Monrovia Furniture Craftsman wins $50K Instant Riches Top Prize


Gary Smith from Monrovia wins $50,000 Instant Riches top prize.

Discovers win while on family camping trip

“I’m so lucky, it irritates people,” said Monrovia resident Gary Smith. This holiday weekend his lucky streak continued when he won a $50,000 top prize playing an Instant Riches scratch-off ticket. Smith, who says he has won several significant Lottery prizes this year, had been camping with his family when he purchased the winning scratch-off ticket.

“My dog wasn’t doing too well and I wanted to run home to check on her,” said Smith. Before picking up his dog, Smith stopped into the 7-11 on Fingerboard Road in Monrovia for a couple of games of Racetrax, his favorite Lottery game. Before leaving the store, he purchased a $5 Instant Riches ticket from store owner Rose King and scratched the ticket. He revealed five $10,000 prize spots on the ticket, winning one of the game’s $50,000 top prizes.

Although his wife’s jaw dropped when he returned to the campsite, his family and friends are responding to the news of yet another Lottery win in familiar fashion. Smith says that he will use the prize to pay off a motorcycle and purchase a used truck. Smith explained that 80% of the win will go to his wife. “She’ll use that money to do the right thing and invest in our future,” said Smith.

One Week, Three Big Frederick Winners

Monrovia Woman Wins $10,003 Playing Powerball

Powerball with Power PlayWinonna Sue McFarland buys two Powerball tickets every Tuesday. The tickets are Quick Picks and she always purchases them at the same Lottery retailer. Last week, her weekly ritual paid off to the tune of $10,003, producing the third big win in Frederick in just a week’s time.

The soft-spoken Monrovia resident arrived at Lottery Headquarters this morning with her daughter Cheryl in tow to claim her third-tier prize from last Wednesday’s Powerball drawing. “Every Tuesday before Bingo I buy two tickets,” said Winonna. “I check my numbers on TV on the Thursday morning news.”

Winonna realized that she had won after viewing the numbers, but was skeptical nonetheless. “I checked three times. I didn’t think it was right.” Once convinced, Winonna headed to her daughter’s house to share the news. “Then, I was like ‘woo-hoo,” said Winonna. When her other two children learned of her good fortune they said, “You’re kidding mom, we won’t believe you until we see the ticket.”

Their doubts will soon be put to rest as the grandmother-of-five and great-grandmother-of-five, intends to share her windfall with her family. When asked if she planned on doing anything for herself, the winner’s daughter interjected, “We told her she should head straight to Las Vegas.” Though Winonna doesn’t intend to play in Vegas, she will continue playing the Maryland Lottery. In fact, in parting the 69-year-old said, “Hope to see you soon.” The winning ticket was purchased at Browns Discount Liquors, located at 908 E. Patrick St. in Frederick.