(From Tom Troskey)

Hello classmates,

Back in 2012 and 2013 when a group of guys from the class of ’63 were preparing various things for the 50^th class reunion. One of the tasks was putting together the memory book that contained many old photos and memorabilia. Included in this terrific book (thank goodness for Len Mitsch and Joe M. McGrath who volunteered  to put the book together) was the section showing short bios of classmates and what they had been doing the past 50 years. All who read the book sure enjoyed this section and found out much about their classmates after they left Cretin.

Following is a story on one of our classmates that began about 50+ years ago but  has a most interesting twist happening today.

Boz (Bob) Metzdorf in the 50 year memory book mentioned among other things his life as a  musician, songwriter and film maker.

I questioned Boz about his music business. Here is some of the things Boz told me about.

In 1965 he and Cretin Classmates Steve Keys and Dan DeLisi had a band called the Missing Lynks.

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Missing Lynks – Steve Keys, Bruce Rokenbock, Dan DeLisi, Boz Metzdorf

In 1971 Boz and Steve living in Colorado started another group called Freeland. Boz and Steve still have Freeland and are working on their third album.

The album covers of the first two Freeland albums; Headin Back on vinyl and Almost Home on CDare included here.

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In 1978 Boz recorded an album of original songs on vinyl with Steve Keys on guitar and the album title is Signs of Seasons. Remember that title! That album cover is also included here.

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Remember I said an interesting twist.

Here is Boz  explaining the interesting Twist.

Classmates,

Recently I received some news from out of the blue that was an unexpected surprise. I have worked as a musician, songwriter, film maker since graduating from Cretin. In 1978 I recorded an album of original songs titled Signs Of Seasons on vinyl. Nothing much happened with it because there was little or no promotion. Fast forward to 2020. (I am attaching a short message that my daughter, Kara, put on Facebook that explains what happened). This album also featured another classmate and life-long friend, Steve Keys on guitar, bass and harmonica. Steve and I have played in several bands starting in 1965 with the Missing Lynks. This band also included another classmate, Dan DeLisi on bass and vocals. (RSVP- miss you J Dan)  In 1971 Steve and I started the band Freeland, that in 1972 recorded another vinyl LP, Freeland, Headin’ Back. We lived in the Colorado Mountains, Freeland Gulch, with no running water or electricity where we  played in the local clubs of the mountain towns. In 1977 we regrouped back in St Paul with the band, Bizzy Wiggins. We gigged in the cities and around the mid-west and had been playing my originals, so by the time we went in the studio the songs had been well rehearsed. That’s the band that recorded Signs Of Seasons at Sullivan Sound on W 7^th St.

I have since recorded a dozen more albums on CD, the latest was Dove Tales in 2018. Currently I am working remotely, due to Covid, with Freeland, (whose members are scattered across the country) recording our third album.   In 2006 we got together again to record a second album on CD titled Almost Home.

Take care,

Boz Metzdorf

Here is the message from Bob’s daughter Kara that he referenced.

Just want to tell you about some surprising news regarding my dad, Boz. A short while ago a vinyl record collector discovered his first solo album, Signs Of Seasons, (recorded in 1978) at a used vintage record store. “He wrote a very positive review of the album on a music blog and I first started to get requests from the west coast and then, surprisingly from most of Europe, Scandinavia and Australia.“ Soon he was signed by Anthology Recordings of New York who released the song Sails Across The Sea in 2019 on a vintage collection of artists called Sad About The Times.

Anthology Recordings is going to release the entire album of the 11 individual songs on Signs Of Seasons for streaming on October 29. (Kara wrote this prior to the release)

“It’s truly amazing after 43 years that this would happen. Back then if you weren’t signed to a major record label, you probably wouldn’t be heard. I’m gratified that the music has stood the test of time and  can still be enjoyed.” Dad is currently working remotely with his old bandmates from Freeland on a third Freeland album. It will be released in 2022, fifty years after they recorded Freeland, Headin’ Back, in 1972. He has done the art and design for both albums.

Now here is where you can purchase and in some cases hear Boz’s music.

Just type in Anthology Recordings, click on music, Signs of Seasons or go to any of the platforms listed below. 

Promotion is on Anthology Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and on the website Anthology Recordings.

Album is available—streaming

Spotify

Apple Music

Amazon

iTunes

Bandcamp

Tidal

Deezer

CD’s of album soon available at          birdseyeviewproductions.net  

Here is the link to an interview with some songs interspersed that I did with Anssi from Finland, who has a radio show called Cosmic Turtle. (The first song is not mine)

https://idaidaida.net/episodes/cosmic-turtle-2021-11-22

Hello Guys,

I just started to write this email and my phone rang. Joe Bonfe who is the youngest brother of our classmate George Bonfe gave me the sad, sad news that George had passed away today at 12:30PM. His family members were with him this morning at the hospital. This is such sad news for many of us who knew George well, many of us since we were kids. George was a remarkable man; car accident in the mid 1960’s coming home from his army camp, severely injured and was a paraplegic since that time. But since that time nothing has slowed him down until now. George started and ran 3 successful businesses, George adopted and raised three children, George seldom missed any event of his kids, his nieces and nephews, traveled much of the world  and always was up for social and political gatherings. This man was REMARKABLE and as his brother Roger told me he should have written a book about his life.

I will pass on what services are planned as soon as I find out.

George, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

(See 2021 In Memoriam for more on George here)

———

At today’s class lunch much talk was of George as he was a regular attendee of the luncheons from the beginning back in 2014.

In November we always try to give a special salute to the veterans in our class and the photo attached is of the vets that were present today at the lunch. Thanks to you guys and all the vets in the class of 1963 for serving our country.

Also today at the Pool and Yacht Club were some “young guys” having lunch who had a very special connection to the class of 1963. Those guys were the younger brothers (class of 1969) of two of our deceased classmates.

Bert Christensen, Matt’s brother and Tom Murray, Jim’s brother. Very nice to have them with us.

Classmate Larry Neuman wrapped up our meeting with a couple of jokes—-maybe that will start a tradition for wrapping up our lunches, thanks Larry and keep that in mind for all you  guys who attend the gatherings, try to remember any good jokes you hear so you can share them.

Finally next meeting will be Thursday Dec 8^th—–mark your calendars.

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Tom Troskey

Click here to read the news article.

Congratulations Steve from all your classmates!

Hello Everyone,

Great turnout today for the class of 63 lunch. I think there are a few of the regular attendees who will be heading south very soon so they made sure to be there today. The season is changing pretty quick here and as Jim Dimond and I walked into the place today we both lamented how another layer of clothing is needed.

So enough on the weather. We had a first time attendee today all the way from Nevada, Jon Steele and he looked great. I say that because many of you may recall that just one year ago Jon was critically injured in a bicycle accident. Jon is doing well and we are so glad he was able to join the group today.

Another classmate who is a regular at the lunches but has not been able to join us in recent months was present. Pat McDonnell is on the recovery track after have back surgery 6 months ago and the early stages of his recovery did not go well but it is now going well. Great you are back with the crew Pat!

Some great news on Tom Rubbelke as well, for several years Tom has been dealing with the ravages of cancer, he is now cancer free and classmate Charlie Evans saw Tom recently and said he looks terrific and is anxious to get back to the class lunches very soon. Can’t wait to see you back at the gatherings Tom!

On Oct 25^th our classmate Steve Nachtsheim will be receiving the Bishop Joseph Cretin award at the St Paul hotel. This is a very big honor and you can see details on the award presentation on the CDH web site and our class of 63 web site.  https://cretinclassof1963.org         Check out the class web site as I think you’ll see a photo of two of our classmates from 60 years ago………..

The new Stem Center at CDH looks great from the outside and matches the old school brick very well. I am anxious to see the inside. You might recall this was a gift from Ron Ryan of the class of 1962.

Next class of 63 lunch is     NOVEMBER 11^TH—- VETERANS DAY   Our class has dozens of Veterans and hope to see many of them next month.

So for now take care

Tom Troskey

Click on any photo below to enlarge

A bonus challenge for all of you – the last picture in the series is of two of our classmates when they played hockey for the Edgecumbe Team circa 1961. Can you name them? Hint – their initials are DB and JD.

This awards dinner is listed on our site’s Events Calendar.

The notice/invitation sent out by the office of President Frank Miley follows:

President Francis M. Miley, JD., cordially invites you to the
2021
Cretin-Derham Hall
 Awards Ceremony

Monday, October 25, 2021
Saint Paul Hotel
350 Market Street
Saint Paul

6:00 p.m. Social Hour
7:00 p.m. Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Cost: $75.00 per person

We encourage you to register online here for this
wonderful event celebrating our CDH Community Award Recipients.

2021
AWARD RECIPIENTS 

Carondelet Award
Katie Williams Szyman ’84 
*will recieve the award at the 2022 ceremony

Signum Fidei Award
Monica Moores Watts ’00
Dr. Stephen Richardson ’04

Monsignor Ambrose Hayden Legacy Award
Mike & Kristi Kampmeyer

St. DeLaSalle Award
Stephen Seidel ’74

Eugene & Mary Frey Community Award
Tim, M.D. ’64 & Kim Scanlan, PhD

Bishop Cretin Award
Stephen Nachtsheim ’63

Hugh Derham Award
Irene O’Neill, CSJ ’72

Richard R. Engler Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Reiling ’50

Hello All,

Sorry for being a bit slow on getting out a few notes on the class of 63 Sept lunch at the Pool and Yacht club.

I have not been able to be at the Aug and Sept lunches, thank you to Joe Schufman for the Sept photos.

At the Aug golf event Ray DiPrima provided us with some photos and I want to thank Ray for that as well.

This past Thursday there were 15 guys at the lunch on a beautiful day on the Mississippi.

Last week Judi Rogers who is our classmate Ken Rogers’s wife emailed me to be sure to “give all of the class of 63 a BIG hello from Ken” who has had some serious health issues over the summer and is now rehabbing in a transitional care facility. Thank you Ken and Judi and a BIG get well soon from all the guys in the class.

I was over at CDH a week ago and the new STEM center is really coming along. What a wonderful facility and gift. This is made possible by a gift from Ron Ryan 62’ and his wife. Anxious to take a tour when it is finished.

Mark your calendar for the next Class of 63 lunch is        THURSDAY OCTOBER 14^th.

Best to all and hope to see many of you at the October lunch.

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Tom Troskey

On August 3 Bob and Barb O’Malley joined me and my wife Cynthia for lunch in River Falls, WI. Bob and Barb were in Minnesota to attend a family reunion in the Brainerd Lakes area. Their two sons and daughters in law and all their grandchildren came to Minnesota. Bob told me it was the first time his sons had been in Minnesota and they really enjoyed getting together in such a lovely location.

We had a good time catching up and telling old stories. Wish we could meet more often, but Bob and Barb live in Arizona. We are motivated to take a trip to Phoenix this winter to see them again.

Joe Schufman

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Hello Guys,

The past week the class of 63 held two regular events.

The 8^th annual Golf outing that was started by our classmate Charlie Schuldt in 2014. Charlie ran it until his passing in September of 2016. In the greatest respect for Charlie the Golf event has been known as The Charlie ever since then and Dave Britz took over running this fun day each August.

The day after the Golf outing our classmate George Bonfe again hosted classmates at his home on Forest Lake. Both events had PERFECT weather and were enjoyed by all.

Thank you Dave and George for handling these two events.

I have some photos of the golf outing attached and may get some from the Lunch at George’s!!!!!!!

Also, The Inaugural  ONE  Cretin Derham Hall —a celebration of ALL our schools alumni will be held at CDH on September 16^th. If you are a Cretin, Derham Hall or CDH alum this event is for you.

So check it out at    www.cretin-derhamhall.org

Finally our next class of 63 luncheon will be back at the Pool and Yacht Club on Thursday September 9^th. Mark your calendar and hope many of you will be there.

Best to all

Tom Troskey

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Hello Guys,

Great day today at the Pool and Yacht club for the class of 63 lunch.

A couple of hours of good food and wonderful conversations—solving world problems to wondering how we got old quicker than we figured we would!

So, hear are a few things coming up to put on your calendar.

• Golf outing  (The Charlie) on Wednesday August 11^th—-if you want to play be sure to let Dave Britz know ASAP —-
• Class of 63 August lunch Thursday August 12^th at George Bonfe’s home on Forest Lake   (I think our 6^th year there)—– thanks George and more info will be coming as that week approaches
• The ONE CDH evening for ALL Cretin, Derham Hall and CDH graduates on Thursday September 16^th  —— much info to follow soon.

Don’t forget to check the class web site  at   https://cretinclassof1963.org      If you would like to have something put on the class web site let either me or our web master Joe Schufman know.

Thanks and hope you all are well and enjoying the summer.

Best

Tom Troskey

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A new page was added under the Military Tab. It chronicles one of our classmates journey to obtain VA Benefits as a result of injuries suffered while serving in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. You can quick link to it by clicking here. Worth a read since it pays tribute to another of our classmates.