Chance to win painting of Long Grove covered bridge

Highly regarded Long Grove artist Tony Stencel has created a piece that's being auctioned as part of a fundraising effort to help preserve and repair the village iconic covered bridge.

Former Village President Angie Underwood said raffle tickets are being sold for a framed covered bridge watercolor painting by Stencel, valued at $2,500. Underwood, who heads the Long Grove Historical Society, said the proceeds will go into the organization's covered bridge fund.

Stencil is a former combat artist and military veteran. His work is displayed at the National Museum of Naval Aviation and the Pentagon.

Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25. They are on sale at several locations in Long Grove and at major village events.

Underwood said the winning ticket will be drawn the evening of Friday, Oct. 27, during the historical society's annual ghost walk. Email bridgefund@longgrovehistory.org for more information.

Citing the covered bridge's poor condition, Long Grove officials have been exploring options to renovate or replace it with a one- or two-lane span at the western entry to downtown. Discussions began in 2014 about the bridge that goes over Buffalo Creek.

Long Grove's span was constructed in 1906 by the Joliet Bridge and Iron Co. Officials said it could cost at least $850,000 to fix and preserve it.