Alexander still riding with her success

J. Soso-Vincent 29.AUG.08

Oftentimes, we hear of lottery winners who have blown their windfall foolishly, with absolutely nothing to show for it now. With so many needy people in the world, it’s always disappointing to hear these stories. That is why it’s refreshing and delightful to learn of lottery winners who spend their money with due care.{{more}} And such is the case of Sybil Alexander – a Paul’s Avenue resident who not only won a large sum of money in the National Lottery Draw, but who won the highest jackpot ever in the history of the game – EC$844,220.

Alexander had been a regular player of the lottery draw, always using specific numbers but never winning anything. On a whim, she chose a Quick-pick for the draw on May 26th, 2000, not really expecting it to come to much. Whilst lying on her bed reading a SEARCHLIGHT newspaper that night, she managed to hear only three of the draw numbers. Those three matched the numbers on her ticket. She recalls being a bit dismayed, thinking: “Is only three ah get?” The following day, rumour was rife in town that one person, a man, had won the historic jackpot. Having heard that, she didn’t bother to enquire about the other numbers that had been called. However, a few days later Alexander sent for the drawn numbers, intending to have a look at them later in the evening once she had closed her shop. Later that night, she was highly confused when she realised that all the numbers drawn matched those on her ticket. “How come this man win and I have all the numbers?” she had questioned. After re-checking the numbers several times, it dawned on her that she was the winner. However, it wasn’t until after a call to her daughter that it began to sink in. Alexander reminisced about her inability to sleep and the fact that her heart began racing. “I started to get a little frightened!” she confessed.

A few days had passed by before Alexander went to make her claim at the National Lotteries Authority headquarters. When staff members received the alert that the winner was in their midst, she remembers how they began passing by, taking covert glimpses at her. Once word got around that Sybil Alexander, owner of the Green Onion Restaurant and bar, was the lucky winner, she admits that she became something of a mini celebrity. It became a bit difficult for her to walk in the streets, especially the street right outside her residence. People were flocking to see who she was. As was expected, many people resented the fact that she was already financially independent, as she and her husband had been running their successful business for years. She related: “What she want with more (money)? That’s what they were saying…”. Back then, the Government hadn’t yet imposed the 10% tax on lottery winnings, so she received the full amount.

The mother of three, speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, related what she has done with her fortune. “I did a lot of things!” she chuckled. Firstly, Alexander upgraded her shop and place of residence, which are in the same building. Having lived there since she was 2 months old, she and her husband had first renovated the property in 1978, 10 years after they got married. Following that, she placed significant amounts in savings accounts at different establishments in town and, of course, gave tidy sums to many of her relatives. Alexander also bought the property behind hers, which she now rents, and made many donations to genuine charitable cases and organisations. One such case was that of a young boy who had received an injury to his face that required him to seek medical attention abroad.

And, of course, the free-loaders had come crawling out of the wood work with their crocodile tears, expecting to get their share too – much like those who turn up at ‘bring a drink/dish’ parties with nothing but their two empty hands yet consume the most. It has been 8 years since Alexander won the lottery, and still they try to slither their way into her pockets. “There have been so many that I can’t recall them all,” she said. However, she clearly remembers a family who claimed they were Muslim, begging her to pay for their plane tickets to Trinidad. She further mused on those who expected her to sell her goods at reduced prices because they believed that she didn’t need the money.

Alexander’s family seems blessed with good luck. Her husband, Joel Alexander, too, won the lottery back in 1991 and took home $35,000. The week after her windfall, Alexander played the lottery and won approximately $100 and a free ticket with 4 matching numbers. More recently, she related that she had been dreaming of some numbers for a while and finally decided to play them on the 3-D draw. As luck would have it, she won $450. “My grandmother always said that I would be lucky!” she declared. Not content with just good luck, the family appears to be blessed with longevity as well. Alexander’s mother is still alive at the age of 92, and she has several family members who have lived well past the age of 80. Alexander herself is a fine example. Having confided her age off the record, it can be assured that she looks a lot younger than she actually is. “I still have a portion (of money) set aside. That is for my old age,” she joked.

Alexander advises those who come into large sums of money, whether through winning the lottery or otherwise, to be vigilant with their spending. “Put the money aside. Think about what you want to do with it. Spend the money wisely!” She agreed that investing wisely not only ensures that you have money to live comfortably, but it also leaves a legacy for your children, grandchildren and future generations. In their excitement, a lot of people spend their money foolishly. Alexander lamented the fact that this is what had happened to her husband when he won the lottery. Because of his drinking problem, “…he didn’t remember what he spent it on!”

Accustomed to having money, Alexander doesn’t believe that the jackpot changed her life significantly – rather it was just enhanced. “…it ain’t change me at all, you know. I’m the same person. I go about my business the same way,” she confided. This is something regular customer and long-time family friend Alexander Jack can attest to. Having known her and her husband for over 30 years, he was only too willing to confirm how down to earth and humble Mrs. Alexander has remained, and how generous she is to people. He also shared that she had been such a good friend to him that he always passes by when he is in the area to make sure she is doing well. “She’s never shown me a bad face!” he exclaimed.

As much as it may seem that way, Alexander’s life has not been a bed of roses. In 1993 she suffered the devastating loss of one of her sons, Jason Alexander, and then in 2004, the passing of her beloved husband who had been her first and only boyfriend. “It really was ‘til death do us part,” she sadly stated. A woman of great strength, she has had to remain so to give her two other children, Elroy and Ramona Alexander, courage to withstand the double ordeal. Before the death of her son, Alexander also had to stand by her husband throughout his battle with alcoholism – definitely not a walk in the park.

These days, Sybil Alexander looks forward to retirement, relaxing and spending time with her six grandchildren. She finds it highly amusing that she still has to fend off the unwanted attention of male suitors. “A lot of them coming through, but I ain’t taking them on,” she laughed. Her main focus is her family and making sure that her business, the Green Onion, remains successful. Those curious enough might wonder how she came up with the name. She explained that the name was taken from a movie she had seen a very long time ago. She also made it known that people had criticised the name, scoffing: “You ever see a green onion yet?!” Ever jovial, she had simply replied: “When you peel off the brown (skin) you see the green underneath.” Alexander seems to be extremely proud of her restaurant, and, therefore, didn’t miss the opportunity to do a bit of advertising. “Every Saturday,” she announced “I have conch. Every Saturday!” Something conch lovers everywhere will rejoice at, if they didn’t already know.