NOTTINGHAM, MD—On Thanksgiving Day, a Rosedale woman suddenly realized her macaroni and cheese casserole was missing a key ingredient — cheese. She zipped over to the Giant in Nottingham and, while there, sensed that luck was in the air.

The 74-year-old spotted the Power 5s instant ticket, which was new to her, and bought two of the $5 games along with the much-needed cheese. She quickly followed her senses all the way to a $50,000 top-prize win.

The lucky retiree began scratching the instant tickets immediately and won $10 on the first scratch-off. Disbelief set in as she scratched her second instant ticket, revealing a $50,000 fortune.

“You have got to be kidding me,” the happy winner said to herself. “What a gift!”

Her big win comes just in time for the holidays. The lucky lady, who has a family member with a lingering debt, was just thinking it would be nice if she could pay off the debt for that person, she said. Other than helping a family member, the retired state employee said she has no other plans yet for her winnings.

The Giant store located at 7944 Honeygo Boulevard will receive a $500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for its role in selling a top-prize winning scratch-off.

Photo via Pexels