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 Ad Hoc Groups 1. Introduction Although these activities listed and described on this page are not a part of the planned and regular VIP Club functions, the Club Board endorses them with notices in the monthly newsletter and on our web site. [lab] Three decades before the VIP Club was formed, employees and former employees began getting together outside of work for personal communications. The longest lasting of these is the "First Friday's Lunch" group presently coordinated by Warren Burrell. In ERA days; Dr. Sid Ruben, Don Nemanic, Jim Nikitas, and Dr. Arnold Cohan began meeting for lunch the first Friday of every month. Several years later, a fifth person, Warren Burrell was 'allowed' to join with the first four. Gradually others were invited; Chuck Homan, Harry Wise, George Hardenbergh, By Smith, Fred Hargesheimer, Leon Findley, Carl Knorr, Leroy Strutzman, Don Weidenbach, et al.. The group originally met at TGI Friday's restaurant in Roseville. From there it transferred to the Manor on West 7th closer to Plant 1 as the group grew to a dozen people. Then when St. Paul re-development efforts eliminated The Manor, Sid Rubens suggest that they try Parishs. |  On this page, scroll to:
- Introduction & 'Geeks'[left]
- Monthly Gatherings
- Annual Gatherings
- Annual Group Descriptions/History
- Unihogs/Uniturkeys - November
- Old Timers - December
- Syttende Mai - May
- Arizona Snowbirds - February
- Field Service Picnic - August
- Unisys Roseville, The Good Old Days - April
The UNIHOG group had been at Parishs for a few years but outgrew the facility and had moved to the Lost Spur. Luncheon members who passed away before the Manor to Parish move were Arnie Cohen, Leon Findley, Carl Knorr, Don Nemanic, Jim Nickitas, Byron Smith, and Leroy Strutzman. In 2005, this group was honored as "The Original Geek Squad" in a James P. Lenfestey Minnesota Monthly article. Jim Lenfestey has provided us with the draft copy of his article, 'A Gaggle of Geeks.' Warren, Don, and Chuck still participate, sadly, the originators have all passed away. Recent joiners are Ole Olson, Dick Lundgren, Quint Heckert, and Lowell Benson. [written by Warren Burrell, edited by Lowell.] |
2. Monthly Gatherings
endorsed by the VIP Club
| When | What | Where | Coordinator | | First Tuesday | Engineering/Drafting Lunch @ 11 a.m. | Old Country Buffet at 2000 S. Robert, St. Paul | 651 456-0750 | | First Thursday | Breakfast @ 8:00 a.m. | Joseph's Grill, 140 S. Wabasha, St. Paul | 651 222-2435 | | First Friday | 'Geek Squad' luncheon @ 11 a.m. | Casa Vieja, on West 7th in St. Paul | Warren Burrell
952 922-8077 | | Second Tuesday | Lunch @ 11:30 a.m. (UNISYS/Burroughs group) | Mall of America, 3rd Floor North Food court | Paul Wennerstrom 952 854-7855 | | Second Wednesday | Plant 4 engineers & manufacturers - Breakfast & Program @ 9:00 a.m. | Tri City American Legion in New Brighton | Marvin Brown
763 416-3903 | | Second Wednesday | Lunch @ 11 a.m. (Plant 4 ladies) | Old Country Buffet in the Holly Shopping Center at University & Mississippi St. | Gladys Langer
651 552-1465 | | Fourth Wednesday | Unisys Dinner Club | Champs, 35E and Larpenteur Ave. | Francis Fern Fisher 763 786-1044 |
3. Annual Gatherings
endorsed by the VIP Club
When | What | Where | Coordinator | | Mid-February | Snowbird Gathering | Mesa, Arizona | Wally Emerson | | Mid-May | Syttende Mai luncheon @ 11:00 | Casper's in Eagan | Ole Olson, et al. | | Mid August | Annual Field Service Picnic | tba park in Eagan | Curt Anderson, et al. | | Friday before Thanksgiving | UniHog/UniTurkey luncheon @ 11:00 a.m. | City View in Eagan (former Lost Spur) | Fred Vihovde, et al. | | First Thursday of December | Old timer's gathering @ 11 a.m. | Ft. Snelling Officer's Club | Lowell Benson, et al. |
4. Annual Group Descriptions/History
4.1 Uni-Hog/Turkey by Lowell A. Benson
The Uni-Hog/Turkey tradition started in the mid-60’s with annual dinner meetings coinciding with the February Ground Hog Day. The group met at Jax Café for several years, then at Parish’s on West Seventh, then at the Town and Country Motel near plant 5 before moving to the Lost Spur in 1985.
Have you read "A few good men from Univac" by David E. Lundstrom? Chapter 21 includes discussion about the UniHog start and includes the 1982 program announcement as figure 24. In 1989, this annual event was changed from February to the Friday before Thanksgiving to accommodate participation by the Arizona, Florida, and Texas bound ‘snowbirds.’ In 2002, the committee changed from an evening dinner with speaker to a luncheon with participant recollections. David Boslaugh was one of the featured speakers in the '90s. During the 80s attendance was in the low 100s. In the 90s several events and speakers drew up to 150 participants. In recent years participation has diminished to about 65 persons. There is always a somber reading of former employees who have passed away during the year.
Over the last decade, event planning committee has been led by Fred Vihovde (formerly at Plants 1 and 4) and Bob Blixt (deceased 2007). Fred has been on the planning committee for over 25 years. He's now being assisted by Jack Anderson, Lowell Benson, Leo Bock, Ross Rash, and Jack Ross. New committee members would be heartily welcomed.
4.2 O'Club Old Timer's Annual Gathering by Lowell A. Benson The Annual ‘Old Timers’ get together on the first Thursday of December was was initiated in the early 80’s by retired Sperry Defense Systems marketer and marine John Markfelder. Typical attendance is by about 250 retirees plus a couple of 'UNIVACers' still working at plant 8. There is no formal program, just an annual opportunity for former co-workers to greet each other and chat over a coke, glass of wine, or beer. The buffet lunch at the Fort Snelling Officer’s club is always good, especially when eating with a few friends. For about twenty-five years another Unisys retiree and former marine officer, Earl Lillestrand, coordinated the invitations – most by a cadre of volunteers making phone calls! His arrangement and invitation cohort for many, many years was Dante (Dan) Maseratti, also a marketing manager and a marine.
Participants are reminded of this event via the monthly VIP Club newsletter, via an e-mail, or via a phone call from volunteers - now being coordinated by Lowell Benson. Beginning in 2007, the club charges for facility use so attendees are asked to register ahead of time and to inform a volunteer if the cafeteria buffet line is in your plans. A $4 contribution to offset the room rental is requested from each participant. If you are willing to help with notifications for 2008, contact Lowell Benson at labenson@usfamily.net or (651) 483-3709.
4.3 Syttende Mai Luncheon by Lowell A. Benson
In 1973 Dick (Ole) Olson was a co-Founder of an employee gathering to celebrate Norwegian independence day. Initially, participants were active employees. By the early 80s, retired employees joined the planning committee. Most of these luncheons have featured speakers of Norwegian heritage talking about their books or experiences associated with their ancestral land. Participants are reminded of the date via a phone call from the volunteer committee and/or the VIP Club newsletter. Casper's needs a head count of participants ahead of time, so - if you plan to attend, please advise a committee member ahead of time.
4.4 Arizona Snowbirds by Lowell Benson
The group met at Wally Emerson's on 15 February, 2008. All had a good time, even though there were fewer able to attend than in recent years. Thanks to Lyle Franklin for the snapshot which includes the host. 
4.5 Field Service Picnic by Curt Anderson
The first annual Field Engineering picnic was initiated by Pete Peterson and Curt Anderson in August 1997.  About 50 people attended that first year and over the past 11 years attendance has averaged around 30 people. The picnic is held each year during August at Dakota County Spring Lake Park located three miles west of Hastings. This year the 12th annual picnic is reserved for the East picnic shelter on August 16th 2008. This picnic is open to everyone from the company to meet old co-workers and to reminisce about the past over a cold beer and brats.
The 2005 group is shown here. A contribution of $10 is requested to cover expenses for shelter rental and refreshments. A 9 hole best ball golf tournament is also scheduled in the morning prior to the picnic.
Contact Curt Anderson at (651) 438-9851 or e-mail anderscurt@comcast.net for additional details.
4.6 UNISYS, Roseville - The Good Old Days Memories, Memories – The Good Old Days. Remember the summer picnics at Bunker Hills, Turtle Lake, and the many other places where they were held? The kids would have their games, the barbeque was going, the sun was shining, the eats were great, the drinks flowed freely, and our friends were all around. It was a fun time that sometimes lasted well into the night.
It was always fun to go to the Christmas Parties at the Bel-Ray Ballroom, Holiday Inn, Prom Center, and the many other places we had them. They were always after work. You could just relax, enjoy the atmosphere, talk with friends, have a dance, enjoy the music, eat the food, and just have fun.
Remember going out to lunch at Paul’s Place, Nino’s, the Stone House, the Last Frontier, the Ground Round, the American Legion, and many other places? Those were the days. Paul’s Place is long gone – torn down for development. Nino’s was turned into a retail store. The Stone House, after being saved for many years, finally met its demise. The Last Frontier, with all its unique paintings, made way for more retail. And although the building still stands for a little while yet, the Ground Round is no more and has not been for many years.
The Rosetown Memorial Legion, Post 542, at 700 West County Road C, just West of Dale St. in Roseville is still there. Remember what it was like going there for lunch with your friends? On Friday, April 25th, 2008, over 250 people who used to work at Unisys in Roseville gathered to eat sloppy joes or pizza, swap stories, talk of old times, have a drink, get out of the spring rain, and just have fun. Hopefully, you can join us when we do it again next year.
We look forward to seeing you next year at 'The Good Old Days'. Tell your friends who used to work there, and make a copy of this and pass it on to friends. Spouses, friends and significant others are welcome. [tnt]
VIP Page 8 updated 19 June, 2008 |
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