The Grandview's Priority List Members Enjoy Bocce

Steve and Laura Lodge have fond memories of playing bocce with Steve's father when he lived at Riderwood, an Erickson Senior Living community in Silver Spring, Md.

"When there was really good weather, we got his dad outside and would play along with our two daughters and extended family," says Laura. "It was nice for multiple generations to get together."

This memory is just one reason why the couple is excited to continue playing bocce when they move to The Grandview, a recently opened Erickson Senior Living community in Bethesda, Md.

Sharing the love

Steve was introduced to bocce at a young age. "We took a couple of vacation trips to Italy, where my dad bought a bocce ball set. It just became part of our family from then on. We would play on holidays and at family gatherings," says Steve.

Laura began playing once she started dating Steve.

"I've enjoyed it because I'm not particularly athletically inclined, but regardless of your athletic ability, you can still hold your head up high and participate," she explains.

Getting started

Once they heard about The Grandview, Steve and Laura joined the Priority List, which saved their spot in line for their desired residence.

"We had been checking out a few different places, and Laura had been keeping her eye on the space where the Marriott headquarters used to be," recalls Steve. "As soon as she found out it was going to be an Erickson community, we sort of jumped to check into it and get on the Priority List because it's in our current neighborhood."

He adds, "We had nothing but good experiences with Erickson when my dad was at Riderwood, so when we saw that The Grandview was an Erickson community, we were on board."

To meet some of their future neighbors and share their love of the game, Steve offered to head up a bocce club for Priority List members.

"Just about everybody who's signed up for the group so far has never played before, but it's a pretty basic game and really easy to learn," says Steve. "I tell the other members that, 'By the time we're playing on The Grandview's courts, you guys are going to be experts!'"

New friends near home

Steve and Laura agree that the ability to meet future neighbors through other Priority List events has been an excellent community-building experience.

"I want to give a shout-out to The Grandview's Priority List events and lectures, where we've met other people," says Steve. "For the last couple of years, it's been really nice getting to make new friends."

When the Lodges move, it won't be far. Many Bethesda residents will be joining them, too. "We're about a stone's throw away from The Grandview," says Laura.

"This way, we keep our church, our pharmacy, our grocery store, and stay close to our grandchildren," says Steve. "We also love the Strathmore Music Center and Hank Dietle's Tavern, which are close by."

Steve adds that he also hopes to attend football and baseball games nearby at his alma mater, Walter Johnson High School.

Looking ahead

The couple chose a home on the 10th floor of the first residence building, Potomac Heights.

In addition to playing bocce with new friends, Laura is eager to visit The Grandview's indoor fitness center and pool.

"If there's a heat wave, rain, snow, or ice, I'm looking forward to having year-round access to the fitness center," says Laura, pointing to the fact that all of the community's indoor amenities can be accessed without going outside.

They also hope to find cozy reading nooks in the community, as both Steve and Laura are avid bookworms, and strengthen the friendships they've made through the Priority List.

Next-door neighborliness

In fact, the couple has already met people who will live on their floor. "It's nice to already know them, as we are bound to see each other in the hallway or heading to one of the restaurants," says Laura. "It turns out that someone in our bocce club is going to be our next-door neighbor."

Steve jokes, saying, "Maybe we can practice bocce in the hallway outside our door!"

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

By Gregory J. Alexander