LANSING, August 18, 1999 — An Okemos man said he knew he was destined to win a big Lottery prize someday! His someday came on August 11 when he scratched off a Michigan Lottery "Lucky 7’s" ticket only to discover he had won the top $250,000 prize.

The 53-year-old winner, who requested anonymity, said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 27 years, and his favorites are Michigan Lotto, The Big Game and, of course, the instant games.

"I stopped at the store to buy a pop and decided to get a Lottery ticket as well," the winner said. "I scratched the ticket off when I got out to my truck. I just looked at the ticket and couldn’t believe what I saw! I took the ticket back into the store and asked them to check it so I would know it was really a winner. They told me I had to take it to the Lottery office since it was a $250,000 winner. I called my wife immediately to give her the good news!"

The avid outdoorsman, who enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and woodworking, said he plans to use his winnings to pay bills, make home improvements, buy a piece of land "up north," pay for his children’s college tuition and take his wife on a trip.

The winning ticket was purchased at Quality Dairy Company #9, 917 E. Cavanaugh Road, in Lansing. The retiree offered the following words of encouragement to other Lottery hopefuls: "Anyone can win. I had a feeling that someday I would win big and I did!"

"Lucky 7’s is just one of many Michigan Lottery instant tickets available at more than 9,300 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

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