Silver Spring Chef Surprised by Fruit Explosion Scratch-off

Montgomery County woman wins $30,000 top prize

211-Fruit-Explosion-ITVMAlthough she’s spent many years cooking in commercial kitchens, a Silver Spring woman had never experienced the excitement of a “Fruit Explosion” until she purchased a single $3 Fruit Explosion scratch-off. The ticket paid off big, revealing a $30,000 top prize.

The 68-year-old Montgomery County resident purchased the ticket at Colesville Beer & Wine located at 13468 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.

Without knowing that she held a major windfall in her hands, she waited a few days and scratched the ticket while she was relaxing on a Sunday evening. On the last spot of her ticket, her “Fruit” symbols matched completely, giving her a $30,000 top prize. But she didn’t truly celebrate until she was able to confirm the prize at a Lottery retailer.

“I couldn’t wait to find out,” said the winner, adding that she shared news of the win only with her son. “I told him I won a little something.”

The lucky lady said she was beginning to think about the hectic schedule of holiday functions that will soon be held at the luxurious property in Washington, D.C., where she cooks. But prior to that, she claimed her prize the day before Thanksgiving. The lucky winner plans to share portions of her prize with her family, church and a favorite charity.

The Fruit Explosion scratch-off launched in August and still has three $30,000 top-prizes remaining. To check the prizes remaining on this and any Maryland Lottery scratch-off, visit mdlottery.com. For selling the top-prize-winning ticket, Colesville Beer & Wine will receive a $300 bonus from the Maryland Lottery.