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(it's nice to hear some good news for a change!)
City couple hit $8.6M jackpot
Ajay Bhardwaj, Edmonton Sun
An Edmonton military couple who struck it rich on the Lotto 649 say they plan to quit their jobs and spend time with their children. Roland and Melody Lajoie picked up a whopping $8.6 million, the fifth-largest lottery prize ever won in Alberta, from a July 3 draw. The couple split the staggering $17-million jackpot with a winner from British Columbia.
The biggest Alberta lottery win is $10.8 million by a Sherwood Park couple on the Super-7 in February.
"We'll be the same people, only in fancier clothes," laughed Melody yesterday. "We're going on a honeymoon. We never had one."
A longtime lottery player, Roland bought his tickets at the Namao Centre Super Stop-Petro-Canada at 16441 97 St.
"I usually buy tickets when (the jackpot) goes into double digits," he said. He later checked the numbers on the Internet.
"I saw I had the first number, then the second and third and then it was like I got tunnel vision. The only thing I could see was that the six numbers on my ticket exactly matched."
Roland called Melody to tell her the exciting news. "She didn't believe me," he said.
"We're going to help out our family," said Melody. "We don't come from a rich family."
The couple plan to take their three children, ages 14, 12 and eight, to Disneyland.
Melody said she's looking forward to being a stay-at-home mom for their kids. So far only the 14-year-old has realized the magnitude of the win, said the couple.
"He's going to get all his West 49 clothes," said Melody.
Roland, a 42-year-old supply technician based at the Edmonton Garrison, said he's been playing the lotteries all his adult life. "It's mostly been quick picks," he said.
A 17-year army veteran, Roland has served in Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.
He said he plans to still play the lottery.
City couple hit $8.6M jackpot
Ajay Bhardwaj, Edmonton Sun
An Edmonton military couple who struck it rich on the Lotto 649 say they plan to quit their jobs and spend time with their children. Roland and Melody Lajoie picked up a whopping $8.6 million, the fifth-largest lottery prize ever won in Alberta, from a July 3 draw. The couple split the staggering $17-million jackpot with a winner from British Columbia.
The biggest Alberta lottery win is $10.8 million by a Sherwood Park couple on the Super-7 in February.
"We'll be the same people, only in fancier clothes," laughed Melody yesterday. "We're going on a honeymoon. We never had one."
A longtime lottery player, Roland bought his tickets at the Namao Centre Super Stop-Petro-Canada at 16441 97 St.
"I usually buy tickets when (the jackpot) goes into double digits," he said. He later checked the numbers on the Internet.
"I saw I had the first number, then the second and third and then it was like I got tunnel vision. The only thing I could see was that the six numbers on my ticket exactly matched."
Roland called Melody to tell her the exciting news. "She didn't believe me," he said.
"We're going to help out our family," said Melody. "We don't come from a rich family."
The couple plan to take their three children, ages 14, 12 and eight, to Disneyland.
Melody said she's looking forward to being a stay-at-home mom for their kids. So far only the 14-year-old has realized the magnitude of the win, said the couple.
"He's going to get all his West 49 clothes," said Melody.
Roland, a 42-year-old supply technician based at the Edmonton Garrison, said he's been playing the lotteries all his adult life. "It's mostly been quick picks," he said.
A 17-year army veteran, Roland has served in Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.
He said he plans to still play the lottery.
