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Steven Alder of Frederick enjoyed a $50,000 Bonus Match 5 win on his birthday! His son Michael Alder of Union Bridge, left, came along to keep his happy dad company.Takes home $50,000 top prize on Bonus Match 5 game
Lumber saw operator Steven Alder of Frederick knows all about the importance of numbers in his line of work, which involves making precision cuts of wood for customers. As soon as the loyal Maryland Lottery player realized that a quick-pick Bonus Match 5 ticket gave him a $50,000 win on his birthday of all days, he took a close look at the winning numbers.
The ticket Steven bought at Spirits of Liberty in Frederick was for two draws on July 6 and July 7, which is his birthday. Three lines on the ticket were quick-picked by the terminal. The first four winning numbers – 7, 10, 14 and 22 – match the birth months and dates for his late mother and stepfather, he said. The last number – 34 – was his age when his mother died.
The employee of 84 Lumber in Mount Airy planned to head back to work after claiming his prize at Lottery headquarters with his oldest son, Michael Alder of Union Bridge, and a family friend. The grandfather of nine has already shared his great news with his other two adult sons and plans to start shopping soon for a new truck, thanks to fate and the Lottery.
Steven is no stranger to winning Lottery games, but the $50,000 prize is his largest windfall ever. The 54-year-old enjoys playing Pick 3 and Pick 4, which made him a winner three times, along with Multi-Match and Bonus Match 5. In fact, when he discovered his $50,000 win, Steven was checking numbers on multiple tickets he purchased during the past week.
“I didn’t even know I’d won until three days later,” he said. “I always thought, before I won, that my heart would beat out of my chest but I was pretty calm.”
He carried the winning ticket in his wallet until he discovered its worth. On that day, he moved the ticket to a safe hiding place with other keepsakes. His friend drove Steven and Michael to Lottery headquarters in case his calm demeanor, dubbed “shock” by his friend, wore off after he claimed his prize and headed home.
Also winning a piece of the Bonus Match 5 pie is the Frederick County retailer. Located at 11339 Liberty Road, Spirits of Liberty in Frederick earned a $500 bonus for selling the top-prize ticket in the July 7 drawing. The Lottery is still looking for the players holding four $50,000 Bonus Match 5 tickets from the May 26, July 6, July 8 and July 12 drawings. Check your numbers!