“Good Cause, Good Time”

The crowd watches a playoff round of wing eating
(Tom Sofield)

Wing sauce covered the hands, Monday, of Upper Southampton first responders at the Applebee’s on Street Road during a bone in wing eating contest which was aiding the Nordberg family whose lives were changed forever by a devastating fire in late May.

On May 25 of this year fire quickly ripped through the Nordberg home on Carolyn Drive in Upper Southampton, 17 month old Katie was killed and four year old Julia was injured in the fire along with her mother Susan Thomas, 33. Julia is making a better than expected recovery and her mother Susan Thomas is still in a coma. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Eric Nordberg the father to the children and husband to Susan owns a Center City bicycle messenger company also takes care of four year old Julia who is still recovering from the blaze and daughter Bethany, 14, who was on her way home from school at the time of the blaze.

(Tom Sofield)

Southampton Applebee’s manager Tara Gates estimated that throughout the course of the night over 650 people came and went.

Firefighter Scott McKenney who ate 12 wings in four minutes said the whole department meets every Monday canceled their weekly meeting to attend the fund raising even for the family.

“It’s a cause that is near and dear to everyone, that’s the reason everyone came out,” said McKenney.

Gates was happy with the turn out and said it was great because the restaurant will be donating 10% of all meals bought Monday night to the Nordberg family.

Firefighter James Furey who was stuffed after coming in third place in the wing competition after eating 28 wings said, “I think everyone came out for the benefit of the family.”

Officer Rick Gruver of the Upper Southampton police department thought the event went “very well” and said about 15 of the departments 22 officers came out to the event.

Sold at the fundraiser were 50/50 raffle tickets which raised $610. The winner decided to donate his prize money back to the charity, his decision was greeted by cheers from the patrons of the restaurant.

Before the wing completion between EMTs, Police and Firefighters an applesauce eating competition was held for kids. Julia Nordberg was in attendance for the applesauce completion and Gates said, “It was great seeing little Julia here.”

(Tom Sofield)

Gates said that there are plans to make this wing eating completion an annual charity event.

Outside the restaurant was a display including a fire truck, ambulance and two police cars.

“Good cause, good time,” said David Ridge a Southampton firefighter who ate 26 wings in six minutes.

First Place - Brian Lauff – 33 wings – Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad
Second Place – Mark Zielinski – 32 wings – Upper Southampton Police
Third Place – James Furey – 28 Wings – Upper Southampton Fire Department

Click here to donate.

Tom Sofield (tsofield@buxmontnews.com)
Online Editor