St. Boniface Catholic Church will be hosting the fourth annual Tombstone Talks on Saturday, Oct. 25, bringing to life stories of prominent citizens from Sublimity’s past.
Scheduled for noon to 6 p.m., the event features live reenactments of five local historical figures who are interred in St. Boniface’s Cemetery of the Angels.
The talks themselves begin at noon and each last around 20 minutes, with the last talk beginning at 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person.
Reenactments will include Sublimity’s first mayor John Kintz, former St. Boniface priest Fr. Anthony Lainck, logger Clarence Zuber, farmer Vince Etzel and civil servant Mary Baribeau.
Organizers thoroughly research each individual as well as the times in which they lived to offer a faithful representation that transports guests into the past.
Ron Etzel, a member of the event’s organizing committee, said Tombstone Talks is a unique opportunity to “keep history alive” and reconnect with the people and families who founded Sublimity.
“You get the opportunity to relive the lifestyle from 100 years ago,” said Etzel.
Tombstone Talks began in 2021 as the brainchild of Brooke McKirdy, who had implemented a similar event when she lived near Seaside. The goal was to connect with local history and honor people from all walks of life who had shaped the community.
Etzel said past Tombstone Talks have had a personal impact on his life, such as in 2023 when his son and daughter portrayed his great grandfather and great grandmother.
“It was very special for my wife and I to see our kids do this,” said Etzel. “…This is one way for me to be a part of something that keeps that family history alive.”
There is another personal connection this year as Vince Etzel is Ron Etzel’s uncle.
In addition working as an independent farmer, Vince Etzel was a devout Catholic. In his will he left instructions to create a shrine at the church inspired by a vision he’d had of Jesus and Mary. The shrine will be open to view during the event Oct. 25.
Also available will be horse-drawn carriage rides, a fall harvest country store, a $13 chicken noodle dinner, access to the church archives, a prayer garden, and a silent auction.
Proceeds from the event benefit church repairs.
