The Piggott Chamber of Commerce heard from Steve Bell of Sikeston at their meeting 40 years ago last week, on the benefits of cable television. Bell is currently trying to work out a deal to acquire a cable franchise for the city of Piggott.

Sad news to report this week as longtime local businessman J.B. "Jack" Holcomb died at a Memphis hospital Aug. 25, he was 57. A former druggist with Reeve's Pharmacy, Holcomb purchased the business in 1959. Son Larry is employed at the pharmacy while son Sam had to be called home from Vietnam.

In other news, Piggott schools will open for the new year with a half-day of classes on Tuesday, Sept. 3.. meanwhile, the Piggott-Corning alumni football game has been cancelled due to problems with the Corning team.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was Don Knotts in "The Shakiest Gun in the West", while the late show was "Red Line 7000"…up next will be "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" with Herman and the Hermits and "Madigan".

Alex Madison of Carryville brought in the first open cotton boll of the year on Aug. 21. The cotton was planted April 29 and was raised from McNair seeds. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Green Duckworth of St. Francis celebrated their 65th anniversary on Aug.30…and the Tri-County Fox and Wolf hunting trials are set for Sept. 5-7.

Finally, At Morris IGA they featured T-bone steak for $1.09 a pound..Folgers coffee was .59 a pound and instant coffee was $1.29 for a 10-ounce jar.

1978

The annual Clay County fair was set for Sept 7-9 of 1978, with two nights of rodeo action planned. Meanwhile, the annual McDougal Labor Day picnic is set, and the annual Nimmons Old Timers Homecoming dinner is set for Sept. 3.

In other news, "Celebrate Life" was presented by the combined community youth choir Aug. 27 with performances at both the First United Methodist and First Baptist Church. The group was under the direction of Sarah Gregory (PHS '75) Meanwhile, Julia Eason is now employed at Carolyn's Beauty Shop… and the Carryville Co-Op has moved into the old Ross Ford building on Piggott's south side (now Irby Funeral Home).

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "The Driver" while the late show is "Convention Girls". In births to announce, Alvin and Teresa Owen welcomed home Amanda Rachelle, born Aug. 4 at Methodist Community Hospital in Paragould.

In sports, four PHS basketball players attended camp at ASU recently..they included Jimmy Ellis, Kenny Wright, Kurt Knauts and Todd Watson. And the Lakeview Roller Rink girls softball team finished in first place with a record of 12-2-1. Team members included Candice Poole, Susan Davis, Tina Robbins, Ambra Wade, Pam Flanigan, Delana Wade, Lorie Jorman, Wanda Harris, Cheryl Robbins, Shawna Tate and Kim Stewart.

1983

Congrats to Denisa Poole, she was crowned Miss Clay County at the annual fair. Alternates included--Lee Heidbreder, Dana Seay, Traci Ball, Dawn Whitney, Paula Blume and Melissa Grimes. In other news, Clay County has applied for emergency designation due to extreme heat and drought. Officials estimate that 75-percent of local crops are under severe stress and are in poor condition.

Meanwhile, Piggott police chief Kenny Parker and deputy sheriff Jerry Williams have been busy harvesting pot plants again in the past week, the two harvested 20 of the illegal plants on Aug. 22. Also in the news, Payjoy Broadcasters, owned by George Cook and Rex Watson, announced that radio station KTEI would be on the air by Oct. 1..and that Bill Odom of Campbell has been hired as general manager.

Births to announce this week includes a daughter, Micah Lauren, to Mr. and Mrs. Mike Morgan of Piggott. She arrived Aug. 18 at St. Bernard's in Jonesboro and weighed-in at eight pounds and two ounces.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" while the late show is "Red Heat". And Dixon Radio and TV has several new Atari game cartridges including--Jungle Hunt, Pole Position, Kangaroo, Olick and Enduro.

And young football players were reminded that sign-up for pee wee football in Piggott is set for Sept. 12.

1988

A big piece of Piggott history was destroyed 20 years ago this past week, as workmen tore down the majority of the Carolyn Theater building. The old theater is being razzed to make room for more parking for the adjacent supermarket. In other news, site preparation is underway for construction of the new Piggott wastewater treatment plant, which should be ready by late next spring.

Congrats to Becky Pruett of Rector on being chosen Miss Clay County at the recent fair.. her alternates were Stephanie Staples, Cobi McDaniel, Peggy Ruhl and Lara Featherston. Little Miss Clay County was Erica Birmingham of Rector and her alternates were Elizabeth Crawford, Jade Jones, Miranda Dalton and Autumn Dees.

In political news, a runoff will be held Aug. 23 between Gladys Watson and Jerry Shipman for the state senate seat vacated when Watson's husband Tom died recently. And Ann Blair has announced her candidacy for Piggott City Council in the north ward, position one. She'll face incumbent Norman Muse and Scot Sale in November.

Births to announce include a daughter, Breanna Roslynn, born to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Gossett of Piggott on Aug. 16…and a son, Logan Heath, born to Mr. and Mrs. David Ballard of Piggott July 28 at Arkansas Methodist.

The first grade class at PES this year will all receive a commemorative t-shirt noting that they are the "Class of 2000…the last class of the 20th century".. the shirt was modeled for the newspaper by class member Eric Fuller; son of Leonard and Kristi Fuller.

The Piggott Mohawks will open the 1988 football season at Westside this coming Thursday, and are coming off a 4-6 campaign. Meanwhile, the junior Mohawks blasted Gosnell 34-0 in their season opener with Larry Jones getting 108 yards on four carries…and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the volleyball season gets underway Sept. 6, as the Lady Mohawks visit Harrisburg.