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St. Johns County Council on Aging



River House

Tips and Tricks from a Gardener on Monday, June 22 at River House

Free

with Barbara Purple (Turull)

Calendar Jun 22, 2026 at 9:15 am, runs for 1 week

Preregistration is required for this program as space is limited.

This class will cover the dos and don'ts in caring for one's landscape, as well as time and money saving tips. 

Barbara started her horticultural background at the age of 6 working in her family's garden center in Connecticut. It served her well , as it helped put her through college doing perennial gardens in the summer. She has been a Master Gardener in Connecticut and Florida for a combined total of 30 years. 

This one session class will meet on Monday, June 22 from 9:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Journal Projects: Creating Tags or Journal Cards on Monday, June 22 & 29 at River House

$25

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Jun 22, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Join our inspiring hands-on class designed to help you craft and personalize your very own art journal! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, these workshops offers a perfect space to explore your creativity, experiment with different techniques, and develop your unique artistic voice.

Finding ways to expand your journaling spots can be done many ways. Two of them are making tags and journal cards. You can tuck them away in some pockets, belly bands and tuck places. This is a good way to use up paper scraps.

Supplies specific to this class:

  • Decorative papers
  • Glue stick and Elmer’s glue
  • Stickers, pictures, paint (watercolor or acrylic), brushes
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Scissors

Class session will be held on Monday, June 22 & 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Fishing on Tuesday, June 30 at River House

$1250

with Donna Frantz

Calendar Jun 30, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Get ready for a morning of excitement and adventure.

Want to go fishing and get help learning? Grab your friends and join us for a morning filled with laughs, learning, and of course, fishing! Don't worry about lugging your gear around because all the equipment you need will be provided. Soak up the sun, cast your line, and reel in some unforgettable memories. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a complete beginner, this is your chance to enjoy a morning of fun by the water. Don't let this opportunity slip away – book your spot now for a morning to remember.

Participants younger than 65 may be required to have a fishing license. Some Florida Resident licenses are free. See the website for clarification: https://sjctax.us/saltwater-fishing-license/  Adults must carry proof of age and residency.

The group is limited to 10 total. Don't miss out on this fun fishing event/activity!

This class will meet, light rain or shine and will be mainly outdoors, so bring your water and your sunscreen. I'd also suggest wearing a hat.

Class session is on Tuesday, June 30 from 9 to 11 at River House (179 Marine Street)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Watercolor Landscape Painting on Wednesdays in July at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Jul 1, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 5 weeks

This Watercolor class is designed to expose you to the unique characteristics and techniques of the medium using various scenes and compositional layout. We will be studying atmospheric perspective and depth of field that makes landscape watercolor painting so effective. There will be regular critiques and discussions to improve your understanding and skill development.

Mr. Ouellette received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts in Painting from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He taught at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and showed in many galleries and museums including the Detroit Institute of Art. He moved to St. Augustine in 1981 where he continued his career as an artist and professor of Fine Art at the Florida School of the Arts in his twenty-six year tenure. He was also a professor of Fine Arts, Painting and Design and Art History at SJRCC St. Augustine campus. He is currently teaching Art History and Studio classes at Flagler College Continuing Education.

Watercolor Materials and Supplies                

Brushes:

  • sable (preferred), ox hair (if you can find it or sable blends or sable synthetics 
  • 1”       flat
  • 1/2”    flat
  • #6 and #8 round
  • rigger brush 

 Paper:

  • Two sheets of Arches 22”x30”, 140 lb. cold press,  or a 9” x 12” block      

Paints:

Box sets of tube watercolors which should include most of these:        

  • ultramarine blue
  • cerulean blue
  • cobalt blue
  • thalo blue
  • alizarin crimson
  • cadmium red light
  • cadmium yellow light 
  • new gamboge
  • burnt umber
  • burnt sienna 

Other materials:                            

  • covered palette, plastic
  • painting board approx. 16” x 20”
  • masking tape
  • materials box
  • non-breakable container for water
  • roll of paper towels

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 9 to 11 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Gentle Yoga on Wednesdays in July at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Jul 1, 2026 at 9:15 am, runs for 4 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. 

Class is 60 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 Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 (no class session on July 29) from 9:15 to 10:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Art of Meditation on Wednesdays in July at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Jul 1, 2026 at 10:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Meditation relaxes the body, heals the heart, and calms the mind. This class will introduce a variety of meditation techniques from different traditions. Each class will begin with some brief stretching and breathing followed by an opening meditation; then there will be a short sharing and discussion followed by a different closing meditation. We will be using chairs for all the seated meditations; you do not need to bring a mat or cushion. We may also do some special walking and sound bath meditations.

Scott Farber, Ph.D. has been practicing meditation since 1975, starting with TM (Transcendental Meditation). In addition to teaching yoga meditations, including yoga nidra, and the moving meditation of t'ai chi, he also has studied Zen, Buddhist, Tantric, Sufi, Kabbalah, and Arica methods of meditation. 

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 (no class session on July 29) from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084) 

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Chair Yoga on Wednesdays in July at River House

$25

with Rebecca Dawson

Calendar Jul 1, 2026 at 10:30 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 Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Drawing 1 on Wednesdays in July at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Jul 1, 2026 at 11:15 am, runs for 5 weeks

This course is structured to develop basic drawing techniques by concentrating on the elements of descriptive drawing through observation. 

Students will develop the qualities of line and volume with a full range of values. The course will also cover linear perspective and compositional design.

Materials needed:

  • 18" x 24" drawing paper pad (not sketching paper)
  • 16" x 20" (approx.) drawing board
  • #2 and #4 graphic pencils
  • white plastic eraser
  • kneaded eraser
  • masking tape

Mr. Ouellette received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts in Painting from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He taught at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and showed in many galleries and museums including the Detroit Institute of Art. He moved to St. Augustine in 1981 where he continued his career as an artist and professor of Fine Art at the Florida School of the Arts in his twenty-six year tenure. He was also a professor of Fine Arts, Painting and Design and Art History at SJRCC St. Augustine campus. He is currently teaching Art History and Studio classes at Flagler College Continuing Education.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11:15 to 1:15 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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