LANSING, September 28, 1999 — Upon learning he had won the $100,000 top prize in the Michigan Lottery’s Cash 5 game, an Ypsilanti man placed the winning ticket in his freezer for safe-keeping!

The winner, who requested anonymity, matched all five numbers in the September 24 drawing — 5, 7, 17, 22 and 23. The winning Cash 5 ticket was purchased at Harvest Liquor Shop Inc., 1645 Holmes Road, in Ypsilanti.

"I saw the winning numbers on the Channel 4 (WDIV-TV) news," the winner said. "I didn’t have the ticket right in front of me at the time, but I remembered the numbers I had chosen. I couldn’t believe I really matched them all. I was completely surprised and couldn’t sleep all night!"

The Ypsilanti man said he occasionally plays Michigan Lottery games, and his favorites are Michigan Lotto and, of course, Cash 5. He has been especially lucky with the Cash 5 game recently. Just one week ago he matched four of the five numbers drawn to win the game’s $350 prize.

"I thought it was hard enough to match four of the numbers, let alone all five," the winner said. "I guess you just never know where the numbers are going to fall!"

The lucky man said he has not had a chance to decide what he wants to do with his winnings yet. He added he will likely pay bills, but he is going to put the money in the bank for now until he decides what to do.

Stating that he believes anyone can win the Lottery, the winner offered the following words of wisdom to other Lottery hopefuls: "Just play what you feel! That’s what I do, and it paid off for me!"

Cash 5 drawings are conducted every Monday through Friday at 7:28 p.m. Players can win $100,000 for matching all five winning numbers; $350 for matching four of five numbers drawn; or $20 for matching three of five numbers drawn.

Tickets are available for Cash 5 and other Michigan Lottery on-line games at more than 6,400 Lottery retailers throughout the state.

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