Society : Feet Do the Walking in ‘Great Catalogue Caper’
You could have called it a real shopping expedition.
Picture this: 370 formally attired guests ready to race through a department store in search of 70 “giveaway” treasures that included a fur jacket, beaded gowns and the ultimate prize, a two-week African Adventure Safari for two valued at $14,000.
It was all part of the “Great Catalogue Caper,” a jungle safari intrigue put on by the Orange County chapter of the American Diabetes Assn. at Fashion Island’s Neiman-Marcus store Sunday night.
Chairwoman of the event was Sandi Rosenblatt, who attended the event with her husband, Sidney, an endocrinologist who works with diabetics. According to Lynn Long of ADA, all this jungle fever raised $80,000 for diabetes research, educational programs and summer camp for insulin-dependent children.
Before the great safari began, some party-goers watched the Jimano Couri dancers (translated as “those who bring the message”) perform, while other “hunters” calmly perused the store, scouting out the shopping terrain.
Gayle Dvorak, general manager of Neiman-Marcus, explained the “laws of the jungle.”
“Open your envelopes and read the first clue,” Dvorak instructed. “Go directly to whatever department you think that clue gives you. Hand the safari guide the clue. If you’re right, you get to draw again. It will either be another clue or ‘Congratulations, you have won!’ ”
Music Matches Mood
She added, “If you have won, you are out of the game and you go to the winner’s circle.” As Dvorak wished the players luck, Lynn Willis, who played several songs composed just for the event, switched to a tape played on the store’s loudspeaker and matched the music to the frenzy going on.
Barbara Roppolo, director of Fashion Island, not sure of which direction to go, complained, “I know the least about this store.”
Ho Coil was seen making fast tracks with sneakers that were sprinkled with gold glitter.
Barbara Glabman fell into one of many “traps” when she stopped to try on a sable coat in the fur department.
The Bretislav Novak glass exhibit in the gift gallery also caused a few slowdowns.
Whizzing by were: Dr.John Cook, wearing a custom-made zebra-patterned cummerbund and matching bow tie; Fritzie Williams in a zebra-patterned, sequined two-piece outfit, and Harriet Selma, whose freshly spray-painted black pith helmet left a lot of black foreheads.
Petite Martha Benvenuti won a size 12 non-returnable dress and did some quick horse-trading with Jeanne Groth for a St. Louis crystal vase.
Big Winner
But it was Groth’s husband, Steven, who captured the coveted trophy--the trip to Africa. It was a lucky win considering that the Huntington Beach couple decided to attend at the last minute.
An orange card was included in everyone’s envelope. It was punched each time a new clue was taken out of the zebra-patterned clue box.
Winning with an incredible 47 punches (in less than an hour) was Dr. Steven Weinstein of Huntington Beach, who won a pair of rhinestone-studded sneakers and a crystal vase.
Top prize winners included Erin Wish of Santa Ana, a Jerry Sobara-designed Persian lamb jacket; Dr. Fred Grazier of Corona del Mar, a Riazee beaded gown; Valerie Brown of Newport Beach, a Mary McFadden gown, and Ann Kershnar of Santa Ana, an Ann Lawrence-designed gown.
