Dennis Redding, of North Attleborough, Mass. is in town for a six-week training course at the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point.CALLAWAY, Md. (Feb. 2, 2016)—Dennis Redding gained a new appreciation for paying attention to details when he claimed a $50,000 prize, courtesy of a Maryland Lottery Ultimate Cash scratch-off. And, he has an amazing story to tell, because his big win almost didn’t happen.
The North Attleborough, Mass., resident is a chief steward with the U.S. Merchant Marine. He’s in Maryland for a six-week training course at the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point. On Jan. 31, Dennis purchased a $5 Ultimate Cash ticket at the Great Mills Quik Shop located at 21265 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. Sitting in his truck outside the St. Mary’s County store, he scratched the bottom portion of the ticket and didn’t find any prizes. So, he tossed the ticket into a trash can outside the Quik Shop.
About 10 minutes later, Dennis purchased another Ultimate Cash ticket and realized that he hadn’t scratched the top part of his first ticket. He quickly pulled it out of the trash and checked it again. A few seconds later came the startling realization that there was a $50,000 prize hiding under that unscratched section of the ticket.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Dennis said. “I said, ‘It can’t be … it can’t be $50,000 from buying a couple of tickets in Maryland.’ I play in Massachusetts all the time and usually don’t win anything.”
His largest previous prize was $1,000 on a Massachusetts Lottery scratch-off.
As a chief steward, Dennis runs the galley aboard his ship and serves as executive chef. With his Ultimate Cash prize, he may be planning menus for two wedding receptions. Dennis and his wife, who have been married 29 years, are celebrating news that their daughter is getting married this year and their son will tie the knot next year.
The Ultimate Cash ticket launched in August and still has one remaining $50,000 top prize waiting to be found. The Great Mills Quik Shop in Lexington Park is a winner as well. The store will receive a $500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the winning ticket.