Yesterday in La Crosse
Viterbo has big plans for the arts, 51 years ago
In January of 1967, a million-dollar grant was approved for Viterbo College’s new fine arts center. The state higher educational aids commission said yes to the money. The grant would still have to be okayed by Washington. The $4 million arts center along Jackson Street would open in 1971.
A former Caledonia man who hit the big time died in ’67. Al Sheehan was 66, and had worked at WCCO Radio in Minneapolis for over 25 years. But Sheehan also produced the “Aqua Follies” water show, and he managed the Hormel Girls, described as “a caravan of girls in white cars” who promoted Spam and other Hormel meat products.
“Batman” was a big hit on ABC, so the other networks put on “superhero” comedies, too. CBS had “Mr. Terrific,” and William Daniels starred as “Captain Nice” on NBC. Both heroes were mild-mannered fellows who used special pills or potions to give them super-powers. Their powers did not protect them from cancellation…both shows were gone by fall of 1967, 51 years ago, yesterday in La Crosse.
