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Documentary Features Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on

As 2001 marked the 50th medallion hunt, special attention was given to last year's dig. One addition you may have seen on the plains of our public parks was a documentary film crew. Trent Tooley and Jackie Garry of Not Another Hollywood Film (NAHF) were shooting a documentary about the hunt called "No Time for Cold Feet." They promised to be back for 2002. You're encouraged to learn more about the project by visiting the NAHF site. E-Mail: MedallionHuntDoc@aol.com.

Treasure Hunter Training Program

Submitted by Allison Wonderland on

by Allison Wonderland

For further insights, information, and discussion of the hunt, join the treasure hunting club at The Allison Wonderland.

  1. Whenever a snow emergency is declared, follow the snowplows around and completely dig out all the cars they plow in.
  2. As a big storm is about to hit, stand on your front steps with your back to the yard. Toss your car keys over your shoulder. Go back inside and then go find them the next day.
  3. Read up on Occam's Razor (All else being equal, the simplest solution tends to be the correct one).
  4. Do every word jumble, crossword puzzle, and search-a-word you can get your hands on.
  5. Make a list of all the things you can do with $10,000.
  6. Turn off the heat in your home for 16 hours a day.
  7. Only sleep three hours a night.
  8. Move all the snow from your back yard to your front yard.
  9. Spend all night on the Internet with total strangers discussing who killed JFK.
  10. Commit the Cooler Crew and Treasure Hunter's Guide Websites to memory.

2001 Rehash Bash Re-Cap

Submitted by Terry on

Como Park (West Picnic Grounds)

February 4th, 2001

I'm thinking close to 100 people were at the Rehash Bash; someone else thought more like 75. With folks coming and going, it's hard to tell...but this is definitely a growing phenonomen.

The Pioneer Press had a Coolerheads 2001 banner for the Torchlight Parade the night before, which we get to keep. We put it up in the shelter at the Rehash Bash. Thanks go out to "Mom and Dad" who brought propane heaters; we were able to stay reasonably warm in that kind of damp, Minnesota cold with a bit of a breeze and no sun.

As always, there was lots of food and talking. Cathi, the 2001 medallion finder, brought an ice cream cake decorated with the clues, a Dove soap box, and an Iron Man sock. She is just the best! She is so bubbly and so much fun!

One thing that kept coming up during the event was that there are lurkers who want to post but are having trouble getting through the registration process at the Planet. I hope that gets resolved. At least some of them are feeling comfortable enough to come out and meet everyone despite the fact that they can't post. It makes me wonder how many more are out there. Cathi is still trying to figure out how to post.

The documentary folks were there and will return next year. I think they didn't quite get everything they wanted—including the locust part of the hunt. One of these years, the hunt will last long enough to witness that again.

This is Just Too Good

Submitted by Dickaroo on

Excellent Insight

(from Water Cooler post)

Dickaroo, Jan 26, 2001 CST

Not everyone understands the hunt. It definitely gets in your blood. You've studied the clues. You know exactly where it is. You grab a tool (shovel, hoe, we all have our preference) and you head to the site with the true belief that it is a matter of getting out of the car, and picking up the prize. You can taste it.

You arrive to the reality of several hundred thousand cubic yards of snow, 3,000 other people, and a van selling mini-donuts...

Ah...the hunt...

Predig Gig 2001 at McGovern's

Submitted by Terry on

Patrick McGovern's

Thought I'd try to give the general flavor of the McGovern's gathering.

There were approximately 50 people in attendance this year, including (hold your breath) Dave Young (DDY), Green, Eags, Eags' friend Vicki, Bob e, Eags' niece (Nut), Emmy and Hannah's Mom and Dad, Tim the Hunter and his dad (Pops), Elizabeth Hanninen (eh) with her hubby (PP) and their 7-month-old son Thomas, Scribe and THX-1138 (who met on the PP boards and were married earlier this month), Jake Inge (who also prepared a treasure hunt Jeopardy game), Downtown Dave, AnnetteB, MJ and TT, a couple of lurkers that haven't posted yet but promise to do so soon, Medallion Stallion and his friend, Marley King and Kelly, Allison, Steve Worthman, Inks and Terry and daughter (of earmuffs fame), Northernlights, leelabell and her hubby, Wright Winger, Tiny Thumbs and 'lectric Duane, and Mr. Med Hunter. (It's always fun to get a little recognition.)

Some medallion-finding celebrities were in attendance, as well. Bill Gralish (a.k.a. the RV guy) was one of the finders of the medallion on 35E and Victoria in 1969, the Davoli's found it at Newell Park last year, and William J. Buron found it with his sister-in-law Andrea (who couldn't make it) in the Bull Durham bag at Mears Park in 1975.

The Pioneer Press gave us t-shirts celebrating the 50th year of the hunt with a map and listing of all the finding places—another terrific collector's item courtesy of our sponsor.

The Pioneer Press also sent someone to film the event who also took some still shots. There have been rumors of some streaming video on the website.

There was the usual flurry to get the clue when that came out and the usual second- and third-guessing and overanalyzing that always occurs.

We also had our buttons ready! We invited the finders to our Rehash Bash on the 4th of February. They have some contact with other finders and will pass the word.

An aside to all this...someone who started working with me in September had a great uncle who passed away this past year. He was the finder of the first treasure in 1952.

As always - it was a great night and the beginning of another great hunt.

Thanks for Volunteerin'!

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on

Thanks to everyone that is helping with the article archive project. We've accomplished a lot, but there's plenty more to do! A mailing address is the only thing needed to get on the archival bandwagon. Cooler Crew is always looking for folks to help bring our vast library of past medallion lore into the modern era. Basically, we need some good keyboard hands. If you're interested in doing something to help create a wonderful piece of Minnesota history, this is where we need you the most. Please inquire with Greg Sax.

Medallion Page: The Here and Beyond

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on

Progress on our Medallion Page is smokin'. All the clues from all the years are now available. They're not currently as perfectly explained as they ought to be, but we'll be able to use them to help our hunting efforts. As time permits, the clue descriptions will be cleaned up and anecdotes will be added to make you laugh and clap.

Medallion Page: The Here and Beyond

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on

Progress on our Medallion Page tends to stall through the summer months, but efforts are being made to buck that trend this year. All the clues from all the years will be up as soon as possible. They may not be as pretty as what's up right now, but we'll be able to use them to help our hunting efforts well before the 2001 campaign. As with any architectural effort of this magnitude, construction will always include a little help from our fine friends. Please continue to send whatever medallion stories and images you have on file or feel like including in an e-mail. Together we will make this site a treasure trove of medallion lore.

May 1999 Gathering

Submitted by Terry on

Attendees: Lady Lou, her hubby Big B, their dog Gizmo, Green, MJ (with her husband TT, daughter LuLu and their foreign exchange student, Olga), Dave Young, Eags, Mom and Dad with Emmy and Hannah, Terry and Inks Valentine, and Patsfan all the way from St. Louis, Missouri.

The May 29th STB-L! was held at Lady Lou and Big B's log home on a lake in western Wisconsin. The weather was perfect—sunny, warm, but not too hot, and a beautiful view.

Lady Lou and Big B were the perfect host and hostess. There had been lots of prep work done before we arrived. Lady Lou is quite the cook and she had been baking, fixing, and preparing food for at least a week. There was one counter just loaded with food when we arrived—and that was just the snack stuff for the afternoon!

The activity of the afternoon was visiting, laughing, and fishing. Wisconsin made good money that day on fishing licenses. Two stringers of sunnies were caught that afternoon right off the dock!

As dinnertime approached, the grills were fired up and everyone fixed their steaks or brats and put out all the accompanying food. Some of us were so full from the salads, home-made baked beans, and the snacks from earlier in the day, that we had to bring part or all of our steaks back home with us.

We also celebrated birthdays. Big B's, Patsfan's 2-year-old - FHOFer, and Terry's. Lady Lou had gotten a cake with a football theme for the FHOFer, a fishing theme for Big B, and an angel looking over the whole thing for Terry.....all on one cake!

We also sent some gifts home with Patsfan for the new baby at his house....a baby girl dubbed Mz. A!

Eventually, we all headed back to the Twin Cities, though it wasn't easy to leave. Big B and Lady Lou live on their own little piece of paradise and big thanks go to them for sharing with the Cooler Crew!