2017 STORIES

Stories from Bay Treasure Chest Winners

 

December 20, 2017: Neil Everton wins $9,054 with #21588

When we asked Neil if he had any plans on winning the Dec. 20 Bay Treasure Chest draw he replied, “Not immediately, but I haven’t spoken to my wife yet!” Christmas with Neil will be a happy occasion.

Shown left: Neil Everton (left) receives his Dec. 20 winner’s cheque from Fred Dolbel, Bay Treasure Chest volunteer.

 

 

December 13, 2017: Brian Murphy wins $18,468 with #13960

TWO good-news stories here. This pic shows December 13’s winner, Brian Murphy, centre, along with Denis Dineen, far left, owner of Delish (where Brian played his toonie.) Far right is Delish employee Aunchalee Dowell who became a Canadian Citizen yesterday! Brian, who lives in Upper Tantallon, notes he’s going to pay off a few bills and “spread Christmas joy amongst family.” Yay team!

 

 

 

November 29, 2017: Barb Patterson wins $18,309 with #20938

Experts advise that if you come into money, you shouldn’t make any rash decisions about what to do with it. “Wait until the initial thrill passes.” they say. “Formulate a plan.”

In your dreams, right? But that’s what Bay Treasure Chest winner Barb Patterson said of her $18,309 windfall on November 29. “We have to sit down and talk about it after the dust settles a little,” says the Hubley resident, adding that she has a few ideas percolating nonetheless. “We’re going to see Annie Lennox in London in the spring, so some if the winnings will probably go towards that trip.”

She later added she would donate some of her winnings to her church’s outreach programs.

Barb says she actually views playing Bay Treasure Chest as a donation in itself. “It’s a fluke if you win, and not a loss if you don’t, since the money goes to good causes in the community,” says Barb, who only found out about the 50-50 fundraiser from a neighbour a few months ago. A beginner’s luck fluke at that.

 

Above: Barb, left, is shown receiving a cheque from Alana Ziegler of GPI Atlantic Youth Project, part of the BTC partner Bay Youth Hub.  

November 15, 2017: Teresa MacDonald wins $8,828 with #13614

Teresa MacDonald, of Bedford, was in a giving frame of mind when asked about her winnings of $8,828 on November 15. “I’m going to pay it forward,” she offered. “I’ll help my adult children with their student loans, and give a donation to St. Margaret’s Bay Food Bank.”

 

Shown left: Teresa was presented her cheque where she plays her toonie, Edible Matters.

 

November 8, 2017: Sharon Wigle wins $9,010.50 with #1715

For her part, Sharon Wigle, of Seabright, who won $9,010.50 on November 8, was thinking along the lines of adding more creature comforts at home with her windfall: a new flat screen TV, mattress, couch and small freezer were all on the list. “Plus Christmas, of course,” she added.

Shown left: Sharon Wigle receives her cheque from Gwen Colman of GPI Atlantic Youth Project, part of the BTC partner Bay Youth Hub.

 

 

November 1, 2017: Brandon Bremner wins $8,918 with #8530

Brandon Bremner, of Hubbards, took home $8,918 on November 1. Brandon is in his fourth year studying computer science at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, but goes home to Hubbards on weekends. “Obviously, some of the money is going towards school,” he says. Otherwise? “I think I have the best chance of getting a job in Halifax, but I want to stay locally in Hubbards,” he adds. “Some of the money will go towards a good car to get me back and forth.”

Brandon, shown left, says he’s hoping to put some of his winnings towards a car so he can commute from Hubbards to the city for work.

 

 

 

October 25, 2017: Barb Wade wins $9,079 with #14402

Barb Wade, of Hubbards, won $9,070 on October 25. Her win was inspirational, she says. “I never win anything! Money aside, winning gives you a positive attitude… I’m going to keep dreaming!” She has a couple of trips in mind that go beyond daydreams, including a trip to Florida to celebrate her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.

Shown left: Barb Wade (left), is presented her winnings by Christine Hall of Hubbards Barn Association, part of the BTC partner Community Centre Hub.

October 18, 2017: Marie House wins $28,028 with #10885

On October 18, Marie House, of Hubley, claimed her prize of $28,028. “What a heart-pounding surprise,” she says. “Well, shock is a better word!” Marie notes she’s pretty much already spent her windfall: some to help out family, especially one of her daughters, about to have a baby; plus, a new front door, a new roof, new carpet and new heat pumps. A very cozy setting for her lifelong passion: Christmas. “This is perfect timing… I have wanted to change my Christmas theme. It might be Victorian this year.”

Shown left: Marie and David House.

 

September 27, 2017: Keera Covey wins $27,968 with #10243

Despite the warm weather this autumn, Keera Covey isn’t taking any chances: she recently bought a snow blower. “I’m also thinking of getting a fancy fridge, and paying off some debt,” says the Glen Haven resident–who won $27,968 with her number 10243 in the Bay Treasure Chest draw on September 27.

As a receptionist at a dental office in Upper Tantallon, Keera says she plays her toonie without fail every Wednesday, when she and a group from her office go to Lefty’s restaurant for lunch at 1pm. “We actually play a week in advance,” says Keera. “At noon the chests are switched over: the full one goes to the count and is replaced by the empty one for the following week.”

When someone asked her after her win if she would play again the following week, her response was a resounding yes: “I’ve already played!”

On the Wednesday that Keera’s number was drawn, BTCA president Fred Dolbel got no response when he called her cell, given she was working. So Fred and fellow volunteer Jacqui Tupper set off in separate cars to Keera’s work place. Jacqui, who in part knows Keera because she works for Jacqui’s dentist, shows up first and makes small talk, waiting for Fred.

“I was starting to think there was something really wrong,” says Keera, “because it was clear that Jacqui was stalling!”

Then Fred arrives. “She thinks Jacqui and I are pulling a prank,” says Fred, “which is one reaction we get when a winner and a volunteer know each other.”

“I hand her the count summary sheet so she can see it’s true… then follow up with the cheque. Once the realization set in there was a lot of jumping for joy, with Keera’s co-workers joining in.”

Even though you play every week, says Keera, you don’t necessarily think you’re going to win. “It was a shock to me and my family!”

Back to the snow blower. Although the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac predicts above-normal precipitation in many parts of the Maritimes this year, Keera is skeptical. “The fact that we bought a snow blower means there probably won’t be much snow I’m guessing,” Keera says, chuckling.

Shown above: All smiles for Keera Covey, left, once she realized why BTC volunteer Jacqui Tupper was tracking her down at work.

September 6, 2017: Shirley MacNeish wins $8,501 with #15380

Shirley MacNeish, of Boutiliers Point, says she’ll spend her new-found money on a few things, such as home repairs, but her priority is to bring her daughter home for Christmas from Norway, where she’s studying. Christmas came early for this family!

August 30, 2017: Suzanne Parsons wins $17,655 with #12557

This photo does double duty. It shows BTC winner Suzanne Parsons, along with her mom, Gloria Parsons—who has been helping Suzanne play her BTC number and checking BTC’s weekly Wednesday night e-mails for more than a year to see who won.

Suzanne, who holds a cheque for $17,655, works in Halifax; her family has spent the past 28 summers in Glen Margaret.

As well, some of the 90 new chairs the Hammonds Plains Community Centre (HPCC) was able to purchase with assistance from Bay Treasure Chest funds. HPCC is one of three groups that compose the Community Centre Hub, in turn one of seven community service oriented groups that make up the Bay Treasure Chest Association.

Thanks to Gloria for looking out for her daughter’s interests; to volunteers like Anne Marie and Shaun—plus all players—for investing in our communities. Lastly congrats to Suzanne for her win!

Shown above: BTC’s August 30th winner, Suzanne Parsons, is shown with her mother, Gloria Parsons, flanked by Anne Marie Evans and Shaun MacIntyre, who volunteer with Hammonds Plains Community Centre as well as Bay Treasure Chest.

August 16, 2017: Klara Darmos wins $8,494 with #3999

Last week we initially couldn’t reach Klara Darmos, of Ingramport, to tell her she won our weekly draw. But with a little help from some neighbours, one of whom was playing her number for her, we finally contacted her with the good news.

Of course she was thrilled… who wouldn’t want to win $8,578? Following are her comments.

“The win comes as wonderful news while I’m in Poland for my niece’s wedding,” she told us by email. “I will use the money to do improvements on my house or to help myself with a new vehicle purchase; both are very much needed. I love the idea of Treasure Chest and its support for the community. Have been playing very regularly. Thank you Bay Treasure Chest.”

August 9, 2017: Low Numbers Just as Likely to Win

Bernice Wilson receives her August 9 winner’s cheque

Bernice Wilson receives her August 9 winner’s cheque

As Bernice Wilson was playing her toonie in the Bay Treasure Chest for the August 2 draw, she told her husband that she wanted to retire her number, 178.

“The low numbers never seem to win,” she said, thinking that a higher number would have a better chance of hitting pay dirt in the weekly 50-50 fundraiser draw.

“No, don’t do that,” he responded. “As soon as you retire your number, it will be drawn!”

Although not convinced, she kept the number regardless. “I thought, ‘The money goes to good causes,’” says Bernice, who lives in Stillwater Lake. “Whoever wins, I’ll be happy for them.”

She did not win that week. But on the regular Wednesday night draw on the following week, August 9, her number was randomly selected out of the barrel.

Established in 2014, Bay Treasure Chest now has registered numbers that surpass 20,000, and players have voiced concerns that the latter numbers are more likely to win. “Although first impressions might suggest that high BTC numbers are winning,” says Bay Treasure Chest Association president Fred Dolbel, “if you look at the past three or four months of drawn numbers, you can see they are spread over the current 20,000 range. The drum is well stirred before each draw.”

July 12, 2017: Mich Isshac wins $17,228 with #12841

Mich Isshac (L) receives his July 12 winner’s cheque from BTC volunteer Heather Cochrane

Mich Isshac (L) receives his July 12 winner’s cheque from BTC volunteer Heather Cochrane

Mich was ‘over the moon’ with excitement when he heard he had won $17,228 in the July 12 Treasure Chest draw.

Mich lives in Hubley and says “this money helps a lot”. He intends to use his winnings to pay down his student loans and to help his Mom.

Congratulations to Mich!

June 7, 2017: Burton Morash wins $8,376 with #3382

Burton Morash and his wife Donna enjoy their winner’s cheque for $8,376

Burton Morash and his wife Donna enjoy their winner’s cheque for $8,376

Donna Morash has been playing her BTC toonies regularly since April 2014. Luckily she convinced Burton to take out his own number 3382 because Burton became the lucky June 7th winner. Burton’s good luck came at a good time to help pay off some major repair bills.

May 31, 2017: Daralynne Lewis wins $8,901 with #992

Daralynne Lewis (C) receives her May 31 winner’s cheque for $8,901 from BTC volunteers Rick Muzyk (L) and Anne Patrick (R)

Daralynne Lewis (C) receives her May 31 winner’s cheque for $8,901 from BTC volunteers Rick Muzyk (L) and Anne Patrick (R)

Daralynne has been playing several BTC toonies regularly, but is pleased that her first number 992 provided her big win on May 31st.

May 24, 2017: Brittney Short wins $17,078 with #9396

Brittney Short (R) receives her May 24 winner’s cheque from BTC volunteer Harry Ward

Brittney Short (R) receives her May 24 winner’s cheque from BTC volunteer Harry Ward

Brittney is going to take a vacation with her husband and pay bills. Brittney thanks her mother for paying Brittney’s number for her.

May 3, 2017: Daphne Smith wins $17,301 with #14629

Daphne Smith (L) receives her May 3 winner’s cheque for $17,301 from Fred Dolbel, BTC Volunteer

Daphne Smith (L) receives her May 3 winner’s cheque for $17,301 from Fred Dolbel, BTC Volunteer

Daphne plays her several toonies regularly each week and is a big supporter of the Bay Treasure Chest because the Treasure Chest supports good works in the community. Daphne’s first and last words on receiving her cheque were “This is good timing” as she has a few things to look after.

April 19, 2017: Christina Futter wins $8,295 with #9779

Christina is just about to graduate from university and is so pleased to receive her Treasure Chest winnings at this time in her life.

April 12, 2017: Diana Harrison wins $8,502 with #7988

Fred Dolbel (L) present the April 12 winner’s cheque to Diana Harrison

Fred Dolbel (L) present the April 12 winner’s cheque to Diana Harrison

Diana exclaimed “I never win anything” on hearing her good news that she won $8,502 on the April 12 Treasure Chest draw. Diana says now she can pay off some bills and pay a visit to see her daughter.

April 5, 2017: Brenda Balser wins $8,513 with #14859

Anne Patrick (L) and Richard Muzyk (R), Bay Treasure Chest Volunteers, present the April 5 winner’s cheque to Brenda Balser (C)

Anne Patrick (L) and Richard Muzyk (R), Bay Treasure Chest Volunteers, present the April 5 winner’s cheque to Brenda Balser (C)

Brenda Balser (centre) won $8,513 on April 5 with the toonie she played at D&Jo’s Country Market. Brenda spends her summer on St. Margaret’s Bay camping in the Wayside Campground. She will be doing some shopping with her winnings.

March 29, 2017: Glenn Sinclair wins $34,906 with #7067

Glenn Sinclair (L) accepting his winning cheque from Harry Ward (R), Bay Treasure Chest Volunteer

Glenn Sinclair (L) accepting his winning cheque from Harry Ward (R), Bay Treasure Chest Volunteer

Glenn Sinclair has been a loyal player of the BTC while living in the St Margaret’s Bay Area. Glenn was given a blessed stone in memory of his stepdaughter, which he carries with him and attributes his win to this stone. Glenn said the win couldn’t have come at a better time as he is just in preparation to moving back to Newfoundland to be close to his elder parents and his daughter who is expecting in the next 10 days, which will be his first grandchild. Glenn would also like to thank the BTCA and the players for making the BTC such a great community venture.

March 1, 2017: Leola Yeo wins $8,036 with #2402

Joan Cleaveley accepting the winner's cheque for her mother Leola Yeo

Joan Cleaveley accepting the winner’s cheque for her mother Leola Yeo

Joan humourously said that her mother will use her winnings for… “new glasses, new teeth, and taking the cat to the vet”.

February 22, 2017: Billy Brown wins $15,548 with #13145

Billy (L) receiving cheque from Bay Treasure Chest Volunteer, Harry Ward (R)

Billy (L) receiving cheque from Bay Treasure Chest Volunteer, Harry Ward (R)

Billy expects to pay down a few bills and contribute to his retirement fund with his winnings.

February 8, 2017: Carolin Dauphinee wins $7,823 with #13397

Carolin Dauphinee

Carolin Dauphinee

Carolin is our second two time winner and says she has no immediate plans for her winnings. She thanked the BTC team for their work and the good causes the BTC supports.

February 1, 2017: Susan Fraser wins $32,873 with #11799

Susan Fraser (L) receiving winning cheque from Bay Treasure Chest Volunteer, Fred Dolbel

Susan Fraser (L) receiving winning cheque from Bay Treasure Chest Volunteer, Fred Dolbel

After 3-rollovers in a row, it was a big prize of $32,873 on February 1st for Susan Fraser of Hubley who played her winning number of 11799.

Little did Susan Fraser know when she left her afternoon shift at work Wednesday that she would have to make good on a little promise. When Treasure Chest volunteer Fred Dolbel met Susan to present her winning cheque of $32,823 Susan remarked that she had jokingly told her end-of-shift friends she would send them a pizza if she won the Feb. 1st Treasure Chest. Susan keeps her promises. She sent her friends at work a pizza Thursday morning and received her winnings Thursday afternoon. Susan said giving some of her winnings to her children and a little trip to Hawaii are in her future.

January 4, 2017: Edwina David wins $7,215 with #10416

Edwina is going to spend some time with husband Paul and think about what to do – not rushing into a hasty decision. The couple play six Toonies a week at the Hubbards Pharmasave, and the staff were very happy to see Edwina win as she is a regular customer and has played every week for more than a year. The couple said they are delighted to support the community through BTC, especially the scholarship fund.

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