Hi Toby,
Boy that Schussler sure is a hustler/showman:
Mineapolis Star-Tribune 11/27/97
C.J.: Fairy-tale scheme begs question ...C.J.23-Nov-1997Laughter ricocheted around an empty Disney World as Heather Searle gotta load of her significant other's transformation into Prince Charming. ''I just howled,'' said Searle, the director of marketing for St. Louis Park-based Michael Foods. Her laughter took the edge off Steve Schussler's nerves as he charged up on horseback to propose marriage. The owner of the defunct Juke Box Saturday Night and one of the minds behind the ever-expanding Rainforest Cafe empire has a well-known flair for showmanship, but Searle didn't see this one coming. There was, however, something about him asking her to wear a particular dress that prompted her to repeat an oft-used warning: ''If you pull anything stupid, I'll kill you!'' Searle was in Florida on business, and Schussler flew down for a weekend at Disney World. At the hotel one night they learned a mutual friend, a Disney exec, just happened to be in the lobby to see them. The lobby was filled with tourists .ÿ.ÿ. and a camera crew. One minute Searle is talking with Dieter Hannig, a veep of food and bev for Disney World, and the next she's being beckoned by a coachman in tights, a wig and tricorn hat. Princess, you need to come with me, said the coachman, whom Searle dubbed Mozart. ''I turned around, and Dieter and Steve were gone,'' said Searle. The camera crew was focused on her, she noticed. Mozart led her outside. ''There is Cinderella's carriage with six white horses, all lit up. They put me in the carriage by myself,'' said Searle. ''Now the family on vacation from Ohio is videotaping, too.'' The taunting of Mozart began. ''ÿ'I'm gonna have your job! Have you enjoyed working for Disney? Ever collected unemployment in tights before?'ÿ'' she told Mozart. ''I was beside myself.'' Mozart gave Princess an extensive ride around the closed park before depositing her at the castle. ''Mickey and Minnie are there in formal attire and Donald Duck with whomever his babe is. They help me out of the carriage.'' Steve comes from around the corner on a white horse, in a tailor-made prince costume, bearing a big ring and specially made glass slipper for Searle's size 9« triathlete feet. The humor bodes well for this fairy-tale proposal. ''He's down on one knee, and I'm saying, 'Honey, I've never seen you in red polyester before,'ÿ'' recalled Searle. A trimmed and buffed Schussler wasn't joking at all when he explained, ''She completes me.''
Hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving!
Regards,
Dennis |
