:OurTownPagel2 C www.sunnewspapers.net FROM PAGE ONE The Sun /Sunday, June 8,2014 YOGA FROM PAGE 1 April, about eight students file into a small confer- ence room at Charlotte Behavioral, kick off their shoes, and lie down on their mats. The more tentative among them sit in chairs at the back of the room. Usually, there are between eight and 12 students in each class, Williamson said. Most students, unfortunately, she'll see only once. Although the 15-bed re- covery facility reserves two beds for patients needing long-term care of up to 28 days, the average length of stay for most detox patients II " S NNoESA AERS is five to seven days. "We hope that they just get at least one idea or tool to take with them," Williamson said. As the students settle onto their mats, Williamson begins the class by guiding them through a sequence of gentle movements and breathing exercises. With each move, she asks students to pay attention to their breath. "The most important tool is the breath," she said. "Use the breath, get in touch with the breath. Learn to calm yourself by focusing on your breath." For Williamson, the breath is everything. "It's a terrific self-sooth- ing tool for everybody," she said. She encourages students to take slow, deep breaths when they feel anxious. She also asks them to pay attention to when their breathing quickens. Often, that's a signal of stress, she said. "Breathing is the min- imum thing you can do, and yet it's the maximum thing you can do, especially in recovery programs," she noted. "Without it, you have nothing." For Jennie, a detox pa- tient in Wdliamson's class, just being able to sit quietly in a safe place for a few minutes was therapeutic. She wished she could take the class every day. "The fact that I could hear my heartbeat was amazing," she said. "But I'm glad I did it." Email: bbarbosa@sun-heraldom SUN PHOTO BY BRENDA BARBOSA Teacher Virginia Williamson teaches yoga to patients in the detox facility at Charlotte Behavioral Health Care in Punta Gorda. Each Monday, she guides students through a series of gentle move- ments and breathing exercises. Wanted: Pioneer Days grand marshal By STEVE REILLY STAFF WRITER ENGLEWOOD -Twin sisters Tammy Birdsong and Midge Orren have deep roots in Englewood, dating back to the pioneering Biorseth family, who settled in Englewood in 1894. That's partly why being named Pioneer Days Parade grand marshals in 2012 was no small honor to them. "It's the recognition by the (oraanizina conmmit- u kutee and the community tee and the community ou Spnd Here IfStays Here for our involvement," Birdsong said. Among their wwpunlgordockomberom community involvement Kumrm Kumu IYOW CJEO oPE WE WANT YOUR BUSINESS!" COM ON DISCOUNT ROCK 400 IEOOtFiED A DI flir DU, 0All4 ~mP i4 ~' DEPSIT YOUR. COME SEE JOHN, POS _YOURHARDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL DBeteen ReE as of I onecDepot p A+ Rate Hire Craftsmen, Not Installers !10- A+ Rated *Paver install excludes Charlotte County AIR CONDmONING & HEATING P WeAreA Family Owned Company With Over 50 Years Combined Experience, In Business Since 1974 ,NFIB Member, A+ Rating With The 888, Sales, Service & Installation, *FREE ESTIMATES ON REPLACEMENTS! o * COUPONS & SAVINGS EACH 2 O MONTH!o CK US OUT ONLINESUMMER WW.ALESAC.COM I CHECK-UP ,CALLUSTODAY , Find Us On: BBB Licensed, Insured #CAC1817312 1 : A Rating in Englewood, Birdsong and Orren participated in the organizing of Pioneer Days events for years as Englewood Jaycees and with the subsequent grassroots organizing committee that took over Pioneer Days six years ago to ensure that the traditional Labor Day celebration would continue. Orren described the expe- rience as overwhelming and humbling at the same time. Last year, Jean Berlin served as the grand marshal. Berlin has been an Englewood resident for more than 50 years, but she's not a member of any Englewood pioneer family The committee considered Berlin for grand marshal because she and her late husband John committed themselves to Englewood's youth, most notably providing the $200,000 seed money for the creation of the J.M. Berlin/Rotary Skate Park on San Casa Drive. "Jean shows the commu- nity of Englewood what the true meaning of caring is," said Jean Airey, the organiz- ing committee's webmaster. "She not only made the skate park a reality, but she genuinely cares about the safety and enjoyment of the area." The question is, who will be the grand marshal of the 58th Englewood Pioneer Days Parade this fall? Nominations from the community are being requested byJuly2. "We are always encourag- ing more people to become involved in the planning, organizing and enjoying the whole weekend," said Erick Phelps, chairman of the Pioneer Days Event Committee. Pioneer Days events are scheduled from Aug. 16 to Sept. 1 this year. "We haven't made any de- cisions at all," he said. "We really want people to tell us who they think should be (the grand marshal)." The selection process itself is "more an art than a science," Phelps said. While the number varies, he said the committee receives an average of 20 nominations annually Nominees might not be from pioneer fami- lies, like Birdsong or Orren, but Phelps said they should be "pioneers in action, helping the Englewood community move forward." The organizers ask that those nominating individuals should include an explanation of why that person deserves to be the grand marshal. SPINE CARE YOU CAN TRUST Learn about the Florida Spine & Neuro Center and the innovative treatment options available. Attend a FREE LUNCH N' LEARN spine seminar: Wednesday June 1 h 11:00 AM Best Western Ambassador Suites 400 Commercial Court -Venice Call 1-888-847-8876 to RSVP. F=" ATehin Hoph I j FLORIDA SPINE & NEURO CENTER - The theme for this year's Pioneer Days is "Hooked on Englewood." Traditional Pioneer Days events- such as the Little Miss/Mr. Englewood Pageant, Capt. Ricks Cardboard Boat Race, the Michael O'Donnell Memorial Kids Fish-A- Thon, and Shipwreck dances are already in the planning stages. But Phelps encourag- es churches, nonprofit groups or individuals who want to sponsor their own, new events for Pioneer Days to join the planning effort. A portion of the proceeds from various events goes to nonprofit and NOMINATIONS FOR GRAND MARSHAL To submit a nomination for the 58th Englewood Pioneer Days Parade grand marshal, visit www.englewoodpioneerdays. com, email info@englewood pioneerdays.com, or call 941-474-3764 by July 2. other causes. For more informa- tion on events and about participating in Pioneer Days, visit www. englewoodpioneerdays. com, or call Phelps at 941-376-2159. Email: reilly@sun-herald.com SUN FILE PHOTO 2013 Pioneer Days Parade Grand Marshal Jean Berlin waves to the during last year's annual Labor Day Weekend celebration. Pioneer Days organizers are asking the community for nomina- tions for this year's grand marshal. BEST Acupuncturist Least Expensive - - - A SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE Wednesday, June 25th SUN A i N' E WSPAPERS America's BEST Community Daily SUNBURN CAUSES CANCER Water's Edge Dermatology. Now in Port Charlotte Call for an appointment SAdult and Pediatric Dermatology Diseases of the Skin, Hair & Nails Skin Cancer Detection & Treatment Cosmetic Services China Healing Center 12497 Tamiami Trail, #3 North Port, FL 34287 D4698 941-953-4888 -941-564-6291 2484 Caring Way, Suite C Port Charlotte, FL 33952 941. 235-2111 Email: info@wederm.com Ge tdeAw Scan with your Smartphone for more information. wederm.com Vf r ,Dr. Laura DeStefano :OurTown Page 12 C www.sunnewspapers.net The Sun /Sunday, June 8, 2014 FROM PAGE ONE