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So Much Money, So Many Dreams27 November 2000WASHINGTON – Nov. 27, 2000 – As reported by the Washington Post: ``Myra Ross was marking the numbers on a Powerball lottery slip for the first time, which was as confusing to her as a presidential ballot was to many Florida residents almost three weeks ago. ```Here?' she asked her sister, Elois Ross, a veteran lottery player. `Yes,' she answered. `You mark five numbers here and then the Powerball number here.' ``The two women were standing in line outside Union Wine and Liquor at Union Station yesterday waiting to buy tickets that they hoped would pay one of them $105 million, a jackpot that had accumulated since Sept. 23 in the multistate game. The drawing--five white balls out of 49 balls and one red ball out of 42--was to be held last night. ``The lines of customers at many Powerball retailers in the District were longer than usual yesterday because of the swelling jackpot, which could be paid out over 25 years or in a $56.7 million lump sum. Many players risked little money, including Elois Ross, who bought three $1 tickets, and Myra Ross, who spent $5. ```I'm not trying to win; I am going to win,' Myra Ross said. `I'm going to buy me an island, just for me and my baby and leave everyone behind. We'll send helicopters out for food. We won't need any clothes.' ``Powerball tickets are sold in 20 states and the District, but not in Maryland and Virginia. When the prize escalates, thousands of players from the Washington suburbs trek into the District to buy tickets. There is no restriction on out-of-state residents buying tickets and claiming prizes. ``...The largest Powerball jackpot was $295 million, which 13 Ohio co-workers shared two years ago. |