October 2006 Quiet Inspiration If Henry David Thoreau had ever opened a resort in Tennessee, it might have been like the Inn at Evins Mill. By Bill DeMain & Helen Stevens
Located in Smithville near Center Hill Lake, a little over an hour drive from Nashville and two hours or less from both Knoxville and Chattanooga, Evins Mill is ideal for executives for whom getting away means less asphalt and more hiking trails. This bed-and-breakfast getaway combines back-to-nature beauty with modern amenities and gourmet dining, providing the ideal setting for conferences, corporate retreats and team building programs.
“Let nature be your inspiration,” Thoreau once prescribed. And the spectacular views in this secluded 40-acre retreat will inspire new ideas and fresh thinking. Gaze out over rolling hills of poplars and mountain laurel. Listen to the soft burble of rushing water. Take time for a hike along wooded bluffs and marvel at the beauty of a majestic 90-foot waterfall, the tenth highest in the state. Tour the historic gristmill. If sports are more your speed, there is golfing at RiverWatch, fishing on Center Hill Lake, and canoeing on the Caney Fork River. Or if you prefer indoor activities, you can convene in the gristmill game room for billiards, darts or table tennis.
The main lodge at Evins Mill was built in 1939 by Senator and entrepreneur Edgar Evins, and was later the home of his son, Congressman Joe L. Evins. Retreat accommodations include three different types of guest cabins, all with cozy interiors, charming decor and spacious decks.
“Rustic elegance” is Jennifer Halverson’s description of the Mill. As president of Nashville-based AdventureWorks, Halverson has overseen team-building events and retreats for groups from companies such as DuPont and Vanderbilt University. Teams work to overcome challenges on both high and low ropes courses. Another attraction are the meeting facilities, which include two separate conference rooms, both with views of the picturesque gristmill.
If you’re looking for the perfect business retreat, Evins Mill is a place where you can—to update a famous Thoreau quote—lead a life of quiet inspiration. tn
Riverwatch Golf
PGA members Jim Hardy and Peter Jacobson designed RiverWatch Golf Club’s lush greens and fairways to fit beautifully into their natural surroundings. The naturalist will appreciate the ambiance provided by tranquil views of Center Hill Lake and the pastoral Tennessee landscape, while players of all levels will be challenged by each hole of this 6,900 yard, par 72 course.
The Evins Mill staff will arrange a RiverWatch golf
excursion for individuals and groups at the weekend rate of 42.00 or 38.00 Monday through Friday
Prices are per player for cart and green fees, when booked through Evins Mill.
111 Clubhouse Lane
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931)761-8124
Food for the Mill
As a crowning touch, the meals at Evins Mill offer old-
fashioned southern hospitality with a gourmet flourish.
With executive chef Jason Evans in the kitchen, you’ll enjoy a
wide range of culinary delights, always prepared fresh. Your meal begins with hors d’ oeuvres served buffet-style in the main lodge. Enjoy smoked salmon, seasonal vegetables and savory canapés, then move into the cozy Millstone Dining Room for dinner.
In fair weather, guests may also choose to sit on the newly built cedar porch, overlooking the gristmill. The menu on a recent
stay began with a hearty wild rice soup and freshly baked rolls.
The rolls, perhaps the star of the meal, had a light, pillowy texture with just a hint of sweetness. Chef Evans’ southern-styled Chicken Kiev and roasted potatoes combined hearthside fare and haute
cuisine with delicious results. —H.S.
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