Media-ready jpeg of Wanda Boettger

Microsoft Word document of news release

DATE: April 7, 2008
CONTACT: Sally Lunsford (785) 296-5708, sally.lunsford@kslottery.net

Lawrence Hair Stylist Has $5,000 Fingers

TOPEKA, KAN. – Wanda Boettger, one of the stylists at Hairport Salon in Lawrence, has become quite the celebrity at her shop.

“I asked Wanda if she could shampoo one of my customers,” said Boettger’s co-worker and friend Louis Bia. “I told the customer, ‘Come on back. Wanda’s got $5,000 fingers. Ask her – she’ll tell you!’”

And Boettger is more than happy to share the story of her good luck.

It was last Friday night when she went to a convenience store and asked the clerk what was new in lottery tickets. The clerk suggested the #1 Dad ticket, a $1 ticket in honor of Father’s Day.

“I thought that would be a good one, since I’ve been both mother and father to my son, who I raised alone,” Boettger said.

Turns out it WAS a good one. #1 Dad won Boettger a #1 prize of $5,000.

“It’s been fun,” she said. “We’ve called everybody we know.” Louis Bia, her friend from work who came to Lottery headquarters with her to claim the ticket, was just as excited as she was.

“We both started buying scratch tickets just six weeks ago,” said Bia.

Boettger said she plans to pay her real estate taxes with her prize money and probably give some of the money to her son.

The lucky ticket was purchased at Kwik Shop 784, located at 1420 Kasold Drive in Lawrence.