Photo Credit: Lucy McClellan-Hunter

If you are missing Frankfort sunsets, views from the pier, and/or want to check out life on Main Street, though not the same as being there, perhaps the links below can help you escape for a bit.

Good times are on the horizon!

Stay-At-Home Order Now Through May 28

As of May 21, according to the Benzie-Leelanau Health Department:

Total Recovered 13

Contact Tracing: 39 Total, 5 Active

What may open:

Bar and restaurant guidelines:

At this time, accommodations (hotels, short-term rentals, etc.) remain closed.

The reopening of salons, barbers, tattoo parlors, and spas were not included in today's order and remain closed at this time.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE!

We are blessed to have Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital, part of the Munson Healthcare Network, in our small community. You can stay up to date with the latest number of tests and cases on their website.

Select services, procedures, and surgeries that may have been delayed due the Governor’s Executive order related to the COVID-19 pandemic are now allowed. In reinitiating our services, we are also following the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-17.

Many of our services have been closed for almost two months. We will be working diligently to see all of our patients whose services were delayed as well as patients who have new healthcare needs.

Limited reopenings are happening in the following areas:

Medical emergencies can be far more dangerous than COVID-19.

These emergencies don't stop for any crisis, including COVID-19. If you are experiencing any warning signs of stroke or heart attack – or any emergency-like symptoms — Call  9️⃣1️⃣1️⃣  immediately.

DON'T RISK IT. The safest place you can be during an emergency is your local Munson Healthcare hospital.

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is publishing great daily updates on their Facebook and Website Pages.

(Please note that the case counts by county reflect the residential addresses given by individuals and not necessarily where they are currently living nor where they were tested.)

We know that residents are beginning to return to second homes in our area and in order to welcome them back and keep our whole community safe, The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department has created a returning resident toolkit. This toolkit has community resources and information on COVID-19. "We care about all of our residents and want those returning to our community to be able to remain comfortably at home during the advised two-week quarantine period. We hope that this information about local resources is helpful to them in their transition”, said Lisa Peacock, Health Officer for the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department.

Reminder, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is holding Community Calls on Wednesdays at 11am. Email [email protected] for an invite to these meetings.

Benzie County is part of Region 7. Click below to track availability of Personal Protective Equipment and Hospital Beds for our 19 county region

For updated information on local businesses and services offered please refer to the following document created by: Josh Stoltz, Aubrey Parker, Sharron May, and Charla Burgess. Thank you for keeping the community informed!

May is Mental Health Month and, given all the uncertainties these days, who couldn't use a little mental health help?

Resources and hotlines available to Michigan residents in emotional distress include:

RESPONSE RATE:

United States:59.7%

Michigan: 66.4%

Benzie County: 45.3%

The City of Frankfort will be conducting

Spring Clean Up June 1st-June 5th

Public Restrooms in Frankfort's City Hall will be open this weekend. They will be disinfected three times per day throughout the weekend.

Please be cautious! Flooding has Betsie Bay causeway between Frankfort and Elberta down to one lane.

Photo credit: Record Patriot

While we can't yet be open for our normal programming, we are happy to let you know about a few opportunities

The Garden Theater partnered with TEDxTC to simulcast this year's 2020 event. As situations have changed, we are happy to announce that TEDxTC will go on virtually!

JUNE 17, 2020

9am-1pm

The tenth TEDxTraverseCity will provide another excellent opportunity for our community to be inspired and challenged. TEDxTraverseCity’s 2020 event will examine the timely concept of RETHINKING OUR HEALTH.

TICKET INFORMATION

$29 Early Bird: May 13 - May 31

$39 Regular Pricing: June 1 - June 17

50% of proceeds will benefit the COVID-19 Fund at Munson Healthcare Foundations

(Check out the speakers at the link below...you may see a familiar face or two)

Major Film Festivals Across the World Join with YouTube to Announce We Are One: A Global Film Festival Starting May 29

The 10-day digital festival, produced and organized by Tribeca Enterprises, will feature programming from 20 festivals including Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival and many more, enabling audiences to experience films from around the world

Festival to benefit World Health Organization Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund

Benzie Bus Update:

Benzie Bus delivers Groceries, Take-Out Food and much more!

Benzie Bus Will NOT be available on Memorial Day. They deserve a much needed break!

If you need a mask, please contact the Benzie Bus!

Call 231-325-3000 Ext. 1

Flowers, fresh produce, baked goods and much more!!!!

Call (231)882-5041 or email [email protected] to place your order for curbside pickup or delivery. 

Check out their Facebook Page for visual reminders of the groceries they have available

Shop online and have your groceries delivered via Instacart!

Beginning April 27, we are requiring our store guests and associates to wear face masks or face coverings while in our retail stores, unless they have a medical condition which prohibits them from doing so.

Honor Family Market

Open for Shopping

or

Call for Curbside Pickup or Benzie Bus Delivery

231-325-3360

PLEASE WEAR A MASK WHEN YOU ARE IN OUR MARKETS FOR OUR STAFF'S SAFETY AND OUR CUSTOMERS!!!!!

NO MASK NO SERVICE!

IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO WEAR A MASK YOU MAY USE OUR CURBSIDE PICKUP SERVICE........THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING

NOW OPEN, OPENING SOON

& OTHER UPDATES

Frankfort Dairy Maid

Opens for the Season on

May 22 at noon

Hey guys! We will be open this weekend

Friday- Sunday 8 a.m.- 1p.m. for take out.

We will also have patio tables set up 6ft. apart available first come first serve

Thank you all for being patient with us as we figure out the best way to navigate what is ahead!!

Beginning Friday, May 22

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will reopen access to:

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

all park trails and trailheads

picnic areas

boat launches

Dune Climb

vault toilets

In addition, entry fees are still waived, and Lakeshore lands and waters continue to be available, including all beaches. With fire danger becoming lower, beach fires are once again allowed.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire

all campgrounds and camping

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

all museums and indoor exhibits

full service restrooms

If you are going to visit, please take some time to plan ahead. We urge visitors to #RecreateResponsibly .

Park only in designated areas.

Dispose of trash in garbage cans or pack out everything you bring into the park.

Plan a visit for times earlier or later in day.

Maintain social distance from other visitors.

Avoid high risk activities.

Seek another location to recreate if you encounter a crowded trail-head or overlook.

Thanks for doing your part

Our store will open on May 22 for essential groceries, gas and ice cream. We are operating under restrictions outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order. Please wear a mask to enter the store. 

If you have questions about reservations please call us at  231-325-5622 . Read our blog for further details. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make adjustments to open for business and keep you safe.

Rock's Landing

Targeting a May 29 Opening

Memorial Day Weekend is fast approaching, and hopefully some nice summer weather is right around the corner!!

For the time being, Corner Drug will continue to offer curbside “drive-thru” service for prescription and other merchandise needs. Call ahead and we’ll have your order ready for you, or you can grab an ice cream or shop downtown while you wait

This is a simple way to minimize risk and help keep our staff and customers healthy, especially with the influx of visitors we will likely see in the next few weeks. We are still brainstorming ideas to offer more merchandise “curbside”, and appreciate your consideration and support through all of this!

Thank you, and stay well!

Rick, Ben, and Staff

NOW OPEN

DAILY 11am-7pm

Open daily from 3:00-9:00 pm. We have walk up window service along with Online Orders at  www.thecoolspotfrankfort.com  or Call/Text orders in at (231) 352-7312 for curbside pick-up.

NOW OPEN

Tuesday-Sunday

CHARTER FISHING

NOW OPEN

Contact the

Frankfort Tackle Box

to book a Charter, buy your bait and tackle, find out what's biting & where

Call (231) 352-7673

Opening Friday, May 22

Takeout & dine-in (at 50% capacity)

Fri- Sun 11am - 8pm

Mon-Thurs 12pm - 8pm.

To place an order call 231-399-0162.

NEW Frankfort Panther Slush fund. We will be donating all of the profit from our new purple non-alcoholic "Panther Slushies" into a non-profit fund. This fund will also be open to donations without any purchase through check, cash and payment apps like venmo that are direct payments to the initiative.

These funds will then be used to honor our graduated senior class with a community get-together that will be held at Lockhart Field with a dinner provided by FrankZ.

The Elberta Community Farmers Market will open for the season on Thursday, May 28th! In collaboration with the Village of Elberta, we will begin the market at the village's Waterfront Park. It will be held in the large open space (close to the pavilion and children's play area.). Penfold Park where market is usually held is not the best choice at present for the market. We will return the market to Penfold after the construction of the restrooms has been completed.

The market this year will be following strict state and local health guidelines(more on that as we get closer to opening day).

At this point we want to let our loyal customers and friends know that all of our vendors are committed to providing you with their beautiful, healthy products in a most safe and healthy manner as you have always expected from them!

Mark your calendars for opening day in Elberta! May 28 from 8 am - 12:30 pm....along Betsie Bay at Elberta's beautiful Waterfront Park!!

Shooting for Opening

June 1

Online Store Now Live!

🎓 CLAS of 2020  🎓 BOGO

Give the gift of Adventure to your High School Senior!

Buy one Adventure Experience (Bike, SUP or Kayak) and your Senior goes FREE!

Call us at 231 399 0329 to book your Adventure!

GREYSTONE GARDENS IS OPEN!

Please remember that in accordance with state guidelines allowing us to be open we are requiring people wear masks or a face covering in the greenhouses.

Make a reservation online to shop. We are currently reserving spots during our normal hours 9-5 Monday-Saturday and Sunday 11-4.

NOW OPEN

Wear a mask. Be safe. Be respectful.

We will be wearing ours in all indoor spaces and at check-out points.

FLOWER POW ER 🌸

Marvin's Garden Spot

We will be open on Sundays from 11am to 5pm and Mondays – Saturdays from 10am – 6pm all season (as of right now). There will be no restroom available to the public.

LOTS OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS!!!!!

Hooray!! We'll be open Wednesday and Saturday for curbside pickup. Email [email protected] with any questions or orders. You can also call 231-352-9720 (calls will be answered Wed. and Sat 10-4) Be safe and See You Soon!

Are you feeling creative? Check in with the Oliver Art Center for ways to express your inner artist!

While we would LOVE to have everything back to normal right now, we have decided our brewpub will NOT be open for Dine-In Service this holiday weekend. And before loneliness causes your heart to break, know that

Stormcloud is OPEN for Take-Out beer and pub food!

OUR DOOR IS OPEN....

Beginning Friday, May 22nd at 4pm we welcome you to come in, enjoy some delicious food, cocktails and good times.

In addition to opening for dine in, we will continue with carry out through our online ordering system only. We will be working with a limited staff but we won’t be limiting the amount of love for you!

Whether you come in and sit down, or pick up, we are so thankful to have such an amazing community that has loved and supported small businesses and continues to do so. See our website for hours and more info.

(231) 352-9843

Perks is now open regular hours. You can call ahead or just come in. The coffee and baristas are still the best!! Can't wait to see everyone!!

Mon-Sat. 8am-5pm

Sun. 8am-4pm

Thursday-Monday 4:30-10

Early Bird from 4:30-6:00.

Friday begins our in-house dining, we will continue to do curbside for anyone who prefers that option.

We are so happy to announce that The Manitou will be welcoming customers in our doors beginning Friday, May 22nd. We will be open at a 50 percent indoor capacity with social distancing measures in place, as well as our full outdoor patio and continued curbside service! We are spending the week getting the restaurant ready, educating ourselves and the staff, and making sure we can provide the safest experience for everyone. We will be following all precautions and guidelines as we navigate re-opening.

Open Wednesday - Sunday

7am - 3pm

  ❤🥖🥨🍩

Call 231-352-9021, order online or pull in for CarHop Service

While we are very grateful to be able to open our doors to you, we are not quite ready. To ensure your safety, as well as our staff’s safety, we will need to implement some new methods to our operation. We are working on it, but it will take some time. Thank you for your patience and we look forward to seeing you in the dinning room soon!

The Hotel Frankfort & Restaurant is now serving takeout with curbside delivery.

Thursday thru Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm. Call 231-352-8090 to place your orders.

Memorial Day Weekend

BBQ TO-GO

Friday, May 22

Satuday, May 23

Sunday, May 24

Enjoy a Memorial Day Weekend BBQ for two at the comfort of your own home! Items will be chilled at the time of pickup. Some items will need to be cooked or heated before serving and instructions will be included. 

Curbside Pick Up:  Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24

Pick Up Time:  10am - 2pm

Curbside Pick Up Location: Held in front of the Wild Tomato. 

Orders made on Friday, Saturday or Sunday with a same day pick-up must be made by 10am.

MENU

Package #1 - Baby Back Rib Dinner, $40

3.75 # of ribs, sweet corn, potato salad, jalapeno corn bread & BBQ sauce for finishing.

 

Package #2 – BBQ Chicken Dinner, $30

Two half chickens, sweet corn, potato salad, jalapeno corn bread & BBQ sauce for finishing.

 

Package #3 – Baby Back Rib & Chicken Combo $35

1.75# of ribs, one half chicken, sweet corn, potato salad, jalapeno corn bread & BBQ sauce for finishing.

 

Package #4 – Grilled Salmon Dinner $30

2 – Grilled 7oz Faro Island Salmon filets, sweet corn, potato salad, jalapeno corn bread & BBQ sauce for finishing.

 

Package #5 – House Made Michigan Cherry Cobbler for Two- $8

Fun Things are Happening Here!

Daily Lunch Specials, Homemade Ice Cream, Donuts and Donut Kits!

NEW BRUNCH & DINNER MENUS & ONLINE ORDERING NOW AVAILABLE

Brunch Carryout Fri-Sat 10am-3pm

Order btn. 8am-2:30pm

Dinner Carryout Thur-Mon 5pm-7:30pm

Order btn. 8am-7pm

Call 231-299-0399

or order and schedule online

IT’S HAPPENING! WE’RE OPENING FOR DINE IN SERVICE TOMORROW! BRUNCH AND DINNER!

Brunch: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Dinner: 5:00 pm- 9:00 pm

Have you missed our cocktails? Our food? Our staff? Well get ready because we are back and ready to serve you safely and with a smile behind our masks! We have missed you!!

Reservations are HIGHLY recommended for both brunch and dinner to reduce wait times. Book a table now on our website.

Not quite ready to dine in yet? Don’t worry! We are still offering takeout! Call or order online!

The Road House Mexican Bar & Grill

We have decided to remain open ONLY for curbside pick-up until we have time to put a plan in place. With the construction on US-31 in front of the restaurant and the importance of creating a safe space for our employees and customers, we need some time to create and execute our plan for welcoming customers back into the restaurant. We look forward to the days ahead when we can welcome you back indoors or out on the deck for margaritas. But until then, we hope you'll continue to enjoy a little Roadhouse to-go.

Open daily 4-8pm for Take-Out Orders Only

Contact: 231-882-9631

Now Open for Take Out

Wednesday - Sunday

3pm-8pm

Opening Soon!!!!

Ways to give back to the community:

These are just a few thought starters....

About Benzie County Tip Jar

Benzie County Tip Jar is a simple way to support our community through the COVID-19 crisis. With Michigan's shelter-in-place mandate, many businesses have been forced to close, and a lot of folks in our community are struggling with unemployment or a diminished income. The goal of this project is to provide an easy way for you to directly support your local servers, gig/tip-based workers, essential workers, or anyone who has been adversely affected by the current situation via Venmo, CashApp, or Paypal.

Ways you can support Munson Healthcare:

Donations to Benzie Area Christian Neighbors will be used to provide necessary items and support to those in need in pur Benzie County community.

URGENT NEEDS FUND

So far, over $550K has been raised and almost $315K granted out to fill an ever growing need. Updates on fundraising and granting efforts can be viewed HERE

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has established an Urgent Needs Fund to provide additional support to our communities

Some Helpful Resources for Businesses and Displaced Workers

T he MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant Program awards qualifying employers a dollar-for-dollar match – up to $5,000 – to purchase safety and health-related equipment and equipment-related training. The goal of the program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers in Michigan. For more information on this grant and others, visit  https://michigan.gov/mioshagrants .

How To Apply

To apply, complete the MIWISH application at  https://michigan.gov/mioshagrants

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the MIWISH grant or application, please contact us at: Telephone: (517) 284-7811

Email:  [email protected]

Small Business Support Webinars, information about PPP and other small business loans, and other resources are just a click away.

Local 211 - An Information and Referral service which is available 24/7.

If you need assistance with paying bills, utilities, food, and other essential services please dial 211 on your phone and follow the prompts.

United Way of Northwest Michigan has launched a website where you can step forward to volunteer; background checks will be conducted and once completed, United Way will connect volunteers with opportunities. See this link:  https://www.unitedwaynwmi.org/covid-19

Need help with food and/or financial assistance?

If you live in Benzie or Northern Manistee Counties and have experienced a job layoff, BACN can help you with food, even if you've never visited BACN before. Please call 231-882-9544, for details on the drive-through. Also, those needing help with financial matters can call after 2:30 p.m. for assistance over the phone.