Firefighters practice safe pizza eating

Wantage — “We wanted to bring the surrounding communities together with a fun-filled day of friendly competition,” said Russ Frayko of Family Pizza in Hopatcong. To this end, they created their Firefighters Pizza Eating Challenge, which was held Sunday, Sept. 12 at Sussex Motor Sports in Wantage. Participating fire departments included Beemerville, Branchville, Hopatcong, Pochuck and Sussex. Two members from each fire department had eight minutes to safely eat as much pizza as they could. At the end of eight minutes, there was a three-way tie between Hopatcong, Pochuck and Sussex. Each team had eaten 10 full slices of pizza. A tie-breaker was conducted and the results were as follows: First place, $750: Hopatcong, Mike Rey and Ken Worflar Second place, $500: Sussex, Joe Hopp and Bill Suchoski Third place, $250: Pochuck, Chris Breitenbach and Jason Tammaro Local business sponsors included Baker’s Pharmacy, Patrick’s Wine Barn, Royal Buick GMC, Route 23 Patio and Mason, Snap Fitness, Sussex County Glass, Sussex Motor Sports, Tim’s Auto and Truck Care Center, Tire King, and Town II Auto Body. In addition to the contest, members of the Sherriff’s Department were on-site conducting children’s fingerprinting. All donations collected at the event will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. To make a donation, visit Family Pizza in the A&P Plaza in Wantage.