AMHERST, N.S. – Summer in Amherst has drawn to a close and the hanging flower baskets lining the streets, along with flowers in flower beds, have been taken down.
“It’s always sad to see the end of the season,” said Vaughn Martin, while pulling annuals out of a flower bed at the entrance to Amherst. “I jokingly tell people that when they see me at start the season you know spring is here, and then when I go around like this and pull the flowers out, you know old man winter is coming.”
Martin is the head nurse of flower care with the town of Amherst during the spring and summer.
“I’m usually the one who gives the flowers their daily care, so a lot of people associate me with the flowers,” said Martin. “There’s people that do more lawns than I do, and others who clean and pick up litter, so, yeah, I guess I’m the duty nurse that comes around and sees the flowers every day.”
More flower baskets were hung along Amherst streets this summer than in previous years.
“I really found where we put some of the new baskets, especially down Lawrence Street and up LaPlanche, was really nice,” said Martin. “Coming into town from New Brunswick it was nice to see the flower baskets lining up.”
Martin’s favourite flower basket hung on Prince Arthur Street, a street that also had baskets for the first time this year.
“The basket on the corner of Prince Arthur and Church Street at the Needs Convenience store was the one I liked best,” said Martine. “I don’t know what kind of special love it got but it really flourished for the first time being there.”
Martin says he has a great team helping with the flowers.
“I had one fellow pass by and said, ‘the flowers look some good. I don’t know if it’s the weather or the care,’” said Martin. “Well, everybody had the same weather but not everybody had flowers like we did.”
He says his team works very efficiently.
“We only have a few people, and for them to handle the parks and the plants the way they do is commendable,” said Martin. “It takes an effort, and it’s not by any other design. You have to be happy with what you do because, if you’re not, it will reflect on the job you’re doing.”
He also thanks the public for appreciating the flowers.
“The accolades I’ve received from people personally, and the accolades town council and people like that have received about the flowers, is much appreciated,” said Martin. “I appreciate the people who appreciate the work being done because, at the end of the day, the team that is here is very diligent and take pride in what they do.”
