A Chesley resident is feeling festive after winning a Merry Millions top prize worth $250,000 in the January 9 draw.
Theressa Stade said she likes playing the lottery when the jackpots are big or there are new games. So she picked up a Merry Millions ticket from the Esso on 10th St. in Owen Sound.
"I decided to buy five Merry Millions tickets because it was new and for the multiple draws the game offered," she shared while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
Before heading on vacation, she decided to check her tickets on the OLG app.
"I thought it said I won $2,500 at first so I tucked it away. I checked my other tickets and came back to this one and that’s when I saw the $250,000 prize amount," she said. "I gave the ticket to my husband and had him check it too. He couldn't believe it!"
Stade revealed she kept her win a secret from her children until she was able to get them all together for dinner.
"I wrapped the ticket and had them open it," said Stade. "I said, 'It's your lucky day – I won big and I'm going to share it with you!' They were so surprised!"
She plans to pay down her mortgage and share her win with her children.