In Your Neighborhood - 05/03/12

acques opened Inspired Hospitality Recruiting LLC, a hospitality recruiting company that serves the entire U.S. Rebecca has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and understands the needs, expectations and challenges of hospitality industry employers. She specializes in providing professional placement for restaurants, hotels, resorts, destination management and marketing companies, and more. Rebecca’s previous experience includes working with the Wolfgang Puck organization, as well as five years of successful industry placements.

Maryann Rems was selected from tens of thousands of applicants from throughout the U.S. to compete in Pillsbury’s 45th Bake-Off Contest, which was held at The Peabody Orlando. Only 100 finalists were selected for the competition. While she was not named the overall winner, the Windermere resident was featured on The Martha Stewart Show and Fox 35 Orlando’s Good Day Orlando. She also was interviewed by Pillsbury representatives during the competition. Maryann credits her mother and grandmother with sparking her interest in baking and cooking. She recently began compiling original recipes for a cookbook, as well as writing a series of children’s books.

American Heritage Girls Troop FL2911 participated in a community-service Scouting for Food drive. The girls collected more than 486 pounds of nonperishable food from neighborhoods throughout Southwest. Troop FL2911 meets in Winter Garden, and new members ages 5 through 18 are welcome.

Tom Sewell of Oakland and Sherri Palmer of Winter Garden announced the engagement of their daughter, Lindsey, to Daniel Baker, son of Tim and Stephanie Baker of Ocoee. Lindsey, a graduate of West Orange High School, has an associate degree in architecture. She is a Realtor with Main Street Realty International in Windermere. Daniel graduated from Central Florida Christian Academy, and he has a bachelor’s in accounting. He worked as an intern with Ernst & Young and is pursuing a master’s degree. A December wedding is being planned, and the couple will reside in Winter Garden.

Joseph and Paula Festa of Southwest announced the engagement of their daughter, Kristine Lee, to Michael Braden Dobry, son of Richard and Karen Dobry of Sarasota. Kristine and Michael graduated from the University of South Florida. Kristine has a law degree, and Michael has a degree in industrial and systems engineering. He works as a systems integrator. The couple will continue to reside in Virginia.

Toastmasters International member Ron Betta of Master-Toasters Club No. 898832 in Southwest talked his way to a first-place finish at the Toastmasters International Area 51 Table Topic & International Speech Contest that was held at Dr. Phillips High School. Ron and four other finalists had to answer the spontaneous prompt “You wouldn’t believe me if ...” in three minutes or less. Ron told a tale about how he ended up in a lake after trying to date two women at the same time. Ron is a fitness expert, speaker and author, who has his next book scheduled for release this summer.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce officials announced the addition of Kelly Carney as events and administrative assistant, and the promotion of Carrie Wilson to director of events. Kelly, a Clermont resident, is responsible for assisting the chamber’s events department and serving as a part-time assistant for WOCC President and MetroWest resident Stina D’Uva. She graduated from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management and has more than 5 years of experience. Carrie, a Winter Garden resident, joined WOCC in 2005 and is responsible for creating and implementing the organization’s annual events. She also will continue as WOCC’s liaison to the Small Business Development Team. Carrie earned two associate degrees from Valencia College and holds various technical certificates. She is scheduled to graduate from UCF with her bachelor’s later this year. Carrie also is an active member of the West Orange Junior Service League, and she sits on the governing board of the Montessori of Winter Garden Charter School.

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd qualified to run for re-election by submitting the required number of petitions to the Orange County supervisor of elections. The Southwest resident collected more than 1,000 petitions. He was the first candidate running for any Orange County office to qualify with petitions, and he did so more than one month prior to the May 7 deadline.