It happened, years ago

One of the Piggott All-Star teams playing on July 4, 1989 was this team of eight year olds. The group included, from left: Front--Daniel Massey, Chance Shaw, Wesley Poole, Kevin Causey, Selena Myers and Timothy Winberry. Second row--Bubba McHaffey, Timothy Blascoe, Matthew Zacek, Travis Scott and Trae Sale. Back row--coaches Barry Scott, James Owens and Sam Poole. (Times file photo) [Click to enlarge]

The program for the annual Piggott Fourth of July picnic was set 40 years ago this week with Charles Haywood singing the National Anthem, Rev. Kenneth Threet giving the invocation and Bro. C. Ray Miller offering the welcome address. In other news, Dorris Cox was elected president of the Piggott Lions Club and the Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring a youth rally.

Also in the news, Sonny Barnes, 35, of Poplar Bluff underwent surgery at Piggott Hospital after he was severely injured at the recent rodeo when he was stepped on by the bull "Redman." A fire caused damage at Mann's Processing Plant in the past week after a blaze broke out in the lard rendering room; and the complete remodeling of Morris IGA is now complete and has added some 2500 square feet to the store.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included "Charly" along with "The Trip" and "Buena Sera Mrs. Campbell."

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Holcomb July 1 at Piggott Hospital and the new arrival has been named Larry Trent Holcomb. He's welcomed home by three year old sister Stacey, and breaks the record as being the first boy born to parents living in the Winton subdivision.

In sports, Jack Ballard, Ermal Crossfield, Robbie Duckworth and Tom Duckworth won the 18 hole scramble at Sugar Creek Country Club in a playoff among five teams.

1979

Piggott Community Hospital officially opened its doors Sunday, July 1 as patients were moved from the old hospital to the new facility beginning at 8:00 that morning. The first new patients of the hospital were Artie L. Davis and his wife Lillian, of North Ballard Street in Rector, who were admitted by Dr. Hillard Duckworth for tests.

Gaye Wiley has resigned as administrator of the Home for the Golden Years after 14 years on the job and has purchased Haskin's Jewelry. Her staff will continue to be clerk Frances Oxley and jeweler Bud Hawkins. Meanwhile, Arthur "Ott" Loyd was honored by the city of Piggott on his retirement June 30 after 23 years as line foreman for the electric department.

There are 23 young ladies set to compete for the crown of Miss Piggott, and all the contestants and their sponsors were listed this week. The Piggott Times was sponsoring Sharon Stidham in this year's pageant. Meanwhile, a meeting has been scheduled to discuss building two new baseball/softball diamonds on school property east of the football field.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Halloween" while the late show was "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." (The ad noted that the movie had been running 24 straight weeks in Memphis, it's since become a cult favorite and is still shown in hundreds of theaters worldwide..usually on Saturday nights)

1984

Clay County farmers were suffering through near-drought conditions 25 years ago this week, which some were comparing to 1983. In other news, Mary Joiner was pictured playing on the newly completed putt putt golf course behind the Home for the Golden Years. This week's paper also included a feature by Peggy Johnson on Beverly (Harris) Faulk (now Scott) and her lifelong dream of being a clown...and the character Harry the Clown she had created.

A total of 22 contestants and their sponsors were listed for the upcoming Miss Piggott pageant, and this year The Piggott Times was sponsoring Susan Davis. Meanwhile, the annual Pollard picnic will be held July 7 with Grover Baker as program chairman and Peck Adams as M.C.

Dixie Donut and Cake Shop sold donuts Sunday, July 1 to raise money for the Piggott Library fund and generated $163. Ken and Rita Mowery were assisted by Mildred Mowery, Carolyn Potts, Pearl Johnson and Judy Smith in the effort. Meanwhile, Piggott Librarian Gay Johnson issued the 1,000th library card to Jeff Pollard on July 3. The card program had been in effect just under a year, and was started July 5, 1983.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Hard to Hold" with Rick Springfield and the late show feature was "Blonde Velvet."

The concrete pad has been poured for the new Patterson apartments on South 12th Street in Piggott, and the project is expected to be completed by the first of the year. And Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cole of Mt. Carmel, Ill. celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at her parent's house. Among those on hand was Rev. J.D. Ellis, who had married the couple back on July 5, 1959, and his wife Louise.

1989

Stephanie Staples was crowned Miss Piggott for 1989, first alternate was Tanya Simpson and second alternate was Angel Steuart; although the pageant was interrupted by a torrential downpour about 30 minutes before the end of the event. And the annual Pollard picnic will be held this coming Saturday with Charles Carrens serving as the M.C.

The City of Piggott has agreed to participate in a county jail proposal, and has agreed to provide two dispatchers and pay half the utility bill if the facility is built in the city. Meanwhile, new Piggott school superintendent Leon Christenberry started his job July 1, after spending the previous 12 years at Brookland.

The new Greenway Post Office is now complete and open to the public, although a grand opening will be held at a later date. Pictured was Elleta Lovins, who had been a clerk at Greenway for 18 years. Also in the news, Clay County farmers continue to suffer through a wet early-summer with the cotton crop the hardest hit so far.

A big crowd was on hand for the recent demolition derby at the Clay County fairgrounds, and the first place trophy went to Gary Dunlap of Pollard. Second place went to Chuck Schulte and third place to Brent Wellman.

Local players picked for Tri-County League play included Scott McCrillis and Chris Morris on the 15-year-old team and Shannon Bellers, David Box and Brian Watson on the 13-year-old squad.