Who were my ancestors? Where were they from? What did they experience? How did I get here? What decisions did my forebears make that led to my being here? Studying your family's history is a great way of contributing to an enjoyable retirement. It keeps our brains active and can generate interesting conversations with relatives. In this introductory course we will teach you the basic techniques and show you how you can use them from home. We will also help you avoid researching someone else's family!

Please bring pen and paper to take notes.

Paul founded the One-Name Study into his surname, reconstructing families for anyone named Howes (or House or Howse) anywhere in the world, now over 224,000 people at howesfamilies.com. Currently President of the St Augustine Genealogical Society, Paul has spoken on Family History topics to groups and conferences on both sides of the Atlantic. Paul was Chairman of the Guild of One-Name Studies for three years and is now a Vice-President.

Elizabeth Heinze is a St. Augustine resident and a Board Member of the St Augustine Genealogical Society. She has been doing genealogy all her adult life. She has self-published genealogies of her father's family and those of her husband's. She has been a member of various genealogy societies and has been published in Family Tree Magazine. 

Class sessions will meet on Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 12:45  to 1:45 at River House located at 179 Marine St. in St. Augustine. 

This ballet class is designed for seniors but emphasizes classical technique rather than exercise for its own sake. Approximately the first 20-30 minutes of class will be devoted to floor work that develops range of joint motion, strength, stretch and muscular sequencing necessary for ballet technique. That will be followed by about 30 minutes each at the barre and center. These exercises are selected to improve balance, posture, upper body range of motion and enhance the ability to transfer weight with confidence and grace. Some prior dance experience is recommended. The ability to work lying or sitting on the floor, get up from the floor, and the ability to stand and move unaided are required.

Ballet shoes are recommended.

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 1:30 - 3 at River House (179 Marine St.)

For ages 18 and up.

Pockets will bring an interesting and an interactive approach to add storage, hidden places for special notes, and creativity to your art journals. Embellish them with clusters, labels, charms, stickers and other decorative elements.

Supplies specific to this class:

• Decorative papers or cardstock in colors that compliment your journal colors.
• Lace, Stickers, Stamps, Ink pad, Charms, Magazines or books for images to embellish, etc.
• White PVA Glue
• Scissors

General Supplies needed:

• Journals- blank sketch/watercolor books, or you can hand make a book or alter a book.
• Pens, markers, pencils, rulers, brushes Paints (acrylics, watercolors, inks, metallics)
• Colored pencils
• Collage materials: (magazine clippings, newspapers, paper scraps)
• Glue or adhesives 
• Stamps and stencils
• Washi or decorative tapes
• Gesso: white or clear
• Sponges
• Palette knives

Optional supplies

• Fabric,
• Textured papers, 
• Brayer
• Gel press
• Ink sprays 
• Found objects or memorabilia 

Class session will be held on Monday, March 2 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

This class focuses on building real-world strength through functional movement patterns using dumbbells. You'll work through full-body exercises designed to improve muscular strength, stability, mobility, and coordination. Target every muscle group and mimic natural motion—helping you move better in everyday life, prevent injury, and boost overall daily performance.  

All fitness levels welcome. Modifications and progressions are offered for beginners and advanced clients alike.

Perfect for anyone wanting a stronger, more functional body without the need for machines or heavy equipment.  Build strong, stable, and efficient movement patterns that carry over into your daily activities, sport, or active lifestyle—one dumbbell at a time!

Equipment needed: 

• Dumbbells (anywhere from 2-15 pounds),
• yoga mat,
• sneakers,
• towel,
• water bottle

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 2:15 to 3:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

A low-impact class designed to improve flexibility, range of motion, and stability through a combination of stretching exercises and balance-focused movements, to enhance overall mobility and reduce fall risk. The class incorporates various static and dynamic stretches alongside exercises that challenge balance and coordination across the body. 

Equipment needed: 

• Yoga Mat,
• yoga strap (optional)
• light dumbbells (optional)

Katie is on a mission to empower everyone with the mantra "get stronger to live longer." As an ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor since 2018 she brings her passion for health and wellness to the St. Augustine community through a variety of engaging classes. Specializing in Body Pump, Indoor Cycle, Boot Camp, Core & Flexibility, and Active Older Adult Classes, Katie ensures her sessions are both enjoyable and challenging. Her journey is a testament to the adage that age is just a number, as she achieved her lifelong ambition of becoming a fitness instructor at 44.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 9 to 10 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

New to fishing or just new to fishing in Florida? 

This series you will learn:

• Know before you go - this will give you the basics
• Florida Rules and Regulations
• Learn what to keep and what to throw back
• Knot tying
• Bait selection
• When/where to fish
• What to have in your tackle box
• Proper fish handling

During this series you will learn how to fish from the beach, along the shore of the Intracoastal, or from a pier and how to catch a variety of interesting species. 

Come get schooled up and have fun! Attend all scheduled class sessions in the month for a chance to win a Rod and Reel Combo!

Class sessions will be held Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 (no class session on March 31) from 9 to 10:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

 For ages 18 and up.

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 Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 9:15 to 10:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Bienvenidos, 

In this course you will learn basic Spanish. You will also learn everyday phrases, commonly used words, colloquial words used by Spanish speakers, the history and customs of different countries, as well as “Castilian-Castellano” the language brought to this beautiful town by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his crew. You will be surprised of how much Spanish you already know. Don’t forget your notebook (cuaderno) and pen/pencil (bolígrafo /lápiz). 

María Teresa Martínez is a native Spanish speaker, born in Havana, Cuba. Her family ancestry is from Spain. She came to the United States in 1968 and learned English as a high school student in Dover, Delaware. She has taught from early childhood to college level Spanish.  She also served as a medical and judicial interpreter for many years as the owner of a  translation and interpretation business. Since retiring to San Augustine she has enjoyed teaching Spanish classes at the River House/COA. Her courses provide an interesting mix of learning the Spanish language while enjoying tidbits about the colonial history of our city Saint Augustine and Spain. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 10 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.