Here’s a look at some of the activities for seniors in our area.
THE PLAYERS COMMUNITY SENIOR CENTER
Council on Aging (COA) has announced the following programs will be held at COA’s THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center, 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach, in May.
If you have questions, call the center at 904-209-3659. For more information, go to coasjc.org/ponte-vedra-center.
- Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Registration is required a week in advance and the required fee is $5 per meal due upon arrival.
- Hisshin Sumi-e Painting Class: Traditional East Asian brush painting. This class meets on the second Thursday of every month (May 14) from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fee required is $3 per person.
- Open Painting: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. No fee is required. Bring your own supplies.
- Chair Exercise: 9:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Tai Chi (Beginner) w/Dennis Sheils: 10 to 11 a.m. Thursdays
- Canasta: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Mexican Train Dominoes: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Bingo: 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fee is $1 per card
- Let’s Play Board Games: Rummikub, Scrabble, Yahtzee, cards and more! Enjoy socializing and making new friends while participating in some friendly competition. 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays
- Wii Bowling: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays
- Computer Room: Available for use Tuesdays through Fridays, during open hours; general assistance available
- Birthday Bash with Jivin’ Ivan: We’re serving up cake, good wishes and the sounds of singer/songwriter Ivan Smith to all who come and celebrate those having a birthday in May! Thursday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to noon
- Floor to Fit: Michael Derry, DPT and owner of Revision Health Services, will offer give insight on building a stronger, more resilient you. Learn how to get on and off the floor easier and safer on Tuesday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to noon
- The Violin Studio: Jacksonville Symphony’s award-winning violinist, Ingang Han, brings his group of young students to perform. This could be your chance to hear the symphony’s future talent! Thursday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to noon
- Book Vase Craft: Let’s relax and craft after the busy holiday weekend. Turn old hardback books into flower vases! Wear your red, white and blue, and bring your creativity on Tuesday, May 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon
- St. Johns County Legal Aid: “How to Avoid Becoming Victim to Predatory Lending” will be presented by Megan Wall, managing attorney for SJC Legal Aid. Thursday, May 28, from 11 a.m. to noon
RIVER HOUSE
Council on Aging (COA) has announced the following programs will be held at COA’s River House, 179 Marine St., St. Augustine, in May. Note: River House will be closed on May 25 (Memorial Day) and no classes will be held.
For information call 904-209-3655 (Monday-Thursday) or email tharris@coasjc.org, or see coasjc.org/river-house.
For classes that require registration, go to coasjc.coursestorm.com/category/river-house.
Classes That Require Registration
Registration is required for the following programs, and space is limited. To review course details and to register, go to https://coasjc.coursestorm.com/category/river-house.
- Container Gardening and New Beginnings: Monday, May 18, from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.
- Journal Projects — Making Folios for Journals: Monday, May 18, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Fishing: Wednesday, May 20, from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Bringing Back Your Brain and Restoring Brain Health: Wednesday, May 27, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Herbal Pharmacy — Summertime Herbal Skincare: Thursday, May 14, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Open Programs
Open programs are usually free and, where noted, may require registration. Go to coasjc.org/river-house for more information.
- Mahjong Open Play: Bring your Mahjong game and come play. Mondays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. (no meeting on May 25)
- Happy Hookers: Come join this social group as they crochet, knit, etc. Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- One-on-One Tech Help: One-on-one help for your smart phone, tablet, or laptop questions available on Tuesday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations required. Call 904-209-3655 to reserve a one-hour spot.
- Remembering with Love: A time and place for remembering those we lost with love through grief support on Tuesdays from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.
- Widow to Widow: Join us for a support group for widows by widows, Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- SADC (Deaf) Group Meeting: meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon (no meeting on May 14)
- Open Game Play: Bring your deck of cards or your board game and socialize over a friendly game of your choosing. There are games available at River House. Every Thursday from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m.
- “How to Avoid Becoming Victim to Predatory Lending”: with Megan Wall of St. Johns County Legal Aid on Friday, May 29, from 10 to 11 a.m.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH BRANCH LIBRARY
Library events are not just for seniors!
- Color, Craft & Connect: 10 a.m. to noon May 26. Do you enjoy crocheting, knitting, embroidery, or other craft? Bring your project or come to be inspired by other crafters! Coloring supplies will be provided.
- Tech Help with David: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 14 and 28. Walk-in. Are you feeling frustrated by technology, such as how to use your laptop or your phone? Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library’s Tech Volunteer David Ross is here to help! Bring your device and your questions. He can help you one-on-one with your tech, including iPhone and Android cell phones or tablets, PC and Mac laptops, and Nook and Kindle readers.
- Walk & Talk Series: St. Johns Regional Audubon: 10-11 a.m. May 15. Join the monthly Walk and Talk series! The host for May will be St. Johns Regional Audubon. Participants can expect to learn about birding and bird migration. Registration required. Adults only. Please RSVP (904-827-6950 or sjcpls.org).
- Intro to Crochet: 2-4 p.m. May 19. Learn the basics of crochet! No experience necessary. Bring crochet needles for yourself to use if you have them. Registration is required as space is limited. Adults only. Please RSVP (904-827-6950 or sjcpls.org).
- Ponte Vedra Writers Group: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 23 in the Ocean Grove Condo Media Room. Calling all writers, future novelists and curious minds! Join this monthly program with engaging guest speaker Kassandra Lamb, who will present “Writing Psychology Right.” Brought to you by a partnership between the Ponte Vedra Writers Group, Florida Writers Association and the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Public Library. Come for the writing inspiration, stay for the literary magic and comradery!
- Memory Café: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. May 29. The Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library is partnering with the St. Johns County Dementia Care and Cure Initiative (DCCI) Task Force to host a monthly Memory Cafe at the library! Plan to join this welcoming social gathering where people experiencing cognitive challenges and their caregiver come together for friendship, fun and acceptance. Please RSVP (904-827-6950 or sjcpls.org).
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
