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Queentorious
AUSTINTOWN
Columbus rock band Red Wanting Blue brought the music and energy to bring the crowds in for the 47th Queen of Hearts drawing at Barry Dyngles Pub on Sunday evening.
But about 4,000 people were wanting the red and elusive Queen of Hearts that finally made an appearance after the jackpot hit more than $1.8 million with 565,845 tickets sold.
Molly Blair of Warren was the winner.
“I can’t even function,” Blair said in a phone interview with The Vindicator. “I can’t even think straight.”
With seven cards remaining on the 54-card board, Blair selected the No. 15 spot. She said she’s not sure what she will do with the money but paying off the house is on the top of her list. She was not at the event but wasn’t required to be at the 1601 S. Raccoon Road location to win the full amount because of rule changes agreed upon by the bar’s ownership with the township.
Scott Terry, lead singer of the band, said he actually planned to buy some tickets until he found out that he was pulling the winning ticket. He even had $20 in his pocket, not knowing how much tickets cost, but decided to stay out of it to maintain the integrity of the game. The 300-gallon red bin that held the tickets was moved over to the stage where the band performed to have the drawing.
“I have mixed emotions about this,” he said, but joked with the bar’s management about getting 10 percent.
The band heard about the drawing from their drummer Dean Anshutz, who’s from Youngstown. They were asked to come down to perform a week ago. He said the bar’s ownership was a fan of the band and wanted to give back to the community for coming out to the drawings.
“How can I say no to that,” Terry said.
Hundreds came out to hear the band perform, clapping, cheering and dancing as the rock band performed.
The pub began its 54-card board last October and sells $1 tickets until the drawing. Patrons are required to write their name, phone number and what space they think the queen is hiding under. Doug Duganne, general manager at Barry Dyngles, reflected on how only 156 tickets were sold in the first round.
“It’s awesome,” he said.
The drawing usually took place Wednesdays at 8 p.m., but as the jackpot grew, so did the crowds, shutting down roads temporarily and causing issues for some local businesses. Austintown trustees and the bar ownership agreed to allow the winner to receive 100 percent of the jackpot, regardless of whether that person is present. That’s a change from the previous “house rule” of a winner getting 50 percent of the jackpot if not present, with the remaining 50 percent being rolled into the next 54-card board.
“I’m very relieved,” Duganne said. “This is the most-behaved crowd.”
The bar will take a couple weeks off before resuming the game as it already has purchased another card board. Duganne the bar is working on how to make the transaction of the $1.8 million with Blair but didn’t go into detail.
“Quite honestly, I’m not an attorney,” he said.
Austintown Trustee Jim Davis was happy with the news.
“I almost feel like I won in a way. I’m so happy I may declare Monday Molly Blair day,” he said, reflecting on the pressure trustees have faced in recent weeks. “Our board is also happy that it was a successful promotion and ended without any incidents.”