Blog posts

Patrick McGovern's

January 19th, 2002

Amazement is the word that comes to mind about this year's predig party at McGovern's. There had to be by evening's end at least 100 people that had come and gone.

We took over an upstairs room at McGovern's. The room probably holds 50 people or so comfortably, but as usual, some folks came early and left, others came later, and some of us were there from beginning to end. We had the room packed.

There were several lurkers who have never posted but felt comfortable enough to come and introduce themselves. Additionally, Cathi Hogan, last year's finder came for awhile. She said she was going to be the first hunter to find it twice in a row. She has some challengers to that notion! Cookie Howard, Kay Anderson, and Rachel Olson, the finders from 1995 (Battle Creek) were in attendance. They've been hunting together since 1952 and continue to this day. Amazing! The 1969 finder (Victoria and 35E), Bill the RV guy, was also there for the duration of the evening.

Many of the Cooler regulars were present, some new faces appeared that I'm sure will turn up again during the hunt, and the evening was filled with fellow hunting enthusiasts.

Marley King and his Queen Kal had created bumper stickers that were ready for sale. They did a nice job with those! Thanks to the team work of E&H's Mom and Dad and Terry Valentine, this year's Cooler Crew commemorative buttons were ready! Steve Worthman had his Treasure Hunter's Guide, 2nd Edition, books for sale. Those have become quite popular with hunters. The medallion hunt seems to bring out the unique talent and creativity of medallion seekers.

The documentary crew was in attendance, complete with some interns hired locally to help with filming this year. Here's hoping those locals get the fever and join the hunt after the filming is completed this year!

Toward the end of the evening, a couple of folks headed to the Pioneer Press Building to get the first clue and brought it back to McGovern's. The early noodling included the concensus that we have a new clue writer this year. Possibly important key phrases discussed were "light a spark," "far and wide," and "have no fear."

An interesting aside to share here....just as the folks were leaving the Pioneer Press, there was a Press employee who mentioned that the Wisconsin edition contained the wrong clue. After some quick thinking, a store in Hudson, WI was called. Turns out it was the first clue from last year!

The hunt has begun!

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.

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.

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...

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 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.

The Cooler Crew site is prominently featured on Pioneer Planet again this year. Adding to the fun, Cooler Crew members are likely to be a component of a documentary titled "No Time for Cold Feet" from New York-based Not Another Hollywood Film (NAHF). See the Medallion Page for further details.

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.

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.