AUBURN — Sue Ann Draper bought her first Powerball ticket Tuesday night, stopping at Wheeler’s Market with hopes of winning the record $500 million prize.

“I would buy a new house for a home for my kids here in Auburn and stay together here in Auburn,” she said.

Her children were with her as she picked Powerball numbers based on their ages. Her eldest daughter, Crystal, helped her communicate via sign language.

Draper was among many first-time ticket buyers at the market, co-owner Wendell Wheeler said. He said the jackpot drawing has netted about $500 in ticket sales, so far.

“It’s good for business,” Wendell  said, because people buy goods at the same time.

Karl Lalemand, a regular at the market at 107 South Main St., filled out his Powerball ticket Tuesday night.

“I haven’t got a clue what I would do with the money!” he said.

After a moment of thought, he responded, “I would like to make Lewiston and Auburn better than Portland.”

He said he thinks the Twin Cities has long played second-fiddle to the port city and he would like to use his winnings to effect a change.