Each Wednesday, L’Observateur recognizes individuals and businesses in the River Parishes who have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.

We believe an integral part of a community’s wellbeing is an attitude and arena where people who do good things … who work to improve life for others … who try to make a difference … are recognized and saluted.

Because this is a salute to members of the community of the entire River Parishes, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• The veterans of the River Parishes, who were honored with a luncheon at St. Peter School in Reserve Friday. The Rotary Club of LaPlace and the Young Marines served the meals to the former soldiers.

• Perry DiCarlo, who recently began his tenure as the new principal of Riverside Academy. DiCarlo worked for the St. John the Baptist Parish public school system for 20 years, including 10 spent as an administrator and two as the head of Child Welfare and Attendance for the district.

• The River Region Chamber of Commerce, which has been rather busy lately. First, they sponsored a distinguished social event at Oak Alley Plantation, and members got to tour the house for free, attend a sales seminar and network while dining on tasty morsels and sipping mint juleps. Then, they helped bring the LSU mobile classroom to LaPlace last week. The two days of seminars helped local small business leaders learn the ins and outs of running a successful enterprise.

• Bill Ironside, who recently was named Rotarian of the Year for the club’s LaPlace chapter. Ironside and a handful of his fellow Rotarians were honored at a dinner.