In the depths of February, New Richmond is a frozen camp on the Ohio River in Clermont County.

But even in frigid weather the village was a destination for escaped slaves as they made their way north through the Underground Railroad.

In a few months those times will be officially remembered when the Ohio Bicentennial Commission and Historic New Richmond Inc. erect a historical marker to commemorate the town's role in the Underground Railroad.

The bronze marker will be on the river side at the edge of Haussermann Park, at Front and Walnut streets.

Edna Burns, president of Historic New Richmond, said the location is "where the packet boats docked at the riverbank and where Joe the slave, shipped in a box via riverboat to New Richmond, would have been unloaded from the boat."

"Joe had run away from his master. Jim wanted to help his friend escape. He nailed Joe up in a goods box and placed him on a riverboat bound for New Richmond. Jim concocted a cover story for the goods box, saying he was taking a few things to his parents. They left Cincinnati at 4 that afternoon and arrived in New Richmond by sunset. The box was offloaded on the wharf, whereupon Jim hired a wagon to convey Joe to his parents' home. Joe arrived safely after [a total of] 36 hours in the shipping crate."

Later, abolitionist Levi Coffin bought a ticket for Joe to Sandusky, Ohio. Joe eventually arrived safely in Canada.

A draft of Historic New Richmond's message will read in part: "This marker commemorates the role Jim and the citizens of New Richmond played in giving aid and transportation to Joe, who was escaping the bonds of slavery."

New Richmond was a tumultuous place before and during the Civil War, with anti-slavery factions confronting bounty hunters.

In 1862, a slave named Leroy Lee escaped from Kentucky to New Richmond and was apprehended by the hunters. As they advanced down Front Street, local people started yelling in disapproval.

According to a story in the Clermont Sun, the group "presently swelled to crowds, and crowds presently became an army standing in solid phalanx across the street, barring the passage of the slave drivers. These men drew their guns and demanded their passage, but the New Richmonders laughed them to scorn, only answering, `Release your man; slavery and war don't go.'"

Lee stayed in New Richmond until he enlisted in the Union army.

For more information, write to Historic New Richmond Inc., P.O. Box 2, 125 George St., New Richmond, OH 45157.

The Warren County Combined Health District will participate in the Tobacco Free Healthy Communities program, along with Clinton, Greene and Fayette counties and other communities.

In November 2002, the Greene County Combined Health District received a $170,689 grant from the Ohio Tobacco Use and Prevention Control Foundation to start the program.

"To address Ohio's alarmingly high smoking rate, Senate Bill 192 allowed for the creation of a tobacco use prevention and control trust fund to help reduce tobacco use in Ohio," said Irene G. Warren, director of development for the Greene County district. Information: (866) 858-3588.

MetroParks of Butler County will present a winter botany hike at 10 a.m. today at the Pater Park Wildlife Area, about two miles southeast of Reily on Reily-Millville Road. The park naturalist will lead the hike and compare tree shapes, buds and bark textures. You can also explore the Bunker Hill Pioneer Cemetery.

Meet at the entrance parking area.

Also today, OKI Forgers will demonstrate blacksmithing from 1-3 p.m. at Gov. Bebb Preserve, at 1979 Bebb Park Lane, just off Ohio 126, nine miles west of Ross in Morgan Township.

Information: 867-5835.

In Blue Ash, instructor Margaret Kern's Big Band Line Dancing class is held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays as a part of the city recreation program.

Steps are designed for people 60 and older, who dance to big band, country and jazz. No previous experience is necessary.

Details: 745-8550.

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