“I used to think that nobody wins the top prizes, |
Donald Calvetti is shedding his pessimistic proclivities and is now thoroughly convinced that Lottery players really do win the big money. The 70-year-old father-of-two told Lottery officials, “I used to think that nobody wins the top prizes, but now I know people do win.”
Donald was with his 38-year-old daughter on Saturday evening when the two of them stopped into Aspen Hill Lottery, Beer and Wine to buy several Lottery tickets for his wife. “She likes scratch-offs,” said Donald. It wasn’t until Sunday evening that they got around to playing their tickets.
He, his wife and daughter, were scratching the tickets, winning a few smaller amounts along the way, when Donald struck it rich, winning $50,000 all taxes paid on the new Tax Free scratch-off. “I asked my daughter what this meant,” he said. “Looks like you win,” she replied. The trio couldn’t quite believe their good fortune, but as Donald decreed, “It turned out true.” Donald’s wife quickly phoned her sisters in Pennsylvania and posted the good news on Facebook. “We started getting phone calls congratulating us,” said the happy winner.
The retired Montgomery County Police officer and now part-time bailiff for the district court intends to use the majority of his winnings to purchase a certificate of deposit for his wife. “It will be security for her,” he said. They will also enjoy a celebratory dinner out.
The winning ticket was purchased at Aspen Hill Lottery, Beer and Wine, located at 13745 Connecticut Ave. in Silver Spring. This is the first of the $50,000 top prizes to be won on the Tax Free ticket, which went on sale January 9th. Three are seven top-prizes remaining.