LANSING, August 13, 1997 – Mid-Michigan was home to two more winners of the $150,000 prize in recent Big Game drawings:

– Connie Maddalena of Lansing

– Kelly Mathers of Flint.

Each won $150,000 by matching the first five Big Game numbers drawn, but on different days.  Maddalena won on August 1, when the winning Big Game numbers were 17 – 34 – 38 – 39 – 44 and the Big Money Ball number was 13.  Mathers won on August 8, when the winning Big Game numbers were 3 – 5 – 34 – 35– 36 and the Big Money Ball number was 3.

"I checked my ticket at Meijer one week after the drawing, but I thought it was only a $1 winner," said Maddalena.  "I had the clerk run it through the terminal and she told me it was a big winner!"

Maddalena, a retired Lansing schoolteacher, has been a regular Michigan Lottery player for 25 years.  She said she and her husband, Aldo, have no immediate plans for their winnings.

The easy-pick ticket was purchased at 7-Eleven, 940 N. Elmwood Road, in Lansing.

Kelly Mathers of Flint has big plans for his Big Game winnings!  Mathers, who also won $150,000, said he’ll use his prize to pay bills, make home improvements, and take his family on a vacation to Disney World.

The 37-year-old winner acted quickly when he learned he matched five numbers.

"I got a winning numbers report while I was shopping, and then I checked my ticket at home," he said.  "I put the ticket back in my wallet.  Then I drove to Lansing Sunday night and stayed at Holiday Inn so I could come in early on Monday."

Mathers, the manager of Speedway Service Station in Davison, has been a regular Michigan Lottery player for 20 years.

His winning easy-pick ticket was purchased at Quik Pick Party Store, 1742 W. Court St., in Flint.

The Big Game offers nine ways to win cash prizes.  Players pay $1 for each play, and choose five numbers from 1 to 50, as well as one additional number from 1 to 25.

Friday’s (August 15) Big Game jackpot is estimated at $8 million.

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