1964 Clues
Within city limits to be found
Only on public property stay
From private ownership keep away
With safety a part of the festive theme.
Hunting a treasure again is the score
In this new year of sixty four.
In the distance surrounding the treasure site.
Have heavy boots and wraps quite handy.
A pocket of treats might just be dandy.
Use common sense and Just be good.
To dig a little be prepared
From all exertion don't be spared.
Combined like a travel ad to resemble.
Snow with a sparkle, air with a sting.
A gold brick discovered, treasure will bring.
And a good carnival spirit creating.
But a picnic lunch from a bench in the park,
On a night below zero is more than a lark.
With a famous name an addition will start.
From the treasure site by over a mile
Are high red lights that shine in style.
Two posts of iron a double lane faces.
Two round towers, northwest and southeast,
Seen in the distance helps most, not least.
A roof that slants with a particular lean.
To entertain and amuse by this structure of red,
For summer diversion here are we led.
But "leave it to Beaver" is a good steer.
Ho, ho, ho, get out on the run,
This jolly hunt has just begun.
This case may be solved by son or by daughter.
With one, one, six, it'll mark off the course.
Search to the northeast start from the south.
A passage is found drains this ledge.
Northeast from this walk 170 paces,
On count of 50 oak each one faces.
A culvert appears, from this take your pose.
Walk 170 paces in a easterly direction.
Pass oak stump and to guide your selection
A brick in the snow, this is fun!
Lock, stock and barrel the treasure is won!
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!
