Maakestad Painting Lottery Draw Winners!

The Valley Grove Preservation Society board is pleased to announce that almost 70% of the funds needed for the 1894 wooden church steeple restoration has been raised in 2024. Donations small and large and from all over the country have made that possible. As an added incentive for larger donations, landscape artist Tom Maakestad, son of the founders of the preservation society who grew up near Valley Grove, donated an original painting of Valley Grove as a “lottery” prize.

Steve and Barb Strack - Maakestad Lottery Draw Winners

The Valley Grove Preservation Society board is pleased to announce that almost 70% of the funds needed for the 1894 wooden church steeple restoration has been raised in 2024. Donations small and large and from all over the country have made that possible. As an added incentive for larger donations, landscape artist Tom Maakestad, son of the founders of the preservation society who grew up near Valley Grove, donated an original painting of Valley Grove as a “lottery” prize.

Congratulations to Steve and Barb Strack, neighbors to Valley Grove, who were the winners of the lottery draw.  They were happy to support the steeple restoration fund, and they were very pleased to win the painting. The VGPS board is grateful to Maakestad for his painting and to the Stracks for their generous donation.

Another $40,000 is needed to pay for the steeple restoration in full.

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Valley Grove Preservation Society, PO Box 75, Nerstrand MN 55053, or online.