The Lamb family and their friends watched the Pats win at their own Super Bowl party.
By Eric Horn
Special to the Sun Journal

NORWAY – Super Sunday was super for Ken Lamb of West Paris before the National Football League championship game ever started.

By the time the New England Patriots kicked off to open the game, Lamb and 25 friends and family members had made their way to Western Auto of Norway for a free Super Bowl party. Guests were treated to cushy recliners, big screen TVs, and food from Subway, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hannaford’s and Millet’s Variety.

Lamb was excited when he learned he had won this year’s contest, but that initial excitement was short-lived. “They called to let me know I’d won on a Friday,” he explained. “By Friday night I was having problems with gall stones.”

Lamb found out he needed surgery but was determined to wait until after the Super Bowl to schedule a date with the hospital. “I wanted to be sure I wasn’t down for this,” he said, and mentioned that he was watching out for the foods his doctor did not want him eating.

Lamb is the latest winner of an annual drawing that started at the Main Street store back in 1994. His was the only name chosen out of a record 700 entries to this year’s contest.

Over its 10 years, popularity for the drawing has grown well beyond Norway. “One year we had a 10-year-old boy from Rumford win it, explained Chris Shorey, who co-owns the store with his parents, Frank and Connie.

“Another year a man from Turner won it. It’s really a regional thing.”

Chris said that the parties are a good way to show customer appreciation. “We do it for the camaraderie and to have fun with our customers,” he said. “They have a good time, but we like a good party as much as anybody. We’ve always had a great group.”

The Shorey family, along with store manager Joe Cummings, acted as hosts for Lamb and all his guests. They and their coworkers turned the entire second floor furniture display into a one-night Patriots party room. They gave away several door prizes, including lots of items with the Patriots logo on it. Good thing there were not many Carolina Panthers supporters.

“I think we only have one Panthers fan here tonight,” said Chris as he looked around the blue and red decorated room.

Lamb, like almost all his friends and family, was hoping for a Patriots win. “Yes, I’m a fan, but my son, Caleb, is a bigger football fan than I am.”

Caleb, his brother Kyle, and his twin sisters Carolyn and Catherine sat up near the TVs where they could see and hear all the action while Patriots fans all around them cheered and moaned.

It was clear enough which team the crowd wanted to win, but who did they think would win? When asked, Lamb quickly answered, “Oh, the Patriots of course.”

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