Hernando County events

Today/New

Arbor Day Celebration and tree planting: 10 a.m., Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville. The Hernando Christian Academy National Honor Society will present the Tree City USA flag. Arbor Day essay contest winners John Bronson and Madison Frazier, HCA fifth grade students, will read their essays. Also, Progress Energy will have a tree giveaway. Light refreshments will follow the dedication and planting of trees, which will be done by all HCA fifth-grade students. Also participating will be Brooksville City Council members, Beautification Board members and City Manager Jennene Norman-Vacha. Lindsay Morgan, 544-5407, ext. 130.

Arbor Day tree giveaway: 9 a.m. to noon, Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville. Progress Energy will host this "Know Where You Grow" tree giveaway. Native trees to be given away (one per househould), while supplies last, include Dahoon holly, eastern redbud, firebush, Simpson's Stopper and wild coffee.

Brooksville Relay for Life: 6 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Tom Fisher Stadium, Hernando High School, 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville. The survivor speaker will be Tom Mylander and the relay will begin with a survivors' walk for the first lap, followed by caregivers and the teams. There will be complete silence from 9 to 9:30 p.m. during the luminarias. There will be entertainment, games, food, prizes and other activities throughout the night. Some of the entertainers include Kenn Grube as Elvis, Daniela Serricchio, the Golden Country Band, Dance Factory, bagpipes with Phil Boyle, Tammy Amsler, and Morgin Ciarcia. Some of the games include a dizzy bat relay, water balloon toss, hula hoop contest, tug-of-war, dance contest and broom hockey. Closing ceremonies will be at 10 a.m. Saturday. Janie Wiley, 796-4619.

Springstead High School Band presents "Spectrum" spring concert: 7:30 p.m., Springstead Theater, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students, available at the door. Richard Dasher, 797-7010.

VFW Post 10209 and Ladies Auxiliary present Vintage: 8 p.m., 14736 Edward R Noll Drive, Spring Hill. Live entertainment will be presented by Vintage (Rusty and Nick). 796-0398.

Friday/Continuing

Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582: Dinner and dancing, 14494 Cortez Blvd., west of Brooksville. Doors open at 4 p.m.; dinner served from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Music for dancing provided. Dinner is $10 for members and $11 for nonmembers; dancing only is $6. 596-2582.

Hernando Council Senior Citizens No. 1: Pinochle, noon to 3:30 p.m., 8187 Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. The cost is $3, which includes lunch and prizes. Linda, 573-7696.

Knights of Columbus/St. Anne's Church: Bingo, 11 a.m., 4142 Treiman Blvd. (U.S. 301), Ridge Manor. 583-2550.

VFW Post 8681 and Ladies Auxiliary: Bingo. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., early bird at 6:15 p.m. and regular games at 6:45 p.m., 18940 Drayton St., at County Line Road, Shady Hills. Food available. (727) 856-1860.

Saturday/New

Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, 1489 Parker Ave., Spring Hill. Hosted by the Spring Hill Garden Club, the event will begin with a continental breakfast, followed by speakers, entertainment and tours of the gardens. The first 100 people will receive a free plant. Visitors will learn about the importance of trees, how to select the right tree for the right place, and how to take care of that tree once it is planted. Information will also be given on native plants, water conservation, how to rid gardens of invasive plants and how to be good stewards of the environment. 683-9933 or visit the Web site at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com.

Blessing of the Fleet at yacht club: 3 p.m., Hernando Beach Yacht Club, 4163 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach. All vessels that line up at the club will be blessed and receive a certificate. A wreath will be laid on the water in memory of departed mariners and to pay homage to those who are serving or have served in the U.S. military. A special wreath will be laid in memory of Greg Frey, a yacht club member who recently died. After the ceremony, there will be a reception and dinner starting at 6 p.m. A stuffed pork chop dinner will be served; the cost is $10. Reservations required. Irene Matasavage, 596-4136.

Celebrate Recovery open house: 4 to 7 p.m., Christian Church in the Wildwood, 10051 Country Road, Weeki Wachee. This is a family event that will include food and drinks. Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step Christ-centered recovery program for those with hurts, hang-ups and habits. 596-1388.

"Maintaining Your Florida Lawn and Landscape" progam: 10 a.m., Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service, 19490 Oliver St., Brooksville. Participants will learn the best management practices for irrigation, fertilization and pest control. The class is free, but preregistration is required. 754-4433.

Polish Dance: 6 to 11 p.m., Polish American Social Club, 7615 New Jersey Ave., Hudson. Music will be provided by Krys and his Raz I Dwa Band. Dress is casual. Tickets are $7. A full-service bar and food will be available. Anna, 596-7098, or Krys, (727) 862-1520.

Spring Hill Community Association presents a "Double Dose of Country" with Brian Chytka and Jenny Rimmer: 4-8 p.m., Lake House, 1202 Kenlake Ave., Spring Hill. Gates open at 2 p.m. The opening act is Ed Gallaway. Tickets are $10 for general seating and $15 for VIP seats; free for ages 12 and younger. All tickets are an additional $5 if purchased at the gate. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. 666-4746.

Springstead High School Band presents "Spectrum" spring concert: 7:30 p.m., Springstead Theater, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students, at the door. Richard Dasher, 797-7010.

Tricky Tray fundraiser for Spring Hill Teaching Computer Club: 1 to 3 p.m., Weeki Wachee Senior Citizens, 3357 Susan Drive, Spring Hill. Numerous baskets and trays will be available, as well as door prizes. The grand prize will be a $250 gift card. Raffle tickets to win the gifts may be purchased for $1 each or six for $5. Tickets for the grand prize and special gifts are $2. Admission and refreshments are free. Drawings will be at 2:15 p.m. 686-7146.

Saturday/Continuing

Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County: Bingo, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. Nonsmoking. 596-1095 or Barb, 683-2440.

Spring Hill Garden Club Plant Nursery: 9 a.m. to noon, Parker Avenue, off Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Gloria Nadeau, 597-1415.

VFW Post 8713 And Ladies Auxiliary: Live entertainment with Country Pride Band, 2 to 5 p.m.; karaoke at 6 p.m., 1686 E Jefferson St., Brooksville. 796-4449.

VFW Post 8681 And Ladies Auxiliary: Live entertainment, 6 p.m., 18940 Drayton St., Shady Hills. (727) 856-1860.

Sunday/New

Cinco de Mayo celebration: Noon, St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 20428 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. A Hispanic meal will be served and door prizes awarded. $5 for adults, $3 for children younger than 10. 796-2096.

Fine Arts Council fundraiser to feature Legends of Doo-Wop and Joey Dee: Doors open at 2:30 p.m., Palace Grand, 275 Della Court, off Commercial Way, Spring Hill. There will be entertainment. The main show will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. 592-1013 or 754-4405.

Sunday/Continuing

Hernando Council Senior Citizens No. 1: Bingo, warmups at 5:45 p.m., games at 6:30 p.m., 8187 Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. Refreshments are available. Marlene, 596-5116.

Polish American Social Club: Polonia dinner-dance, 7615 New Jersey Ave., Hudson. Doors open at 12:15 p.m. A traditional Polish dinner will be served from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. Dancing to the Music by Lenny from 2:30 to 5:15 p.m. Tickets are $11 for members and $12 for nonmembers and guests. Proper dance attire requested. Full-service bar available. Call for reservations. Dolores, 596-4802.

Information for the Events column should be submitted to Phyllis Day, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613. Information can be faxed to 754-6133 or e-mailed to day@sptimes.com (please include club's name in e-mail subject line). The deadline for news is 10 days before your event or reservation deadline. Events must be open to the public. Information cannot be published if the time, date, place, ticket (if applicable) or contact person and phone number are missing. Call 754-6101 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.