Rod-64
10-06-2005, 04:17 PM
Katrina evacuee hits jackpot
After winning $1.6 million, New Orleanean wants a new house
(CNN) -- -- Jacquelyn Sherman had not had much luck since Hurricane Katrina sent her fleeing from her New Orleans home.
That changed on Tuesday, when the money flooded in.
The 57-year-old retired librarian won $1.6 million playing the slot machine at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana.
When asked how she'd spend the money, Sherman replied, "First of all, I would like to find somewhere to live because my house was destroyed in Katrina."
Sherman has been staying in her sister's three-bedroom home in Opelousas with about 26 other people since Katrina flooded 80 percent of New Orleans and left her homeless.
With $20 in hand, Sherman was en route with her sister to do some shopping when, on a whim, she decided to try her luck at the slots.
"I was on the road to Kmart and decided to stop at the casino," which is around the corner from her sister's home, she told CNN. Seventeen quarters and $4.25 later, she was a millionaire.
"When you first see it happen, you just go dunce," said Sherman, still appearing somewhat dazed by her good fortune.
"You just don't realize what done happened until the person next to you hits you and says, 'Well, you done did it.' "
After winning $1.6 million, New Orleanean wants a new house
(CNN) -- -- Jacquelyn Sherman had not had much luck since Hurricane Katrina sent her fleeing from her New Orleans home.
That changed on Tuesday, when the money flooded in.
The 57-year-old retired librarian won $1.6 million playing the slot machine at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana.
When asked how she'd spend the money, Sherman replied, "First of all, I would like to find somewhere to live because my house was destroyed in Katrina."
Sherman has been staying in her sister's three-bedroom home in Opelousas with about 26 other people since Katrina flooded 80 percent of New Orleans and left her homeless.
With $20 in hand, Sherman was en route with her sister to do some shopping when, on a whim, she decided to try her luck at the slots.
"I was on the road to Kmart and decided to stop at the casino," which is around the corner from her sister's home, she told CNN. Seventeen quarters and $4.25 later, she was a millionaire.
"When you first see it happen, you just go dunce," said Sherman, still appearing somewhat dazed by her good fortune.
"You just don't realize what done happened until the person next to you hits you and says, 'Well, you done did it.' "