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‘Pasta Joe’ takes home $50,000 Powerball prize
Happy birthday to a 40-year-old Powerball winner! He played the jackpot game on Jan. 13 as the top prize grew to $1.6 billion and had one of 24 tickets sold in Maryland that won a $50,000 prize. The lucky player claimed his winnings on his birthday, Jan. 27.
Because of his love of pasta growing up, the Silver Spring resident dubbed himself “Pasta Joe.” After dropping off his son at daycare on Jan. 13, he spent $10 on five lines of Powerball numbers quick-picked by the Lottery terminal. He purchased his winning ticket at the 7-Eleven store at 8472 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring.
Pasta Joe, who works as an auditor, then went on about his day and missed the drawing that night.
“I really didn’t think I would win anything,” he said. But, when he checked his ticket the next day, he realized he matched four of the white balls and the red Power Ball. “I was surprised at how much I won and completely happy.”
To share in his happiness, Pasta Joe called his wife and other family members. And even though he knew he matched the numbers, he said it didn’t seem real until he claimed the prize on his birthday.
“It’s sort of like a birthday gift,” said Pasta Joe, adding that he plans to save some of his winnings and invest.
While the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot on Jan. 13 wasn’t hit in Maryland, that drawing did produce three $1 million winners, one $100,000 winner and 24 $50,000 winners in the state.