April 07, 2011 -- Kimberlee Smith of Wilton and Robin Lytle of Manhasset, New York, are as close as two sisters can be.  Though they live farther apart than they would like, their daily text messages and phone calls help to bridge the distance.  “Bought 5 tix for tonight’s Powerball,” Kimberlee texted Robin on March 30, 2011.  Kimberlee’s text the following morning, however, was a real heart-stopper; it simply read, “We won!”

Robin immediately called Kimberlee and learned that they had matched the first 5 numbers drawn in the March 30th Powerball game, 19 - 20 - 42 - 56 - 58, but missed having the Powerball number of 37.  The prize for such a feat was $200,000.  “For the last six months or so, we’ve taken turns buying tickets.  When she told me we missed the Powerball, but all the rest of the numbers came in, we just started screaming,” Robin said.

Kimberlee told lottery officials that she has her daughter to thank for buying her Powerball tickets.  “My daughter didn’t want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, so I went to the market to buy lunchmeat.  When I saw the Powerball jackpot was big, I bought a few ‘Quick Picks,’ too.”

Recently, Robin and Kimberlee arrived at CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill to accept their prize checks, each for $68,500 (prize value after taxes).  Robin plans to pay bills with her prize; Kimberlee will pay bills as well, but intends to buy her daughter a car.

Kimberlee purchased the sisters’ winning ticket at Village Market at 108 Old Ridge Road in Wilton.  Village Market will receive a $2,000 bonus check from the CT Lottery for doing so.