WILKES-BARRE — About 100 fans of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Roller Radicals roller derby team braved the wintry weather to support their local skaters on Saturday morning at Applebees restaurant.
There they participated in the Breakfast with Santa, Elsa and Anna from the Disney movie “Frozen.” Team members donned costumes and entertained the children of all ages who attend. Of course, old Saint Nick made a special trip from the North Pole and was available for photos as well, according to team members.
Amy Keck, team vice president, thanked the families, friends and fans who stopped by to show their support and enjoy a breakfast of unlimited pancakes and sausage with all the trimmings as well as juice, coffee, tea and other beverages. The team members and friends donated raffle baskets and children were able to get their faces painted, too.
“The event was a fundraiser to support our 2017 season,” Keck said. The season starts in March and goes until October.
Skater Mandy Roche dressed up as Anna, Anne Bramblett suited up as Elsa and skate official Nate Person played the role of the jolly old elf.
Visitors had a chance to meet and greet members of the team as well, Keck said. Team members served breakfast while the staff at Applebees worked hard in the kitchen doing the cooking, she said.
“Roller derby is a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s doesn’t have the staged violence it used to have in the 1970s, but we do have some big hits,” she joked.
The team currently has 20 skaters, mostly from local areas, and 10 support staffers. They travel to New Jersey and New York for their “bouts” as well as host local events against visiting teams during the summer.
The radicals are actively recruiting new skaters, Keck said. They plan to hold tryouts in January for anyone who might want to skate.
Roller derby is a very athletic activity but someone with “basic skills” can make the team, she added.
The breakfast is one of several public fundraiser events the team conducts throughout the year, she said.
Saturday’s breakfast helped boost the team members’ spirits as they get ready for the upcoming season. Keck thanked the staff and management of Applebees for their continued support and for preparing a great breakfast for everyone.
Barnett sisters Molly, 2, and Bria, 3, of Kingston, visit with Santa and ‘Frozen’ movie characters Elsa and Anna during a breakfast with Santa sponsored by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Roller Radicals on Saturday morning at Applebees in Wilkes-Barre.
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Barnett sisters Molly, 2, and Bria, 3, of Kingston, visit with Santa and ‘Frozen’ movie characters Elsa and Anna during a breakfast with Santa sponsored by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Roller Radicals on Saturday morning at Applebees in Wilkes-Barre.
Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader
Wearing a shirt depicting ‘Elsa,’ Adelyn Phillips, 3, of Pittston, chats with the character from the Disney movie ‘Frozen’ as Santa and ‘Frozen’ character Anna look on.
http://timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TTL121816Breakfast2.jpg
Wearing a shirt depicting ‘Elsa,’ Adelyn Phillips, 3, of Pittston, chats with the character from the Disney movie ‘Frozen’ as Santa and ‘Frozen’ character Anna look on.
Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader
By Ralph Nardone
For Times Leader
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