Pilates studio opens in Chester; Employer Appreciation Breakfast held

 New Pilates studio opens

Patty Nader has opened a Pilates studio in Chester.

Patty Nader, a certified personal trainer and Pilates teacher, has opened a Pilates studio in Chester. Made to Move Pilates is located at 34 School St.

Pilates, pronounced pu-lah-teez, is a practice of physical and mental conditioning developed by Joseph Pilates more than  100 years ago and involves over 500 exercises.   Not only does it address strength, endurance and flexibility, it includes body awareness, balance, control and harmony.

The benefits of Pilates include stabilization, better posture, less stress and a re-education of proper body movement.
Many professional dancers, athletes and Olympians practice Pilates.  Pilates is a no-impact regime, therefore, every type of body is welcomed no matter what size or physical limitation.
Nader   holds a degree in health and wellness promotion and has been involved in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. She moved to Chester last summer from Libertyville, Ill., outside of Chicago. Nader can be reached at 802-875-6683. Click here for more information.

60 businesspeople honored for student training

Arlene Runnells and Julie Snide flank Christopher DeLong.

Health Care & Rehabilitation Services and Lincoln Street Inc., held its annual Employer Appreciation Breakfast at the River Valley Technical Center Cafe on Friday, April 25. Sixty community businesspeople and Occupational Development Program students shared breakfast.

Businesses represented spent most of this school year training one or more Occupational Development students on the job in their place of business, where ODP students gained experience in the workplace.

Many of the businesses hire their trainees upon graduation. This year, 25 ODP students worked in 19 businesses and eight of 13 seniors were offered employment upon graduation. The businesses participating in the Occupational Development Program’s Job Training Program this year were: Springfield Cinema 3, Collectibles on the Landing, Tina’s Hallmark, Bond Auto Body, Ephraim Mountain Farm, Springfield Recycling Center, Black River Produce, WinCycle, The Good Buy Store, LaValley’s Building Supply, Springfield High School Library, Mail Delivery and Cafe Services, The Penguin Market, World of Discovery Childcare, Springfield Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, Riverside Restaurant , Springfield Humane Society, Singleton’s General Store and Springfield Hospital.

Kimberly Farrar, transition co0rdinator and teacher for Occupational Development Program, selected Springfield Hospital to be honored with the Occupational Development Employer Appreciation Award. Sisters Julie Snide, director of Environment and Nutritional Services, and Arlene Runnells, Nutrition Services supervisor, received this award for their efforts over the last six years. Snide and Runnells have given students a rigorous job training experience, beginning with an interview, reference check, hospital safety and confidentiality training.

Chris DeLong, a River Valley Technical student who trained at the hospital for eight months and will return for further training next year, said, “Job training at the hospital is the best. Everyone is kind and patient and takes the time to help me do a good job. I would like to be hired by the hospital in the future. Julie and Arlene are awesome.”