Friends, neighbors react to historic Powerball jackpot winners

MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - John and Marylin, of Melbourne Beach, say after their friends and neighbors, lottery winners David Kaltschmidt and Maureen Smith, revealed they had the winning lottery ticket, they asked for a favor.  "She called us over and said 'Can you watch our dog? We have to go to Tallahassee,'" Marylin said with a look of surprise.

That's right. Cassie, the lottery winners' dog, is the luckiest Pomeranian in the country.  "She's treated like a queen already," Marylin said with a laugh. "They are very good people, very good friends and neighbors."

But before today, no one in the lottery winner's neighborhood knew the ticket was purchased by someone on their street, and that includes close friends.  "I even asked her point blank, because I know she goes to Publix and takes tickets," Marylin explained. "I said, 'Did you win the Powerball?' She said, 'No,' very calmly, 'No.'"

It's not a secret anymore. The couple, described as private people, are already getting drive-bys from neighbors and the curious. Most who pass by are taking pictures of the winners home.  "We're gonna miss them if they move" said Marylin. "We hope they don't, but we understand if they do."