June 16, 2011 -- During a recent round of powerful thunderstorms, Miguel Reyes, 61, of Hampton was safe at home, passing the time with a CT Lottery “$100,000 Cashword 3” instant game ticket.  “I do a lot of crossword puzzles, so I enjoy playing these games.  I especially like the ‘Bonus’ word,” said Reyes, who is retired.  As he scratched his ticket, Reyes was struck, not by a bolt of lightning, but by luck—when his $100,000 Cashword 3 ticket revealed six red words, a top prize winning combination worth $100,000.  “What a great belated birthday present!  It was my birthday on Monday, and Thursday, I win $100,000.  It’s been a heck of a week!” Reyes exclaimed.

“When I saw that I won $100,000, I didn’t believe it.  I just sat there, and looked at it, put it down, and looked at it again,” Reyes said with a laugh.  “Then I asked my wife to look at the ticket to make sure it was right—when she saw what we won, she started crying.”

 

Reyes, an avid golfer, arrived at CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill last Friday—just before his mid-morning tee time—where he accepted a check for $68,503 (prize value after taxes).  “This will help to pay some bills and make some home repairs, Reyes told lottery officials.
 
Reyes’ winning $100,000 Cashword 3 ticket was purchased at EZ Mart located at 17 Willimantic Road in Chaplin.  For selling the $100,000 prize winning ticket, EZ Mart will receive a $1,000 selling bonus from the CT Lottery.