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JEFFERSON CITY WOMAN CLAIMS FIRST $88,000 TOP PRIZE
June 29, 2012
A Jefferson City woman claimed the first top prize on the latest Missouri Lottery Scratchers ticket. The new $5 game, “Power 8s,” officially begins Saturday, but tickets started being sold as they were received by retailers this week. Gloria Gourley, 55, bought the winning ticket at Schulte’s Fresh Foods, 1904 Southwest Blvd., in Jefferson City.
“Well, I got my walking shoes on and decided to go to Runge (Nature Center) to walk, but I had a $5 Scratchers (ticket) to cash in,” explained Gourley. “So, I won a little money, and I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to try that new game.’ When I see a new game, I usually try and buy a few tickets.”
The gamble paid off. Gourley scratched the ticket on the way to her car.
“It kind of hit me about the time I got to the doors,” she recalled. “Wow. I think I won something here. I’m going right up to the Lottery office. I always tell the gals I buy the tickets from that my goal is to win one big enough that I have to come up here (Lottery office) to get the prize. So I did this morning!”
Gourley, 55, is a retired social services worker. Her husband, Don, has a few more years before he can retire. She said they had talked about moving to the southwest eventually, but for now, they’ll hold on to the windfall.
“Give some to the kids and put the rest in the bank,” she offered. “We have a little vacation coming up. We’re just taking a little mini-vacation to St. Louis to do some bicycle riding and go to my daughter’s baby shower. So, we’ll probably spend some while we’re up there.”
Not much will change for the winner, who said she still planned to attend lap swim later in the day.
“You know, I am the poster child for retirees. I’m having a blast,” she declared.
Gourley said she’ll keep playing the Lottery and offered this advice for other players.
“Play as long as you can afford it and enjoy doing it. But don’t get in over your head,” she cautioned.
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