By Living Room Realty, September 12, 2018
Paul and Lori– love these two! Well, three if we count Chester the dog and count him we absolutely must. We first met this summer when Lori’s sister, Julia referred them my way. Julia and I go way-y-y back to the many happy years of working together at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland and then later here in Portland at OSF Portland, now Portland Center Stage. As roomies in an old Victorian converted duplex on Main St Ashland, so many of my very best stories and great friendship escapades have Julia at the core of the remembrance… Flash forward a few decades and Julia, who had embarked on a successful search for her birth mother in recent years, is experiencing the joys of discovering not only her bio mom but half siblings. There’s so much to Julia’s story- it deserves a dedicated blog, to be sure- and I am compelled here to lead first with deep gratitude to her as the connecting thread to my getting to meet and ultimately serve, Lori and Paul. All thanks to you, dear Julia!
Paul and Lori made the decision to relocate north to Oregon and Paul was quickly hired in a great position with Franz Bread. For Paul, it was a return to his northwest roots, having grown up in Longview. Paul moved first to begin work with Lori following after finalizing the prep for sale on their Oakland, CA home. They’ve spent the summer on an air bed at sister Julia’s NE Portland duplex, all delighted to now be living in the same city. To have family nearby is a huge blessing, especially as the journey of getting to know one another continues.
I’m delighted to say they closed last Friday on their purchase of a vintage bungalow in the wonderful N Portland Overlook neighborhood. Although their moving truck wouldn’t arrive for a week, they carried that air bed over to the new house to spend their first night in their new home. On closing day, I stopped by early evening for a champagne toast and to deliver a congratulatory wish and gift. There I found them perched on their front porch, already engaged in getting to know their neighbors, several who had stopped by to welcome them to the neighborhood. If you don’t know Overlook, it is an extra special place, warm and inviting with a sense of throwback to a period when people took the time to chat with neighbors. Lori and Paul, with their inclusive, warm and engaging spirits, fit right in! We finished the evening with a toast of amaro, a delicious Italian liqueur they introduced me to several months earlier at the wonderful Corzetti’s restaurant during impromptu drinks post afternoon house viewings. Here’s to you, Paul and Lori- Welcome Home to Overlook! Time to deflate that air mattress and settle in for many happy years!
Joanne Fantozzi 503.789.4478 joanne@livingroomre.com
