LANSING, November 10, 1999 — A Chesaning man got an early holiday gift in his stocking when he won the $250,000 top prize in the Michigan Lottery’s "Stocking Stuffer" instant game!

"I scratched the ticket off at the store right after I bought it," the winner said. "I knew immediately that I had won and I started shaking. I looked at the clerk and said, ‘I just won $250,000!’ He didn’t believe me at first. I can hardly believe I won — I am so surprised!"

The 31-year-old winner, who requested anonymity, said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 13 years, and his favorites are The Big Game, Keno and, of course, the instant games.

The winning ticket was purchased at Fast Pax Food Store #06, 300 E. Broad Street, in Chesaning. The Chesaning man said he plans to use his winnings to pay off his house.

"I just bought a new house a couple of days ago and now I will be able to pay it off in full with the first payment," he said.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, the avid outdoorsman — who enjoys fishing, hunting and fly-tying — said he hid the ticket in his "fly-tying book" to ensure its safety.

The lucky man believes anyone can win Lottery games and he offered the following words of wisdom to other Lottery hopefuls: "You have to buy a ticket to win!"

"Stocking Stuffer" is just one of many Michigan Lottery instant tickets available at more than 9,300 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.