1956 Clues
Another wonderful Carnival stunt.
So go abroad and find the bounty,
We always hide it in Ramsey County.
It can add more dough to Boreas' treasure.
St. Paul is the boundary of your quest
If you would find the treasure chest.
On public property waits for you.
Our safety rule must be repeated:
No danger's involved where it's secreted.
Out of sight but still of assistance.
Unless a thaw should cause a trickle,
Seeing water's not worth a plugged nickel.
We try to hint without giving away.
But if more help is what you need,
Wheels and boxes we will concede.
It's not on the spot, but stands nearby.
And if your eyes are really keen,
A second look will show you green.
Runs a road covered with snow.
Trees surround the treasure's site;
This should make you work all night.
Generally pests, they now mean a lot.
A woodsman skilled in nature lore
Would be a help and not a bore.
Is a famous name that means much to you.
In order to get a bit more specific,
The water's a lake and not the Pacific.
About ninety degrees from the Polar Star.
Get out your compass, we suggest,
It will help you find the treasure chest.
Cemented together to hold them tight.
This time of year you'd stay away,
But that's not true on a summer's day.
In helping you to find the spot.
One is Dutch, you will agree,
Part of the other is on T.V.
To serve the needs of another day.
Near the place there is a knoll,
Nearer still there is a hole.
And it means a lot to you.
Now dead and lying there dismembered,
To someone it will be long remembered.
But the log lying near is really hot.
Look for a plug which pulls away;
This can be your lucky day.
During the 1990’s, the St Paul Pioneer Press opened online discussion forums. These forums were called Water Coolers. The forums had discussion topics related to sports, politics, news, and current events. Each year, the Pioneer Planet – the online section of the Pioneer Press – opened a discussion forum as a media for hunters to discuss the clues for the Winter Carnival Medallion Hunt.
During the earlier years, one might find a few hundred posts during the hunt. As more hunters had computers, those numbers jumped. From 1997 to 1998, the number of posts increased from the hundreds to the 5-digit thousands. It was during the 1998 hunt the Cooler Crew was born.
The community spirit and teamwork displayed in the Pioneer Press Medallion Hunt thread was inspiring. The group of hunters found themselves at the end of a hunt not wanting to let go of new friendships and the camaraderie found on the Water Cooler board. The idea emerged to do what anyone would do in the middle of winter in Minnesota. A picnic in Cherokee was planned - the first Rehash Bash!
