A McDonald's Big Mac and a small side of fries, containing a combined 1,200 mg of sodium, almost half of the daily recommendation, is seen at a McDonald's restaurant in New York on January 11, 2010. The city's health department is calling on food manufacturers to lower the amount of salt levels used in their food stating the health risks associated with the high intake. UPI/Monika Graff | License Photo

FOND DU LAC, Wis., May 18 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin man downed his 25,000th Big Mac on the 39th anniversary of the first time he ordered McDonald's signature sandwich.

Don Gorske of Fond du Lac reached his milestone at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday while a cheering crowd and about eight television cameras looked on, The Fond du Lac Reporter said Tuesday.


The restaurant was also host Tuesday to a band playing Dixieland music in celebration of Gorske's accomplishment. Willy Zeamer, who works with Gorske at the Waupun Correctional Institution, assembled the band for the occasion.

"For today, we're called the 'Big Macs,'" Zeamer said. "Normally, we play with several jazz groups. … We put this together for Don Gorske's big day.

"I told the fellas about Don, his personality and kind nature. What better guy could we play for?" he said.

Dave Rause, owner of the McDonald's at 699 S. Military Rd., said he is glad to have Gorske as a regular customer.

"As a business, we're exceptionally lucky to have a customer like Don," Rause said. "He's just an exceptional guy and a sweet, sweet man. He's also a Big Mac enthusiast. When you have a customer who's enthusiastic about your product, it's a great thing."