How did it feel to see Bob Dylan in La Crosse, 16 years ago

Music legend Bob Dylan played at the La Crosse Center in October of 2001, just weeks after the 9-11 attacks.  A review in the Tribune noted that Dylan had opened every show since September 11th with the son “Wait for the Light to Shine,” and closed every concert with his own classic “Blowin’ in the Wind.”  The review also said much of Dylan’s singing was hard to understand, but he was performing with passion.

“The Economics of Terrorism” was being discussed on local TV that fall.  The Sunday morning “Cover Story” program on WKBT invited both a UW-L economics professor and an assistant to the university provost to talk about how terrorism affects the economy.  Asking the questions on “Cover Story” were Dick Mial of the Tribune, and Channel 8 anchor Alexandra Renslo.

Cal Ripken Jr. was playing his last major league baseball game at the end of the 2001 season, retiring after 3001 games.  Three years earlier, the Orioles star had set the record for most consecutive ball games played, at 2,632.  Ripken said he had been a pitcher in high school, but he switched to the infield when he turned pro, because a pitcher wouldn’t get to play every day.  Ripken retired 16 years ago, in 2001, yesterday in La Crosse.