Ted and Linda Buczek from Barrington, NH come forward as the state’s newest millionaires
A man who has played Tri-State Megabucks Plus, using the same numbers every week since the game was first introduced to the state back in 1985, received his ceremonial oversized check for his one-time cash prize of $750,000 at George Calef Fine Foods in Barrington earlier today.
Ted Buczek of Barrington, NH said he played his same five lucky numbers, 10, 14, 26, 27 and 28, in the July 13th Tri-State Megabuck Plus drawing. After purchasing tickets for nearly 26 years, July 13 was Ted’s lucky day – the day he hit the jackpot for $1.5 million. Ted opted to receive the one-time cash prize of $750,000.
Ted, along with his wife, Linda, appeared before the media earlier today during a press conference held at George Calef Fine Foods in Barrington, the lucky spot where the ticket was purchased. Officials from the New Hampshire Lottery presented a ceremonial check for the one-time cash option of $750,000 to the Buczek’s, and presented a retailer incentive check for $15,000 to George Calef Fine Foods for selling the winning ticket.
“We’re very excited for Ted and Linda,” said Charlie McIntyre, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. “Ted’s been a longtime player of Tri-State Megabuck Plus, so presenting the check to him today was that much more meaningful.”
Ted, 68, a zoning officer and lifelong resident of Barrington, has been married to Linda, 64, for 47 years. Together they have three grown sons.
When asked about Ted still working, Linda said, “Ted’s long overdue to retire, so he’s finally going to do that.”
Ted and Linda plan to use their winnings to fix up their home, which is the same home in Barrington where Ted grew up.
“I said, ‘I think we won the Lottery. Run to the car to grab my tickets,’” Ted recalls of the Thursday night the couple became millionaires.
“Sure enough, we had won,” Linda said. “I was pretty hysterical. He’s the calm one, but I was pretty excited. I’m still really excited. It’s unbelievable.”
Along with Ted’s lucky numbers, the winning numbers for the July 13th drawing were 10 - 14 - 26 - 27 - 28 and the Mega Ball was 3. The last jackpot hit in New Hampshire was won by Louisette Bolduc of Windham on October 30, 2010 who purchased her winning ticket at the 7-Eleven in Londonderry.
Although first introduced as a $1 game back in September of 1985 as Tri-State Megabucks®, the game was reintroduced as Tri-State Megabucks Plus® in July of 2009, now a $2 game. Tri-State Megabucks Plus® is played in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont and drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday nights at 7:59 p.m. EST.