“Midnight the Cat” is credited with helping bring a $50,000 scratch-off win to a grandmother from Chevy Chase.
Back on July 8, a 57-year-old grandmother from Chevy Chase made her standard Maryland Lottery purchase of $15 worth of scratch-offs at a Bethesda store. Her preference, up until that date, was for any $5 or $10 instant ticket. Her favorite scratch-off now is $50,000 Bonus Cash because she won its $50,000 top prize.
“She got so excited, she just ran out of the store,” her daughter explained when a trio that included the lucky winner’s granddaughter traveled to Lottery headquarters in Baltimore to claim the winnings. “She used to tell me, ‘Don’t play’,” the grandmother said, with the daughter finishing the thought by saying, “Now I have changed my mind!”
The three women live together with a lizard, a guinea pig and three cats, including a black cat named Midnight. In fact, the trio credit lucky Midnight for having a role in the big win. Midnight may not appreciate what the prize could bring home — a dog! Part of the plan for the $50,000 windfall is to add a canine to the menagerie. A corgi is in their future if the granddaughter’s wish comes true.
The family waited nearly two months to claim the prize to give themselves time to make a list of things to consider buying. They also wanted to await the return of the granddaughter, who spent the summer with family members in another state. The daughter, who is working on her college degree, says the list is relatively short: a vacation for the three women, likely to Disney World; paying off bills; and, of course, buying a corgi.
Also lucky is Talbert’s Ice & Beverage Service at 5234 River Road in Bethesda, where the winning grandmother bought the top-prize ticket. The retailer earns a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling a $50,000 top-prize winning scratch-off. The bonus is equal to 1 percent of the value of the winning ticket.