I have been going for the last five weeks with my cousin Susie and knew it was in Envelope #1 said Cheryl Kowalik who’s tickets was drawn for a 50/50 chance to win the Queen of Hearts at last Friday Night Bingo. The previous Friday April 1st there was still no winner after nearly one year has passed which narrowed the weekly drawing and two choices remained. The event is held weekly at Resurrection Parish (St. Mary’s) church hall, 18 Ellicott St. Batavia.
A huge line formed prior to the 430pm time when the doors opened said Cheryl who waited an hour to get her boards and tickets for the Queen. Two weeks ago a friend of her had a ticket drawn but she did not pick number #1 which when she opened it and it was not the Queen, I felt like this was just reserved for me. I was supposed to usher at Harvester 56 that night with my girlfriend Barb but knew from saying a lot of prayers, they would were heard and hopefully answered.
I won part of the split pot which was just before the queen that totaled $600.00 I split it with two other people and received two hundred dollars. I went up at intermission and bought more tickets on the queen. Already spent ten dollars but spent an additional fifteen on more tickets. Two tickets that I saw that was left to chose from was 507 and 508 which I said that I will take those too. Announcer Chad Zambito called the last three numbers being 507 and I said, It’s me, It’s me. Once I stood up everyone who attended was excited and cheered me on, which I felt humbly thankful for a small community and did not get any negative comments spoke about.
I went up to Chad and said #1, #1, #1 please. He said this woman knows exactly what she wants and when Kathy Goras opened the envelope with the queen revealed and I almost touched the ceiling which at my age I almost didn’t even think I could jump that high. The total winning amount was $5904.00 after taxes Kowalik will get $4428.00.
Her future plans is to pay her some property taxes, donating to Batavia High Schools new foundation in her moms memory Ruth Kowalik who was a teacher at Jackson School so they have some start up money. I have a girlfriend who I am donating money towards a dress for her daughter. My birthday is this Thursday and treating my staff to lunch who I work with at Darien lake. To Barb and Susie I am taking them to dinner at the Red Oiser. My grandfather who helped build the church Ascension Parish on swan st. is in need of a roof . the good lord provided me so I am donating some money towards their roof fund.
Photo above is business manager Marcia Huber handing Cheryl Kowalik her winnings at Resurrection Parish Rectory today.
