Mechanicsville, MD — A St. Mary’s County homemaker who loves playing Maryland Lottery crossword scratch-offs was the first big winner to arrive at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore in 2016 to claim. She started the New Year with $50,000!
The Mechanicsville woman loves playing “word-find” crossword scratch-offs. On Dec. 26, the 61-year-old treated herself and her significant other to two Classic Crossword scratch-offs purchased at DJ’s One Stop in Mechanicsville. She brought them home for the couple to play together. The first of the two crossword puzzles on her $5 instant ticket yielded no prize. The words “Zoom,” “Puddle” and “See” popped up right away on the second puzzle. She happily revealed seven more words, her excitement growing, and checked the game’s prize legend. Finding 10 words gave her the game’s top prize of $50,000.
Meanwhile, her significant other was still busy scratching his instant ticket when he realized she was sitting still with her game.
“He goes, ‘What did you win, $10?’, ” she said. He helped her recheck the instant ticket and confirm the biggest Lottery win of her life!
The lucky couple both have $10,000 wins in their past. He won with a 10x Cash scratch-off several years ago, and her prize came from another Crossword scratch-off. The happy woman, accompanied by her sister to claim her prize, said she plans to spend her winnings paying bills and helping family members financially.
For selling the top-prize ticket, the lucky retailer will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery. DJ’s One Stop, located at 28035 Three Notch Road, is one of two retailers favored by the lucky winner. The game still has one more $50,000 top prize awaiting discovery at Maryland retailers.