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Out and About at the 2005 Winter Carnival
2005 Pre-Dig Gig Recap
Saturday, January 22, 2005 brought us to the 7th Annual Pre-Dig Gig at Patrick McGovern’s. During the course of the evening, roughly 125 hunters came and went. Some were brand new to this experience and others hunting longer than some would like to remember. Stories, hunt memories, predictions, and friends both old and new were sprinkled throughout the lower level of McGovern’s. A main topic of conversations fun to listen in on were the reactions to the first showings of No Time For Cold Feet which premiered at the Bell Museum earlier in the day.
A special “attendee” at this year’s gathering was a soldier currently serving in Iraq. Several of Zeph’s family were in attendance and we delighted in their willingness to share the treasure chest and King Boreas certificate Zeph’s Grandfather found during the 1954 hunt at Hidden Falls. A pictorial account of Zeph’s continued participation in the hunt can be found through links on this Cooler Crew site.
Mom and Dad had this year’s Cooler Crew commemorative buttons, Big G had These clues suck window clings, Steve Worthman had the 3rd edition of the Treasure Hunters Guide and Mr. Med Hunter had his new Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt History for sale. Thanks to THX-1138 for supplying nametags. If you missed the opportunity to purchase a button, window cling, or either of the two new books, there will be more opportunities to get your collectibles from these creative folks during the hunt and at the Rehash Bash. Mr. Med Hunter will be appearing at the Pioneer Press lobby autographing his book one evening during the hunt.
As this writer remembers the fun of putting faces with on-line names, the meeting of new Crew members, the meeting up with old friends, the laughter and din of conversation, it strikes me that all this is about an online community that grew out of an obsession for hunting in the snow for a puck. The very first Pre-Dig Gig in 1999 brought about 25 people together. Look how much we’ve grown. The medallion is worth $10,000 this year. The friendships and camaraderie gained throughout these years is priceless.
Coolerheads will Prevail!!!!!!
Cooler Kid
The 2005 Pre-Dig Gig
2004 Rehash Bash Re-Cap
February 8th, 2004
Phalen Park
This years picnic in the park where the medallion was found, again saw the gathering of friends both new and old. On this cloudy, blustery day with the sound of the races out on the lake behind us, there were approximately 50 folks that attended. Name tags were a super idea! Thanks to those that made sure we were appropriately tagged!
The food laid out on the stage of the amphitheater was an amazing assortment of goulash, hot dish, sloppy joe medallions, meat balls and little weenies, windmill cookies, dips, chips, desserts, green donuts and salads. This Crew knows good food and knows how to throw a party!
A fire was started off in the distant fire ring for those wishing to warm up a bit. Thanks to all who gathered wood and got the fire going!
East Side Digger had a copy of his Cooler Kid book. Nice to see that talent! Big G had great window clings for sale and Mom had Cooler Crew buttons with for those that wanted them.
There was the usual trek to the place the medallion was found, conversation about the clues, the clue writer, theories and conspiracies. Me2 gave a speech that warmed the hearts of those attending. She summed up best what we all feel about the family we’ve become.
KT had the floor next. She had gathered door prizes for the day and there were several winners of these clever prizes. This was a new part of the festivities but hopefully not the last!
It’s seemingly impossible that this is the 7th rehash bash. That first event found us meeting face to face with folks we had never seen before. What an awesome memory. Now every year we are joined by new faces who must feel that same sense of awe. We hope you all continue to be a part of this community!
Coolerheads will Prevail!
Me2's Speech
OK , just breathe. – I’m getting up here to talk a bit. I brought a speech. Not because I won an Oscar, and I haven’t yet found the medallion, but I won! I won all of YOU.
Once again I have seen us strengthen friendships and make new relationships. New Daddy, RedDog, Karl & Laurie. I got to put new faces to online names of BigG, Mystical_Muzik. But there are still people I hope are here today that I haven’t met in person yet- Homeless Artist, On the Search, jusme, 231gnx – I hope you find as much kindness, respect, laughter and acceptance with these fine people as I have.
Most of us were brought together by the Winter Carnival Treasure Hunt.
You have unique qualities that have kept us together! Some of you are terribly funny, some really care that we had a rough day, some are quiet, like Reg ;) . Sometimes we disagree with each other in the forum, we listen to each other vent, share in each others joys (like a new baby Congratulations ESD!, a new job-way to go ClueMaster!, Terry and Inks son in the Peace Corps-come home safely)
We share our private lives as much or more than we discuss clues in a treasure hunt.
There are some that we don’t hear from throughout the year that put a smile on our face the moment we see them in line at the pioneer press or out in the park, like Wright Winger, Tami or Chair guy-John. Then there’s the Clowns –"Who's goin' chicken huntin'?"
Unselfish began at the pre-hash bash with East Side Digger giving me and Scribe copies of his newspaper art project. And trickled into Marley giving me a glow in the dark bulldog and reminding me to be positive-It was the year of “I believe, I believe” from Miracle on 34th st., some of you may have heard me chanting as I dug.
Thank you Terry Knapp for bringing us tacos in the middle of a park! To everyone who brought drinks! Then the Camo Crue-always so generous! A huge thank you to anyone who gave another person a ride to the parks. Cluemaster for 2 am talks in the truck. Gordy for slipping me a handwarmer while standing in line and CM for slipping me some schnapps. Randy Rust for the last of his hot chocolate at 3 am.. Tim the hunter-thank you for carrying Ares heavy shovel back to my truck! Karl, Laurie & New Daddy for offering me gloves on that last night when I left mine at home! Downtown Dave for posting the clue almost every night. Chrisdigger, Ares and Artemis for waiting hours downtown for the last clue! Artemis daily report that I still have to read. and Terry Valentines editorials.
Marley and ESD for designing bumper stickers and Mom, Dad, Terry & Inks for the wonderful work they do on the buttons.
The little things throughout the year that take so much time. Like Marley, Med Hunter & Ares (and now OntheSearch) for keeping wonderful websites maintained! Everyone who takes pictures throughout the years!- Cluemaster, Ian and KC0GRN! TMK just for always making me laugh ...and playing with our kids at the re-hash bash every year! THX our “stern controller” in the cooler.
Scribe hanging out with me under the table at the Rockin' Lobster.
Green? Just cause it’s hard being Green.
LL – you have graduated from (CCA) Cooler Crew Anonymous – you stuck by Phalen this whole hunt! Congratulations!
AW and Marley- looking forward to a good old fashion treasure hunts!
If I have not mentioned your name it isn’t because you’re not thought of.
Cooler Crew are, restaurant & business owners, website organizers, master gardeners, authors, lawyers, figure skaters, car salesmen, photographers, clue writers, police officers, filmmakers, ... moms, dads, grandma’s & grandpa’s, we donate our time to our friends, habitat for humanity, the historical society, schools.—YOU ARE THE SPIRIT OF ST PAUL –you are the soul of medallion hunts.
I don’t plan to win an Oscar if I make it in Trent's movie and I may not ever find that medallion but You can forever call me ...” lucky... humbled.... proud.... blessed...” to have met every single one of you. This is to all of you, I raise my shovel! Thank you.
love, Me2
2004 Pre-Dig Gig
The 6th Annual Pre-Dig Gig at Patrick McGovern’s on Saturday, January 24, 2004 saw the gathering of old hunting friends sprinkled liberally with first time attendees. Roughly 100 folks came and went during the evening. As always, the stories of previous hunts, predictions of where the medallion will be found sometime in the next 12 days, the greeting of old and new friends alike made this annual gathering one this writer wouldn’t miss. The evening, as always, was capped off with the reading of the first clue.
Mom and Dad had this year’s Cooler Crew commemorative buttons and East Side Digger had bumper stickers for sale. If you missed the opportunity to purchase a button or bumper sticker, there will be more opportunities to get your collectibles from these creative folks during the hunt and at the Rehash Bash.
The laughter, the din of conversation, putting faces with on-line names, the meeting of new Cooler Crew members and the camaraderie of those obsessed with hunting for a little blue puck in the parks marked the beginning of the 2004 Winter Carnival Medallion Hunt. Let’s hope a Coolerhead finds it this year!
Coolerheads will Prevail!!!!!!