Surprise! Couple now $1 Million richer

SALISBURY, Md. (WMAR) - A Salisbury man and his wife are now $1 million richer, thanks to the Maryland Lottery's Ravens Cash Fantasy internet promotion.

New millionaire John Menzel had a lot to say when he found out that he was the $1 million winner. He initially had trouble forming complete sentences, only saying words one at a time: "Surreal, fantastic, awesome, blessed, unbelievable."

John and his wife Lori, made the trip from Salisbury to Lottery headquarters in Baltimore without knowing which Ravens Cash Fantasy prize they had won, just knowing they had won.

The couple's 8-year-old twin daughters aren't asking for much out of their winnings, just "a Ravens giant foam finger" said Johns' wife Lori Menzel, an elementary school teacher.

As for their plan for using the money, paying off their mortgage, taking the kids to a Ravens game next year and saving the rest.

"College is now paid for," they both said with big smiles. They also plan on "resuming life as normal."

The drawing, which was held Thursday, also awarded many other Ravens-themed prizes.  Vanessa Williams from White Marsh won season tickets for life.  Allen Lewis from Oxford won season tickets for 2012. Both James Brown from Baltimore and Roger Sheppard from Crownsville won trips-for two to the Bahamas for the Ravens cheerleader calendar shoot.  Amy Stolarski from Annapolis, Jessica Smith from Hagerstown, Nyhuya Johnson from Annapolis, Marti Stepner from Baltimore and John MacDonald from Newark, DE each will receive an entire suite for 24 people at a Ravens home game next year. For a complete list of winners, click here .

Officials say there are still chances to win on the scratch-off. The ticket, which is more than 95% sold, still has two instant $250,000 top-prizes remaining.

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Information from Maryland Lottery