Tara Ramirez doesn't know what she's going to do after claiming a $70 million Powerball jackpot.

But with an eight-figure nest egg, the Hartsdale woman can do just about anything she wants.

Ramirez, 37, was presented a ceremonial check for the top prize in the multi-state lottery game Thursday at Dairydel on South Central Avenue in the Hartsdale section of Greenburgh, New York. On Feb. 24, she visited the store and played the winning numbers: 6, 11, 42, 53, 54 and the Powerball number 7.

She was one of a pair of Westchester lottery winners presented checks: Robert Rice of New Rochelle won $3 million in the Triple Million scratch-off game.

"I'm in shock. I feel amazing, excited," Ramirez said Thursday, smiling broadly and holding the giant eight-figure check. "I never would have believed this would happen. I mean, what are the odds?"

The odds of winning a jackpot are one in 175 million for a $2 ticket purchase. Ramirez spent $8 on Powerball tickets and $2 on Mega Millions tickets.

Champagne wishes and caviar dreams haven't started flowing yet for Ramirez, an education consultant who said she has lived in Greenburgh for just a few years. Beyond paying bills and taking care of family, she said she hasn't planned much and will continue working.

"We haven't quite gotten to what specifically we're going to do," said Ramirez, whose husband was not at the news conference. "We're just trying to maintain normalcy and stay grounded and just keep moving forward."

Ramirez, who said she plays the lottery infrequently, accepted a one-lump-sum payment of $43.7 million on behalf of Case Park, LLC, a corporation she was advised to form after winning the prize. After taxes she will net nearly $29 million.

For selling the winning ticket, Dairydel will receive $10,000.

Standing at the news conference, Josephine Gracinger, 70, of Greenburgh congratulated Ramirez and prepared to buy tickets for the current $290 million Mega Millions jackpot. She hopes some of Ramirez's luck rubs off on her.

"Maybe one day," she said.

Rice, 60, of New Rochelle won the last top prize in the Triple Million scratch-off game. The game has been retired and replaced with another $10 game.

The retired sanitation worker purchased the ticket on March 5 at United Deli on North Avenue in the city. He went to the store to buy a loaf of bread.

"It's like a dream. It's like lightning striking," said Rice, a retired sanitation worker who buys lottery tickets a couple of times a week.

Rice said he will pay some debts but otherwise doesn't have any firm plans for his winnings, which will be paid out in $150,000 installments every year for 20 years. He will net $99,270 a year after taxes.

(Click to display full-size in gallery)New York State Lottery's Yolanda Vega, center, with Robert Rice of New Rochelle, a $3 million scratch-off game winner, and Tara Ramirez of Hartsdale, who won a $70 million Powerball prize.

What you do is point your car/truck west and go. Get the hell away from the East Coast, like you're supposed to do.  With that kind of money, you can find a nice, far less congested neighborhood, in which to live. 
A neighborhood, not subject to snow and ice.

I know I'd seek out a neighborhood, like the ones in 1960s tv sitcoms.  Bewitched,  Brady Bunch; Ideally Gilligan's Island. That's what I'd do. 

But, having taken the annuity option, I don't know.   Cash option:  NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

Or, is there something redeeming about the east coast that I've missed?

What you do is point your car/truck west and go. Get the hell away from the East Coast, like you're supposed to do.  With that kind of money, you can find a nice, far less congested neighborhood, in which to live. 
A neighborhood, not subject to snow and ice.

I know I'd seek out a neighborhood, like the ones in 1960s tv sitcoms.  Bewitched,  Brady Bunch; Ideally Gilligan's Island. That's what I'd do. 

But, having taken the annuity option, I don't know.   Cash option:  NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

Or, is there something redeeming about the east coast that I've missed?

She says she dosen't know what to do next.Well you will have a lot of people giving you all kinda of suggestions.lol  GOOD for you,spend it wisely.

What you do is point your car/truck west and go. Get the hell away from the East Coast, like you're supposed to do.  With that kind of money, you can find a nice, far less congested neighborhood, in which to live. 
A neighborhood, not subject to snow and ice.

I know I'd seek out a neighborhood, like the ones in 1960s tv sitcoms.  Bewitched,  Brady Bunch; Ideally Gilligan's Island. That's what I'd do. 

But, having taken the annuity option, I don't know.   Cash option:  NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

Or, is there something redeeming about the east coast that I've missed?

She won't stay working long. Unless she creates her own business. Funny how those who always win are the ones who are least prepared and don't expect it.

What you do is point your car/truck west and go. Get the hell away from the East Coast, like you're supposed to do.  With that kind of money, you can find a nice, far less congested neighborhood, in which to live. 
A neighborhood, not subject to snow and ice.

I know I'd seek out a neighborhood, like the ones in 1960s tv sitcoms.  Bewitched,  Brady Bunch; Ideally Gilligan's Island. That's what I'd do. 

But, having taken the annuity option, I don't know.   Cash option:  NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

Or, is there something redeeming about the east coast that I've missed?