On Monday, Oct. 1, Civic League held its annual October Hat Luncheon at Maria’s Mexican Restaurant. The luncheon began with a prayer by Erica Brumfield and the pledge of allegiance by Pauline Hill. Judy Marshall followed with a reading of the 72-year history of the organization and a plea for all members to remain a vital part of the Washington Parish community. Civic League’s history began (and continues) with a need to volunteer in our community.

President Gloria Quillin introduced Esma Irvine, chairman of the Washington Parish Free Fair Poster Committee. Irvine thanked Civic League for continuing to volunteer to sell fair posters at the fair. She then introduced Lisa Sprehe, the talented artist of the 2018 WPFF Poster. Sprehe talked about her lifelong desire to be chosen as artist of the fair poster and her gratification and pride in having her 2018 poster chosen. Sprehe donated a signed and re-marqued poster to the auction following the luncheon. Come by the Art Building during the fair to purchase a 2018 WPFF poster.

While enjoying a delicious lunch, door prizes were given to some lucky members. Finally, it was time for the “hats.” Provisional members Deborah Brumfield, Diane Jefferson, and Linda Potter prepared to “introduce” themselves to the membership through their “biographical” hats.

Brumfield’s hat was The Hat Of Many Colors — each color of the artist palette to represent the many stages of her life. The color green represented her retirement from years of teaching art in local schools. In her retirement, Deborah became involved with the Museums of Cassidy Park. As president of the board and director of the Museums, she has led the redesigning and reopening of the museum devastated by the recent flood.

Jefferson’s hat demonstrated those things that are most important in her life — her family, her graduation from Grambling State University, her many years of teaching with the Bogalusa School System, her church, and her love of travel.

On Potter’s hat were items representing the many countries of the world which she has either visited or lived in. Also on her hat were items representing her family and her career in accounting. After an absence of over 40 years, Linda and her husband have returned to Bogalusa, living in her husband’s family home.

After the hat show, Civic League conducted a short live auction. Besides volunteering in our community, Civic League donates to various local organizations and scholarships. In order to donate, Civic League must hold fundraisers. Members donated two door wreaths — one Saints-themed and one with a Christmas theme; two cakes, a white chocolate raspberry cake and a vanilla pound cake; a fall-themed table decoration; a painting of a church on metal; and the 2018 WPFF poster donated by the artist, Lisa Sprehe. All items were auctioned to the highest bidder. There will be also be a live auction at Civic League’s next luncheon in December.

Civic League members and their guests in attendance were: guests Esma Irvine and Lisa Sprehe, Janice Adams, Marguerite Adams, Lynne Alexander, Billie Sue Alford and guest Betty Crain, Helen Applewhite, Angela Ard, Janice Augustine, Kitty Baker, Sharon Ball, Debbie Baughman, Patricia Branch, Erica Brumfield, Deborah Brumfield, Carol Duke, Rusty Durand, Janice Hilaire, Pauline Hill, Diane Jefferson, Janet Kesterson, Judy Marshall, Martha Moak, Wendy Perrette and guest Kay Kay Varnado, Linda Potter and guests Samantha Coy and Debbie Potter, Gloria Quillin, Margaret Ryals, Lurtie Sanders, Barbara Spiers, Betty Thomas, Joalyn Thomas and guests Mary Thomas and Robin Simmons, Kim Wagner, Judy Wamsley and guest Sharon Ard, Mary Beth Williams, and Paulette Williams.