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:

• Connie Donadieu, for her work in the St. James-based “Crazy ‘Bout History” organization. The group regularly conducts events and tours that show a commitment to preserving the history along the river.

• The staff at San Francisco Plantation in Garyville, for recently conducting a series of hands-on lessons about life in the antebellum south for fourth graders in the St. John the Baptist Parish school system. Students got a lesson in blacksmithing, listened to field songs and other music, learned to make nets and grind file´ and embraced the toys and tools of Native Americans.

• St. John the Baptist Parish Officials, for sponsoring a series of Easter Egg Hunts at parks across the parish on the Saturday before Easter. Parks from Edgard to LaPlace were packed with children and eggs.

• LaPlace natives Jared and Rikki Broussard, who, after learning their unborn son was afflicted with a rare congenital heart defect, created the website Heartwaves.org, an online community for those dealing with heart defects in infants. The site connects families and includes blogs from more than 40 well-known surgeons, cardiologists and medical experts.