ROGERSVILLE - After making a Thursday morning announcement, followed by a mid-day retraction, the Rogersville Heritage Association made it official Friday afternoon - a management contract has been signed that will bring the Hale Springs Inn back to life.

The following is the text of the press release issued by the RHA:

Rogersville is ready to celebrate the long-awaited re-opening of one of its loveliest treasures, the Hale Springs Inn.  Work on the historic inn will be completed in June and the refurbished interior will be furnished once again with the lovely antique furniture that graced it until its closing in 1998.  Rooms and suites are available on the second and third floors.  The commercial kitchen, housed in the rear addition, will provide service for fine dining throughout the first floor.  The terrace and courtyard will also be open for special events and dining.

The mother and daughter team of Kim and Amy Cason will manage the Inn and its restaurant, McKinney's. They bring with them 10 years of inn keeping experience and are committed to providing an exceptional experience for their guests. "When our guests walk in the door," says Kim Cason, "they will be welcomed with true southern hospitality. We are proud of the level of service we are able to offer."

The Casons have worked closely with the Board of Directors of the Rogersville Heritage Association and the city of Rogersville, owners of the property, to maintain the historical integrity of the Inn while offering amenities to make every guest's stay an enjoyable and unique experience.

McKinney's will be open for lunch and dinner.  Chef Brad Daniels, formerly of Savannah, GA, will be prepare "Contemporary Southern Cuisine."  Among his favorites are the scallops, tomato salad, and shrimp and grits. McKinney's will be open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch from 11:00 to 2:00 and for dinner from 5:00 until 8:00. Brunch will be available every Sunday from 10:00 until 2:00. McKinney's will offer casual fine dining; wine and beer selections will be available to complement your meal.

Continuing a long-standing tradition of weddings at the Inn, the magnificent stairway, broad hall and grand dining room offer a lovely setting for any special event.  Those holding seasonal events may also choose to utilize the beautifully landscaped courtyard and terrace beside the Inn.  For receptions and parties of all sorts, Amy Cason brings her experience in event planning and design to help create the perfect occasion.

The Hale Springs Inn dates from 1824 when it was built by John McKinney to accommodate stagecoach traffic through Rogersville.  Famous guests include Presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson.  The inn is located at 110 West Main Street in the heart of Rogersville.  For more information or to make room or dining reservations, call the Inn at 423-272-5171 or inquire online at www.HaleSpringsInn.com

Editor's note:  Although the Review had hoped to include the story of the Inn announcement in the Weekend issue, including additional information about the official opening and the Innkeepers, we honored a request not to print any information until a contract was finalized.  Since the paper is printed Friday morning and the announcement was not made until Friday afternoon, the Weekend issue does not include the story.