Timothy Unsell of Flat Rock said he felt so happy after a scratch-off won him a $100,000 prize that he went back into the store and gave the store clerk a big hug.

“She told me, ‘I’m glad it was you who won,’” Unsell said. “She knows me very well.”

Unsell, 73, bought his lucky $30 Fabulous Fortune ticket from the Time Saver on West Blue Ridge Road in East Flat Rock. A scratch-off win earlier in the day led to his decision to try his luck again.

“I don’t usually buy the $30 tickets but after winning $400 I thought, “Why not?’” he recalled.

Unsell collected his prize at lottery headquarters Thursday and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $71,019.

“This is the biggest win I’ve ever had,” Unsell said. “It will definitely help make our retirement a little easier.”

Fabulous Fortune debuted this month with six $3 million prizes and 18 $100,000 prizes. Four $3 million top prizes and 14 $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise $2.5 million a day on average for education. For details on how $5.4 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Henderson County in 2021, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.