Start the Year Clean
There’s something powerful about beginning the year with a clean slate, and an even cleaner home.
Merry Maids of Lake Oconee & Madison is a locally owned cleaning service built on a simple idea: give families their time back. Supported by the trusted Merry Maids® brand, their trained teams use proven systems to keep homes healthy, tidy, and welcoming, without adding stress to your schedule.
From recurring cleanings to deep cleans, move-in/move-out services, vacation rentals, and specialty projects, Merry Maids tailors every visit to fit real life. Clients consistently share the same sentiment: coming home feels lighter when the work is already done.
Locally owned by Ed and Kim Brown, the Lake Oconee franchise blends national expertise with community care. Their bonded, insured teams use eco-friendly products safe for kids and pets, and they proudly give back through programs like Cleaning for a Reason, providing free services to neighbors undergoing cancer treatment.
Clean homes. Happy life. A fresh start that lasts beyond January.
What’s Happening Around the Lake
Smash & Sip Thursday
Table at the Lake
Thursday, January 8 | 5–10 PM
A weekly favorite returns, featured burgers, cocktails, and an easy way to unwind into the weekend.
Author Signing & Tasting: My Sweet Home Georgia
Lake Country Books & Gifts
Tuesday, January 13 | 11 AM–1 PM
Meet author Tara Rocker, enjoy a tasting inspired by her cookbook, and leave with fresh Southern inspiration.
Dr. G at Southern Laser Medical Spa
Eatonton
Tuesday, January 13 | 12–5 PM
A visiting provider day focused on natural rejuvenation. Appointments fill quickly.
Mahjong Beginners Class
Lake Country Books & Gifts Wednesday, January 14 | 6–8 PM
A relaxed, small-group introduction to Mahjong. Registration required.
Sons of Serendip
Festival Hall
Friday, January 16 | 7:30 PM
A candlelit evening of breathtaking classical-crossover music.
Bingo for the Arts
Festival Hall
Friday, January 23 | 5:30 PM
An annual favorite supporting the arts, prizes, laughter, and community fun.
This Week’s Hotspot
Some meals deserve to be savored.
This week’s standout at Hart & Crown Tavern is their featured butcher’s cut: filet mignon topped with generous chunks of Maine lobster, served over creamy risotto. It’s indulgent, elegant, and exactly what winter dining should feel like.
Hart & Crown blends British pub warmth with refined dining, an expansive whiskey collection, and a show kitchen that turns dinner into an experience. Worth the drive, every time.
New Year, New You: Lake Oconee Style
Resolutions don’t have to be extreme to be meaningful. This year, Lake Oconee offers plenty of ways to ease into better habits, without burnout.
Get outside: Bike the Firefly Trail or explore Rock Eagle and Rock Hawk.
Glow up your home: From lawn care to lighting, small updates make a big impact.
Prioritize health: Local medical, dental, and wellness providers make it easy to stay on track.
Spend time together: Live music, classes, festivals, and simple nights out still matter.
Read more, scroll less: Start at Lake Country Books & Gifts.
Give back: Support neighbors through local nonprofits that make real impact.
Your resolution doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be yours.
Community Spotlight: Giving Back in 2026
This year’s featured organizations remind us that progress isn’t only personal, it’s shared.
Putnam Christian Outreach continues to meet essential needs through food assistance, clothing, emergency support, and compassionate care for neighbors facing hardship. Every donation, thrift-store purchase, and volunteer hour directly supports local families and individuals when they need it most.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors provides hands-on help where it matters most, repairing homes, restoring transportation, and building beds for children across Greene and Putnam Counties. With zero overhead, every dollar goes straight to life-changing work right here at home.
Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) enriches our community in a different but equally vital way, by bringing world-class performing arts to Lake Country. Through live performances, arts education, youth programs, and community events, OPAS ensures that music, theatre, and culture remain accessible without leaving the lake. Supporting OPAS means investing in creativity, education, and shared experiences that bring people together.
Editor’s Pick
Downtown Greensboro
Downtown Greensboro invites guests to indulge in one of the area’s sweetest winter traditions, the annual Wine & Chocolate Event. Spend the afternoon strolling the historic district while sampling a curated selection of wines, decadent chocolates, and delicious treats from local shops and makers.
It’s the perfect way to explore Greensboro’s charming boutiques, enjoy seasonal flavors, and soak up the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes downtown so special.
✨ New this year: VIP tickets offer an extra hour of sampling plus exclusive VIP goodies for an elevated tasting experience.
Whether you’re planning a date, a friends’ day out, or just a cozy winter outing, Wine & Chocolate is a must-add to your calendar.
