Sykesville woman finds success only two weeks into 2015
A single Sykesville mother of two who played her new set of lucky Powerball numbers in January experienced a very new outcome – she won $1 million!
“New Year, new numbers,” said the 39-year-old, recalling that she started playing this batch of numbers shortly after the New Year arrived. The federal government worker claimed the second-tier prize in the Jan. 17 drawing after playing her new lucky numbers on a $10 ticket at Piney Run Liquors in Sykesville. The loyal player was watching TV on the Sunday following the drawing when the news announcer named her store as being the retailer that sold a $1 million winning ticket.
Immediately, she and her friend went into action. “I buy my tickets there,” she told her friend. “Jokingly, I said, ‘That could be me.’ ”
They bought a newspaper to check the winning numbers, then checked the numbers again on a smartphone and even checked the ticket at a store – quietly. The scanner said to come to Lottery headquarters in Baltimore to claim the prize. Her friend, who accompanied the Carroll County resident to the Winner’s Lounge, said their reactions included tears of joy, shock and disbelief.
“She was the calmest person I’ve ever seen who’s won,” he said.
“That’s just how unreal it was,” she added.
The loyal player wants to develop a long-term money-management plan and someday buy a house. For selling the lucky ticket, Piney Run Liquors at 577 Johnsville Road Suite 7 in Sykesville will receive a $2,500 bonus from the Lottery. This is Maryland’s second $1 million winning Powerball ticket claimed in 2015.