A cool mil

Trenton couple hits it big time

Calvin Hayman has always had a soft spot for the Citroën DS21.

As a child he’d see the rare French car driving around and dream of owning one himself someday.

This week, what seemed like fantasy became more real as he and his partner Sheri Campbell claimed the $1 million Guaranteed Prize from the Jan. 25 LOTTO 6/49 Draw.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Hayman said from his home on Tuesday. “We’re just really thankful. It’s life changing for sure.”

Hayman said he and Campbell aren’t regular ticket buyers but he’s happy he picked up a ticket for the Jan. 25 draw. Hayman likes to check his tickets on the self-scan machines available at lottery retail outlets.

He wasn’t prepared for the message that came up when he scanned it.

“I glanced at the screen and it said ‘major prize’ but then it faded out so I went to the counter,” recalls Hayman. “I asked to have it checked and told the clerk what message I’d read on the display.”

Hayman admits he didn’t expect much; he already knew his numbers didn’t match the winning combination for the main jackpot.

What he didn’t realize was that his ticket had another set of numbers that matched the numbers drawn for the guaranteed $1 million that happens with every LOTTO 6/49 draw.

“I didn’t really know that the other number on my ticket was a draw number, but I do now!”

The clerk scanned it once, then again. Hayman waited anxiously.

“Her face got really red and finally she said, ‘You’re a millionaire!’ It was the longest drive home I’ve ever had,” Hayman said.

Returning home, nearly speechless and hands shaking, he tried to share the good news with Campbell.

“He was shaking from head to toe and kept holding the ticket up, but I got what he meant,” Campbell said.

Hayman said he might just get that Citroën DS21 he’s always wanted. While they stopped selling the cars in Canada in the 1970s, he said there are still some around.

Ireland is a place on his bucket list he would like to go see.

“If I was really going to celebrate it would be at Fitzgerald’s Pub in Avoca, Ireland. You never know….”

Campbell doesn’t have any immediate wants.

“I’ve really got to take some time and think about it, dream about it, and prioritize,” she admits.

Big Al’s Convenience Store in New Glasgow sold the winning ticket and will receive a one per cent seller’s prize.