Retirement has become a little sweeter for a Lakeshore couple.
Donald and Tracey Dupuis of South Woodslee scratched off an Instant Sizzling 5's lottery ticket on April Fool's Day and realized they had won the top prize of $100,000. The couple picked up their cheque this week at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
"We called our son and daughter-in-law, who put us on speakerphone, and we told them about the win," said Donald. "Immediately, our daughter-in-law said, 'No way, it's April Fool's Day!'"
The winning ticket was purchased at the One-Stop Video and Convenience Store on Notre Dame Street in Belle River.
The couple, parents of two children and grandparents of three with a fourth on the way, plan to use the winnings to pay off the motorhome they bought to enjoy their retirement, as well as share the money with family.
"We'll also share with the kids. I want to make sure my loved ones are taken care of," said Tracey.
The OLG Prize Centre has reopened to take prize claims, but by appointment only. For the time being, only people wanting to claim at least $50,000 are being invited to set up appointments.
OLG is in the process of reaching out to prize winners who had been unable to claim their prizes this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon, anyone needing to claim a prize in Toronto will be able to make an appointment to do so.
Instant Sizzling 5's is a scratch-off ticket available for $5 per play. Odds of winning any OLG prize are one in 3.91.