Throwback Thursday: Telegram from the President
The Jan. 5, 1981 issue of National Home Center News, the forerunner of HBSDealer, reported on a communication between President-elect Ronald Reagan, and Hechinger chief John Hechinger.
The story explains: “When John Hechinger opened the telegram from Ronald Reagan, inviting him to the president-elect’s coming-out party at Washington’s exclusive F Street Club, “I thought someone was pulling my leg.
“I looked over the entire telegram to see if I could find a familiar address or telephone number, thinking someone had sent it as a joke,” said Hechinger. “I couldn’t quite figure out why I was invited.”
No joke. Hechinger was one of 50 special guests who attended a Nov. 18, 1980 dinner with the president-elect.
The article continues: “It was a pleasant encounter,” said Hechinger, who is president of the 26-unit Hechinger home center chain, and a Democratic national committeeman. “I did get to talk with Mr. Reagan during coffee and brandy,” although there was “no chance” for much more than light-hearted conversation.
The article included a reference to former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry.
“Reagan toasted the mayor, mentioning the fact that the city council that day had taken up the rent control issue. He said, ‘I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that, since Mr. Bush and I will be moving into public housing.’”
The story explains: “When John Hechinger opened the telegram from Ronald Reagan, inviting him to the president-elect’s coming-out party at Washington’s exclusive F Street Club, “I thought someone was pulling my leg.
“I looked over the entire telegram to see if I could find a familiar address or telephone number, thinking someone had sent it as a joke,” said Hechinger. “I couldn’t quite figure out why I was invited.”
No joke. Hechinger was one of 50 special guests who attended a Nov. 18, 1980 dinner with the president-elect.
The article continues: “It was a pleasant encounter,” said Hechinger, who is president of the 26-unit Hechinger home center chain, and a Democratic national committeeman. “I did get to talk with Mr. Reagan during coffee and brandy,” although there was “no chance” for much more than light-hearted conversation.
The article included a reference to former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry.
“Reagan toasted the mayor, mentioning the fact that the city council that day had taken up the rent control issue. He said, ‘I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that, since Mr. Bush and I will be moving into public housing.’”