Rita Will Ride In Style As Grand Marshal

If you see a woman in Englewood sporting a giant red sequined bra on the top of her shirt, you can be sure that it’s Rita Bertler. Bertler was selected as Grand Marshal for the 60th Annual Pioneer Days Parade and will wear her signature bra, known as Big Red, with pride in the parade along West Dearborn Street on Sept 5.

“I’m deeply honored and humbled. I did not expect it,” said Bertler, who was chosen from 17 nominations.

“The Grand Marshall should represent someone in the community that has given of
themselves for the betterment of Englewood,” said Pioneer Days committee chairwoman Chris Phelps. “We are proud to honor Rita for the 60th Englewood Pioneer Days Parade and Festival.”

Nikki LeVasseur couldn’t agree more with Phelps when she put in her nomination for Bertler to be grand marshal. LeVasseur met Bertler met through Girl Scouts when Bertler spoke to the Troop 208 about women’s health, which assisted the girls towards earning their Women’s Health Girl Scout badges.

A breast cancer survivor herself, as well as her mother, Bertler wanted to give back to the community by informing women of the importance of breast cancer screening and encouraging them to follow through.

In 2000, Bertler founded Dollars for Mammograms and has since provided thousands of women in Charlotte and South Sarasota counties with no – cost mammograms for those who cannot afford one. She continues to spread the word about screenings. “Early detection saves lives. Early detection probably saved my life,” she said.

Bertler and LeVasseur would continue to see each other at community functions including Relay for Life, where Bertler would display “Big Red,” as a reminder for women to get themselves screened.

“I can’t think of a better representative of the spirit of Englewood,” said LeVasseur.

Bertler moved to Englewood from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1985 with her late husband Dick and their son Chris. That year they opened Cornerstone Deli Café on the couples’ 20th wedding anniversary. In Jan. 1989 they opened Peppermill Restaurant and the Peppermill Jewelry and Gift Shop. Bertler served offices in Business Professional Women of Englewood and Venice and the Women’s Group of Englewood Community Hospital and was instrumental in raising money for scholarships for women returning to the workforce. She also volunteered in the community for various causes, including Relay for Life and supported community events.

Another big award for Bertler came in 2014 when she was honored by WGCU as a Maker 2014 - Woman Off The Year. The award is given to women who have made a difference in the lives of others in Southwest Florida. This was the first time someone in Englewood was chosen for this honor.

Congratulations Rita and we’ll look for you and “Big Red” as you fulfill your responsibilities as the 2016 Pioneer Days Parade Grand Marshall.