The Kiwanis Club heard from Ricky and Arlene Vines about beautification efforts in Joyce at their Oct.21 meeting. 

Vines, introduced by club member Chet Atkins, said he has lived in Winn Parish all his life and moved back to Joyce over a year ago. His family settled in the parish in 1870, and seven generations have made their home here. He noted his grandson was named a Terrific Kid this month, a recognition that “thrilled” him. A preacher, Vines titled his talk “Complain or Contribute” and cited passages from Ezekiel, Isaiah and Philippians.

Vines said that for years his family worked around Joyce while living elsewhere, and he often saw neglect. At his daughter’s suggestion, he began planting flowers along the roadside. “A small amount of beauty changes people’s attitudes,” he told members, adding that drivers slow to look, a woman clips a few for the nursing home and residents bring it up in passing as they greet him in town. 

He later planted more than enough greens for his family, posted a sign inviting neighbors to pick what they needed and set out bags. He has since added more greens, including mustard, as part of a larger push to “invest in people.”

Vines said Joyce was once a place where everyone knew each other and children played together, and he urged residents to work together and do what they can. He said he is stepping in to help oversee the sewer system because the job needs to be done. “We want to leave things better than when we came,” he said of his and Arlene’s efforts.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Those interested in joining are welcome Tuesdays at noon at Mama’s Iron Skillet.