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2002 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Casey Trauer on

Yes, the medallion has been found, but there's still lots to talk about. Feel the need for more than virtual discussion? Then join the Re-Hash Bash, Sunday, Jan. 27, at noon at Merriam Park in St. Paul.

me2

ok, I am back -

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 3:50 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

Marydale is on my list because it has been used in the past so we know they're willing to use it, but it hasn't been used in a while. And despite the theories of thin ice, I don't think they really have any reason not to use it.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 3:51 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

As for the Capitol Mall, I'm going to go ahead and discount that because it's not actually a park. The last time it was there the clue did read "public ground". As for the Conway question, I do believe the official title of the place was Conway Park and Recreation Center.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 3:54 PM Permalink
me2

Well-possible bad news on my part-

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 3:55 PM Permalink
me2

I went and bought the buttons -(they only had 4 packs left)...went down to the downtown postoffice and they stopped postmarking on Sundays (they did postmark on Sundays last year -they picked up the mail outside daily).

So...I drove to the Landmark center (parked in the no parking area) went upstairs and their lights were on in the WC office but noone there---I wrote them a note and slipped my note with 4 registrations under their door at 2:43 pm! I pray they take them!

Also note: there is NO mail delivery tomarrow or postmarks. MLK Day!

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 3:56 PM Permalink
ares

ok allison, those make sense to me.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 3:57 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

Didn't get your button registered, did you? I went down ton the downtown post office and mailed mine, but it didn't appear as though they really had Sunday pickup afterall. But I mailed it anyway.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 3:57 PM Permalink
ares

did you try the eagan post office, me2. somewhere down on lexington down there. its supposed to be open 24x7.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 3:57 PM Permalink
me2

This would be the first year ever that I did not get it postmarked on time! I am so so so so so so so so so bummed. :( - If I found it - this would be probly be the year considering, yah know?

I already pushed them under their door--afterwards I did think I should have just put 1 in the mailbox downtown anyhow.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:01 PM Permalink
Annie B.

Well - not that I am any good at this, I still think Lilydale has a shot. For one thing it is not on Harriet Island, but Lilyday is connected and near the Airport. Also, The Capitol Mall is listed in one spot as a park, and another as not. But the Capitol is not a St. Paul Park, it would be a park in St. Paul. And if we go w/ that theory - can we rule out all regional parks because 'yes' they may be a park in St. Paul, but not a St. Paul Park? Any thoughts on the matter?

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:02 PM Permalink
me2

Cool Annie B!

Do you all think a new clue writer would be so smart?

an editor or journalism major?

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:04 PM Permalink
Annie B.

I just think if we took them literally, the choices are narrowed considerably.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:06 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

I don't think it would be in Lilydale, because that's not St. Paul. But I'm inclined to go with a broad interpretation of "St. Paul park" and assume they mean a park in St. Paul and not specifically a St. Paul city operated park. Although if I am going to go with loose interpretations, maybe I shouldn't assume they realize the Capitol Mall isn't technically a park.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:11 PM Permalink
me2

I did that last year (took them literally) and got literally SLAMMED with the wrong park!

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:11 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

Oops, I didn't realize Me2 was here. Guess we all better go hide! (hehe)

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:13 PM Permalink
Annie B.

Isn't part of Lilydale in St. Paul? I'll scratch it if it is not. Yeah - and last year someone made up a clue and got me going to the Capitol - felt quite stupid after that!

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:14 PM Permalink
me2

I like you too AW

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:14 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

No, Lilydale is actually a city unto itself just like Roseville or Eagan.

You know I'm just kidding Me2. Just making a joke about why it seems like you're always on alone. :-P

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:17 PM Permalink
me2

Annie B? did you see earlier Capitol Mall was originally Central Park?

OK, are you playing a joke on me---where did everyone go? :(

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:21 PM Permalink
ares

i've got the packers game on, 2. paying more attention to it than the board.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:28 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

I'm still here. Trying to do some job hunting at the same time. Sometimes it seems like my chances of finding a job are about as good as my chances of finding the Medallion (hate job hunting!)

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:28 PM Permalink
Annie B.

Me2 - no I hadn't, but in one of my park books, it shows under "Parks in St. Paul" then under 'State Facilities': 1) Capitol Mall, 2) Central Park (Constitution Ave. and Cedar), also 3) Judiciary Plaza (East Capitol Plaza/Cedar St.)

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:29 PM Permalink
me2

Are they basically in the same place -merged, like the area as a whole?----I think that happened to Linwood too were 2-3 park areas merged to make one park with areas in the park named the old names? Linwood-Haldeman Park-Ridgewood park ---anyone know where the later of the 2 are any more?

not sure but would that be Central more to the west of the capitol -right across the street ?? anyone know? I guess I just considered it all Central/Capitol

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:36 PM Permalink
me2

hence--If the capitol were "central" than far and wide is not at the capitol.

Goodluck on the job hunt AW--if you find the medallion you will have some more time to find a job. (I am sure that is what your thinking too :) )

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:38 PM Permalink
Annie B.

Well it says that Central Park is on Constitution Ave & Cedar and also says (On top of the ramp), and that it is 2.5 Acres. The whole capitol mall is 36 Acres it says which I cannot believe so I don't know what they are talking about. I think they are including the land that the MN History Museum is on, but still that seems a bit large.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:41 PM Permalink
David Hulbert

I see by perusing the paper today that the hunt is on in earnest.Though it's been hidden there too often already-the first clues make me think of Como Park.

"Let the medallion search in you light a spark",is one line.this could allude to Sparky the Seal.I don't know if the present Sparky is still alive,but everyone familiar with St. Paul has heard of the beloved seal.

"Far and wide-take your hunt-have no fear",reads another line.Far and wide is where all the various animals come from to stock Como Zoo."Have no fear'could mean an animal species,such as that new polar bear from San Diego Zoo.Being in captivity-these critters wouldn't instill fear in any case.

That's what I think today.Tomorrow I might be searching that long,skinny park by the river.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:41 PM Permalink
David Hulbert

36 acres for the Minnesota Capitol grounds does seem far too big.They must be thinking of the capitol at Juneau,Alaska-the US city with the most land area.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:45 PM Permalink
Annie B.

Perhaps it was a misprint and instead of 36 Acres - it is supposed to be 3.6 Acres - now that makes much more sense! Glad we got that cleared up. That is what they must have meant.

OH well, when adding it all up, it just doesn't seem right either way.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:47 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

If Mears Park is 2 acres, I don't think it would be that hard to imagine putting 18 Mears parks into the Capitol Mall. An acre is really all that big.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:50 PM Permalink
me2

I have that Central park alone was 2 and 1/3 acres that was measured back in 1884 though.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:51 PM Permalink
Annie B.

Mears Park is 1 block, how can that be 2 acres?

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:53 PM Permalink
me2

well, I have been known to be way wrong before-oooops. I'll keep striving.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:54 PM Permalink
David Hulbert

How id you focus on Central?What prompted that?

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:54 PM Permalink
me2

ok, Mears park used to be Smith park. It is 1/6th of a mile in width and length. ALSO...it was built on "Baptist Hill" in those days there was a Baptist church near there. 1849--3rd oldest park in St Paul.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:56 PM Permalink
me2

Hi David--I think it was the fireworks (sparks) clue and just trying to get our park facts straight

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 4:57 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

Like I said, an acre really isn't very big. It's roughly a square 70 yards by 70 yards. It's very roughly the size of a football field.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:00 PM Permalink
me2

That is the park I thought the puck was in last year before Como --so I know EVERYTHING about Mears!

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:01 PM Permalink
David Hulbert

Just checked the contest board.All my deductions are blown in the wind.It's not at Como Zoo-though it didn't actually say it wasn't at Como Park.As usual,not on a golf course,as they don't want complaints about damage,it's not at Harriet Island-as it's now a regional park.Also-they probably don't want digging in the improved park.

Spark must mean fire-somewhere near a public barbecue site.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:03 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

"Spark must mean fire-somewhere near a public barbecue site."

Spark might mean fire. It might mean nothing at all. It's generally wise to not make such assumptions until you have some sort of corraborating evidence.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:06 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

Hmmm, doing the math here, if Mears was 1/6 mile by 1/6 of a mile, it would actually be almost 18 acres! A 1/16th of a mile x 1/16th would make it 2.5 acres.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:09 PM Permalink
me2

well last year-every clue like that referred to what it was found in rather than where.

but this also looks like a different clue writer--

just when I was getting used to the old one---

"I'm so confused" (hands on head)

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:10 PM Permalink
David Hulbert

I've been accused of being a 'wise guy',but not brimming with the wisdom that you advocate.

I just caught the post about the fireworks-meaning possibly the New Year's Eve bash downtown. I didn't attend any of it-but I'm seeing now where some of these ideas are coming from.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:11 PM Permalink
me2

ok AW-is a sixth of a mile 1/6th? now then take and minus 50-75 feet square what do you get?

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:11 PM Permalink
me2

Well NORM was well known for many fireworks especially near Harriet Island.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:12 PM Permalink
David Hulbert

This year the first clue seems to suggest more than usual.Maybe it is a different clue writer.

Usually-it just mentions the most basic stuff-public property-park in St. Paul.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:14 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

"ok AW-is a sixth of a mile 1/6th?"

Yes

"now then take minus 50-75 feet in both directions what do you get?"

I'm not sure what you mean. 1/6 of a mile is 880 feet. 1/16th is 330 ft.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:17 PM Permalink
me2

Well it is not at Mears anyhow - so it is a square- approx 1 block on each side but does not look the length of a football field. so there AW! :)

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:18 PM Permalink
Annie B.

LOL - Boy we will be wondering why we are asking what we are asking come tomorrow when we will be inclined to think in another direction!

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:19 PM Permalink
David Hulbert

The "have no fear"business is very strange if it doesn't suggest anything.I'm thinking it must.

Bravery-valor-victory.Something like that.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:21 PM Permalink
David Hulbert

Right-but it's good mental stimulation for the present.

Sun, 01/20/2002 - 5:22 PM Permalink