AROUND TOWN: Pancakes were free Tuesday at IHOP

There were hundreds and hundreds of short stacks of buttermilk pancakes coming out of the kitchen at the Southgate IHOP on Tuesday during the annual day and evening of free hotcakes. The event started at 7 a.m. but the line of hungry people was out the door and down the sidewalk by 6:30 a.m.

After they were treated to pancakes, customers at all IHOPs nationwide donated what was estimated would be $3 million to children’s charities.

At the Colorado Springs IHOPs, donations went to Shriners Hospitals for Children, and members of Al Kaly Shriners were on hand to greet hungry folks.