Harold Archibald must be dancing tonight. He certainly has over a million reasons to do so. There was no question that someone was going to win tonight with only envelope #48 left in the cabinet inside the George Wellington Esquire Club.

Mr. Archibald has won – are you ready for this – $1,323,000. That is the combined total for the nights jackpot ($175,774.00) with the progressive jackpot ($1,147,000).

The two designated charities, The Group Health Centre Trust Fund and Big Sisters Big Brothers of Sault Ste. Marie are also the big winners in all of this. $1,900,000 has been raised through Catch the Ace.

Boomer and Dominica Braido have moved mountains to make this event a success. The line-ups grew week after week, and a few weeks ago, the Sault Police began supporting the effort through traffic control on Second Line.

The Esquire Club is where charity and good works, meet ‘porketta bingo’ and a cold barley. It is now synonymous with ‘Catch the Ace.’

The Esquire Club is in fact, an incorporated non-profit organization. In 1947, the Esquire opened on Gore St., and in 1948, became a registered non-profit. The Esquire moved to its current location on Second Line West, 67 years ago.

ONNtv’s live coverage of Catch the Ace was challenged by the sheer volume of people tuning into the stream. Over 30,000 citizens logged on to ONNtv tonight. We absolutely appreciate everyone hanging in there with us – Our site was tested to the max. We have recorded the entire event and will re-broadcast portions tomorrow. Thank you to all of our viewers for your patience.

A big thank you to the Esquire Club staff and of course the Braido’s. You deserve a medal – and some down time. Of course, the Braido’s won’t be taking a break – as Porketta Bingos begin shortly on Saturdays at The Esquire Club.

Lord love a duck.