A nationwide layoff leads to an airline service cut…36 years ago

 
In 1981, the air traffic controllers union went on strike, and the Reagan White House fired the strikers.  One result of the strike and dismissals was a reduction of one flight in the La Crosse airport commercial schedule.  The city had 10 airline flights daily, but it was about to lose an afternoon flight between La Crosse and Chicago on Republic Airlines.
 
The La Crosse Chamber of Commerce had some ideas for improving the city’s business climate.  Their report was based on a $20,000 study which apparently sat on a shelf somewhere after it was issued.  The Chamber called for improvements in parking, and a greater emphasis on mass transit…to make up for some of the damage done to downtown business because of Valley View Mall.  
 
One of the special events at the mall was for soap opera fans…invited to meet the “bad guys” from “All My Children.”  Seven people won the chance to talk with “Sean Cudahy” and “Palmer Cortlandt.”  Those were the characters’ names.  They were played by actors Alan Dysert as Sean, and James Mitchell as Palmer.  
 
While at the mall, you might want to buy a Rubik’s Cube.  In less than two years, 10 million Cubes had been sold.  It was a hot fad 36 years ago, 1981, yesterday in La Crosse.