1975 Clues
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Clue 1
Published on Jan. 26, 1975
We've searched around the saintly city
For a place to hide our bounty.
We think we've found the best one
In all of Ramsey County.
Our Thoughts: The Ramsey County clue.
Clue 2
Published on Jan. 27, 1975
All tanks don't go to battlefields,
Some just stand in place.
This is the kind you will see
In the Boreas treasure race.
Our Thoughts: "Tanks" is the clue, as it refers to the water tanks on the Metro Square Building and Donaldson's, both of which are in plain view from the park.
Clue 3
Published on Jan. 27, 1975
Drive, walk, or hail a ride
To the site of fortune and fame.
The lower you look, the better the odds
Of winning the Boreas game.
Our Thoughts: Established the fact that the treasure is accessible by car, walking, cab, or bus. The word "lower" refers to the Lowertown area.
Clue 4
Published on Jan. 28. 1975
Pick a day, and don your coat,
Muffler, gloves, and overshoe.
The treasure's waiting to be found
And the finder could be you
Our Thoughts: "Pick a day" refers to Friday's Deli, which was in view of the treasure site.
Clue 5
Published on Jan. 28. 1975
Take a number and double it twice
It's sure to help your quest.
Try to pick the proper one
It's anybody's guess.
Our Thoughts: "Take a number and double it twice" refers to the number 366, which is very prominent on the front of the building across the street from the treasure site.
Clue 6
Footsteps hard instead of soft
Where trees still do abound
A famous comic's name appears
If you'll just look around
Our Thoughts: "Footsteps hard instead of soft" is in reference to the fact that each of the park's grassy area has been covered by bricks, but there still are many trees. The "famous comic" is Milton Berle, whose first name appears on the Milton Clothing Co. Store across the street.
Clue 7
In this complex world of ours,
Nothing stays the same.
It's still as lovely as before,
But they've gone and changed the name.
Our Thoughts: The name of the hiding park was recently changed from Smith Park to Norman Mears Park.
Clue 8
Different people use different tools,
From a shovel to a scoop.
But if you want to find the treasure,
Keep searching in the loop.
Our Thoughts: This establishes the fact that the treasure was hidden in the downtown area or "loop."
Clue 9
Slightly smaller than a quart,
It holds a lot of cheer.
And coupled with a stately hero,
It leads you very near.
Our Thoughts: A bottle "smaller than a quart" is a fifth. The "stately hero" is Minnesota's first governor, Henry Sibley. The treasure spot was near the corner of Fifth and Sibley.
Clue 10
Before the surgeon general's warning,
People rolled their own.
They got their tobacco from a bag
That now holds treasure alone.
Our Thoughts: Established the fact that the treasure medallion had been hidden in a tobacco bag.
Clue 11
A famous hitter at the plate
Is another revealing clue.
Think of his name and you will have
A word to help you through.
Our Thoughts: "Famous hitter" refers to National Leaguer Johnny Bench of Cincinnati, most valuable player and league home run leader during the 1970 and 1972 seasons. The treasure was hidden on a park bench.
Clue 12
In the southwest corner of old Smith Park
The glittering treasure lies.
A picnic spot where you can rest
Is where the hunter tries.
Our Thoughts: Specifies a "picnic spot" in "old Smith Park" as the treasure location and also reveals the "southwest corner" as the spot to search.
Clue 13
Between the slats of a picnic bench
Bull Durham holds the loot.
And if you have a Carnival button
You'll get the bonus to boot.
Our Thoughts: Tells where the treasure was hidden on a picnic bench - and names it's container, a Bull Durham tobacco sack.
Back to the 1970's
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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!
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