Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

St. Johns County Council on Aging



Our Classes

Jewelry Wire Wrapping Class for Beginners on Wednesdays in July at River House

$50

with Kathy Tengesdahl

Calendar Jul 1, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Jewelry art students can expect to learn basic tool use and refine a wire loop in the first class as well as creating a pair of wire wrapped crystal earrings. In subsequent classes we will create spirals combined with crystals to create earrings and advancing to a tree of life wire wrapped pendant as well as a wire link bracelet. Along the way you will learn correct tool usage, wire straightening, wrapped loops, unclosed loops, and making your own loop clasps.

Supplies required:

  • Shynek 10 piece Jewelry tools kit
  • Oh Pandehall 1200 piece 4mm bicone AB crystal beads
  • Bencreat wire 18, 20, 26 gauge
  • Any other beads you may have 

(These items can be found on Amazon)

Kathy Tengesdahl has an AA degree in art and a BS in Education. She combines that with 35 years of creating Jewelry art and she is adept at bead weaving with a focus on creating with wire wrapping. She has taught for the past 5 yrs in The Villages, Florida and now 7 months living in St Augustine. She hopes you will join her in creating something beautiful that you will be proud to wear.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 29 (no class session on July 22) from 1 to 3 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Book Club on Wednesday, July 1 at River House

Free

with Peter Gaspar

Calendar Jul 1, 2026 at 2 pm, runs for 1 week

All are welcome but because of the popularity of this group pre-registration to attend is required.

The River House Book Club meets once a month to discuss a pre-chosen book. The chosen book for July's meeting is The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett.

The facilitator for this group is Peter Gaspar.

This group will meet on Wednesday, July 1 from 2 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Chair Yoga on Thursdays in July at River House

$25

with Rebecca Dawson

Calendar Jul 2, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 5 weeks

Discover a yoga practice that has therapeutic benefits for seniors who may not be able to stand for long periods of time or may be uncomfortable seated on the floor.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 9:00 - 10:00 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Watercolor Doodles on Thursdays in July at River House

$50

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Jul 2, 2026 at 11 am, runs for 5 weeks

Watercolor/doodle class is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to learn about, and experiment with, two fascinating art forms: watercolor painting and doodling. Through a combination of hands-on instruction, group discussions, and individual feedback, students will develop their own unique style and gain the skills and confidence needed to express themselves creatively. 

 Supplies needed:

  • Watercolor paints - tube or pan paint sets
  • Extra-Fine black line markers (i.e. Sharpie black)
  • Small set of color markers (dual tips)
  • 140lb watercolor paper (hot or cold press -ok)
  • Mechanical pencil
  • White gel pen
  • Gold gel pen
  • Eraser
  • Paper towels
  • 2 Water containers
  • Paint brushes - 4, 6, 8 rounds; 1 inch flat brush; rigger brush
  • Color wheel

Class sessions take place on Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 11 - 1 at the River House, 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

For ages 18 and up

Will run

Colored Pencil Art on Thursdays in July at River House

$50

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Jul 2, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 5 weeks

With instructor Liz Monaco, this class is designed to teach you the popular art of Colored Pencil to create your very own works of art. You will learn color mixing, layering, and other techniques to get the results you have always wanted. 

*Supplies Needed:

  • Prisma Color Premier Colored Pencils – Set of 24
  • Open Stock Colors: Black Grape, Magenta
  • Colorless Blender
  • White Plastic Eraser, Pencil Sharpener, Ruler
  • Bristol Vellum Drawing Paper
  • Tracing paper, Graphite Transfer Paper

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Apple Devices: iPhone Basics on Thursdays in July at River House

$34

with Fred Hathorn

Calendar Jul 2, 2026 at 1:45 pm, runs for 4 weeks

This course is about iPhones only.

Lesson topics will be:

  • Getting Started with the iPhone
  • iPhone Settings & Personalization
  • Essential Apps for Everyday Use
  • Productivity, Ecosystem & Everyday Skills

By the end of the course students will be able to:

  • Operate and troubleshoot their iPhone (on/off, reboot, basic fixes).
  • Adjust key settings and personalize their device.
  • Use the core apps (Phone, Messages, Mail, Safari, Photos).
  • Install new apps safely.
  • Understand iCloud and how Apple devices work together.

A brief bio on the instructor, Fred Hathorn:

  • 1966-1992  US Army officer, mostly working in information technology 
  • 1992-2006 Information technology consultant, multiple governmental clients
  • 2010-2014 Member, Saint Augustine Mac User Group (SAMUG)
  • 2014-2017 Vice-President, Saint Augustine Mac User Group (SAMUG)
  • 2017-2023 President, Saint Augustine Mac User Group (SAMUG)Education

Education:

  • 1966 BS, Mathematics, USAF Academy 
  • 1972 MS, Industrial Engineering (Computer Utilization), Stanford University 
  • 1989 DSc, Computer Science, George Washington University 

FYI, Mac computers and iPhones are both made by the Apple company.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16 from 1:45 - 3:15 and July 30 from 1:45 - 2:45 (no session on 7/23) at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Gentle Yoga on Mondays in July at River House

$1875

with Scott Farber

Calendar Jul 6, 2026 at 9:15 am, runs for 3 weeks

This dynamic yet gentle class is for all ages, accommodating beginners as well as those who want to deepen their practice. Using teaching demonstrations and detailed guidance, each class proceeds in a safe and slow way to instruct the basics of (Kripalu) yoga postures, breathwork and meditation. Plenty of modifications and variations will be given for different body types. 

Classes are 90 minutes and include an opening centering, gentle warmups, postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), and a long closing relaxation (yoga nidra). 

Please bring your own yoga mat, water bottle, and blanket or cushion to sit on.

Scott Farber, Ph.D., E-RYT 500/YACEP. Scott has been practicing yoga, meditation, and t'ai chi since the 1970s. A former college professor, with a doctorate in philosophy of education, he has traveled and taught all over the world. He now serves as a lead trainer in the Discovery Yoga School, offering a variety of yoga classes, workshops and teacher trainings.

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, July 6, 13, 20 (no class session on July 27) from 9:15 to 10:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Play Pétanque on Mondays in July at River House

$25

with Michael Ramsey-Smith

Calendar Jul 6, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Class is for beginners and players who already know how to play the game.

Pétanque: A class in playing the traditional French game of Pétanque. You will find the outdoor game of pétanque (pronounced pé-tonk) being played in almost every town and village in southern France. All it takes to play the game is a set of  two or more metal boules (balls), each ball weighing about 1.5 pounds; a small colorful target ball made of wood (called a cochonnet); and a players’ ring approximately 28 inches in diameter. The game is usually played on an outdoor gravel, sandy or grass surface. The class is designed for beginners and experienced players who would like to develop their skills in playing the game.

There are dozens of pétanque clubs throughout the United States including seven in Florida. That includes Saint Augustine’s ‘Boules de Leon’ Pétanque Club. The sport is governed by the Pétanque Federation of America. State and regional tournaments take place on a regular basis throughout the U.S. The sport is very popular with retired folks who sometimes play it well into their eighties. It is a wonderful activity for stimulating the physical and mental processing skills of people of all ages. The game is very easy to learn (it can be learned to play in less than a day), but it takes practice and patience to become a skilled player.

The Pétanque classes will take place on a patch of gravel and grass behind the car park on the South West side of the COA building at 180 Marine St., but registration for the class is at River House (179 Marine St.)

Participants can wear any outdoor clothing, along with any outdoor shoes, but NOT sandals, flip-flops or shoes with exposed toes. You are encouraged to bring water, wear a hat with a brim or peak and use sunscreen. Also, bring a folding chair if you want a place to sit.

Class sessions will be on Mondays July 6, 13, 20, 27 from 9:30 to 10:30 at a patch of gravel and grass behind the car park on the South West side of the COA building at 180 Marine St., but registration for the class is at River House (179 Marine St.)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





Forgot password?
Staff Log In