When a Senior Living Community Feels Like Home, You Can Hear It

Summary

At Holiday Hartland Hills in Lexington, Kentucky, a weekly game of Bocce with Bob has become one of the moments residents look forward to most. It’s filled with laughter, friendly teasing and the kind of connection that brings neighbors closer. For anyone exploring senior living, it offers a genuine glimpse of life here.

On Thursday afternoons, you can hear something special before you ever see it.

Laughter.

Friendly teasing.

And the soft clack of bocce balls rolling across the floor.

That sound belongs to Bocce with Bob, one of the most loved traditions in the community and a perfect example of what Uncommon Hospitality looks like in real life.

For residents and families exploring senior living, it’s the kind of moment that quietly answers a big question:

Will I or my family member actually feel happy and connected there?

At Holiday Hartland Hills, the answer comes to life every week through a simple game with community leadership right there alongside everyone else.

What is Bocce with Bob?

When Senior General Manager Bob Calzone first brought out a bocce set, he wasn’t trying to start anything big. He just wanted residents to have something fun to do together.

Six people showed up. Then twelve. Then more. Each time the group grew, Bob added another set of bocce balls, so no one had to wait too long for their turn. Pretty soon, residents were asking the same question.

“Can we do this more than once a month?”

The answer was an easy yes.

Now the weekly game is a Thursday afternoon tradition. The game is played indoors and seated, with a few thoughtful tweaks so everyone can join in, including residents who use walkers. There’s a scoreboard, plenty of playful competition and just enough good-natured trash talk to keep everyone smiling.

It’s simple, and it’s welcoming. It’s one of the highlights of the week.

Why moments like this matter when you’re choosing senior living

If you’re starting to look at senior living options, the questions that matter most aren’t always about square footage or dining menus.

They’re about how it will feel.

Will I be lonely?

Will I make friends?

Will people really know me here?

A weekly game of bocce might sound small, but it answers those questions in a powerful way. It brings neighbors together. It turns quick hellos into real conversations and real friendships.

This is Uncommon Hospitality at Holiday Hartland Hills. You see it in moments that feel easy and natural, where people can laugh together, tease each other and just be part of something.

Why people touring the community are invited to stop by

When families and future residents visit Holiday Hartland Hills, they’re often encouraged to stop in during Bocce with Bob.

That’s because it gives you a real sense of life here.

You see neighbors cheering each other on.

You see Bob right there with them, laughing along.

You feel the comfort of a place where people belong.

Bob puts it simply. People should feel comfortable enough to laugh, joke and be themselves. That’s how real connection happens.

What Bocce with Bob says about life at Holiday Hartland Hills

Bocce with Bob is just one tradition, but it says a lot.

It says this is a place where leaders are part of everyday life. Where activities are designed so everyone can join in. Where connection matters just as much as comfort.

Most of all, it shows that Holiday Hartland Hills isn’t just where people live. They’re enjoying life here.

Thinking about senior living?

If you’re near Lexington, we’d love for you to come see Bocce with Bob for yourself. There’s nothing quite like watching neighbors laughing, cheering each other on and sharing time together to get a true sense of what it’s like to live at Holiday Hartland Hills.

And if you’re exploring senior living in another city, look for those same kinds of moments – the ones that show people genuinely at home.

Come see Bocce with Bob

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Find a Holiday by Atria community near you