The inn has been purchased by the family of Springfield dairy farmer Richard Daley. "I want to make sure nobody thinks I've become sane," he said last week at Inn. "I'm still going to farm."

Daley said the cornerstone of his restaurant philosophy is to provide excellent food at moderate prices.

"People are going to be full when they leave here and still have some money in their wallet," he said.

And in keeping with that philosophy, Daley plans to make Wednesdays Thank-You Day at the Tryon. Every Wednesday will be what he calls Farmers' Night Out and farmers, whether active or retired, will get a percentage deducted from his bill.

Farmers won't be the only ones treated to a discount. On a rotating basis other occupations will be featured and treated to similar savings on their meals. It could be fire department and emergency medical squad members one week and healthcare workers or municipal employees the next.

"My philosophy has always been to give back to the community - to the people who have given to you," he said.

On Thursdays, Daley plans to bring back the Tryon's Inn prime rib special. And in order to make sure the prime rib is special, he has a secret ingredient - an experienced chef and the time-tested recipe that made it a favorite of so many diners in years past.

Daley said he was lucky to be able to hire Dixon Arimitstead as his head chef. He has cooked for the last two owners of the Inn and knows how to prepare the signature dish.

"This is his third tour of duty at the Tryon. He's re-upped one more time and hopefully he'll be a lifer," Daley said.

Arimitstead, a graduate of Cherry Valley-Springfield, has been cooking for 12 years, including a four-year stint in the Navy preparing mess for hungry sailors on an LST and a frigate. Following his military career, he studied at the Culinary Institute of America and is cooking this season at the Limestone Mansion.

While Arimitstead is in the kitchen, Daley's son Pat will be out front as the General Manager.

The younger Daley is also a graduate of Cherry Valley-Springfield and a former high school soccer teammate of Arimitstead.

He and his wife, Jana, and their 13-month old daughter Isabel, have been living in Chicago where he had a career in hospitality management, including most recently, three years at the Windy City's famous Drake Hotel.

Pat said plans also include creating a bar at the rear of the restaurant building to be called Paddy's Pub. The pub will offer a relaxed atmosphere with pool table, foosball and darts and a simpler menu for those who would like to eat in the pub.

And calling on his experience in the hotel business, Pat would like to refurbish and re-open the Inn, "In the future I'd like to focus more time and effort on the Inn," he said. "I think it will be an asset to the whole package we offer."

With more than four acres of land, they are considering some outdoor events during the summer featuring live music.

Richard Daley, who has run a commercial photo studio and is a retired associate professor of communications, said starting new ventures is something he does about every 10 years. "It's a new challenge - not that I've conquered any of the others - but I like challenges. Pat wanted to come home, but not to farm and this is his area of expertise. And besides, I like to keep my wife, Liz, on her toes," he said.

Daley, a member of the Cherry Valley-Springfield Board of Education, added that for him, bringing local young people back to the area, or keeping them here is very important. In the case of the Tryon, he was able to help provide an opportunity for his son and family to return to the area and at the same time offer a job to Arimitstead, who had been considering moving at the end of the summer season.

Currently the Inn is in the process of obtaining a liquor license and is looking forward to a mid-September opening. They will be serving Wednesday through Sunday initially and hope by next year to be open seven-days-a-week. Reservations, although not required, are suggested. Call 607-264-3790.