For Paul’s 86th, music, cake and great reconnections!

(Click and click again to enlarge photos)

Paul Dorpat thanks friends attending the Oct. 27, 2024, celebration of his 86th birthday (Oct. 28) at Avamere Shoreline — and tenders a wish!

With verve and song, Paul turns 86!

By Clay Eals

Big thanks to the two-dozen or so friends of “Now & Then” column founder and Seattle legend Paul Dorpat, who turned out at his Avamere Shoreline abode Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2024, to celebrate his 86th birthday (which really was the next day).

Jean Sherrard and I organized the drop-in event and spread the invitation via Facebook. With familiar music led enthusiastically by Seattle family folksinger Al Hirsch, we all sang songs (see 6 video links below), ate chocolate cake and engaged in unfettered merriment. We also tried to get as many attendees as possible to pose with Paul (see 24 photos below, taken by me).

It’s never too late to visit the genial Paul. You can do so anytime. He’s at 1250 NE 145th St., Shoreline, just off Exit 175 from Interstate 5.

Here are the 6 video links:

And here are 24 photos from the big afternoon:

Paul with Sheila Farr.
Paul with Rose Bushnell.
Paul with Rose Bushnell and Pat Ford.
Paul with Ron Edge.
Paul with Rena Ilumin. At right are Jean Sherrard (standing) and Adam Woog.
Paul with Rena Ilumin.
Paul with Rena Ilumin, photographed by Tom Roth.
Paul with Preston and Cathy Wadley. Paul is holding a framed Preston photo of Paul’s “forsaken art house” in Wallingford. It was taken one day before the house was razed.
Paul with Nick Licata.
Paul, again with Nick Licata.
Paul with Maria Mackey and Joe Breskin.
Paul with Kurt Armbruster. At rear is Art Hirsch with guitar.
Paul, again with Kurt Armbruster. At rear is Art Hirsch with guitar.
Paul with Jayne DeHaan.
Paul, again with Jayne DeHaan.
Paul with Heather Pihl.
Paul with (from left) Elke Hautala, son Chance, Nancy Ishii and Cari Simson.
Paul with Bob Carney.
Paul with Phil Dougherty.
Paul with a 2001 edition of The Seattle Times’ Pacific Northwest magazine, featuring Paul as the cover story. The magazine was brought to the party by Sheila Farr (right rear). At center rear is folksinger Al Hirsch.
Paul peruses the cover story.
The overall group, at its height of attendance.
Paul enjoys the cake!

6 thoughts on “For Paul’s 86th, music, cake and great reconnections!”

  1. Happy birthday to Paul!
    It was reading his columns in my youth that got me interested in ‘local’ history, now experienced by my family as I drag them to any historical museum I can find on our vacations [which they *seem* to enjoy…].
    Thank you, Paul!

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