2000 Clues
Found by John Davoli after just 7 clues at Newell Park, a 1984 hiding place. But back then, metal detectors were used to stir up the prize. This time it was just a little bit of luck and some fine use of between-the-ear wiles. The treasure was hidden inside an empty Ace brand box of playing cards, an item given away in clue 2 for those paying close attention.
Clue 1
Published on Jan. 23, 2000
To cure Vikings depression try a new obsession
By taking part in our hunt through the snow
But if you hope it's a profitable profession
To a park in St. Paul you must go
Don't be a rapscallion and seek the medallion
In places of the improper sort
You're certain to cause a rebellion
If you go where golfers cavort.
By taking part in our hunt through the snow
But if you hope it's a profitable profession
To a park in St. Paul you must go
Don't be a rapscallion and seek the medallion
In places of the improper sort
You're certain to cause a rebellion
If you go where golfers cavort.
Our Thoughts: Informs hunters that the medallion is located in a park in St. Paul and that it is not on a golf course.
Clue 2
Published on Jan. 24, 2000
Set your own pace and it could make you an ace
If your grasp of these clues is astute
So get yourself out and into the chase
And you just might win all the loot
If your grasp of these clues is astute
So get yourself out and into the chase
And you just might win all the loot
Our Thoughts: "Ace" refers to the fact that the medallion is hidden inside a pack of Ace brand playing cards.
Clue 3
Published on Jan. 25, 2000
A tower or two should come into view
As you're making your careful inspection
But this hint will only be of help to you
If you look in King Boreas's direction
As you're making your careful inspection
But this hint will only be of help to you
If you look in King Boreas's direction
Our Thoughts: At least two towers are visible when looking north ("in King Boreas' direction") from Newell Park. One is the tower of the Agriculture-Horticulture Building at the State Fairgrounds. The other is a concrete tower near Midway Stadium used by the St. Paul Fire Department for training.
Clue 4
Published on Jan. 26, 2000
Some places to gain relief from the rain
Will serve to help you as you're looking
Read this well and you just might obtain
A clue that will really get you cooking
Will serve to help you as you're looking
Read this well and you just might obtain
A clue that will really get you cooking
Our Thoughts: Two picnic shelters and a park building at Newell provide "places to gain relief from the rain." There are also grills for "cooking." But the key clue here is the word "serve," which is something a butler might do. This, of course, is a reference to Newell Park's northern boundary -- Pierce Butler Route.
Clue 5
Published on Jan. 27, 2000
Opposites attract and that's a fact
Even if your mood's cloudy and foul
This simple truth might help you extract
The prize being sought by all
Even if your mood's cloudy and foul
This simple truth might help you extract
The prize being sought by all
Our Thoughts: The opposite of "cloudy and foul" is "fair." This is a double clue that points to Newell Park's location nera the State Fairgrounds and to the fact that it is bordered by Fairview Avenue.
Clue 6
Published on Jan. 28, 2000
A well-trained eye is one reason why
A good hunter stays on the attack
This is a lesson you need to apply
If you want to be on the right track
A good hunter stays on the attack
This is a lesson you need to apply
If you want to be on the right track
Our Thoughts: "A well-trained eye" and "the right track" both refer to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks located just north of the park. (Webmaster Note: What does a well-trained eye have to do with railroad tracks? The fact that the word "train" is a part of it? Pretty lame, clue writer(s). I still think it's better as a Hawkeye Pierce reference to give us Pierce Butler.)
Clue 7
Published on Jan. 29, 2000
A pleasant scene and a turning machine
Might help you court our treasure
It's there somewhere in between
If you can make the right measure
Might help you court our treasure
It's there somewhere in between
If you can make the right measure
Our Thoughts: A "pleasant scene" is a "fair view," as in Fairview Avenue, located on the west side of Newell Park. "A turning machine" refers to Wheeler Street, on the park's east side. "Court" refers not only to the park's basketball and tennis courts but also to the fact that Pierce Butler -- after whom the road on the north side of the park is named -- was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Clue 8
Find where kids play and you won't go astray
Especially if you spot arches nearby
This should make it easier to locate your way
Amid obstacles that otherwise mystify
Especially if you spot arches nearby
This should make it easier to locate your way
Amid obstacles that otherwise mystify
Our Thoughts: Besides referring to the playgrounds in Newell Park, this clue provides two other hints. The "arches nearby" is a reference to the shape of the windows on the park building. Finally, the last word of the third line, "way," and the first word of the fourth line, "amid," can easily be reversed to suggest Midway -- the area of St. Paul in which Newell Park is located.
Clue 9
There's a place in our park for a leisurely arc
Find it and you'll be in the treasure's vicinity
Look also for colors that catch the eye
And remember you're not far from divinity
Find it and you'll be in the treasure's vicinity
Look also for colors that catch the eye
And remember you're not far from divinity
Our Thoughts: There are three clues here. "Leisurely arc" refers to the movement of the bench swing that serves as one of the main locators for the medallion. "Colors that catch the eye" can be found on the brightly colored children's playgrounds in the park. "Remember that you're not far from divinity" refers to the St. Paul Saints, who play baseball at nearby Midway Stadium.
Clue 10
A president or two will be of help to you
If you're becoming a bit downcast
But to fully appreciate this wonderful clue
Know that one is first instead of last
If you're becoming a bit downcast
But to fully appreciate this wonderful clue
Know that one is first instead of last
Our Thoughts: The "president or two" mentioned here are Zachary Taylor and Franklin Pierce, both U.S. presidents and both found in the names of streets around the park -- Taylor Avenue and Pierce Butler Route. "Know that one is first instead of last" refers to that fact that Franklin Pierce's last name is Pierce Butler's first name.
Clue 11
For treasure lore and much, much more
Here's advice you'll never regret
To get near the place you're looking for
It would be wise to go with a vet
Here's advice you'll never regret
To get near the place you're looking for
It would be wise to go with a vet
Our Thoughts: This clue's last three words -- "with a vet" -- form an anagram for Hewitt Av., on the southern edge of the park, not far from the treasure's hiding place.
Clue 12
It would really be cruel if you missed our jewel
Which lies in a pack of cards known as Ace
So get yourself out to the park named Newell
And go south of the pavilion to find the place
Look for a thing where two lovers can swing
We assure you it's our best search enhancer
Just go west 35 paces and you could be king
This, Regis, is our final answer
Which lies in a pack of cards known as Ace
So get yourself out to the park named Newell
And go south of the pavilion to find the place
Look for a thing where two lovers can swing
We assure you it's our best search enhancer
Just go west 35 paces and you could be king
This, Regis, is our final answer
Our Thoughts: Directs hunters to the medallion's location approximately 35 paces west of the bench swing in Newell Park.
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!
