A pumpkin proved to be a lucky charm for a man in North Carolina, leading him to a $150,000 prize from a scratch-off lottery ticket. As reported by UPI News, the winner, identified as Story, shared his story of unexpected fortune. He explained, “I grow a few pumpkins each year and sell them.” He continued, “Someone gave me $10 for a pumpkin, and I used that to buy the ticket.” The winning ticket, a $5 Xtreme Cashword, was purchased at the Sun Farms store on U.S. 17 South in Elizabeth City.
Story initially didn’t realize the extent of his winnings. “I didn’t have my glasses on,” he said. “I thought I had won $1,000.” His story is just one of many recent lottery wins that have brought joy and surprise to winners across the country.
In another instance, 62-year-old Jose Duran from West Palm Beach, Florida, claimed a staggering $3 million (approximately ₹ 25 crore) Mega Millions jackpot after spending just $3 (around ₹ 250) on his ticket. Duran matched all five white balls in the draw held on April 11, 2023, and bought his winning ticket from Supermercados El Bodegon on Forest Hill Boulevard. The retailer also received a $5,000 (around ₹ 4 lakh) bonus for selling the winning ticket.
These stories highlight the unpredictable nature of lottery games, where small investments can lead to substantial rewards. In Frederick County, Maryland, a woman’s life was transformed after winning $500,000 (approximately ₹ 4 crore) from a Powerball Double Play ticket on September 25. The woman, who remained anonymous, was reportedly overwhelmed with disbelief, hyperventilating, and completely “in shock,” according to the Mirror.
And in September, in Massachusetts, a man named Thomas Ensko used the same set of lucky numbers, inspired by his birthday, for two decades. Unsure of a win this time too, Ensko bought a Mega Millions lottery ticket from Anderson’s Variety Store in Blackstone. He collected his prize money of a whopping $1,000,000 (before taxes) at the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester. Anderson’s also received a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. These recent wins illustrate the unpredictable nature of lottery games, where a small investment can lead to a significant life change. Whether it’s a pumpkin purchase or a set of lucky numbers, these stories offer a glimpse into the thrill and potential rewards that lottery games offer.
