Working at the convenience store where a $213.2 million Powerball ticket was sold -- the largest jackpot prize in Pennsylvania lottery history -- had Bo Ridgeway waxing philosophical yesterday.
"It's really something if you think about it. Fantasy and myth far outweigh rational thinking," the Cumberland Farms clerk said. "People come into the store thinking they're going to win. Just like that person. It came to fruition for one person."
That person, who has not come forward yet, purchased the ticket for the Saturday drawing from the convenience store on Route 532 in Washington Crossing, Bucks County. It's near the spot where George Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776.
Store manager Randy Boldizar said the buyer could be from the area, or the winner could be one of the many who come from New Jersey to buy tickets. Or it could have been an out-of-towner who stopped in after a visit to the historic site.
"I hope it's a local person, somebody that could really use it," Boldizar said.
The winning numbers: 3-9-17-37-43, and the red Powerball, 39.
The winner might not surface right away because you get a year to claim the money. And in fact, lottery officials yesterday said the winner should do several things before coming forward.
"Sign the back of the ticket, keep it in a safe place, get some financial counsel, and then give us a call," said Pennsylvania Lottery executive director Edward Mahlman.
The Cumberland Farms store will receive a $400,000 bonus for selling the winning jackpot ticket.
On top of the money, Jason Hirst, 18, another clerk at the Washington Crossing store said the winning ticket has been good for business.
"It's been pretty hectic. Besides all the news being here, everybody is coming in and checking their tickets," he said.
"Honestly, I kind of hope the winner is somebody I know."
Ridgeway, 49, said he hoped the winner would look kindly upon Cumberland Farms employees.
"Most definitely. Not just me, but everyone who works here."
He said many of the store's lottery players are of the serious and superstitious nature.
"They want seven single tickets or a group of four tickets or 13 tickets or they want special numbers. Hope springs eternal. You're selling hope, that's what the lottery is. It's interesting to watch."
why should the winner " look kindly upon Cumberland Farms employees" ???? Does he (Ridgeway) expect that the winner share some money with his employees???? if yes I believe that he will NOT share his $400,000 with his employees but will keep them for his self and expect that somebody else give a good hand to (surely) bad pay employees.
Ridgeway, 49, said he hoped the winner would look kindly upon Cumberland Farms employees.
"Most definitely. Not just me, but everyone who works here."
I thought the states paid the stores a bonus for selling the winning tickets to share with their employees. The last time I won a little money, the store clerk that confirmed my ticket and gave me the forms to fill out to go to a bank 20 miles away, asked me to remember him. The bank charged a fee to process the form, I needed a notary to verify the transaction(she worked at the bank and gave me a freebie) so the bank could send the information to the state that sent me a W-G form for State,Federal and local taxes on my winnings. I paid before I collected my winnings and I kept paying after I collected my winnings. If I ever won a big jackpot, sharing it with store employees would be the last thing on my mine, I would be paying all the legal claims against my winnings first.
Ridgeway, 49, said he hoped the winner would look kindly upon Cumberland Farms employees.
"Most definitely. Not just me, but everyone who works here."
If I was the winner, I would look kindly upon them. I would write a $1.00 check to the owner, and a couple $10.00 checks to the employees... Just to insult the dumbass!
How ungrateful some of us can be...even though he won all that Money...Sure he can give them a little something...keep your blessings flowing... God bless the cheerful giver...and who said he dosent have more than enough to spare. "think about it"
why should the winner " look kindly upon Cumberland Farms employees" ???? Does he (Ridgeway) expect that the winner share some money with his employees???? if yes I believe that he will NOT share his $400,000 with his employees but will keep them for his self and expect that somebody else give a good hand to (surely) bad pay employees.
Hey Where are we???
I would hope the owner of the store shares some of that bonus with his employees instead of waiting for the jackpot winner to give them a handout.
Ridgeway, 49, said he hoped the winner would look kindly upon Cumberland Farms employees.
"Most definitely. Not just me, but everyone who works here."
I thought the states paid the stores a bonus for selling the winning tickets to share with their employees. The last time I won a little money, the store clerk that confirmed my ticket and gave me the forms to fill out to go to a bank 20 miles away, asked me to remember him. The bank charged a fee to process the form, I needed a notary to verify the transaction(she worked at the bank and gave me a freebie) so the bank could send the information to the state that sent me a W-G form for State,Federal and local taxes on my winnings. I paid before I collected my winnings and I kept paying after I collected my winnings. If I ever won a big jackpot, sharing it with store employees would be the last thing on my mine, I would be paying all the legal claims against my winnings first.
RJOh
haha, that owner guy, WTF...
Ridgeway, 49, said he hoped the winner would look kindly upon Cumberland Farms employees.
"Most definitely. Not just me, but everyone who works here."
If I was the winner, I would look kindly upon them. I would write a $1.00 check to the owner, and a couple $10.00 checks to the employees... Just to insult the dumbass!
I will do the same as XINLEE!!!!!!!,But not using the dumbass word he use.
How ungrateful some of us can be...even though he won all that Money...Sure he can give them a little something...keep your blessings flowing... God bless the cheerful giver...and who said he dosent have more than enough to spare. "think about it"
If I had that ticket, I wouldn't tip the owner anything. It's like why you should never tip the owner of a barbershop.
I don't want to start a religion thing here but....To do unto others as you would want them to do unto you sounds appropriate in this case.
Chas
Now we know why Washington crossed the Delaware...to play Powerball.
He really was looking for a cash only Hot Lotto ticket, but had to settle for Powerball.
Chas