CAMDEN — Late December was a good time for Krista Lopez-Brochu of Thomaston. She had scored a perfect 100 on a quiz at her work, Machias Savings Bank in Rockland, the prize being a new iPad. And, she had won a Garmin GPS mapping device for her car at a sales rally at the bank.

She and her 8-year-old son son, Jason, were planning an April trip to Florida. And, to top it off, the Habitat for Humanity house they had recently moved into was working out to be a first-rate home.

So, when you are on a winning streak, there's nothing like adding to it, for who knows when life will be so bountiful again!

Penobscot Bay Pilot was proud to add to her winning streak last month, as Krista was the winning draw of our first-ever give-away of an iPad mini. More than 1,640 people entered the contest, some from as far away as Ohio and, even California.

Krista was informed of her good fortune by phone while she was at work. She showed up at the Pilot's office in the Knox Mill in Camden to collect her prize a few days later, and while she shared all her good news, she said she learned of PenBayPilot.com from her mother and came across the online contest while perusing the website.

"I read it everyday now, I love it," said Lopez-Brochu.

Accepting her prize days before Christmas, Lopez-Brochu said she intended to give it to her son, who has been asking for one for Christmas.

"I made my aunt swear she wouldn't let him get near the computer until after Christmas so he wouldn't stumble across the fact that I had won this," said Lopez-Brochu. We also helped her keep the secret, by delaying publishing the winner's name.

Congratulations to both of you, from the Penobscot Bay Pilot staff.