70th annual St. Francis picnic held

Miss St. Francis for 2009 is Whitley Nicole Blue of Piggott (center), the daughter of J.C. and Tonya Helms. Her court this year includes--first alternate Katy Strickland of Piggott (second from left), the daughter of Shawn and Lori Parker and Scott and Amy Strickland; second alternate Alex Scheffler of Piggott (second from right), the daughter of Bradley and Sandy Scheffler; third alternate Rachel Lampkin of Rector (far left), the daughter of Jerry Lampkin and fourth alternate Jessie Scheffler of Piggott (far right), the daughter of Bradley and Sandy Scheffler. [Click to enlarge]

The community of St. Francis hosted its 70th annual picnic Saturday with the proceeds to benefit both the Hall and Gravel Hill cemeteries. The annual event enjoyed mild weather for mid-July, and as a result the crowd was fairly large and the picnic grounds remained active throughout the day.

Following the opening ceremonies and a welcome by Bro. Don Houston, the first of the day's pageants was held for babies ages birth through 12 months.

Winner in the girls division was Kelsey Foster of Campbell, daughter of Josh and Crystal Foster. First alternate was Mollie Eileen Coomer of Pollard, daughter of Joel and Andrea Coomer, and second alternate was Ivy Claire Benson of Qulin, daughter of Dustin and Nicole Benson.

This year's king in the boys division was Michael Steven Click of Nimmons, son of Matthew and Shannon Click. First alternate was Cody Benjamin Conaway of Jackson, Mo., son of Richard and Donna Conaway. There was a tie for second alternate between Tyler Grant of Malden, son of Shannon and Candice Grant, and Nicholas Xavier Causey of Piggott, son of Cory Causey and Shannon Westmoreland.

The next contest was for babies ages 13 to 23 months, and this year's queen was Carissa Hollowell of Corning, daughter of Carl and Holly Hollowell. First alternate was Mylie Faulkner of Piggott, daughter of Adam and Ashley Hackworth, and second alternate was Brooke Owen of Piggott, daughter of Josh and Holley Owen.

In the boys division, this year's king was Max Henry Johnson of Qulin, son of Joshua and Holly Johnson. First alternate was Kyler Dickens of St. Francis, son of Felicia and John Dickens, and second alternate was Zander Mayberry of Piggott, son of Bradley and Laura Mayberry.

In this year's toddler contest the queen was Mabrey Patrick of Campbell, daughter of Eric and Amanda Patrick. First alternate was Kiley Nicole Williams of Piggott, daughter of Sam and Melissa Williams, and the second alternate was Riley Jo Gossett of Pollard, daughter of Justin and Regina Gossett.

The queen in the annual Little Miss St. Francis pageant was Madison Reeves of Piggott, daughter of Kevin and Samantha Reeves. First alternate was Summer Pollard of St. Francis, daughter of Kris and Kee Pollard; second alternate was Mayson Carr of Blytheville, daughter of Joey and Deanna Carr; third alternate was Natalie Jade Holloway of Campbell, daughter of Rickie and Angel Holloway, and fourth alternate was Jacy Featherston of Piggott, daughter of Jeremy and Sara Featherston.

In the Junior Miss St. Francis pageant, this year's queen was Abigail Welborn of Piggott, daughter of Rob and Angie Wellborn. First alternate this year was Rianna Kae Holloway of Campbell, daughter of Rickie and Angel Holloway; second alternate was Erica Paige Vancil of Piggott, daughter of Matthew and Carla Vancil and Darin Cluck; third alternate was Sadie Sawyers of Piggott, daughter of Chuck and Rachel Sawyers, and the fourth alternate was Colby Lynch of Greenway, daughter of Angel White and Bryan Lynch.

In the highlight of the evening, Whitley Nicole Blue of Piggott was crowned Miss St. Francis 2009. She is the daughter of J.C. and Tonya Helms. First alternate was Katy Strickland of Piggott, daughter of Shawn and Lori Parker and Scott and Amy Strickland; second alternate was Alex Scheffler of Piggott, daughter of Bradley and Sandy Scheffler; third alternate was Rachel Lampkin of Rector, daughter of Jerry Lampkin, and fourth alternate was Jessie Scheffler of Piggott, daughter of Bradley and Sandy Scheffler.

Following the pageant the annual drawings were held. The list of winners and their prizes included:

* Mark Howell, savings bond from Piggott State Bank.

* Matt Cole, savings bond from Liberty Bank.

* Tina Nelson, pillow.

* Jacob Price, log cabin.

* Mary Wagster, afghan.

* Betty Cole, baby quilt.

* Diana (Hughes) Grimm, quilt.

Picnic organizers thanked all those who donated toward the effort and all those who attended the 70th annual St. Francis picnic.