GREENBURGH, N.Y. — 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.
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YOU HAVE TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT.
SEEING IS BELIEVING. The winning ticket picture is priceless.
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.
I know what to do with a 7 figure windfall!
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?
is there something redeeming about the east coast - the history? All the family? To move some families would mean relocating 5 or 6 different households. That is alot of pulling up roots. And then is the question of where to take the 'mass exodus'. When you have multi-generations emeshed in the neighborhoods, kids coming up in the school systems with life-long friends; it gets - complicated.
Funny thing that would be one bit of advice I would give to lottery winners who do go public: say that you already know your plans for your money...even if you don't know, I say lie. That should get a few people off your back. :)
funny you should mention bewitched, in the show they lived in new rochelle,
which is where the winner named rice lives.
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.
Congrat to the winner !!!!!!
I know if I won the lottery , I have plenty of families , friends , organizations who all would've there hands out .
And believe me , I am in no rush , I'll take my sweet time , helping them all . I have to get myself figured out ,
then move on to the next . I don't need strangers coming my way . By that time , maybe my state will do like
Kansas , Delware , and other states , Privacy ..........
One of our fellow LPers has an excellent signature line that speaks to this. I think its Maringoman. I stand open to correction!
Congrats to Ms. Ramirez!
Hopefully she will learn to say "NO!" quickly and often.
Is there something redeeming about you that we've missed?
"Get the hell away from the East Coast, like you're supposed to do."
"Like you're supposed to do"? Dare I ask what that's supposed to mean?
Snow and ice isn't so much an "East Coast" thing as a northern thing. Not a whole lot of snow and ice in Florida the last time I checked. But yes, by all means, move away from the snow and the ice... and instead end up with hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, stifling heat and humidity, you name it. There's tradeoffs to living just about everywhere. No place is totally free from nature's wrath.
Congestion isn't limited to the east coast either. Ever try driving in southern California?
Oh, and "Bewitched" was set in either NY or CT. So much for going west.
Congrats to Ms.Tara Ramirez!!!!!!!
great for her but too bad in ny you cant be anonymous
Off Topic. Why was the article about Bunky Bartlett removed?
Congrats to the Winners
Happy to see a couple of new millionaires, wish them the very best life has to offer........I now believe, its my turn
It hasn't been removed.It's still there.You just have to scroll down the page to find it.
Its always New York. Congrats to the Winners.
I just saw that the goofy woman from Maryland claims that she lost the winning ticket!
Can you say: Ding Cuckoo!
And the wheel goes round...
I don't understand she won 70 million but is only getting 29 million ? I get it's still a lot of money but that's a lot that's going to taxes .
As is typical, momzbabz1, this jackpot winner DIDN'T take the much larger annuitized amount. So, approximately 38% of the reduction had nothing to do with "taxes," but rather "28 years of delayed annuity gains" reduction.
Congratulations, Tara, on your BIG P.B. jackpot win! P.B. power to yet another U.S.A. east coast state resident women!
Isn't it interesting that the only Powerball jackpot wins (four) this year have ALL been purchased within east coast states in the good 'ole U.S.A.?
Since I don't reside anywhere near the east coast, I hope that a few P.B. jackpot winning tickets purchased in the Midwest, by Midwestern citizens (including me), win during the rest of this year.
About $14,000,000 in taxes is allot!
The annuitized amount is projected. Investing your cash is better! That annuity could disappear!
Don't ever trust the Government!
Don't ever trust the Government!
New conference will be on Today 4pm Eastern Time .
I made a post in that thread and when i click on my post the article is gone.
You are correct,the story has gone missing.The headlines are still there but when you click on it you get an error message.Darned if I know what happened.
"We do have a legitimate winner," Kansas Lottery Executive Director Dennis Wilson said.
No rumours No scandal. Just a plain old fashioned claim where the winner avoided the spotlight - PERFECT!
Ain't it wonderful Rad ????...Drama Free, a multi millionaire and ANONYMOUS....only way it could be better is if it was me !!!!
When you click on it, it says the page does not exist.
The Powerball gods will be in FLORIDA next!