Beverly and Wayne Bowers say 2010 couldn’t possibly get any better.
The Red Deer couple won the grand prize in the 31st annual Red Deer Kinsmen Dream Home lottery — a fully furnished new home worth $600,000.
“It’s still unreal,” said Beverly Bowers, 61, on Wednesday from Arizona where they are on vacation.
As former Kinsmen and Kinette members, they have purchased tickets every year to support the local organization and it’s the first time they’ve won a prize.
They found out they won early on Jan. 1 while enjoying the Arizona heat. They had just returned from a New Year’s Eve dance and a cellphone message was waiting for them.
So far they’ve only seen video and pictures of their prize.
“Every year we go through the dream home. This year it was so cold we didn’t get out. We bought the ticket online,” said Wayne Bowers, 62.
The 2,612-square-foot at 36 Clearview Drive boasts a double garage, landscaped yard, hardwood flooring, stone countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, a built-in flat screen TV above a brick fireplace, and much more.
“It’s just amazing. Every man’s dream is a media room like that. It doesn’t matter how old you are,” said Bowers who used to work for Kipp Scott Pontiac Buick.
It’s the second Red Deer Kinsmen Dream Home won by someone in his wife’s family. Her cousin Linda Crocken won a home several years ago.
“That’s why the ticket’s in my wife’s name. She’s got all the luck in the family,” he said with a laugh.
The couple is unsure whether they will keep the home.
“We downsized about six years ago. Where we live right now is very convenient for me,” said Beverly, who is visually impaired.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com