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St. Johns County Council on Aging

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The Arts (writing, painting, acting, etc.)

Sea Shell Art Class (Halloween theme) on Tuesday, October 14 at River House

$10

with Jim Cargilo

Calendar Oct 14, 2025 at 11 am, runs for 1 week

For Beginners and Intermediates.

Come join us for fun and creativity. Use your skill and imagination to turn Sea Shells into shell "Things". Make a Halloween themed critter or item.

This class will have a Halloween theme.

Choose from twenty pre-made kits and customize the kits with your own inspiration.

Jim learned to make things out of Sea Shells, being inspired by his wife, Gayle, who is an Artist and who is now making jewelry.

Class session is on Tuesday, October 14 from 11 to Noon at River House (179 Marine Street)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Jewelry Wire Wrapping Class on Mondays in November and December at River House

$50

with Kathy Tengesdahl

Calendar Nov 3, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 5 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:

  • VOUIU 6 piece jewelry plier set
  • PH Panda Hall 34 color 4mm electroplate glass crystals AB.
  • Bencreat wire, roll of 20 gauge and 26 gauge silver wire
  • GUFJUCH stainless steel earring hook set, wires, backs, jump rings

(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 Mondays, November 3, 10, 17 and December 1, 8 from 10 to noon at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

No class sessions Nov. 24 and Dec. 15, 22, 29

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Dance Flex on Mondays in November and December at River House

$3750

with Judy Woodruff

Calendar Nov 3, 2025 at 1:30 pm, runs for 5 weeks

Dance Flex is designed to maximize joint mobility, improve proprioception (body awareness) and sensory perception, and facilitate ease of movement. The class work will include short movement sequences, focusing on where they initiate, their pathways through the physical body and through space to reach an end point. Additionally, it will touch on breath support, spatial support and dynamic flow. The class is aimed at dancers who have had at least some formal training. Participants should be able to lie on the floor for significant periods of time without pain and to be able to get up and down with confidence and stability.

You don't need special shoes but you might want to wear old socks. Yoga mat and a towel might be good, although mats don’t work well for most of what you'll do.

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, November 3, 10, 17 and December 1, 8 from 1:30 - 3 at River House (179 Marine St.)

No class sessions on Nov. 24 and Dec. 15, 22, 29.

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Making and Creating an Art Journal on Mondays in November and December at River House

$50

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Nov 3, 2025 at 1:30 pm, runs for 5 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, this workshop offers a perfect space to explore your creativity, experiment with different techniques, and develop your unique artistic voice.

Page Techniques: Practice diverse methods like watercolor washes, mixed media layering, doodling, stamping, and collaging to bring your pages to life.

Creative Exploration: Use prompts and exercises to unlock ideas, encourage spontaneous art-making, and let your pages evolve naturally.

Personalization: Learn how to incorporate your own memorabilia, quotes, and themes that resonate with your personal story or interests.

Maintaining Your Journal: Tips for staying motivated, documenting your everyday moments, and making journaling a fun and ongoing creative project to continue exploring long after the session.

Who Should Join: Anyone interested in art, self-expression, or simply exploring new ways to create! No prior experience needed—just an open mind and a love for making art.

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:

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

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, November 3, 10, 17 and December 1, 8 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

No class sessions Nov. 24 and Dec. 15, 22, 29.

For ages 18 and up.

Christmas Caroling on Tuesdays in November and December at River House

$25

with Abigail Dyer

Calendar Nov 4, 2025 at 10:15 am, runs for 4 weeks

"Come and join others as we enjoy singing beloved Christmas Carols and maybe a Thanksgiving song or two."

This class may be taken alone or as preparation for the four-session November/December Christmas Caroling class that will conclude on Tuesday, December 9th with performances of the carols at local rehabilitation and memory care centers, and a performance at the River House Winter Wonderland Expo on Wednesday, December 17th. 

No prior singing or choral experience needed. 

Bring a pencil.

Abby is a graduate of Vassar College (BA) and Columbia University (MA, M.Phil., Ph.D.), and the Mannes College Wagner Theater Program.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, November 4, 18 and December 2, 9 from 10:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

No class sessions Nov. 11, 25 and Dec. 16, 23, 30.

For ages 18 and up.

Beginners Ballroom Dance Group Class on Tuesdays in November and December at River House

$25

with Ramona Walter

Calendar Nov 4, 2025 at 11:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Join Ramona as she teaches Beginners Ballroom Dance Group Class. No partner is needed. A strictly beginners Ballroom Dance Class where you come to enjoy yourself with friends you haven't met yet. We have a great time while learning a new skill.

Learn the basic steps in Ballroom Dance so you can move around the dance floor with confidence. Dancing is the best exercise for your body and your brain. Come join us, you'll love it.

Wear comfortable shoes, leather bottom preferred.

Ramona is the former owner of Mona Gail Dance Center. She studied Ballroom dance under Jack Kalan and became a teacher at the age of sixteen. While working with Fred Astaire she became the Tri-State Dance Director and she is a multi National Championship winner. She has experience in choreography and her local students won first place in the "I Love Dance Competition" at World Golf Village in 2020.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, November 4, 18 and December 2, 9 from 11:30 to 12:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

(No class sessions on Nov. 11 & 25 and Dec. 16, 23, 30.)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Intermediate Ballroom Dance Group Class on Tuesdays in November and December at River House

$25

with Ramona Walter

Calendar Nov 4, 2025 at 12:45 pm, runs for 4 weeks

You must have basic knowledge of ballroom dancing.

In this class you will learn the technical elements of ballroom dance including leading and following. You will also learn correct ballroom posture so you will look good while executing your steps. Learn how to recognize the right music for the right dance.

Come join us. You'll have a great time!

No partner is needed.

Wear comfortable shoes, leather bottom preferred.

Ramona is the former owner of Mona Gail Dance Center. She studied Ballroom dance under Jack Kalan and became a teacher at the age of sixteen. While working with Fred Astaire she became the Tri-State Dance Director and she is a multi National Championship winner. She has experience in choreography and her local students won first place in the "I Love Dance Competition" at World Golf Village in 2020.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, November 4, 18 and December 2, 9 from 12:45 to 1:45 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

(No class sessions on Nov. 11 & 25 and Dec. 16, 23, 30.)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Jingle Jam on Tuesdays in November and December at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Nov 4, 2025 at 1 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Join us for some fun Holiday music that you can then share with family and friends during this special time of the year. Song requests are welcome and will be considered.

Open to all Guitar and Ukulele players along with other small string instruments.

Requirements:

  • Guitar, Ukulele, or other small string instrument
  • Basic chords knowledge and playing ability
  • Pen or pencil for notes

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, November 4, 18 and December 2, 9 from 1 to 2:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

(No class sessions on Nov. 11 & 25 and Dec. 16, 23, 30.)

For ages 18 and up.





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