Good morning!
May will be here tomorrow and Lake Sinclair isn't taking it slow. This weekend alone we've got the inaugural Sinclair Smackdown bringing competitive wakeboarding and wakesurfing back to the lake for the first time in over two decades, Café du Papa serving up coffee and beignets at the Kinchafoonee Cowboys concert, and Putnam Christian Outreach teeing off for a great cause at Uncle Remus Golf Course. There is truly something for everyone.
With Mother's Day just around the corner on May 10th, I've also put together a full guide to celebrating Mom the Lake Country way, from a spa day to a day on the water to tickets to a jazz concert the following week. You'll find it in this week's Editor's Pick.
And if you've been curious about Higher Ground, the new 55+ community coming to Milledgeville, mark your calendar for the Town Hall on May 7th, it's a great chance to get your questions answered and meet the people behind the project.
One more thing… our Murals & More self-guided walking tour of downtown Milledgeville is in this edition too. Print it out, grab a coffee, and make a morning of it.
It's a big, beautiful May. Let's enjoy every bit of it.
💛 Holly
This week's newsletter is brought to you by our exclusive real estate partner, Nick Montgomery of Selling Sinclair.
If you've been dreaming about life on the water, this one is worth stopping for. 141 Grimes Road in Milledgeville just hit the market; brand new construction, deep water, and a double boathouse waiting for you before lake season kicks off.
The layout is thoughtfully done: vaulted ceilings, a gorgeous quartz and gas kitchen, and a lakeside primary suite so your first view of the day is the water. Downstairs is fully finished with a massive entertaining space, a guest suite, and a flex room, plenty of room for the whole crew.
Outside, you get a wide, deep-water cove with main lake views, a covered porch with vaulted wood ceilings, composite decking, and a level walk straight to your brand-new boathouse. The location is equally practical, close to grocery stores, restaurants, and everything you need for everyday life on Lake Sinclair.
Nick grew up around real estate and knows this lake inside and out. If you're ready to stop dreaming and actually do this, he's the person to call.
Sinclair Smackdown brought to you by Watersports Central
The Sinclair Smackdown Is Coming - And It's Been a Long Time Coming
Competitive wakeboarding and wakesurfing are returning to Lake Sinclair for the first time since 2002, and the team behind it is making sure it's worth the wait. The inaugural Sinclair Smackdown takes over Oconee Springs Park on May 2–3, and if you love life on the water, this is your weekend.
Friday kicks things off with boat demos from industry pros, then Saturday brings the full show — wakeboarding and wakesurfing competitions, local vendors, food, and the kind of lakeside energy that makes you remember why you live here. Whether you're competing or just coming to watch, there's plenty of reason to show up.
Competitor registration is $125 and open through May 3rd. Spectators are welcome to come soak it all in
About the Hosts: WaterSports Central
The Sinclair Smackdown is brought to you by WaterSports Central, and if you've spent any time on the water around here, you probably already know who they are. They've been serving boaters since 1999 and have built a reputation that goes well beyond selling boats, though they do that exceptionally well too, carrying brands like Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Crest, and Chris-Craft.
What makes WaterSports Central stand out is the people. General Manager Brandon Lee grew up boating and skiiing, and that love for the sport shows up in everything from the way the team works with first-time buyers to the events they put together for the community. The Sinclair Smackdown is a natural extension of that, they don't just sell the lake lifestyle, they live it.
Mahjong Beginner’s Class
Thursday, April 30 | 6:00-8:00 P
Lake Country Books & Gifts
Join the Beginner Mahjong Class on April 30 (6–8 PM)—with only a few spots left, now’s the time to grab your seat. Learn the basics, meet new friends, and discover a game that’s as social as it is timeless.
Don’t wait, call or stop by the store to reserve your spot before it fills up. Let the games begin!
PCO’s 7th Annual Helping Hands & Caring Hearts Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 2 | 8:30 A-1:30 P
Uncle Remus Golf Course
Proceeds from the tournament help provide vital resources such as food, clothing, and financial assistance to local individuals and families facing hardship. Contributions also play a crucial role in supporting the homeless and helping feed children on weekends when free school lunches are not available.
By participating, golfers are not only enjoying a great day on the course—they are making a meaningful difference in the lives of deserving local residents. Community support through this annual tournament helps ensure that compassion and care continue throughout the year.
Cafe du Papa
Saturday, May 2 | 7-10 P
Kinchafoonee Cowboys Concert at The Plaza Arts Center
Cafe du Papa will be serving up their signature coffee, beignets, and sweet treats at the Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton during the Kinchafoonee Cowboys concert on Saturday, May 2 from 7 PM to 10 PM. Guests can enjoy a lively evening of music and community while grabbing something delicious from one of Lake Country’s favorite local vendors. Come for the concert, stay for the treats!
Higher Ground Lake Country
Thursday, May 7 | 3-5 P
Fellowship Meriwether
A new 55+ active adult community is coming to Milledgeville, and now is your chance to learn more. Higher Ground Lake Country, an upcoming community designed for active adult living, will be introduced at a special Town Hall Meeting hosted at Fellowship Meriwether Assisted Living Community.
Murals & More: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Milledgeville
It's giving walking tour energy and we're here for it. 🎨
Downtown Milledgeville has some seriously good walls, and we just published your ultimate self-guided guide to all of them. Eight stops, about a mile, and zero excuses not to go.
You'll start at the Flannery O'Connor peacock wings, grab a drink at Bollywood Tacos, walk through what used to be a Civil War armory, take in the stunning Old Governor's Mansion, find Lake Sinclair hidden on the Morning Grind mural, and finish at Greene's with a well-earned plate of something delicious.
History, street art, coffee, and good food - all in one morning. Perfect for lake weekends when you've got guests in town and need a plan. Grab the full route on the blog and don't forget to tag us when you go!
☀️ Summer Camp Season Is HERE — And the Bobcats Are Ready to Play!
Summer is almost here, and Georgia College & State University has a packed lineup of Bobcat Explorers Summer Camps for kids ages 5–12! Each week brings a new theme, new skills, and a whole lot of fun, right here close to home in Milledgeville.
Here's what's on deck:
⚽ Soccer — June 1–5 🎭 Theatre — June 8–12 📣 Cheer — June 15–18 🏅 Sports Frenzy — June 22–26 🏀 Basketball — June 29–July 3 🐛 Backyard Critters — July 6–10
Every week runs Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm on the GCSU campus. Campers enjoy specialty instruction from expert coaches, plus daily recreation, pool time, arts & crafts, and more. Register week-by-week and pick the themes that fit your summer!
👉 See all the details and register at lakesinclairlife.com/kids — and check back, because we're adding more camps as we find them!
Editor’s Pick
Mother’s Day at Lake Sinclair
Mother's Day is May 10th, and Lake Country has everything you need to make Mom feel extra special. From a relaxing day on the water at Oconee Springs Park, to pampering at Southern Laser Medical Spa, to finding the perfect gift at Lake Country Books & Gifts, there's something for every mom.
And if you really want to wow her, grab tickets to The Jazz Legacy Project: Louis Armstrong at Festival Hall on May 14th, a beautiful way to extend the celebration all weekend long.
Want to see more awesome events? Click the link below to check out our full calendar!
Thanks for reading, friends! If you have news, an event, or something worth sharing with the community, I always want to hear about it. Enjoy the weekend and I'll see you back here next week. Holly