Nicholas Donaldson
Loretta LeBlanc was the lucky winner of the first “Catch the Ace” draw.
Held Saturday at Rainy River Meats in Emo in conjunction with other “Spring Fever Days” events, organizer Steve Loshaw told the Times that 990 tickets were sold for $2 each, for a total of $1,890.
Fifty percent of the ticket sales will go to support local agriculture awareness and education.
LeBlanc won $396 (20 percent of the week’s ticket sales) and had the chance to win the progressive pot.
But the envelope chosen by LeBlanc–#7–contained the six of spades.
Because the ace of spades was not pulled, the draw will continue on for at least another week.
The progressive prize pot now will have $594 (30 percent of the week’s ticket sales), and will grow each week as more tickets are bought until the ace of spades is drawn.
LeBlanc said there was no particular reason she wrote down #7. It just popped into her head when she was buying tickets.
The card and envelope were destroyed after the draw, and ticket-buyers no longer will be able to choose #7.
LeBlanc said she wasn’t worried about not winning the progressive pot. Rather, she was just happy to win the draw and support local agriculture.
“I think they are doing an excellent job for the community,” she remarked.
Loshaw, meanwhile, said he’s happy with the first week of the draw–and is expecting more participation in the future.
“It’s going to generate more and more enthusiasm as the pot grows and people catch on,” he noted.
“We are going to see a lot of repeat customers every week, as well.”
In fact, LeBlanc herself already has bought tickets for this week’s draw.
“I like to buy them for the family,” she explained.
Loshaw also noted ticket-sellers should have the list of which envelopes have been opened, so buyers should not need to memorize which numbers they need to avoid.
“Catch the Ace” is a progressive raffle organized by the Rainy River District Abattoir Board, with proceeds going to youth-centered agriculture awareness and education locally.
Tickets can be purchased at Shoppers Home Health Care, the Fort Frances Times, Sunset Ford, Badiuk Equipment, Dev-Lynne’s (Devlin), the Emo Inn, Rainy River Meats, Tompkins Home Hardware, Village Variety, Stratton Service, and Busy Beaver (Rainy River).
The next two draws will take place at 7 p.m. at the Back Alley Bar (Emo Inn) on Friday, April 28 and Friday, May 5.
More information, draw times/locations, and a video of the winning ticket being drawn can be found on the “Catch the Ace” Facebook page.
