Good morning!
There is a particular kind of magic in a week where everything good seems to be local. A wine tasting at a place built on craftsmanship. Scroll all the way to the bottom to sign up for the workshop at The Crunchy Shop that helps you stock your beach (lake) bag smarter. A dental practice that actually feels like family. A locksmith you can call when life gets locked out.
This week's LO Down is a little bit of everything, and all of it is rooted right here. We're spotlighting the businesses that show up for Lake Oconee every single day, the ones that make errands feel less like chores and weekends feel a little more memorable.
Grab your coffee. Here's what's good this week.
❤️ Holly
This Week's LO Down is Brought to You by St. Mary’s Health Care System
Keep Your Georgia Tax Dollars Working Right Here at Home
There's a simple way to support St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital and it doesn't cost you a thing.
Through the Georgia HEART program, you can redirect your Georgia state income taxes to St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital right here in Greensboro and receive a 100% Georgia income tax credit in return. Same tax bill. Local impact.
It's one of the most direct ways to invest in rural health care for our friends, neighbors, and families, who rely on St. Mary’s every day for emergency care, surgery, imaging, and the steady, compassionate work that keeps our community healthy.
✅ 100% Georgia Tax Credit ✅ 100% Local Impact ✅ Zero Extra Cost to You
The 2026 application window is open now, but tax credits are awarded first-come, first-served until the statewide cap is reached. Don't wait until tax season, secure your credit while it's available.
WaterSports Central
WaterSports Central: Your Local Crew, On and Off the Water
With the season warming up, this is the time to make sure your boat, and your gear, are ready to go. The good news? Brandon and the team at WaterSports Central are right here at Lake Oconee, and they have you covered no matter what you need.
Shopping for a new ride? Their Oconee showroom carries top names like Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Regal, Monterey, Chris Craft, and pontoons from Harris, Balise, South Bay, Tahoe, and Viaggio. Looking for something pre-owned? They have a strong used inventory too, plus trade-in and consignment options if you're ready to move on from your current boat.
Need your boat serviced? Their certified team handles everything from routine maintenance and engine work to detailing, fiberglass repair, ceramic coatings, and audio installs.
Just stopping in for gear? The Pro Shop is stocked with wakesurf boards, wakeboards, water skis, life jackets, tubes, ropes, and lake apparel, the essentials that make every day on the water a little better.
Whether you are buying, fixing, or outfitting, Brandon and his team treat every customer like a neighbor, because here at the lake, they are.
📍 1011 Park Trace, Greensboro, GA 📞 (706) 817-4407
This Week’s Hotspot
Table at the Lake
Table at the Lake | Burgers Tonight, Big Things Ahead
If you're reading this (today) Thursday morning, you already know what's for dinner. Smash Burger Night is tonight from 5 to 9 PM, and this month's feature is one worth showing up for: the Korean Chicken Burger, a double chicken smash with crispy fried chicken skin, cabbage slaw, ssäm sauce, spicy aioli, and pickles. $22. Bold, layered, and exactly the kind of thing Chef Casey does best.
Looking a little further out, mark your calendar for two events worth planning around:
🍽️ June 28 — Guest Chef Dinner Series featuring Puma Yu's
🍷 July 26 — Wine Dinner featuring Huneeus Vintners (Quintessa, Flowers, and Favia)
And when the weather cooperates, the courtyard is open throughout the week, bar seats and walk-ins are always welcome. Sunday Brunch runs 10 AM – 2 PM, with dinner service Monday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM.
What's New at Lake Oconee
Our community keeps growing, and the latest round of new businesses proves it. From a Vietnamese kitchen and an Italian chophouse to a wellness studio, a photo booth company, a sport shoe shop, dock care, aquatic management, a farmers market, a curated thrift boutique, and more… there's a fresh wave of locally owned businesses worth knowing about.
Some are tucked into spots you might drive past without noticing. Others are already drawing crowds. All of them chose to plant roots right here, which means they deserve our welcome, our support, and our business.
Head to the blog for the full roundup, complete with stories, contact info, and what makes each one worth a visit. And don't forget to mention Lake Oconee Life when you stop by.
Local Resources: Support What Strengthens Lake Oconee
Choice One Dental
Right here at Lake Oconee, Dr. Russell Marson and the team at Choice One Dental Care bring modern cosmetic, restorative, and family dentistry to Lake Oconee, without the drive to Atlanta.
They offer same-day crowns and veneers, ClearCorrect aligners, teeth whitening, and a full menu of preventive care for every age in the family. They also stand out for their sleep apnea and snoring solutions, including MicrO2 oral appliances and home sleep testing for patients looking for an alternative to a CPAP.
Advanced tools like 3D cone beam imaging and laser dentistry mean precise, efficient treatment in a comfortable office. Most major dental insurance is accepted, and flexible payment plans and a signature membership program make care accessible for patients without coverage.
Whether you are due for a cleaning or considering a smile refresh, Choice One is a trusted local choice.
ATC Lock & Key
Here is a tip from us to you: pull out your phone right now and save Jamey Brown's number. You may not need him today, but the day you do, you will be very glad you have it.
Jamey is the owner of ATC Lock & Key, a locally owned, family-run locksmith service that has been taking care of folks in Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, Eatonton, Greensboro, and Milledgeville for more than 32 years. He handles it all, house lockouts, car lockouts, rekeur ying after a move, broken keys, lost fobs, safe openings, and full security upgrades for homes and businesses. He answers the phone around the clock, which matters when you are standing in your driveway at 9 PM with no way in.
What sets Jamey apart is the way he treats people. He has built a five-star reputation on showing up quickly, doing the work right, and making customers feel better about a stressful situation. That is exactly the kind of neighbor you want on speed dial.
📞 (706) 473-6245
Editor’s Pick
Wine, Cheese & Great Company at Buggy Works
Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 4, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, Buggy Works in historic downtown Madison is hosting a guided wine and cheese tasting, and it sounds like exactly the kind of evening we love.
The team at MAD Hospitality is bringing together two pros for this one: Raymond Hook of Capella Cheese and Master Sommelier Michael McNeill. Together, they'll walk guests through a curated pairing of five wines and five cheeses, sharing the stories, technique, and small details behind why certain flavors just belong together.
It's the kind of event that strikes the right balance; educational enough to learn something new, relaxed enough to feel like an evening out with friends. Whether you are a serious wine enthusiast or you just enjoy a good glass and a great bite, this one is worth the short drive to Madison.
Tickets are $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited and these guided tastings tend to fill up, so grab your seats while they last.
View Entire Calendar Here: https://lakeoconeelife.com/calendar
That's the beauty of this place. You don't have to go far to find something worth your time, your dollar, or your loyalty. The businesses featured this week are the ones that make Lake Oconee work and they're better when we show up for them, too.
Stop in. Say hello. Mention you saw them in the LO Down. It means more than you know.
Holly & Your Lake Oconee Life Family