Guilford, Vermont - January 16, 2012
It's a busy travel day at the Guilford Rest Area, and tourists all seem to have the same reason for stopping.
"Probably one of the best rest areas I have ever been to in the country," said Tim Donahue from Lester, Massachusetts.
"We enjoy stopping here because it is a beautiful rest stop. Probably one of the most beautiful in the country," said John McGuire from Torrington, Connecticut.
"Any time we come up to this area I love this rest stop. It's just beautiful here," said Dave Ranan from Amherst, Massachusetts.
Under the post and beam construction, and amidst the local art work on display, there's a new attraction -- A Vermont Lottery WinStation.
Playing the Vermont Lottery does not get much easier. You simply take out your cash, put it in the machine, pick your game, and out pops your ticket. If you don't have any cash, the ATM is right here.
Finding players like John McGuire is easy. "If it's here. Since it is here, now I probably will when we stop. It's great. Hopefully I win something and support the State of Vermont," he said.
McGuire scratches a quick ticket on his way north from Connecticut. He ends up the proud winner of two dollars -- enough to make up the ticket's purchase price.
Other travelers are enticed by the machine -- looking to get a little cash in hand.
"I don't usually play lotto," Dave Ranan said "But I saw it and said, what the heck, I might as well give it a whirl." Ranan says he recently voted against casino gambling in his home state of Massachusetts. "I think you are just playing against peoples addictions," he said.
Another family at the rest area opts not to play. "It is a little shocking to see it, to be honest with you. I kind of like that Vermont prides itself on making money other ways," Tim Donahue said.
There are currently 100 WinStations at various locations around the state, with profits going to the Vermont Education Fund.
"I don't think it impacts on the beauty of the rest stop and I really don't think it says anything bad about Vermont. You pick up a few bucks and it will help. That's what I think. But anyway, I won two bucks, thanks to everyone in Vermont and good luck," John McGuire said.
Good luck to those looking for a good deal.
