Rapp at Home, through a generous grant from the Richard Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund, is pleased to offer a series of free classes to Rappahannock County residents aged “50 or better” to promote healthy diet, exercise and social connection. Registration is limited, and is managed on a first come/first served basis.

The program is implemented by members of the Rappahannock Rural Health Network (RRHN): Rapp at Home (RaH), Rappahannock Public Schools (RCPS), Mountainside Physical Therapy, and Encompass Community Supports.

All classes are free and participants will receive information, supplies, and equipment so that they can apply their new knowledge at home and with their friends and families. You may take all five classes, or just take the ones that interest you most.

Prior registration is required: 540-937-4663 or info@rappathome.org

The five courses offered are:

• Balance and Fall Prevention Workshop; Friday, March 27 at 2:30pm
• Commit to Be Fit (C2BF) cooking and nutrition; Friday, April 10 at 4pm
• Exercise and Movement; Friday, April 17 at 2:30pm
• Ease and Joy of Hydroponic Gardening; Friday, May 1 at 2:30pm
• The Importance of Posture and How It Affects Your Life; Friday, May 8 at 2:30pm

Balance and Fall Prevention Workshop

Friday, March 27, 2026, 2:30pm

Mountainside Physical Therapy, 12625 Lee Highway, Suite A, Washington, VA, 22747

Balance is one of our most essential reflexes, vital from infancy through old age. As we

age, physical and cognitive changes can affect our stability and increase the risk of falls.

In this workshop, we’ll explore balance awareness and learn practical fall-prevention

techniques to help you stay confident, safe, and active in daily life.

Instructor: Philip S. Rosemond, CMA

Mr. Rosemond was a professional dancer and performer from 1974 through 2001, for 8

professional ballets, 3 contemporary and modern dance companies, as well as musical

theatre and opera. He has a BFA in dance and theater pedagogy from the University of

Cincinnati. He has certifications and completed training in Viniyoga, Movement Analysis,

and specializes in Dance and Elder Exercise & Rehabilitation, Vestibular issues,

Movement Impairment, Fitness and Dance. He has been a Movement and Dance

educator for 48 years and co-directs the Mountainside Dance Center in Washington, Virginia.

Commit to Be Fit (C2BF)

Friday, April 10, 2026, 4pm

Rappahannock County Elementary School; 34 School House Rd, Washington, VA, 22747

Participants will engage in a Farm-to-Fork cooking demonstration designed to promote healthy eating habits among. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the C2BF team will prepare a nutritious recipe while sharing insights on locally grown foods available within the community and offering general nutrition tips for older adults. Attendees will receive both the recipe and the ingredients needed to recreate the dish in their own kitchens. Participants are encouraged to bring their own recipes to share with the class. 

Instructors: Holly Jenkins, Kyle Wensel, and Jermey Gates

The workshop will be led by the C2BF team: Holly Jenkins, Kyle Wensel, and Jermey Gates. Holly Jenkins holds a master’s degree in Health Studies and is a Certified Health Coach through the American Council on Exercise. Kyle Wensel brings over 20 years of teaching experience and is a VNLA Certified Horticulturist. Jermey Gates has considerable experience teaching gardening techniques, including raised bed and hydroponic systems.  

Commit to Be Fit (C2BF) has been committed to promoting a culture of wellness for students, staff, and community since 2016, thanks to the generous support of the PATH Foundation.

Exercise and Movement

Friday, April 17, 2026, 2:30pm

Mountainside Physical Therapy, 12625 Lee Highway, Suite A, Washington, VA, 22747 

This class is intended for older adults who are uncertain about how to begin incorporating more physical movement into their lives or who want to return to a regular fitness routine. The why’s of exercise as it relates to aging will also be explored. Each participant receives exercise bands, a complimentary pulse oximeter, and printed instructions so they can practice and continue what they learn at home.

Instructor: Cindy Griffin

Cindy Griffin has been an entrepreneur for over 40 years. In 2001, she opened a fitness studio in the heart of Portland, ME as a personal trainer and instructor. A family move to Virginia eventually brought her business, currently known as Mountainside Pilates, to Rappahannock serving this community for the last 17 years. Cindy's dedication to health and wellness is reflected not just in her professional life but also through her personal endeavors. She enjoys creating a friendly social environment as people come together for group classes to effect strength, balance, and core stability.

Enjoy Your Own Indoor Hydroponic Garden at Home

Friday, May 1, 2026, 2:30pm

Mountainside Physical Therapy, 12625 Lee Highway, Suite A, Washington, VA, 22747

Grow herbs and vegetables indoors with no soil or pests, year-round? No problem! Learn simple and easy steps to set up and enjoy your own hydroponic garden unit - perfect for a kitchen counter or small table. No kneeling, soil, outdoor space, or sunlight needed! Leave this session with your own hydroponic garden unit and a variety of herb seed pods, provided free-of-charge. Begin your own indoor garden at home and experience the joy of growing and harvesting as part of YOUR healthy aging plan. Longtime avid gardener, Elaine Griffith and hydroponic gardening enthusiast, Tammy Barboza will lead you through simple steps, share basic recipes, and provide personal support during and after your session. No gardening experience needed. 

Instructors: Elaine Griffith and Tammy Barboza

Elaine is passionate about helping people grow their own food. While gardening as a young child, she watched her grandfather plow his garden with an old strap plow, and her grandmother can vegetables using a wood stove. Once married, Elaine and her husband gardened and canned a variety of vegetables and fruits. As it has become more difficult in recent years to garden outdoors, having the ability to garden hydroponically indoors is huge. In addition to her love of gardening, Elaine volunteers at The Rappahannock Senior Center and her church.

After watching her father’s success with hydroponic gardening in his kitchen 20 years ago, Tammy decided to try it at home and has never looked back. She enjoys watching her herbs and vegetables grow as much as she does harvesting them - not to mention the convenience of snipping fresh herbs and adding them to meals. “It’s perfect for those who cannot garden outdoors due to space, mobility issues, and more.” Tammy is on staff at Encompass Community Supports. 

The Importance of Posture and How It Affects Your Life

Friday, May 8, 2026, 2:30pm

Mountainside Physical Therapy, 12625 Lee Highway, Suite A, Washington, VA, 22747

Participants will learn the importance of posture; how it can affect their health in many ways and how to improve posture at any age. The class will focus on demonstrating strengthening and stretching exercises, manual therapy, and ergonomic education to correct alignment, relieve pain, and build functional strength.

Instructor: Anne Williams

Anne Williams holds a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Sports Medicine and a Master’s degree Physical Therapy. She has been a physical therapist working in a variety of settings throughout her 35-year career. Anne has been involved in dance throughout her life, and was a gymnast and diver in her younger years. She enjoys horseback riding and staying active. She loves to help both people and animals by helping them to remain active and be able to enjoy life. She is currently the owner of Mountainside Physical Therapy and Mountainside Dance Center in Washington, Virginia and Lakeside Manual Physical Therapy in Unionville, Virginia.