May 22, 2012 -- Not long ago, Josephine and Bill Rogers celebrated their “Golden” wedding anniversary—a notable feat considering Josephine initially declined Bill’s invitation for a date when they met at a dance 55 years ago. “She eventually said yes, and it’s all been pretty good since then,” said Bill, with a laugh. Yesterday, the Rogers celebrated a different “Golden” celebration—when Josephine purchased a “CT Lottery Gold” instant ticket and won the game’s second highest prize worth $25,000.

“I saw today was going to be a boring day of rain, so I asked Bill to take me to the market to buy a ‘Gold’ ticket for a little fun,” Josephine told Lottery officials.  “When we got back home I scratched it and saw the ‘25’ with a comma after it—I knew I won the $25,000.”

Shortly after revealing her big win, the Rogers arrived at Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill where Josephine accepted a prize check for $17,076 (after taxes).  “I’ve never had this much money at one time in all my life.  It’s hard to believe—I never considered myself to be lucky,” Josephine remarked.

For selling Josephine her $25,000 CT Lottery Gold prize winning ticket, Stop & Go Food Market, located at 2044 Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill, will receive a $250 bonus check from the CT Lottery.