The newest and youngest member of the BWNA Board, elected at last January’s Board meeting, is Anna Gillespie. Anna was born and raised in Portland, attending Alameda Elementary, Beaumont Middle School, and Grant High School. After living in New York for several years, Anna moved back to Portland in 2012 and is currently a producer for a digital design and development agency in the city. She also is a wedding photographer on the weekends. Anna lives with her fiancé Kyle Emry and two rescue pups, Samson (from the ASPCA in NY) and Finlay (from the OHS). In her spare time, Anna loves working on her house, landscaping, gardening, yoga, photography, and reading.
What’s your favorite part of living in the neighborhood?
Anna: After nearly a decade on the east coast, I moved back to Portland and began the house hunt during a market that, at the time, seemed pretty hot (little did I know what was to come). I thought we were lucky to find a home but quickly discovered we were even luckier to find ourselves surrounded by such wonderful neighbors, neighbors that bring you soup when you’re sick. What drew me to Beaumont-Wilshire was the walkability, and I’ve been delighted to find how fun it is to have so many little neighborhood hubs to walk to (e.g., Fremont area, 42nd Avenue, and Alberta St.).
What’s your favorite neighborhood store or restaurant, and why?
Anna: I try to shop locally as much as possible to support my neighborhood shops, and it’s hard to list a favorite since they’re all so unique and so well loved. That said, here are a few of my go-to’s:
- Beaumont Hardware is wonderful when we’re short a tool or screws on a weekend project.
- Americana Frames does amazing work, and we’re so pleased with our newest addition to our walls—a picture of my great-grandfather and fellow sheriffs and deputies in Wyoming, framed and matted to perfection.
- Silhouette helped me out last summer with two bridesmaids’ dresses to fit and a time crunch.
- Adorn is my guilty pleasure; I can always find something I “need” there.
- I grew up going to Bagel Land every Sunday with my dad, and these days my fiancé and I often find ourselves there on a Saturday or a Sunday.
- The Arrangement is my go-to gift shop—especially for baby showers and children’s birthday.
- I can’t get enough of Pip’s. I have yet to discover a better chai.
- McPeet’s is our go-to for Blazer games.
- And finally, Bang Bang is absolutely delicious. We love taking guests there as it’s a nice walk and has fun outside-dining during the summer.
What are the issues you’re looking to help address as a member?
Anna: I decided to join the Board after November 8, 2016 (i.e., the presidential election), because I felt the need to be become involved and wanted to give back to a community that has been so welcoming and caring for us. Right now I’m enthusiastic about everything, but I’m especially passionate about land use issues.
Thank you so much for your service, Anna!