Not long after Earl Parriott scratched off a $200,000
winner, former NR resident Kevin Dinneen hits it big
HE WAS BOTH — New Richland native Kevin Dinneen at the Minnesota State Lottery headquarters in Roseville. He cashed in his winning $250,000 ticket Aug. 8. (Submitted photo)
New Richland native wins $250,000
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Everyone has dreams of what they are going to do with the money they receive when they finally hit the lottery. New Richland native Kevin Dinneen and a co-worker were discussing what they wanted as they scratched their lottery tickets they had just purchased on a work break in Lakefield, MN.
“If you win, I want a laptop,” Dinneen told his friend. In turn, his friend’s request was a new flat screen television in the event Dinneen had a winner.
As Dinneen scratched his ticket, he couldn’t believe his eyes. The $10 “Quarter Million Cash” ticket in his hands was just that — a $250,000 winner.
“I won!” exclaimed an excited Dinneen to his buddy. His friend couldn’t believe it until he examined the ticket for himself.
“It’s real,” said his companion.
Dinneen graduated from NRHEG in 2000 and studied Wind Turbine Technology at Riverland Community College. He lives in Jackson, Minn., and is employed as a wind turbine technician.
Dinneen and his parents, Dennis and Georgia Dinneen of New Richland, made the journey to Roseville on Monday, August 8 to collect his prize. It was an extra special day for the family because it was Georgia’s birthday.
Earl Parriott of New Richland made the same trip the Friday before to claim his $200,000 Pure Gold winning ticket. It took about an hour and half before Dinneen received his check at the State Lottery headquarters.
If you are wondering, Dinneen held true to his word and purchased the flat screen for his friend as they had agreed.
“We just got back from Wal-Mart with that flat screen for my buddy,” said Dinneen in a telephone interview Thursday evening.
When asked about future vacation plans to enjoy his winnings, Dinneen wasn’t too optimistic.
“Right now we are too busy to do anything,” said Dinneen. “We are working six and seven days a week.”
