Slidell Women’s Civic Club preparing for 50th parade
By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL — Blanche Carroll remembers having coffee one day in Slidell with Peggy Sollberger, and discussing the need in town for a women’s organization that could help families with special needs.
The year was 1947, and the United States was two years after the end of World War II.
“We had a lot of families in Slidell back then who needed help for many different things after the war,” said Carroll, now age 87.
The difference in the 63 years up until today is that there weren’t a host of federal programs to help families back then, even though the war left many people facing dire situations.
“We wanted to help some of the families in the Slidell area, so we came up with the idea of a women’s club that could do that,” Carroll added.
The group was called the Slidell Women’s Civic Club (SWCC), and this year they will celebrate their 63rd year since forming, but more importantly, the club will host the 50th Krewe of Slidellians parade on Sunday, Feb. 13.
The Slidell Women’s Civic Club began with 30 people and immediately became one of the early community organizations here that has helped people and organizations for over six decades. Dues were $1 a year in 1947.
In 1950 they decided to have an annual ball to help raise funds for key projects, and then came up with the idea of a city parade—named the Krewe of Slidellians—as a way to bring even more attention to their cause.
“The parade became a great way to advertise our ball, and help with our biggest fundraiser,” Carroll recalled. “And everyone liked our parade since it was open to anyone who wanted to ride.”
This year is no different and the ladies of the club are hoping the 50th anniversary of their parade is the biggest ever. Any business, organization or individual person can ride in the parade by paying the entry fee. You can provide your own float or vehicle for the parade, or the SWCC offers a “Melting Pot” float that anyone can ride on.
“The parade entry fees also help us raise money for our community projects,” current member Fay Lopez said. “And we hope to get a great number of people, businesses and groups in our 50th anniversary ride.”
The Civic Club is limited to only 100 members, and you must be sponsored by a member to join. They now have a waiting list, since it is considered one of the elite organizations to be a part of. However, anyone can still ride in the parade each year.
The annual SWCC ball honors people in the community who are strong contributors to making Slidell a better place. The first king and queen in 1950 were Dr. W.L. Folse and Christine Clark Faciane.
Preparations for the big 50th anniversary event are being led by current President Kathy Lowrey, while the 2010 parade and ball were led by King Chuck Sabadie and Queen Lisa Clement.
“Ever since the beginning, we have had great parades and balls,” Carroll remarked. “When we started, the needs in the community were great, and there weren’t all these government perks to help people. So we did all we could.”
She remembers the first project the club did, which was cleaning up a city-owned lot to make a playground for local kids. Mayor Homer Fritchie was fully supportive of the club, as were the husbands of club members, Carroll remembered.
In the post-war years, when money was tight for everyone, the club collected used clothing and toys for Christmas, and “spruced up the clothes, while the toys were repaired by the Slidell High shop boys,” she said.
Entry fee for this year’s parade is $150 to enter a float or to ride on one of the SWCC floats. The ball is also open to the public, and tickets are $70 a person, with this year’s event set for the Northshore Harbor Center on Feb. 26.
Anyone interested in the parade or ball can call Carol Beech at 960-6113.
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