CARL KLOSE'S HABIT OF TAKING CHANCES PAYS IN STATE LOTTERY

Carl Klose has developed a habit of taking chances lately.

On Friday he reaped the biggest financial reward for such behavior by drawing the winning Show Me 5 ticket worth $25,000.

"I guess leaving a full-time job to do something that isn't so secure is risky," Klose said. "But I took a chance on a lottery ticket and it paid off."

The 38-year-old Cape Girardeau resident recently left the security of a job with Fisher Auto Parts Inc. to devote all of his time to wood working. "It's what I really like to do," he said. "Now that I won the lottery, I'll be able to upgrade my tools a little bit."

When he realized he matched all five numbers, Klose checked the newspaper to make sure his eyes didn't deceive him. "I tripled checked, waited a little bit to think and then said `Oh boy.'"

The first night he had difficulty sleeping.

"I'm not having that problem any more, though," he said. "I know it's true."

Klose said prior to Friday's bonanza, the biggest winner he ever had with the Missouri Lottery was a ticket that paid $100 in early January.

"I know $25,000 seems like a lot of money, but it can be gone before you know it if you're not careful," he said.

He said he planned on putting most of the money into savings. The rest will cover bills and go toward the purchase of a new utility shed.

Klose purchased his winning ticket at Schnucks, 19 S. Kingshighway. He randomly picked the winning numbers: 20, 21, 24, 26 and 28.

When he made the trip to St. Louis to collect from the Missouri Lottery, Klose surprised his traveling companions. "I didn't tell them that I had the winning ticket," Klose said.

"When we went by the Missouri Lottery office, my friend said he wished he had the winning ticket. I told him that I did. I still don't think they believe me."