November 18, 2010 -- If it wasn't for the fact that Bonnie Colon of Bridgeport became intrigued by another customer's purchase of a $10 "$100,000 Casino" instant ticket, she might have never won $10,000 on the very same game. "I usually only buy $1 tickets, but after I saw someone else buy the Casino ticket a few days ago, I eventually decided to take a chance and buy one myself."

Colon's winning experience was made even more enjoyable because she was able to share it "side by side" with her fiance, Lester. "We were sitting at the table, taking turns, and played the ticket together." After scratching the ticket, the couple knew they had won some sort of prize, but were not sure how much. So, they brought the ticket to a lottery retailer and had it scanned and validated...twice. "Lester had the ticket checked. He came out to the car and said, "Babe, you won $10,000." I just couldn't believe it," Colon said with a smile.

Colon and her fiance arrived at lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill recently to claim her check for $6,853 (prize value after taxes). Colon, a hairstylist who is also currently training to be a dental assistant, was ecstatic with her unexpected win. "This will help to pay off some bills, do some Christmas shopping, and to take a little trip."

Cumberland Farms, located on Pershing Drive in Ansonia sold Colon her top prize winning ticket, and will receive a $100 bonus for doing so.