Brooksville to celebrate trees Friday

The city will host a pep rally rooted in respect for Mother Nature on Friday.

The 20th annual Arbor Day Celebration begins at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 201 N. Howell Ave.

Mayor Joe Bernardini will give a presentation and read a proclamation, and officials will raise a flag designating Brooksville as a "Tree City, USA."

The winner of an Arbor Day essay contest among fifth graders at Hernando Christian Academy will give a reading of the winning entry.

The city's first Good Steward Award will be presented to a member of the community who has made a difference in an environmentally-friendly way.

There will be booths and demonstrations from the Hernando County Extension Service, the Florida Division of Forestry, Progress Energy and the Greenline Company.

Arbor Day-related artwork by fourth graders at Brooksville Elementary will be on display in City Hall.

Free trees will be handed out while supplies last.

For more information, call Lindsay Morgan, 540-3810.