Beatrice Heffelfinger loves a good game of Bingo.

Her passion to mark off numbers on cards has only assuredly grown after she was announced as the winner of the $1,000 grand prize in the sixth annual Times News Bingo contest grand prize party.

The luck of the draw was indeed with Heffelfinger, who gathered with other hopefuls at the contest grand prize party held Wednesday at the Lehighton Outdoor Center.

As she sat in anticipation of her name being called, Heffelfinger said she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if her name was called.

“I was just sitting there and I thought and I wondered if I’ll win, and then when she called my name, I was just absolutely stunned,” Heffelfinger said. “It’s still not sinking in.”

Heffelfinger said she’s participated in the contest “many times.”

“I just love to play bingo, and I love to win the money,” she said. “I was stunned, I really was stunned; I couldn’t believe it.”

Heffelfinger, who attended the event with her daughter, said she plans to use her winnings to pay bills.

“I’m sorry for the loss of the others, but I’m happy for the winner that’s me,” she said.

Heffelfinger was among 50 finalists 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 782 cards.

“We are grateful that the Lehighton Outdoor Center continues to be the main sponsor of Bingo,” Benninger said. “They are great hosts of the grand prize drawing with a large space for us to use.”

Benninger said the contest began on Sept. 9 with the bingo card inserted into the newspaper, as well as the first bingo number advertisement.

A bingo number ad was in the TN every day up through Nov. 24.

Since this is a coverall bingo game, all the numbers on the card had to be filled out and received by 4 p.m. Dec. 1 in order to qualify.

The finalists were then picked on Dec. 4.

“We appreciate our readers for participating in this and in our other contests,” Benninger said. “Times News is happy to award a $1,000 Bingo grand prize.”

Benninger also thanked the other sponsors of the contest: Hager Furniture Co., Rentschler Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Homes, and Wildoner Insurance Agency.