Hello guys,

Hope this finds you well as we all move through this abyss of uncertainty in the world. One thing is certain—-the class of 63 will not have it’s regular monthly luncheon next week. Since classmate Dave Britz started these monthly gatherings in January of 2014 this is only the 2^nd or 3^rd  that has been canceled. The other one or two were both weather related. So with that said we will move on and look forward to the next time we can schedule our class lunch. We’ll let you know!

In the meantime, I know many of you are aware that a Christian Brother who was a student at Cretin in the 60-61 school year was beatified by the Catholic Church. Beatification is the third step in the road to being canonized a Saint. Blessed Brother James Miller walked amongst us our sophomore year at Cretin as one of the 34 guys (from 1961 Cretinite) in the Christian Brothers Preparatory Novitiate (CBPN) who were students at Cretin. I do not remember James Miller but I do vaguely remember that we had the CBPN as part of Cretin at least the 1961 school year. You can see much more about Blessed Brother James Miller in the current edition of the CDH Mag  TRADITIONS along with several other very inspirational stories. If you don’t get the Magazine in the mail check on line at the CDH web site under publications. The issue I am referencing has Brother James Miller on the cover. You can also read the TRADITIONS issue by clicking HERE!

I would like to expand on the subject of the Christian Brothers Preparatory Novitiate. Do any of you guys remember whether this was just a one year deal at Cretin, where did these guys in the CBPN go after they left Cretin, how many of the 34 went on to become Christian Brothers and do any of you have contact with any of these guys. I bet there are several of the class of 63 that can greatly expand on Brother James Miller and the CBPN at Cretin and I hope you will so I can share it with the rest of the guys who walked the halls with a person who is on the road to be a Saint.

Hello guys,

Cloudy, rainy day in St Paul but many of the hardy class of 63 members got together for lunch today at the Pool and Yacht Club.

Last week classmate Don Danneker had an idea that we did some follow up on today. Many of you recall and have read the book our classmates Tom Golden wrote this past year RAMBLINGS of a BABY BOOMER wannabe.

Don gave me his copy of the book and asked if those that have read Tom’s book would put a note in the blank back pages of the book and when all who have done that Don would send the book to the author Tom Golden.

So some of that was done at lunch and any of you who want to read Tom’s book let us know because we have several copies we can lend out. I have read it and truly enjoyed it.  Thanks Don for a great idea.

Dave Britz confirmed the date for the 7^th annual class of 63 golf outing THE CHARLIE——-Wednesday August 12^th

George Bonfe confirmed the date for the 5^th annual class of 63 August lunch at his house on Forest Lake——Thursday August 13^th.

The next class of 63 lunch is on Thursday April 9^th ——-Mark your calendars——

Good health and best to all.

Tom Troskey

Hello Guys,

Yesterday we gathered on this beautiful clear, blue sky day where the temperature had climbed to -5 degrees as we sat down for lunch. 17 of our Cretin Classmates at the Pool and Yacht Club on the wintery Mississippi River

were there; Joe Clarkin, Joe Mc Grath, Joe Brooks Joe Schufman, Charlie Evans, Pat Mc Donnell, Tom Schleck, Tom Troskey, Dave Britz, Dick Butler, Ed Sund, Dave Tyree, Rick O’Connor, Frank Villaume, John Lentsch, Roger Neils and Mike Swenson. Lots of good conversation and socializing took place.

As many of you know CDH has added on to the school with a beautiful new entrance and welcoming center known as the Tom and Deb Lentsch Forum. Go to the CDH web site and you can see photos of this beautiful addition. A few weeks ago a couple of our class were at the open house and heard from the President of CDH and from the man who made this addition possible. Tom Lentsch a 1968 grad and his wife Deb  financially made this addition happen. Tom mentioned in his remarks that the Lentsch family has been part of Cretin since 1911 and he is very proud of that. Our class of 1963 has Frank and John who are 1^st cousins to Tom and two of dozens of Lentsch descendants who attended CDH and the predecessors schools. Great tradition and generosity!  Thank you Tom and Deb.

Pat McDonnell was at the memorial service for a 1963 Derham Hall grad who many of us knew, Mary Ann McFadden. Mary passed away this past Nov 28^th. Pat passed around the document from her memorial.

You may recall that last week I asked that those wandering the beaches and golf courses in the south send us a photo or two. These photos are attached.

George Bonfe’s photo is a view from his condo in the Fort Meyers area, I just talked to George this AM and he said it has been just too hot lately so he is spending most of his time inside doing projects on his condo. Toooooo Hot!!!

Roger Neils sends the photo of he and his wife’s feet in the water of the gulf by South Padre Island——looks pretty good!

Jim Dimond sent his photo walking the beach at Seista Key just to break the monotony of being at pool side so much. Such monotony Jim!

Finally, a terrific photo from Frank Villaume. Three Franks in the ocean by Naples Fla. Our classmate Frank, his son Frank and his grandson Frank. Priceless!

Thank you guys for the photos, they are appreciated by all especially those of us at the 45^th  parallel.

Next Class of 63 lunch is Thursday March 12^th—-mark your calendar and don’t forget to checkout the Class web site at    https://cretinclassof1963.0rg

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Best to all

Tom Troskey

Another great turn out of class of 63 guys to enjoy a few hours reminiscing and socializing.

Beautiful day in Minnesota 30 degrees and dry.

Yesterday classmates Len Mitsch and John Schmitt alerted me to some sad news about our classmate Tom Mahlum. Tom is in failing health and has been moved to hospice. Please keep Tom and his family in your prayers.

You will recall our classmate Tom Golden has written a book and several more of the class has read it and reported back how much they enjoyed it and recommended it to the rest of the guys. Book title is Ramblings of a Baby Boomer wannabe

Classmate Don Danneker has offered his copy to  any classmate that would like to read it. Don thought it was terrific!

Now get this; our classmate Dan Gergen and a advisory mate of Tom Golden is going to transcribe Tom’s book into Braille. Dan has been doing this since he retired about 20 years ago and told me he was looking for Minnesota authors. Tom and Dan connected to get this process started.

Today we had a first time attendee. This fellow went to St Lukes through 5^th grade then to Holy Spirit for 6-7-8^th grades. He joined us at Cretin in the fall of 1959 and was with us for Freshman and Sophomore years before his family moved to the other side of the river where he became a Benilde Red Knight. Mike Roach has stayed in touch with some of us and he is one of the guys on the class of 63 mailing list that started with us but did not stay at Cretin all four years. You guys might recall that we had 53 guys start with us in the fall of 59 that did not finish with us. We’re glad Mike has stayed in touch and joined us today.

Also don’t forget the open house at Cretin to show the new addition—-Tuesday January 21^st 5-7PM. You are invited this beautiful addition. Go in on Albert street.

Finally next class of 63 lunch is Thursday February 13^th—mark your calendars.

Best to all

Tom Troskey

Hello Everyone,

Thought I would send you a note about yesterday’s class of 63 lunch. We had a dozen hardy souls enjoy a couple of hours of socializing and good food. The snowy morning  made getting to the lunch a bit hairy. Of course the weather was a topic and many of us said we have already had enough winter and noted how many snow birds in our class had already headed to warmer climes.

The Pool and Yacht Club was beautifully decorated for the coming Holidays and with the snow falling looked great.

Take a look at the class of 63 web site and one thing we want to bring up to date is the list of the 50 year marriages, so if you are married 50 years or more and not on the list let me know and we will put you on the list.

Our next class lunch is January 9^th—so mark your calendar and plan to be there.

Thank you

Best to all of you and Merry Christmas

Tom Troskey

Many of you recall that our friend and classmate Bob Connor died this past Sept 30^th while on vacation with his wife Nanette in California.

Only after several of us attended Bob’s funeral service did we find out about Bob’s many connections to military service and veteran’s organizations.

After visiting with several people at Bob’s wake we realized letting the guys in the class of 63 know about Bob’s significant contributions would be most appropriate. Joe Schufman was anxious to get this info out to all the guys in the class of 63 not just in one memo but on a spotlighted feature on the Class of 63 web site.

I then called Bob’s wife Nanette and asked her what she thought of the idea. Nanette was pleased to contribute some of Bob’s involvement with military service and veterans’ organizations and was anxious to share it with his Cretin Classmates.

Nanette’s write-up is now included on our “Volunteerism” page. You can go directly to the page on Bob by clicking HERE.

Tom Troskey

Hello everybody,

Beautiful fall day, 30 degrees and sunny with 19 of your Cretin classmates sitting around watching the  Mississippi river  barge traffic and the ever increasing slabs of ice floating by.(see attached photo)

Before we sat down for lunch we had a moment of silence as we recalled several very sad events happening in three of our classmates families the past few weeks. Ray Altier lost his youngest son Steve on Oct 25th. Pat Vitek lost his 13 year old grandson in a traffic accident on Nov.1st and as Joe Brooks reported today that he had spoken with classmate Larry Neuman who had lost an infant grandchild. So please keep the Altier, Vitek and Neuman families in your thoughts and Prayers.

I heard from Tom Rubbelke who is doing well and plans to get to one of our lunches VERY soon. Can’t wait to see you back in your old spot Tom!

We passed around a couple of copies of our classmate Tom Golden’s new book, RABMLINGS of a BABY BOOMER wannabe. Fun read, Joe Schufman and I have both read it and know the rest of you guys will really enjoy Tom’s musings about growing up in St Paul and moving on through the challenges of adult life. Let Tom Golden know what you think of it at   golden436@comcast.net  A few photos are attached of guys looking at Tom”s book.

Veterans Day this past Monday and take a look at the photos class of 63 Vets that were with us today. Thank you Men!

Mark your calendars for the next Class of 63 lunch on Thursday December 12^th.

Thank you and HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all.

Tom Troskey

Click on any photo below to enlarge it …

Earlier this evening I received an email from our classmate Tom Golden letting me (and now you) know his book is finally available!  Ted Krammer gave it a positive review (see “Recent Comments” on our website).  I think it will be a good read.

Below is some pertinent info, including an option for you to preview sections of the book without laying out any money.   Worth a look in my opinion.

Joe Schufman

—————————————–

Ramblings of a Baby Boomer Wannabe is now available through your favorite bookstore.  Here’s the pertinent information for ordering:

Title:  Ramblings of a Baby Boomer Wannabe

Author: Tom Golden

Publisher: Covenant Books

Book #: ISBN 978-1-64559-319-5

It’s also available in print and digital form on Amazon (Kindle) and Barnes and Noble (Nook). 

Amazon gives you the opportunity to preview several stories in chapter one.  You can find a direct link to the book on Amazon by going to my books Facebook page:  Ramblings of a Baby Boomer Wannabe. Or you can click here.

My publisher keeps promising that they will have a promotional website for my book, but as the old saying goes:  “Talk is cheap – it takes money to buy whiskey”.  

Tom Golden

You can link directly to the new page by clicking here.