CAMP DENNISON - Once, a Union Army camp put Camp Dennison's name on the front page.

But these days, visitors know the small town in Hamilton County's Symmes Township for the Schoolhouse Restaurant and the Ohio Civil War Museum.

I went to Camp Dennison to write the first of a series on communities that rarely receive media attention.

Of course, I stopped at the Schoolhouse, where old trees unfold like a canopy across a quiet lawn. Geese and roosters are behind one of the Midwest's early two-story schools. Old portraits of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson hang on a lobby wall. A high-wheel bicycle (called a widow maker) and other antiques stand all around the place.

The Schoolhouse is a reminder of the 1950s - a family-owned restaurant that operates only Thursday through Sunday. A specialty is fried chicken.

When customers hear they'll have to wait 45 minutes to be seated, it doesn't matter. "It's worth the wait," one man told Chris Miller, who operates the place with his mother, Phyllis Miller.

In 1962, she and husband, Don Miller, opened the restaurant in a former brick school that was built in 1863. That year, Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan's cavalry roared past town, burned government wagons and skirmished with Union soldiers.

Inside the Schoolhouse hangs a framed map of the camp, circa 1865. Pictured are a telegraph office, photograph gallery, jeweler's shop, a bowling "saloon," teamster boarding houses, 30 barracks, a bakery and a forage house.

Today, the town still has its post office, established during the Civil War, and a strong identity. The stone Waldschmidt House (1804), home of settlers, is open for tours, and the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail goes through the community.

The Waldschmidt House and the Civil War Museum are open Sundays.

Information: http://home.fuse.net/campdennison.

SPRINGBORO-The city will celebrate its Quaker roots with Christmas in Historic Springboro, held along six blocks in the early 19th century downtown.

Main Street will be closed to traffic.

Highlights include a tree lighting ceremony, strolling musicians, free horse-drawn carriage rides and Underground Railroad tours led by costumed interpreters.

A parade featuring the town crier, floats, marching bands and Santa will be noon Saturday.

Hours: 6-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 23 and noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 24.

Information: Jan Vomacka, 937-885-0636.

HAMILTON - The Butler County Historical Society will conduct a program on embroidered samplers at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Ritchie Auditorium, 327 N. 2nd St.

The guest speaker, Sue Studebaker, wrote the recently-published book Ohio is My Dwelling Place: Schoolgirl Embroideries, 1800-1850.

Ms. Studebaker discusses the samplers created in Ohio before 1850, their makers and the families and teachers who taught the girls to stitch.

"These samplers serve as a tangible and enduring legacy of Ohio's history, and readers will be intrigued and fascinated by the stories presented in this extraordinary keepsake volume," said Marjorie Brown, director of the museum. "Many Butler County samplers are included."

Reservations must be received by Dec. 12. Send $10 (includes dessert and beverage) to the Butler County Museum, at the address above. The ZIP is 45011.

Information: 896-9930.

BETHEL - Clermont County Public Library branches in Bethel, Felicity, Milford-Miami Township and Owensville offer free Internet instruction.

Each session lasts one hour and is done on a one-on-one basis. Call to schedule a session.

See the library's Web site at www.Clermont.lib.oh.us.

HAMILTON - "Light Up Hamilton!" will be Friday on High Street at Journal Square.

Entertainment is from 5:30-6 p.m. Music will be by the Hamilton Jazz Band, vocalist Mary Johnson, the St. Pete School Chorus and the Wilson Wilsonaires. Information: Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Hamilton Convention and Visitors Bureau, 844-8080.

Randy McNutt's community column appears on Saturday. Contact him at the Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Dr., West Chester OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: Rmcnutt@enquirer.com.