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Library’s Closed, But Free Entertainment Isn’t
You’ve got to stay home. And the library is closed anyway. But don’t worry about finding something to watch or read! Just check out your local library’s digital collection. Traverse Area District Library has an entire webpage filled with apps that library card holders can use to download books or stream movies. “While we are disappointed to be closed, TADL has a wide range of digital services for all ages,” said Michele Howard, library director. “We have movies, music, TV shows, audiobooks, ebooks, Ancestry, local history, and magazines.” There’s OverDrive, which offers downloadable books and audio books that can be borrowed with a library card; or kanopy, a streaming service that offers 30,000 independent films and documentaries; or RBdigital, a source that can deliver books and magazines to your phone. Check them all out at tadl.org/at-home/. Not a member of TADL? The Petoskey District Library and Otsego District Public Library have websites with similar offerings.
Stuff we love Walking on the Sunnyside of the Street With the closing of schools, students who depend on the free or reduced lunch and breakfast programs could face upheaval — and hunger. Not if Kirt and James Ploe have anything to say about it. The owners of Sunnyside Breakfast, Lunch, Catering in Boyne City decided they wanted to do their part to help those in need in this time of need. So they decided to offer sack lunches, plus pancake mix and syrup to those who might otherwise go hungry. “With schools closed for three weeks, a lot of parents rely on free lunch. I understand that struggle,” said Kirt. He said community members are donating funds to help defray the costs. “We’ve had quite a few people come to us and help with the financial need.” He asks those in need to contact him through the restaurant’s Facebook page via Messenger, so the staff can have the food on hand, ready to go and be picked up. For those unable to make it to the restaurant, Kirt said the restaurant is working with Charlevoix Transit to make deliveries along its routes.
Full Steam Ahead for New Ferry Service on LT Bay Evan Blanc, co-owner of the new Little Traverse Bay Ferry, has confirmed that plans to ply passengers across Little Traverse Bay this summer remain a go. The ferry service, which will go to and from Petoskey and Harbor Springs, as well as Bay Harbor, is still set to begin on Memorial Day. Blanc said that while it’s easy to appreciate the views of the bay, he said most of those visiting the area, as well as too many residents, are unable to enjoy the views from the water. So he and his three partners are rectifying the situation, with a 49-passenger boat. Blanc estimated the trip will take about 15 minutes. While it might cut down on the time between the two cities, particularly with the heavy traffic of mid-summer, efficiency wasn’t the driving force behind the idea. Blanc said he simply wanted people to be able to enjoy the water up close. Cost for a round trip will be $10, though frequent users can purchase a season pass. www.littletraversebayferry.com
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Bottoms up Earthen Ales’ Beers To Go Someday, hopefully soon, we’ll all be able to head back to our favorite breweries and enjoy sampler flights like the one pictured. Until that day comes, though, our northern Michigan breweries are hustling to make their beers (and food) available for the quarantine era. Ever since Michigan bars and restaurants closed their doors to sit-down business on Monday, several local breweries — Traverse City’s Earthen Ales among them — have spent their days ramping up canning operations. Keep an eye on the Earthen Ales social media page — or call ahead — to check what the brewery is serving up in four-pack to-go cans. So far, options have included the Irish Amber Lager, the Otto Von Export (a “Dortmund-style” German lager), and the 2020 batch of Earthen’s Grindstone Imperial Stout. If we had to pick just one, we’d recommend the Grindstone — a potent 10.9 percent ABV stout that perfectly balances its boozy character with satisfying roasty and chocolatey notes. Of course, if you’re in the mood for a full growler, you can choose from the entire Earthen Ales tap list. Just note that, at this time, Earthen is only able to fill new growlers; not old ones. Pick-up hours are 4pm–8pm weekdays, 2pm–6pm weekends. Find Earthen Ales at 1371 Gray Dr., Suite 200, in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, (231) 252-4270
Northern Express Weekly • march 23, 2020 • 5