Baptist College. In other news, June 7 is the date set for the closure of the local business office of the phone company..but payments can be made in the future at Morris' IGA.

The Jaycettes have been busy sewing new curtains for the swimming pool, as the facility was set to open May 30. Photographed working on the effort were Nancy Hardcastle, Frances Knuckles, Sharon Hogue and Sharon Lingle. Meanwhile, lightning struck a huge tree in Sam Blackshare's yard, at the corner of 12th and Clay, last Friday but luckily there were no injuries.

Don Settlemoir will be performing this weekend at the Bootheel Jamboree at Gideon. Another regular at the old Ford Theater is Leland Dees who plays with the Country Boys Band. And it was announced that Graddy's Barbershop on East Main has re-opened for business.

In sports, PHS standout Rick Batey, an All-State selection at fullback and linebacker, has been chosen to play in the state All-Star game on August 10. Joining Batey on the east squad will be Jim Davis of Corning.

1978

Primary election results 30 years ago this past week had Rue Mack leading the race for judge, and Cecil Crews re-elected county clerk and Guy Brinkley to municipal judge meanwhile runoffs were set in several other races. Bill Clinton carried Clay County 3802-2014 over Frank Lady in the gubernatorial primary and regional winners were Jim Holland and Mack Harbour.

What could have been a disaster was averted in the past week after lightning struck Cox Planning Mill. The lightning did set fire to a small amount of varnish but luckily did not spread to the storage area where hundreds of gallons of the flammable material were stored.

Members of the Piggott FFA raised money for the March of Dimes recently, holding a rock-a-thon and roadblock among other efforts. Helping raise the more than $1,225 were Tamara Rigdon, Debbie Hughes, Tara Cox, Kelli Hogue, Janna Kegley and Lee Ann Reams.

And perfect attendance for the seventh and eighth grades has been reported at PJHS. The eighth graders included Sherry Bradshaw, James O'Dell, Merry Romines, Sandra Templeton and Kenny Wright. Seventh graders were Davey Cotton, Terry Davis, Brenda Jorman, David Moody, Paul Wade and Sherri Watson.

And at the Carolyn Theater this week, "The Goodbye Girl" while the late show feature was "Cinderella".

1983

Piggott school patrons were being urged 25 years ago to vote yes on a school bond issue on June 14. If passed the issue will help re-build the middle school that burned earlier in the year. Meanwhile, PES Principal Richard Runions has taken the job as superintendent of the NEARK Christian School at Batesville and was honored with a dinner. Also honored were retiring teachers Edna Morrow, Eulale Lingle and Mary Gambill and former principal William Holifield.

Around 40 people attended a meeting in McDougal in the past week, the issue was the possibility of passing a county-wide sales tax issue to help pay for Clay County's growth and needs. Meanwhile, the Piggott Library Board is seeking a federal grant as they continue efforts to purchase a 60x150 foot lot on which to build the new library. The parcel is located behind the Piggott Post Office and was the former site of the old ice plant.

The Piggott Times has a new employee and welcomes 1980 PHS grad Sandy Adams of Pollard. She's the wife of Kevin and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Royce Williams. And in births to announce this week, Sherrell and Pam Hoggard were proud to announce the birth of their first child, Michael Vincent Hoggard, born May 24 and weighing-in at seven pounds and one once.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Lone Wolf McQuaid" and the late show was "Blow Hard". Meanwhile, over 500 people visited Chalk Bluff State Park over the recent Memorial Day weekend.

1988

The 71 members of the PHS class of 1988 graduated in the past week and received diplomas from school board president Harry Niewald Jr. and board secretary Charles Morrisett. Meanwhile, sad news on the political front as long-time State Senator Tom Watson of Monette lost his battle with cancer May 26, he was 67 years old and had served the district for 17 years.

Memorial Day services were held at Piggott Cemetery with the wreath placed by Gold Star Mother Edith Ezell. She was escorted by local Boy Scouts Tim Mowery and Keith Haywood. And members of the PHS Marching Mohawk band earned superior ratings at a band competition at Branson recently.. marking the first out-of-state competition in several years.

Piggott Community Hospital has three new nurses, all recent grads of MCCC at Blytheville. They include Judy Newton, Jo Williams and Kathy Causey. Meanwhile, Dixon Radio and TV has donated a 19-inch color television to the DHS office to help them show training tapes to employees and food stamp recipients.

In sports, the Clay County American Legion team will start its season June 2 at Paragould. The team includes players from Piggott, Rector, Corning, Marmaduke, Kennett and Malden.