BOISE, Idaho ÔÇô Finding the right Idaho Lottery Scratch GameTM could be called a "smart choice" for one Caldwell plumber. Ken Smart became the latest quarter-millionaire from the Idaho Lottery and the 16th person to win that much or more the past year when he scratched and won $250,000 on the Scratch GameTM Mega Fortune Club a week ago.

Smart, a long-time contract plumber who bought his winning ticket from 44 Quick Stop at the corner of Old Highway 30 and Highway 44 in Caldwell, said winning couldn't have come at a better time.

"Work has been tough the past couple of years with the economy," said Smart. "This gives us the chance to get caught up and invest into mine and my wife's business."

Pam Smart is a local artist who has a self-published art book called Color Me Your Way. Her book that encourages individuality and imagination through creative coloring has been successful and sold out its first print edition. Smart is planning to use some of the winnings to support the sale of the book outside of the Idaho market and to potentially find a publisher.

He also plans to take his bride of 15 years on the honeymoon they never got to take.

"The choice is between a trip to the Canadian Rockies via rail or an Alaskan cruise," said Smart. "I have a feeling the cruise is going to win."

For their part in selling the winning ticket, 44 Quick Stop, an independent Shell station in Caldwell, receives a bonus from the Idaho Lottery of $20,000.

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