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By WENDY STIVER
LOCK HAVEN – Highland Cemetery Association and its volunteers are ready to offer the annual Historic Lantern Tours, set this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The tour always provides a wealth of historical knowledge about the town, a chance to walk quietly through the cemetery at night, when it is normally closed to the public, and an amazing view of the town from the hilltop.
The walking tour, which will be similar on both nights, will start at the cemetery entrance atop Akeley Lane. (The road runs between Lock Haven University’s Bentley Cafeteria and Sloan Fine Arts Center.) There is no parking or driving in the cemetery during the tour, but LHU is making its nearby parking lots available.
The public is encouraged to come and learn more about the most unique cemetery in the greater Lock Haven area. The $5 per person donation for the tour benefits the cemetery. Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Flashlights are welcome, for emergency purposes.
The tour should last from one and a half to two hours. It involves an uphill walk over uneven surfaces, one-third of which has been termed strenuous. There are several stops along the way, and chairs will be set out at some of the stops for people who may need them.
Volunteer actors will portray historic community residents from times gone by, all of whom have a stone in the cemetery. The tour involves 18 acting roles, according to Troy Baney, an LHU freshman who is the tour coordinator and guide.
Former movers and shakers of the Lock Haven area who will be portrayed, include Philip Price, John Sloan, Peter Meitzler, Annie Halenbake Ross, John Reaville, and the Willow family, Baney said.
The actors, leaders and organizers of the event include community members, LHU students and Central Mountain High School students.
Cemetery association president Dave Wallace said, “I appreciate that we are able to bring the LHU community into the fold with local residents and make them feel comfortable about their temporary home while they continue their education.”
LHU volunteers include James Harbert, Haley Marple, Stephanie Lanigan, Kathryn Gray, David Kappler, Rebecca Mann, Nicholas Sell, Danny Hackmeister.
“I appreciate everyone’s energy and interest in helping the cemetery improve,” Wallace said.
For more information, visit www.highlandcemeterylockhavenpa.org or call 570-748-5080.