The latest big Florida Lottery winner is from Hillsborough County. She scratched off a cool million dollars.
63-year-old Paula Azbill of Lutz claimed $1 million from the Florida Lottery. She won from a 500X The Cash scratch-off ticket. Paula claimed her winnings as a lump-sum of $820,000 from the Florida Lottery Tampa District Office.
Below is what a $1 million winning ticket looks like!
Ever dream about walking into a 7-Eleven and walking out with a million bucks? Paula Azbill of #Lutz did just that after playing the 500X THE CASH Scratch-Off game!https://t.co/MBiX9G4r2n pic.twitter.com/gyUb5L7PZn
— Florida Lottery (@floridalottery) September 20, 2022
The ticket was purchased at 7-Eleven, 2301 West Linebaugh Avenue in Tampa. The store will receive a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.
500X The Cash is a $50 scratch-off game. The game features prizes ranging from $100 to $25 million,. There were two top prizes of $25 million, one of which has not yet been claimed. The game also had 160 $1 million prizes, 74 of which remain available.
[Source: Florida Lottery]
Tampa Bay's Top 10 Odd Attractions
If you’re looking for something to do that’s a little different, check this list out. These are not the familiar and popular places to visit. Instead, here are a few lesser-known attractions around Tampa Bay.
Summer is here and schools are out. If you’re looking to visit someplace you haven’t been yet, here are some places around the Tampa Bay area that you may not have though about before.
1 Whimzeyland, Safety Harbor
Owned by a couple of artists, this Safety Harbor home has nearly everything covered with tile mosaics. Then there are the bowling balls, painted and decorating the property.
Put a little Whimzeyland in your life.
Posted by Whimzeyland on Wednesday, May 25, 20222. Dysfuntional Grace Art Co., Ybor City
Filled with natural and unnatural oddities, many you can actually purchase.
https://t.co/TLoNszXSlE pic.twitter.com/ASeoM5R98M
— DGArtCo (@DGArtCo) May 23, 20223. 3. Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg
Sunken Gardens has been open for over 100 years, and is St. Pete’s oldest roadside attraction. Get a visitors guide and explore the more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers. Take lots of photos of the waterfalls and their flock of flamingos,
We're thankful to have been a place of peace and natural wonder throughout 2020. Here's to 2021! (P.S. We're open New Year's Day, so start if off right at St. Pete's very own tropical paradise.)🎉🌴🌺
— SunkenGardens (@SunkenGardens) December 31, 2020
#2020 #sunkengardensstpete #floridagarden #stpete #botanicalgarden pic.twitter.com/X8S4k2DOkp4. Chihuly Collection, St. Petersburg
Glass art brought to its highest peak. Add to that, the drawings and limited edition prints. You can also purchase your new home decorations.
What a fun night!
— Chihuly Collection (@ChihulyStPete) June 29, 2021
Thank you to everyone who donated and purchased tickets to the Drag Queen Docent Tour. @MoreanArts Center and @stpetepride thank you for helping support two wonderful organizations that assist the #StPete community in many ways. pic.twitter.com/Gg16DBcn5K5. International Independent Showmen's Museum, Riverview
Learn the history, and mystery, of the traveling carnival.
Located near Tampa, the International Independent Showmen’s Museum showcases a world of wonderful carnival history and memories within its over 54,000-square-foot interior. 🎪
— AuthenticFlorida.com 🌴 (@AuthenticFL) January 29, 2022
Learn more: https://t.co/HcOmkx6cv8#AuthenticFlorida #LoveFL #UnlockTampaBay #Circus #Carnival #Fair pic.twitter.com/9cbe1jLa0w6. Church by the Sea (The Chicken Church), Madeira Beach
Whether the design is intentional or an unfortunate result, the building is certainly memorable.
7. The Sea Hagg, Bradenton
As their sign reads, “Nauticals, Antiques, Curiosities.” It’s someplace you need to visit to find that special, one-of-a-kind treasure.
8. Ulele Fairyland Figures, Tampa
Originally on display at Lowry Park, the figures were acquired by Ulele (and Columbia Restaurant owner) Richard Gonzmart, who put them on display at his restaurant on the Hillsborough River.
Happy Hump(ty) Day! 🥚
— Ulele (@Uleletampa) March 16, 2022
Wobble over to Ulele this week for a memorable meal with the whole family 💛 Our kids’ menu pleases even the pickiest eaters and colorful fairytale inspired statues from the old Lowry Park Fairyland attraction decorate the property to inspire exploration. pic.twitter.com/6ud6WFJBSK9. Braden Castle Ruins, Bradenton
On land acquired by brothers Dr. Joseph Addison Braden and Hector Braden, a two-story manor, nicknamed ‘The Castle’ was built. The property fell to hard times, and much of the remaining structure has been grown over by the natural flora.
10. National Comedy Hall of Fame & Museum, Holiday
Get some laughs, and learn about some of your favorite comedians. Clearly, noplace screams “National Comedy Hall of Fame & Museum” like the town of Holiday, Florida!
Plan your visit now!
Posted by National Comedy Hall of Fame on Friday, January 29, 2021
Another 7 Odd Things-To-Do Near Tampa
We had so much fun finding our first list of odd things-to-do near Tampa. Now, we’ve continued scouring the area and found seven more odd attractions and sights.
Sure, the Tampa Bay area has beaches, theme parks, trails, sports arenas, malls, etc. Sometimes, however, you need to look just a little deeper to find something you never realized was there.
Here are seven odd things-to-do around the area that you may or may not have known about. If you did know, let us know about your experience. Keep an eye out for the next list!
1. Croc Encounters
Yes, Tampa hosts ZooTampa, the Florida Aquarium, and Busch Gardens. Here’s a place you may not have known about. Croc Encounters sits off of SR 301 a little north of I-4. It’s a place you can have contact with some of Florida’s scaled residents.
2. Golden Spirit Alpaca Ranch
Brenda and Frank Crum have run Golden Spirit Alpaca Ranch since 2006. According to their website, they have around 150 alpaca on 75 acres.
3. McKay Bay Park
Located off 34th Street in Tampa, McKay Bay Park was developed as a national avian sanctuary. It’s located at the northeasternmost part of Tampa Bay. Groups such as the Audobon Society have been monitoring the birds that have made this a wintering location for many wintering bird species. The city of Tampa purchased the land in the 1980’s and turned it into a park featuring boardwalks and viewing towers.
4. Suncoast Primate Sanctuary
It’s not a zoo. It’s the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary. This is a place where primates can live out their lives. It’s located in Palm Harbor. In fact, after his acting days, Cheetah from Johnny Weissmuller’s “Tarzan” lived here until he turned 80. According to the BBC, he joined the sanctuary around 1960.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeCKR6rB8sQ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be_A7iIhYqw/5. Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center
The manatees love the warm waters of the Big Bend Power Station. Travel to Apollo Beach where you can visit the viewing center, particularly in the winter. These wild, gentle sea cows are safe in the sanctuary provided by Tampa Electric.
It's a beautiful day to enjoy the Tidal Walk! pic.twitter.com/ztiJkk620B
— Manatee Viewing Ctr. (@TECOmvc) December 1, 2021At Tampa Electric, the health and well-being of our customers, employees and communities is our top priority. Beginning 5 p.m. Friday, the Manatee Viewing Center will be closed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. #teco #florida #manatee pic.twitter.com/7nr3HrBWJl
— Manatee Viewing Ctr. (@TECOmvc) March 13, 20206. The Official Ybor City Ghost Tour
The Official Ybor City Ghost Tour is considered one of the top haunted tours in the country. This isn’t just a Halloween event. Haunts are here year-round. The 90-minute tour will introduce you to some spine-tingling residents of Ybor City.
7. Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple
Get that camera ready and take some pictures of this uniquely Thai. Also, it’s not just a beautiful Thai Buddhist temple, but it features a drive-thru Sunday market. And bring your appetite, Wat Mongkolratanaram is known for some of the most amazing Asian dishes you’ll find outside of the Far East.
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