Norene Rosso couldn’t help but wipe her eyes as she walked the aisle of the Lehighton Outdoor Center Wednesday night.

Rosso wasn’t upset, but rather had to brush back tears of joy after she was announced as the winner of the $1,000 grand prize in the fifth annual Times News Bingo contest grand prize party.

Moments after her name was called, Rosso described how she felt.

“It’s a shock,” Rosso said. “I’m in shock.”

Rosso, of West Penn Township, said this was the first time she entered the contest.

Asked what she planned to do with her winnings, Rosso said she may eventually use it to pay some bills.

Accompanied to the event by her husband, Mike, Rosso expressed gratitude toward God.

“I believe highly in Him,” she said. “It’s a gift from Him.”

Rosso was among 50 finalists selected from all of the completed cards that were received.

The finalists received invitations for the grand party meeting.

Jennifer Benninger, advertising director, said the Times News received 780 cards.

Benninger congratulated the finalists, and also thanked the Lehighton Outdoor Center, which served as the main sponsor.

She said the contest began on Sept. 10, with the bingo card inserted into the newspaper, as well as the first bingo number advertisement.

A bingo number ad was in the Times News every day through Nov. 25.

Since this is a coverall bingo game, all numbers on the card had to be filled out and received by 4 p.m. Dec. 2 in order to qualify.

The finalists were then picked on Dec. 5.

“We enjoy running the bingo promotion every year,” Benninger said. “It’s a reader favorite, people enjoy playing it.”

Jerry McAward, owner of the Lehighton Outdoor Center, said he was pleased to once again host the event.

“I’m happy to be part of the community,” McAward said.

Benninger also thanked the other sponsors of the contest: Barrels of Fun Beverages in Slatington, Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Homes in Kunkletown, 903 Landscape Supply in Jim Thorpe, Koch’s Lawn & Garden in New Ringgold, and Hager Furniture Company in Palmerton.