LOWELL — After successful a visit to Martha’s Winery on a second likelihood drawing from the Massachusetts State Lottery, Lowell neighborhood chief Dave Ouellette was the fortunate winner of a $1 million prize in the course of the island’s celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of the theatrical launch of “Jaws.”
Ouellette was one in all 30 individuals chosen for the all-expense paid weekend journey to Martha’s Winery after submitting a non-winning JAWS prompt ticket which went on sale final yr. The 30 second-chance winners have been handled with a three-night keep for 2 on the Harbor View Lodge, ferry transport to and from the island with black automotive service to and from the port, $1,000 spending money, a JAWS island tour, dinners, every day breakfast and a personal screening of the unique “Jaws.”
“It’s incredible, it’s incredible!” mentioned Ouellette, joined by his spouse Lynn, instantly after successful the sport present’s $1 million prime prize. “We’ve had a great time. The Lottery, the crew that helped us, everyone has been terrific throughout this whole weekend. And thank you to all the friends we met out here.”
In a cellphone name with The Solar Monday, Ouellette mentioned even after he had gained, he nonetheless had bother believing it. Ouellette gained the cash throughout a recreation present he and the opposite second-chance winners participated in Sunday. The contestants have been offered with a collection of 30 numbered tiles, every choosing one to show round to disclose their prize.
4 of the contestants gained $5,000, two gained $2,000, 10 gained 1,000 and 12 gained $500. Ouellette and one different contestant, Joe Candido of Quincy, chosen tiles that indicated they’d face off in a last spherical. Ouellette selected tile 11, which he mentioned he selected on the pool earlier within the day when he overheard a child who was counting out loud and had shouted the quantity 11 louder than the remainder.
“I thought ‘holy [expletive] I was just told a number for the contest,” mentioned Ouellette.
That random inspiration for a quantity paid off. Ouellette and Candido then have been confronted with 30 extra tiles, 10 of which have been winners, and 20 of which have been losers. The 2 have been tasked with merely selecting random tiles till the primary individual received 5 winners. Sitting on the stage dealing with the display exhibiting the tiles together with his again dealing with the viewers, Ouellette picked his last tile with confidence.
“Number five!,” he mentioned, which was adopted by a couple of tense seconds earlier than confetti popped from either side of the stage, and Ouellette was declared the winner.
Whereas the cash has not but hit his checking account, Ouellette mentioned he plans to buy a brand new car for he and his spouse, and maybe repay their mortgage.
“We are absolutely thrilled for our million-dollar prize winner and for all the players who were able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime trip,” mentioned Mass Lottery Government Director Mark William Bracken in an announcement Monday. “We look forward to providing our players with more unique and memorable opportunities through our games in the future.”
Ouellette can also be closely concerned round Larger Lowell. He at the moment serves because the well being director for the city of Dracut, was the previous president of the Coalition for a Higher Acre, and founding father of the Acre Coalition to Enhance Our Neighborhood. Final yr he made an unsuccessful bid for the 18th Middlesex District seat within the state legislature.
Ouellette lately appeared in The Solar for his efforts in the direction of discovering a use for the previous St. Jean Baptiste Church on Merrimack Road in Lowell. In Might, it was introduced that nation music star Zach Bryan would buy the property for $3.4 million with the intent of creating the Jack Kerouac Museum and Efficiency Heart contained in the church, which was famously attended by Lowellian writing legend Jack Kerouac. Ouellette has served on the Kerouac Basis board of administrators since 2022.
Proper now Ouellette mentioned work is being achieved to find out what can go into the church, however mentioned he anticipates a “nice museum and entertainment venue” probably with a restaurant or espresso store inside.
