Harald Naegel says he feels naturally lucky and he certainly proved it last week.
The Penticton man matched the five main numbers in the Feb. 14 Daily Grand Draw to win himself the $500,000 prize.
“I checked the ticket at my local gas station and thought, holy mackerel, those look like my numbers,” said Naegel. “The first person I told was my wife, she was tickled to find out we won.”
He said he hasn’t had much time to process the news and think about how he wants to spend the money, but he does have a few ideas.
Naegel says he’s always dreamed of having a small cabin in the woods and doing a little travelling.
Helping people out is also important to him, the lottery winner says, so he may help his daughter go into business for herself.
His big win came down to dropping a number from his usual Lotto 6/49 picks.
“I’ve been playing the same numbers for several years with Lotto 6/49, and I’ve been playing Daily Grand since it started.” added Naegel.
“I couldn’t remember which of the six numbers I dropped for Daily Grand, so I actually had to check my ticket. I guess I picked the right one. My first thought was ‘life is goofy!’
He purchased the winning ticket at the Rocky Store on Haven Hill Road in Penticton.
