LANSING, December 28, 1999 — Mary Ann Watson of Richland got an early Christmas gift this holiday season when discovered she had won the $100,000 top prize in the Michigan Lottery’s Cash 5 game!

"I called the Lottery’s toll-free number (800-822-8888) just before leaving work on Tuesday night and yelled ‘Oh my gosh!’ when I heard the winning numbers," she said. "I immediately called one of my co-workers into my office and had her listen to the winning numbers too. I wanted to make sure that I had heard them right! My husband, Terry, and I checked the numbers one more time later that night at Meijer."

Watson, 48, matched all five numbers in the December 13 Cash 5 drawing — 3, 7, 15, 28 and 35. The winning Cash 5 ticket was purchased at Meijer Inc. #21, 5800 Gull Road, in Kalamazoo. Watson added that she chose her own numbers based upon her date of birth and the dates of other significant events that have occurred in her life.

When not golfing, fishing or hunting, Watson said she enjoys playing Michigan Lottery games. In fact, she said she has been playing Lottery games for the past 15 years and her favorites are Michigan Lotto, the instant games and, of course, Cash 5!

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Watson, a State of Michigan employee, kept it in a "very safe place" in her house. The lucky lady said she plans to use her winnings to pay off her house as well as another piece of land she owns.

The winner offered the following words of wisdom to other Lottery hopefuls: "Keep playing! If you don’t play, you won’t win!"

Cash 5 drawings are conducted every Monday through Friday at 7:28 p.m. Players can win $100,000 for matching all five 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.