The 7 Degrees of The Inn at Honey Run

It is truly amazing to me the 7 degrees of connections to The Inn at Honey Run.  People are always playing the 7 degrees of Kevin Bacon, but I’m a believer that The Inn at Honey Run is just as well known, just as popular and just as connected as Kevin Bacon.

Being in sales at such a beautiful property, I enjoy my work and have no problem talking to people, wherever I happen to be, about Amish Country and The Inn at Honey Run.  My surprise is always the unexpected 7 degrees of recognition of the Inn when I least expect it.  Here’s my latest adventure:

Returning home from Maui to Indianapolis (I know it’s a dirty job but somebody has to do it J!) 11 of my family members were connecting through Dallas/Ft. Worth at 6am. I had yet to arrive at a gate in DFW and remained in the same building for my connecting flight. It’s always the Disney World “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” on the tram to another building.

On the people mover I see a rugged guy (I am in Texas) wearing an Ohio State shirt. So, being the shy person I am -remember I’m in sales- I say “O-H” to which he replies “I-O”! We start chatting.  

(I’m over the family chat after 10 days and glad to have someone new to talk to.) I find he’s on the way to the Indy gate. We sit beside each other because even the food stands aren’t open yet.  He proceeds to tell me he’s in manufacturing, he lives in Indianapolis, but grew up in Ohio.  Then he asked me where I live in Ohio.  I told him I grew up in Millersburg (which most people – even Ohioians – have never heard of unless they like Amish Country).

 Then… the 7 degrees start! He proceeds to tell me he grew up in Warsaw, which is an even smaller town about 20 minutes South of Millersburg… and wait for it… he came to Millersburg to The Inn at Honey Run for his prom night dinner. He said he still remembers the beauty of the Inn and how good the food was that evening!  After the shock, I tell him I work at The Inn at Honey Run. I mention that the restaurant is even better now since we have Chef Scott Fetty from the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh. I did such a good job describing our wonderful Chef’s new and remaining original menu items along with the wine pairings (since I’m sure the Inn did not have alcohol when he was here for his prom) that he continued with the fact that his parents now live in Ashland, OH near his sister and he’ll have to tell them about our new restaurant, Tarragon.

I’m always proud to tell people that I work at The Inn at Honey Run. This unique property has so much to offer to so many different people.  Over the 30 years the Inn has been in existence, the thousands of people whom have stories of weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, family gatherings, holidays spent with friends or family, company meetings always come out when I tell them where I work.  Rarely, if ever, do I tell someone my employer and they not say, “oh, I was there years ago when it opened; my neighbors go there all the time and I’ve always wanted to go there; we go to the Inn every year for at least a weekend; my company had a meeting there; we always go to your Spa; I’ve heard of The Inn at Honey Run and need to get there”.

 And the nicest thing for me as a sales person is the quality of the property and service. The Inn at Honey Run is like good wine, it only improves with age.  Please don’t tell the owner, but The Inn at Honey Run sells itself. I’m only the tool to make your reservation or schedule your meeting.  The property and the staff do the rest.

Footnote: We are listed in the book 1000 Places to Go Before You Die.  I believe wholeheartedly that the author was right in this listing!

 Jill Smith