Congratulations to Phyllis Martin!

JEFFERSON, MA - Congratulations to Phyllis Martin of Jefferson, MA, who claimed a $1 million prize that she won for matching the first five numbers drawn in the February 2, 2013 Powerball game. She selected the cash option on the $1 million prize and received a one-time lump sum payment of $700,000, less taxes and plans to pay off some debts with the winnings, as well as meet with a financial planner. Maybe not mega millions, but life changing nonetheless. Phyllis, if you'd care to share your story, just let me know and I'll happily let you chronicle things here.

To:        Mike Barth                  John Hilton                    Gabrielle Mahar

            John Kutey                  Tracy Sussman             Kristin Baldwin

            Leon Peck

From:    Kenna Fearing

Congratulations!

You are, without a doubt, the talk of the town, and I’m sure you have already been inundated with offers, proposals and requests.  I hope this one will find its way through the clutter.

Like many people, I have often daydreamed what it would be like if I hit the lottery.  Who would I turn to for advice?  What would I do?  Where would I go?  How would I safeguard (and share) my sudden fortune?  How would it change my life?

Well, I didn’t hit the lottery, but you did.  Would you find it helpful to document your experience on my blog?  I secured the blog name The Mega Millionaire several years ago and have just been waiting for the chance to use it.

I would like to offer you the opportunity to blog about how the lottery has changed your life.  You could write under your own name, or anonymously.  To take me up on this offer, all you would need to do is contact me via email (anonymously is fine) and let me know that you would like to use this blog to tell your story.  I would make you a contributor on the blog and you could blog to your heart’s content.

What’s in it for me, you ask?  I would only benefit if you blogged regularly by taking advantage of Google adwords.  If people are interested in your story, they will come back often to keep up with the changes in your life, and eventually someone would click on a link that would pay me a small referral fee.

This offer is open to all seven winners, but I could only locate addresses for four of you; please share this message with the others in case they are interested.

I can be reached via email at kennafearing@gmail.com.  Please also check out the blog at http://megamillionaire.blogspot.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!

SCHENECTADY -- Mike Barth was waiting on line to buy a Mega Millions ticket at Coulson's last week, when another man cut in front of him and bought a ticket.

"Someone reached in front of me," said Barth, of Bethlehem. "Actually cut in front of me to buy a ticket. I thought about saying something but let it slide."

His silence was worth $319 million.

Barth bought the next ticket, the nation's only jackpot winner for Friday's drawing.

On Thursday, Barth and six co-workers met the public for the first time.

The other winners are John Hilton, 57, of North Greenbush; Gabrielle Mahar, 29, of Colonie; John Kutey, 54, of Green Island; Tracy Sussman, 41, of Colonie; Kristin Baldwin, 42, of Clifton Park; and Leon Peck, 62, of Johnstown.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Pushy-customer-meant-319M-for-state-workers-1316222.php#ixzz1IBsgMVlJ

The winning numbers were 22, 24, 31, 52 and 54. The Mega Ball number was 4.

And with that someone in upstate New York became a mega millionaire.  This blog name was reserved for that unknown winner and I would like to offer it to him or her now.  Many people have imagined hitting the jackpot and have daydreamed about how it would change their lives.  Still, it seems that more often that not, winning the lottery brings more problems than it solves.

But does it?  How would anyone know?  Whoever you are mega millionaire, I would like to hear from you.  I can make this blog available to you - or you can send your thoughts to me and I will post for you.  But people want to know - did you hire a lawyer?  Are you going to quit your job?  Who from your past will made a sudden reappearance looking for a handout?  What good things will you do with the money?

Let this be your soapbox.  Speak through me.  This blog is for you - just let me know how you want to use it.