 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Chemist embraces career in massage
By CHRIS COSDON © St. Petersburg Times, published October 4, 2000 SEMINOLE -- While working as an analytical chemist at the high-tech STAR Center in Seminole, Pete Pfannerstill enrolled in a massage therapy school as a way to better understand the strains and sprains he often suffers as a long-distance runner. When he finished the school and got his license three years ago, he began working evenings and weekends on other people's sports-related injuries. "I looked at it as a hobby," said Pfannerstill, who holds a doctorate in chemistry. But in May 1999, after 10 years in his chosen field, Pfannerstill quit his job to take on massage therapy full time. "I never really considered that it would be a career change," said the 42-year-old Seminole resident, "but my clientele was growing and I was learning more and becoming better at the work. "Chemistry wasn't as fulfilling as it once was for me," he said. "I was much happier doing massage." For years, he had worked at the 96-acre site on Bryan Dairy Road -- first when it was a Department of Energy plant, where components for nuclear weapons were produced, and then after it was sold to the county five years ago and converted to a science, technology and research park. When the center was a government plant, Pfannerstill's work included analyzing the metals, liquids, powders and ceramics used for weapons components. He also spent a fair amount of time analyzing the nuclear waste produced at the plant, he said, so it could be determined how to handle and dispose of it. After the facility became the STAR Center, Pfannerstill said he found himself working for a company using some of the same equipment he had previously worked on. Many of the businesses that moved into the center are involved in aerospace and defense work and converted the equipment for their uses. Debby Dalton, 45, of Largo said "she couldn't do without" Pfannerstill's weekly therapy at her home. Dalton, who has been a client for two years, said her Lou Gehrig's disease was diagnosed three years ago, and she suffers from various problems associated with the neuromuscular disease. Mrs. Dalton, a former medical assistant, said the massage therapy relieves tension and muscle spasms. In addition to house calls, Pfannerstill works at massage centers in Largo and Tampa and recently became associated with Eva Jones' massage therapy and acupuncture business at 8950 Seminole Blvd. "I've worked with him on sports events with the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association and I was highly impressed with his work," Mrs. Jones said. Pfannerstill is coordinator for the association's sports massage team, which has about 25 members. "We work at runs, bike rides, triathlons and volleyball competitions," he said. He also works with the New York Yankees' minor league team at Legends Field in Tampa and has worked with the Yankees when they were in town. He still runs in long-distance races, he said. He completed the Woodstock, Vt., 100-mile run in July and said he's planning to do another 100-miler next June in California. His wife, Lisa, runs, too, and is in training for her first big run, the Disney marathon in January 2001. Pfannerstill can be reached at 460-3514. Grand opening planned for Blue Iris florist shopRenee Stepan had worked five years as an accountant for a St. Petersburg firm when she decided it was time to get out from behind a desk and do something creative. "I started looking around and found a florist in Largo that was going out of business," she said. "I bought the van and most of the assets." She took the name, too, the Blue Iris. She quit her job in August, began looking for a place to lease and found just what she wanted in a 1,200-square-foot space in Bay Pines Plaza at 9617 Bay Pines Blvd. Mrs. Stepan, 34, and her husband, Brian, a financial adviser, installed the equipment, painted and put in counters. With an investment of some $40,000, she said, the full service florist opened Sept. 8 and will have a grand opening Oct. 16. The St. Petersburg High and University of South Florida graduate said she has hired two employees, a van driver and a floral designer, Marilyn Skoff, who has been in the business 25 years. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. Call 397-5434. Stamp company to mark move into new buildingIn its 22nd year, Pinellas Rubber Stamp & Engraving is celebrating a new two-story headquarters and manufacturing plant in the growing Bryan Dairy business community with an open house from 3 to 7 p.m Oct. 12. The festivities will include free fun stamps, food and product demonstrations. Gus and Sue Weibel started the business in 1978 in a two-room storefront in St. Petersburg. All five of the couple's children, a son and four daughters, worked in the business at one time or another. Mr. Weibel died several years ago and the business is now operated by Mrs. Weibel and three of her daughters: Patti Weibel, sales and marketing director; Maureen Sharkey, president; and Theresa Godin, company bookkeeper. The family bought the 11,000-square-foot building at 10861 75th St. N for $425,000 from one of their customers. The business makes an average of 450 products a day, including rubber stamps, self-inking stamps, pre-inked stamps, daters, stamp pads and inks, nameplates, name pins and interior and exterior signs. Call 545-0575. -- Know of a new or unique business in the greater Seminole area? If so, tell us about it. Send items to Seminole Business, Seminole Times, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756 or fax it to 445-4119. We also are interested in promotions, expansions and major new contracts. Photos can be sent, but not all will be used and they cannot be returned.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times North Pinellas desks |
