Recognizing Our First Responders

recognizing

OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

Optimist Club Hosts SCS Appreciation Breakfast

The Optimist Club of St. Clair Shores hosted the SCS Police & Fire Appreciation & Recognition Breakfast on May 19. Of the 170 people in attendance, 103 included police and firefighters and their family members. This gathering was extra special, since the breakfast had not been held since 2019 due to the pandemic.

Both departments recognized individuals and handed out their department certificates from late 2019, 2020 and 2021. For the police, officers were honored for meritorious service, lifesaving and an award for valor. The Fire Department presented special recognition, lifesaving, letter of accommodation awards and firefighter of the year. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel served as the guest speaker at the event. In addition, the breakfast was sponsored by Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union, Bagnasco Calcaterra Funeral Home, Kaul Funeral Home and The Loop.

“Prior to Covid, this had been an annual appreciation and recognition breakfast for both St. Clair Shores departments," Optimist Club President Debbie DePape said. "As one of our signature events, we are very proud of both our police and firefighters and look forward to next year's event.”

Top: Representatives of Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union (far left and far right) followed by, left to right, Optimist Club Vice President Dave Martin, Fire Chief James Piper, Police Chief Jason Allen and Optimist Club President Debbie DePape Bottom: SCS police and firefighters with Miss St. Clair Shores Savannah Dynkowski

BUSINESS

spotlight

BY ANNA SWARTZ

The year was 2021, and engaged couple Taylor Semrow and Jason Spencer both found themselves in a state of limbo. Spencer’s decade-long gig as a touring musician had ended, and Semrow was struggling to find the just the right work environment as a massage therapist. So, Semrow decided to make a dream a reality and create the perfect place herself – from the décor, soothing vibe and services offered to the extra care she wanted to provide her clients. With Spencer’s support, her vision led to the opening of Sirona Wellness Spa on May 1, 2022. The business specializes in float and massage therapy.

“I feel like people don’t always know how to start their [self-care] journey,” says Semrow. “It's not all about exercise or eating right. It’s about taking care of your body and your mind too. We felt like we needed a place like this in the area.”

Denser Than the Dead Sea

While Semrow is passionate about massage therapy, they loved the idea of bringing both float and massage therapy together because of their combined physical and mental health benefits. But first, what is float therapy? 20 the shores

It’s been around since the 1950s, but many are still unfamiliar with this unique spa treatment.

Semrow and Spencer experienced it for the first time about seven years ago on one of their first dates. “Float therapy is a cabin with 10 inches of water and 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt, so it’s denser than the Dead Sea,” says Semrow. “The temperature is the same as your skin, about 94.5 degrees. When you’re lying there floating, the zero-gravity aspect helps realign your spine and muscles because you don’t have any sort of gravity that's keeping your body from being the way that it should be.” Plus, Epsom salts are great for relieving tense or overworked muscles. For this reason, many professional sports teams have their own float tanks. Those with MS, fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions will experience relief from floating, according to Semrow. At the spa, the two float cabins are in separate rooms, and clients have the option for a complete sensory deprivation experience while floating, turning off lights and sound. This is good for mindfulness, Semrow says, which helps with anxiety and depression.

Spencer loves the creativity that is sparked from being in the cabin. “Everyone is stuck in this world of stimuli,” Semrow adds. “It’s like TVs, people, your phones. It’s an hour to force yourself to just shut that all off.”

Massage + Floating = A Perfect Pairing

For those who want to pair floating with massage, they recommend floating first to warm up the muscles. This allows the therapist to get to those deeper muscles a little easier. The spa offers 10 types of massages, including Couples Swedish and Couples Deep Tissues, as well as Cupping, Reiki & Reiki (energy healing) and Ashiatsu (deep compression using feet instead of hands).

Top Right: Sirona Wellness Spa owners Jason Spencer and Taylor Semrow hired local artist Ivan Montoya to paint the inviting mural by the spa's entrance. He has also created murals in Mexicantown and Eastern Market.

Middle: One of two float rooms at Sirona

Top Left: A space for clients to relax after enjoying float or massage therapy

Bottom: The reception area Interior photos by Blake Yard Photography

Shortly after the salon opened, an infrared sauna was added to Sirona. It can be booked separately. This offers the benefits of light therapy which, according to Spencer, range from improved mental health to the ridding of toxins and heavy metals.

A Wellness Community

In addition to Spencer and Semrow, three additional massage therapists and one manager help Sirona run smoothly six days a week (closed Tuesdays). As their business grows, they may add classes and workshops, like meditation or yoga pop-ups. For now, they’re excited to continue greeting new and returning clients.

“We want to have a welcoming space. We don’t want people to feel rushed out. We want to build this community where we know people’s names, and they know us. We can catch up about their kids and...get to know them. It’s not just an ‘in-and-out, give me your money kind of thing.’ We really want to build more of a wellness community of mental and physical health.”