1998 Clues
Found by brother and sister combo, Steve Doyle and Maureen Hursey, who took home the $4,000 prize because they had registered a button. Well, of course they registered a button – they had only been hunting for the medallion since they were kids. And, finally, at 1.45 p.m. on February 4 in Cherokee Park, the 32-year-old boy and 37-year-old girl were able to rest this childhood dream.
Clue 1
Published on Jan. 25, 1998
The season has begun for wintry fun,
And here's what you need to know.
If you want to end up as the lucky one,
A St. Paul park is where you must go.
And here's what you need to know.
If you want to end up as the lucky one,
A St. Paul park is where you must go.
Our Thoughts: Indicates that the medallion is hidden in a public park in the city of St. Paul.
Clue 2
Published on Jan. 26, 1998
In the neighborhood are water and woods
And lots of scenery all around.
So if you want to find the hidden goods
Look for a place with high ground.
And lots of scenery all around.
So if you want to find the hidden goods
Look for a place with high ground.
Our Thoughts: Cherokee Park has areas of "woods," offers views of the Mississippi ("water") and occupies "high ground" on the bluffs above the river.
Clue 3
Published on Jan. 27, 1998
Roses don't bloom in winter's gloom,
But a "Rosebud" could still give pleasure.
So watch for a place where kids like to zoom,
And you just might take home our treasure.
But a "Rosebud" could still give pleasure.
So watch for a place where kids like to zoom,
And you just might take home our treasure.
Our Thoughts: "Rosebud" is the name of a sled that plays a prominent role in "Citizen Kane," one of the most famous movies of all time. "A place where kids like to zoom" also points hunters to the medallion's hiding place near a sledding hill in Cherokee Park.
Clue 4
Published on Jan. 28, 1998
A large object in view will help guide you,
But first you'll have to crack our code.
So here's a demo of the mode to pursue,
As you hunt for the mother lode.
But first you'll have to crack our code.
So here's a demo of the mode to pursue,
As you hunt for the mother lode.
Our Thoughts: The "large object" in this clue is the dome of the State Capitol, which is visible from the medallion site. The words "demo" and "mode" are both anagrams for "dome."
Clue 5
Published on Jan. 29, 1998
We'd be the first to say that a place to play
Can make any winter more pleasurable.
City streets will also show you the way
To riches that are almost immeasurable.
Can make any winter more pleasurable.
City streets will also show you the way
To riches that are almost immeasurable.
Our Thoughts: "A place to play" refers to the playground just north of the medallion's hiding place. "City streets" refers to three nearby streets – Annapolis, Winona and Wyoming – that bear the names of cities.
Clue 6
Published on Jan. 30, 1998
If you're on the wrong track don't blow your stack,
Just look for a plume of smoke in the skies.
With this in view, you'll soon be back
In the hunt for our valuable prize.
Just look for a plume of smoke in the skies.
With this in view, you'll soon be back
In the hunt for our valuable prize.
Our Thoughts: The tall smokestack of NSP's High Bridge plant is one of the most prominent objects visible from Cherokee Park.
Clue 7
Published on Jan. 31, 1998
If you just don't know where to go
Here's a clue to aid your decision:
The medallion that promises lots of dough
Is near a line of double division.
Here's a clue to aid your decision:
The medallion that promises lots of dough
Is near a line of double division.
Our Thoughts: The "line of double division" in this clue refers to Annapolis Street, which forms the boundary between St. Paul and West St. Paul as well as between Ramsey and Dakota counties. Because Annapolis, Md., is home to the U.S. Naval Academy, this clue also refers to the medallion's hiding place in a sock made by the Old Navy Clothing Co.
Clue 8
Published on Feb. 1, 1998
To keep up the pace and win our race,
There's no need to wander to and fro.
Instead you should look near a place
Where three pyramids rise over the snow.
There's no need to wander to and fro.
Instead you should look near a place
Where three pyramids rise over the snow.
Our Thoughts: The "three pyramids" form the roof of a service building in Cherokee Park that can be seen from the medallion site.
Clue 9
Published on Feb. 2, 1998
To unlock the door and be at the fore
Of the crowds traipsing across our city,
Some advice you simply can't ignore
Is to think of the person who runs a committee.
Of the crowds traipsing across our city,
Some advice you simply can't ignore
Is to think of the person who runs a committee.
Our Thoughts: "To unlock the door" refers to a key. The person who "runs a committee" is the chair. Combining the words "chair" and "key" produces a pun for "Cherokee."
Clue 10
Published on Feb. 3, 1998
A cape and a whip can be really hip,
Though we don't recommend such attire.
Consider this a worthwhile tip
If it's treasure to which you aspire.
Though we don't recommend such attire.
Consider this a worthwhile tip
If it's treasure to which you aspire.
Our Thoughts: The words "cape" and "whip" are an anagram for Chippewa, a street just east of the medallion's hiding place.
Clue 11
Published on Feb. 4, 1998
To stay in our game and earn some fame,
you'll need to find the right zone.
Just stay near locals which claim
A sugary loaf and yellow stone.
you'll need to find the right zone.
Just stay near locals which claim
A sugary loaf and yellow stone.
Our Thoughts: This clue directs treasure hunters to a part of Cherokee Park near Winona and Wyoming streets. Sugar loaf ("a sugary loaf") is a rock formation in the city of Winona. "Yellow stone" refers to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
Clue 12
Your luck will be nil until you go west from a hill
near Chippewa Avenue and Wyoming Street.
By a pair of trees is where you might have a thrill,
But avoid the ravine or you'll lose out on the treat.
Now peer through the trees until you can see
The Capitol dome gleaming far to the north.
Then look down for a sock stitched with "Old Navy"
And our treasure you'll at last bring forth.
near Chippewa Avenue and Wyoming Street.
By a pair of trees is where you might have a thrill,
But avoid the ravine or you'll lose out on the treat.
Now peer through the trees until you can see
The Capitol dome gleaming far to the north.
Then look down for a sock stitched with "Old Navy"
And our treasure you'll at last bring forth.
Our Thoughts: Pinpoints the medallion's location in a grove of trees just west of the sledding hill in Cherokee Park and reveals that the medallion is hidden in a sock bearing the "Old Navy" name.
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!
