THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503170159
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
It has been said that your chance of winning big bucks in a lottery is about as good as being struck down with a meteorite while walking your dog.
But for Richard and Betty Morgan of Chesapeake, the near-impossible happened: They won, and they won big.
The Morgans won a $3,079,224 Lotto jackpot by picking the numbers 5-15-21-23-30-34.
They received their first payment Feb. 24 at the state lottery headquarters in Richmond. Their first installment was for $153,224 before taxes which amounted to $104,192 after taxes. The Morgans will receive 19 more annual payments of $154,000 before taxes and $104,720 after taxes.
According to Virginia Lottery officials, it is required by law to withhold 28 percent for federal taxes and 4 percent for state taxes on all prizes over $5,000.
Richard Morgan bought his winning ticket from the 7-Eleven store at 4001 Bainbridge Blvd. The store itself will receive a $5,000 bonus check for selling the winning ticket.
``I didn't know I had won until around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday when I read the numbers in The Virginian-Pilot newspaper,'' he said.
Morgan said he used a combination of numbers special to him along with two random numbers. He used family birthdates along with the two additional numbers, a Lotto numbers plan he's been following for the past several years.
``I usually don't buy a ticket until the jackpot is $7 or $8 million,'' he said. ``I'm thankful I broke my rule this time.'' CAN-DO SCOUTS
When it comes to collecting aluminum cans, there's nobody better than Boy Scout Troop 460 of Chesapeake.
Last year the troop recycled 1,505 pounds worth of aluminum, which amounted to more than 45,000 cans.
``That's not bad for only eight boys and their leaders,'' said Scoutmaster John T. McReynolds in a Reynolds Aluminum Co. press release.
Troop 460 is sponsored by and based at the Portlock United Methodist Church on the corner of Bainbridge Boulevard and Redstart Avenue.
``We get about 300 cans each day from Oscar F. Smith High School in addition to collecting from our families and sponsoring church members,'' said Reynolds, who has been the troop's leader for 24 years.
Money earned from the troop's can recycling program will be used to purchase equipment, other Scouting supplies and to finance camping trips.
The South Norfolk Scouts always haul the bagged aluminum cans to the local Reynolds Recycling Center in Chesapeake. WELCOME
Much to the delight of the folks at the Chesapeake Department of Parks, Recreation and Building Maintenance, Cyndy Perkins recently came on board as an information specialist.
The Norfolk resident takes over the position vacated by Michelle Jackson more than a year and a half ago.
She will be in charge of the department's informational brochure, ``Leisure Time,'' which comes out twice a year. Perkins will also be in charge of press releases, news from the department, fliers and making both the public and media aware of Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department programs, personalities, happenings and special events.
Perkins, who lives in Norfolk's Ghent section with her husband Michael and 11-year-old daughter Carrie, comes to Chesapeake after having worked with Beverly Enterprises in Virginia Beach, which manages and owns over 1,000 nursing homes and facilities across the country.
Perkins, who earned a bachelor's degree in English from ODU, said she's new to the city and is impressed with what she has seen.
- Eric Feber by CNB