Manchester, NH
On election night at the Manchester Holiday Inn, I was asked to read the election returns at the podium as they came in, and report to the gathered crowd. Despite the bit role I had at the campaign, the level of excitement from the Reagan win and what it might portend for me back in DC was palpable.
I returned to the 1515 Wisconsin Ave. NW duplex — directly across the street from the Georgetown Club — and became the main tenant, taking over the lease and finding two room mates.
On the ground floor, a high-end, classic women’s clothing store, “Cornelia Wickens’ Liberty” opened, and quickly became a favorite of Nancy Reagan and her California friends. Secret Service sweeps of our duplex became commonplace as Administration officials visited the Georgetown Club, and Mrs. Reagan shopped frequently at Liberty. Certainly of note, all of the young ladies working at Liberty were fun, lovely, and enjoyed attending parties.
For that reason and others, I couldn’t have been happier with my current residential location, but instead of dropping back into GWU I was consumed by wanderlust, and the “music genes” inside me began to dominate my attention, as did guitar. Studying at school did not interest me; Studying Jerry Garcia’s guitar work — in person, at show after show — was where I wanted to be.