She started working before World War II, when the restaurant was still called Fischer's, and she was 16. Today, Dorothy Zehnder turns 90, and continues her daily work in the kitchen of the world-famous Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant.
"Some things change, but many things stay the same," reflects the restaurant matriarch. "We continue to make almost everything from scratch, with the freshest ingredients and staying true to original recipes. We offer good food at an honest price. There's no reason to change."
At her birthday party today, Dorothy is being joined by more than 200 well-wishers from around the region. Federal and state officials sending special congratulations include Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and U.S. Rep. Dale E. Kildee. "Dorothy's work ethic has been an inspiration to several generations of workers," said Gov. Snyder and other Michigan legislators in a Special Tribute.
