Anne Conley
In 1976 Pat DeCarlo (see Tribute before) helped organize an alternative celebration of the country’s founding called “A Bi-Centennial Without Colonies.” My role was getting hot meals from a local Philadelphia food co-op to those getting off buses coming from all over the country the early morning of July 4, 1976. One of the buses was from Minnesota and on the bus was Anne Conley, my college friend Rocky’s sister. We’d met at Rocky’s wedding – she recently divorced. I was a perfect guy not to get too serious about and we struck-up a once-a-year romance.
For a picture of Anne’s face, go to Rocky Tribute supra. (Note my Pit & Paddock jersey – any readers have a story about that St. Paul bar?)
Remember, in an earlier Tribute, I credit Rocky with teaching me “what is fun.” Same with Anne, but fun in a wonderful new way, steering my life to enjoying being good in bed. Seriously, at age 26 I’d never really known a woman that I couldn’t wait to see again. More than great sex, we liked the same books, the same music, the same jokes. Come on bus, get here!
After spending the morning of July 4 in Fairmount Park listening to speeches, we walked to the Delaware River and that afternoon flew on the first-ever sea plane from the Liberty Bell to the Statue of Liberty. Lucked into a free Starship concert in Central Park. Met some folks who drove us to Boston to see the Tall Ships. Hitchhiked to the Olympics in Montreal. Caught a train back to Thunder Bay and then a ride back to the Cities. What a trip!
caption: Jefferson Starship July 4, 1976, Central Park, NYC
So yah, I stayed with Anne in her house a couple weeks before going back to Philly. She even had a waterbed. Our community-minded politics matched too – Anne was the Director of the Lex-Ham Community Council.
During those two weeks, I hung out with my old college friends as well, and caught the “I-think-I-Might-Want-to-Move-Back-to-Minnestoa-Bug.” Thank you Anne for all that! There’s more to life than just organizing – the old Emma Goldman saying, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” But it took until April,1979, before I actually moved back. Anne and I continued our off-and-on friendship over the years, her knowing I was not the marrying-type.
caption: Emma Goldman