Southern Living Inspired Bunco at Harbor Club

Baby Boomers love socializing when they finally achieve the point where they can now live a life of luxury, no alarm clocks, just endless days enjoying the finer things in life.  After years spent building the funds to enjoy the ultimate in retirement living, active seniors enjoy the fact that they no longer have to fulfill the obligation of the “9 to 5” routine and look forward to spending the days filled with engaging activities in an exhilarating lake community that offers not only exceptional homes, first-class amenities, resort-themed living but also the adventures of interacting with like-minded folks who enjoy the option of having no schedule but fun and fulfillment for a daily routine. 

One of the most socially active communities to be found on the pristine waters of Lake Oconee, is the award-winning Harbor Club.  This amazing “Southern Living Inspired Community” is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Greensboro offering traditional southern values and a fantastic engaging social network.  One of the hottest new trends that offers fun for residents is the game of bunco. Quickly becoming one of the favorite past-times, this fun-filled activity is enjoyed with friends of all ages using dice to challenge each other’s skills.  It is an old game with new traditions, especially coupled with delicious Lowcountry cuisine at the Harbor Club.

Bunco originated in the 1920’s as a parlor game and was generally played with 12 or more players divided into groups of four with a mission to attain scores while rolling four dice.  Bunco is attained when a person rolls three-of-a-kind with those numbers matching the round number.  The game originated in England and since has become a popular sport for socializing for fun, prizes and sharing cocktails and delicious cuisine with friends.  Today’s version, similar to the original rules, the game is played in 2 to 4 sets with six rounds in each set.  Here are the basics if new to bunco:

• A game of Bunco is played in two to four sets, with six rounds in each set.
• A player at the head table rings a bell to signal the beginning and end of each round.
• During the game, players at each table take turns rolling three dice to try and earn points. All tables play simultaneously.
• During each round, players attempt to roll the same number as the number of the round (for example, rolling three 3's in Round 3 would earn the player points).
• For every number rolled that matches the round number, one point is awarded to that player.
• A player keeps rolling until they score no points. The scorekeeper then records the score they earned onto the table rally as the temporary team score. Then the dice are passed to the player on the left.
• When the head table has earned 21 points, the round is over. The head table rings a bell to signal that the round has ended.
• At the end of every round, players change partners and/or tables. 
• At the end of a game, there are typically multiple "winners." The player(s) with the most Buncos, wins, losses, may earn prizes for their successes.  At the least, it is a socializing engaging way to enjoy time with fellow residents at the Harbor Club.

The bunco group is growing at Harbor Club on Lake Oconee.  Each month, a new host and co-host offers the game played on rotating homes throughout the neighborhoods.  Not only do friends of the Ladies League enjoy the challenge of playing, they also get to sample some incredible Southern Living recipes prepared at the monthly outing.  It’s not only a fun way to get together with friends, it is a great way to taste some amazing food prepared by the hosts.  This event is becoming hugely popular and is looked forward to by all.  At the August event, buncos enjoyed pork tenderloin sandwiches, homemade salsa and chips, Asian salad and parmesan-bacon wrapped breadsticks to boot.  Add some crisp wine and decadent chocolate trifle and the formula is made complete for another exciting “night in” at Harbor Club.  The bond of the members and the rich and warm atmosphere that imbibes at this lake community is one of the reasons Boomers love living here.  This is one happening spot to live in Georgia!  For those who missed the event, here is the recipe shared by Southern Living Magazine:

Southern Living Chocolate Trifle

Ingredients

1 (19.8-ounce) package fudge brownie mix

1/2 cup Kahlua or other coffee-flavored liqueur (can be substituted with coffee and sugar; see recipe)

3 (3.9-ounce) packages chocolate instant pudding mix

1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

6 (1.4-ounce) English toffee-flavored candy bars, crushed

Step 1

Prepare brownie mix, and bake according to package directions in a 13- x 9- x 2-inch pan. Prick top of warm brownies at 1-inch intervals using a fork; drizzle with Kahlua. If preferred, 4 tablespoons strong brewed coffee and 1 teaspoon sugar may be substituted for Kahlua. Let cool, and crumble.

Step 2

Prepare pudding mix according to package directions, omitting chilling. Place one-third of crumbled brownies in bottom of a 3-quart trifle dish. Top with one-third each of pudding, whipped topping, and crushed candy bars. Repeat layers twice with remaining ingredients, ending with crushed candy bars. Chill 8 hours.

Chef's Notes

4 tablespoons strong brewed coffee and 1 teaspoon sugar may be substituted for Kahlua.

You can watch a helpful video of the trifle assembly here: https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/chocolate-trifle-recipe

The Harbor Club is a captivating “Southern Living-Inspired Community” and thrives on social gatherings, neighbor interactions and community celebrations that coincide with true southern hospitality.  Besides bunco and great foodie events, there are endless festivities offered residents throughout the year to foster social engagement.  Here are a few more upcoming events that homeowners can enjoy:

• TriviaThurs, Oct 4th | 6-9pm
• Final Couples GolfSun, Oct 7th | 1pm
• Music Game Show NightFri, Oct 12th | 6-9pm  
• OktoberfestSat, Oct 13th | 6-9pm | Clubhouse
• Ladies League LuncheonTues, Oct 16th | 11am | Clubhouse
• 8th Annual LGA Pink Ribbon Tournament & Raffle - Thurs, Oct 18th | 9am Shotgun Start - This fun event is a benefit that will support The Lydia Project, a worthwhile cause that assist women afflicted with cancer. Golfers & Non-golfers are invited to participate in the Raffle Fundraiser.  Gift Baskets & Gift Certificates will be raffled.  $5/ticket.  No limit.  Purchase between 9am-10am on October 18th.  Drawing to be held at 11am.  Do not need to be present to win.
• Harbor Club Halloween Party – Friday, October 26th – The Stables

This fun for all invites residents to don their best costume and dance the night away while sharing cocktails at the Clubhouse while hauntingly engaging with neighbors.  A great way to celebrate the youthful side while sharing some “boo’s” with friends.

In addition to social events there are multiple ways to interact with neighbors while polishing sporting skills and for philanthropic enrichment:

• Tennis Clinics & Lessons - Available to new and seasoned tennis players.  Registration required.
• Pickleball Schedule – Co-Ed Doubles:  M/Tuesday/Friday & Saturday 8:30am/Women – Wed@8:30am/Men – Thursday@8:30am
• Harbor Club Men’s Golf Association – Wednesday & Friday – 10am
• Harbor Club Ladies Golf Association – Tuesday & Thursday – 10am
• Croquet – Fridays – 9:30am at the Clubhouse
• Victory Garden – Want to polish your gardening skills, join this insightful workshop at the Harbor Club located at The Grove.
• Ladies League – Meet new friends for educational luncheons, local field trips, charitable events and social gatherings for monthly entertainment at the Harbor Club.

Home shoppers looking for one of the best places to retire on a lake, should consider the friendly lake community found at Harbor Club on Lake Oconee.  Awarded the “2017 Bliss Award for Best Lake Community of the Year” and the “2018 Best Georgia Community of the Year”, this neighborhood location offers a lot when it comes to an all-inclusive resort lifestyle.  One of the best Lake Oconee golf courses is found here along with boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, awesome amenities, an active social calendar and spectacular homes which makes this piece of real estate prime for the ultimate retirement location. Developers fell in love with the location in 1991 and saw the vision of creating a neighborhood with small town appeal and breathtaking views of Lake Oconee.  Now considered one of the best golf resorts near Atlanta, Harbor Club is ranked 4th on Golfweek’s “2016 State-by-State Best Courses You Can Play” in the state of Georgia.  Add fitness, fine dining, tennis, a marina and boathouse, pool, tennis and a bevy of social activities and home shoppers realize that this indeed the perfect place to buy a property before it’s too late.

This happy and fun neighborhood is developed on a 1,000-acre family owned homesite built along 9 miles on the serene shoreline of the austere Lake Oconee, only an hour east of Atlanta.  The strategic location provides easy access to all the perks of a big city nearby, with all the convenience of living on a lake with all the necessities refined within the gates of this well-planned retirement community.

One of the major draws in the Harbor Club, is the statuesque 15,000 square foot clubhouse and restaurant designed by the acclaimed “Southern Living” architect, Stephen Fuller.  The views of the 18th hole of the award-winning Weiskopf-Morrish designed course are spectacular from the Clubhouse Restaurant that features amazing local cuisine from the talented local Chef David Butler.  Whether is a local favorite like “Shrimp and Grits”, a hearty New York Strip or “fresh catch of the day”, the food found here is unmatched.  Add organic veggies grown on the property’s Victory Garden and the meal is complete.  There is no better place to enjoy the sun setting over Lake Oconee while sipping a premier glass of wine than from the clubhouse at the Harbor Club.  With breakfast, lunch and dinner offered, life is a luxury living at this amazing resort location. After a round of golf or tennis, a happy hour cocktail at the bar is refreshing while taking in the scenic views of the lake with neighbors in this was close knit community.  There is a bevvy of active social events offered here monthly and The Clubhouse nis one of the prime places for residents to mingle and enjoy the superfluous life found living at the Harbor Club.  From trivia nights, luncheons, live-music and holiday parties traditional southern style prevails throughout the year.

Avid golfers enjoy the pristine 18-hole greenway designed by Weiskopf-Morrish.  Ranked 4th on Golfweek’s 2017 “State-by-State Best Courses You Can Play in the State of Georgia”, this amazing fairway is not only a challenging course, but the views of Lake Oconee are priceless.  Designed for players of all skill levels, this course is considered one of the best Lake Oconee golf courses.  With six holes skirting the shoreline of Lake Oconee, four creeks and several integrated reward holes, this is by far one of the best amenities for residents in this premier lake community.  After a stimulating round of golf, dinner and drinks at The Clubhouse makes the day complete.

Another great resource for social interaction, great exercise and outdoor festivities that abound here are pool time, tennis and pickleball.  Swimming is a great resource for refreshing water sports at the junior- sized Olympic pool.   Add double tennis court and pickle ball courts with lighting for night play and there is a completed day of fun and wellness complete at the Harbor Club.

Staying fit is a breeze at the Harbor Club on Lake Oconee.  There is a complete 2000-square foot wellness center and yoga room complete with state-of-the-art fitness machines providing both strength and cardio workouts along with a wide array of classes to choose from ranging from yoga to Zumba.  For those who like outdoor exercise, there is a quarter-mile track for interval training and a one-mile naturally preserved hiking trail with a 10-station Fit-Trail® perfect to complement a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle at Harbor Club.

Boaters love the fact that they can launch their vessels from the Marina and Boathouse that comes fully equipped with 2 boat ramps, convenience store, valet assistance and ethanol-free gas with 10% discount for home owners.  Lake Oconee offers some of the best fishing, fulling stocked with succulent Bass and crappie and fishing is yet another favorite pastime of residents at Harbor Bay.   In addition to the lake, the property also has several “stocked ponds” for anglers to practice casting a real and is yet another perk living at this well-planned lake community.

One of the best resources offered at Harbor Club can be found at The Grove which spreads over 12 acres of preserved topography and pristine landscaped greenspace.  It is here where residents can take a brisk outdoor hike in the beautiful paved walkways that wrap throughout this incredibly well-planned community while enjoying a glorious sunset over Lake Oconee.  The pacifying Sanctuary Pond provides a great outdoor escape to sit back and enjoy reading a book or sharing a picnic with friends.  The Victory Garden is another splendid resource for those who enjoy gardening and growing their own fresh produce and flowers while bonding with neighbors at the horticultural club.  The dog parks that accommodate four-legged friends is yet another way to stay connected in this close-knit community.  For outdoor sports, the Sports Field provides a forum to play soccer, football, fly a kite, or play frisbee with Fido perfect for enjoying the year-round favorable temperatures found in Georgia.  The Grandstand is ideal for spectators to watch young athletes compete in their favorite games and spend time with the family.  Outdoor concerts and community events are other ways to bond at this spectacular outdoor arena.

The Harbor Club has an imbedded reputation for setting the standards for lake front living in Georgia.  This immaculate lake community sprawls across 1600 acres of impressive preserved greenspace scattered with some of the most impressive architectural designs that compliment the setting along the nine miles of shoreline that border the property.  Lake Oconee, the second largest lake in the state, is massive with a surface area of 19,971 acres and 374 miles of shoreline making this the ideal spot to escape reality.  This wonderful outdoor playground is the reason home sites here are becoming more rare.

The golf cart friendly neighborhoods found at the Harbor Club showcase a wide array of unique home designs.  Whether it is a Cottage, Craftsman, Mountain Rustic or Southern Traditional, the esteem builders found here can satisfy any discerning shopper looking for the ideal lake oasis. Patriot Builders provides seamless construction from beginning to end and are exclusive to the Harbor Club.  Buyers have confidence when buying homesites here that the “end product” is flawless.  There are 600 home of the 900 planned and the properties are still available.  Homesites can be found in the $40k’s while preconstructed homes start in the $300k’s.  While Lake Oconee is considered the perfect vacation destination, at Harbor Club, the majority of home owners are full-time residents and understand the benefits of living the staycation lifestyle.  This is the perfect time to shop for a retirement home with memories everlasting.

Lake Oconee adorns the quaint and historical town of Greensboro founded in 1786 which is ideally situated between Atlanta and Augusta and only 40 minutes south of Athens.  With a four-season climate, year-round activities provide residents a multitude of options for living well in Georgia.  Downtown Greensboro is a great spot to enjoy antebellum architecture, exquisite eateries, unique boutiques, antiques and lively festivals.  The number one priority for Boomers is to find a community that offers it all, with fitness and well-being as key factors in living an enriched and fulfilling life.  Living at Harbor Lake is like being on vacation every day!   Once folks enter the property, they realize that this is home.  Truly representing the warmth and feel of living the southern lifestyle, Harbor Club was selected as a new member of the acclaimed “Southern Living Inspired Communities” which is a truly a deserved honor.  Now is the time to explore the coastal home floor plans available at this lake front oasis.

Baby Boomers can’t say enough about the incredible lifestyle offered at the Harbor Club.  Whether you’re a boater, golfer, tennis player, fisherman or just someone who enjoys living on the water, maintaining good health and social interaction is a priority at this location.  For the ultimate golf resort near Atlanta and the ideal place to retire in Georgia, Harbor Club has it all!

To schedule a visit to Harbor Club on Lake Oconee and check on Discovery Package availability, call directly 866.805.5253.