February 11, 2008 -- Michelle Lee Farrell of Deep River instantly scratched her way to a top prize winning experience when the “Cashword 14” ticket she purchased at Centerbrook’s Cumberland Farms revealed that she was a $25,000 winner. “I couldn’t believe it,” Farrell exclaimed to lottery officials.

While accompanying her husband on errands, the Farrell’s stopped at Cumberland Farms to purchase lottery tickets. “I like playing Cashword. I like the BINGO scratch games, too,” Farrell said. Back inside the car to continue with their day, Farrell scratched the latex off the surface of the ticket, which revealed 10 complete words. “I kept counting and recounting the number of words. Then I told my husband, ‘turn this car around and go back, Honey, we just won the big one,’” said Farrell with a laugh.

Farrell tucked her ticket away for safe keeping until the following Monday when she and her husband arrived at Lottery headquarters in New Britain to accept a check for $17,501 (the prize value after taxes). The Farrell’s plan to use the prize for an enjoyable vacation. “I’ve been to Las Vegas once,” said Farrell, “I’d love to go again.”

Cumberland Farm’s Centerbrook store has had the good fortune of selling other top prize winning lottery tickets to their customers: In February 2003, a $1.0 million Classic Lotto jackpot ticket was sold to Kenneth Mitchell of Ivoryton and in December 1999, a $100,000 top prize winning Cash5 ticket was sold to William and Bette Forrest, also of Ivoryton.