CROSBY TWP.-Historic Whitewater Shaker Village is one of Hamilton County's best-kept secrets.

Owned by the Hamilton County Park District, the village is in Miami-Whitewater Forest near Harrison. The village, which is not open to the public, was founded by the Shakers. In the 1800s, the religious sect operated the parent settlement in Union Village, where Otterbein Home now operates in Warren County.

Archaeologist Donald Janzen plans to present "Probing for History at Whitewater Shaker Village" at the first meeting of the Friends of Whitewater Shaker Village on June 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The program, which will discuss Janzen's discoveries at Whitewater, will be held in the chapel of Phillipi Hall at Otterbein, on Ohio 741 north of Ohio 63.

Friends of Whitewater Shaker Village spokesman Richard Spence of Glendale said the group is devoted to uncovering the past at Whitewater Village, and will hold one meeting a year.

Spence, who co-wrote Maps of the Shaker West: A Journey of Discovery, encourages the public to attend.

"In addition to performing the first archaeological study of White Water, Janzen directed a four-year archaeological project at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill," Spence said.

Information: Spence, 772-7974.

BANTAM-To help prepare for the boating season, Flotilla 53 of the Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct free boat inspections at the Corps of Engineers Boat Ramp at William H. Harsha Lake in East Fork State Park in Clermont County.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 21 and 28.

Engineers will determine if boaters have all the necessary safety equipment before they get on the water.

The program is free.

Information: 797-6081.

HAMILTON-Tim Zimmerman and The King's Brass will perform at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church for a night of popular, patriotic and sacred music at 7:30 p.m. June 5.

This will be the sixth consecutive year they will perform at the church.

The concert is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to meet concert expenses.

Information: www.kingsbrass.com. Telephone: the church, 863-1040.

HAMILTON-The Butler County Historical Society will present "The Battle of Gettysburg: Pickett's Charge," at 7:30 p.m. June 2 at Ritchie Auditorium, 327 N. Second Street.

Gerard T. Altoff, chief ranger and historian at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, will present a slide show and sound effects. He is a Gettysburg native.

The program is free and open to the public.

Information: 896-9930.

COLERAIN TWP.-The 14th annual Taste of Colerain will be held 5-11 p.m. Aug. 8-9 and 3-10 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Colerain Township Government Complex, 4200 Springdale Road.

Admission, parking and entertainment are free.

Information: Web site.

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.