By PAIGE CARR

Staff writer

Spring is finally starting to rear its head more consistently, and many volunteers have been busy dedicating themselves to a handful of flower beds and other vegetation around town.

NM and Norma Patton serve as volunteers in an effort to bring a spring touch to Peabody.

“When Tom Schmidt was on council, he and his wife Susie started a group of volunteers that they knew liked gardening,” NM Patton said. “They got a budget for the city to plant flowers in the park, and have gotten donated trees and plants. When Tom left the group three or four years ago, he asked Norma and I to take it over.”

The Pattons are in charge of upkeep of beds at Santa Fe Park and a bed at the north end of Walnut St.

“We planted perennials at the north end of Main St. because they don’t cost nearly as much since they bloom every year,” Patton said.

Patton said that other volunteers include Duke Eldridge and Mary Thiessen, who spend volunteer time at the triangle flowerbed in the northwest corner of Peabody City Park. Norm Claasen, with NM’s help, maintains trees at the park as well, and Susan Good and Verna Mosiman spend time at the corner of Walnut and 2nd Sts.

“We would like to get more volunteers involved so we are able to get as much done as we like,” Patton said.