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 Twin Oaks Nursing Home in LaPlace for conducting a lively Mardi Gras Ball for residents of the home. The celebration included a second line, a long list of maids and dukes and a very proud king and queen.

• Lutcher area chef Avis White, who recently opened her own restaurant serving home-style cooking. White appeared on the reality TV cooking competition “Master Chef” in 2010 and made it to the top 14 of the competition.

• Romeville Elementary School in St. James Parish for its “Prime Time Family Reading Time” family literacy program. The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ annual awards will honor the program at a ceremony in late March.

• Destrehan Plantation in St. Charles Parish, which recently began a new tour which tells the story is of the slaves who worked the plantation in the past. The tour, called “Unheard Voices of the German Coast,” is conducted every Thursday and Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.