2021 Oakdale Summerfest Medallion Hunt

As in years past, the main point of this clue is to remind all medallion searchers the medallion is not hidden in a place that would require you to swim, dig, or climb. However, of additional value, is the reference to the nearly 50-year-old song. The song title is noted specifically in Clue #4.

The first part if the clue is simply honoring the current Oakdale Chief of Police, Bill Sullivan. Bill has been part of the Oakdale Police Department for over 3 decades. He will be retiring in the next couple of months. He has been a loyal and committed servant for the community and he and his family have been part of the very fabric of our city for years. All the best to you, Bill! In the second part of the clue, the word “toddler” was used to create some suspicion that the medallion may actually be hidden in one of the 3 “tot” lots in the city (Golfview, Tilley, Tower). The other key word, of course, is nature as it foretells the location at the Nature Preserve.

The small plastic disk reminds searchers what they are really looking to find. The reference to the four parks has no meaning other than to add an element of confusion. Each park named is at or near the farthest point in that direction in the City. In a broad sense, the words “step” and “feet” passing by reference the paved walking trail in front of the schoolhouse. More specifically, however, the word “step” references the more exact location behind the step and many people who will walk up and down the front step of the schoolhouse and have no idea they are walking right over the medallion.

The word “bear” references the black bear inside the Oakdale Discovery Center at the Oakdale Nature Preserve. The main substance of this clue is determining the fictitious word “Ecila” is actually the name “Alice” spelled backward. The Alice Cooper song entitled, “Schools Out For Summer” was released in April 1972 (hence the reference in Clue #1: nearly 50 years ago). The number 12 references the schoolhouse: it was the District 12 schoolhouse used from 1888 to 1921 but originally located in Lake Elmo.

Behind the step leading to the front door of the restored District 12 schoolhouse at the Oakdale Nature Preserve is where the medallion was hidden. It would be nearly impossible to see the medallion much less have access to it without crawling under the wooden front door platform. Enclosed in a small Ziplock bag and hung from a small finish nail, the baggie contained the medallion along with a note for who to call once it was found.

Some 20 years ago, the City of Oakdale charged the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce (the OPBA – Oakdale Business and Professional Association, at that time) with engaging the citizens of Oakdale and the community at large with getting out to explore the parks. They also wanted a way to drive city residents to this new-fangled thing called the Internet and a “web site” to encourage citizens to go to this site for City information. Wala! The Oakdale Summerfest Medallion Hunt was born. Along with imprinting the City’s “new” address of www.ci.oakdale.mn.us into many brains, the medallion hunt’s mission is still to encourage the diverse population in the City to get out and enjoy nature and to visit all of our now 29 parks. Thanks for participating. Next up: 2022 – Onward!