LOXLEY, Alabama — Maybe you have heard the quote: “Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful.”

I don’t know who said it, but it speaks to me because I serve on the Loxley Beautification Board.

Whether small town or big city, municipal boards advise their council officials with recommendations for improvements, revitalization and beautification projects. Mission statements give direction to those boards as they grow and change, and help them implement their mission and projects.

The mission statement of the Town of Loxley Beautification Board is to assist the town in enhancing its image through beautification projects. The board will also encourage the community, both businesses and residents, in actions to beautify the town and create civic pride.

Members of the Beautification Board are Katherine Breeden, chairman; Gwen Keuler, secretary; Mary Sue Hughes, Catrina Savage and Joan Richardson. Recently we welcomed a new member, Ory Hampton.

We are proud of our beautiful flower beds, hanging flower baskets, our Christmas decorations and flags flying for the Fourth of July. Those are the visual efforts of the Beautification Board and Public Works Department you see as you drive down Highway 59. But the dedication and commitment of everyone involved is the work only seen behind the scenes.

Although we might be a small town, we are a small town with a big heart! We know we have people in our town who, if they knew their help was needed, would be willing to lend a hand. We acknowledge that we must do a better job of asking for your help. You can help by making suggestions for projects you think we should consider and maybe you could help out when we have clean-up day around town. We are making a list!

Lots of volunteers will be needed in the future. Did you know that the Alabama Bicentennial will be celebrated 2017-2019? It will be a unique opportunity for municipalities around the state of Alabama to participate in this historical milestone.

The Alabama Bicentennial Commission has given us a list of ways we can be involved. There will be more information to come regarding the celebration. In the meantime, if you are interested in helping with Loxley beautification projects and/or getting more information how you can get involved with the Bicentennial, call me, Joan Richardson, at 251-964-2569.