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Benzie Fishery Coalition

Another Derby Winner! The fourth BFC sponsored Benzie Friendship Fishing Derby was once again an outstanding success, owing to the support and participation of many Benzie area organizations and businesses. On Sunday July 18th, about 125 local mentally challenged and physically impaired folk were treated to a four hour fishing trip on Lake Michigan, courtesy of 19 boat owners who once again offered the use of their craft and knowledge. A key partner in this endeavor was the George Ott and the Manistee Benzie Mental Health Community Service, who contacted their consumers and organized them in special groups to fit the capabilities of the various boats that participated in the Derby. Many special folk were unable to go fishing on the big lake; several of those became passengers on pontoon boat cruises around Betsie Bay Thanks to the support of the City of Frankfort, and Walt Poyner, operator of the Frankfort City Marina, boats loaded and unloaded at two complimentary boat slips and afterwards were guests at a special BBQ and picnic at Mineral Springs Park. Mrs. Teri Dunlop, a resident of Benzonia, coordinated the food preparation. Ms. Karen Tooley and Junior Girl Scout troop 466 worked the serving line, thus earning credit for merit badges. A total of four local bands played for all who attended in the pavilion, moving several of those to get up and dance, or at least tap their feet. The fishing commenced at 10 am through 5 pm. The food and entertainment lasted from 3 pm to 8 am. The weather was gorgeous, and the waves on the big lake were mild. A few salmon were caught, but those were a bonus to a very enjoyable outing for all those who managed a ride on the big boats. The BFC provided special bright orange pennants to each boat to be flown from their outriggers or antennas, identifying their participation in what has become one of the biggest summer charity events in the Frankfort area. “The Friendship Derby has become truly a community event”, commented BFC President Edward McIntosh. “So many willing hands, so many local businesses who provided financial help or donated services and products that made the day exciting for folk whose impairment often prevents them from enjoying a fishing expedition that we all take for granted.”	(click on any picture to enlarge it) Three happy gents celebrate a catch on board Doug Raby’s boat “Five of a Kind”. Captain Ken Wolthuis on his boat “Blue Beard” caught a nice one. BFC President Ed McIntosh took a total of about 40 people on tours of Betsie Bay on his pontoon boat “Floating Palace”. Captain Matt Erlewein, owner of the boat “Sea Miss”, was one of the lucky ones to get a salmon. Captain Dave Rommell backs in his boat “Tiny Bubbles” with some excited passengers after a great day on the lake.
“We have much to be thankful for.”, McIntosh continued. “We couldn’t do this event without willing support from local boaters, both private and charter. We couldn’t run the show without some 25 folks to help out catching boats and assisting our guests to safely climb aboard, some in wheelchairs. There were at least another 75 willing volunteers who found many ways to lend a hand. There were plenty of local businesses who donated food and merchandise for prizes. We thank them all.” “We are in the business of promoting our fishing resource in this area, giving a giant boost to our local economy from all the visiting fishermen. The Derby provides the means for the BFC to make these regional assets available to some of our local citizens, who otherwise wouldn’t get to enjoy them. Those who help out in this event find enormous personal gratification, and they earn it.”
The Benzie Fishery Coalition and the Manistee/Benzie Community Mental Health Services wishes to thank all of the following businesses and organizations who made donations of money, product or services, supporting the Benzie Friendship fishing Derby 2004: Backcast Fly Shop, Bay View (Frankfort), Ben Franklin Store, Benzie County RICC, Benzie Record Patriot, Carbin Band, Case & Watson Chrysler, City of Frankfort, Code Blue Band, Coho Café, Color Wear, Community Drug (Frankfort), Cool Spot (Frankfort), Dave’s Clothing Store, E-Z Mart (Frankfort), Farmers Daughter, Fixit Hardware, Frankfort City Marina, Frankfort Lions Club, True Value Hardware (Frankfort), Girl Scout Troop 466, Glen's Market (Frankfort), Gwen Frostic’s, Hungry Tummy Restaurant, Insider Band, Kilwins Ice Cream, Lake Shore Enterprises, Market Basket, Mayfair Restaurant, McDonald’s (Benzonia), Northern Décor & More (Beulah), Northern Lights Art, Out of the Woods (Beulah), Papanos Pizza, Parkhill Storage, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, Rip & Run Canopy, Riverside Canoe Trips, Rudy Tuesday Band, Second Wind Band, Shell (Frankfort), Shop & Save (Benzonia), Stapleton’s, Tag Sale (Beulah), Teri Dunlop & Family, Tropical Ice, Wallenta’s Variety Store, WBNZ Radio, Wesco (Benzonia), 19 private and charter boat owners and over 100 very special volunteers. Once again, we could not have done it without you!