Paul and Teresa Hartsoe of Conowingo celebrate a $1 million Mega Millions win from the April 12 drawing.
Facebook post alerts wife of $1 million winning Mega Millions ticket
A Cecil County couple could not stop smiling as they claimed a $1 million Mega Millions prize Friday morning. Paul Hartsoe matched the five white balls drawn in the Tuesday, April 12 drawing, missing only the Mega Ball. He is the second Marylander to win a second-tier Mega Millions prize in 2022.
The commercial construction worker is a fan of both the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot games and plays them weekly. Last Tuesday, Paul stopped at Royal Farms #087 in Conowingo to fill up his work truck and play his jackpot games. The 62-year-old left with his purchases and headed home. Later, he and his wife Teresa watched their grandson’s baseball team win its game. Little did they know, their grandson and his teammates wouldn’t be the only winners that day!
The Conowingo residents didn’t watch the Mega Millions drawing that night. On Wednesday, Paul went to work while Teresa stayed home. She became curious when a Maryland Lottery Facebook post came up on her phone. The post said someone purchased a $1 million Mega Millions ticket at the same Royal Farms store where Paul bought his tickets. Teresa called him at work to share the news.
“I told him to check his tickets because someone won Mega Millions from Conowingo,” she said, smiling at the memory as she sat in the Lottery Winner’s Circle. “He told me the tickets were at home, so I got them from the dresser and began reading off the winning numbers.” One by one, the numbers matched. They both were in shock.
“I was in disbelief,” said Paul. “We kept checking the numbers over and over.”
Teresa, 60, was still unsure about the win and asked her sister to come over to check the ticket once again using the Lottery app on her phone. Her sister happily verified their big win! Paul and Teresa, who have two adult children and six grandchildren, could not contain their joy. They have shared their news with family members and friends.
“Conowingo is a small town, so the word got out,” said Paul. “I don’t want to toot our own horn, but everyone was saying how we are so deserving of this prize.”
Paul and Teresa claimed the prize Friday morning and are still mentally processing their win. Paul said he hopes to retire in a few years and will put some money aside for that. Teresa hopes to upgrade her vehicle. They both want to make improvements to their farmhouse.
“We are simple people,” said Paul. “I just want to do right by this blessing.”
Royal Farms #087 located at 379 Conowingo Road has thousands of reason to celebrate, too. The Cecil County retailer will receive a $2,500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling a second-tier Mega Millions winning ticket.
