Deborah Scouten’s name was drawn out of hundreds of entries on Aug. 5 to be the recipient of a cornucopia of prizes in the Gazette-Journal’s Winner Takes All advertising promotion.

The Newport News resident said she probably filled out the entry form while having lunch with her mother at the Courthouse Restaurant, which is one of her favorite places to stop in Gloucester.

Each of the 30 participating merchants chipped in prizes with a total value of $1,663.92. The whole bundle of goods and services went home with Scouten.

"It’s a beautiful place," Scouten said of Gloucester. Her next-door neighbor, Jennifer Durrand, a former county resident and "a major Gloucester fan," turned her on to the county, encouraging her to check out the Daffodil Festival. Scouten liked it so much, she’s been back many times since.

Scouten said she loves the friendly attitude she encounters here, as well as the small, unique shops. "It just makes it a fun place to come," she ...