Brookhaven’s Martha Arrington recently had her name pulled fromthe clear, plastic collection box to become the second winner inthe DAILY LEADER’s 2007 installment of the Hometown Christmaspromotion.

Arrington dropped her name into the box at the Roxy Magnolia, adowntown consignment and retail boutique, while she was visitingwith Emily Noble, the store’s owner, last week.

When asked if she was usually a lucky winner in such promotions,Arrington replied, “No, not at all,” as she stirred her memory tofind her last instance of shopper’s luck.

“The last time I won something was probably 20 years ago,” shesaid, recalling an old contest once held at the BrookhavenSupervalue grocery store. “Needless to say, I was shocked whenDebbie (Keene, advertising executive with the DAILY LEADER) calledme to say that I had won.”

Arrington said she would use the winnings, $100 in HometownBucks to buy Christmas presents for her four grandchildren and”maybe even buy (herself) something.”

Arrington said she originally had no plans to enter the contest,but decided to “just put (her) name in” while checking in on thenew items at the Roxy Magnolia.

“I had been told that Emily had some new retail items, and Iwanted to go by and look for a baby gift,” she said. “From now on,I’ll pay a lot more attention to it.”

Three more weekly winners of $100 in Hometown Bucks remain to bechosen and announced.

A drawing for the big prize of $500 will be held during thesixth and final week of the promotion. With the awarding of the$500 grand prize combined with the five weeks of $100 prizes,$1,000 in Hometown Bucks will have been awarded by the time thepromotion ends on Dec. 14.

The Hometown Christmas contest is designed to keep holidayshopping alive in Brookhaven’s local businesses. Shoppers canregister to win Hometown Bucks by signing up at any of theparticipating businesses.

Designated boxes are on display to accept entry forms. Thewinnings may only be spent at participating retail businesses.

Promotion sponsors this year include J&B Tile & Marble,Sisters by Design, Rushing’s Boots & Shoe Shop, Bebe’s, RoxyMagnolia, The UPS Store, Growin’ Green Landscape, The FinishingTouch, Just Kiddin’, Expectations, Blue Heaven, Smith Jewelry,Brookhaven Honda, Jjams, ABLES, the Bank of Brookhaven, FurnitureFactory Outlet, Millane’s, Betty Ann’s, Gad’s, State Bank and TrustCompany, T.H. Perkins Furniture Company and Trustmark Bank.