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SUNNY Temp: 75 °F Wind: N at 3 mph Tuesday, June 3, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 18, 2003 Luck gives store owners good ticket: $2.2 million By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — The correct numbers on a slip of pink paper have made Jeff and Mary Jo Hatch millionaires. And they bought their Oregon Lottery Megabucks $2.2 million ticket at their own store. The Hatches purchased the Market Basket mini-mart at Rogue River Highway and Depot Street almost two years ago and planned to make their living at the small convenience store. Mary Jo Hatch says her husband of 35 years is not a regular lottery player, but he is an incorrigible prankster. When Jeff Hatch came out in the parking lot to secretly let his wife know his Quick Pick numbers had won the big prize, she thought he was up to his old tricks. "I didn’t believe him. He teases me terrible, so it took awhile" before reality set in, she says. Advertisement The Hatches did their best to keep a tight lid on the news and didn’t even tell their own employees, but cashier Laura Lea says lottery officials spilled the beans when they came to the store to announce the news. "I only found out when the lottery people showed up," says Lea. "It couldn’t have happened to nicer people. But they already have a phone full of messages from people they don’t even know asking for money." The lucky couple drove to the lottery offices in Salem on Friday to pick up their first of 25 annual checks for $57,200. Mary Jo Hatch says their time since the Wednesday drawing has been hectic and sleepless. "The last two days have been crazy for us. I can’t even think straight," she says. "He doesn’t play a lot. He said he just had a hunch. This is way cool!" As owners of both the winning ticket and the store that sold the ticket, the Hatches are two times lucky. Mary Jo Hatch says lottery officials will hold the official ceremony sometime next week to present checks to the store and the couple. "They said they’d let us know exactly when this will happen. I guess there’s going to be cake and a big celebration," she says. Asked if she was going to make any big lifestyle changes soon, Mary Jo Hatch replies, "Oh no. We have a store to run." The Hatches’ lucky numbers were 19-24-33-34-35-44. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times