Catching Up: A Decades-Long Friendship (with Dennis Tkach)
What happens when you press pause on a friendship for decades, and then suddenly hit play? It's like playing an old favorite VHS tape. The quality might be a little grainy at first, but you still remember every scene before it happens. In this podcast episode, host Bob Edholm and guest Dennis Tkach, both of whom grew up in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, get together after several decades of crossing paths only occasionally. What starts as a long-overdue catch-up quickly turns into a masterclass in nostalgia as these two old friends look back on their shared history. Dennis grew up as one of seven kids in a musical family, and his roots in Columbia Heights run deep. His parents even started a music store on Central Avenue (B Sharp Music), right across the alley from their childhood home. Dennis went to local Heights schools—two of which were just across the street—before heading off to college in Wisconsin and Minnesota. That education launched a decades-long career as a corporate trainer for businesses locally and worldwide. Music remained a central part of his life; Dennis and three of his siblings performed together in a variety dance band for over 40 years, playing more than 2,500 events across the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin. Now retired, Dennis and Patty, his wife of nearly 42 years, enjoy traveling both across the country and overseas. Despite his travels, Dennis remains deeply connected to his roots, actively keeping the Columbia Heights High School Class of 1972 connected through Facebook updates, casual get-togethers, and formal class reunions. While the years have stretched between Bob and Dennis, they prove in this podcast episode that true friendship doesn't skip a beat. They spend the hour sharing laugh-out-loud memories and reflecting on how their lives have evolved since their school days. It is a heartwarming, fun, and deeply relatable conversation about growing up, staying connected, and the timeless bond of old friends.