Cemetery walk in Lyons

The Wayne County Historical Society is planning its third annual cemetery walk at the Lyons Rural Cemetery, Spencer Street, on Friday, September 12. Guided tours will start every 15 minutes, beginning at 6:15 p.m. with the last performance beginning at 7:15.

Cemetery tours are a popular way for people to learn about their local history in a park-like setting. Guides escort guests from location to location around the cemetery to meet costumed actors who portray a person who once lived in Lyons.

These cemetery portraits help build community pride and create awareness and enthusiasm for historical restoration and preservation of historic buildings and the cemetery monuments.

This year's cast of characters and their performers are:

• Clarabelle King, murdered mother of six, played by Delores Shear;
• Daniel King, jealous, wife-murdering husband, played by John Gibbon;
• Frederica Towar, granddaughter of a man who entertained Abraham Lincoln at his Lyons home, played by Olyve Ross;
• Jeremiah Collins, Wayne County Sheriff or Undersheriff for nearly 50 years, played by John Salone;
• Vern Lehn, Lyons resident who was accidentally shot by Sheriff Collins, played by Ed Marriott;
• Dr. Myron Carmer, a Lyons physician and co-founder of the E. J. Barber Hospital, played by Randy Mitchell;
• Hubbard Putney, fanning mill manufacturer, played by Tom Sawtelle;
• Luther Lake, insurance agent, played by Bob MacDuffie;
• Colonial Ira Mirick, flour and feed mill owner, played by Tom Shear;
• Lyons lawyer Hon. William Clark, played by Winston Dobbins;
• a young boy who lived in Lyons and is anxious to share his memories with all who will listen, played by George Dobbins;
• and Sarah Collins, wife of the Sheriff, and her friend Gladys, two Lyons women who reminisce about the Lyons they remember, played by LarryAnn Evans and Jean Stoep.

Tickets are now on sale at the Society office at the Old Jail Museum on 21 Butternut Street. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for children who are accompanied by an adult. The rain date for the event is Friday, September 19. Free valet parking is available at the cemetery and people should not arrive at the cemetery more than 10 minutes prior to the beginning of their tour.

Call 946.4943, Monday to Friday.

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