SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — A Springfield, Oregon, bartender won big this week, when a Keno ticket given to her as a tip turned out to be worth $17,500.
Aurora Kephart, 25, who has worked at Conway's Restaurant and Lounge in Springfield's Thurston neighborhood for almost four years, often receives unplayed Keno tickets as tips from a bar regular. On Tuesday evening, the male patron, who wishes to remain anonymous, bought a handful of Keno tickets and asked Kephart to choose the two she wanted.
When she checked the numbers, Kephart's first ticket won $5. Then the second yielded the big prize.
"The look on his face was incredible," Kephart said. "I automatically handed it back to him; it was his ticket."
But the patron wouldn't take the ticket and made Kephart sign it, so that she would be the only one able to collect the prize.
"The reaction (in the bar) was crazy," she said. "Everyone was so amped up. I mean how often does that happen somewhere like Thurston?
"The bar is 80 percent regulars, so everyone knows everyone. People were so excited for me."
With the bar busy, Kephart says she went right back to work, her brain "scrambled" by the big prize. The next day, she claimed her prize at the Oregon Lottery office in Salem.
Kephart says she gave the anonymous patron a percentage of her winnings.
"I just couldn't not give him some of it," she said.
As for her share of the money, Kephart says she's planning to buy a new couch and to save the rest.
Those modest plans have earned her plenty of teasing from the Conway's regulars.
But, as luck would have it, Kephart says she had spent the day Tuesday looking for a new couch, only to be deterred by the high prices.
"I never realized how expensive couches were," she said. "Instead of waiting till Christmas or later, now I can buy something I really need."
That is a great story it reminds me of the movie "It could happen to you" with Nicholas Cage and Bridgett Fonda. Congratulations to Aurora and I think it is so sweet she tried to give the ticket back and then gave him a percentage. Good hearts all around.
Such a nice story congratulation Ms. Kephart this says alot of about a person character especially since she offered to give the winning ticket back to the patron and she gave him some of the winnings
Super nice of the guy...I dont think I could have asked for the ticket back either
This should be a lesson for guys who only want to act nice. Never give a lottery away if you aren't really nice.
just like the movie sort of
'It can happen to you' or something like that
Nice Tip
Anonymous so his wife does'nt find out.
Yep, any time you giving those size tips at the bar, it's better the wife or family don't know.
The guy must be loaded to give a $17,500 tip. I think it's amazing. I heard Bill Gates does not give big tips. He gives Micro tips
I would give her WAY more then just the tip LMFAO
Probably not, he probably gave it to her before the drawing or not having checked it after the drawing and she was lucky.
Aurora speaking
This story is indeed one of a kind. She's so generous to give part of the winning to the patron who gave her the ticket. Of course she owe it to him too. It is wonderful when someone shares blessing to other people.