It happened, years ago

The Piggott PALS group posed for this photo at their final program of the year back in 1989, those pictured included, from left: Front--Jake Jones, Krista Winchester, Chris Moody, Ridge Benjamin, Danielle Newsom and Jessica Ray. Second row--Teacher Marcia Coyle, Stacy Wade, Jerrod Lowe, Ashley Smart, Megan Dunlap, Jenna Mobley, Meagan Swann, Anna Sheridan, Lindsey Sutfin, Ryan Tate and Morgan Tanner. Third row--Teacher Barbara Collier, Jeremy Edwards, Eric Baker, Gena Thrasher, Nicholas Hite, Jeremy Book, Natasha Wood, Alicia Loyd, Matthew Culver and teacher Florence Eason. Back row--Fallon Wicker, Leah Ort, Mandy Bagwell, April Murdock, Jennifer Book, Ashley Edington, Seth Ross, Heather Belote and teacher Cora Wallace. Not present for the photo were--Byshay Finley, Steve McNatt and Brian Schulte. (Times file photo) [Click to enlarge]

Former Piggott Mayor John Wesley James died suddenly 40 years ago last week. James, a native of Ravenden Springs, was survived by wife Mary Francis, son Johnny Mack James and daughter Nancy Shanklin. In other news, three Piggott teachers will retire this year and take with them a wealth of experience. The include--Mr. H.O. Hawkins with 23 years, Mary Gambill with 39 years and Bertha Edwards with 46 years in the classroom.

Piggott Video Cable reports that their 400 foot tower on Ku Klux Hill is complete and that they now offer nine channels. At last report 300 of the expected 1,400 customers have been hooked-up. Meanwhile, the Arkansas State Police report that they are phasing out the old red rotating emergency lights in favor of new blue lights. Act 96 of 1969 designates red for ambulances and fire trucks only, while escorts and wreckers are to use amber lights.

The Piggott Fire Department received delivery of their new truck May 19, posing with the vehicle were Chief Donald Harlan, Glen McComb, Corky Edwards and Marshall Wheeler. Also in the news, there will be no gate admission charged this year at the Clay County Fair but it will cost .50 or a dollar to get in the rodeo. By the way, the rodeo arena is currently being expanded to standard size.

And at the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Heaven with a Gun" while the late show was "Wild in the Streets."

1979

Memorial Day services were held 30 years ago this week, with Danny Self of the Calvary Baptist Church preaching the annual sermon. Elected to terms on the cemetery board were, Bob Hampton, Gerald Hoggard, Kenneth Mowery and Charles Haywood. Meanwhile, the Lions Club hosted a visit from ASU football coach Larry Lacewell and assistant coach Parker Dykes.

Also in the news, the Piggott Public Pool is now open for the season, and a St. Francis Picnic meeting has been scheduled for June 4 in that community.

At the Carolyn Theater this week; the feature was "The North Avenue Irregulars" and coming soon: Chuck Norris is back as John T. Booker in "Good Guys Wear Black."

Taking top honors at the Memorial Day club tournament at Sugar Creek Country Club was the team of Gene Dudley, Joey Rogers, Jack Wyman, Barry Johnson and Floy Stewart. Closest to the pin went to Beverly Irby and Sherrell Hoggard.

Roeder's Ben Franklin had quarts of Quaker State motor oil for .56, while a ten pound bag of Kingsford charcoal briquettes would set you back $1.29.

This week's paper also included a feature on Ed White, as he retired as the band director at PHS after 24 years and 34 years as a band instructor. As a 10 year old boy in Girard, Ohio, White was given a saxophone that had been taken in trade by his uncle on a washing machine thus launching his musical career. White also recounted playing as a youth of 13 for weddings and celebrations for Italian, Ukranian, Serbian, Croatian and Polish immigrants around his childhood home.

1984

All the contested Democratic primaries in Clay County were won by incumbents 25 years ago. Meanwhile; new Piggott superintendent Fletcher Chasteen will assume his new position June 1 after serving in the same capacity at Perryville, Mo. And, plans for the new Piggott Middle School building call for an energy efficient design.

In a related story, the class of 1984 was the final class to graduate from Greenway High School as the district was set to merge with Rector June 1. The final group of seniors from the district, which was formed in the early 1870's, included--Lisa Bond, Phyllis Bridgeman, Lisa Harmon, Steve Clayton, Matt McCluskey, Kevin Purl and Karen Pillow.

Memorial Day services were held at the Piggott Cemetery, and a big crowd turned out for the Arts and Crafts Fair. Entertainment was provided by the Senior Citizen's Band and the Dixieland Cloggers, while Kim Wade won the $300 drawing and was presented her check by Harry the Clown (Beverly Scott) and Chamber of Commerce president Betty Russell.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Friday the 13th, The Final Chapter" while the late show was "Oh Fanny!"

And little Christopher Conley, age one, got his first haircut May 23 at Benson's Barbershop with grandmothers Barbara Carpenter and Jean Conley on hand to retrieve his lost curls.

1989

Veterans were honored at the Piggott Cemetery, and Jean Doty was elected to the board of directors, as the annual Memorial Day services were held. Also in the news, Morris Langford, 70, of Piggott drowned when he fell from a boat while fishing along the St. Francis River in the past week. And Piggott Police are investigating a break-in at Hawkin's Jewelry in Piggott that netted the thieves around $35,000 in gold chains. The break-in apparently occurred sometime May 23 or 24.

The PHS class of 1989 received diplomas as commencement was held, the top ten grads were--Brock Coomer, Leigh Clements, Tina Nelson, Tabby Reeves, Sandra Tidwell, David Stender, Tabitha White, Tony McNabb, David Mallard and Curtis Fuller. Meanwhile, PALS students held their final program of the school year and posed for a group shot.

A 50th wedding anniversary celebration is planned for June 4 at the Sugar Creek Country Club in Piggott as Mr. and Mrs. James Swift mark that milestone in their marriage. Also in this week's paper it was announced that Dolly Parton would be performing live at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro on June 3. Tickets for the "Dolly-Live in Concert" show were $17.50.

In sports, the Mohawk baseball team fell to Highland 11-1 in the first round of the district at Pocahontas, getting their only run on a first inning Bryan Allman homerun. Meanwhile, several of the football Mohawks were pictured in the weight room as they prepared for the fall including Troy Banning, Ricky Shaw and Brian Harmon.