Dreamers, schemers line up for Powerball jackpot

Dec 31, 2003, 7:26 am (Post a comment)

Powerball

The two buddies with whom Frank Martin used to play the lottery may have given up hope of ever hitting it big, but the 65-year-old Upper Darby resident says hes not about to throw in the towel anytime soon -- especially with tonights Powerball drawing at $210 million.

"They dropped out, they got discouraged," he said as he purchased $20 worth of Powerball tickets Monday afternoon at Clifton Heights Beverage. "But Im staying the course, Im going to hang in there."

And Martins plans if he does strike it rich in one of the largest jackpots in Powerball history?

"Spend it," he said. "On cars. Id give most of it to my grandchildren."

But, he said, charitable solicitors need not apply.

"Im not giving none to charity, I dont want all those phone calls," he laughed.

Lottery sales have increased two-fold at the beer distributor because of the large jackpot, said owner Michael Masi.

"The holiday season is a little bit busier," he said. "But the (Powerball) jackpot is the reason our sales have doubled."

Across town, hopeful lottery players waited three and four deep in line at Aston Beverage Outlets two lottery machines, but the store isnt as busy as last Christmas, when the Powerball jackpot was a hefty $280 million, said owner Donna Kramer.

The store was three times busier for that jackpot, she noted.

"Were kind of competing with that," said Kramer. "But were hoping the jackpot will get up to $300 million, because the lines dont start until $200 million."

Joseph Goane has big plans for the money if his numbers turn up tonight.

"Theres a lot of charities Im involved with, also for business opportunities," said the 30-year-old Aston resident as he neatly arranged his $20 worth of tickets in a clear organizer. "And Id re-invest the money. Two hundred and ten million is a lot of money."

The Powerball jackpot starts at $10 million and rolls over when no one matches all the numbers.

If someone wins tonight, the actual cash value of the prize would be $113.9 million if taken in a one-time lump sum. If no one matches all the numbers, the prize money rolls over until the next drawing.

To date, the largest lottery win in Pennsylvania went to Scott and Marian Calligan of Butler County earlier this summer, who won $73.6 million playing Powerball.

While Bob Hannum of Springfield is a regular lottery player and won the Pick 4 prize about five years ago, hes not optimistic about winning the Powerball.

However, that didnt stop the 53-year-old from purchasing $2 worth of tickets at Clifton Heights Beverage for tonights drawing. If he wins, he said, he wouldnt even know what to do with the winnings.

"Its too much money to comprehend," he said. "Youd have more friends than you know what to do with."

Daily Times

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