UPDATE: Hillsdale Hosts Two Classic Summer Events
- Hillsdale News
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
[Updated September 10, 2025]
The above headline should rightly read: "Hillsdale Hosts Three Classic Summer Events." Your humble newsletter editor apologizes for overlooking a third signature Hillsdale event, the Community Foundation's Annual Book Sale.
Held just a block away at the Watershed at the same time as the Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, the Book Sale is the metaphorical blueberry in the pancake that perfects the whole day.
Since 2010, the sale has raised over $45,000 that has been donated to local activities including Hillsdale schools, Neighborhood House, Hopewell House and others. This year's sale netted $1,717, up 19% from last year's event, which was dampened, literally and figuratively, by thunderstorms that blew in and out throughout the morning.
Inventory is generated by book donations collected in the weeks prior to the sale at the Farmers' Market and the Watershed building. A team of dedicated volunteers sorts the books into categories and arranges them in time for opening in the morning.
Start setting aside books you are ready to part with for next year's sale!
—Valeurie Friedman
By Valeurie Friedman with HBPA contributions from Chris Braidwood-Reid
July 20: Blueberry Pancake Breakfast
This year’s Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association (HBPA), was more popular than ever: More than 650 meals were served by a record turnout of volunteers from the Hillsdale business community.
As Chris Braidwood-Reid reminded, the original name of the event was “Hillsdale Customer Appreciation Pancake Breakfast.” Braidwood-Reid, breakfast committee co-chair, explained, “The intent of that title was to impress upon the community the appreciation the Hillsdale businesses have for their support throughout the year. This was true at the first breakfast 46 years ago and remains true to this day!”
The sense of community was very present at this year’s event. Festive fiddle music was performed by a trio that included Hillsdale resident and retired Wilson High School chemistry teacher George Penk. Again this year, families pitched in across generations: Three generations of Garfinkles, led by Master Pancake Flipper Richard Garfinkle, and kids and grandkids from the Fitzgibbon and Braidwood-Reid families (ages 5–9) who cheerfully helped collect plates and cups—so much fun that their friends wanted to join the cleanup.
After the breakfast many made their way to the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market. Market manager Lacey Waldon shared: "Lots of folks stopped by the market after the breakfast—we could tell by their blueberry stickers and full bellies.” One customer volunteered, "I'm normally not a pancake person, but these pancakes were GOOD. And the sausages! We went straight over to Basics and bought some!"
The magnetic field of Hillsdale drew back staff of former Hillsdale businesses, as well: Renae Conkle of Key Bank reconnected with her Hillsdale clients as she held down the second-cashier position through both shifts, while Phil Walker, from ReMax Realty and egg-cooker extraordinaire, wielded his spatula for the entire breakfast. Sharon Walker, also from ReMax, staffed the merch table. Both stayed to help the clean-up crew through to the last chair and table.
The Breakfast Committee thanks the many businesses and individuals who helped make this year’s event possible through in-kind or cash donations and/or hours of volunteer labor:
Verde Cocina • Casa Colima • OnPoint Credit Union • Basics Market • Baker & Spice • Jacquline Fitzgibbon State Farm • Chinook Investment • The UPS Store • Einstein Bros. Bagels • Heiberg Garbage • Paloma Clothing • Hillsdale Investors • Mark Reynolds, Hillsdale Edward Jones • Key Bank • ReMax Realty • SW Trails • Dan Walkowski, Transworld Business Advisors of Portland • ABC Vision Clinic • City Thai • Dashing Lamps • Demystify Massage • East Borough Shop • Garfinkle Orthodontics • Hillsdale Food Park • Hoot-N-Annie Resale Boutique • Opal Blooms • Sip D’Vine • Linda Venti Windermere Realty
Braidwood-Reid and co-chair Jacquline Fitzgibbon summed it up: “The combination of generous business support, volunteers, and the supportive community make for a very strong and successful Hillsdale Town Center—we feel fortunate to be a part of it!”
August 13: Hillsdale Neighborhood National Night Out Picnic in the Park
HNA hosted a successful National Night Out at DeWitt Park. Around 100 neighbors were joined by first responders from station #5 and District Four City Councilor Olivia Clark for a lovely evening.
Volunteers organized kids’ activities like face painting and crafts. Bubbles entertained old and young alike.
More than 20 volunteers and all seven HNA board members contributed to bringing this event back to Hillsdale.
Special thanks to Robert and Paula Hamilton for collecting donations from Hillsdale businesses.
Food was donated by:
Einstein Bros. Bagels • Salvador Molly’s • City Thai • Tango Crab • Papa John’s Pizza
The highlight of the evening was a very fun drawing for free prizes, all donated by Hillsdale business partners:
Basics Market • Casa Colima Mexican Restaurant • City Thai Cuisine • Dairy Hill Ice Cream • East Borough Shop • How Sweet It Is • Paloma Clothing • Salvador Molly’s Restaurant • Shirtzenpantz • The Nails Place
Additional support for the event was provided by Jacquline Fitzgibbon State Farm Hillsdale, Symbiosis Printing, and Ida B. Wells High School.
Community organizations also shared resources and information:
Hillsdale Community Foundation • Hillsdale Farmers’ Market • Hillsdale NET • Portland Public Schools, Wells Design Team • Southwest Portland Tool Library
Join and learn more about the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association at www.hillsdalepdxNA.org.
Any other events you'd like to see in Hillsdale? Let us know.
