Prize will allow couple to take it easy, travel

When Gary VanHooser won $2 on his scratch-off lottery ticket, he figured he'd re-invest it in a Ohio State Lottery Rolling Cash 5 game.

His ticket turnout to be the $421,000 winner.

"I just had the machine pick out numbers. I didn't even check them that night I play the lottery when I'm in town and I have some extra cash to spend on it," said the 74-year-old Sam's Club associate. "I didn't even check the numbers until the next day."

While sitting down for coffee at Crispie Creme Donut Shop, his favorite hangout, a friend suggested he check the paper for the lottery numbers.

"I didn't believe it at first," VanHooser said. "I had to have my friend look at the numbers. He said, 'unless that's a misprint, Van, I think you won.'"

He took a moment to compose himself and headed home to Kinnikinnick to tell his wife, Phyllis, the news.

"I didn't believe him at first, and than I asked him what this would mean," Phyllis said. "He told me it meant things would be a little easier."

VanHooser took home $290,490 after taxes and doesn't think he'll be returning to his night shift job at Sam's Club after his scheduled vacation at the end of the month.