April 15, 2010 -- After visiting with family in Stafford Springs, Linda Barlow stopped at a nearby gas station to fill-up her car before making the long trip back home to Jupiter, Florida. While there, she also purchased one “Quick Pick” ticket for CT’s first-ever Mega Millions® drawing held February 2, 2010. In doing so, Barlow successfully matched the first 5 numbers drawn on that date winning $250,000. “I’ve never won more than $1, maybe $2. I’m so excited!” Barlow told Lottery officials.

The winning Mega Millions numbers for February 2 were 06-07-26-27-49, the Mega Ball number was 9 and the Megaplier® was 4. In addition to Barlow’s single $250,000 prize ticket—the second highest prize short of a jackpot win, there were a total of 5,629 additional winning tickets sold in the state’s first drawing whose values ranged from $2 to $10,000 each.

Once home, Barlow took out her wallet and removed eleven lottery tickets, each purchased at different gas stations throughout her trip. “Every time I filled up, if the gas total was, for instance, $23,” said Barlow, “I would round up the sale with the left over change and ask for a couple quick picks.”

Unaware of the drawing results for the variety of lottery tickets she had purchased, Barlow contacted the CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill to inquire whether her Mega Millions ticket was a winning one. “When [she] told me that I had matched the first 5 numbers drawn, I started to shake. I was so excited; I didn’t believe it. So, I went on the lottery’s website (ctlottery.org) to check and saw my numbers there…then I just cried,” said Barlow.

Recently, Barlow returned to Connecticut--this time by plane, to spend the Easter holiday with her family and to also accept her prize check for $171,250 (value after taxes) from the CT Lottery. With a contagious, “mega-watt” smile firmly in place; Barlow visualized how she intended to surprise her children with the exciting news. “I’m going to invest for my grandchildren’s college education. Then, I might take a trip…to Alaska. I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska.”

For selling Barlow her winning ticket, Willington Mobil on River Road in Willington will receive a $2,500 bonus.