Each Friday, The Daily News will recognize individuals and businesses in Washington Parish 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 that 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 Washington Parish, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• Soprano Cara Williams, a Franklinton native who performed during the Rotary Club of Franklinton’s An Evening with Cara Williams, held July 14. Proceeds from the event were donated to Rotary International’s End Polio Now program.

• Jesse Hartley, executive director of The Children’s Advocacy Center/Hope House in Covington, who, as guest speaker during the July 17 Bogalusa Rotary Club meeting, provided information about recognizing and preventing child sexual abuse.

• The Franklinton Community Theatre, which will premiere its dinner theater production of “Smoke on the Mountain” tonight at the 10-10 Club in Franklinton.

• Franklinton High School head football coach Shane Smith, who has been appointed president of the Louisiana Football Coaches Association and was elected vice president of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association.

• Mt. Hermon High School’s Hunter Hale, who won his age division at the Louisiana Golf Association Junior Amateur Championship held July 12 in Alexandria.

• Doyle and Lori Creel, whose new business, Bogalusa Grill and Event Center, opened June 22.

• Brian and Cristi Knight, whose home was selected July Garden of the Month by the Northeast Garden Club.

• Mary Blake Francis, a Varnado native and Silsbee, Texas resident, who was recently honored at the 2012 Blake Family Reunion, prior to her 100th birthday.

• The organizers of and participants in Summer Jam III, which was held Saturday in Bogalusa, and Coach Eugene Butler, who was presented with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.

• The CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, program, which is seeking volunteers in Washington Parish.

• Entergy, which recently presented a $300 donation to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Washington Parish.

• Bradley Seal, who was recently named Pine High School head football coach.

• The Washington Art Associa-tion, which recently presented two art books to the Washington Parish Library in memory of deceased members Olive Stafford and Dorothy Simmons.

• Sam J. Collett III, a Bogalusa native who was honored as a Chancellor’s Medalist during the spring 2012 commencement at LSU.

• DeBeauchee Williams, who was selected July Employee of the Month at LSUBMC.