Local lady hits jackpot on Big Spin

By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer

Lynda Galambos’ Christmas came early this year, when the Napa resident won $75,000 from the California Lottery.

Her adventure began this fall, when she mailed a lottery coupon to enter the Big Spin, a show that has contestants spin a ball in an effort to win thousands of dollars.

Galambos, who had bought the tickets at the Veterans Home of California at Yountville, where she has works as a benefits officer, said she was in disbelief when her fiancé, Dennis Mohr, called her to let her know she had received a letter from the California Lottery.

“I made him open it,” said Galambos. “I couldn’t stand it.”

Sure enough, it was an invitation to fly to Burbank in November to appear on the Big Spin. “I didn’t believe him,” recalled Galambos.

So her fiancé, who was not sure he could believe the letter either, hopped in his truck and drove to Yountville immediately.

A few weeks later, Galambos, who has played the lottery since its inception in the mid-1980s, said she remains in disbelief. Recently, she watched a video of her TV appearance with Fantasy 5 co-host Pat Finn, where she hit the Big Spin Wheel three times to end up with $75,000.

At the studio, Galambos’ rooting section included her three children, Joseph, 25, LeAnn, 19, and Staci, 16, her fiancé and his daughter, Carley, 12.

“I was shaking in my boots,” Galambos said.

Galambos, who also won $500 from a lottery scratcher ticket this year, was the top winner that day.

So far, Galambos, 46, said she has spent $2,000 on a big fridge to accommodate the growing household she and her children share with Mohr and his. She said the money also will prove handy in preparation for the Hawaii wedding and honeymoon slated for March.

Other than that, Galambos said she wants to wait until she gets a better idea how much Uncle Sam will tax her before earmarking the remainder of the money. The government could take as much as 25 percent of the earnings, said Mohr.

Galambos, who grew up in American Canyon, said her mother is thrilled with the big win. Unsurprisingly, so are her children.

Carley said she hopes for a hair straightener, while Staci placed a dirt bike and a shotgun on her wish list. In the meantime, Galambos said she will continue to play the lottery on and off.

She and three co-workers take turns to buy Super Lotto tickets at the Vets Home.

“You’ve got to take a chance,” she said.

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