By Ann Swinderman
of The Bargain Hunter
Five thousand dollars.
Yes, $5,000 was the amount that the lucky Farmer’s Fortune winner left with Saturday after visiting area businesses, solving the riddle and choosing the right key to unlock Old Man Miller’s treasure chest.
While there was speculation if the legend of Old Man Miller was true and if the possibility of a buried fortune was fact or fiction, all was revealed. There was even an appearance made by Old Man Miller himself. Well, kind of.
“Oh, my gosh! This is the most I’ve ever dreamed that I’d win,” said an ecstatic Carole A. Miller, of Rittman, as she realized the key she chose actually opened the treasure chest.
As she looked at her smiling husband, Gary C. Miller, Carole remarked, “You know my name is Miller and I actually have my old man Miller with me.”
When Lee Ann Miller, master of ceremonies, asked what she plans to do with her winnings, Carole said, “I’d say what everyone else does, that I’d pay off some bills and then I’m going on a trip to Las Vegas. And, I’m not going to buy a toaster, that’s for sure.”
In addition to those bills, Carole will donate a portion of the money to St. Anne Church in Rittman.
After the initial shock of winning $5,000 lessened, Carole and Gary, still all smiles, said that they visit Holmes County quite frequently and the chance to take part in the Farmer’s Fortune contest was a perfect fit for them.
“I like to solve puzzles,” she stated. “When I saw the contest in the Ohio’s Amish Country magazine. I picked it up right away and knew I wanted to enter. I love to win.”
When asked what her secret to winning was, she replied, “I work at it. I don’t know if it’s considered luck, but I know I am fortunate. If I put my time in, the odds are that eventually something will come true.”
“And I am her Old Man Miller,” Gary stated, with a big smile.
“It was so much fun for Gary and I to visit the businesses to find the clues for the riddle. All of the people were so nice and willing to stamp our journal. We definitely went to places we had never been to before and perhaps never would have,” explained Carole.
The remaining nine finalists, who gathered at the drawing under a tent at the Holmes County Flea Market, were: Pat Angel, of Dundee; Christine Jenkings, of Baltic; Rose Marie Kling, of New Philadelphia; Stephen D. Syler, of Canfield; Eleanor Slutz, of Fredericksburg; Rod Skeen, of Tuscarawas; Jennifer Skeen, of Tuscarawas; Joy Zimmerman, of Wooster and Jeff Morehead, of Mineral Wells, W.Va.
Graphic Publications wishes to thank everyone who took part in the Farmer’s Fortune contest and especially these participating businesses: Berlin Village Gift Barn, Broad Run Cheesehouse & Swiss Heritage Winery, Dutch Craft Furniture, Erb’s Stove Center, Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, Holmes County Flea Market, Ole Mill Furniture, Kids Collection Furniture, Kids Collection Toys, Pleasant View Furniture, The Pottery Niche LLC, Sol’s Inspirational Showroom, Sugar Valley Meats, Swiss Village Bulk Food & Restaurant, Swiss Country Lawn & Crafts, Swiss Valley Furniture, Troyer’s Country Market and Wooden Leaf Furnishings.
Consolation prizes from the following businesses were presented to the nine finalists: Raber’s Greenhouse, Inn at Honey Run and Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center.
