ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) – A Perquimans man’s ‘gourd’ luck charm helped him win a $150,000 prize on Monday.

According to NC Education Lottery, Roy Story’s annual Halloween tradition of selling pumpkins led to him winning the first $150,000 prize in a new lottery game — the $5 Xtreme Cashword ticket.

“I raise a few pumpkins every year and sell them,” Story said. “Someone gave me $10 for a pumpkin and I used that to buy the ticket.”

Story bought his winning ticket at the Sun Farms on U.S. 17 South. Upon first winning the prize, Story said he didn’t realize just how much he had won.

“I didn’t have my glasses on,” Story said. “I thought I won $1,000.”

Story was able to take home a total of $107,251 after required state and federal tax withholdings. He said he plans on using his prize to purchase a truck.

For more information on the NC Education Lottery, click here.