By Ben Watson - bio | email

COLLIERVILLE, TN (WMC-TV) - The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway hit record numbers this year.  For the lucky winner of the home, it was more than just a contest.

Judy Deming, the winner of the home, happens to be named after Saint Jude, the patron saint of the impossible.  She has bought a ticket every year for the last six years.

"I just can't believe it," Deming said. :I thought somebody was playing a joke when they called to say I had won."

Deming said St. Jude has a special place in her heart, while Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude, has a special place in the heart of her husband, John Deming.

"Danny Thomas, it's hard to say," he said. "He's done so much for children.  We're older and we were around when he started this.  Just a wonderful job."

The Collierville Police Department says the businessman wanted another man dead and hired someone to do the job.

The target of the alleged plot, found out about it and reported it to police.

Chef Elle Green first became known when she started presenting simple recipes on Live at 9 in June 2007. Yet, after receiving positive responses from both viewers and the show's hosts, she realized she wanted to take her passion for cooking one step further.  

"We get tons of it (e-mails) every time she's on," Executive Producer Jennifer Cates said. "I can't tell you how much time I spend responding to each and every e-mail."

Chef Elle hopes to become a contestant on "Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star," and she needs your votes.