Thursday, August 08, 2013

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.

6 comments:

  1. Very unique. Those one in millions odds really do come true sometimes.

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  2. My husband is a financial advisor, and his firm was contacted by someone claiming to be the winner. It could be a prank, but who knows?

    I don't know what I'd do with $62 million dollars. Probably kill myself with a sports car or jet ski or some other nonsense. I think I'd be happy with just the chocolate cake!

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    1. There were two winners in NJ. One down your way in Little Egg Harbor, and the other one up here in South Brunswick/Dayton.

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  3. That cake sounds good! I'd be happy with that too. Don't know what I'd do with the money either. Probably divide for my kids. I didn't buy a ticket though and you have to be in it to win it.

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  4. it is possible to have too much money, i think, when i hear of these wins. not that i wouldn't mind having one, LOL, but i could see giving a lot away - and buying house, land, another horse or two, horse box, etc ...etc ...etc

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  5. did you walk behind the press people on camera and wave? (My niece did that on a news clip once : ) . I rarely buy lottery tickets because I always forget to check the numbers!!!
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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