They're rolling in dough.
Ten bakery workers at a Staten Island Shop Rite are splitting some major bread - a $19 million New York Lottery jackpot.
"You can't explain the feeling," said winner Linda Revella, 55, who is already planning to buy a 2006 Land Rover SUV or a Mercedes-Benz SL 500. "I've never had this much money."
About three months ago, the 10 bakers from the supermarket on Hylan Blvd. in New Dorp decided to pool their money for good luck.
"We kept on losing [at Mega Millions], then we decided to play $10 on Lotto and $10 on Mega Millions," said baker's clerk Louise Amedola, 70.
"We're all in shock," added Amedola, who was too stunned to think of anything to buy with her windfall.
Every employee in the bakery department plopped down money for the weekly pool ticket - except one, who is no doubt really regretting the decision.
The group was so excited yesterday they couldn't even remember what numbers they had played. With a lump sum payout option, each winner will get nearly $1 million, before personal taxes.
Lottery officials confirmed that a winning ticket for $19 million was purchased in Staten Island, but declined to reveal any additional details until an official news conference tomorrow.
The rest of the lucky 10 are: manager Dave Casale, bakers Jermaine Jackson and Rosemary Wall and baking clerks Vinny, Gail, Lauren, Gert and Elaine, who didn't want their last names used because Lottery officials had asked them to keep tight-lipped until the official announcement.
"I've been saving money for a house," said Vinny, 23. "Now, I can buy one. It's like a dream come true."
None of the bakers have decided to hang up their white aprons just yet. Four of them were still busy mixing flour and handing out cholesterol-free cookies to customers yesterday afternoon.
"What am I going to do? Stay home and go senile?" said Gert, 73, when asked if retirement was on the horizon. "I'm going to go to Atlantic City. I'm going to play three-card poker."
I wonder if that one player who didn't participate will later claim that they were actually part of the lottery pool? That must really suck though. Everyone in the bakery just won a ton of money and that one person didn't. If that were me, I'd probably cry for days. lol.
If I was the one who didn't play with the group, I would probably quit my job you wouldn't want to be around all happy winners. But that's why I get in with pools at work just in case they win I'm not left out.
Congrats to the lucky bakers!
Quite an age range among the winners.... ranges from 23 to 70. It would be interesting to see occasional reports to learn whether the 23 year old invests wisely, stewards the win, and the elderly are more frivolous and flighty, spending up their money fast and being 'preyed on' by those guys who are always preying on the elderly, with some success in the opinions of 23 year olds, I reckon.
Jack