History by Moon Light: Exploring Lake Luzerne’s Main Street
Roger Allen returns for this year’s Lantern Walk in the role of Anne-César, Le Chevalier de La Luzerne
With the Harvest Moon expected to shine brightly Monday night, October 6, the Hadley–Lake Luzerne Historical Society once again will turn the Lake Luzerne Historic District into a living stage in its fifth annual Lantern Walk.
Families will hear narratives told by local actors performing in the roles of notable figures in the community's history. Tours on Main Street will start at 5:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the corner of Main Street and School Street with parking available at Stone's Pharmacy.
Hot dogs, chili, popcorn and mac 'n cheese will served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Rockwell-Harmon Visitor Center, where kids will be invited to decorate pumpkins. A hand-crafted pumpkin painted by local artist Leslie Bradt and other items will be raffled in a drawing set for 7 p.m.
The Lantern Walk tradition was established in 2020 when the community came together years ago to raise funds for a headstone for Anna Fuller, an Abenaki woman buried in the Luzerne Cemetery. Volunteers stood beside the graves they portrayed, speaking in the voices of the departed.
“We started exploring the lives of those who lived here before us and what their lives must have been like, and we decided to spotlight ordinary folks doing extraordinary things to carve out a place in time for the betterment of their family and neighbors," said Sue Wilder, president of the Hadley-Lake Luzerne Historical Society.
“We can't let their stories be forgotten. They need to be told.”
Stories to be told in this year's edition of the Lantern Walk include:
George Miller — portrayed by Darren Servillo. One of Lake Luzerne’s first pharmacists, Miller tells of a time when every medicine was mixed by hand and pharmacy work was as personal as it was practical.
Walt Isaacson — portrayed by Tim Hamlin. Founder of the Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, Isaacson recalls how his vision helped earn Lake Luzerne its title as the “Rodeo Capital of the East.”
Earl Woodard — portrayed by Grayson Hack. Known as the “Dude Ranch King,” Woodard shares how he brought the spirit of the American West to the Adirondacks, helping to shape the region’s ranching and tourism identity.
Veronica Lake — portrayed by Sandy Coffey. The Hollywood actress tells of her retreat from fame and her peaceful years in Hadley, where she found privacy and solace in the Adirondack woods.
Anne-César, Le Chevalier de La Luzerne — portrayed by Roger Allen. The French diplomat for whom the town is named reflects on his role in securing French support for the American Revolution and the honor of having the community bear his name.
Marguerite Bennett — portrayed by Sue Trentecost. A teacher from a one-room schoolhouse, Bennett describes the challenges and joys of educating multiple grades together under a single roof.
Grace Blanchard Garnar — portrayed by Barbara Brewer-LaMere. Garnar tells stories of her in-laws, the Garnars, who came from England and Australia and operated the Garnar Leather Works, makers of some of the world’s finest bookbinding leather.
