2007 St. Paul Winter Carnival Medallion -ACT I

That wouldn't be a bad addition. Although it's looking like traditions that started when the Cooler Crew was very small are going to keep us from ever making any changes to accomodate the present crowd.

As long as I'm being an iconoclast anyway, I'd also kind of like to see a change to the Rehash Bash. Last year I got there a bit late and everyone was gone already. It's an interesting notion to say you had a picnic in a park in February, but most of the time it is too cold for anyone to last out there very long. It never seems like enough time to meet everyone whose posts you've been reading or to share all the stories of the past hunt you'd like to share. I think perhaps it should be a two part event where there's an hour's worth of ceremonies (looking at the spot where it was found, burning the clues, whatever) and then everyone retires to some indoor spot to socialize.

Allison, I like the idea of the rehash bash moving indoors. The years we've had use of a rec center has certainly made it much nicer.

The problem with moving the pre-dig gig is there are those who never visit these boards, but show up there just about every year because they know we'll be there. And actually, if McGovern's would cooperate, there is space there for us.

I think it's pretty clear that the only way to change the PDG is to make the plans a little more than a year ahead of time. So this week someone that is unhappy with the PDG should step up and figure out a SOLID plan for the PDG in 2008. I can't speak for everyone but I am pretty certain if there is a good alternative presented at this years PDG that most people will go for it, and those that aren't on this site all year long will know the plan as well.

Trust me, it's never going to change unless someone takes this on as a project and puts some effort towards it. Personally I'm fine with the way it is so I know it isn't going to be me.

RE: Re-hash bash I know personally it's less of the fact that it's cold out and more the fact taht I've neglected my real life for too long and need to get back into that, but changing it wouldn't bother me at all either, as that is a lot easier to change.

I think it'll take a year where it's pretty uncomfortable for the majority of the group to want to change. So far it's been crowded but still OK. We'll see this year.

I really don't care about the crowding or the cold, it's more about the tradition for me.

Most everyone seems to move in closer as the booze flows and the night goes on anyways lol :pbpt:

True dat!

reading terry post "true dat"
::eyebrow lifted with a snerk!::

hahahaha

FWIW, A few years ago I met a really fun group of Vikings tailgaters. Whenever I would go see the Vikes, I would go party with them. I knew one guy by his first name alone, and I knew where they worked. After the tailgating lots were displaced by the new Guthrie, I couldn't find them for a game or two. So I called the place of business and asked for Joe. BAM! I was tailgating with them at the next game..

Bottom line: if there's a will, there's a way

One thing to keep in mind is that the Pre-Dig-Gig started on these boards. Thus everyone who goes is either on one of these boards somewhere or knows someone who is or else they never would have heard about it to begin with. I personally have faith we could get the word out if we wanted, but it would have to be a group effort. It doesn't sound like the will is there for it though.

As for a solid plan in 2008, I would say the private room at Joseph's. It's free aside from a $100 deposit, parking should never be a problem, the food is great, they have a full bar, and it's just as close to the PP as McGovern's.

I agree that it wouldn't be difficult to change locations for this year. For instance, I only check this board during the month of January and early February. I would be able to get in touch with several other people to let them know of a change of venue. I think that word of mouth is very strong. I also think that for next year Joseph's would be a wonderful idea. I think that the main issue that people are having this year is parking and the conflict with the Wild and Joseph's would alleviate that problem completely. The people that I have talked to that usually come to this event with me have mentioned that it would be better to have the PDG at a different location due to the lack of parking so they would be in favor of a change.

heh

Doesn't look like the weather is calling for any significant snowfall between now and the hunt. If I was the cluewriter, I'd definitely be working on a no snow plan right now. So what other St. Paul parks have significantly sized wooded areas? There's Linwood and Indian Mounds, neither of which has been used lately. I suppose Highland does too in areas. Those would be my top three choices this year.

I was thinking the same thing about the no-snow plan the other day. Have to watch the early clues for the "what it's in" clue.

I have a bad feeling that I won't even be close this year. I hope I'm wrong.

So what other St. Paul parks have significantly sized wooded areas?

Off the top of my head, Como, Cherokee (but that's a rather steep grade in areas), Crosby, Highland, Hidden Falls, Battle Creek, Indian Mounds. Has Linwood ever been used in a hunt? Heh, little embarrasing, I should know that answer.

Only in Wonderland and Roger Barr's book.

Ahh, thanks for the clarification.

Laura Yuen called me again. I'd sent her an email to go over a couple things I thought of after that phone interview (I'm not great at answering questions on the spot). Heh, after talking to her for a while, I'm beginning to wonder if she might have something to do with the clue writing....

huh - could be

A. She has a very good knowledge of the hunt. B. She discussed ways clues have been written to thwart new technologies. (case in point, the 2003 como hunt with the reference to a school a few blocks outside of como, there haven't been clues like it since, and she thought it might be because you can search the area via google maps to get that info).

Heh, maybe I'm just a conspiracy theorist. At least she wished me luck on the hunt.

she seems to be very nice and shows a geniune interest in the hunt, I think it would be good if she were involved.

Oh definately. I'd just think it was cool to be having a discussion with a clue writer.

Kinda like Sue from the Oakdale hunt, I'm fairly sure she's writing the clues for that one, and I hope my comments to her were well received. I guess I'll know if my emails paid off when this year's hunt comes around.

I hope you invited the reporter to the pre-dig bash.... :cool:

lol somehow I don't think she'd show anyway.

But by all means, get in touch with her and let her know. I think I've probably bugged her enough already.

I did talk to her, and I'm not sure if she has anything to do with the hide, but she had some misconceptions about how we were using GPSs to zero in on our medallion (unless I'm missing the part where the coordinates are printed down the left side of the clues). She seemed to want to make more of the technology used in the hunt than what I saw was reality...maybe that's why I've never found it! I made sure I didn't tell her about our secret little insider-only technological advantage: "Ask Kitch" :ooh:

Ask Kitch! Google search

hrmm. i just noticed she's hit the map page on coolercrew.com today (i hope it didn't look like crap as i was working on getting the st. paul city boundary in there too). or at least someone from the pp did. at about quarter to 1.

Well it's confirmed! McGoverns said that we have the lower level at 8:00 now. But it might be a bit packed at the main bar before hand since the Wild game doesn't start until 8 that night. Is anyone good with Power Point to make a flier to send out? McGoverns would like a copy of it too.

King Boreas

That place always steps up eventually. It does irritate me though that it's always such a big deal like they are doing us a favor.

Why Power Point? Why a flier?

And I think it might be a good idea to get other places in mind for next year so if the majority are agreed, we could announce that this year.

Allison, what's the deal with the $100 deposit at Joseph's? And when would we get that back?

Why Power Point? Why a flier?

That was what they said a lot of their reserves do. We don't have to. Just thought someone might wanna have some fun with it is all. Either way I'll e-mail them the official info that we put out in here anyway.

So that would be to make it easier for folks to find us? Like we would hang them around the main floor?

Not really. Just something to send out or post on-line is all. But that would be an idea too.

Why didn't you ask? I have the St. Paul boundary.

Better yet, where'd you find it?

I think I get it. We haven't done that in the past.

One could use Word or Publisher to do a flier too.

Some creative being will probably love stepping up and doing a flier.

Some creative being will probably love stepping up and doing a flier.

I'm sending out a couple of virtual nudges as we speak. :wink: :smile:

Good! :smile:

http://www.ci.saint-paul.mn.us/maps/City.pdf + Google Earth for Lat/Long coordinates.

and about 4 hours worth of time.

Bummer. Next time feel free to ask, I already had it.

In fact, if you want the boundaries for the rest of the cities in Ramsey, I got em all. Hand traced from USGS topographical maps referencing the city zoning maps for accuracy.

Perhaps we might come up with a list of a few potential places for next year: McGs, Josephs, wherever else might be a possibility...and leave the list at the park pool table, then CM (or whomever is manning the table) can allow any interested party to vote ONCE for one of the venues. Whichever place gets the most tallies at the end of the evening wins the PDG for next year.

Not a bad idea

of course it isn't :chagrin: :goofy:

Will there be nametags this year with avatars? I thought that was a really helpful way to keep people straight in years past.

a really helpful way to keep people straight

I thought the Cooler Chicks helped with that? :eyeroll: :wink:

I still have my tag around somewhere

Hey Jules! :cool:

I think I have still have my name tag, too! :grin: