It was not readily obvious that Gina Dudek, 4, geared up as Dora the Explorer, was a big-hair band fan. At least not until she was seen ponying, shimmying and mimicking the nostalgic movements of Mickey & The Memories’ bouffanted and sequined singers at the Museum of Science and Industry. “She just goes with the beat,” said mom Theresa. The Dudeks were among about 1,500 people attending the Chicago Bar Foundation Annual Fall Benefit, which included a kids’ silent auction, a concept lost on many a tyke who mistook the toys and books on the auction table for freebies. Charlotte Stender, 7, didn’t get the stuffed bear on which she bid $3 of her savings. As a team, Elise Mattenson and MiMi Stender, both 12, unsuccessfully bid $1 for about 20 snack-size bags of cotton candy. “I think it’s fun for them to learn about bidding and judging the amount of money they have and whether it’s worth the risk,” mom Toria said. Evan Brandon, 7, learned about competition. Although he bid $5 for a book, the winning bid turned out to be $2.25 after someone scribbled over his dollar amount. Said mom Karen: “I’m shocked that a little kid would do that.”
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