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:

• All the participants in the St. John the Baptist Parish Public Libraries’ summer reading program, which ended Saturday. This year, young readers participated in a number of activities centered on the theme “Make a Splash — Read.” According to Garyville Branch Supervisor Dolores Anderson, many participants read more 50 books and some even read more than 100.

• Junius Duhe and other Twin Oaks residents who were recently honored at the home’s annual “This is Your Life” event. The event honors those residents age 90 and above. Duhe, who is nearly 96, is Twin Oaks’ oldest resident.

• Girls in Action, the West Bank civic group that held a back-to-school summit at West St. John High School last week. The event featured inspirational speeches and school supply giveaways. Krishell Thomas, the Girls in Action member who spearheaded the event said she hopes to make it a yearly happening. Girls in Action is also sponsoring a clothing drive Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. at Ruth Plaza in Edgard.

• The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board and the St. John Association of Educators, which recently came to an agreement on budget-related matters. The two sides have worked together over the last few months to find a way to balance the budget without having to resort to layoffs.