LANSING, October 20, 1999 — Russell Grimes of Grand Junction recently discovered what it feels like to have a truly lucky day after scratching off a Michigan Lottery "Lucky 7’s" instant ticket to learn he had won one of the game’s $250,000 top prizes!

The 49-year-old winner said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 27 years, and his favorites are, of course, the instant games.

"I scratched the ticket off in my truck on the way home from work," Grimes said. "At first I thought I had won $25,000 and I was really excited about that. After a couple of minutes I decided to put my glasses on and look at the ticket a little more closely. That is when I realized I had actually won $250,000! I was completely surprised, and I still don’t really believe it!"

The bridge construction worker said he doesn’t have any definite plans for his winnings yet, but added he will likely "buy some toys" for himself, pay bills and save some of the money for his children’s college education.

The winning ticket was purchased at Harding’s Market #383, 14 W. Monroe St., in Bangor. The avid outdoorsman, who enjoys fishing and hunting, offered the following words of wisdom to other Lottery hopefuls: "You can’t win unless you play!"

"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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