A landmark visit for a group from halfway around the world, 28 years ago

In the fall of 1989, La Crosse hosted the first official delegation from the Russian sister city of Dubna, then part of the Soviet Union.  Three female musicians known as the Dubna Trio performed at Viterbo during that visit.  One of them has stayed in the U.S., and became a faculty member at Viterbo.  The Radisson had a special Russian-themed brunch during the November, 1989 tour, which came just days before the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

Governor Tommy Thompson was pondering his future in the fall of ’89, deciding whether to run for a second term.  He’d have to announce his decision by New Year’s Eve.  Thompson, who eventually was elected to four terms, said he could see himself working in Washington some day…which he later did, as a member of the George W. Bush cabinet.

Popular movies late in ’89 included “Parenthood,” with Steve Martin, the second “Back to the Future” film, “Look Who’s Talking,” and “The Little Mermaid”…28 years ago, yesterday in La Crosse.