I Have Been to a "Happening!"

Somebody's Lucky!

We have a multi State lottery here in the US called "Powerball."  Last night was the drawing for a $480 million prize.

Please note: I did not buy a ticket.

There were two winners from my State of New Jersey. One of them bought the ticket at the local Stop and Shop Supermarket where I shop all the time. It's only about 3 miles from my house.

On the way home from picking up my CSA share I stopped at the market to get some eggs. I was a bit puzzled to see all kinds of TV trucks in the parking lot. Then, on the way in, I met our local newspaper reporter who told me there was going to be a press conference with the lottery people there at the store in about a half hour.

Well, how could I pass up an opportunity to be part of a "happening" like that?

I shopped slowly and then made my way to the cluster of cameras and reporters to witness the event.

The lottery winner has not yet stepped forward, so there was no name on the big check yet. $86 million dollars, cash. After taxes, the winner would end up with about $62 million dollars unless they decided to take the winnings in an annuity over 26 years. The lottery rep who spoke to the press said they advised all winners to talk to financial advisors and making plans before collecting the winnings, so whoever won may not claim the prize for a few days yet.

I'm not sure what I would do after I picked myself up off the floor if I'd won.

The store itself got a check for $30,000 for selling the winning ticket. They are going to donate the money to a local charity.

It was kind of cool watching the whole press conference. I'll have to watch the evening news to see the reports.

The store bakery had made a huge sheet cake to celebrate the win and afterwards, we all got a piece.

I took a nice slice of chocolate cake as my share of the winnings.

I broke my diet, but it was worth it. My "happening" cake was delicious.