Good morning!
Easter Sunday. The Masters. And somewhere between the egg hunts and the azaleas, a little jazz is already warming up in the wings.
April at Lake Oconee has a rhythm all its own. It is the kind of week where you might find yourself cheering on someone's backswing in the morning and hiding Easter eggs in the backyard by afternoon. Families are in town. The lake is calling. And the community calendar is stacked.
This week's LO Down is your guide to making the most of it, from pimento cheese and cheese straws for your golf crowd, Easter Bunny cakes and cookies for the kiddos, to a night of suspense at your favorite local bookstore, to a jazz tribute celebration coming this spring that you will not want to miss.
Happy Easter, Lake Oconee. 🐣
❤️ Holly
This Week's LO Down is Brought to You by Georgia Power Campgrounds
Old Salem and Lawrence Shoals are officially open for the season and if you have not claimed your favorite spot yet, now is the time.
Georgia Power's campgrounds on Lake Oconee are the kind of place that turns a long weekend into a real memory. Sandy beaches, boat docks, picnic areas, playgrounds, RV and tent sites, all right here on 19,000 acres of some of the prettiest water in Georgia.
Old Salem is tucked into a scenic stretch of the lake with easy water access. Lawrence Shoals in Eatonton brings that quiet, unhurried vibe that makes you want to stay one more night. Both fill up fast once the season hits its stride.
Book your site now at reservations.gplakes.com before the good ones are gone.
Guilt, Secrets, and a Great Night Out at Lake Country Books & Gifts
Tammy and the team at Lake Country Books & Gifts are hosting an evening that mystery fans will not want to miss. Local author Sara Burrell is coming to celebrate the release of her new novel, The Guilt of Others - and it sounds like the perfect April night.
Expect a live reading, a peek behind the story, and an open Q&A. The Guilt of Others is psychological suspense done right, the kind of book that keeps you up past your bedtime, then makes you a little suspicious of everyone at the breakfast table.
Bring a friend. Pick up a copy. Let Tammy take care of the rest.
📍 Lake Country Books & Gifts | 109 Harmony Crossing
Festival Hall's Jazz Legacy Project Returns and This One Is Worth Marking on Your Calendar
If you caught the first Jazz Legacy Project show at Festival Hall this year, you already know what we are talking about. If you missed it, do not make the same mistake twice.
The second program in Festival Hall's 2026 Jazz Series brings the music and story of Louis Armstrong to Greensboro — and this is not your average tribute show. The Jazz Legacy Project: Louis Armstrong, Pops: The Father of Jazz is built around the idea that all American popular music after 1930 traces back to one man and his trumpet. From his early days in New Orleans and Chicago to "Hello Dolly" and "What a Wonderful World," Armstrong did not just play music — he fathered a sound.
Festival Hall director Nicole Chillemi puts it simply: this is a very special homage. Trumpeter, singer, and Armstrong scholar Michael Cruse brings those chops in person — a Lexington, Kentucky native who has performed alongside Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, and a who's who of jazz royalty. The show is entertainingly narrated by drummer Justin Varnes, walking audiences inside the life and music of the man himself. Roughly 90 minutes. Not a recreation — a celebration.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Jazz Legacy Project Series? Reach out to Nicole Chillemi at [email protected] or 762-243-8022.
Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now at festivalhallga.com. This one will fill up.
Cafe du Papa
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Old Buckhead Days
Join the community at the Buckhead Fire Station from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for a fun-filled day of local vendors, activities, and small-town charm. While you’re there, be sure to stop by Café du Papa’s food truck and enjoy their delicious beignets, fresh coffee, and sweet treats that everyone loves.
The Burch x Boathouse
The Burch x Boathouse
Hop or boat on over to Burch x Boathouse for a festive day filled with Easter specials, a little fun for the family, and the chance to discover a few hidden surprises along the way. It is the perfect stop whether you are out on the lake or gathering with friends and family.
They will be open regular hours from 11 am to 9 pm, so plan ahead and make it part of your day on Lake Oconee.
EzTravel April Seminar: Travel Solo, Not Alone
Compassion Cafe
If you’d like help planning your solo trip, contact the team at EzTravel to see how they can craft an amazing experience, your way. And there’s no cost to use a travel advisor. Why not get help from a neighborhood expert?
Learn more about solo travel and how they can help at their upcoming seminar at Compassion Cafe on April 14 at 6:00pm. Use the button below to register.
Tee It Up For the Kids Golf Tournament
Harbor Club
The Tee It Up for Kids Golf Tournament is a scramble format charity event benefiting the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, bringing together golfers for a full day of competition, games, contests, and raffle opportunities. Registration includes lunch courtesy of Chick-fil-A, complimentary beverages throughout the day, and a shot at the $10,000 Hole-in-One challenge. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those looking to make an even greater impact for local youth.
Southland Jubilee
Downtown Greensboro
Southland Jubilee is Downtown Greensboro's beloved annual heritage arts festival, transforming historic downtown into a lively celebration of Southern culture, creativity, and small-town charm — completely free and family friendly. Spend the day exploring arts and crafts vendors, delicious food, live music, a classic car show, agricultural exhibits, and a dedicated kids' area. A cherished community tradition that truly has something for everyone.
OPAS Unplugged: Franck Piano Quintet
First Methodist Church
OPAS Unplugged returns with an afternoon of exquisite chamber music featuring the Franck Piano Quintet, performed by acclaimed violinist Amy Schwartz-Moretti and celebrated pianist Benjamin Hochman alongside a distinguished ensemble. A sweeping Romantic masterwork performed up close — this is world-class artistry in an intimate setting.
This Week’s Hotspot
Sweet Kneads Bakery & Cafe
Masters Week guests and Easter baskets - Sweet Kneads has you covered on both fronts.
Stop in and pick up their famous pimento cheese and cheese straws for your golf crowd, and don't forget the Easter Bunny cakes and cookies for the kiddos. Sweet Kneads has been a Lake Oconee staple since 2002, and this time of year they are exactly who you want in your corner when company is coming and you need something delicious…fast.
While you are there, grab their legendary chicken salad and a pasta salad to-go. You will not regret it.
📍 103 Clack Circle, Suite 1000, Eatonton | Open Monday–Saturday
What’s New at Lake Oconee
Lake Country is growing, and we are here for it. This week's What's New at Lake Oconee blog post is packed with fresh faces and exciting openings worth checking out.
From authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Pho & More to athletic footwear at K & D Sport Shoe, a boutique beauty experience at Elite Beauty Retreat by Holly, and the brand new InMotion Wellness Studio from locals Pablo and Dana Santamaria, there is a lot of newness to explore right here in our backyard.
Plus, Italian comfort food is coming to Greensboro, a mission-driven boutique is making a difference in Eatonton, indoor golf is on the horizon, and your lawn has a new best friend in True Roots Turf.
Go show these new businesses some love, and don't forget to mention Lake Oconee Life when you visit. 😊
Local Resources: Support What Strengthens Lake Oconee
Masters Week means company, and The Lazy Lounge has you covered on both fronts.
Stop in and pick up something cute to wear while you are watching the leaderboard, or grab a few fresh pieces for hosting. Sandra keeps the shelves stocked with stylish, comfortable clothing, accessories, and gifts that are perfect for lake life — and right now, that means looking good for your guests without overthinking it.
Serving pieces, accessories, a new outfit for the back patio — The Lazy Lounge at 44 Marketplace has the kind of finds that make entertaining feel effortless.
Spring is here and your hair deserves a fresh start.
Sisu Hair Studio in Eatonton is the Lake Oconee area's go-to for precision cuts, color, balayage, and everything in between. The team takes their time, listens well, and uses premium brands like Kérastase and L'Oréal Professionnel to make sure you leave feeling like yourself — just better.
Book your spring appointment now at sisuhairstudio.com or call 706-485-7750.
Editor’s Pick
Songwriters Night – Love Builds Here | Habitat for Humanity of Putnam
Some nights are just good. This one is good and it means something.
Habitat for Humanity of Putnam is hosting Songwriters Night – Love Builds Here at The Barn at Briarpatch Farm, and the lineup alone is worth the drive. Acclaimed country songwriters Josh Phillips, Trent Tomlinson, and Wynn Varble will take the stage for an intimate, songwriter-style evening — the kind where you hear the story behind the song and leave with a whole new appreciation for both.
Set against an early spring sunset on the farm, this is a night of Georgia music, rural roots, and real community — all in support of safe, affordable homeownership for Putnam County families. Proceeds go directly to Habitat Putnam's mission, so your ticket does double duty.
Doors open at 5:00 PM, music begins at 7:00 PM. VIP and Builder Tables include a complimentary BBQ dinner. BYOB is welcome. Seating is limited and expected to sell out — do not wait on this one..
View Entire Calendar Here: https://lakeoconeelife.com/calendar
Easter baskets. Leaderboards. Live jazz. A great book and a glass of something good.
That is April at Lake Oconee, and we are here for every bit of it.
Enjoy the holiday weekend with the people you love. We will see you out there.
Happy Easter, 🐣 Holly & Your Lake Oconee Life Family