By Todd Northrop
A 55-year-old Thomasville construction worker is getting ready to build a new life after winning a $50 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot.
"Honey, we won the lotto!" That's what Zippy Vonier, 55, announced to his wife Wednesday morning after discovering that he won $50 million.
"My wife was brushing her teeth, and I told her to come in and sit down," said Vonier, a Thomasville resident. "She was just kind of shocked."
Vonier won by matching all of the winning numbers in Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing.
The jackpot increased from an advertised $49 million to $50 million after final sales were tallied. Vonier selected the cash option and will receive $38,197,097 before taxes.
Vonier bought the jackpot-winning ticket at Susie Q's #0001, located at 13091 U.S. Highway 319 N. in Thomasville. Georgia Lottery officials presented Vonier with a ceremonial check at the store Friday.
The winning numbers from Tuesday's drawing were 5, 12, 26, 42, and 49, with Mega Ball number 24.
"We got the numbers from a random Quik Pik years ago, and we just kept playing the same numbers," Vonier explained.
Vonier and his wife, Betty Jo, have two children and three grandchildren. The construction worker said the family will pay bills then take their time deciding the next step.
"We're not going to do much right now," he said. "Just sit back and weigh our options."
Congrats! Zippy & Betty Jo
Looks like a "Quik Pik" was recycled into a self pick. It's a new hybrid number type we can discuss....LOL!
Best Wishes to the Winners!!
Another QP saves the day, just in the nick of time.
Thank God for QP's, where would we be without you.
We would be standing in line behind people checking boxes at the check out counter.......
Nice job on sticking to those numbers for years!
Good things come to those who wait.
and wait...and wait....lol hey, it paid off lol
Too bad it wasn't a losing QP turned self pick.........
Another contruction worker wins the lotto? Cool !!!!
I have re-played QPs but never for an extended period......
Just goes to show you brushing your teeth has many wonderful benefits,
Congrats to Zippy ans BettyJo, enjoy!
Congrats to the Winners
Nice early retirement package!!!
Congrats to the lucky couple
I will forever associate brushing my teeth with "I will win the JP someday" lol. lol.
WAIT..... this explains why people in Tennessee never win a JP........