One sure sign of spring in Piscataquis County happens when people from several communities and organizations come together to help raise funds for Pine Tree Hospice.

“Moving into the Future,” the 12th annual Variety Show to Benefit Pine Tree Hospice is 7 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Center Theater in Dover-Foxcroft.

With Alan Bray as master of ceremonies, this fun-filled event features a variety of local talent, ranging from Mayo Regional Hospital employees to its medical staff, their families and friends.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and free for children 5 and under, so bring the family and enjoy this event graciously presented by those who support the work of PTH, a volunteer, nonprofit organization assisting those facing a terminal illness or grieving the loss of a loved one.

For your planning purposes, you should know the show, which includes singing, dancing, musical numbers, plays, skits and humor, is expected to run two hours with a 15-minute intermission.

Advance tickets can be purchased at Mr. Paperback and Center Theater in Dover-Foxcroft, and Hudson Avenue Florist and Gift in Guilford, or you can purchase tickets at the door.

You can also help out PTH by purchasing raffle tickets for a handmade quilt at $1 each or six for $5.

For more information about the show or the services of PTH, call 564-4346.

Race director Roberta Fowler reminds readers that The Animal Orphanage 2006 5K Pet Run/Walk to benefit that organization begins with registration at 9 a.m. and the run/walk at 10:30 a.m., rain or shine, Sunday, April 30, at the Old Town-Orono YMCA on Stillwater Avenue.

The fee is $10 for individual walkers and runners and $5 for walking families. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash and will start behind the runners unless the runners are racing.

Prizes will be offered the overall and top three finishers in 10 age categories, and special awards and categories for pets are included as well.

The All Maine Women Honor Society is sponsoring its fourth annual Kids’ Bike and Safety Fair noon-2 p.m. Sunday, April 30, under the football stadium on the University of Maine campus in Orono.

They will be joined by Bananas the Bear, UMaine student athletes, and other student honor society members in helping children learn about keeping safe in their use of helmets, bikes, car seats, seat belts, school buses, playgrounds, and water, and eating healthy foods.

After the session, the students will help children decorate their bicycles for a grand parade around the stadium parking lot.

The Castine Arts Association invites you to hear The MELa Ensemble at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at Trinitarian Congregational Parish on Main Street in Castine.

The suggested donation is $10, and a reception follows the concert.

Members of the woodwind trio, who have studied and played in Maine and Los Angeles (thus MELa), are Kathleen McNurny, oboe; Kristen Finkbeiner, clarinet; and Wren Saunders, bassoon. The pianist is Anastasia Antonacos.

Members of the St. Croix Historical Society invite you to enjoy a “wonderful tea, tour and exhibit at the historic Holmestead,” Joni Miller wrote of the community facility that was the former home of the Vesta Holmes family.

Vesta Holmes was the sister of Hannibal Hamlin, who served as vice president during President Abraham Lincoln’s first term.

“A Spring Fling!” features two seatings: the first from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the second from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at The Holmestead on Main Street in Calais.

For $8 you will enjoy salad, tea sandwiches, sweets, punch, coffee and tea.

The featured exhibits are 1933 French lace from Calais, France, and John Moore furniture.

For tickets and reservations, call 454-2830, 454-3695 or 454-3531, or The Holmestead at 454-3061.

The Abraham Lincoln School PTO is hosting Rick Charette and the Bubble Gum Band in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, May 5, in Peakes Auditorium at Bangor High School.

Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at The Briar Patch and the Grasshopper Shop in downtown Bangor or by sending a check and self-addressed, stamped envelope for the full amount, payable to Abraham Lincoln School PTO, 45 Forest Ave., Bangor 04401.

Charette worked with Bangor elementary school pupils earlier this year, helping them write songs, and then sang their songs with them at school assemblies.

For additional ticket information, call 884-1030.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.