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

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 staff at San Francisco Plantation in Garyville, who again organized a successful Frisco Fest on the grounds of the home earlier this month. Plantation General Manager Kim Fontenot said this year’s festival set records for attendance numbers.

• LaPlace resident Sgt. Junious Grady, who is among a wave of armed forces from the state returning home from outposts overseas. Grady returned home March 9 and surprised his 5-year-old son, Xavier, at school.

• Faculty, staff and students at Riverside Academy in Reserve, who participated in the school’s Arts Festival last week. The fourth annual festival, which is funded in large part by grants from the River Region Arts and Humanities Council, focused on the arts and culture of Italy.

• Local representatives from Entergy, who recently donated a $25,000 check for further improvements to the Wetland Watchers Park in Norco. The park, situated on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain near the Bonnet Carre Spillway, serves as an outdoor classroom and shoreline park.