Big lottery win makes NC couple’s anniversary extra special. ‘It’s a blessing’
A husband won a huge lottery prize — making his anniversary extra special.
“It was our 31st wedding anniversary on Sunday,” winner Jeffrey Douglas told the North Carolina Education Lottery in an Aug. 20 news release.
The couple received the special gift after the husband stopped in Lincolnton, a roughly 35-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte. While at the Times Turn Around convenience store, he tried his luck on the $10 Million Spectacular game.
As Douglas and his wife celebrated their anniversary weekend, he learned his $50 scratch-off ticket was worth $100,000. He rushed to tell her about the big prize.
“It was pretty awesome,” the winner said. “It’s a blessing.”
Douglas, who lives in Cherryville, kept $71,764 after taxes. Now, he hopes to spend his prize money on family and his tree-cutting business.
“Do you know how many trees you have to cut to win this much money?” Douglas asked lottery officials.
It’s not the first time a windfall has given a couple an extra reason to celebrate. Another North Carolina lottery player was surprised when he won an “early anniversary present,” McClatchy News reported in June.
This story was originally published August 21, 2025 at 9:27 AM with the headline "Big lottery win makes NC couple’s anniversary extra special. ‘It’s a blessing’."
