While some folks like to go out of Macon County to big restaurants or places to socialize and dance, others have found a unique attraction down in the Horsley Community. Located south of the New Harmony Community at 4334 New Harmony Road, the Country Junction serves as a restaurant six days a week and also as a place to hear bands, to mingle and to dance on Friday and Saturday nights and on other special occasions.

Owners Betty and Randy Warner have been overwhelmed with the success and have a great sense of pride in providing this social outlet for the community.

The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch on Tuesday through Thursday and three meals on Friday and Saturday, with a catfish special including homemade coleslaw. “Everything is made fresh,”.... remarked Betty, adding, “nothing fixed here is prefab,” when talking about homemade pies and hand-dipped chicken strips.

“It is a nice place, a nice clean place,” said Mr. Lee Gorman who frequents the business often playing cards during the day. He gave a thumbs up to the “awful good cakes.”

Two bands entertain the crowd at the Country Junction: Country Wildfire plays on the first and second weekend and Southern Rain plays on the third and fourth weekend. When there is a fifth weekend of the month other bands entertain.

“We have customers from two to ninety years of age,” commented Betty. Randy Warner said, “people love to line dance, slow dance, and two-step.” He's decorated the large dance area of the Country Junction with colored lights and with two corner fireplaces which have been well used at this time of year.

No drinking or smoking is allowed at the restaurant/dance establishment. With the tremendous growth the business has established, parking gets tight, and the owners keep adding to the building and adding gravel to the grounds to better serve their customers.

Occasionally “Aunt Myrtle” provides unique entertainment for the Friday and Saturday night crowd. “This is not just our place, we want all to feel welcome,” added Randy. Betty and Randy allow organizations to use their building as needed. The Senior Citizens of Macon County held a Christmas dance with no charge, except to pay the expense of the band. Other such community uses are welcomed at the Country Junction.

A 100 year old Valley Gem piano decorates a corner of the restaurant near a group of banjos and guitars. People are welcomed to pick up the instruments and pick a tune.

Old iron skillets adorn the wall with an eclectic mix of decor throughout the restaurant.

Jim Manier, remarking on the good of the business said, “You can carry on and be yourself, and they may just have the best baked potatoes you ever eat,” referring to potatoes baked in a real oven versus the ones micro-waved.

The restaurant was the location of the Dutch Farley Store for many years.

A tollgate was located at the site of the store which was part of The New Harmony Turnpike Company prior to it being a free road. The general store part has dwindled, but the owners continue to stock soups, bologna, cheese, drinks, muffin mixes, snack items, eggs, and milk for the occasion when you don't want to go all the way to town.

Many customers come for the old fashioned “meal” or cornmeal pie as some call it. Others love their shrimp dinners, steaks, and their hand-patty hamburgers made with fresh ground beef. Many people come for dinner and stay for the bands to entertain at the dance. The restaurant section closes at 9:00 P.M., and the music begins playing at 7:00 P.M

Betty and Randy have a love of nature; Randy raises mules for pulling wagons and Betty loves English bulldogs and was former owner of a dog kennel.

The Warners saw an opportunity to continue a religious gathering by holding Cowboy Church at their business on Sunday morning, since the Long C Riding Trails Cowboy Church is closed during the cold part of winter. This is a new feature of Country Junction and is open from 9:00AM to 10:00 AM for this unique church service until weather permits it at the original location.

On Valentines Day night, Thursday, February 14, the Country Junction will host a benefit show, cakewalk, and auction for the lead singer of the Country Wildfire band who has cancer. Betty and Randy hope to give back a little help and hope to a band member who has inspired others through song at a time when illness could have otherwise kept her down.

Friday night and Saturday night cover charges are: $5.00 for 12 and up, 6-12 is $3.00, 6 and under is $2.00.

A country welcome sign hangs at the Country Junction where the Warners welcome you to try out the “Good food, Good friends, and Good times.”