For more than a century and a half, warm weather has meant the return of baseball as the great American pastime, with fans filling ballparks from coast to coast to cheer on their heroes.

No matter where you vacation this summer, you can get a taste of Delaware hospitality. From luxury hotels in the Big Apple to family resorts, country inns and casual neighborhood restaurants, you’ll find graduates of UD’s Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management in key positions. Some of those alumni are listed below. If your travel plans permit, stop in to say hello.

California
San Diego,
Aviara 4-Seasons Resort
Kristen Jones, ’99, is associate director of catering and conferences for this resort that provides an extensive spa, Arnold Palmer-signature golf and fine dining.

Colorado
Boulder,
A Spice of Life Event Center
David Rubin, ’92, owner/manager of the award-winning, full-service catering business serving Boulder and Denver, recently added a second location at East Lake, which provides a panoramic view of the Flatirons and the Front Range.

Delaware
Wilmington, Hotel duPont
David M. Potter, ’97, is in conference sales for Delaware’s five-star luxury hotel, located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, just minutes from Winterthur Museum and Library, Longwood Gardens and  the Brandywine River Museum. 

Florida
Windemere,
Isleworth Country Club
Kelly Gaskins, ’98, manager, says the private club—one of two in Orlando—is an enclave for PGA tour stars.

 Georgia
Lawrence,
Chateau Elan Winery and Resort
Amanda Brooks, ’99, sales, says visitors to the resort, which is 40 miles north of Atlanta, can experience such luxuries as a hot stone facial or a coconut paraffin body mask. Special spa packages can include a winery tour and tasting. 

Illinois
Chicago, Levy Restaurants
Julie Wirth Tolhurst, ’01, is staff accountant for this network of internationally acclaimed restaurants, which grew from a single delicatessen to providing food in restaurants, sports stadiums, arenas and convention centers, race tracks and music festivals coast to coast.

Maryland
Baltimore Waterfront Hotel, Inner Harbor
Sandra Palacorolla, ’05, is associate event manager of this Marriott hotel that provides perfect views of surrounding Baltimore and one of America’s oldest seaports. Guests can walk to the USS Constellation or the Maritime Museum and visit Fort McHenry, site of the battle that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Baltimore Hyatt Regency
Frederick Apfel, ’03, is assistant executive housekeeper at this Inner Harbor hotel with an open skywalk linking to the Baltimore Convention Center and the shops and restaurant at Harbor Place. Guests can walk to the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center and Camden Yards baseball stadium.

Columbia,
Champps Americana
Rocky Brown, ’93, is general manager of this upscale, casual restaurant and sports bar that caters to families and the corporate crowd.

New Jersey
Atlantic City,
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Kelly Pendino, ’05, is head of hotel sales at the Borgata, a destination resort offering live entertainment and an opulent spa, as well as cards and slots.

South Plainfield,
Red Lobster Restaurant
Charlene Flores, ’05, is manager-in-training at this well-known seafood restaurant chain.

New York
Copaigue, Red Lobster
Melanie Steinweis, ’05, is manager-in-training at the Red Lobster, one of the Darden Group of casual restaurants that include the Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smoky Bones Barbeque.

New York City,
Marriott Marquis
Paul Fischer, ’05, is assistant manager of housekeeping at this 49-story luxury hotel in the heart of Times Square,
just steps from MTV and Good Morning, America studios and the fashion district. A special feature is The View, a revolving restaurant on the top floor. 

New York City,
Ritz Carlton Hotel at Battery Park
Christina Cameris, ’99, national sales manager, says the Ritz Carlton is the only luxury waterfront hotel in Manhattan. The Rise, an award-winning bar on the 14th floor, overlooks the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty.

 New York City,
W Hotel at Times Square
Scott Muety, ’02, manager, says the ultra-modern lobby at the W Hotel is located on the seventh floor and most rooms boast magnificent views of the neon spectacle of Times Square. The hotel’s Blue Fin restaurant is highly rated for seafood.

New York City,
Hilton New York and Towers
Jaime Rubino, ’02, who oversees the front desk, says the Hilton is the largest hotel in midtown Manhattan, with easy access to Radio City Music Hall, Central Park and Times Square.

Pennsylvania
Kennett Square,
The Inn at Whitewing Farm
Katie Baur, ’05, became an assistant manager in June at the 43-acre inn located next to Longwood Gardens and other area attractions. This late-1700s estate has a tennis court and a small golf course. A night’s stay includes a gourmet breakfast and an afternoon tea. It was named Inn of the Month in 2003 by Country Living Magazine.

King of Prussia,
Crown Plaza Hotel
Sarah Bechtel, ’03, is assistant banquet manager for the Crown Plaza, located across from the King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest retail shopping malls in the United States. Valley Forge National Park also is nearby.

Media, McIntosh Inn
LaShanda Johnson, ’00, is assistant general manager at this hotel, which is convenient to Widener University and Swathmore College, the Brandywine historic area and the Franklin Mint and Museum.

Philadelphia,
Downtown Marriott
Amanda Udell, ’02, manager of executive sales for 13 Marriott hotels, works from the Downtown Marriott, which is connected to the Philadelphia Convention Center and within walking distance of such historic sites as the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall. 

Philadelphia, Twenty 21
Anna Fogel, ’01, is assistant manager for the popular Philadelphia restaurant, located in city center, just eight blocks from the convention center. Twenty 21 serves sophisticated contemporary American cuisine, and its 250-bottle wine list recently received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. 

South Carolina
Hilton Head, Citta del Sol
Stephanie Carter, ’98, is the chef for this new Italian restaurant adjacent to the Hidden Cypress clubhouse and golf course in Sun City, Hilton Head Island.

 Texas
Dallas, Marriott Quorum
Tara Heins, ’97, senior sales manager, says the Quorum is located next to the Galleria, a prime shopping site, with easy access to golf ranges, spas, Dallas Cowboys football, Texas Rangers baseball and Lone Star Park horse racing. 

Virginia
Arlington,
Marriott Crystal Gateway
Matthew Rosenberg, ’02, housekeeping manager, notes that the 18-story hotel is connected to the Crystal City underground mall and metro station. Nearby attractions include the Freedom Forum Newseum and the Pentagon, as well as Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Vermont
Highgate Spring,
The Tyler Place
Ashley Tenplet, ’05, is dining manager for the family resort, which has been in business since 1933. Set on 165 acres, The Tyler Place offers eight separate programs for teens, kids, toddlers and babies and is limited to only 65 families.

Washington, D.C.
The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel
Tiffany Dyson, ’00, is senior event manager for Washington, D.C.’s, largest luxury hotel, located four blocks from the White House and near the International Spy Museum. Three Metro subway lines within two blocks can whisk visitors to the national monuments.