A significant milestone was achieved on Thursday, March 13, at 5:44 p.m., as the Christwood Retirement Community near Covington activated a new signal for WCWD, FM 89.5. This marked the beginning of a continuous classical music broadcast in St. Tammany Parish. The initiative originated from a collaborative idea between Reverend Steven Holzhab, executive director of Christwood, and Paul Maassen, general manager of WWNO, 89.9, based in New Orleans. Their friendship, cultivated during joint board work, inspired discussions about creating a northshore bureau to disseminate classical music. After learning about an impending competition for Federal Trade Commission licenses, they seized the opportunity, leading to the awarding of an FCC license to Christwood.

This venture faced several challenges, particularly securing a suitable tower for antenna placement within St. Tammany Parish. Fortunately, Robert Carrol, an engineer with WWNO, identified a fitting structure located on the Clear Creek Stud Thoroughbred Farm in Folsom. Interestingly, this tower had historical ties to Christwood's first executive director, John Lohman, who originally built and owned it. Current owner John Gazzo graciously agreed to allocate space for the station. Additionally, Nick Tusa, spouse of Christwood CEO Elizabeth Jackson, generously donated a backup tower from his business in Lacombe, further aiding the project.

The technical execution of this ambitious project fell into the capable hands of Ken Hamlin, IT director at Christwood. His leadership was instrumental in ensuring the successful launch of the radio station. On the day of its inaugural broadcast, local dignitaries such as St. Tammany President Mike Cooper attended to celebrate this cultural addition. Resident Bob Carr, known in New Orleans media circles, also joined the festivities. As classical melodies began streaming, those present celebrated with a toast, marking the start of a cherished cultural resource for the community.

Today, WCWD broadcasts classical music around the clock, synchronized with programming from WWNO in New Orleans. This development significantly enriches the cultural landscape of St. Tammany Parish, offering residents a refined auditory experience that resonates deeply with many.