With winter officially coming to an end, members of Dowagiac’s Town and Country Garden club are springing their drive to recruit some new green thumbs into action.

The local organization is currently seeking new members, as the club returns from its winter hiatus. People interested in joining the club are asked to attend its next meeting, which is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. April 13 at the COA Front Street Crossing in Dowagiac.

People may also call club president Kathy Johnson at (269) 591-0639 or treasurer Dee Herman at (269) 757-2849 for more information about joining.

The club is waiving the first year’s worth of dues for all new members, Herman said.

The Town and Country Garden Club — which was formed in 1952, and was incorporated as a member of Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. the following year — currently has around 20 active members, including one who has been involved since its formation, Johnson said.

Members participate in several projects and activities, dedicated to beautifying the local community throughout the year. Chief among these is the planting of flowers, pines and other plants inside the planters downtown every spring, summer and fall.

With the recent improvements to Division and Commercial streets last fall, the members now have additional pots to tend.

This is on top of the other projects the club takes on every year, including tending to flower gardens outside the library and Beckwith Theatre, caring for the Blue Star Memorial at Riverside Cemetery and cleaning up a stretch of M-62 outside of town.

“We aren’t looking for new members because our membership has dropped dramatically,” Johnson said. “What has been dramatic is the increase in the amount of jobs we are responsible for.”

With that in mind, some extra hands will go a long way in maintaining these projects, Johnson said.

The club also meets on the second Tuesday of the month through January, where members discuss club business and listen to presentations about subjects related to gardening or the outdoors. These meetings take a brief hiatus at the beginning of the year, resuming in April, Johnson said.

There are many benefits to joining the organization, including companionship, getting more involved with the outdoors and having the chance to serve the community by improving its aesthetics, the members said.

“It makes me feel good when people compliment us on the work we have done,” Herman said. “It’s nice knowing what we are doing is making other people happy.”

“There really is a place for everyone,” Johnson said. “Some people might not want to get involved with everything we do, but there is sure to be something they will like.”