Norwich woman scratches her way to $1 million prize

By By SUSAN CAMPBELL

Story Created: Mar 27, 2008 at 3:04 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 29, 2008 at 9:22 AM EST

NORWICH - Whenever Diane Scheer goes to the grocery store, she buys lottery tickets. Sure, she's won a few bucks here and there, but now, the Norwich native is taking home the top prize on one of the New York State Lottery's most popular instant games.

Diane scratched her way to the big bucks. It's a $2 investment that will pay out $1,000 a week for life.

"I'll know it's there," Scheer said. "If I want something, I can get it with no problem. I'm not going to go and buy things that i don't need. With 11 grandkids, I'm sure we'll find things to buy."

So what did the sensible spender think when she realized she had a winning ticket... right there in her hands?

"I said...'Was I seeing right?' And I'd go back and look at it."

At first, her family didn't believe she had a new-found fortune either.

"I said, 'Are you sure?' Scheer said. "And she said, 'I'm sure.' There's 3 Win for Life. I really didn't think there would be. But there are 3."

And if you think one big win is enough for Scheer, think again!

"I still buy them. Matter of fact, I have about 7 or 8 I cashed in this morning," she said. "Ten dollars. I got. It will go back in the machine."
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