Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 26, 1993 TAG: 9308260054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And as any avid lottery player knows, lightning just doesn't strike twice in the same day.
"I'd have a heart attack if I won," said Reynolds, 68, who had no intention of playing Lotto on Wednesday night. "I had my luck for the day."
Still, Roanoke Valley residents were turning out in droves as prize money for Pick 6 inched toward the $25 million mark, the second-largest prize in the game's history.
Reynolds, who was perched on his lucky lottery seat outside Pete's Deli at Crossroads Mall, was just happy to be a small winner in the lottery where he has invested a few dollars.
"I'm a little bit behind what I've spent," he said.
When the money dries up, Reynolds said his favorite spot is still good for gossip.
"You hear good jokes and good stories," he said. "You even hear a little preaching every once in a while."
Inside Pete's, inspiration was being provided to all who were willing to take a chance on becoming an instant millionaire.
By 5 p.m., 607 Lotto tickets had been sold. That's about three times the normal allotment, when only a few meager million are on the line.
Dean Peroulas, part-owner of Pete's, said Lotto buyers at lunch time were bogging down the checkout counter.
"I should have had someone on just to handle the lottery," he said.
Susan Bryant, manager of the Stop In Food Store on Hershberger Road, was taking few chances.
She had two cashiers working Wednesday afternoon and a third scheduled to come in when the big Lotto push began around 5:30.
By 4 p.m., the store already had sold 1,000 Lotto tickets, and Bryant expected another 1,000 to be sold before Wednesday night's drawing.
One buyer, representing an office pool, had purchased $260 worth of tickets earlier in the day.
Bob Moses, 65, said he had bought $100 worth of tickets himself although he has learned it's best not to spend all your money in one place.
Two weeks ago, he won $500 playing Pick Three.
Moses said it's best to move from store to store, buying a few tickets as you go.
"The computer is working up numbers," he said. "It knows who's going to win."
But if Moses wins, he may be a little difficult to track down. He's not giving out his address.
"Don't put down the street," he said. "I don't want everybody knocking on my door if I win. Just tell them I'm from Europe."
by CNB