A Brookhaven Elementary School teacher has a little extra cheerin her stocking this year thanks to a Christmas retail shoppingpromotion.

Dixie Chance, of Brookhaven, was surprised when she was calledand told she was grand prize winner in The DAILY LEADER’s “AHometown Christmas” promotion for 2006. She received $500 inHometown Bucks.

“I was home with sick children when they called and said I won,”Chance said.

Chance collected her grand prize winnings at Millane’s Wednesdayafternoon. There have been five previous $100 winners, includingKim Oberschmidt, Jessica Lewis, Ronda Stewart, Karen Wallace andDeAnna Culbertson.

Chance said she only entered the contest one time and that wasat the Millane’s store. She was still undecided about how she wasgoing to spend her newfound money.

“I’ve finished my Christmas shopping,” said Chance, butindicated the money would make a great down payment on a piece offurniture.

Chance, is married to John Chance and they have three childrenMadeline, 7; John Michael, 5, and Price, 1. She teaches third andfourth grade at Brookhaven Elementary School.

Chance will be able to spend her winnings at any of themerchants participating in the Hometown Bucks promotion.Participating merchants this year include:

* Gad’s

* Harvey Electronics

* Bertha’s Flower Shop

* Celebrations

* Bank of Brookhaven

* Furniture Factory Outlet

* Millane’s

* Betty Ann’s

* Sisters By Design

* State Bank

* T.H. Perkins Furniture Co.

* Trustmark Bank.