Featured Story : Troyers Country Inn

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By Dave Mast

Sandra Troyer has lived her life according to the above statement. Lining the walls of her greeting room at Troyer’s Country Inn are photographs of people she’s met, places she has been and important figures in her life. Her husband, her students — of course her dog, Ginger — all have personal significance, and all have a story to tell about who Troyer is, where she has come from, and what is truly important to her in her life.

“I believe in dreams,” said Troyer, “and I believe that God speaks to us in dreams. It took me three years and a lot of being angry with God to recognize that. But now, I believe God has brought me here for a purpose. He has brought me from Florida and plopped me right down in the middle of Holmes County with a purpose.

“I believe that God shows us what He wants us to do,” said Troyer, who five years ago went through the agony of watching her husband breath his final breathe while lying in her arms. She admits that a bitter battle ensued between herself and God, and she finally became broken to the point where all she could do was let go and let God take over.

It was the best move of her life, and led her to Holmes County, where she has found an odd sort of kinship with the Amish community.

It has also led her to Troyer’s Country Inn, the place she now calls home. The place she is looking forward to using as a tool for God’s work. A place where she can give back the joy she has received.

Sandra Troyer loves people: Any and all people. She is quick with a smile, a kind word and a story. She enjoys the opportunity to share of her own faith, or is just as quick to listen to others who bring their own tales of life’s journey along with them.

Troyer’s love of people is one of the main reasons she has become so engrossed in her newly renovated Troyer’s Country Inn.

The chance to meet new people, to ignite new acquaintances and to offer a haven of rest and peace for travelers is exactly where she wants to be.

Which is exactly why she purchased Troyer’s Country Inn.

Troyer purchased the inn from Clarence and Gail Miller on July 30, 2003. On Oct. 24 of that same year, she had her first patrons arrive.

Since then she has been pursuing her passion to operate a country inn with the same zeal she exudes in every aspect of life.

Troyer has been redecorating, remodeling and looking ahead to the future, as she continues to create a place both visually beautiful, as well as soothing to the mind, body and soul.

“People can step back in time here and experience the things that represent everyday living to our Amish friends and neighbors,” said Troyer. “This area is where your most vivid memories will be coupled with warmth and hospitality.”

Tucked back off of US 62 just north of Winesburg, with a view of the woods dancing just off of her back yard deck, Troyer’s Country Inn offers peace and tranquility.

Troyer has completely transformed the inside of the inn, and is currently finishing up the new decor to match each themed room. Downstairs at the check-in/check-out area is a bookstore and gift shop.
But her vision does not stop on the inside of the bed and breakfast.

Soon Troyer will begin to construct a new overhang drive-through canopy with a circular blacktop driveway, where people can come and go without fear of the elements. She is planning on turning the large pole building nestled just to the inn’s north into a small gallery, filled with photos, art and vignettes for people to peruse while staying at the inn. There will even be items to purchase, with the proceeds going to missions.

She is also in the process of planning new back yard landscaping, with paths heading out into the woods behind the inn.

And perhaps her most aggressive plan is to create rows of log cabins to the northeast and southeast of the inn, where couples and families can stay in a more rustic setting, with great privacy.
She has gutted rooms and built new walls, repainted, put in new flooring, and made the kitchen and main living room area places where people can sit down, relax and enjoy one another’s company.
There are rooms designed with the family in mind, a room dedicated to setting a romantic mood providing intimacy for the couple celebrating that special anniversary, and even a room designed with a handicap accessible bathroom.

Each room in the spacious inn is decorated with its own unique theme, from rustic to fancy, plain and simple to elegant. There are jacuzzis, king-sized beds, and even breakfast.
The upper level rooms at the inn include:

• Victorian Suite - which includes a king-size bed, double jacuzzi, TV and a private bathroom.
• Rose Garden Suite - complete with wicker decor, a king size bed plus king-size day bed, a private bathroom and TV.
• Western Room - Step into the wild west in this western decor, with a single jacuzzi shower, private bath and TV.
The ground level rooms include:
• Country View Suite - with its king-size bed, single jacuzzi shower, private bath and TV.
• Hidden View Room - This handicap-accessible room includes a queen-size bed, shower, private bath — all of which are handicap accessible.

“It’s been fun designing all of the new rooms and doing all of the remodeling,” said Troyer. “I wanted to create rooms that were attractive and appealed to a large variety of people. That’s why the themes are so varied.”

Troyer also wants people to understand that there is so much more at Troyer’s Country Inn than just spending a night before moving on to the next destination.
One of her greatest desires is to create a place where people can become renewed.

“Not only is this a place for people to come and enjoy their stay in Amish Country, but it is somewhere they can be restored mentally, physically and spiritually,” said Troyer.

“I want to use this inn as a ministry for God. God has already given me so much, and He asks that we give away what He offers so He can refill us over and over again. I want to offer this place as a retreat for people who want to renew themselves; a place of refuge where people can come and experience a safe, enjoyable haven.

She wants the locals to know that the inn can be a way to replenish and restore themselves for a night or a weekend, without spending a fortune to do so.

“I want this to be a light in the community, where people can come and get together — even for an evening — and meet; or have church retreats for women or pastors, or just for a get-away for couples.”

Troyer’s outgoing personality and accepting heart are part of the charm offered at her inn. She has been through life’s tough times, and has seen how she has been transformed by God’s love and mercy.

Her wish is to now pass that along to others, to be a blessing to them, and to help them find that same peace and tranquility she has in her life.

“Hey, it’s just me and my dog Ginger,” said Troyer, who added with a hearty laugh that she considers Ginger more of a human in dog’s fur.

But she believes in dreaming big, and knows that as long as she continues to put people first, and offer a quality place for them to spend the night or a weekend, her dreams and God’s hand will lead her where she needs to be in order to be a servant and use her gifts.

“I figure God put me here for a reason,” said Troyer. “He brought me to this inn, and provided me with the capital to buy it. Now, I figure it’s my responsibility to do this with all of the passion I can muster.”

Troyer said she has always been a giver. She believes it is her gift.

That’s why patrons staying at Troyer’s Country Inn all receive a parting gift after their stay. Troyer has a small book store in her gift shop area downstairs, and she will create a small goody bag, and usually includes one of the books from her shop, along with a discount on the couple’s next stay.

Troyer’s Country Inn is located just 1/2 mile north of Winesburg at 1812 US 62. It is a completely smoke-free facility, no pets allowed, with breakfast vouchers included and gift certificates available.
To call for reservations, or for further information on the inn, call Troyer at 330-359-2000, or 866-860-0005.