PEOPLE & PLACES
with paula
Let’s Get Primitive
D
A NEANDERTHAL NIGHT AT THE SCIENCE CENTER.
rum roll, please! No, wait. Let’s imagine the sound
of a big stick on a flat rock, instead. That’s more appropriate to introduce the winners of the Harriett Lake Caveman Couture & Costume Contest at the Orlando Science Center’s annual Neanderthal Ball. The competition was as hot as a spouting volcano this year as more social spelunkers than ever donned prehistoric apparel to go faux-Flintstone. You like the leopard-skin look? Well, the scene inside could have passed for a National Geographic special. Except we didn’t have to chase down our food. Let’s make up an award right now, shall we, and hand it out to the Cave Inn restaurant for the Most Appropriate Food Option. Far be it from me to dispute the eatery’s claim that it served up “Tyrannosaurus Ribs.” Still, let’s not forget the other vendors: Puff n’ Stuff, Orlando Brewing, Darden, and Gigi’s Cupcakes. Everything was delicious and nothing tasted prehistoric.
Anyway, the Caveman Couture winners: Maria Ruthkowski, Eva Krzewinski, Wendy Wallenberg, Josh Garrick and Jim Hennessey. But don’t think we were all about just looking good. One of the nice things about the Neanderthal Ball — the motto, by the way, is “600,000 years in the making,” which presumably makes it the oldest ball in town — is that many of the museum’s displays are manned by volunteers more than willing to tell you just how old that big scary prehistoric shark tooth is. Makes you appreciate the food-chain options being served all the more. The event raises money for the center’s youth-education programs. So enjoy, all you dear little nerdlings. And a big, monosyllabic mmmmmwwwwaaaa! and a chorus of “Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing” to eponymous philanthropist Harriett Lake, who wasn’t feeling well that night and could not attend.
1. Emily Ellyn, Sunshine Baker 2. Orlando Science Center exhibits provided the setting for the Neanderthal Ball
1. ORLANDO-LIFE.COM
2. ORLANDO LIFE
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