An open house at the new Piggott High School (now the elementary) was held 30 years ago this week as the new facility was opened to the public. (Times file photo) [Click to enlarge]

Teresa Simpson was crowned Miss Clay County from among 48 contestants 40 years ago this week, her court included--Pam Stacy, Barbara Featherston, Donajo Cluck, Julia Pollard, Angie Olds and Sara Santa Maria. Meanwhile, a picnic for World War I veterans was held at Crowley's Ridge State Park recently with around 200 vets and their families on hand.

In service news this week: Steve Holcomb, Greenway High School class of '67, has left for a tour of duty in Vietnam. And at the grocery store this week, Patterson's Grocery had Wonder bread at two loaves for .39, a 20-pound bag of red potatoes was .69 and a two pound box of Aunt Jemima pancake mix was just .45.

At the Carolyn Theater the features were "Far From the Maddening Crowd", "What's So Bad About Feeling Good?" and "In the Heat of the Night"…and patrons were once-again reminded that the Carolyn was "the finest theater between Memphis and St. Louis."

In sports, there was a feature on the ASU Harriers cross country team, which included Frank Staples of Piggott who had transferred to A-State from Southern Baptist College. Meanwhile, the Mohawk football team beat Pocahontas 31-7 to move to 2-0. Rick Rodery had the first TD of the game, followed by Jimmy Johnson and Kent Greene.. Teddy Bellers and Ronnie Payne also had big games. Singled out for their defensive play were Link Fuller and Eddie Winberry.

1978

An open house was held at the new Piggott High School 30 years ago this week, hosted by Superintendent R.E. Pogue, principal Lindell Vannada and members of the school board. The secretarial staff included Nancy Benson, Chris Merriwether and Jan Brinkley… this year's cooks are Dorothy Graddy, Mary Roberts, Lori Bradford, Neva Bradford and Minnie Tanner.

In other news, James Morris has made his formal announcement as candidate for mayor, and Triply Muse has announced she'll seek another term as clerk/treasurer. Meanwhile, Jim McKenzie of Piggott was honored by General Telephone for 25 years of service.

Also in the news, ASU reported that their enrollment for fall at the Jonesboro campus is just over 7,000 students. And at the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Grease" while the late show was "How Funny Can Sex Be?"

The Piggott Mohawks played the first senior game on the new Parker Field in the past week , their first home game since the 1976 finale. Brent Simpson scored the first varsity TD as the Tribe took on the Eagles of Greene County Tech. Kevin Morris added the other three touchdowns, and a two-point conversion, as the Mohawks cruised 28-0. Meanwhile, the junior Mohawks are 0-3 and will take on Highland in their next game. The first junior high touchdown on the new field by a Mohawk was scored against Rector on Sept. 6 as Steven Wright made a touchdown in the 12-14 loss to the Black Cats. Also in sports, the Piggott Pee Wee football team beat Presbyterian Christian Academy of Blytheville 22-6 to start their season.

1983

The Piggott City Council voted 25 years ago this week to okay the grant application for the Piggott Library Board as they seek a federal grant to help pay for the new library building. In other news, quick-actions by Greenway agri teacher Woody Priest and student Matt Hollis were credited with saving the life of Matt McCluskey, 16, after he suffered cardiac arrest during an FFA meeting at GHS. The young man was taken to a St. Louis hospital where it was revealed that he had an inherited heart problem.

In news briefs, Kellie Jones of Piggott was crowned Miss Delta Fair at that annual event in Kennett…and Wilson Copeland brought in a five-and-three-quarters pound sweet potato he had grown..while J.W. Stallings of Rector showed off an 18-inch wide sunflower.

Meanwhile, an ad reported that KTEI, FM-106 would be on the air soon in Piggott and pictured the radio station staff. They included--Bill Odom, Debbie Palmer, Patty Davis, Jeanne Ebert, Robert Layer, Palmer (PJ) Johnson II and this reporter.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "National Lampoon's Summer Vacation" while the late show feature was "Naughty Network".

In sports, the Mohawks fell to Gosnell 7-14, with Coy Mauldin scoring the only Piggott TD on a 10 yard run. The Tribe will host Rector Friday night for homecoming. Meanwhile, the junior Mohawks tied Gosnell 8-8 with Todd Self scoring the only TD. That was followed by a two-point conversion to tie the game by Allen Wylie on a reverse. They'll host Westside in their next game..

And the Lady Mohawk volleyball squad is now 3-1 after wins over Walnut Ridge and CRA in the past week.

1988

Barbara Harmon was elected to the Piggott School Board 20 years ago this week, while the five mill issue passed 364-351. In other news, after years of waiting and planning the new sewer collection and treatment system is under construction in Greenway…and work continues on the new St. Francis water system. Work is also complete on the new office complex that houses the USDA offices and Graddy's barbershop. The old building which stood in front of what is now the Cooperative Extension office was the last to be razed.

Work is also continuing on replacing the Highway 62 bridge over Sugar Creek on the west side of Piggott. The effort also led to the destruction of a very old oak tree in the yard of Delbert Cox in the past weeks.

In sports, the Mohawks fell to Pocahontas 15-31..and got touchdowns from Ricky Shaw (42 yards) and Brian Harmon (80 yards)..along with a two-point conversion by Kevin Blascoe and a PAT by Nat Finley. Coach Winberry singled-out QB Mark Sample, Shaw, DE John Howell and DB Jeff Henderson for their play. Up next the Tribe visits Clay County Central. Meanwhile, the junior Mohawks ended Pocahontas' 20 game winning streak with a 6-0 victory..handing the Redskins their first loss since 1985. The only bad news was that Piggott QB Joey Staples broke his shoulder during the contest. The junior Mohawks will next visit Corning on Sept. 28.