For the fifth time in the Shamroch Hunt’s history, Pat Schultz and his party have located the Shamrock Medallion.
The Schultzes pulled the medallion from beneath the bottom step of the metal slide in Union Square Park behind Belle Plaine High School. The find marks the seventh time the family has found a medallion across the three seasonal hunts that fall around St. Patrick’ Day, harvest time and Bar-B-Q Days.
Pat Schultz, who was accompanied by children Charlie, Cece and Luke, narrowed the location down to Union Square Park thanks to a reference to the partial line found in clue no. 3, written by Don Meger, that said in part “…don’t give me no Sass.”
Schultz deduced and Meger later confirmed to the Herald that the line was a reference to the memorial bench in Union Square Park that honors the late Bob and Marian Sass. The bench is about 15 feet from the slide. Meger stated that in clue no. 2 Bob Sass was referenced in the third paragraph with the line “Yes siree Bob!”
Schultz stated that he and his crew hadn’t narrowed their search down until clue no. 3, but he said that hardiness may have played a factor in their finding the medallion yet again.
“Most people weren’t willing to go out looking in the snow, so I guess we’re the only ones dumb enough to try it,” Schultz said.
Upon reviewing the clues, Schultz noticed that Meger had given several references to large creatures, such as King Kong, Big Green and more mentioned in clue no. 2, as well as Grape Ape and Big Ole in clue no. 1. Schultz and company upon seeing the steps on the Union Park slide correctly determined that the mentions were references to the word “Giant” embossed on each of the slide’s steps.
Meger added that a reference to McCovey Cove, the field where the San Francisco Giants play, was yet another reference to the steps.
Meger added that in third to last paragraph in clue no. 2, which mentioned “Apple trees, bunches of these…” there was a hint that would have led searchers toward Grove Street, which abuts Union Square Park.
Additionally, in clue no. 3, Meger added, there was a reference to Barry’s Boogie, which was meant to be taken as a reference to Barry Manilow’s rendition of the American Bandstand theme song, which would have led lookers to the bandstand in Union Square Park.
Copyright 2020 Belle Plaine Herald/Southwest News Media/Media News Group.
