‘Hog Hut Friends’ Claim $1 Million Prize

Four lifelong friends from southern Iowa stepped forward today to claim the $1 million-winning ticket that was sold at a gas station in Pleasant Hill for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing.
 
The two couples dubbed themselves the “Hog Hut Friends” after their local hang-out spot. They’re Rick Hamilton and his girlfriend, Sharon Sulser, both from Chariton; and Vickie and Terry Chambers from nearby Columbia. Rick Hamilton built the so-called Hog Hut on his property. It’s a small shed where he keeps his motorcycle and it’s apparently blossomed into quite a local hang-out, too!

The four friends camp each year at the Iowa State Fair during the Fair’s entire run. They were at their campers on Wednesday when Rick decided they needed some ice. So he went to a local gas station to get ice and decided to buy some Powerball tickets while he was there.

Soon after Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, they started hearing rumors that a $1 million prize had been won at the store where Rick bought their Powerball plays. He jokingly began saying that they had the winning ticket, but they didn’t actually check the winning numbers in the newspaper until Thursday afternoon. And as it turns out, they did, indeed, have the winning ticket!

They all said they were initially in disbelief, but then they started calling friends and family to let them know the good news – and no one believed them! But as Vickie Chambers said, people will believe them when they show up, cash in hand!

Congrats to the Hog Hut Friends. They’re such a fun bunch, we’re sure they’re going to have a great time!