Good morning!
This week's LO Down looks a little different. Rather than our usual roundup, we're leading with a story that's more personal, one about loss, community, and the courage it takes to turn pain into purpose. We're grateful to share it with you.
❤️ Holly
Community Feature
One Mother's Loss Sparked a Movement: You Matter Mental Health Awareness Festival Comes to Madison
Grief has a way of either isolating us or moving us to act. For Hollie Burris, it did the latter.
After losing her husband to suicide in June 2025, Burris made a decision: no one else in this community should have to carry that kind of pain alone. That decision became the inaugural You Matter Mental Health Awareness Festival, set for Saturday, September 26, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Madison's Town Park.
"Mental health issues have been an unwelcome part of my life and family for years," Burris said. "I want anyone and everyone to feel like they can share their story and not be afraid of being judged for it. No one has to fight their battles alone."
The free, family-friendly festival will bring together local nonprofits, schools, churches, healthcare providers, and recovery organizations for a day centered on connection and resources: live music, guest speakers, survivor stories, food trucks, and local vendors are all part of the lineup. More than two dozen organizations have already signed on, with new vendors joining as the date approaches.
BankSouth is serving as presenting sponsor, with several employees volunteering their time as part of the bank's $80 for 80 community giving initiative marking its 80th anniversary. Additional support comes from Spread Love of Georgia and several Madison-area churches.
For Burris, the mission comes back to one idea: every story deserves to be heard, and no one should suffer in silence.
Get Involved
📍 Town Park, Madison | Saturday, September 26 | 10 AM–2 PM | Free admission
For sponsorship or vendor opportunities, contact Hollie Burris directly at (706) 714-9658 or [email protected].
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Stretch It Out at InMotion Wellness Studio
If you've stepped off the 18th hole feeling like your back aged ten years mid-round, InMotion Wellness Studio in Eatonton was built with you in mind. Owned by Pablo and Dana Santamaria, Pablo a surgeon who became a believer in assisted stretching after it changed his own recovery, the studio offers guided, one-on-one stretch sessions aimed at improving flexibility, reducing pain, and keeping you moving through whatever active life at the lake looks like for you: golf, pickleball, boating, or just getting out of bed without wincing.
Their team works with clients from teenagers to folks well into their nineties, and sessions are led day-to-day by General Manager Kenlan Davis, who brings the same personal investment that got this studio started in the first place.
First time trying it? They offer a free 30-minute demo so you can feel the difference before committing to anything. 📞 (706) 927-5949
Turning the Page: Lake Country Books & Gifts
Lake Country Books & Gifts has become the kind of place families build weekends around: a cozy kids' corner, thoughtfully curated shelves, and a steady lineup of events that make reading feel like an occasion rather than a chore.
Case in point: this month, authors Rosalind Bunn and Maggie Bunn stop by for a special Story Time, reading from All Aboard, Georgia and Once Upon…Zoo. It's the kind of small-town literary moment that's hard to find anywhere else, meet the authors, hear the stories, and let the kids fall a little more in love with books.
Whether you're stocking up for the school year ahead or just need a rainy-day plan, Lake Country Books & Gifts is worth the stop.
📞 Visit their events page for the full Story Time schedule.
Boat Up to The Burch x Boathouse
Whether you're pulling up by boat or by car, The Burch x Boathouse has earned its spot as a lake favorite, and it's not just about the view. The menu keeps people coming back, weekend nights bring live music right on the water, and the cocktail specials give you one more reason to stay a while. Add in a staff that makes you feel like a regular from the first visit, and it's easy to see why this one's become a go-to.
Order at the counter, grab a seat, and let the buzzer do the rest.
📞 (706) 999-9717 | burchthis.com
15 Things Lake Oconee Kids Love
Trying to fill a weekend without hearing "I'm bored" by 10 AM? We rounded up the real list… the stuff local families actually do, from jet ski rentals and a lakeside beach for the littles to blueberry picking, a wildlife safari, and horseback riding. Water days, rainy-day backups, and a few neighborhood-only favorites are all in the mix.
Local Resources: Back-to-School Edition
Gil's Automotive Services
Now that the carpool line and after-school pickups started back up, it might be worth a quick check-in with your vehicle. Housed in a converted dairy barn at Lake Oconee, Gil's Automotive Services has been a trusted name for local drivers since 2005, with ASE-certified technicians handling everything from oil changes to brake service and diagnostics. 📞 (706) 485-2576
Choice One Dental
Fall sports physicals aren't the only checkup worth scheduling before the school year ramps up. A dental visit is an easy one to fold into the back-to-school list, and Choice One Dental has been a steady resource for local families looking for quality care close to home. 📞 Call (706) 454-0044 to schedule your family's next visit.
Gatewood Schools
For families weighing their options for the year ahead, Gatewood Schools offers a Christian, college-preparatory education for students PK through 12th grade on its 36-acre campus in downtown Eatonton. Small class sizes and strong athletics and fine arts programs round out a close-knit community feel. Classes begin August 14, 2026.
BBQ Contest Benefitting Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Bruzze Brewing is turning up the heat, literally, with its first annual BBQ Contest on Saturday, August 15, from 8 AM to 5 PM in Eatonton. Local pitmasters will compete for bragging rights, and guests can grab a $15 tasting ticket to sample the spread and vote for their favorite.
Here's the best part: every dollar from tasting tickets goes directly to Neighbors Helping Neighbors, supporting families across Greene and Putnam counties. Add in craft beer and a family-friendly atmosphere, and it's a full day well spent.
Thank you for being part of a community that leads with heart, whether that means showing up for a cause, a cookout, or just a good book.
See you out there,
Holly & Your Lake Oconee Life Family