Village Manager John Revella announced that the board of trustees will unveil a memorial dedicated to late resident Samuel Wright on October 22 at 1 p.m., a project that’s been in the works since February of 2022 after he passed in May of 2021.

A renowned singer, actor and community member, Wright had a vivid career in cinema, television, and theater, including his roles as Sebastion in “The Little Mermaid” and Mufasa in the broadway production of “The Lion King.” After moving into Walden with his family, he and his wife Amanda founded the Hudson Valley Conservatory, where they taught thousands the arts.

Since his passing, the village has honored Wright in several ways, such as as the Walden Elementary’s Drama Club putting on a production of “The Little Mermaid” in March of 2022, and the conservatory’s New Rose Theater Group enacting the Sam E. Wright Schlarship Fund. And now, the board will rename Albany Avenue to “Samuel E. Wright Way.”