LANSING, August 13, 2002 – The fantasy of instant wealth recently became reality for a lucky Dollar Bay man! Upon scratching off a Michigan Lottery "Fantasy 5s" instant ticket he revealed a $200,000 top prize.

The winning ticket was purchased at Richie’s Market, 48655 Main St., in Dollar Bay.

"I stopped at the store to buy milk, and decided to buy the ticket while I was paying," the winner said. "I scratched it off and thought, ‘I had better go home and put on my glasses, because I must not be seeing this correctly!’ I got my glasses and looked again, and when I realized I had won $200,000, I did a double take! I just said, ‘Thank you, Lord!’"

The lucky man, who requested anonymity, said he kept the winning ticket locked in a fireproof box at all times to ensure its safety before turning it in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing. He added that he plans to use his winnings to pay bills, save for his upcoming retirement, and to just "have fun!"

Richard Norlin, owner of Richie’s Market, was equally excited to have sold a top-prize winning ticket in his store.

"Business always increases when a big winner is sold," Norlin said. "Customers start saying things like, ‘I should go buy some tickets—a big winner was sold there!’ It’s always great to sell a top-prize winning ticket!"

"Fantasy 5s" is just one of many instant games available at more than 9,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

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