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 children of the late Roland LaBranche Sr., who promised their father they wouldn’t open his prize bottle of Old Grand-Dad Whiskey until the Saints reached the Super Bowl. Sunday, the seal of the old bottle, held on to since 1967, will be cracked.

• St. Joan of Arc Catholic School students, who raised over $1,350 for Haitian Relief with a boys vs. girls basketball game, organized by the school’s Student Council.

• Reserve native Robert Taylor Sr., who recently retired from the Air Force after a 26-year career, not missing a single day of service.

• West St. John High School teacher Rajwantie Sahai, who received the National Citizenship Teacher Award for St. John Parish from VFW Post 339.