GREENFIELD — A Bernardston woman is starting 2024 with a nest egg after winning $1 million on a Massachusetts State Lottery ticket she bought at the Greenfield Lodge of Elks 1296 on Christmas Eve.

Vicki Sumner purchased a Billion Dollar Extravaganza scratch ticket for $50 and claimed her prize on Dec. 26. According to the Massachusetts State Lottery’s website, she opted to receive her winnings in a one-time payment of $650,000, before taxes.

Sumner’s husband, Mike Duprey, is an Elks member. He said his wife’s stroke of luck won’t change their simple lifestyles, as both will continue working. Duprey, 62, works in construction and Sumner, 55, is employed at Judd Wire.

Duprey said they couldn’t believe the win at first and, due to Christmas, had to wait a few days before driving to the State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester to “see if it was real.” He said he and his wife decided to split the winnings, some of which will be used “to pay some stuff off.”

Duprey said the rest of the cash will be put toward retirement so they can “continue life the way we are.”

Tim Herzig, treasurer of the Greenfield Elks, said this is the first substantial winning ticket sold by the lodge at 3 Church St., which also offers Keno.

The fraternal organization will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Herzig said that money will help the Elks make charitable contributions to American Legion baseball, girls softball, scholarships and other causes.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.