Stewardship

​Support for our community is one of our highest priorities at the Recess Inn. $5 of each room night goes towards a community betterment project. You may have noticed we live in the country - building a Little Free Library in our yard for usage by Ethelites and guests was our first project. We activity support the Ethel Community Food Bank, which is next door in the Ethel Community Church. We will seek local input and partnerships for additional off-property projects. If you would like to contribute to this work, please let us know.

​We prioritize buying local and patronizing companies that share our ethos of care for the planet and people. While purchasing out in the world, we seek companies that pay living wages, treat employees well, and are environmentally friendly. We love buying from certified B-Corporations or Fair Trade companies whenever possible. We seek products made of natural and organic materials that minimize waste. We decorate and furnish the Inn with previously-loved items that fit with the nostalgic feel.

Documenting and sharing the history of our rural community is near and dear to our hearts. Our predecessors had the foresight to maintain the school house theme when they converted the 1909 building into a bed & breakfast. We are carrying that on by collecting school and community memorabilia and incorporating it into our decor and library of documents. We are launching a storytelling project in 2025/2026 to document what life has been like for our community members who grew up and have built lives here. Ethel was built by the railroad, and many of our community members worked for the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe. We are collecting railroad memorabilia and stories for display as well. Finally, we are working hard to maintain this old beauty of a building and stay true to its character, which is no small task. Our goal is eventually to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

We provide a platform for local makers. Check out our merchandise stand while staying with us to bring home a souvenir that directly supports our local economy and helps our community carry on creative traditions and innovations. Our online shop will (hopefully!) be up and running soon, so you'll be able to support your favorite entrepreneurs from afar! Each fall we host a Makers Market to showcase our area creators and vendors.

You'll find reusable products throughout the Inn, such as refillable shampoo, conditioner, and lotion bottles, travel coffee cups for your use while staying with us, and real plates, glasses, etc. We recycle through the Macon Sheltered Workshop, and please help us by using the bin in your room! We strive to minimize food waste with intentional preparation and go shopping specifically for your visit. We compost what we can locally.

Samantha, one of the Recess Inn's owners, has built a career researching responsible, sustainable, and community-based tourism. Most recently she has been focused on holistic destination stewardship, or care for communities where tourism occurs through participatory and inclusive tourism planning and management. We hope to work with community partners on tourism projects in the future that will first and foremost enhance life for residents. We are actively involved in global organizations advancing tourism that benefit the communities and natural environments where tourism takes place, rather than degrading them. We aspire to follow guidance from the Future of Tourism Coalition, Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, among others.