Top Prize Drawing Winner
Steven Ewel, Orwell

Mesopotomia... On May 22, 2008, the Ohio Lottery asked Steven to come to the Mesopotamia Hardware store to participate in an interview regarding TPD (Top Prize Drawings). Steven showed up right on time and very quietly walked into the store with his wife. The Lottery's Promotion manager, Allison C. Turner, greeted him and walked him through the fake interview. Two local TV stations and WTAM-AM radio were present and recording the whole thing.

When the interview was over, Allison walked away to get the bag of gifts she had promised Steven - a T-shirt, a travel mug and other assorted trinkets. “Oh, and I have one more thing for you,” she said. Then she brought out the oversized check … made out to Steven Ewel in the amount of $150,000. “You are the winner of the Top Prize Drawing!” she said.

Mr. Ewel purchased his $5 Lucky Fortune ticket in February of 2006, at which time he won an instant $1,000 prize. When he made that claim, he was automatically entered into the drawing for the $150,000 top prize.

Upon receiving his check, Steven fought back tears and managed to force out a few words: “This is too good to be true. I am going to pay off my land and be debt free.” Incidentally, Steven's 10-acre spread in East Ohio is called “Acres of Dreams” … now truer than ever.