LANSING, December 30, 1998 – A Fairhaven man recently received his best holiday gift of the season when he became a millionaire after winning the jackpot in a Michigan Lotto drawing!

The 56-year-old man matched all six numbers in the December 26 Michigan Lotto drawing to win the $1 million prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 12, 13, 19, 27, 30 and 40.

"I hung onto the ticket for a couple of days before I even checked the numbers," the winner said.  "On Monday morning I checked the winning numbers in the Sunday Detroit Free Press and told my wife that we won $2 million.  She didn’t believe me until she looked at the numbers herself!  As soon as she saw that we won, she started to cry.  We both just stood there in disbelief!"

The Fairhaven resident, who requested anonymity, said he has been playing the Michigan Lottery for the past 26 years. He purchased the winning "easy pick" ticket at New Baltimore Town and Country, 36011 Green St., in New Baltimore.

The lucky winner chose the lump-sum cash option payment for his winnings.  He came to the Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing to collect his one-time prize payment of $1,091,204, the present cash value of that day’s announced $2 million jackpot, before taxes.

The new millionaire said he and his wife plan to use part of their winnings to retire, travel and pay bills.  They said they are still thinking about what they want to do with the rest of the money.  For other Lottery hopefuls, the winner offered the following advice: "You’ve got to buy a ticket to win!"

Michigan Lotto drawings are conducted every Wednesday and Saturday.  The expected jackpot for Wednesday’s (December 30) drawing is $2 million.

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