Joe Barker of Maxton learned this past Sunday that he held the winning raffle ticket for a handmade dollhouse created by Frank Jute of Laurinburg. The drawing was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Laurinburg.

Barker and his wife were "thrilled" at their good fortune.

"Winning this dollhouse was a wonderful occurrence," Barker said. "My wife Denise has wanted one for 30 years; I can do no wrong right now."

Barker, who recently moved to Scotland County from New Mexico with his wife to retire, related the story of his wife's search for dollhouse furniture prior to learning that he was the winner.

"My wife was shopping for dollhouse furniture a few days before we learned I had won the house," he said. "I guess our winning it was meant to be."

Denise Barker said the shopping trip was a case of wishful thinking.

"I was in a consignment shop with my mother, just looking over some of the furniture that might go into a dollhouse someday," she said. "I couldn't believe it when I learned we had the winning raffle ticket."

Jute created his first dollhouse 11 years ago as a present to his granddaughter, and was later asked to build more for church fundraising projects. For several years he has constructed others to be used in the annual church raffle, with all proceeds going toward the St. Mary's Catholic Church beautification project.

"I felt that this year's raffle went really well," Jute said. "We had a good response, and we really appreciate the businesses and individuals who sold tickets."

Asked if he would construct another dollhouse for next year's raffle, Jute laughed.

"I'll have to rest for awhile," he said.

The dollhouse awarded to Barker is 39 inches tall, 28 inches long, and 18 inches deep, and includes nine rooms, two flights of stairs, and has hardwood floors.

As with most dollhouses, it is open in the back for easy access. Jute anchored the house on a piece of wood with grass carpeting surrounding the structure.

The Barkers purchased tickets for last year's dollhouse raffle while still in New Mexico, having learned of it through a subscription to the Laurinburg Exchange. They failed to win the 2008 prize, but were reminded of this year's raffle while dining at the Daily Grind.

"We saw a flyer at the restaurant and bought $10 worth of tickets," Denise Barker said. "Luckily for us, one of them was the winner."

Last year's dollhouse raffle winner was Monica Tavai of Laurinburg.