SIOUX CITY MAN, DES MOINES WOMAN WIN LOTTERY
"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" CONTEST

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It's A Wonderful Life instant-scratch ticket

Peter Lohr

Amy Burgmaier

Contestants Gave Winning Impressions Of Movie Characters George And Mary Bailey

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Sioux City man and Des Moines woman were chosen by the public as the overall winners of the Iowa Lottery's "It's A Wonderful Life" look-alike contest celebrating the classic movie and Iowa's own Donna Reed.

The lottery partnered with the Donna Reed Foundation in Denison in issuing a $2 "It's A Wonderful Life" scratch game this holiday season and organizing a George and Mary Bailey look-alike contest. People were invited to give their best impressions of the movie's lead characters during contests Dec. 5-7 in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Sioux City.

Photos and video of the top regional winners from each of those contests then was posted on the Iowa Lottery Web site from Dec. 9-18, where the public could vote on its favorite performances. Peter Lohr of Sioux City received the most votes as the favorite George Bailey impersonator while Amy Burgmaier of Des Moines was voted the favorite Mary Bailey for her rendition. Lohr and Burgmaier each received $500 from the lottery as the contest winners.

Burgmaier, who performs in local theater productions in the Des Moines area, said she entered the contest to support cultural arts.

"I've seen the movie a couple of times, and one of my friends, this is her favorite movie of all time, so she definitely gave me a lot of ideas," Burgmaier said.

Lohr said he entered the contest after encouragement from his family, who thought he was a ringer for George Bailey. Lohr said the movie is a long-time favorite.

"I think it just, you know, really tells you about your life and if you've been blessed. And I think, 'Hey, I do have a good life.' It's a wonderful life," he said.

"It's A Wonderful Life," released in 1946, has gone on to become an annual staple of the holidays. The movie's storyline recounts the life of George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, who is driven to considering suicide on Christmas Eve. Luckily, George's guardian angel arrives in his hour of need and shows him just how valuable his life has been to all of those around him. Donna Reed plays Mary Bailey, George's wife.

Donna Reed was born Donnabelle Mullenger in Denison on Jan. 27, 1921. At age 16, she left Denison by train for Los Angeles to complete her formal education and to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. Her dream became a reality as she captivated the country with her sensitive portrayals in films. Reed is perhaps best remembered for her work on her own television series, "The Donna Reed Show," which aired from 1958 through 1966. She played the role of an honest, humorous, and nurturing mother much like her real self.

The Donna Reed Foundation was formed in Denison in 1987 by members of Donna Reed's hometown community, her family and friends. The foundation encourages and supports talent through scholarships, workshops, and promotion of stage plays, concerts, and other cultural activities. It also operates a performing arts center and museum in Denison.

Tickets in the lottery's "It's A Wonderful Life" scratch game began sales Nov. 3 and are available at lottery retailers statewide. The tickets feature a black-and-white image of Stewart and Reed as George and Mary Bailey in the movie. Players try to match any of "your numbers" to the "winning numbers" on the front of each ticket to win a prize. Prizes in the game range from $2 up to $10,000.

It's a Wonderful Life TM & © 2008 Melange Pictures LLC. All rights reserved. Donna Reed used with permission. Licensed by Sovich Minch, LLP. James Stewart used with permission. Licensed by The Stewart Family, LLC.